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60th Anniversary of the Merrie Monarch Festival Begin

The Merrie Monarch Festival began on Sunday, April 9 in Hilo, Hawaii, as a week-long celebration of Hawaiian culture and tradition. The festival is dedicated to the memory of King David La‘amea Kalākaua, who reigned over the Hawaiian Nation from 1874 until his passing in 1891. King Kalākaua was known as the "Merrie Monarch" for his flamboyant and fun-loving ways and was a patron of the arts, particularly music and dance.

Under Christian missionary teachings, Hawaiian beliefs and traditions were suppressed for many decades, but King Kalākaua opposed such teachings and advocated for a renewed sense of pride in all things Hawaiian. He supported the practice and expression of Hawaiian knowledge, ensuring that future generations would inherit a robust Hawaiian heritage.

The Merrie Monarch Festival strives to maintain the teachings of the Hawaiian kūpuna (elders) and perpetuate the history and culture of Hawaiian people in a manner that respects those teachings. The festival features a week-long celebration of music, crafts, art, demonstrations, and a hula competition, continuing the tradition started by King Kalākaua.

King Kalākaua's Silver Jubilee in 1886 marked his 50th birthday with a two-week celebration of Hawaiian culture on the ʻIolani Palace grounds, featuring hoʻopaʻa (chanters) and ʻōlapa (dancers) performing in public for the first time in years. The festival included a parade through downtown Honolulu, where well-wishers offered gifts and paid their respects to the king. One gift was a book compiling 48 chants honoring the king and other traditional compositions passed down through the generations.

Through the Merrie Monarch Festival and other organizations, the unique traditions of Hawaiian people continue to flourish, honoring the memory of King Kalākaua and his dedication to the arts and Hawaiian culture. The festival runs from Sunday, April 9 to Saturday, April 15 in Hilo, Hawaii.

Hawaii County Council Agenda Includes Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2023-2024

The Hawaii County Council's upcoming agenda includes two bills related to the establishment of operating and capital budgets for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2023, and ending on June 30, 2024. Bill 30 proposes a balanced operating budget of $794,316,957, representing a 1.1 percent increase compared to the previous year's operating budget. Bill 31 outlines a proposed capital budget of $345,478,000, which includes 44 projects to be funded through a combination of bonds, federal grants, state revolving loan funds, state capital improvement projects, and general excise tax. The council will conduct departmental budget and program reviews on April 12 and 13, including the departments of Finance, Planning, Hawaii Fire, Public Works, and others. The public is welcome to submit statements on the agenda items.

Hawai‘i family honored for aiding in the rescue and release of nēnē gosling

A family from Hilo, Hawai‘i, has been recognized for their role in rescuing and reuniting a nēnē gosling with its parents at the Wailoa River State Recreation Area. Lilinoe and Lester Kahalepauole-Bustamonte and their children helped a wildlife biologist capture one of the parents while providing location updates to officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement and the Hawai‘i Police Department, ultimately leading to the apprehension of the bird-napper.

The family was invited to participate in the release of the gosling at the Hilo Nēnē Sanctuary, where it had been kept in isolation for two weeks to re-establish the familial bond with its parents. The family was surprised with a DLNR & YOU Citizen Conservationist Award for going "above and beyond" to help protect and conserve Hawai‘i's natural and cultural resources. Lilinoe Kahalepauole-Bustamonte expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to see the nēnē be released and said it was a privilege for her family to be a part of the rescue and reunion.

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union Announces Promotions

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union (HCFCU) has recently announced two promotions within its team. Melody Carvalho has been promoted to the role of Call Center Manager, and Christina Salisbury has been welcomed as Internal Auditor.

Salisbury joins HCFCU with extensive experience from Washington Trust Bank in Spokane, Washington, where she most recently served as Lead Business Auditor. As a Certified Internal Auditor and a Certified Credit Union Internal Auditor, Salisbury will direct a comprehensive audit program that includes performance, financial, and compliance audit projects. In her new role, Salisbury will maintain organizational and professional ethical standards, provide consulting services to management and staff, and provide direction for the annual audit plan. Salisbury will report to the Supervisory Committee and Chief Executive Officer.

“At HCFCU, I’ve not only advanced my career, I’ve also joined a community that has been very welcoming and open to me. As a newcomer, I’m able to contribute and know that my opinion is valued. I’m thrilled to have found a permanent home, both personally and professionally,” said Salisbury.

Carvalho, on the other hand, has been promoted to Call Center Manager. Since first joining HCFCU in 2005, Carvalho has served in various roles, including Call Center Representative I, Call Center Officer I, and Call Center Officer II. In her new role, she will oversee the operation and functions of the call center, including administration, personnel, and community & public relations. She will also keep the Vice President of Operations informed on the performance and efficiency of the Call Center.

“Serving our community for the past 17 years here at HCFCU is truly a rewarding journey,” says Carvalho. She finds fulfillment in giving back to the community and has served on the Church Board and as the Church Treasurer. In her free time, Carvalho enjoys spending time with her family, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

HCFCU is a not-for-profit, federally insured financial institution owned by its 46,700 members. HCFCU’s branches are located in Hilo, Honokaa, Kailua-Kona, Kaloko, Kealakekua, and Kohala. Additionally, HCFCU has Student Credit Unions in Hilo, Honokaa, Kealakehe, Kohala, and Konawaena High Schools. HCFCU provides service-minded financial professionals that will help facilitate mortgage, land, construction, small business, education, personal, and auto loans. HCFCU also offers complete checking and savings services, drive-up tellers, credit and debit cards with rewards, online and mobile banking, investment services, and youth programs. HCFCU also supports numerous Hawaii Island non-profit organizations and community events. Membership in Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union is open to all Hawaii Island residents. For more information, visit www.hicommfcu.com.

