Newsletter Schedule:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday - 5:00am

• Thursday & Sunday - No Newsletter

Here is your fast news headlines:

Puna Woman Sentenced to 10-years for Possession and Distribution of Methamphetamine 

Sheena Kaepekaa Andrews, also known as Cheena Andrews, a 37-year-old woman from Puna, has been sentenced to a 10-year prison term for possession and attempted distribution of methamphetamine offenses. Andrews was on probation for felony drug crimes at the time of committing the offenses. The sentencing was announced by Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen, who in a press release stated: “Today’s sentencing demonstrates our Office’s commitment to hold drug dealers accountable for poisoning our community,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen. “We will continue to prioritize the prosecution and investigation of those who distribute dangerous drugs including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin.”

On December 12, 2022, Andrews pleaded guilty to two felony offenses, including Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree and Attempted Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree for attempted distribution of any amount of methamphetamine. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elyssa Correia Keltner, while the investigation was handled by the Area I Vice Section of the Hawai‘i Police Department.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney urged anyone with information about illegal narcotics distribution to contact the Hawai‘i Police Department Vice Section in East Hawai‘i at (808) 934-8423, West Hawai‘i at (808) 329-0423, or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. The office remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment.

Mass Transit Administrator Out

Hele-On, the County of Hawaiʻi Mass Transit Agency, is undergoing a leadership transition following significant improvements in its critical transportation services, including buses, routes, and schedules, over the last year and a half. Mass Transit Administrator John Andoh will be stepping down on March 31 to assume a similar role on the mainland, and a new administrator will be recruited from April 1. The Department of Human Resources will conduct an extensive hiring process to ensure that a new administrator is in place by mid-Summer. Mayor Mitch Roth expressed his gratitude for Andoh's contributions to the transit system, noting that his work had transformed the service, making it more consistent, modern, and sustainable for Hawaiʻi residents. Andoh, in turn, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made by Hele-On and highlighted the exciting plans for new zero-emission buses, ADA-compliant bus stops, transit hubs, and more staff for the Mass Transit Agency.

30 DUI Arrests Made from Feb 27 - Mar 5

From February 27, 2023, to March 5, 2023, Hawai`i Island police apprehended 30 drivers for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Of these drivers, nine were involved in a traffic collision, and none were under the age of 21.

Year-to-date, there have been 194 DUI arrests, a 7.18% decrease compared to the same period last year, when 209 arrests were made. The Traffic Services Section of the Hawai‘i Police Department reviewed updated crash reports and found 166 significant crashes this year, compared to 130 in the same period in the previous year, representing an increase of 27.69%.

Thus far, four fatal crashes have occurred, resulting in five fatalities (Rvsd. 02/07/23: one fatal crash reclassified—manner of death was due to natural causes), including one fatal crash that claimed multiple lives, compared to six fatal crashes and eight fatalities, including one fatal crash with multiple deaths, for the same period last year. Fatal crashes decreased by 33.3%, and fatalities decreased by 37.5%.

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island-wide to deter and apprehend impaired drivers.

State House Approve Less Money for Tourism Authority

The Committee on Finance of the State House of Representatives passed HB300, which pertains to the state's biennium operating and capital improvement budget. $35 million appropriation to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA), it is $40 million less than the budget request, which has raised significant concerns from HTA President John DeFries. DeFries said in a statement that "The cuts will have a widespread impact on HTA's operations, visitor education programs, destination management, cultural events, festivals, and sporting events that the organization supports in various markets worldwide and in the community. This is not a wise decision, especially given the predicted weakening of the global economy, which will have consequences for Hawai'i, as forecasted by the Council on Revenues and University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization."

HTA requested an operating budget of $75 million for fiscal year 2023-2024 and $60 million for fiscal year 2024-2025 and beyond to continue the implementation of the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and Destination Management Action Plans.

Hawaiʻi Police Department Requests:

Missing Child: Hazelyn Gonsalves, F-13, 5'01", 113 lbs., bro hair, bro eyes. Last seen: Tradewind Dr, Pahoa 03-08-2023 at 12:00 A.M.

