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Gov. Green and Lawmakers Compromise on HTA

The Governor Josh Green, M.D., along with Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, legislative leaders, and the Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA) announced a compromise to fund HTA for the next fiscal year. The statement was made on May 4, 2023.

Governor Green expressed the importance of the agency's focus to shift from marketing tourism to destination management, attracting and educating responsible visitors. He also highlighted that flexibility was provided by the legislative leaders to the administration to fund HTA.

The HTA has promised better, more frequent, and honest communication with the Legislature and the public, focusing on destination management. Senator Lynn DeCoite, Senate Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism Committee Chair, highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to ensure a thriving tourism industry, one that Hawai'i residents would support and want to see.

Representative Sean Quinlan added that Hawai'i wants tourism's success to be more than just visitor counts. Instead, Hawai'i's number one industry should be geared towards higher spending, more conscientious, and less-impactful visitors.

John De Fries, President, and CEO of HTA acknowledged the need for more scrutiny in their spending and recognizes that they have a lot of work ahead. He expressed confidence that they could find a way to balance the various needs of the people they serve.

The announcement highlighted that while the temporary solution would allow the HTA to continue its important work in destination management and visitor education, deeper and more thoughtful discussions between the HTA and the visitor industry are necessary over the coming months.

Tokioka Appointed to DBEDT

Governor Josh Green, M.D. has appointed James Kunane Tokioka as the Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT). Tokioka, a former member of the Kaua‘i County Council and Hawai‘i State House of Representatives, has a background in the hotel industry both in Hawaii and across the US. Governor Green expressed confidence in Tokioka's ability to move forward with important priorities for the state and foster collaboration among the various attached agencies at DBEDT. Tokioka's nomination is subject to the Advice and Consent of the Senate, and the Department of Transportation is expected to announce his replacement at the Airports Division in the coming days. Meanwhile, Mary Alice Evans will serve as Acting Director of the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, as the search for the next Director of OPSD continues.

DOBOR Holds Meeting to Discuss Pohoiki Boat Ramp

The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) will hold a virtual public meeting to discuss the Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for the Pohoiki Boat Ramp Dredging of Volcanic Debris project on Wednesday, May 10, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Community participation is encouraged.

Date: May 10, 2023

Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Location: Online Zoom Meeting

Zoom Link: https://bit.ly/3AY7R93

Meeting ID: 868 4295 3471; Passcode: 755470

The use of the Pohoiki Boat Ramp facility, which is owned and maintained by DOBOR, was disrupted by the Kīlauea volcano eruption of 2018. This negatively affected ocean rescue services, commercial fishing, food sustainability practices, and tour and recreational opportunities. The proposed project would restore navigational access by removing accumulated material from Pohoiki Bay through excavation and dredging.

The DEA can be viewed online, and hard copies are available at the Pāhoa, Mountain View, and Hilo Public Libraries.

Written comments on the DEA may be submitted to: [email protected] or [email protected] and are due May 23, 2023.

Standoff in Hilo, Charged

Hawai'i Island police have charged Jason Leroy Kime, a 36-year-old man from O'ahu, with a slew of offenses following a nearly six-hour standoff on Kalanikoa Street in Hilo on Tuesday night, May 2, 2023. After conferring with the County Prosecutors Office, the Area I Crime Reduction Unit charged Kime with three counts of first-degree theft, two counts of first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle (UCPV), first-degree burglary, first-degree arson, and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. His bail for these charges was set at $180,000.

Kime’s charges are a result of two separate incidents that occurred in April. The first incident occurred on April 26, 2023, on Moho Road in Mountain View, where Kime allegedly broke into a 72-year-old man’s residence and stole numerous items, including the keys to the victim’s vehicle, which Kime was later identified operating. Several days later, on April 30, 2023, Puna patrol officers responded to a vehicle fire in Kea‘au and located the stolen vehicle, which was fully engulfed.

The second incident occurred on April 30, 2023, on Paradise Ala Kai Drive in Hawaiian Paradise Park, where Kime allegedly broke into a 72-year-old woman’s residence and stole numerous items, including a firearm and the keys to the victim’s vehicle, which Kime was also identified operating. This vehicle was recovered upon Kime’s initial arrest on May 2, 2023, in Hilo.

Prior to the events on May 2, Kime had been sought by police for several weeks after being identified as a suspect in various cases islandwide, including a violent home invasion in Hilo.

On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, members of the Area I Crime Reduction Unit and Criminal Investigation Section received information that Kime was located within a self-storage facility on Kalanikoa Street in Hilo. As police responded to the business, they were able to confirm that Kime was on the property, and as they attempted to contact him, he verbally threatened to shoot officers as he locked and barricaded himself within a storage unit.

Due to the circumstances and threats made by Kime, the department’s Special Response Team (SRT) and Crisis Negotiators responded to assist in apprehending him. The storage facility was evacuated, and Kalanikoa Street was closed between Kuawa Street and Piilani Street.

Kime had two outstanding arrest warrants; one was for the violent home invasion robbery in Hilo on Thursday, April 20, that left a 72-year-old woman injured. The other incident occurred on Friday, April 21, in Hilo, involving a residential burglary and vehicle theft.

