(AP). A weakening Felicia continues to
slide toward the Big Island. The Central
Pacific Hurricane Center downgraded
Felicia to a tropical storm over the
weekend. Parts of Hawaii remain under
a topical storm watch. Several beach
parks along the Hamakua Coast in South Kona were closed Sunday. Felicia
is expected to bring rain and gusty winds to the Big Island tonight.
Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi has urged the state Board of Education to
scrap a plan to impose school impact
fees on property owners in West Hawaii
when they seek a building permit. Kenoi
called the proposal burdensome and un-
fair to residents.
Big Island state senator Russell Kokubun
and members of his ad-hoc committee will hold two informal public meetings
Thursday and Friday to discuss layoffs
at the Kulani Correctional Facility and
staff reductions for the Department of
Agriculture’s plant quarantine branch.
Thursday’s meeting will be held at 5 pm
at the county’s Aupuni Center Confer-
ence Room. Friday’s meeting will be
held at 5 pm in the Kealakehe High School cafeteria.
Kailua-Kona state representative Denny
Coffman and West Hawaii state senator
Josh Green will hold a public meeting on
Friday, August 21st, at the Kealakehe
High School Cafeteria. The Big Island
lawmakers will discuss problems related
to beach access near the Natural Energy Laboratory, specifically the area
near Kohanaiki Beach. The meeting will
begin at 6 pm.
Hilo native BJ Penn successfully defended his UFC lightweight title
Saturday night in Philadelphia, using
the rear naked choke to make Kenny
Florian tap out in the fourth round at
UFC 101. Following the fight, Penn said
“Hawaii’s got a real world champion and
that makes me happy.”
Canoe paddlers and teachers Eddie
Hayward and Afa Tuaolo have been
named co-Big Island Athletes of the
month by Don’s Grill. Hawyard led the
Kai Opua canoe club to an unbeaten Moku O Hawaii A Championship and an
AAAA runner up trophy in the state
canoe racing championships at Hilo Bay.
Tuaolo led the Puna Canoe Club to a
runner up A finish in the Moku O Hawaii
championship, and helped Puna take the
Division AAA in the state championships
on the Hilo Bayfront.