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• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday

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Here is your fast news headlines:

Meiqin Chen Cited After Capture of Nēnē Gosling

Meiqin Chen, a 57-year-old resident of Hilo, was cited by the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) for removing a nēnē gosling from Wailoa River State Recreation Area in Hilo. Multiple witnesses reported Chen, and law enforcement was able to locate her vehicle and confirm the gosling's presence during a traffic stop. Chen was cited for violating wildlife protection laws and has an initial court date scheduled for May 19, 2023. The DLNR thanked the Hawaii County Police Department for its assistance and encouraged anyone who witnesses wildlife harassment to report it to the 24-hour DOCARE hotline or via the free DLNRTip app.

County of Hawai'i Bless Five New Ambulance

County officials in Hawaiʻi County gathered this morning to bless five new ambulances that will immediately replace older vehicles across the island. This is the second ambulance blessing of the year, adding seven new ambulances to the county's fleet in 2023. With 16 ambulance stations across the island, the oldest active ambulance has been online for approximately 12 years. The new ambulances come equipped with additional safety features and cost roughly $250,000 each.

Mayor Mitch Roth stated that Hawaiʻi County has the most qualified and highly-skilled first responders in the state, and it's the administration's responsibility to provide them with the tools they need to perform their duties and save lives. "We will continue to invest in the health and safety of our community and are committed to the maintenance and upkeep of our emergency service vehicles, programs, equipment, and personnel," said Mayor Roth.

In addition, Mayor Roth is proposing an extra $1.2 million in the FY2023-24 budget to strengthen Hawaiʻi County's ambulance replacement program. Later this year, the Hawaiʻi Fire Department will replace chopper 2, an emergency rescue helicopter that has been in service for over 30 years. The County has also secured an additional $200,000 from the State to replace and procure much-needed life safety equipment for the Water Safety Division.

3.9 Earthquake Hit's Hawai'i Island

On Tuesday, March 23, 2023, a 3.9 Magnitude earthquake struck Maunaloa Volcano, as reported by the USGS. This event occurred a week after the USGS announced the de-escalation of the Watch over Maunaloa.

Gov. Green Signs First Bills into Law

Governor Josh Green has signed two bills into law in Hawai‘i, aimed at increasing access to reproductive healthcare and strengthening felony prosecutions in the state. Senate Bill 36 amends state law to allow county prosecutors to initiate felony cases by complaints following preliminary hearings, while Senate Bill 1 expands access to reproductive healthcare services and clarifies that the state will not interfere with a pregnant person's right to choose to terminate a pregnancy. Gov. Green said that the bills are tools to help law enforcement officers and county prosecutors provide public safety and fundamental healthcare for the people of Hawai‘i.

Police Requesting Assistance Locating 16-year old Madlyn Poch

Hawai‘i Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Madlyn Poch of Hilo, who was reported as a runaway.

Poch was last seen in the 500 block of Pohakulani Street in Hilo, on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 11:00 p.m.

She is described as a Pacific Islander with a light brown complexion, about 5 feet 1 inch tall, 110 pounds, with long black hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with information on Poch’s whereabouts to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

Police Ask Public’s Assistance Locating Missing Elderly Man Danny Ostlund

Hawai‘i Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 73-year-old Danny L. Ostlund of Hilo, who was reported missing on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

Ostlund was last seen on Banyan Drive in Hilo on Sunday, February 26, 2023. He is described as Caucasian, 6 feet 1 inches tall, 160 pounds, with white medium-length hair and brown eyes. Ostlund is known to occasionally use a cane or a walking stick.

Police ask anyone with information relative to this investigation to call Officer Daniel Mahi-Murray at the police department’s non-emergency number (808) 935-3311, or email him at [email protected].

Police Identify Body Found in Hilo Bay

Hawai‘i Island police have identified the body that was discovered along the shoreline just outside of Hilo Bay on Tuesday morning, March 14, 2023. The victim has been identified as Clifford Edward Myers Sr., of Van Nuys, California.

Preliminary results of an autopsy performed Thursday, March 16, did not show signs of foul play; however, the final results are pending toxicology and additional forensic testing.

On Tuesday morning, March 14, 2023, shortly after 6:00 a.m., South Hilo Patrol Division officers and Hawai’i Fire Department personnel responded to the shoreline area just west of the Bayshore Towers, after a caller reported observing a body at water’s edge. The fire department chopper immediately located the lifeless body and brought it to higher ground.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section personnel responded to the scene to continue this investigation, which remains classified as a coroner’s inquest. The circumstances surrounding Myers being on island is also under investigation, as it has been determined he was a visitor and arrived approximately one week prior to his death.

Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this case, or who may have come into contact with Myers in the days prior to his death, to call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311, or Detective Casey Cabral of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2384 or email [email protected].

War Memorial Dedication on March 29 at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery

A new Vietnam War Memorial will be unveiled at the West Hawaii Veteran Cemetery on March 29 to coincide with Vietnam Veterans Day. The ceremony will begin at 11 am and will be open to the public, with veterans' representatives, elected officials, and community leaders present. The memorial was built by the West Hawaii Vietnam Veterans War Memorial Association, and it stands 6ft high and 7ft long, constructed from basalt rock by Vietnam War veteran Billy Fields. The memorial will honor the 15 West Hawaii service members who were killed in action during the war, and the association plans to continue building memorials and tributes at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery.

County of Hawaii Announce Organizations Selected for Homelessness Assistance

The County of Hawai'i Office of Housing & Community Development (OHCD) has announced that 16 projects have been selected to receive over $7.5 million in grant funding for addressing homelessness on Hawai'i Island. This investment is unprecedented in the County's history, and the grants were awarded based on proposals submitted in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by OHCD in November 2022. The RFP sought applications that aligned with the priorities outlined in the Strategic Roadmap for Homelessness and Housing released in September.

OHCD received 31 proposals from 21 different community organizations, requesting over $25 million, which exceeded the available amount of funds to be awarded in the first year of appropriations. The top 16 proposals were selected for grants after an extensive review process by a five-member evaluation committee. The initiatives that received funding include permanent supportive housing projects, substance abuse and mental health treatment programs, and professional development systems to build the capacity of the front-line homeless service provider workforce. Sixty-two percent of the total budget for the projects receiving County grants will be funded by other sources, including Federal, State, and private entities, maximizing the leverage of local tax dollars to make a significant impact.

Mayor Mitch Roth expressed the importance of partnerships to tackle homelessness on the island, stating that a sustainable Hawaiʻi Island means creating a place where every individual is provided with the services necessary to succeed, regardless of the adversities they face. Housing Administrator Susan Kunz added that this investment is a step towards supporting the most vulnerable in the community, and while not all proposals could be funded in this round, the County will look for ways to work with all stakeholders. Awarded organizations are required to submit monthly, quarterly, and final reports on outcomes as part of the RFP's conditions.

FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 18 – MARCH 24

PLEASE NOTE:

Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting.

— MAMALOHA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) PAHALA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 53 and 55, on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) NAALEHU

Single lane closure on Mamaloha Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 62 and 64, on Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 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 80 and 83, on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, 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 East Honalo Road, on Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Kuakini Drainage Improvements.

— HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 19) —

1) HAKALAU (WEEKEND AND WEEKLY WORK)

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 15 and 17, Chin Chuck Road to vicinity of Peleau Stream, on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for tree-trimming and shoulder work.

2) HAKALAU

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 16 and 18, vicinity Old Mamalahoa Highway and Hanamalo Lane, on Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for tree-trimming, vegetation cutting, and removal.

3) HAKALAU (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 17 and 19, vicinity Old Mamalahoa Highway and Hanamalo Lane, on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

4) PAPAALOA TO LAUPAHOEHOE

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 23 and 28, Kapehu Road and Stevens Road, on Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for road resurfacing.

5) OOKALA

Single left lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) in the southbound direction between mile markers 28 and 29, Stevens Road and Moonlight Road, on Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to survey slopes .

— 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 2 and 5, on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, 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 4, on Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting. 

3) HAWAIIAN PARADISE PARK

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 4 and 7, turn onto Old Government Road to vicinity of Makuu Drive, on Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mowing and grass cutting.

— MAMALOHA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 190) —

1) WAIKOLOA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 9 and 11, vicinity of Waikoloa Road, on Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) WAIKOLOA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 17 and 19, on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

3) KAILUA-KONA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 18 and 26, East and West Puuwaawaa Ranch, on Monday March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for shoulder extension safety improvements.

4) KAILUA-KONA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 23 and 26, on Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mowing and shoulder work.

5) KAILUA-KONA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 26 and 28, on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— AKAKA FALLS ROAD (ROUTE 220) —

1) HONOMU (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Honomu Road (Route 220) possible in either direction between mile markers 0 and 1.5, vicinity of Kaupakuea Homestead Road, on Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— KOHALA MOUNTAIN ROAD (ROUTE 250) —

1) KAMUELA

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 5 and 8, before Kohala Ranch Road, on Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for shoulder work.

2) KAMUELA

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 9 and 13, after Kohala Ranch Road to before Puuhue Road, on Monday, March 20, through Friday, March 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for paving.