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Measles Case on O'ahu Causes Concerns

The Hawaii Department of Health is investigating a case of confirmed measles in an O‘ahu resident who had returned from international travel. DOH has identified individuals who have had known exposure to the case and is working with them to prevent the spread of the disease. A Medical Advisory has been issued, requesting healthcare providers to be on the alert for possible cases of measles. According to the Department of Health, Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, and staying up-to-date on routine childhood vaccines, including the measles vaccine, protects against outbreaks of measles.

According to Dr. Sarah Kemble, State Epidemiologist, childhood immunization programs worldwide faced setbacks due to the pandemic. As a result, there has been an increase in outbreaks globally, including the United States. While Hawaii has not had any recent outbreaks or spread of measles within the state, this case is a reminder that measles can be identified when residents or travelers are exposed overseas and re-enter the state. Measles is a highly contagious disease that starts with fever, followed by cough, runny nose, and red eyes, and can cause serious health complications, especially in children under five years of age and in infants under one year old.

Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works Reschedules Waikōloa Road Rehabilitation Project Community Meeting

Residents of Waikōloa can now mark their calendars for Thursday, April 20, 2023, as the Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works announces the rescheduled community meeting for the Waikōloa Road Rehabilitation Project. The event will take place from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Waikōloa Elementary School Cafeteria.

The rehabilitation project is set to begin in May 2023 and will last until April 2024. The project will involve the removal and replacement of pavement, updates to road signage, and the placement of new road striping and markings.

The upcoming meeting will be an opportunity for the community to learn more about the Waikōloa Road Rehabilitation Project. Attendees should take note that the focus of the meeting will solely be on this project, and any other concerns will not be addressed.

Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to voice their questions and concerns regarding the rehabilitation project. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works is committed to ensuring that the community is well-informed and involved in this important project.

Hawai‘i Island Police Investigate Traffic-Related Incident at Pohoiki Beach Park

Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a traffic-related incident that occurred on Tuesday evening, April 4, 2023, at Pohoiki Beach Park in Pāhoa. The incident left a 61-year-old man, who was identified as a security guard at Pohoiki, in critical condition.

Puna patrol officers and the Hawai‘i Fire Department were called to the entrance of the beach park shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday for a report of a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found the victim and determined he had been hit by a vehicle. The victim was transported by ambulance to Hilo Medical Center before being flown to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.

The Area I Criminal Investigation Section personnel are investigating the matter as the circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear. A witness reported that after the incident occurred, a red pick-up truck with either pipe packs or a metal dog cage was seen leaving the area without its headlights illuminated. It is believed the truck hit another parked vehicle and the victim. The case is currently classified as a negligent injury.

The police are urging anyone who may have information regarding the incident or who may have been in the Pohoiki area around 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening, April 4, 2023, to come forward. They can contact the Police Department’s Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit at (808) 961-2391 or the department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.

The police department is committed to conducting a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and bringing the responsible party to justice.

State Department of Land and Natural Resources Engages Community for Pololū Trailhead Planning

The Division of Forestry and Wildlife under the State Department of Land and Natural Resources is taking action to address the detrimental impacts caused by an increasing number of visitors to the Pololū Trailhead. Visitors have been flocking to the Pololū Lookout and valley floor, causing environmental, cultural, and social issues to both the valley and the rural community nearby.

To address these issues, the State Department has enlisted Townscape as a consultant to host a community meeting. The meeting aims to introduce the Pololū Trailhead Planning Project, share findings on the vision and issues for the trailhead, and gather input from the community on potential solutions to address these problems.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in person on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 5:00 PM at the Kohala Intergenerational Center. For those who cannot attend in person, there is an option to dial-in through the phone number (669) 900-6833 for audio only. The Meeting ID is 879 2728 5236, and the password is 785321.

The State Department of Land and Natural Resources is committed to addressing the environmental, cultural, and social impacts caused by the Pololū Trailhead's increasing popularity. They are inviting the community to participate in planning the future of the trailhead and finding sustainable solutions to address the issues caused by visitors.

Hawai‘i Island Police Search for Missing 20-Year-Old Woman from Mountain View

The Hawai‘i Island Police Department is seeking assistance from the public to locate a missing 20-year-old woman from Mountain View, Lilian Ivey. She was reported missing after she was last seen in the Fern Acres area on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

Ivey is described as a Caucasian with a slim build, standing at 5 feet 6 inches and weighing 115 pounds. She has blue eyes, freckles, and medium-length red hair.

The police department is urging anyone with information regarding Ivey's whereabouts to contact Officer Christa Brodie at the police department's non-emergency number (808) 935-3311 or email her at [email protected].

The police are doing their best to locate Ivey and bring her home to her family and loved ones. They ask the community to remain vigilant and report any information that may help in finding her.

Man Arrested Following Harassment in DMV

A man has been arrested and charged with harassment following an incident at the Hilo Driver Licensing Station in Hilo, Hawaii. The man, identified as 52-year-old Eric Kinman Doherty, reportedly became upset with a Vehicle Registration and Licensing Clerk who was assisting his girlfriend. He then left the area before returning moments later, gesturing that he had a gun and making a statement insinuating that he had a gun. The South Hilo Patrol Division officers were called to the scene and immediately responded, but Doherty had already left the area. Later that day, Doherty was located at Honoli'i Beach Park and arrested without incident. His bail was set at $500.00. The police department takes violence and threats of violence, including implicit threats of violence, very seriously.

Ōhiʻa Plants Quarantine and Prohibition in Effect 

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch (HDOA-PQB) has issued a quarantine prohibiting the transport of ʻōhiʻa plants and plant parts from Hawaii Island. This includes flowers, leaves, seeds, stems, twigs, untreated wood, logs, mulch, greenwaste, frass, and soil. The only exceptions are for those with permits issued by HDOA-PQB. The quarantine is aimed at preventing the spread of rapid ʻōhiʻa death, which has affected the plant population on Hawai`i Island.

Agricultural inspectors will be present at Hilo and Kona airports to collect any ʻōhiʻa materials, which will be returned to native forests on Hawai‘i Island. The festival's organizers urge visitors to take note of the quarantine and to ensure that they do not take any part of the ʻōhiʻa off the island. The Merrie Monarch Festival attracts a large number of visitors to Hawai‘i Island, including dozens of hula hālau and hundreds of spectators. Violation of the quarantine rule may result in a misdemeanor charge and a fine of up to $10,000.

State Issues Reminder on Tax Deadline

Residents and non-residents in Hawaii are being reminded that the deadline for filing state individual income tax returns is April 20, 2023. Non-residents and part-year residents must file Form N-15 while residents must file Form N-11. Those who did business in the state must file Form G-45 and Form G-49. Taxpayers unable to file their income tax returns by April 20, 2023, are granted an automatic six-month extension, but those with a balance due must pay in full by the deadline to avoid penalties and interest. The Department of Taxation encourages taxpayers to file electronically and to use direct deposit to receive their refunds faster. Taxpayers can check their refund status and find additional information, forms, and guidance on filing individual income tax returns or other tax returns at https://tax.hawaii.gov.

Taxpayers are urged to beware of scams and not to fall victim to imposters claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service or the Department of Taxation. Government agencies do not use threats to intimidate or bully people into paying. Taxpayers who require assistance can call Taxpayer Services agents at (808) 587-4242 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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.