A magnitude 7.4 earthquake occurred near the east coast of Honshu Island, Japan at 0432 hours, Hawaii Time. Here is the report from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center at Ewa Beach: “Based on all available data, a destructive pacific-wide tsunami IS NOT EXPECTED and THERE IS NO THREAT TO HAWAII. Repeating–A destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected and there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii. More information can be obtained by going to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center website.
The Hawaii County Council has passed a resolution that simultaneously stops the county’s sale of Hamakua lands and invites the community to submit proposals to lease the property. According to Stephens Media, the measure concerns only the 737 acres in Paauilo and Pohakea and won’t affect Mayor Billy Kenoi’s current agricultural project at Kalapena or the 1,040 acres on Highway 11 the county is subdividing for partial use as a baseyard. Property Manager Ken Van Bergen says the public has 120 days to submit ideas to the county.
Two Hilo restaurants have taken top spots in the recently released 2011 Zagat Hawaii Restaurant Guide. Jeanette Foster, a Kona writer who has been statewide editor for Zagat since 1997, told the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that Hilo Bay Cafe in the Waiakea Center and Cafe 100 on Kilauea Avenue garnered top spots in the pocket guide’s rankings. Foster said the ratings and comments are “reader driven” and are derived from responses to Zagat.com.
Hawaii County Council members have given a positive response to Mayor Billy Kenoi’s $56 million loan request, now that the county administration has listed specific projects and their costs. According to the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, an approval vote was not taken in order to avoid a possible violation of Hawaii’s open meetings law. Council chairman Dominic Yagong accepted Clerk Jamae Kawauchi’s suggestion that the amendment was a substantive change that should be considered at the next council meeting. Despite the delay, councilman Angel Pilago said members are moving closer to granting the mayor’s request because actual projects and costs are identified.
The Department of Water Supply announces a temporary water shut off along both sides of Kinoole Street between West Lanikaula Street in the Waiakea House Lots on Friday, 8 April, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., for a waterline connection for the Dialysis Center Project. For details, call 961-8790.
The state Department of Transportation tells “West Hawaii Today” that the daily parking rate at the Kona International Airport will be $10, beginning 1 May. The dollar increase from the current $9 per day rate will help offset captial costs of airport improvements under the New Day Work Project, which will modernize Hawaii’s airports islandwide. Motorists picking people up from the airport will have a 15-minute grace period at the parking facility as well as cell phone parking lots, which provide a location for drivers to await airplane arrival.
The official dedication of the West Hawaii Civic Center will take place Thursday, 14 April, at the new facility located at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway. The dedication begins at 4 p.m. with a short ceremony at the gazebo in the middle of the civic center. An open house will follow. Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi will be on hand to honor former and current county officials who made the facility a reality.
An autopsy conducted Monday, 4 April, has determined that 59-year-old Franklin Lewis Smith of Kailua-Kona died of salt water drowning. The autopsy also determined that injuries to his head and leg were consistent with a fall onto rocks. The case has been reclassified as a public accident.
Hawaii Island police have located 34-year-old Rhonda Belieau of Alberta, Canada, who was reported missing. She was found unharmed shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday in Captain Cook, South Kona.
The Kona Crime Prevention Committee recognized Officer Jeremy Lews as the “Officer of the Month” for April in a luncheon ceremony Wednesday at Huggo’s restaruant in Kailua-Kona. Lewis was recognized for his investigation of an unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle case. The case ended with the arrest and successful prosecution of suspects involved in multiple car break-ins targeting tourists. Since then, the Kailua Village area has experienced a downturn in such crimes.
Hawaii state news briefs:
(AP). Hawaii’s largest public employee labor union and Governor Neil Abercrombie are agreeing on a new contract that cuts worker pay by 5 percent without furlough days or layoffs. Abercrombie said Wednesday the labor deal with the HGEA will save the state about $65 million next fiscal year and $59 million the following year. “Hawaii News Now” reporter Lisa Kubota has more.040711-HGEA labor agreement
(AP). The state Department of Health says it’s investigating two suspected cases of dengue fever in East Maui. The department said Wednesday it has confirmed four people in Hawaii have contracted the viral disease so far this year. All four were infected by mosquitos near their homes in the Pearl City area of Oahu. The department has received 42 reports from doctors about possible cases of dengue fever around the state. The department has determined 13 of the cases to be negative. Dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitos in mostly tropical and subtropical areas.
World News Summary from the BBC in London.040711-BBC World News Summary
Community news:
Hilo Little League will be holding its Juniors, Seniors, and Bigs division tryouts this Sunday, 10 April, at Wong Stadium. Registration at 8 a.m., with tryouts beginning at 8 a.m. For more details, call Jenea Respicio at 333-1605.
If you or someone you love is dealing with vision loss, local members of the National Federation of the Blind can help. NFB believes that with proper training, the blind and those with low vision can lead satisfying, productive lives. The next meeting of the National Federation of the Blind in Hawaii will be held on Monday, 11 April, 10 a.m., at Hale Halewai on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona.
“Malama Da Mind”, the 6th Annual National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, is coming to Aunty Sally’s Luau Hale in Hilo on 12 May. This is a community event to raise awareness and recognize Children’s Mental Health on the Big Island. The event is free. There will be free hot dogs for those attending. Please bring a canned good for the Hawaii Island Food Basket. For details, call Rachelle at 933-0610.
The Palace Theatre and the Kea Foundation, Inc. present “The Shattered Vase–a hula drama on the life of Princess Ka’ulani” at the Palace Theatre, Friday and Saturday, 15-16 April, 7 p.m. For ticket information, call 934-7010.
Tutu’s House in Waimea presents its 12th Annual Waimea Healthy Keiki Fest on Saturday, 23 April, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Parker Ranch Center. For details, call 885-8336.
The Kealakehe Project Grad committee will hold a fundraiser at Denny’s in Kailua-Kona on Sunday, 10 April, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Project Grad provides a safe and fun way for graduating seniors to enjoy an alcohol and drug-free night with their friends. For details, call Margo at 960-1392.
The Big Island VW Car Club, the Big Island Auto Club, and Bear’s Automotive Repair present the 2nd Annual 2011 Big Island “Bug-In” on 23-24 April at the Hilo Drag Strip. The event includes bracket racing, a swap meet, a trophied car show, and a food drive for the Hawii Island Food Basket. For details, call Garth at 969-6604.
Hawaii Island weather for Thursday, 07 April 2011:
A flash flood watch remains in effect through late tonight. A high surf advisory remains in effect for east facing shores. A winter storm warning remains in effect until 6 a.m. Friday for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Hilo and vicinity–Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Kailua-Kona and vicinity–Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Locally heavy rainfall and thunderstorms possible. Highs 76 to 81. Lows 66 to 71. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph.
Hawaii Island surf forecast for Thursday, 07 April 2011:
Hapuna Beach breaks–flat. Kona-Banyans–2-4. Ka’u-Pohoiki–2-4. Hilo-Honolii–3-4. Keaukaha–1-2. Hamakua-North Kohala–3-5.
Russ Roberts, News Department