West Hawaii News
Student at Kona school allegedly threatens another student with violence involving firearm
Hawai‘i Police Department initiated a terroristic threatening investigation March 11 following the alleged verbal threats made by a teenage girl at Kona Pacific Charter School in Kealakekua.
State voluntary pause extended 90 days for interisland transport of poultry, other bird species
Surveillance of avian influenza, or bird flu, continues, and while no other birds have become ill from the virus, it has been detected in waste water on the Big Island and Kauaʻi. So officials, out of an abundance of caution, said extending the pause is prudent at this time.
Police search for Ocean View man considered armed and dangerous
Andrew Amon, 29, is wanted for four outstanding warrants for his arrest and for questioning in regards to other investigations ongoing in the Hawaiʻi Ocean View Estates subdivision.
Update: 65-year-old Kailua-Kona woman with medical condition found in good health
Phyllis Santiago was located the afternoon of March 11 in Kailua-Kona.
Hawaiʻi County reaches COVID hazard pay agreements with employee unions
Mayor Kimo Alameda signed contracts with Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association and Hawaiʻi Fire Fighters Association this week to provide their members 2 years of hazard pay. Tentative agreements are being finalized with State of Hawaiʻi Organization of Police Officers and United Public Workers.
Nearly 30 motorists arrested for DUI during week of Feb. 24-March 3
Hawai‘i Police Department officers have made a total of 171 arrests of motorists driving under the influence of an intoxicant during the first two full months of the year. While it’s just 3 more than during the same time period in 2024, it represents a 1.8% hike in DUI citations.
End of an era: Last Kona Brewers Festival to benefit 17 nonprofits
Started by the nonprofit Ke Kai Ala Foundation, the festival has given $1.8 million to community groups over the 30 years the event has been hosted.
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for March 7-13: Final Kona Brewers Festival, KS Hawai‘i Hōʻike, YAS Fest, Redeeming Māhū and more
Many of the events and activities around the Big Island during the next week will focus on tradition, talent and taddies. Check out this week’s top 10 things to do now!
Vibrant Hawaiʻi fosters resilience in remote areas of Big Island with 20 new hubs
Communities can address vulnerabilities and prepare for emergencies through the expanding Vibrant Hawaiʻi Resilience Hub network.
Hilo, Kona residents could experience temporary outage of Spectrum Voice 911 service Thursday
Spectrum will be performing scheduled maintenance beginning at 12 a.m. tonight until 12 p.m. Thursday, causing a potential temporary outage of 911 services.
Update: Wind advisory extended through Thursday morning for much of Big Island
National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu expect east winds to continue at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, for north, south, southeastern and interior portions of the island, including North and South Kohala as well as parts of Kaʻū and Puna.
First coconut rhinoceros beetles found outside Waikōloa area on Big Island
A live adult invasive scarab was found March 3 at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport and another disovered March 4 at Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority, both of which are situated along the West Hawai‘i coastline. Brings the total number of adult coconut rhinoceros beetles found on the island to 7 since October 2023.
Police launch arson probe after several suspicious brush fires in Ocean View
Hawai‘i Fire Department fire crews responded to reports of brush fires at 1:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday, with three smaller fires already extinguished before they arrived to the scene of the earlier report, for a total of 4 blazes in the general area between Lūʻau Drive and Coral Parkway along King Kamehameha Boulevard.
Applications now being accepted for public pre-kindergarten program
The program currently operates 92 classrooms on 74 Hawai‘i Department of Education campuses statewide.
State launches backyard bird flu survey for flock owners and bird rescuers
The survey, conducted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, will collect critical information about the understanding of bird flu as well as practices and needs of those who keep poultry or care for rescued birds.
Monthly outdoor siren test was March 3
All statewide outdoor warning sirens sounded a 1-minute steady tone at 11:45 a.m. The public should contact Hawai‘i County Civil Defense at 808-935-0031 to report any siren operation issues.
Firewise program works toward united approach to wildfire readiness and resilience
The Firewise program empowers communities by giving homesteaders and its leaders, the support they need to mitigate wildfire risks in their own backyard.
UH Foundation helping students affected by Trump funding freezes, executive orders
Some graduate students at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo lost their research funding and educational stipends as a result of stop work orders and freezes on federal grant funds.
New UH president visits Big Island campuses; emphasizes embracing AI, infrastructure upgrades, Native Hawaiian needs
Discussions covered key issues such as adopting new technology, staff development, transparency, student fees and expanding collaborative efforts.
State: Take precautionary measures against vog caused by Kīlauea eruption
People are urged to be aware of the conditions around them and how they could react to vog. They are also encouraged to access air quality data on the the state Health Department Clean Air Branch website and Hawai‘i Interagency Vog Information Dashboard for the most up-to-date information about vog.
