East Hawai‘i News

The winter storm that blew through the state at the end of the week fortunately didn’t blow away or wash out any of the multitude of events happening around the island, some of which are going on right now!

Nine Hawaiʻi County nonprofits will receive $10.1 million for 15 projects using funding from Tier 2 residential property taxes.

In light of the groundings, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Administrator Meghan Statts reiterated that boat owners and operators should pay attention to weather forecasts, avoid going out in advance of storms and check that their lines are secure in harbors or while tied to moorings.

Several Hawaiʻi County facilities remained closed Friday despite weather conditions improving. Fewer than 100 customers remained without power as of 6 p.m. Friday. A brown water advisory is in effect for the entire island because of stormwater runoff entering coastal waters.

Participants were invited to submit a poem in haiku format or art recognizing Hawaiʻi’s volcanic landscapes in the following age divisions: elementary (grades K-5), middle school (grades 6-8), high school and adult. Nearly 60 entries were received, most from kamaʻāina.

Egg shortages and the fear of depopulation has local poultry farmers urging the State of Hawaiʻi to consult with them and develop an avian flu response plan as the virus spreads to chickens, cows and humans on the mainland.

“Crews are working hard to ensure roadways are clear and to restore power to traffic intersections,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda. “We ask residents to remain off roadways, if possible, as weather conditions worsen and to stay connected to our emergency notifications.”

Hawaiian Electric urges customers to be prepared for possibility of extended outages. Several Hawaiʻi County and state facilities and parks closed because of inclement weather.

Department of Water Supply says to prepare by setting aside drinking water ahead of time to meet essential needs during a prolonged power outage that disrupts water service and having alternate emergency sources of potable water.

Actions were taken by staff, personnel and crew at the facilities throughout the state to make sure they are ready for impacts. Airports will remain open unless there is damage to runway or terminal facilities.

Hawai‘i Police Department is closing the road in Hāmākua on the east side of the Big Island because of the flood watch that will be in effect for the island associated with the approaching major winter storm.

Unusually strong winter storm expected to pass just north of Kaua‘i, dragging cold front up through entire state, with tropical moisture and instability provided by strong southerly kona winds.

The 21-year-old was identified as Jahnya Serquina-Octubre of Mountain View. An autopsy was ordered to determine her exact cause of death, and police reclassified their investigation into the collision as a negligent homicide.

Nine men and 3 women were arrested Jan. 21 on warrants for various offenses, ranging from contempt of court and failure to appear to violating conditions of release.

Authors of a new University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa study emphasize a long-term pattern of opposite eruptive behavior between the volcanoes also suggests a magmatic connection exists.

Kīlauea volcano’s Episode 7 of eruptive activity ends abrubtly 16 hours after it began, but inflation at the summit is already on the rise again, so it might not be long until an Episode 8 is underway.

Hawai‘i Island kindergarteners through sixth graders to create art with the theme of, “Being Water Wise is…,” for a contest through the County Department of Water Supply.

Eight out of 45 Hawaiʻi VEX robotics teams have an opportunity to compete at the highest level in the world-class event after qualifying in regionals last weekend.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said based on the durations of Episodes 5 and 6, and the short pauses that separated them, this episode of eruptive activity in the Big Island volcano’s caldera will likely last 10 to 20 hours.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says a new eruptive episode in the Big Island volcano’s summit caldera could begin sometime between Jan. 27 and Jan. 31. The north vent continued to glow strongly the night of Jan. 26 in Halema‘uma‘u Crater, indicating magma remains close to the surface.