Hawaii Island news summary
Changes coming to the Hawaii County Council
(Hawaii Tribune-Herald). The composition of the Hawaii County Council will undergo a major change after the 2012 election. Reporter Jason Armstrong says change is coming because two on the nine council members will be barred from running for reelection while several others may choose to pursue a new elective office or career. The county charter states that council members may not serve more than eight consecutive years. That cap will affect both Hilo Councilman Donald Ikeda and Kohala Councilman Pete Hoffman, who have been on the council since 2004. Ikeda indicated that he may seek a state House or Senate seat. Hoffman says he will not enter the Hawaii Island mayor’s race because he doesn’t want to run against any incumbent Democratic office holder. Meanwhile, council chairman Dominic Yagong says he will decide shortly whether to run for mayor next year.
Notice to motorists
(Hawaii state Department of Transportation). State Transportation officials say alternating lane closures will affect the following areas through Thursday, weather permitting: along the Hawaii Belt Road between Stevens Road in Laupahoehoe and the Old Mamalahoa Highway near Ninoole between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; along the Mamalahoa Highway between Waikoloa Road and Puu Lani Drive between 8 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.; along the Mamalahoa Highway between Old Kona Village Road and the Huehue Ranch Road, 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; along the Queen Kaahumanu Highway between Kokekole Beach Park Road and the Puuanahulu Lanfill Road, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; and along the Kuakini Highway between Akoni Drive and Haawina Street in Holualoa, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please note that tree trimming work continues just south of Ninoole along the Hamakua Coast. Also, military convoys will be traveling between Kawaihae Harbor and the Pohakuloa Training Area through Tuesday afternoon.
State of Hawaii news briefs from the Associated Press:
Two men and a 17-year old boy were hospitalized with stab wounds when a traffic incident in Ewa Beach escalated into a brawl on Saturday. The “Honolulu Star-Advertiser” reported that the trouble began when words were exchanged between a 43-year old man and one of the members of the group in front of the man’s home. Police told the newspaper that the person left, but later returned with several other people in multiple cars. Then, when members of the suspect’s family arrived, the argument turned into a fight in the suspect’s driveway. During the brawl, police said some of the suspect’s relatives were assaulted and that the suspect stabbed the teenager and the two men. The stabbing victims were hospitalized in stable condition.
Honolulu Police Lt. Dwight Rodrigues told the “Honolulu Star-Advertiser” that a 27-year old man was arrested following a fatal shooting at a fast food restaurant in Waikiki. Lt. Rodrigues said the victim has been identified as 23-year old Killin Elderts of a Windward Oahu address. Police have confirmed that the fatal incident occurred Saturday outside a McDonald’s on Kuhio Avenue. Christopher Deedy was arrested by police a short distance from the restaurant. The shooting death comes as security is being ramped up ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which begins Tuesday, 08 November.
American Samoa’s nonvoting delegate to Congress says he opposes the federal government’s plan to expand the U.S. territory’s Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric proposes adding five new reef and offshore areas to the sanctuary. Delegate Eni Faleomavaega states that many in the territory rely on fishing and more protected areas may lead to economic harship. The sanctuary currently includes a coral reef ecosystem in an eroded volcanic crater in Fagatele Bay on Tutuila Island.
Honolulu police have arrested about a half dozen protesters after organizers of the “Occupy Honolulu” movement attempted to establish an encampment late Saturday at the city’s Thomas Square. At the time of the arrest, about 40 protesters were gathered at the site when authorities began telling them to leave. The Honolulu protesters are part of a broader movement that is demonstrating against disparities in the nation’s economic system. Honolulu demostraters said they also stood “in solidarity” with the homeless who are being forced from the parks as the city prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference.
Hawaii Island Weather through 08 November 2011:
Hilo and vicinity: Overcast, breezy, with occaisonally heavy showers.
Kailua-Kona and vicinity: Partly cloudy with upslopes showers. A chance of heavier showers at night.
Highs near 81. Lows near 67. Northeast winds shifting to west-southwest winds by tonight, 10 to 20 mph.
Hawaii Island surf forecast through 08 November 2011:
Hapuna Beach breaks: flat to 1 foot. Hamakua: 4 to 8 feet. Kona and Banyans: 2 to 4 feet. Ka’u and Pohoiki: 1 to 3 feet. Hilo and Honolii: 3 to 6 feet.
Those seeking information from previous editions of this news summary should visit www.prgnewshawaii. Those local files go back to 2009. Current community news, sports events, and concert information can be found at kbigfm.com, kaparadio.com, espnhawaii.com, and nativefm.com.
Other Hawaii Island news blog worth reading include Big Island Chronicle, Hawaii 24/7, and Big Island Video News.
Have an excellent day.
Russ Roberts, editor, Laupahoehoe, Hawaii