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Big Island community helping police officer’s family after fire damages home, kills 3 pets
The fire at the family’s home in ʻĀinaloa happened during the early evening of Dec. 30. Fortunately, no one was home at the time, but the blaze caused $250,000 in damage and killed three of the family’s five dogs.
Big Island welcomes New Year’s Day babies Kālenakū and Keoni
Kristine Norita had to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks from her car as her husband drove her to Hilo Medical Center after going into labor with their fifth child.
Hawai’i police investigate badly burned body found in downtown Hilo
Authorities are investigating the discovery of a badly burned body on Banyan Drive in Hilo.
Social Security’s 8.7% increase could effect eligibility for SNAP households in Hawaiʻi
SNAP eligibility and benefit amounts are based on income limits set by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Nutrition Services.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs funds workshops about iwi kūpuna repatriation, reinterment
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Iwi Kūpuna Repatriation and Reinterment Program is providing $50,000 over two years to The Hawaiian Church of Hawaiʻi Nei for a series of workshops.
UPDATE: High surf advisory for Big Island canceled
Large breaking waves of 6 to 8 feet are forecast this afternoon. Wave heights are expected to increase to 7 to 10 feet tonight.
Applicants sought for 3rd Circuit Family, District Court per diem judges
Applicants must be residents of Hawai‘i and citizens of the United States and must have been licensed to practice law by the Hawai‘i Supreme Court for a period of no less than five years preceding nomination.
New Hawaiʻi law bans balloon releases to protect marine life
A new statewide law banning the intentional release of balloons in Hawaiʻi — and the strongest such measure in the country — went into effect Jan. 1, 2023.
AARP Hawaiʻi offering free online Zumba classes with instructor Robin Bush
Roberta “Robin” Bush, a certified Zumba instructor who teaches at the Honolulu city parks with the Department and Parks and Recreation, will lead free online classes.
7 graduate as part of Hawaiʻi Police Department’s 96th recruit class
The newly graduated officers will now undergo four months of on-the-job field training with veteran police officers before being qualified to work alone.
What new Hawai’i laws are taking effect on New Year’s Day?
Several new State of Hawai’i laws are set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2023 that relate to areas including tobacco taxes, catalytic converters, ethics training, fireworks, ranked-choice voting and even balloons.
Mauna Loa forests, natural area reserves dodged lava bullet
Years of restoration work and ungulate control efforts in the Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve could have been undone had lava flows gone a different direction.
3 family dogs die in blaze at ʻĀinaloa residence
The residence seemed to be in normal use, but none of its occupants were home at the time of the blaze.
Big Island weekly lane closures: Dec. 31, 2022-Jan. 6, 2023
Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announced weekly lane closures for Dec. 31, 2022, through Jan. 6, 2023.
Volcano Watch: ‘Your job sounds so cool! How does someone become a volcanologist?’
There are as many different specialties within volcanology and as many paths you can take to get there as there are tools of the trade.
Police search for pedestrian struck by vehicle in Puna
Police think the man might be injured and in need of medical assistance after it’s thought that he was struck by a vehicle.
Missing 12-year-old boy found in good health
Big Island police report that Zealand Brickwood was located in Hilo.
High surf advisory for west-facing shores canceled
The National Weather Service in Honolulu reports that surf has fallen below advisory levels.
Big Island backyard fireworks are popular, but be safe while ringing in 2023
Fireworks are entertaining but they also can be dangerous. There are plenty of examples from the past few years throughout Hawaiʻi of mishaps and injuries. Stay safe by using common sense.
UH-Hilo baseball team faces challenging 2023 slate
The Vulcans open their 2023 season facing off at home with a five-game series against Augustana, which finished last season 47-13-1 overall with an appearance in the NCAA Super Regional.
