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No, It's Not A Balloon From China

The Hawaiʻi County has announced that the Sierra Nevada Corporation and World View will launch two stratospheric balloons from Hawaiʻi Island, between March 23-25, subject to weather, to demonstrate their uncrewed stratospheric communication capabilities. The launch will take place in the North Hawaiʻi Region, from where the balloons will travel approximately 4,000 nautical miles at an altitude of 70,000-90,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean, before landing on the east coast of the US, where a Recovery Team will safely retrieve the balloons and related components. The County hopes to clarify any confusion or misrepresentation of the balloons in light of recent national concerns surrounding them. SNC and World View are leaders in aerospace and national security technology solutions, with a focus on aviation, national security space, electronic warfare, and remote sensing via stratospheric balloons.

Gordon Moore, Intel co-founder and Hawaii Island resident, passes away at age 94

Gordon Moore, a renowned computer scientist and co-founder of Intel Corporation, has passed away at the age of 94 in his Waimea home on March 27, 2023. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

Born in San Francisco in 1929, Moore received his Ph.D. in Chemistry and Physics from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1954. He co-founded Intel Corporation with Robert Noyce in 1968, which became one of the world's largest and most successful semiconductor chip makers.

Moore's most significant contribution to the technology industry is the "Moore's Law," which he predicted in 1965. The law stated that the number of transistors on a computer chip would double approximately every two years, leading to the exponential growth of computing power and a reduction in cost over time. This prediction proved to be remarkably accurate and has driven technological innovation in the semiconductor industry for decades.

In addition to his work at Intel, Moore was also a philanthropist, donating significant funds to education and science research institutions, including Caltech, the University of California, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. His philanthropic efforts have supported groundbreaking research in various fields, including environmental conservation, marine biology, and physics.

Moore received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 1990, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002, and the Kyoto Prize in 2008, among others.

Moore's legacy in the technology industry and his philanthropic contributions will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on future generations. He will be remembered as a visionary and a pioneer who revolutionized the computing industry and made significant contributions to scientific research and education.

Hawaii Police Department Appeals for Public Assistance in Locating Missing Teenager

The Hawaii Police Department has issued an urgent appeal for the public's help in finding a teenage boy who has been reported missing. Mana'o-Akamai Kaaihue, a 15-year-old male with black curly hair and brown eyes, was last seen on March 24th, 2023 at 11:00 P.M. in Mahi Ko Place, Hilo.

Kaaihue, who is described as being 6'0" tall and weighing 145 lbs, was last seen wearing a black shirt, denim pants, and white sneakers. He has been reported as a runaway.

The police department is asking anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Mana'o-Akamai Kaaihue to come forward and assist in the search. Anyone with information is urged to call 911 immediately or contact police dispatch at 808-935-3311.

The Hawaii Police Department is working diligently to locate the missing teenager and is calling on the community to assist in their efforts. Anyone who has any information on Kaaihue's whereabouts is encouraged to contact the authorities as soon as possible.

County Announces Website Refresh: Heleonbus.hawaiicounty.gov

The Hawaiʻi County Mass Transit Agency, Hele-On, has launched an updated website aimed at promoting sustainable transportation choices and making it easier for residents and visitors to access information on all Hele-On services. The new ADA-compliant site offers a trip planner, real-time bus tracking, weather updates, and accessible schedules. The website also includes a "Get Around Hawaiʻi County" page, which promotes transportation alternatives on the island, including regional walking guides, tips for getting around Hawaiʻi without a car, and a "How to Travel with Aloha" section that encourages responsible tourism. The site is consistent with the County of Hawaiʻi's website platform, Granicus, and can be accessed at heleonbus.hawaiicounty.gov. Mayor Mitch Roth emphasized the importance of encouraging sustainable ridership to reduce the county's carbon footprint, mitigate visitor impacts, and create a more well-rounded and connected visitor experience. Hele-On transports around 588,000 passenger trips annually on a fleet of more than 30 buses, vans, and a trolley, and also offers complementary paratransit service, a shared ride taxi program, a rural transportation service, and a vanpool program.

Senator Schatz Looks to Place 'Click-to-cancel" rules on Subscription Services

Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) has issued a statement in response to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) decision to seek public comment on updated rules for contracts with automatically recurring fees. The proposed rules include a "click-to-cancel" provision and annual notification reminders to help customers more easily cancel unwanted subscriptions. Senator Schatz's statement supports the move, stating that free trials should be truly free, and some companies have used the model to trap customers into subscriptions with costly monthly charges they never intended to make. He also called for the passage of the Unsubscribe Act, bipartisan legislation he previously introduced, which would require companies to be more transparent about subscription-based business models and make it easier for consumers to cancel their subscriptions once their free or reduced-price trial period has ended.

FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 25 – MARCH 31

PLEASE NOTE:

There will be no daytime lane closures on Monday, March 27, in observance of Prince Kuhio Day. The Highway 130 contraflow will not be optional on the holiday.

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

— MAMALOHA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) VOLCANO

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 24 and 26, Alii Anela Street and vicinity of Pearl Avenue, on Tuesday, March 28, through Friday, March 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) NAALEHU (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamaloha Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 62 and 64, vicinity of Kau Driver Licensing Office and Naalehu Park, on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

3) CAPTAIN COOK

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 84 and 86, vicinity of Mac Farms of Hawaii to vicinity of Paihi Drive, on Tuesday, March 28, through Friday, March 31, 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) in either direction in the vicinity of mile marker 114, near East Honalo Road, on Tuesday, March 28, through Friday, March 31, 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 25, and Sunday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Tuesday, March 28, through Friday, March 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for tree trimming, shoulder work, and vegetation cutting.

2) NINOLE (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 16 and 18, vicinity of Umauma Stream and the Honohina Cemetery, on Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for vegetation cutting.

3) 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 Tuesday, March 28, through Friday, March 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for road resurfacing.

4) 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 Tuesday, March 28, through Friday, March 31, 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 3 and 4, vicinity of directional sign for Shower Drive, on Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) KEAAU (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 4 and 7, vicinity of Shower Drive to Aulii Street, on Saturday March 25, and Sunday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

3) KEAAU

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 6 and 9, Orchiland Drive to vicinity of Niaulani/Kaluhine Street, on Tuesday March 28, through Friday, March 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— MAMALOHA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 190) —

1) WAIKOLOA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 9 and 11, vicinity of Waikoloa Road, on Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mowing and vegetation control.

2) WAIKOLOA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 15 and 17, vicinity of Daniel K. Inouye Highway, on Tuesday, March 28, through Friday, March 31, 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, vicinity of the hunting check in station and vicinity of the yellow cattle gate, on Tuesday, March 28, through Friday, March 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for shoulder extension safety improvements.

4) KAILUA-KONA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 23 and 26, vicinity of the yellow cattle gate, on Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mowing and shoulder work.

5) KAILUA-KONA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 27 and 29, vicinity of the Hualalai Ranch, on Tuesday, March 28, through Friday, March 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— KOHALA MOUNTAIN ROAD (ROUTE 250) —

1) KAMUELA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 5 and 8, before Kohala Ranch Road, on Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26, 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 6 and 11, vicinity of Keawewai Stream to Paniolo Adventures, on Tuesday, March 28, through Friday, March 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting and pothole patching.

3) KAMUELA

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 9 and 13, vicinity of Kohala Ranch Road to Kehena Reservoir, on Tuesday, March 28, through Friday, March 31, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for road resurfacing.