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Newsletter Schedule:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday

• Thursday & Sunday - No Newsletter

Here is your fast news headlines:

Hawai'i Congressional Delegation Urge the National Park Service to Protect Endangered Birds

The Hawaii Congressional delegation is urging the National Park Service (NPS) to prioritize efforts to protect critically endangered Native Hawaiian forest birds from avian malaria. In a letter addressed to NPS Director Charles "Chuck" Sams, Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Brian Schatz, along with Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, called on the agency to use funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to continue protecting native forest birds at Haleakala National Park on Maui.

Avian malaria, which is carried by invasive mosquitoes and transmitted to birds, has caused the extinction of several native Hawaiian bird species since its introduction in the early 1900s. The lawmakers stated that four Hawaiian honeycreepers are at risk of extinction within the next decade, and that urgent action is necessary to prevent their loss.

The letter also highlighted the essential roles these birds play within the native ecosystem, such as pollination and seed dispersal, as well as their cultural significance to Hawaii. The lawmakers noted that unless significant action is taken now, these birds will be gone forever.

The National Park Service has already recognized the urgency of the situation and has invested $6 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) into Objective 1 of the "Strategy for Preventing the Extinction of Hawaiian Forest Birds." This objective aims to develop and deploy Insect Incompatibility Technique (IIT) to reduce the mosquito vector of avian malaria by 2026.

The lawmakers are urging the NPS to continue prioritizing this urgent work and utilize available IRA funding to ensure that the project and investments made so far do not stall due to a lack of funding. The Haleakala National Park's efforts have already made progress towards protecting these endangered birds, and the lawmakers emphasized the importance of not losing momentum.

Senator Schatz Introduce Bill to Provide More Funding to Law Enforcement and Reduce Gun Violence

Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) has introduced a new bill aimed at boosting federal funding to help states keep communities safe, support law enforcement, and reduce gun violence. The State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act would establish a new grant program to enable states to improve or develop firearm dealer licensing programs. The legislation would provide funding for states to invest in new technologies and systems that will optimize existing inspection and licensing regimes, as well as conduct additional gun dealer inspections. Several states already require firearms dealers holding a federal firearms license to obtain a state license to sell firearms, and the new bill would provide funding to help strengthen these programs. The bill is supported by a range of organizations, including Brady, Giffords, Everytown, and the Community Justice Action Fund. Companion legislation has also been introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.).

Shark Attack at ’Anaeho’omalu Bay

A man is in stable condition following a reported shark bite incident in ’Anaeho’omalu Bay, South Kohala. The incident occurred approximately 200 yards offshore from ‘Anaeho’omalu Beach, prompting a response from HFD, Ocean Safety, and HPD. The victim was brought on board a commercial vessel, where basic medical care was administered before Ocean Safety personnel transported the patient to shore to receive further treatment from an HFD Medic. The victim was later taken to North Hawai’i Community Hospital in serious condition. HPD and DLNR are currently investigating the incident.

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.