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Climate Community Fairs Announced

The Hawaiʻi Climate Commission, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu and Hawai‘i County, will hold two Climate Community Fairs to encourage people to act on climate change. The fairs will be held at the State Capitol on May 20 and at the Hilo Civic Center Auditorium on June 17, respectively. They aim to be integrative, collaborative spaces where attendees can learn about the available resources in their communities. Diverse organizations and programs will have booths, workshops, and games to share their knowledge, with a focus on creating a resilient and sustainable Hawaiʻi. The fair organizers stress the urgency of addressing climate change and encourage people to take action by integrating traditional knowledge and advancing technological capacities.

Fernandes Appointed to Solicitor General

The State of Hawaiʻi has appointed Kalikoʻonālani D. Fernandes as the next Solicitor General. Fernandes, who has been with the Department of the Attorney General's Appellate Division since 2017, will lead the division and have oversight over most state and federal appeals handled by the Department. She has earned recognition for her work in reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights and for defending Hawaii's gun laws against Second Amendment challenges. Fernandes has worked as the State's lead attorney in high-profile cases, including the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility emergency order mandating that the United States Navy defuel the facility. Fernandes will take over the post on June 1, succeeding outgoing Solicitor General Kimberly Tsumoto Guidry.

County Announces Community Meeting TODAY

The County of Hawai'i has announced a community meeting to discuss the proposed 34 Rainbow Drive project. The meeting will be held on May 15, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Aupuni Center, located at 101 Pauahi St. in Hilo, Hawaii.

Coffee with a Cop Events Announced

The Hawai‘i Police Department’s South Hilo and South Kohala Community Policing Sections are inviting members of the public to join them for Coffee with a Cop at three events in Hilo and South Kohala. The international program aims to build trust between police and the community through informal events over coffee. The public is invited to share their thoughts and ideas while getting to know the dedicated men and women of Hawai‘i Police Department who work tirelessly to keep the island communities safe. The Hilo Coffee With a Cop events will take place on May 16 and May 26, while the South Kohala event will be on May 19 at the Mauna Lani Coffee Co. These popular sessions have no agenda, and topics of conversation can range from sharing personal stories to discussing neighborhood issues.

DUI Stats Announced

Hawaii Island police arrested 18 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant during the week of May 1, 2023, through May 7, 2023. Out of the 18 drivers, three were involved in a traffic collision and one was under 21 years of age. However, there has been a decrease of 4.6 percent in DUI arrests this year compared to the same period last year, with 355 arrests so far. On the other hand, there has been a 14.3 percent increase in major collisions, with 311 compared to 272 during the same period last year. Fatal crashes and fatalities have decreased significantly by 36.4 percent and 38.5 percent, respectively, with seven fatal crashes and eight fatalities compared to 11 fatal crashes and 13 fatalities last year. DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue throughout the island.

Hit-and-Run in South Kona, Leaves man in Critical Condition

A 24-year-old man suffered critical injuries in a hit-and-run collision on Highway 11 in South Kona on Saturday, May 13, 2023. The man was struck by a vehicle heading south on Highway 11 while walking south across the highway in the southbound lane near Arthur Greenwell Park. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene without rendering aid. Police are asking the public to review their home or business surveillance videos for any vehicle matching the description of a 2002-2003 Ford F-150 pickup truck, possibly a Harley-Davidson edition, which would have sustained damage to the driver’s side front fender, headlight, and bumper. Failure to render aid in a traffic collision resulting in serious injury or death is a Class “B” felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $25,000. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at [email protected], or call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 to remain anonymous.

FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 13 – MAY 19

PLEASE NOTE:

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

— MAMALOHA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) MOUNTAIN VIEW

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction at Mountain View Elementary School, Monday, May 15 through Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for installation of a raised crosswalk.

2) MOUNTAIN VIEW

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction at Mountain View Aloha Gas Station, Monday, May 15 through Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for installation of a raised crosswalk.

3) MOUNTAIN VIEW

Single lane closures on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction fronting Mountain View U.S. Post Office, Monday, May 15 through Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for installation of a raised crosswalk.

4) VOLCANO

Right lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) in the eastbound direction between mile markers 30 and 34, in the vicinity of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Monday, May 15, and Tuesday, May 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for U.S. Geological Survey Crew to conduct a land survey in the area.

5) PAHALA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 53 and 55, in the vicinity of Kaalaiki Road on Monday, May 15, through Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

6) CAPTAIN COOK

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 88 and 90, in the vicinity of Milolii Road on Monday, May 15, through Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

7) CAPTAIN COOK

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction fronting Hookena Elementary School on Monday, May 15 through Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for installation of a raised crosswalk.

8) CAPTAIN COOK

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction fronting Honaunau Elementary School on Monday, May 15 through Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the installation of a raised crosswalk.

9) KEALAKEKUA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction fronting Sonshine Preschool/Day Care on Monday, May 15 through Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the installation of a raised crosswalk.

— KUAKINI HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) HONALO

Single lane closure on Kuakini Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction in the vicinity of Nahenahe Loop and Hooper Road, on Monday, May 15, through Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Kuakini drainage improvements.

— HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 19) —

1) HILO

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 4 and 6, in the vicinity of Waimaku Street and Kaaukai Place, on Monday, May 15, through Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 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, in the vicinity of Kapehu Road and Stevens Road, on Monday, May 15, through Friday, May 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for road resurfacing.

3) HONOKAA

Single left lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction near mile marker 38, at Kalopa Road, on Monday, May 15, through Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for Hawaiian Electric Company replacing poles and restringing overhead lines.

— KAWAIHAE ROAD (ROUTE 19) —

1) KAMUELA

Single lane closure on Kawaihae Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 62 and 63, in the vicinity of Kahinu Place and Anekona Street on Monday, May 15, through Friday, May 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— PAHOA-KALAPANA ROAD (ROUTE 130) — 

1) PAHOA

Single lane closure on Pahoa-Kalapana Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 10 and 12, in the vicinity of Kaohe Homestead Road on Monday, May 15, through Friday, May 19, 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 17 and 26, in the vicinity of Puu Lani Drive on Monday, May 15, through Friday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for safety improvements and shoulder extension.

— HAWI ROAD (ROUTE 250) —

1) HAWI

Single lane closure on Hawi Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between Banana Ranch Road and Akoni Pule Highway, on Monday, May 15, through Friday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for tree cutting.