News
Gov. Green signs 6 bills on ‘intent to veto list’ into law including measure that restricts governor’s emergency powers
Seven bills were vetoed primarily due to legal and operational issues.
Update: Hilo kidnapping victim identified; investigation continues
An unidentified victim on July 7 was assaulted, then forced into the back seat of a pickup truck, according to police.
State allows Ocean Seafood Chinese Restaurant in Kona to reopen
The restaurant was previously issued a red placard July 5 and immediately closed because of multiple violations.
Striping, signage, sidewalk work underway in downtown Hilo
Work begins today and will continue from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, weather permitting, through Aug. 30.
Update: Wind advisory extended for summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa
East winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts of more than 60 mph are expected to continue atop the mountains now through early Thursday morning.
Inspection of outfall and transmission pipe at Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant scheduled
Inspectors will look at the structural integrity, operational status and maintenance needs of the reinforced concrete pipe that discharges secondary disinfected treated effluent 4,400 feet from the shoreline at Puhi Bay. No impact to shoreline recreation is anticipated.
22 motorists arrested for DUI during week of July 1-7 on Big Isle roads
So far this year, there have been a total of 505 DUI arrests compared with 506 during the same period last year. That represents a decrease of 0.2%.
Dredging of Hilo’s Wailoa Small Boat Harbor finally underway
Dredging at Wailoa became a critical concern for Hawai‘i Island boaters after the Pohoiki boat ramp was surrounded and cut off by lava during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea volcano.
Tents set up for houseless in Hilo a temporary respite for those living near the canal
At least 20 houseless individuals living near a canal in downtown Hilo are now taking shelter in temporary shade tents on a vacant gravel lot on the southeast side of Ponahawai Street.
Governor signs nearly $24B budget that will tackle priorities such as affordable housing, health care, Maui recovery
The supplemental budget bill, House Bill 1800, for fiscal year 2025 represents an increase of more than $480 million, with significant funding going to key state priorities.
Just 1 fentanyl-related arrest in June on Big Island; nearly 5 grams recovered
The Hawai‘i Police Department also recovered a total of 4.86 grams of illicit fentanyl last month, including 4.06 grams in East Hawai‘i and 0.8 grams in West Hawai‘i. That’s enough to kill 2,430 island residents.
Big Island invited to Coffee With a Cop in Waimea on July 12
The event will run from from 7 to 10 a.m. at Starbucks in Waimea, at the Parker Ranch Center on Hawaiʻi Belt Road.
Hilo airport evacuated, bomb squad called after inert grenades found in Japanese man’s carry-on bag
41-year-old Akito Fukushima of Kanazawa, Japan, who was departing the country early Tuesday morning when the grenades were detected in his bag, was arrested for first-degree terroristic threatening and transported to to the East Hawai’i Detention Facility in Hilo. He remains in custody.
Kalapana transfer station to be open twice a week
Beginning July 10, the rubbish collection site will be available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Number of quakes doubles during past day beneath Kīlauea as unrest continues
There were about 50 quakes beneath the volcano’s summit and 100 under the upper East Rift Zone compared with 20 and 50 the day before.
Partial settlement reached in civil lawsuit to protect Honokōhau Bay from discharge of treated sewage into waters
In the settlement agreement, the county now acknowledges that it requires a Clean Water Act permit for its wastewater discharges and has committed to apply for the required National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit within six months.
Puna man charged in connection with theft of Hyundai Elantra
30-year-old Brandon Sanchez faces charges of first-degree theft, first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and habitual property crime.
Revitalize Puna event on July 13 will focus on Kīlauea Recovery Road, Waterline Projects
The event will feature activities and resources focused on children and families, in addition to the regular program.
Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green signs bill banning seabed mining in state waters
Twenty-seven countries are now in support of a moratorium or precautionary pause on seabed mining for metals used in electric vehicles.
Hilo judge maintains $296,000 bail on Volcano man facing myriad of offenses including vehicle theft
Charges stem from a series of crimes committed between July 3-4, including the theft of a Jeep originally reported stolen on May 18 from the Home Depot parking lot in Hilo, damaging a Toyota 4Runner and Toyota RAV-4, leaving the scene of a traffic collision involving bodily injury, and multiple offenses related to fleeing from police.
