According to the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, the county has spent more than $1 million to identify which recreational facilities contain hazardous materials. The county has only enough funds to fix two of them. Deputy Director Clayton Honma says most of the problems come from the plantation buildings the county inherited. With the exception of the Hakalau Gym, most of the affected facilities remain in use. Honma says the county is trying to get more money for repairs.
National Transportation Safety Board investigators tell the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that the left wing of David Bigelow’s glider came off while in flight just before the veteran Waimea pilot plunged to his death. Bigelow died about 1:15 p.m. January 16th, 2009, when his glider crashed at the 11,000 foot elevation of Mauna Loa. Teh NTSB will meet in Washington several weeks from now and establish a probable cause of the fatal crash.
Police tell the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” a vice officer who was accused of mis -conduct in 2007 had been previously cleared of the allegations against him..The claims against Officer Brian Prudencio were made by 14-year old Kian Tatum in a January 5th hearing of the Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.
A Captain Cook woman has pleaded not guilty to numerous charges in connection with last year’s traffic accident that killed a 17-month old girl and seriously injured her mother. According to the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, Valereen Kaleohano-Knittle was indicted February 10th on a variety of charges ranging from manslaughter to operation a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. Kaleohano-Knittle has one prior conviction for driving under the influence.
Hawaii County Police Chief Harry Kubojiri tells the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that his number one priority is to maintain the same level of service as last year. Kubojiri says the dpartment will continue enforcement, focusing on violent crime, drug use and distribution, and traffic safety. Police will also seek funding alternatives, including federal grants to offest the cost of training, services, and special programs.
In the State Girls Basketball Tournament, Lahinaluna defeated Konawaena, 47-45, to take the Division I Title. In the Division II Championship game, Kaimuku swept past Moloka, 41-32.
Federal, state, and Hawaii County officials plan to sign an agreement on Sunday, pledging to cooperatively manage, protect, and preserve public use of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. Deborah Chang, a member of the state’s Na Ala Hele Hawaii Island advisory council, tells “West Hawaii Today” the agreement is needed because the Ala Kahakai is a network of trails which are not always in the fedral government’s jurisdiction. The primary focus of the agreement is to implement the trail’s comprehensive management plan.
Hawaii Island State Senator Dwight Takamine invites you to a public meeting to discuss the new Hilo High School gym project. The meeting is set for Thursday, February 25th, 5 p.m., at the Hilo High School cafeteria.
The Big Island Auto Club presents the season opening drag race Saturday and Sunday at the Hilo Drag Strip. Gates open at 7 a.m. both days.
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