The Hawaii Police Department is seeking the public's help in finding a missing 13-year-old girl, Hazelyn Gonsalves. She was last seen on Tradewind Drive in Pahoa on March 8, 2023, at 12:00 AM. Hazelyn is described as a female, 5'01" tall, weighing 113 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink hoodie, blue ripped jeans, and pink crocs.

Initially, Hazelyn was reported as a runaway, but due to her age, she is considered endangered, and the police are urgently seeking information on her whereabouts. If anyone has any information that can help locate her safely, they are urged to contact police dispatch at 808-935-3311 or call 911. The police department is asking the community to be vigilant and report any potential sightings or information related to this case.

Justine Kawaa, F-12, 5', 145 lbs., bro hair, bro eyes. Last seen: Kaumana Drive, Hilo, on 03-07-2023 at 8:00 P.M.

The Hawaii Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding a missing child, Justine Kawaa. The 12-year-old girl was last seen on March 7, 2023, at around 8:00 P.M. on Kaumana Drive in Hilo. Kawaa has brown hair, brown eyes, is 5 feet tall, and weighs 145 pounds. Her clothing is unknown.

Initially reported as a runaway, Kawaa is now considered endangered due to her age. The Hawaii Police Department is urging anyone who may have information on her whereabouts to contact them immediately. If you have any information that can help locate Justine Kawaa, please call 911 or contact police dispatch at 808-935-3311.

The community is also encouraged to share this information on social media to help spread the word and increase the chances of finding Justine Kawaa.

 "Control Asthma" Campaign to Identify and Manage Asthma Triggers in Children

The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has launched a new campaign to educate parents about asthma triggers and provide them with simple activities to help their children manage the condition. The DOH is targeting the campaign at the 7.7% of children in Hawai‘i who have asthma, which is higher than the national average of 7.5%. To help parents identify and control asthma triggers, the campaign encourages them to have an "Asthma Action Plan" for their child. The plan is available for download from the ControlAsthma.hawaii.gov website, along with information about asthma signs and symptoms, triggers, and tailored information for parents, caregivers, teachers, and coaches. The "Control Asthma" campaign will run until June 2023 and includes radio, digital, social media, and mall advertisements statewide. Each month, the campaign will feature a common source that can trigger an asthma attack.

Hawai‘i State Judiciary Seeks Bilingual Individuals for Court Interpreter Workshops

The Hawai‘i State Judiciary is in search of individuals who are bilingual and proficient in both English and another language to interpret for the Hawai‘i State Courts. To become a state court interpreter, attending a two-day orientation workshop is compulsory. The Judiciary will conduct workshops in various locations, including Maui, Kauaʻi, Hilo, Oʻahu, and Kona. Participants can register for a fee of $25, instead of the usual $175, thanks to support from the State Office of Language Access.

In addition to attending the orientation workshop, individuals seeking to become a court interpreter must pass a written English proficiency exam, a court interpreter ethics exam, and a criminal background check. Court interpreters are not Judiciary employees but are independent contractors who are paid between $25 and $55 per hour, with a two-hour minimum, based on their written and oral exam performance.

The primary responsibility of court interpreters is to provide access to justice for court customers with limited English proficiency. To register for the workshop or learn more about the role of court interpreters, please visit the Judiciary's website, www.courts.state.hi.us/courtinterpreting, or contact the Office on Equality and Access to the Courts at [email protected] or 808-539-4860.

Depart. of Health Electronic Death Registry System Compromised

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) will notify surviving spouses and those who reported deaths to the mortuary about unauthorized access to the DOH Electronic Death Registry System (EDRS) by the end of this week. The DOH investigation found that an external medical certifier account of the EDRS was compromised and the login credentials were placed for sale on the dark web. The compromised account belonged to a medical certifier at a local hospital who left employment in June 2021, but the account was not deactivated. An unauthorized individual used the account to access the EDRS on January 20, 2023, and may have viewed approximately 3,400 death records. The death records contained the decedent’s name, social security number, address, sex, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and cause of death. No death certificates were accessed, and DOH is implementing additional security measures for EDRS external accounts and conducting a security review of external accounts for all of their systems.

