(AP). A 62-year old Washington state man has died during a snorkel outing on the Big Island’s South Kohala Coast. Police say John Linde of Friday Harbor, Washington, was snorkeling with a friend Thursday morning when they became separated and the friend returned to shore. A charter snorkeling boat later found Linde floating about 75 yards off shore.
The Hamakua Community Development Plan has run into a snag–not enough people are applying for the plan’s steering committee. Only four people had applied by the original November 20th deadline, prompting the Planning Department to extend the deadline until December 13th. Hamakua Councilman Dominic Yagong told the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” the Hamakua CDP needs public support if the future of the Hamakua Coast is to reflect the wishes of residents. If you want to serve on the steering committee, call Christan Kay at 961-8136.
Hawaii County fire, police, and Coast Guard personnel spent Wednesday night and Thursday morning searching for 58-year old Samuel Bower, who rented a 21-foot powerboat from Kona Boat Rentals. Bower was last seen leaving Honokahau Small Boat Harbor Wednesday morning. Fire/rescue crews from the Kailua Fire Station found Bower’s rented boat running around in circles north of Honokahau Harbor with life preservers still in place. The boat was later stopped and a search begun.
The recently published “Open Doors 2009” report from the Institute of International Education found that international students at UH-Hilo generated more than $5 million for the Big Island economy during the 2008-2009 academic year. The same survey determined spending by international students nationwide during that period totaled $17.6 billion.
The public is invited to a presentation on “How to retrofit post and pier foundation vulnerabilities against earthquake damage”. The session is set for Saturday, December 5th, 9 a.m., in the UH-Hilo UCB 100. There is no admission charge and a continental breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. The project is based on numerous field studies of post and pier homes on Hawaii Island. For details, call 974-7631.
The Hawaii Police Department will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, December 15th, from noon to 2 p.m. at the North Kohala Intergenerational Center. The purpose of the meeting is to allow the public to meet the Police Department’s command staff and to discuss concerns with the police chief and commanders who oversee police operations in the North Kohala District.
Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi and his staff will explain how they plan to deal with the difficult economy at a Kona Town Meeting on Tuesday, December 8th, 6 p.m., at the Makaeo Pavilion at the old Kona airport. Residents are welcome to attend and submit questions to the mayor and his staff.
The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross has recognized two outstanding volunteers in Hawaii County. Stephanie Schroeder was named the 2009 West Hawaii Red Cross Volunteer of the year, while Wesly Kahakua was recognized as the 2009 East Hawaii Red Cross Volunteer of the year.
Just a reminder for upcountry Kona drivers for this Saturday night–The Mamalahoa Highway will be restricted to one-way traffic through Holualoa Village between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. for the annual “Music & Light Festival”.