Welcome to the West Hawaii News update from Hawaii News Digest.
Top Story: The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has approved the purchase of nearly $8 million in property for future development.
Views expressed in this Hawaii News summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.
Content supplied by “West Hawaii Today.”
Accessed on 29 January 2020, 2055 UTC, Post 20196.
Source:
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/category/hawaii-news/
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Hawaiian Home Lands to buy $8M in property for development
HONOLULU The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has approved the purchase of nearly $8 million in property for future housing development.
Hawaii bill would grant new tax powers to help pay teachers
HONOLULU A bill in the state Legislature calls for a constitutional amendment that would give the state Board of Education new tax powers to help pay teacher salaries.
Select emergency warning sirens to be tested Thursday
The Hawaii Emergency Management and Hawaii County Civil Defense agencies, will conduct siren testing on Thursday at Naalehu Elementary School in Kau, Hawaiian Paradise Park in Puna and Carvalho Park in Hilo. The sirens will be tested between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., according to the agencies.
Thurston Lava Tube could reopen soon in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The long-closed Thurston Lava Tube in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park could reopen within a month if a final repair project goes smoothly.
Legislation aims to increase biosecurity in Hawaii
A host of bills addressing invasive species and the states biosecurity are a part of this years legislative session, following a list of recommendations by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Retired journalist John Middlesworth dies at age 81
John Michael Mike Middlesworth, retired newspaperman and vice chairman of the state Judicial Selection Commission, died Jan. 14 at Hilo Medical Center. He was 81.
Midwives prepare for licensing
Midwives in Hawaii are gearing up for new licensing requirements that will go into effect this summer.
Paniolo Avenue intersection improvements coming
A worrisome Waikoloa intersection will be getting a $5.5 million upgrade, thanks to action taken by the County Council last week.
Suspect in Eden Roc homicide indicted
A 30-year-old former Army sergeant accused of stabbing a 71-year-old Eden Roc subdivision man to death Jan. 7 with a piece of the victims broken cane has been indicted by a Hilo grand jury.
Fewer turtles stranded on Maui in 2019 than previous year
WAILUKU Fewer sea turtles were found stranded on Maui last year than in 2018, although officials say most cases continue to be caused by fishing gear, officials said.
Endangered Maui birds to be moved in effort to save species
HONOLULU Scientists will decide whether to establish a captive breeding program on the U.S. mainland in an attempt to prevent the extinction of a bird species only found on Maui, officials said.
Good Samaritans rescue distressed swimmer at Green Sands Beach
A 40-year-old woman was hospitalized Monday afternoon after she apparently became distressed while swimming in waters off Greens Sands Beach in Kau.
Police ID man killed in Puna hit-and-run
Big Island police have identified a man who died Jan. 22 after being struck by a motor vehicle that fled the scene on Highway 137 in Keaau.
Stinky problem points to need for sewer solution
A sewer system for Naalehu has been talked about for decades, but it can come none too soon, as a stinky problem last week demonstrated.
Construction ongoing: Kona prosecutor’s office delayed, completion now set for March
Hawaii County prosecutors will have to wait a couple more months before they can move into their new home at the West Hawaii Civic Center.
New marijuana bills proposed for 2020
After 2019 brought several changes to marijuana management at both the state and county level, dozens of new marijuana-related bills have been proposed in 2020.
Cleaning up underwater: Volunteers remove dozens of tires, loads of debris from Honokohau Harbor
A group of about 45 volunteers from all over the Big Island converged on Honokohau Harbor on Saturday in an effort to help beautiful Hawaii.
Officers arrest 25 drivers for suspected DUI
Hawaii Island police arrested 25 motorists for suspected drunken driving between Jan. 20 and Sunday. Four of the drivers were involved in a traffic crash.
County begins Alii Drive sinkhole repair work
Work is underway to repair damage to Alii Drive caused by a sinkhole that opened late last year fronting Coconut Grove Marketplace.
Mom of two missing kids found in Hawaii with new husband
BOISE, Idaho Police say the mother of two missing kids has been found in Hawaii along with her new husband, but theres still no sign of the children in the cross-country investigation that includes several mysterious deaths.