During the course of the May 2 incident, Kime managed to breach a drywall barrier of the unit and enter two additional bays of the facility. Shortly before 11:30 p.m. on May 2, after negotiations failed, Special Response Team members entered the facility, and Kime was taken into custody.

A female acquaintance of Kime, 30-year-old Luwika Hauanio of Hilo, was also arrested in connection with the incident. She was on the property and operating the vehicle reported stolen on April 30, which she used to intentionally strike a subsidized police vehicle at the scene. There were no reported injuries as a result of this incident.

In addition to the above charges, Kime was also arrested and charged for his two outstanding arrest warrants for various felony offenses, with bail being set at $123,000.

Hauanio was also charged for the following offenses: Second-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle (UCPV), Third-degree criminal property damage, and Third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug. Her bail was set at $3,000.

Senator Hirono Introduce Child Care for Working Families Act

Senator Hirono and Democratic senators have reintroduced a bill to tackle the child care crisis in the United States. The Child Care for Working Families Act would ensure that families across America can access affordable and high-quality child care. The bill aims to dramatically expand access to high-quality preschool programs, and improve wages for early childhood workers. The legislation also seeks to address the child care sector's stability by expanding access to pre-K, supporting full-day, full-year Head Start programs, and increasing wages for Head Start workers. The bill would cap child care costs for working families, expand access to pre-K, and provide funding for underserved communities. According to the senators, the crisis is costing the US economy $122 billion annually. The Child Care for Working Families Act is intended to ensure that working families can access affordable child care, boost the child care sector, and support child care workers, who are paid poverty-level wages.

Republican Party Meet for the State Convention in Hilo

The State Republican Party of Hawai'i held their State Convention over the weekend at Nani Mau Gardens, where far-right conservatives swept most of the Republican leadership. This resulted in the election of Tim Dahlhouse, a less than 2-year resident of Hawai'i, as Chair of the party.

Dahlhouse's candidacy for the position was a surprise to many, given his lack of experience in Hawaiian politics. He ran an unsuccessful campaign for the US Senate in the last cycle, losing by 14% to former State Rep. Bob McDermott. McDermott, in turn, lost to Senator Brian Schatz (D) by a margin of 53%.

The election of Dahlhouse as the Chair of the party is a significant shift for the Republicans in Hawai'i. Previously, the party had been more moderate, with a platform that was focused on issues specific to the state. However, with the influx of far-right conservatives in the party, they have drastically changed their rules and platform to align themselves more with mainland Republicans.

FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 6 – MAY 12

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 (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 14 and 16, in the vicinity of South Lauko Road and North Peck Road on Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) MOUNTAIN VIEW

Single lane closures on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction fronting Mountain View U.S. Post Office, Monday, May 8 through Friday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for installation of a raised crosswalk.

3) PAHALA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 45 and 47, in the vicinity of Kapapala Ranch Road on Monday, May 8, through Friday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

4) NAALEHU (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 59 and 61 in the vicinity of Whittington Beach Park on Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

5) CAPTAIN COOK

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) fronting Hookena Elementary School on Monday, May 8 through Friday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for installation of a raised crosswalk.

6) CAPTAIN COOK

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) fronting Honaunau Elementary School on Monday, May 8 through Friday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the installation of a raised crosswalk.

7) CAPTAIN COOK

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 109 and 111, in the vicinity of Kealakekua Ranch Center and Konawaena School Road on Monday, May 8, through Friday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting. 

8) KEALAKEKUA

Alternating lane closure at the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway and Hale Keekee Place on Monday, May 8 through Friday, May 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for installation of a raised crosswalk.

— KUAKINI HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) HONALO

Single lane close on Kuakini Highway (Route 11) in either direction at mile marker 114, in the vicinity of West Honalo Road, on Monday, May 8, through Friday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Kuakini drainage improvements.

— HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 19) —

1) PAPAALOA TO LAUPAHOEHOE (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 23 and 26, in the vicinity of Kapehu Road and Spencer Road, on Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7, 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 8, through Friday, May 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for road resurfacing.

 3) LAUPAHOEHOE TO OOKALA

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile marker 28 to 30, in the vicinity of Old Mamalahoa Highway, Monday, May 8 through Friday, May 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

4) PAAUILO

Single left lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 37 and 38, in the vicinity of Hauola Road and Kalopa Road, on Monday, May 8, through Friday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 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 60 and 61, in the vicinity of Ohina Street on Monday, May 8, through Friday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) KAMUELA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Kawaihae Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 64 and 66, in the vicinity of Waiemi Place, on Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— KEAAU-PAHOA ROAD (ROUTE 130) —

1) PAHOA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 9 and 11, in the vicinity of Kaluahine Road and Pahoa Bypass Road on Monday, May 8, through Friday, May 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for guardrail cleaning and vegetation cutting.

— QUEEN KAHUMANU HIGHWAY (ROUTE 19) —

1) KAILUA-KONA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 94 and 95, in the vicinity Hulikoa Drive, on Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7, 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 32 and 34, in the vicinity of Iki Place and Makalei Drive on Monday, May 8, through Friday, May 12, from 8 a.m. to 6 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, May 8, through Friday, May 12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for installation of shoulder extension.