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Newsletter Schedule:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday

• Thursday & Sunday - No Newsletter

Here is your fast news headlines:

Shark Warning Signs Taken Down at ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay Following Weekend Encounter

The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), a part of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), removed shark warning signs at ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay on Hawai‘i Island on Monday after a reported encounter over the weekend.

According to reports, a 62-year-old man from Utah was swimming approximately 200 yards offshore on Sunday when he was bitten on his left hand by a shark. He attempted to fight off the shark, but then felt another bite on the back of his left knee. After calling for help, a nearby vessel transported him to shore, where he was met by the Hawai‘i County Fire Department (HFD) and taken to North Hawai‘i Community Hospital. DLNR adhered to established protocols and did not disclose the victim's identity, the extent of his injuries, or his medical condition.

Following the incident, "Shark Sighted" signs were erected at the beach and the area was closed for the rest of Sunday. On Monday, an HFD helicopter flew over the area, but no sharks were spotted, and the signs were subsequently removed.

Gov. Green Signs Homelessness Proclamation

Governor Josh Green of Hawaii has signed a new proclamation on homelessness to improve safety and well-being for both homeless individuals and citizens. The proclamation seeks to streamline the permitting process for emergency shelters and Ohana-style homes. This move aims to address the state's ongoing housing crisis and provide much-needed relief for those affected by homelessness.

Senate Lawmakers Look to Electric Bike Tax Credit

Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) has reintroduced the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act, legislation aimed at encouraging the use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) by providing a refundable consumer tax credit. The bill proposes to cover 30% of the cost of a class 1, 2, or 3 e-bike, up to a $1,500 credit, for new electric bicycles that cost less than $8,000, to include cargo e-bikes. The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and has support from several organizations, including PeopleForBikes, Sierra Club, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Exchange Club in Hilo Recognizes Officer Jayce Carvalho

Officer Jayce Carvalho, a five-year veteran of the Hawaii Police Department, has been recognized as Officer of the Month for November 2022 by the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaii for his diligent investigations that led to the arrests of two wanted felons with a total of 163 prior arrests. Officer Carvalho is currently assigned to the department's Criminal Investigation Section Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), which is responsible for apprehending violent offenders and investigating crimes that pose a significant threat to community safety. One of his investigations involved recovering a stolen van and a .38 caliber revolver and arresting a convicted felon who was charged with several offenses. In another case, he was able to connect several theft crimes and identify and arrest a suspect who was charged with numerous offenses. The Aloha Exchange Club honors a police officer in East Hawaii every month, and Officer Carvalho is now eligible to be selected as Officer of the Year.

Hawai‘i Island police are seeking help from the public in locating two teenagers who have been reported as runaways.

The first teenager, 15-year-old Tyrayjah Torres, was last seen on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. in the 800 block of Kino‘ole Street in Hilo. It is unclear what clothing she was wearing at the time of her disappearance. Torres is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 120 pounds, with a thin build, tan complexion, long black hair, and brown eyes. Police are asking anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact Officer Joshua Gouveia at [email protected] or call the police department's non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

The second teenager, 15-year-old Jaidon Wieland-Vierra, was last seen in the Mountain View area on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 7:45 a.m. She was wearing a grey shirt, black shorts, and a black and white checkered backpack. Wieland-Vierra is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds, with a fair complexion, long brown hair, and brown eyes. Police are asking anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact the police department's non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

HPD: 19 Arrested for DUI

Hawai`i Island police made 19 DUI arrests during the week of March 13 to March 19, 2023, with five of the drivers involved in traffic accidents and two being under the legal drinking age. The total number of DUI arrests so far this year is 230, compared to 249 during the same period last year, indicating a 7.6 percent decrease.

However, the Traffic Services Section of the Hawai‘i Police Department discovered that major crashes increased by 29.9 percent, with 204 crashes reported this year compared to 157 during the same period last year. Fatal crashes and fatalities, on the other hand, have decreased by 50 percent. There have been four fatal crashes and five fatalities so far this year, compared to eight fatal crashes and ten fatalities during the same time last year.

Despite these statistics, DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island-wide to ensure public safety.

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.