Newsletter Schedule:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday

• Thursday & Sunday - No Newsletter

Here is your fast news headlines:

Another Body Discovered in Hilo Bay, According to Police

A body was discovered on the shoreline just outside of Hilo Bay on Hawai‘i Island, and police are now investigating the incident. The South Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department (HFD) personnel responded to the area west of Bayshore Towers on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, shortly after 6:00 a.m. following a caller's report of a body at water's edge. HFD's chopper located the lifeless body and moved it to higher ground.

The Area I Criminal Investigation Section took over the case, which has been classified as a coroner's inquest. The victim is believed to be a local male in his late 40s or early 50s, but positive identification is pending via fingerprint identification. The victim was taken to the Hilo Medical Center and officially pronounced dead at 7:46 a.m.

At present, there are no immediate indications of foul play. An autopsy has been scheduled for later in the week to establish the exact cause of death. Police have urged anyone with information concerning the case to contact the police department's non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Casey Cabral of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2384 or email [email protected].

Witnesses Sought in Friday's Officer-involved Shooting

Police on Hawaiʻi Island are seeking any witnesses who may have been in the vicinity of Friday’s officer-involved shooting in Kona. The incident took place at approximately 9:05 a.m. on March 10, 2023, near the intersection of Palani Road and Kamakaeha Avenue. Plainclothes Vice detectives received information that Ronald Kahihikolo, who was wanted for attempted murder and multiple bench warrants, was in the Kona area in the company of individuals who were in possession of two stolen vehicles, a silver Chevy Malibu and a white Dodge sedan.

Kahihikolo and Jacqueline Keana’aina have both been charged with several offenses, but the investigation is still ongoing. Police are urging anyone with information about this case to contact Detective Jason Foxworthy of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 326-4646, ext. 281 or [email protected], or to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

For those who prefer to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers can be contacted at (808) 961-8300. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who aim to maintain community safety. The program does not record calls or subscribe to caller ID, and all information provided to Crime Stoppers is kept confidential.

Senator Hirono and Rep. Case Introduce Legislation to Restore Access to Federal Benefits for Freely Associated States Who Live in the U.S.

A group of bipartisan lawmakers has introduced legislation to restore access to federal benefits for citizens of the Freely Associated States who legally reside in the United States. The Compact Impact Fairness Act, introduced by Senators Mazie K. Hirono and John Boozman, and Representatives Ed Case and Steve Womack, would extend federal benefits to citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau, which are available to other legal permanent residents. The bill aims to remove technical barriers that have prevented COFA citizens from receiving federal benefits, despite paying federal taxes like other legal residents.

The legislation would address the issue of the 1996 welfare reform law that prevented COFA citizens from accessing most federal benefits available to other legal resident non-citizens present in the United States. The Compact Impact Fairness Act seeks to restore access to these benefits for COFA citizens and provide relief to states like Hawaii that have large COFA communities. The COFA citizens, who are entitled to live, study, and work in the United States without a visa, pay taxes and support US defense efforts. The proposed legislation would ensure that they receive the same federal benefits as other legal residents.

A 2020 report from the Government Accountability Office estimated that approximately 100,000 COFA citizens live in the United States and its Pacific Territories. They are predominantly based in Hawaii, Guam, Washington, Arkansas, Oregon, and California but also have a sizable presence in other states. The Compact Impact Fairness Act would restore eligibility for COFA citizens to receive public benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Services Block Grants (SSBG), education assistance, and other programs. Senators Brian Schatz and Representative Jill Tokuda have also cosponsored the bill.

Hawaiian Airlines Celebrate 10-years in Non-Stop Flight to Auckland

Hawaiian Airlines marked the 10th anniversary of its nonstop flights between Auckland and Honolulu on March 13, 2023. The airline has served as a cultural bridge between Hawaiʻi and New Zealand, carrying 144,000 passengers between the two countries since the route’s launch in 2013. To commemorate the anniversary, Hawaiian Airlines employees and guests were welcomed back to Auckland with a traditional Mihi Whakatau ceremony, and the airline donated $5,000 each to two Kiwi nonprofits, The Rising Foundation and Sea Cleaners. Hawaiian Airlines employees also gave back by participating in a mangrove forest clean-up and packing community food boxes with nutritious items. Hawaiian Airlines Country Director in New Zealand, Russell “Rusty” Williss, expressed his focus for the next decade to see the airline thrive and innovate as a leading operator from Oceania to Hawaiʻi and the U.S. mainland.

County Calendar:

Committee on the Status of Women - 03/15/2023 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Board of Ethics - 03/15/2023 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

ROAD WORK FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 11 – MARCH 17

PLEASE NOTE:

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

— MAMALOHA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) PAHALA

Single lane closure on Mamaloha Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 53 and 55, on Akaka Fall Road and Kaupakuea Homestead Road, on Monday, March 13, through Friday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) CAPTAIN COOK

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 108.9 and 109.3, on Tuesday, March 14, and Wednesday, March 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for installation of a new waterline. 

3) PAHALA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction between mile markers 44 and 46, on Saturday, March 12, and Sunday, March 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— MAMALOHA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 190) —

 1) WAIKOLOA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 17 and 19, Mamalahoa Highway and Waikoloa Road, on Monday March 13, through Friday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

2) WAIKOLOA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 17.9 and 26.2, on Monday March 13, through Friday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for installation of shoulder extension.

3) KALAOA

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 26 and 28, on Monday March 13, through Friday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

4) WAIKOLOA (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) possible in either direction between mile markers 7 and 11, in vicinity of Waikoloa Road, on Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

 — KEAAU-PAHOA ROAD (ROUTE 130) —

 1) KEAAU

Single lane closure on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) possible in either direction between mile markers 2 and 5, on Monday, March 13, through Friday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 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 3 and 6, between Keaau-Pahoa Road and Orchid Land Drive on Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— HONOMU ROAD (ROUTE 220) —

 1) HONOMU

Single lane closure on Honomu Road (Route 220) possible in either direction between mile markers 0 and 1.5, on Monday, March 13, through Friday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for vegetation cutting.

— HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 19) —

1) HAKALAU

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 15 and 17, vicinity Old Mamalahoa Highway on Monday, March 13, through Friday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for tree-trimming, vegetation cutting, and removal.

2) HAKALAU

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 Monday, March 13, through Friday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for tree-trimming, vegetation cutting, and removal. 

3) PAPAALOA TO LAUPAHOEHOE

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 23.09 and 27.68 for road resurfacing, between Kapehu Road and Stevens Road, on Monday, March 13, through Friday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

4) KAMUELA

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 52 and 55, between Kekehau Street and Kakanihia Road, on Monday, March 13, through Friday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for emergency tree-trimming work.

5) HAKALAU (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 14 and 16, on Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for tree-trimming, vegetation cutting, and removal. 

6) HAKALAU (WEEKEND WORK)

Single lane closure on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) possible in either direction between mile markers 14 and 17, on Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for tree-trimming, vegetation cutting, and removal.

— KOHALA MOUNTAIN ROAD (ROUTE 250) — 

1) KAMUELA

Single lane closure on Kohala Mountain Road (Route 250) possible in either direction between mile markers 9 and 13 for road resurfacing, between Kapehu Road and Stevens Road, on Monday, March 13, through Friday, March 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

— KUAKINI HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) —

1) KAILUA-KONA

Single lane closure on Kuakini Highway (Route 11) possible in either direction in the vicinity of mile marker 113.9, near West Honalo Road, on Monday, March 13, through Friday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Kuakini Drainage Improvements.