Here is your fast news headlines for Big Island today:

Pathogens Found in Kona Community Hospital

According to an internal letter addressed to the hospital staff, Kona Community Hospital has confirmed the presence of three potentially harmful pathogens in some of their ICU rooms. The pathogens identified were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cepacia, and Leclerica adecarboxylata. The hospital in the letter has confirmed that these pathogens were not found in the water supply.

In response to the detection of these pathogens, the hospital has notified the State Department of Health (DOH) and is working diligently to investigate the situation. The hospital's top priority is the safety and well-being of their patients and staff, and they are committed to transparency and open communication throughout the process.

To ensure the safety of patients, the hospital has implemented several measures. As a precautionary measure, items around the sink in all ICU rooms will be removed, and patients will be temporarily moved from affected rooms during cleaning. The hospital will provide bottled water for consumption and hygiene needs, and staff will thoroughly sanitize their hands before providing patient care. The hospital is committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of everyone in its care.

Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System to be Tested on March 1st

The Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System will undergo its monthly test on Wednesday, March 1st, 2023, at 11:45 a.m. During the one-minute test, all Statewide Outdoor Warning Sirens will sound the Attention Alert Signal (SteadyTone). At the same time, a Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System will also be tested.

No exercise or drill will accompany the test, and the siren tone is just one part of Hawaii’s Statewide Alert & Warning System used to notify the public during emergencies. If the siren is heard outside of the test period, it indicates an emergency, and people should follow emergency information and instructions provided by official government channels.

Wireless Emergency Alert, which delivers sound-and-text warnings to compatible mobile cellular phones, and local radio or television stations, will provide emergency information and instructions.

Residents and visitors in the areas surrounding Campbell Industrial Park on Oʻahu may also hear a “whooping” tone following the siren test. The “whooping” tone is a test of the Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) siren warning group that would be activated in the event of an actual HAZMAT incident requiring emergency notification of businesses, schools, residents, and visitors in the vicinity of Campbell Industrial Park. Contact the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Emergency Management at (808) 723-8960 for more information on the HAZMAT warning group siren test.

For more information on emergency management and disaster preparedness, visit ready.hawaii.gov. Emergency management and county civil defense agencies can be contacted through the following numbers:

City and County of Honolulu: (808) 723-8960

Maui County: (808) 270-7285

Kauaʻi County: (808) 241-1800

Hawaiʻi County: (808) 935-0031

Hawai‘i Department of Health issues recall for enoki mushrooms due to Listeria contamination

Residents of Hawaii are being urged to be aware of a voluntary recall of enoki mushrooms produced by Taiwan-based Changhua County Mushrooms Productions Cooperative and distributed by Jan Fruits Inc. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) has announced that these mushrooms may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, after routine sampling by DOH's Laboratory Preparedness and Response Branch. While no illnesses have been reported yet, those who have purchased the 7.05oz (200g) clear plastic package with a green-lettered “Premium” and two QR scan codes, with UPC 8 51084 00835 8 on the back side of the package, are urged to either throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. It is important to note that there are no lot codes or dates on the packaging.

Those who have consumed the product should be vigilant for symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, or fever, and contact their healthcare provider if such symptoms arise. DOH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend cooking enoki mushrooms thoroughly before serving or consuming, not using raw enoki mushrooms as a garnish, keeping raw enoki mushrooms separate from foods that won’t be cooked, and washing hands after handling them. Pregnant individuals and their newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk of developing listeriosis, a life-threatening infection caused by eating Listeria-contaminated food. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics and can develop up to two months after eating contaminated food. Listeria can be found in soil, water, sewage, and produce.

Hawai'i Island Community Health Center names Dr. Alik as East Hawai'i Medical Director

Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center (HICHC) has announced the appointment of Dr. Wilfred C. Alik as its East Side Medical Director. Dr. Alik, who previously served as Clinic Chief for Kaiser Permanente Hilo, will oversee medical staff and services at HICHC's locations in Hilo, Kea‘au, Pāhoa, and Ka‘ū. With his expertise and guidance, he will play a critical role in the clinical operations of HICHC, which was formed by the merger of Bay Clinic and West Hawaii Community Health Center. Dr. Alik's appointment is expected to help narrow health disparities and elevate the quality of care island-wide.

Police Investigate Fatal Single-Vehicle Collision in Pāhoa

Hawaii Island police are currently investigating a traffic collision that occurred on Sunday evening, resulting in the death of a 41-year-old Pāhoa man. The incident involved a 2005 Nissan Frontier pickup truck traveling south on Highway 137 when it veered off into the right shoulder and hit an embankment before hitting a nearby tree. The driver was unresponsive at the scene and later pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center. Police believe speed and inattention were factors in the collision. The East Hawaii Traffic Enforcement Unit is continuing its investigation and is asking anyone with information to contact Officer Clifford Antonio. This marks the fifth fatal traffic collision of 2023, compared to eight during the same period last year.

