Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Aloha! If you have an event you want to promote on our newsletter, send us an email at [email protected]! Here is your fast and easy news headlines for today:

Aircraft Hard Lands at Kona Airport

On Tuesday morning, a Cessna P337H experienced an aborted take-off at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole. The incident occurred at approximately 0851 HST, with five individuals on board. The aircraft failed to deploy landing gear and subsequently crashed at the end of the runway, finally coming to a stop. As a result of the hard landing, commercial airliners experienced delays in both take-off and landing. The aircraft in question is identified by the tail number 1979 Cessna N5KR, owned by Hana Like II LLC, and is reportedly utilized for Big Island Air tours.

Office of Elections Update to Candidate Qualifications

Although Candidates for office cannot file to run until February 1, 2024, the office of elections notified the public Tuesday of the updated qualifications:

Fire Continued, Bulldozers and Helicopters assist

Bulldozer operators have created fire breaks around the Keamuku wildfires in mauka South Kohala on Monday night and Tuesday morning, and are currently cutting another break around the burning areas. Firefighters, military helicopter crews, and volunteers are working to fight the Keamuku Maneuver Area (KMA) Complex fires, which were ignited by lightning strikes on Sunday, and have burned an estimated 1,500-1,800 acres. On Monday, the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade used three helicopters to make 80 water bucket drops, totaling 67,000 gallons of water, and will continue to drop water on Tuesday. Ground crews will patrol the breaks to put down hot spots. While the larger of the two fires is a mile from Waiki'i Ranch, the community is protected by a thousand-meter buffer of pasture established by the U.S. Army between KMA and Waiki'i Ranch, and there are no threats to communities, roads, or structures at this time. PTA and Civil Defense will continue to provide updates to the public. Photo Courtesy: Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA)

DUI Stats for February 6, 2023, through February 12, 2023

During the week of February 6, 2023, through February 12, 2023, Hawai‘i Island police arrested 15 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Six of the drivers were involved in a traffic collision. One of the drivers was under the age of 21.

So far this year, there have been 130 DUI arrests compared with 127 during the same period last year, an increase of 2.4 percent

After a review of all updated crashes, Traffic Services found 114 major collisions so far this year compared with 89 during the same period last year, an increase of 28.1 percent.

To date, there have been 4 fatal crashes, resulting in 5 fatalities, compared with 5 fatal crashes, resulting in 7 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents a decrease of 20 percent for fatal crashes, and 28.6 percent for fatalities.

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

Hawai'i Tourism Authority: Requests for Proposals

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) has issued two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to procure brand management and marketing services for the United States, as well as support services for destination stewardship, reflecting HTA’s pivot toward destination management in pursuit of a regenerative model of tourism. The solicitation calls for a pre-arrival communications program to educate visitors with specific information about safe, respectful, and mindful travel that will be coordinated with HTA’s on-island programs to provide a seamless message throughout the entire visitor journey. Another key emphasis of the marketing will be to drive visitor spending into Hawai‘i-based businesses as a means to support a healthy economy, including supporting local businesses, purchasing Hawaiʻi-grown agricultural products, and promoting Hawai‘i-made products in-market in partnership with HTA, the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT), and the private sector. The Destination Stewardship support services contract will begin on May 22, 2023, and will end on June 30, 2026, with HTA having two one-year options to extend the agreement.

Potential Severe Weather Slated for Thursday & Friday

A potential severe weather disturbance may hit Hawai'i Island on Thursday and Friday. No warnings have been posted by the National Weather Service or Civil Defense at this time.

Earthquake around 9:30pm last night, rattled Hawai'i Island

A 4.7 magnitude earthquake shook Hawaii Island late last night at approximately 9:30 PM Hawaii time. There is currently no indication of a tsunami threat or any damages reported.

County Calendar:

• Committee on the Status of Women: Date: 02/15/2023 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

• Board of Ethics: Date:02/15/2023 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Location:Hawaii County Building (Council Chambers) 25 Aupuni StreetHilo, Hawaii 96720

• Police Commission Meeting: Date: 02/17/2023 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location: Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi St. Hilo, Hawaii 96720

• Merit Appeals Board Date:02/17/2023 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location:Hilo Council Chambers-Hawaii County Building25 Aupuni Street, First Floor, Room. 1401Hilo, Hawaii 96720

Legislative Update:

• An upcoming Town hall hosted by Representative Jeanne Kapela on Thursday, February 23 at 6:30p in Cooper Center, Volcano HI. Those who are interested in attending may contact Community Liaison - Zee Zaidoff at [email protected] for more details.

• In the latest update, the Senate committee has rejected the appointment of Ikaika Anderson as the Department of Hawaiian Homelands' new appointee.

Road Closures:

— VOLCANO ROAD/MAMALAHOA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) NORTH OF PAHALA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 44 and 46, on Saturday, Feb. 11, and Sunday, Feb. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) NAALEHU

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 62 and 66, vicinity of Naalehu Driver Licensing Station and Hao Springs Road, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mowing and grass cutting.

3) CAPTAIN COOK

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 106 and 109, vicinity of Honaunau Elementary School and Koa Road, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mowing.

— 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. 13, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Kuakini Drainage Improvements.

— HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 19) —

1) PAPAIKOU TO PEPEEKEO

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 Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for mowing and grass cutting.

2) PEPEEKEO TO HAKALAU (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 10 and 14, Kulaimano Road to vicinity of Kolekole Beach Park, on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for vegetation cutting.

3) HAKALAU

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 13 and 14, vicinity of Kolekole Beach Park, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for vegetation cutting.

4) HAKALAU TO NINOLE (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 14 and 16, vicinity of Kolekole Beach Park and Umauma Stream, on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for vegetation cutting

5) 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. 13, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for paving.

— KAWAIHAE ROAD (ROUTE 19) —

1) KAMUELA

Single lane closure on Kawaihae Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 58 and 60, vicinity of Ko Uka Street and Ohina Street, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for shoulder work.

— KEAAU-PAHOA ROAD (ROUTE 130) —

1) KEAAU (WEEKEND AND WEEKLY 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. 11, and Sunday, Feb. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) KEAAU TO HAWAIIAN PARADISE PARK (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 3 and 5, vicinity of the Adopt A Highway sign and between Puakalo Street and Kaloli Drive, on Saturday, Feb. 11, and Sunday, Feb. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation removal from culverts.

— 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 5 and 9, vicinity of the Koaiʻa Tree to past the Kohala Ranch Road, on Saturday, Feb. 11, and Sunday, Feb. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for shoulder stabilization.

2) KOHALA

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 7 and 9, vicinity of Kohala Ranch Road, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, through Friday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for tree trimming.