Welcome to the Hawaii Island News update from Hawaii News Digest.
Top Story: Hawaii Island police are asking for your help in finding a missing 6-year-old Hilo boy.
Views expressed in this Hawaii News summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.
Content provided by the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald.”
Accessed on 23 December 2019, 1145 UTC, Post 20022.
Source:
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/category/hawaii-news/
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Search continues for missing 6-year-old boy
Hawaii Island police continue to ask for the publics assistance in the search for Benjamin Benny Rapoza, a missing 6-year-old Hilo boy.
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Hearing set to determine sex assault suspect’s fitness to proceed
KAILUA-KONA A contested hearing over doctors reports regarding the fitness of a man accused of sexually assaulting a minor has been set for late January.
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Grand jury indicts suspect in killing of artist
A 55-year-old homeless Puna man accused of the Dec. 4 beating death of an acclaimed artist has been indicted by a Hilo grand jury.
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New pot law goes into effect Jan. 11
Legislation passed by lawmakers earlier this year that decriminalizes the possession of three grams or less of marijuana and allows such past possessions to be expunged from criminal records will take effect early next year.
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South Kohala campground assault suspect trial set
KAILUA-KONA A teen accused of sexually assaulting an elderly woman at a South Kohala campground this summer has been found fit to stand trial.
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Suspect deemed unfit for trial, committed to Hawaii State Hospital
KAILUA-KONA A man whose alleged threats triggered a six-hour standoff with police in Kalaoa in October has been deemed unfit to proceed in an earlier, unrelated case, and committed to the Hawaii State Hospital.
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Mass Transit moves forward with Pahoa bus hub
The Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency is taking the next steps for a new bus hub in Pahoa and will seek additional funding for the project from the County Council.
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Group shows interest in opening new Ookala dairy
Although Big Island Dairy has satisfactorily completed all closure requirements set forth in an agreement with the state Department of Health, others have shown interest in the Ookala property for future dairy operations.
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Hawaii Island leads state in population growth, despite some towns seeing declines
Hawaii Island continues to lead the state in population growth, but some of the 42 small towns that dot the island have seen population drop, according to detailed estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Women busted for firearms, drugs at DUI roadblock
Police have arrested and charged two Honokaa women with drug and firearms offenses after officers allegedly smelled marijuana in a car at a DUI roadblock in Waimea.
Man charged with arson in Volcano house fire
Police arrested a 32-year-old man wanted for the arson last month of a vacation rental home on Pukeawe Circle in Volcano Golf and Country Club subdivision in Volcano.
Fire damages Volcano home
No injuries were reported Thursday evening after firefighters extinguished a house fire in Volcano.
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Police commission rejects complaint by retired sergeant
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Protesters prep for possible confrontation with state as Dec. 26 deadline looms
State briefs for December 21
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County cancelling Hilo-South Kohala bus and return route tonight due to winds
The county said today in a statement that because of a high-wind warning expected at 6 p.m. tonight, the Mass Transit Agency is cancelling the Hele-On Bus 7:15 p.m. route from Hilo to South Kohala and the 11:05 p.m. return bus tonight.
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Lawyer pleads not guilty to theft, forgery
A Hilo attorney pleaded not guilty Thursday to first-degree theft and second-degree forgery in connection with a narrow piece of land containing an easement road in lower Puna.
Complaint: ‘Enhanced’ Maunakea traffic enforcement is unconstitutional
The Hawaii County Police Commission is slated to hear a complaint today by a retired police sergeant who alleges the Hawaii Police Departments operations around the blockade of Maunakea Access Road by protesters of the Thirty Meter Telescope project is institutionalized police misconduct.
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Puna man pleads guilty to federal firearms charge
David Benjamin Cordeiro, a 37-year-old Mountain View man, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to possessing ammunition after having been previously convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, Kenji Price, U.S. Attorney for Hawaii, said in a statement.
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Gabbard faces heat back home for present vote on impeachment
HONOLULU Longshot presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard is facing some heat in her heavily Democratic home state of Hawaii for voting present on two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.