Three Arrested in Sweep

A joint operation between several law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of three individuals who were wanted for four outstanding warrants in the Hilo and Puna districts on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The operation was conducted by officers from the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Community Policing Section and Special Enforcement Unit, Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement.

The arrested individuals range in age from 20 to 30 and were wanted for various offenses, including contempt, probation violation, and warrant of arrest. The police department is requesting the public's help in finding other wanted fugitives and encourages anyone with information to contact them via the non-emergency line or Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers is an anonymous tip line that rewards citizens who provide information leading to the arrest of fugitives. The identities of the tipsters are kept confidential, and calls are not recorded.

Ocean View Man Charged

Tieko Tobin, a 27-year-old resident of Ocean View, has been charged by the Hawai’i Island police with burglary and criminal property damage following three separate incidents that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The incidents took place at various businesses in Ocean View. Tobin was taken into custody after being found in a neighboring business.

Patrol officers responded to an alarm at a restaurant on Hawai‘i Boulevard at 1:40 a.m. on Wednesday. On arrival, it was discovered that the front door had been smashed with a large rock and items had been stolen from inside. Tobin was contacted, but was not yet considered a suspect. An hour later, officers responded to a second alarm at a nearby grocery store where they found the front door had also been smashed with a rock. Tobin was later found hiding in a neighboring business and was found to be responsible for all three incidents. Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact the police.

Hawaiian Electric donates $15,000 to Hawaii Wildlife Fund's Ka'u Coastal Restoration Program

Hawaiian Electric has donated $15,000 to the Hawaii Wildlife Fund in support of its Kau Coastal Restoration Program. The program focuses on restoring coastal habitats within and around the Kau Forest Reserve in Waiohinu, while also offering environmental education efforts, estuary and anchialine pool restoration, and capacity-building across Hawaii Island. The fund has been working with community members since 2001 to protect marine wildlife and restore coastal habitats along the Kau coastline. With the help of thousands of volunteers, the organization has collectively removed over 320 tons of marine debris from shorelines and reefs on the island.

In partnership with Hawaiian Electric, the Hawaii Wildlife Fund organized two stewardship activities led by the recipient of the 2022 Kokua Community Champion Service Award, Alex Kelepolo. Employees and their families volunteered to collect marine debris that washed ashore on Kamilo Point in October 2019 and April 2023. Kelepolo led this project to raise awareness of the harmful effects of plastic pollution on the environment and native wildlife and to highlight the impact of volunteers and the Hawaii Wildlife Fund on the island.

Hawaii Electric Starts Aerial Inspections

Hawaiian Electric is set to conduct its quarterly aerial inspections of major overhead transmission lines from April 10 to 14, covering the entire island from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The inspection schedule will be subject to weather conditions and will be carried out in a Manuiwa Airways helicopter MD500C model aircraft, that will fly low and slow. This might lead to some noise disruptions. In case of any questions or concerns, the public can reach Hawaiian Electric at 808-969-6666.

FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 8 – APRIL 14

PLEASE NOTE:

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

— KANOELEHUA AVENUE/MAMALOHA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) — 

1) HILO 

Single lane closure on Kanoelehua Avenue (Route 11) possible in either direction, in the vicinity of Makaala Street and E. Puainako Street, from Monday, April 10, through Friday, April 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for installation of traffic signal loop detection system.

2) PAHALA 

Single lane closure on Mamaloha Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 49 and 51, in the vicinity of Kamani Street on Monday, April 10, through Friday April 14, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— KUAKINI HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) — 

1) KEAUHOU 

Single lane close on Kuakini Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile marker 113 and 114, in the vicinity of West Honalo Road, on Monday April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Kuakini drainage improvements.

— HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 19) — 

1) HAKALAU TO NINOLE 

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 16 and 19, in the vicinity of Leopolino Road and Old Mamalahoa Highway, on Monday, April 10 through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) PAPAALOA TO LAUPAHOEHOE 

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 23 and 28, between Kapehu Road and Stevens Road, on Monday, April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for road resurfacing.

— KEAAU-PAHOA ROAD (ROUTE 130) — 

1) KEAAU 

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 8 and 11, in the vicinity of Kahakai Boulevard and Ainaloa Boulevard on Monday April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— MAMALOHA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 190) — 

1) KAILUA-KONA 

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 30 and 32, in the vicinity of Makalei Drive and the Makalei Golf Club on Monday, April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) KAILUA-KONA 

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 18 and 26, in the vicinity of Puu Lani Drive on Monday April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for shoulder extension as a part of Mamalahoa Highway Safety Improvements.

— KOHALA MOUNTAIN ROAD (ROUTE 250) — 

1) KAMUELA 

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 8 and 12, in the vicinity of Kohala Ranch Road, on Monday, April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for shoulder work and tree trimming.

2) KAMUELA 

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 9 and 13, in the vicinity of Kohala Ranch Road on Monday, April 10, through Friday, April 14, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for road resurfacing and reconstruction of shoulder.