Hawai'i State News
Nā‘ālehu man arrested for touching 14-year-old girl while onboard Honolulu-bound flight
Shane Curry Bloking reportedly touched and squeezed the leg of a girl seated next to him, causing her to feel alarmed and unsafe on the March 8 flight.
A University of Hawai‘i study may reveal a new way to monitor health of reefs
A study co-led by a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa doctoral student revealed that each type of coral and algae from a reef off O‘ahu shores produced a unique suite of chemical compounds that could provide insight into how healthy the reef organisms are.
Kealakehe High School wins grand prize at Pacific & Asian Affairs Council competition
Third place went to students from the Big Island’s Waiākea High School. A second team from Kealakehe High School also won a prize.
Sen. Schatz announces passage of appropriations deal, securing billions in new federal funding for state
The U.S. Senate passed the first half of a bipartisan appropriations deal on Friday, Mar. 8, which aims to deliver billions in federal funding for critical programs that benefit Hawai‘i.
Water supply dept. extends entry deadline for Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest
The free contest promotes the importance of reducing water waste and protecting drinking water supplies. It challenges keiki to utilize artistic ways to depict conserving our most precious resource – safe drinking water.
Big Island weekly lane closures: March 9-15
Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting.
Most of Big Island saw drier than average conditions in February
A manually recorded rainfall total near Honokaʻa from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network had the highest overall monthly total at 14.68 inches.
Ex-police officer charged after allegedly choking wife in front of couple’s children
Daniel Raymond Ulrich worked as an officer for the Hawai‘i Police Department six years ago. In April 2019, he was arrested and charged for a similar type of domestic-related incident.
Police identify men wanted for questioning in sex assault case, following public assistance
The incident happened just after 5 p.m. on Dec. 26 in the toy section at the Hilo Target and involved a 10-year-old girl.
Deaths of young dolphin, humpback calf highlight importance of responsible boating in Hawaiʻi waters
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is urging vessel operators to slow down and enjoy marine wildlife from afar.
3 Hawai‘i schools to receive $100K fitness centers from national foundation
“This … is a wonderful opportunity and will be an even bigger blessing for our keiki who attend the selected schools,” said Gov. Josh Green.
Hawai‘i House of Representatives reaffirms commitment to protecting marriage equality
A new bill seeks to repeal a portion of the state constitution, which grants the Legislature the authority to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.
No measles outbreaks reported in Hawai‘i despite rise in cases in U.S. states
As of Feb. 29, 41 cases were reported in several states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.
Scientists uncover surprising findings in Big Island forest, 27 years after clear-cut
Flint Hughes and Dennis Grossman have studied how the Ki‘ula Forest fared, nearly three decades after 900 of its 2,500 acres were cut down.
Senate ways and means committee advances bills on wildfire recovery, agriculture, more
The Committee on Ways and Means continues to support bills that aid the people of Maui, and the survivors and victims of the August 2023 wildfire.
$150 million donation to connect Hilo Medical Center, Hawai’i Pacific Health and UCSF Health
In recognition of Lynne and Marc Benioff’s philanthropy, Hilo Medical Center will be renamed Hilo Benioff Medical Center and Straub Medical Center will become Straub Benioff Medical Center.
Puna woman charged with theft of wallet, credit cards in two separate Hilo incidents
The first incident occurred at the Downtown Hilo KTA. The second incident occurred at the 7-Eleven located off of Kaumana Drive in Hilo.
Hawaiian Electric seeks public comment regarding next round of renewable energy procurements
Comments are requested before March 29. Hawaiian Electric also will host a virtual public meeting to engage with the community and gain feedback on the drafts. Participants are welcome to ask questions during the meeting.
Man with loaded sawed-off shotgun, rifle arrested in Bayfront Soccer Fields parking lot
Nainoa Kaluhiwa, a 32-year-old Puna man, made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday afternoon.
Report: Regulation driving high cost of new condos in Hawaiʻi
The University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization report shows that the costs of regulations account for more than half, or 58%, of the price of a new condominium in Hawaiʻi.
