Welcome to the Hawaii Island News update from Hawaii News Digest.
Top Story: Parolee faces “a slew” of drug and firearms charges.
Views expressed in this Hawaii News summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.
Content supplied by the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald.”
Accessed on 31 January 2020, 1515 UTC, Post 20207.
Source:
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/category/hawaii-news/
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Parolee faces drug, firearms charges
A 43-year-old Hilo man was charged with a slew of drug- and firearms-related charges after police allegedly found him slumped over the steering wheel of a car, apparently asleep, in the left-turn lane on Kanoelehua Avenue onto Kekuanaoa Street toward Hilo International Airport on Jan. 22.
State briefs: Senate committee passes bill to assist home buyers
HONOLULU A Hawaii state Senate committee has approved a bill that would provide up to $50,000 for down payments for first-time home buyers.
Police discipline detailed: Five officers terminated in 2019 in unrelated cases
Five Hawaii Police Department officers were terminated in 2019 and seven were suspended for disciplinary reasons, a department official said Thursday.
Kung Hee Fat Choy! Kohala’s Tong Wo Society opens Sunday for Chinese New Year
Once a year, the 136-year-old Tong Wo Society in North Kohala opens its doors to the public, and on Sunday the community is invited to tour the historic building and celebrate Chinese New Year.
‘It’s not just a Kona problem:’ Another year, another fight over coffee-labeling law
The latest effort to change labeling requirements for Hawaiian-grown coffee blends is making its way through the state Legislature.
Prosecutor: Beating victim’s escape prevented possible death
A 22-year-old woman reportedly beaten by her boyfriend with a claw hammer and dull knife and locked in a room in their Ainaloa home Saturday night told police she kicked out a window screen and ran to a neighbors house for help, according to a court document.
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.
Testifiers voice strong opposition to Young Brothers’ rate request
The air was polite, but testimony before the state Public Utilities Commission Tuesday night in Hilo was overwhelmingly opposed to Young Brothers request to raise interisland ocean freight rates by 34%.
Ethics Board to take on Maunakea road block
The fences blocking Maunakea Access Road came down more than a month ago. But the debate over whether the government applied the law discriminately by not removing protesters and reopening the road is as robust as ever.
Lawmakers seek to boost minimum wage
Lawmakers have once again proposed an increase to the states minimum wage this year, after a similar proposal died in committee last year.
Proposal would give BOE taxing authority
Proposed legislation introduced by state House Speaker Scott Saiki would allow residents to vote on an amendment to Hawaiis constitution that would give the state Board of Education concurrent real property tax authority to help fund teacher compensation.
Charter school focuses on future after inundation, alleged embezzlement
The founder and director of Kua O Ka La Public Charter School said Wednesday the schools administration and governing board cant comment on a federal embezzlement complaint against the schools former financial officer as it is still pending court action.
Endangered Maui birds to be moved in effort to save species
HONOLULU (AP) 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.
Swimmer rescued at Green Sands Beach
Good Samaritans rescued an unresponsive swimmer from the water at Papakolea Beach, aka Green Sands Beach, early Monday afternoon. According to a Hawaii Fire Department statement, eight units, including both county helicopters responded to the 1:33 p.m. alarm with the first unit arriving on scene at 1:59 p.m. By the time they arrived, the 40-year-old woman was sitting on the beach, conscious but unable to make her way up the trail from the secluded Kau beach.
CDC working to solve coronavirus mystery
Rumors and conspiracy theories have been swirling around the recent outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus that has claimed the lives of more than 100 people and infected more than 6,000.
Big Isle hospitals take action following China outbreak
As the United States and the world continues to monitor the outbreak of a new respiratory virus, Big Island hospitals are at the ready for any potential cases.
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.
Police arrest 25 for DUI
During the week of Jan. 20-26, Hawaii Island police arrested 25 motorists for DUI. Four of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. None were younger than 21.
Civil Defense to conduct siren testing Thursday
The state Emergency Management Agency and county Civil Defense will conduct siren testing between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday at Carvalho Park in Hilo, Naalehu and Makuu Drive and 6th Avenue in Hawaiian Paradise Park.
Dozens of new bills aim to shore up 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.