(AP). An expert says Hawaii “dodged a bullet” Saturday when a tsunami triggered by the massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Chile reached the state. Offiicals said Hawaii escaped unscathed. A tsunami warning was cancelled for Hawaii at 2 p.m. Saturday.
(AP). The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will close the walkway to Akaka Falls Lookout for the continued installation of safety railings at Akaka Falls State Park on the Big Island. The closure begins Monday and continues through March 12th.
(AP). Dignitaries from Hawaii and Tahiti will attend a ceremony at Puukohola National Park Monday celebrating the laying of a $100 million submarine cable linking the French Overseas Territory with Hawaii. The 3,000 mile cable is expected to help telecommunications companies meet growing demand for broadband services in Tahiti.
The County of Hawaii Mass Transit Agency administrative office is moving to the Hilo Iron Works Building, effective Monday, March 1st. The new address for Mass Transit is 1206 Kamehameha Avenue, Suite A-2. Customers buying shared-ride taxi coupons or requesting bus schedules and service information may do so at the new location, beginning on Monday.
The “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” has selected the Hilo Vikings and the St. Joseph Cardinals as the top BIIF boys basketball teams. Hilo captured the Division I title by sweeping past Waiakea, 71-39, on February 20th. The St. Joseph boys took the BIIF Division II title by beating Pahoa, 51-39. For St. Joseph, the win over Pahoa marked the school’s first BIIF basketball title since 1974. Both teams head to Honlulu this week for the boys state basketball tournament.
Nancy Gardner-Heaven, PhD, will present a series of FREE Health Education Workshops on the Big Island from Tuesday, March 2nd in Pahoa, to Friday, March 5th at Tutu’s House in Kamuela. To reserve your spot, call toll-free: 1-866-766-2468.
Classes in English as a second language are starting soon at Hawaii Community College. For details, call 933-0807.
Deputy Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Honma has told members of the Hawaii County Band that money for the organization will run out on June 30th. Tuba player Lee Ikeda told the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that the loss of funds comes as the result of budget cuts and the need to balance the county budget. Hunter Bishop, the mayor’s executive assistant, said the budget doesn’t have money for the band, which has 34 paid part-time members in East Hawaii and 11 players in West Hawaii.
Pacific Care Missions will be collecting medical, health care, and school supplies for Fanning Island on Wednesday, March 17th when the Holland America cruise ship MS Rotterdam visits Kona on Wednesday, March 17th. Bring your supplies to the Kailua pier and look for Pacific Care Missions. For details, call Rich Smith at 1-970-389-0363.
Finally, our heartfelt thanks goes to everyone who helped during the recent tsunami warning event. Your cooperation and willingness to help others made the evacuation smooth and largely trouble-free. Thank you for calling the radio station and providing us with the necessary “eyes and ears” for this event. A special mahalo goes to Hawaii County Civil Defense, police, firefighters, Public Works personnel, and the Mayor’s Office for keeping the community informed on what could have been an extremely serious situation. One never knows what nature will give us. Stay prepared and stay alive.