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Here is your fast news headlines:

41 Recruits Added as Hawai'i Conservation Resource Officers (DOCARE)

The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) commissioned its largest recruit class ever on Friday, consisting of 41 men and women who completed an eight-month training program to become Hawai‘i Conservation Resources Enforcement Officers (CREOs). The new CREOs will be deployed to DOCARE branches on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island, Maui, and Kaua‘i, with duties including enforcing laws, educating residents and visitors, and interacting with the community. The academy program is unique in that it offers both a public safety and a natural resources component, with recruits trained to become competent officers while keeping the values of kuleana, community service, and being pono top of mind. The new CREOs will now begin their field-training phase, working alongside seasoned officers at their respective island posts to put into practice their commitment to state conservation efforts.

American Job Center of Hawaii Moves

Hawaii County's American Job Center of Hawaii (AJCH) has relocated to a new location in Hilo and has reopened its doors to the public. The new center is located at Waiakea Kai Plaza, 88 Kanoelehua Avenue, Suite A-204, and has been operational since February 21, 2023.

The American Job Center of Hawaii is a vital resource for residents and businesses in Hawaii County, providing a range of employment-related services and programs. The center is staffed with qualified professionals who can offer free assistance to job seekers and businesses, including career exploration, training program referrals, job placement, resume preparation, and workshops to enhance job-seeking skills and work readiness.

In addition to these services, the AJCH also offers access to computers, printers, photocopiers, fax machines, telephones, and job search resource materials. The center's Business Services Team has experts in state resources, recruitment, and retention strategies, helping business owners grow their businesses.

The AJCH prioritizes educational and training services to various groups, including veterans, unemployed or underemployed individuals, English language learners, public assistance recipients, youth, and the homeless.

Those who wish to learn more or have any questions can contact the American Job Center of Hawaii at (808) 935-6527. With its relocation to a new and improved location, the center aims to continue providing essential services to the Hawaii County community.

County Seeking Residents Interested in Fire Appeals Board

The County of Hawai'i is actively seeking interested residents to serve on the Fire Appeals Board. This five-member board will play a crucial role in hearing and issuing rulings for final decisions made by the chief regarding the fire and fireworks codes.

To qualify for the position, candidates must be residents of the County of Hawai'i and possess education, experience, and knowledge in one or more of the following fields or professions: engineering or architectural design, general contracting, fire protection contracting, fire department operations or fire code enforcement, building code enforcement, or legal expertise.

It is important to note that employees, agents, or officers of the county are ineligible to serve on the board.

Residents who are interested in applying for the Fire Board of Appeals or any other boards and commissions are encouraged to complete an application, which can be found on the county's website. The application process is quick and easy, and it presents an excellent opportunity for residents to become involved in their community and make a difference.

Overall, the County of Hawai'i seeks highly qualified individuals who are passionate about serving their community and have the skills and knowledge necessary to uphold the fire and fireworks codes.

HPD Renew's Request for Missing:

Missing Child: John Histo III

Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old John Histo III who was reported as a runaway.

Histo was last seen on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Kea‘au wearing blue jeans and a dark colored jacket.

He is described as having a tan complexion, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 120 pounds, with short black hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone who may have information about Histo’s whereabouts to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or contact Puna Patrol Officer Chance Lunsford at (808) 965-2716.

Missing Child: Kailea Kekipi

Hawai‘i Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 13-year-old Kailea Kekipi of Hilo, who was reported as a runaway earlier this month. Due to her age, she is considered endangered.

Kekipi was last seen in the 1100 block of Waianuenue Avenue in Hilo, on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 2:20 p.m. wearing a black t-shirt, black pants, and silver-colored hoop earrings.

She is described as Asian/Hawaiian, 5 feet tall, 100 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with information on her whereabouts to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or contact Officer Aaron Abalos at [email protected].

Police Renew Request for Information on Runaway Arieana Balbin

Hawai‘i Police Department is renewing its request for the public’s assistance locating 13-year-old Arieana Balbin of Kurtistown, who was reported as a runaway. Due to her age, she is considered endangered.

Balbin is known to frequent Hilo areas, such as Banyan Drive and a retail shopping center in the 100 block of Puainako Street.

Balbin is described as Polynesian with a fair complexion and a thin build, 4 feet 6 inches tall, 90 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with information on Balbin’s whereabouts to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

Tractor Stolen, Police Request Public Assistance

Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s assistance for information regarding the theft of a tractor that was removed from a property off of Highway 130 just outside of Pāhoa sometime on Sunday, March 12, 2023, between 8:45 a.m. and 1:40 p.m.

The equipment is described as a red 2005 Fecon FTX90L tractor with a front bucket attachment, with an estimated value between $60,000 to $80,000.

Police ask that anyone with information pertaining to this investigation to call Officer Rodney Delima via the police department’s non-emergency number (808) 935-3311 or email [email protected].

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Soil Investigation in Four Mile Bridge

The Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works has revealed that a soil investigation will take place at Four Mile Creek bridge near the intersection of Haihai Street and Kīlauea Avenue on March 22 and 23 between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm. To ensure the smooth flow of traffic across the bridge, flaggers will be present. Although the road will remain open in both directions throughout the investigative period, traffic delays are anticipated, and the public is urged to plan their trips accordingly. The Department expressed gratitude to the community for their cooperation and understanding.

Waikōloa Road Rehabilitation Project Public Hearing

The Department of Public Works for the County of Hawaiʻi is inviting the community to a meeting on March 30th at the Waikōloa Elementary School Cafeteria to discuss the Waikōloa Road Rehabilitation Project. The project involves pavement removal and replacement, updating road signage, and implementing new road striping and markings. Scheduled to run from May 2023 to April 2024, the rehabilitation work will be carried out on Waikōloa Road makai from Mamalahoa Highway to Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway. However, the 2,000 feet of road traveling mauka from the Queen Kaʻahumanu intersection and the roadway near the Waikoloa Road/Paniolo Avenue/Pua Melia Street intersection, which will be part of a future roundabout, will be excluded. Attendees should note that the community meeting will only focus on the Waikoloa Road Rehabilitation Project.

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.