#first responders

Several hundred people paddled surfboards and canoes, and hundreds more watched from shore at Hanaka‘ō‘ō Beach Park on Thursday morning in a Lahaina Paddle Out event to commemorate lives lost and changed forever by the Lahaina wildfire disaster a year ago.

The Waimea Community Association’s May 2 meeting from will focus on emergency response communications and collaboration.

The first fire occurred in Hawaiian Paradise Park and the second in Hilo.

Ramirez is scheduled to appear in 5th Circuit Court for an arraignment and plea on March 5.

When officers arrived on scene, they saw a resident of the property trying to put out the flames with a garden hose.

At 7:50 a.m., Kona patrol officers responded to a call for a welfare check on the man, after the victim’s father called regarding his concern for the safety and whereabouts of his son.

Traffic incidents are the number one cause of death for emergency responders nationwide. Hawaiʻi’s most recent incident was on Feb. 19, 2023, when a 25-year-old motorist pinned a police officer responding to an earlier crash, between two vehicles.

Drivers who move over allow the dedicated workers performing these dangerous and very important emergency services more space to complete their duties. The simple actions of slowing down and moving over reduces the possibility of members of the community in Hawai’i County from being injured or killed.

Hawai‘i Fire Department responded to the blaze, located at Keaka and Orchid Parkways, at 11:13 p.m. on Sunday.

Heather Kimball, chairwoman of the Big Island’s legislative body, said the Council is “deeply, deeply saddened and heartbroken” by the events on Maui and that Hawai’i County stands ready to help.

Many airlines that serve Maui’s Kahului Airport have added flights, reduced prices and are encouraging customers to help with the relief and evacuation efforts amid the devastating wildfires on Maui.

The Waimea Community Association is requesting donations to supply and the fire and safety crews.

The occasion was made possible through a collaboration with the non-profit organization Friends of First Responders.

Five new ambulances were welcomed to the County’s fleet during a ceremony Thursday morning at the County Building in Hilo. The ambulances will go into service immediately to replace older vehicles around the island and are equipped with additional safety features. They cost about $250,000 each.

House Bill 57, introduced by state Rep. Chris Todd, and Senate Bill 696, introduced by Sen. Tim Richards, seek to compensate volunteer first responders who are injured or killed in the line of duty with an equivalent pay rate based on years of service and rank rather than a standard rate of pay.

The state “Move Over Law” was put in effect to help protect first responders when they are performing their duties near or on a roadway.

No injuries were reported after a Pāhoa home was destroyed in a structure fire late Wednesday night.

The Waimea Community Association (WCA) invites the community to recognize North Hawai‘i’s veterans, first responders and front-line health care workers on Veterans Day.

The Waimea Community Association will host the 5th annual mahalo potluck to thank North Hawai‘i’s first responders.