According to the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, a man died early Sunday morning after he collapsed during the Hawaii Electronic Music Festival at the Palace Theatre in downtown Hilo. Friends of the Palace President Cheryl Moore said she had been told by the theatre’s house manager that the man in his mid-30s was on the dance floor near the stage when he was stricken by an apparent heart attack. According to the festival’s promoter, a physician who did CPR recommended that the Palace Theatre have an automated electronic defibrillator on hand for such emergencies.
(AP). The Army says Oahu-based military units are scheduled to travel in a convoy from Kawaihae Harbor to Pohakulaoa Training Area on the Big Island this week. The Army’s Pohakuloa public affairs office says the convoy is due to use Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Waikoloa Road, and the Mamalahoa-Saddle Road Corridor between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. today. The Army says it’s working with local authorities to coordinate the convoy.
Matson Navigation Company said it will increase its shipping fuel surcharge next month for the first time since July, and it cautioned that further hikes could be in store if fuel prices continue to rise. The state’s largest shipping company said the fuel surcharge will increase by 3.5 percentage points to 27.5 percent for its Hawaii service, effective February 7th.
Army officials tell “West Hawaii Today” that they will open approved hunting areas at the Pohakuloa Training Area for bird hunting on Saturdays and Sundays. Bird hunters must check in and out of the Army police post across from the PTA main gate. Check in begins at 5 a.m. and the latest check-out is 7 p.m.
Housing Director Stephen Arnett tells “West Hawaii Today” that construction of West Hawaii’s first emergency homeless shelter begins today and should be done by June. Bolton, Incorporated of Kailua-Kona submitted the lowest bid for the project. Bolton Project Manager Bill Boswell says his crews were at the site Friday checking out how well the property matches surveys. Funding for the effort comes from federal, state, and county sources.
Parker Ranch spokeswoman Diane Quitiquit tells the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that economic hardships have force the ranch to limit public access to its hisotric properties, including Puuopelu, the former home of Richard Smart. In addition, Quitiquit says both Puuopelu and the Mana Hale are no longer open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays as they once were. Quitiquit says the future of the properties and their art, antiques, and memorabilia is unknown.
Hawaii County’s plan for a $13.3 million trails project along Hilo’s coastline is moving ahead. According to data cited by the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, The Hilo Bayfront Trails Project would provide a variety of multi-modal paths, pedestrian walkways, sidewalks, dedicated bicycle lanes, and shared roads stretching from the Hilo Harbor to the Waikluku River in downtown Hilo. The project’s draft EIS says there is a need for pedestrian and bike trails to complement and enhance the historic Hilo Bayfront.
The local owners of vacant land along Komohana Street in Hilo have filed an environmental report that envisions a $286 million “Hilo style neighborhood marketplace” with medical offices, hundreds of homes and many business sites. According to the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, Wailani Development wants a mixed use community incorporating a new urban design, sustainability, and a more livable and healthy lifestyle. The project is headed by brothers Pter and Stephen Matsuura and Robert Fujimoto, the chairman of the board of HPM Building Supply.