The number and value of building permits continue to fall in Hawaii County. According to data cited by the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, the combined value of buildings issued permits through August is $295.4 million compared to $582 million for the same period last year. Hugh Willocks, the president of Willocks Construction of Hilo, says companies are getting contracts but hangups over financing are contributing to a general slowdown of construction on Hawaii Island.
Police are investigating reports that teen agers have been “car surfing” on the roofs of vehicles seen along Kaloko Drive in Kailua-Kona. The law prohibits riding on any protion of a vehicle not designated or intended for the use of passengers. Police Captain Samuel Jelsma told the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that riding outside a car or standing in a pickup truck is an extremely dangerous practice. Jelsma said these activities have caused head and spinal cord injuries nationwide.
Alaska Airlines announced this week that it would offer four flights a week from San Jose, California into the Keahole International Airport, beginning March 12th. The airline also celebrated its inaugural flight between Oakland, California and Kailua-Kona, greeting passengers on the tarmac with hula and an aircraft blessing. Bradley Walker, the managing director for sales and leisure marketing, told “West Hawaii Today” that the airline’s earlier flights to Kailua-Kona have been running fairly full.
The Kanaka Council Moku O Keawe will hold a panel discussion on “Hawaiian Crown and Government Lands” this evening at 6 at the UH-Hilo Campus Center Plaza. The panel will include attorney Mililani Trask, Ke’eaumoku Ka’iama, and Dr. Jonathan Osorio. A second panel discussion will be held this Friday, 6 pm, at the Ho’olakou Building in the Homes at Pu’ukapu.
The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Hawaii’s oldest food festival, continues today at the Keauhou Beach Resort. Featured events today include the finals of the Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping competition, the Kona Coffee Art Exhibit, and the Kona Coffee label and Website Design competition. The Kona Historical Society will offer a living history farm tour at 10 am. The day ends with the Kona Coffee Council’s dinner and benefit auction, 7 pm, at the Keauhou Beach Resort.
(Honolulu Advertiser). The state has broken ground on a new cargo and light industrial building at the Hilo International Airport. The Department of Transportation said the building and a parking lot will be built with $15 million of state airport money. The project will also include a 50,000 square-yard apron and taxiways designed to support widebody cargo aircraft. That part of the project will cost $15 million, with $10 million coming from the federal government. The department said the new cargo building will consolidate allcargo operations under one roof, increasing efficiency. The airport’s existing cargo facility will be used as a heliport.
(Honolulu Advertiser). Mental Health Kokua has received a $5,000 grant from Bank of Hawaii for repairs to group homes in Hilo and Kailua-Kona. Mental Health Kokua’s treatment and supportive housing programs serve adults with serious mental illnesses. The money will go twoard exterior and interior renovations at Hilo Hale, Hale Amau, PATCH Place, and Kealahou homes.