Hirono Introduced Upholding Protections for Health and Online Location Data (UPHOLD) Privacy Act

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has introduced the Upholding Protections for Health and Online Location Data (UPHOLD) Privacy Act in response to reports that companies are collecting and selling location data that could be used to identify individuals seeking reproductive health care services. The bill, also introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), aims to expand protections for personal health data privacy by preventing companies from using personally identifiable health data for advertising purposes and giving consumers greater access to and ownership over their personal health information. Additionally, the bill restricts companies from collecting or using information about personal health without user consent and bans data brokers from selling location data. The UPHOLD Privacy Act is part of Senator Hirono's ongoing efforts to protect reproductive freedom and privacy.

Rep. Tokuda and Case Introduce Floriculture and Nursery Plant Health Initiative Act

Representative Jill Tokuda and Rep. Ed Case have introduced the Floriculture and Nursery Plant Health Initiative Act, which would expand research and extension grants to combat plant pests and pathogens that impact floriculture and nursery crops. The act would also establish an areawide integrated pest management program, survey and collect data on production and health of floriculture and nursery crops, and conduct research on factors that may contribute to resilient crop systems. Rep. Tokuda emphasizes the importance of the bill in sustaining Hawaii's floriculture industry, while Rep. Case notes the challenges the industry has faced and the bill's potential to reduce dependence on foreign plant product imports. The president of the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association also expressed support for the bill, stating that it will assist family-driven agribusinesses and ensure the thriving of iconic products.

Road Work: March 4 - March 10

— VOLCANO ROAD/MAMALAHOA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) NORTH OF PAHALA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 44 and 46, vicinity of Kapapala Ranch Road on Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) NORTH OF PAHALA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 46 and 50, vicinity of Kapapala Ranch Road on Saturday, March 4, and Sunday, March 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

3) CAPTAIN COOK (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 106 and 108, vicinity of Honaunau Elementary School and Nanaina Lani Place, on Saturday, March 4, and Sunday, March 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— KUAKINI HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) HONALO

Single lane closure on Kuakini Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction in the vicinity of mile marker 114, near West Honalo Road, on Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Kuakini Drainage Improvements.

— HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 19) —

1) HAKALAU

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 14 and 17, vicinity of Kolekole Beach Park to Kauniho Road, on Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for tree trimming and vegetation removal.

2) LAUPAHOEHOE

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 23 and 28, Kapehu Road to vicinity of Stevens Road, on Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for paving.

3) KAMUELA Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 52 and 54, Mud Lane and Iokua Place, on Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for core sampling in preparation for repaving.

— QUEEN KAAHUMANU HIGHWAY (ROUTE 19) —

1) KAMUELA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 67 and 68, vicinity of the start of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Kauna ʻOa Drive, on Saturday, March 4, and Sunday, March 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for shoulder work.

— KEAAU-PAHOA ROAD (ROUTE 130) — 

1) KEAAU (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 1 and 4, Milo Street and the advance directional sign for Shower Drive, on Saturday, March 4, and Sunday, March 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) KEAAU

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 3 and 6, the Adopt A Highway sign and Orchidland Drive, on Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— MAMALAHOA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 190) — 

1) WAIKOLOA (WEEKEND AND WEEKLY WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 7 and 12, vicinity of Saddle Road to past Waikoloa Road, on Saturday, March 4, through Friday, March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) NORTH KONA Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 18 and 26, on Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Mamalahoa Highway Safety Improvements, East and West Puuwaawaa Ranch.

3) NORTH KONA Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 21 and 26, vicinity of Puu Kamanu Loop, on Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for mowing.

4) NORTH KONA (WEEKEND WORK) Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 21 and 24, vicinity of Puu Kamanu Loop, on Saturday, March 4, and Sunday, March 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— AKAKA FALLS ROAD (ROUTE 220) — 

1) HONOMU (WEEKEND AND WEEKLY WORK)

Single lane closure on Akaka Falls Road (Route 220) possible in either direction between mile markers 2 and 4, No. 5 Bridge Road to vicinity of Akaka Falls State Park, on Saturday, March 4, through Friday, March 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— KOHALA MOUNTAIN ROAD (ROUTE 250) — 

1) KOHALA

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 9 and 13, vicinity Puuhue Road, on Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for paving.