PWO Navigator Chadd Paishon To Share 30+-Year ‘Voyage’ of Na Kalai Wa’a at Waimea Town Meeting Thurs., March 2, 2023

PWO Navigator Chadd Paishon will share the incredible 30+-year journey of Na Kalai Wa’a and the Makali’i voyaging canoe at the upcoming Waimea Town Meeting on Thursday, March 2, 2023. The story of cultural discovery, learning, growth, and persistence will be retold by Paishon, who will also discuss the challenges of enduring the pandemic and exciting future plans for the Na Kalai Wa’a ‘ohana and the Hawai’i Island community.

The event, hosted by the Waimea Community Association, will be a hybrid town meeting and attendees can participate in person or through WCA’s Facebook page or YouTube channel. The conversation will begin with the ‘Olelo Noe’au, "He wa'a he moku, he moku he wa'a," which means "The canoe is our island, and the island is our canoe."

Na Kalai Wa’a is a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining cultural values and customs through the teaching and application of non-instrument navigation and open-ocean voyaging protocols. The organization recently acquired 642 acres of land, including six ahupuaʻa, to ensure the continuation of traditional Hawaiian navigational practices.

During the town meeting, attendees will also be urged to support Na Kalai Wa’a with a tax-deductible contribution, and the organization will be the spotlight not-for-profit. The meeting will include a brief public safety update by South Kohala Community Policing Officers, and a virtual visit with State Sen. Tim Richards and State Rep. David Tarnas about the current legislative session.

WCA President James Hustace encourages those interested in attending to visit the association’s website or email [email protected] for more information. The meeting will be recorded and available for on-demand viewing on Facebook and YouTube.

County Calendar:

Environmental Management Commission Meeting: Date: February 28, 2023 Time: 9:00 a.m. In Person Location: Puna Conference Room of the Hawai‘i County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo Online Location: Via Zoom https://www.zoomgov.com/j/16031058165 (Meeting ID: 160 3105 8165) Phone: +1 669 254 5252 (Enter the meeting ID, see above)

Water Board Meeting: Date: February 28, 2023 Time: 10:00 a.m. Location: Department of Water Supply, Hilo Operations Baseyard, 889 Leilani Street, Hilo Length of meeting is approximate.

Road Work: 2/26 - 3/5

— VOLCANO ROAD/MAMALAHOA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) NORTH OF PAHALA (WEEKEND AND WEEKLY WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 46 and 50, vicinity of Kapapala Ranch Road on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 27. through Friday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) OCEAN VIEW (WEEKEND WORK) Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 70 and 71, vicinity of Kahuku Ranch Road, on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mechanical mowing.

3) CAPTAIN COOK

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 106 and 108, vicinity of Honaunau Elementary School and Nanaina Lani Place, on Monday, Feb. 27, through Friday, March 3, 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 West Honalo Road, on Monday, Feb. 27, through Friday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Kuakini Drainage Improvements.

— HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 19) —

1) PAPAIKOU TO PEPEEKEO (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 9 and 11, vicinity of Onohi Loop/Kahalii Place and Old Mamalahoa Road (near Makea Stream), on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for mowing and grass cutting.

2) HAKALAU (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 12 and 14, vicinity of Kolekole Beach Park, on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for tree trimming and shoulder work.

3) LAUPAHOEHOE

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 23 and 28, Kapehu Road to vicinity of Stevens Road, on Monday, Feb. 27, through Friday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for paving.

5) KAMUELA Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 52 and 54, Mud Lane and Iokua Place, on Monday, Feb. 27, through Friday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for core sampling in preparation for repaving.

— QUEEN KAAHUMANU HIGHWAY (ROUTE 19) —

1) KAMUELA

Single lane closure on Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 67 and 68, vicinity of the start of Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Kauna ʻOa Drive, on Monday, Feb. 27, through Friday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for shoulder work.

— 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 0 and 3, Volcano Road and the Adopt A Highway sign, on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mowing, mulching, and tree cutting.

2) KEAAU

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 1 and 4, Milo Street and the advance directional sign for Shower Drive, on Monday, Feb. 27, and Friday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— MAMALAHOA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 190) —

1) WAIKOLOA (WEEKEND WORK) Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 6 and 10, Saddle Road to vicinity of Waikoloa Road, on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mowing.

2) WAIKOLOA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 7 and 12, vicinity of Saddle Road to past Waikoloa Road, on Monday, Feb. 27, through Friday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

3) NORTH KONA Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 18 and 26, on Monday, Feb. 27, through Friday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Mamalahoa Highway Safety Improvements, East and West Puuwaawaa Ranch.

4) NORTH KONA (WEEKEND WORK) Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 21 and 25, vicinity of Puu Kamanu Loop, on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mowing.

5) NORTH KONA Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 21 and 24, vicinity of Puu Kamanu Loop, on Monday, Feb. 27, through Friday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— AKAKA FALLS ROAD (ROUTE 220) —

1) HONOMU

Single lane closure on Akaka Falls Road (Route 220) possible in either direction between mile markers 2 and 3, No. 5 Bridge Road to vicinity of Akaka Falls State Park, on Monday, Feb. 27, through Friday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— KOHALA MOUNTAIN ROAD (ROUTE 250) —

1) KOHALA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 13 and 15, vicinity Puuhue Road, on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for tree trimming and shoulder work.