West Hawaii News
Big Island Unemployment Numbers Stable
In the past year, the Big Island’s unemployment rate has dropped by 1.1 percent from 4.9 percent.
UPDATE: West Hawai’i Fire Still Burning, Highway 190 Reopens
Highway 190 remains closed between Makalei Street and the Daniel K. Inouye Highway junction.
Military Convoys Scheduled to Travel Saturday Through Thursday
Army officials say Oahu-based service members will travel between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and again between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. from Saturday, March 26 through March 31.
New Names Mix In With County Council Re-Election Hopefuls
There will be at least two new Hawai’i County Council members as the November election rolls around, although every other seat has a current seat holder hoping for re-election.
UPDATE: Mayor Billy Kenoi Indicted by Grand Jury
Last year, news broke that the mayor used his card in 2013 at a hostess bar on Oahu, as well at a restaurant and lounge on Oahu in 2009.
New Dengue Fever Case Confirmed
One new case of dengue fever has been reported by the Hawai’i Department of Health.
UPDATE: West Hawai’i Brush Fire Burns 1,300 Acres
A brush fire burning in along Highway 190 has caused the closure of the highway from Kaiminani Drive to the Daniel K. Inouye Highway in West Hawai’i.
DOE Receives Grant Funding for Culturally Accurate Assessments
Funds would be used to support a new assessment with a broader and more culturally accurate definition of student success in the state.
DOA: Ohia Quarantine Remains in Effect
The emergency quarantine was issued in August of last year to stop the spread of the plant fungus from the Big Island to other islands.
Joint Task Force Arrests Dozens in ‘Operation Violence Reduction 12’
In total, 162 fugitives were arrested, and 258 outstanding state arrest warrants were conducted on the Big Island, Maui, and Oahu.
Police Seek Witnesses in Pepe’ekeo Incident
A 21-year-old woman reported that she was traveling on Kumula Street in Pepe’ekeo when a car operated by an unknown woman intentionally struck her vehicle, nearly causing her to lose control of her car.
Candidates Line Up for Open Mayoral Race
Thirteen Hawai’i County Mayoral hopefuls have pulled papers, according to a campaign report issued by the Office of Elections.
TMT Reaffirms Hopes for Mauna Kea, Despite Canary Islands Viewing
On Monday morning, TMT posted photographs of board members and TMT Project Manager Gary Sanders visiting an observatory site at La Palma in the Canary Islands last week.
Highway Safety Staff Recognized for Traffic Safety Efforts
In 2014, traffic fatalities in the state reduced from 102 in 2013 to 95. In addition, during the same period, alcohol impaired driving fatalities decreased by two from in 2013 to 32 in 2014.
Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of Victims in Belgium Attacks
In Hawai’i, flags will fly at half-staff at the State Capitol and all state offices and agencies, including the Hawai’i National Guard.
Gabbard Discusses Missile Defense at Committee Hearing
Representative Tulsi Gabbard called on Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday.
Dengue Fever Count Remains at 262
A total of 236 Big Island residents have been infected with the dengue virus, along with 26 island visitors.
Honolulu FBI: No Known Threats to Hawai’i, Pacific
Two explosions took place in the departure hall of Brussels Airport in Zaventem, Belgium, a commuting hub not only important to Belgium, but also a main hub for European travel. Just over an hour later, another explosion took place on the rail track at the Maelbeek subway station.
Small Lava Flow Breaks Out Within Puʻu ʻŌʻo
At about 3:20 a.m., a thermal cam began to report the small lava flow breaking out onto the crater floor opposite to the camera position.
