The state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted 6-0 Thursday night in Hilo to approve four sub plans of the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan. With the approval, the University of Hawaii can now begin the process of setting up administrative rules for Mauna Kea. Sam Lemmo, the administrator of the DLNR’s Office of Conservation, told the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that the plan is very complete, with the understanding that this is an on-going process. Lemmo said the approval of the sub plans should not be viewed as an approval of any future project.
The state’s highest ranking member of the Catholic church visited St. Joseph School on Thursday, telling students to help their school survice financial difficulties. The Most Reverand Clarence “Larry” Silva met with administrators and teachers to discuss student progress and operations. Silva told the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that Catholic schools have been wrestling with low enrollment numbers as a result of the poor economy, and he encouraged students to get involved in giving back to the school and their community.
An Ocean View man convicted of manslaughter for shooting an intruder was sentenced Thursday to a 20-year prison term. According to court records, 49-year old Kevin Metcalfe also received a 20-year sentence for using a firearm in the commission of a separate felony. The terms will run concurrently.
Notice to motorists: The Mamalahoa Highway Bypass will close today, March 26th, for Prince Kuhio Kalanianaole Day. Closing the bypass on holidays is a condition of the easement between Oceanside 1250 Partners and the Councy of Hawaii. The Mamalahoa Highway Bypass wil remain open to alleviate congestion in Honalo for the duration of tree trimming from Monday, March 29th through Wednesday, March 31st. On those dates, the bypass will be open to southbound travel between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Kona Motor Vehicle Registration, Driver License, and Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection offices will not open on Tuesday, April 13th, until 9 a.m. so that staff can attend training. All other offices will remain open at their regularly scheduled times.
Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi joined mayors across the country on Thursday when he delivered a hot lunch to Mrs. Toshie Shimose in Hilo, as part of the national Mayors for Meals campaign during the month of March. The program is sponsored by the Meals on Wheels Association of America to raise public awareness of the Meals for Wheels program. Carla Carpenter-Kabalis, Meals on Wheels supervisor the county’s Nutrition Program, said the program delivers an average of 255 meals a day to Big Island seniors who are 60 years of age and older and homebound due to illness or disability.
(AP). Hawaii may lose almost half of its annual budget for protecting historic sites after a federal probe found evidence of mismanagement at the state’s historic preservation division. The National Park Service said it will start withholding more than $500,000 in federal grants it provides to Hawaii each year unless the state fixes several problems identified in the investigation.
Friends of NELHA will hold a sustainable Fish Farmers Market today, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at HELHA’s Gateway Center in Kailua-Kona. The Fish Farmers Market will feature a variety of eco-friendly seafood grown at HELHA, including lobster, crab, abalone, and shrimp. For more information on today’s event, call Kelly at 962-6357.[polldaddy poll=2960621]