(AP). Former NFL player Jesse Mahelona is dead after his car crashed on the Big Island near his home. Police say Mahelona’s 1996 Honda went off the Kealakehe Parkway and struck some construction equipment around 1 am Saturday in Kailua-Kona. Mahelona was a standout lineman at Kealakehe High School before he was drafted in 2006 by the Tennessee Titans.
Hawaii County is proceeding with plans to build a wastewater system for the Queen Liliuokalani Village in North Kona and to expand a wastewater treatment facility in Honokaa. According to “West Hawaii Today”, both projects are part of an effort to comply with Environmental Protection Agency requirements to close large capacity cesspools.
For nearly five decades, homeowners in the Alii Kai subdivision in Kailua-Kona have tried to get major improvements to a park located between Lehua and Pakalana roads off Royal Pnciana Drive. According to “West Hawaii Today”, these residents will have their chance to address their concerns with design consultant ABG Design of Honolulu on September 10th, 6:30 pm, at Kahakai Elementary School Cafeteria. Parks and Recreation Director Bob Fitzgerald said he would do what he could to make sure the area is what the neighborhood wants.
The Mamalahoa Bypass near Keauhou will be closed to one-way traffic on Labor Day. In other road issues, construction activities will resume Tuesday, September 8th along the Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Work includes closures in both directions at the Henry Street and Malulani Street intersections for electrical work. Multiple lane closures will be in effect in both directions between Lako Street and Henry Street for road resurfacing operations. Alternating single lane closures will be in effect Tuesday on the Volcano Road between the Keaau Bypass Road and the Panaewa Bridge in the Volcano-bound direction from 6:30 am to 1:00 pm for road resurfacing operations.
The Waimea Solid Waste Transfer Station is scheduled to be closed for paving on Tuesday, September 15th through Thursday, September 17th. The transfer station is secheduled to reopen on Friday, September 18th. The facility’s HI5 Recycling Center and Mixed Recycling Bins are scheduled to be closed on Monday, September 14th in preparation for the paving work. During the temporary closure period, residents are encouraged to use the Honokaa and Puako Solid Waste Transfer Stations.
(AP). Part of the Molokai Forest Reserve is closed indefinitely because of the danger of falling trees, smoldering hot spots, and other threats stemming from a wildfire. The fire has already burned 8,000 acres since it was first reported August 29th. The fire is largely contained. The Makakupaia section of the forest must remain closed while firefighting efforts continue.
(AP). Testimony is expected this week in the trial of a couple whose 12-year old daughter weighed 29 pounds when they finally sought medical attention. Denise and Melvin Wright, Jr. are charged with second-degree attempted murder and face life in prison with the possibility of parole if they are convicted.