On Easter Sunday, friends, relatives, and those who barely knew him gathered at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium to honor the late George Naople–a man whose vision transformed an idea of a festival into a premiere world stage for hula and Hawaiian culture. When “Uncle George” died late last year, festival organizers decided to pay him a tribute in the same building that launched the first Merrie Monarch Festival in 1971. The recent deaths of “Auntie Dottie” Thompson and kumu hula Ray Fonseca added what the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” call “an unsettling sense among the hula world…that things were going to be different this year.”
Hawaiian Paradise Park resident Adam Kaleo Bidad II is facing numerous methamphetamine related charges following a Hilo grand jury indictment. According to the indictment, the alleged offenses occurred between January 12-27, 2009. Police Lt. Richard Sherlock told the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that there were six controlled buys from Mr. Bidad during the investigation. Court records show Bidad has been convicted of 11 offenses, nine of them felonies.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation invites the boating public to an informational “talk story” session on Wednesday, April 7th, 5 p.m., at the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor Conference Room. DKNR officials will discuss proposed changes in parking at the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor and will accept comments from the public for management options.
NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary will host a series of informational public hearings to launch the public engagement segment of the sanctuary’s management plan review. On the Big Island, public meetings are set for May 3rd, 6 p.m., at the Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo and on May 4th, 6 p.m., at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort in Kailua-Kona.
(AP). The Army says hunting won’t be allowed at the Pohakuloa Training Area during all of April because of soldier training at the site. The Army says the closure applies to all public hunting areas at PTA. The Army says hunters should hunt in other areas.
Notice to motorists: Big Island police have some traffic alerts when the annual Merrie Monarch Festival gets underway this week. There will be a temporary one-way traffic pattern on Kalanikoa street in Hilo. The Hawaii Police Department said traffic will be allowed in the Puna or southerly direction on Kalanikoa street between Kuawa street and Piilani street during the festival. The one-way traffic pattern will be in effect from noon, April 7th, through 1 a.m. April 11th.
Notice to motorists: If you are driving in the Ookala area along the Hamakua Coast, please be aware of alternating single lane closures in the vicinity of the rebuilt Kealakaha Bridge. The lane closures will run from today, April 5th, through Friday, April 9th, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This week begins with road paving on the Hilo side of the bridge. During non-working hours, both lanes will be open to traffic.
Notice to motorists: There will be traffic delays along the Hamakua Coast Highway (Mamalahoa Highway) between mile markers 16 and 17 on Thursday, April 8th, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm. Traffic will be slowed because of construction on the Umaumau Bridge.