The hula competition results are in for the 47th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival which wrapped up another spectacular year in Hilo. The men of Ke Kai O Kahiki won both the Kahiko and the ‘Auana division and took home the Lokaila Montgomery Perpetual Trophy for the second year in a row. The ladies of Halau Ke’alakamaile took the Kahiko and ‘Auana divisions, giving them the overall wahine winner.
A plan to combine the Department of Public Works’ Automotive Division with the Mass Transit Agency will increase the county’s labor costs by approximately $150,000. Tom Brown, who heads the Mass Transit Agency, tells the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that initial costs would increase under the new efficiency plan. The proposed merger would make Brown the administrator of an expanded Transportation Agency, bringing his pay to $75,324 per annum, up from his current salary of $66,966 per year.
Rescue crews from the Hawaii County Fire Department found the body of Ryan Rizel, who was reported missing on April 6th when he tried to swim to the other side of the Wailuku River in the vicinity of Boiling Pots State Park in Hilo. Fire Department Personnel have turned the case over to the Hawaii Police Department.
The Waters of Life Public Charter School may end its school year sooner than expected because of financial problems. According to “West Hawaii Today”, the state Charter School Review Board approved a motion Thursday, “strongly urging the Big Island school to end this school year early because of lack of funds and to provide for an orderly transition of its students to other schools to complete the school year.” Waters of Life’s school board will meet Tuesday at 8 p.m. at St. Theresa Parish in Mountain View to discuss the recommendation.
The developer planning a 272-acre affordable housing subdivision in North Kona has pulled it district boundary amendment petition, after the state asked for additional archaeological studies. Forest City Development Associate Race Randall told “West Hawaii Today” that the delay should have minimal impact on the developer’s plan to have county and state approvals this year or by early 2011.
Hawaii Island resident Craig Musburger, who films sporting events to support his scientific pursuits, has received an Emmy Award nomination for his underwater filming during the Ford Ironman World Championship. Musburger, who is working on a doctorate in zoology, captured the professionals’ and age-groupers’ starts and underwater shots at the swim’s midpoint. Musburger tells “West Hawaii Today” that “it’s a great project, something I look forward to every year.”
Hawaii Island sports notes: On Saturday, HIlo’s B. J. Penn relinquished his UFC lightweight title to Frankie Edgar via unanimous decision in UFC 112 held in Dubai.
Hawaii Island sports notes: Waiakea High School took the BIIF girls tennis team title on Saturday with a convincing 4-1 win over visiting Kamehameha-Hawaii.
The 2010 Hawaii National Guard Youth Programs Workshop will be held at the Kilauea Military Camp from April 12 through April 14th. For details, call Pam Ellison at 982-7959.
In celebration of Earth Day this month, the Lyman Museum is presenting two programs. On Monday, April 12th, Colleen Cole, the coordinator of the Three Mountain Alliance, will discuss watershed protection and natural resource management across Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and Hualalai. On Monday, April 19th, Dr. John Barnes, with NOAA’s Laboratory and the Mauna Loa Observatory, will present “Predicting Climate Change.” For details, call the Lyman Museum at 935-5021.