Welcome to the Hawaii Island News update from Hawaii News Digest.
Top Story: Puna residents want faster and more transparent actions to restore roads damaged by the recent Kilauea lava flows.
Views expressed in this Hawaii Island News summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.
Content supplied by the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald.”
Accessed on 11 March 2020, 1535 UTC, Post 20404.
Source:
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/category/hawaii-news/
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Residents cut off by lava in Puna urge county to work faster to clear roads
Dozens of Puna residents urged faster and more transparent action from the county on clearing lava-inundated roads in Puna after Mondays announcement that Pohoiki Road will be restored.
State unveils ‘proactive’ testing for coronavirus
State health officials on Tuesday announced the launch of a COVID-19 surveillance testing program that will help identify cases of community spread of the disease cases that cannot be traced back to a traveler or contact with an individual with the coronavirus.
Kona man indicted in Leap Day stabbing
A 56-year-old Kona man has been indicted on attempted murder and other charges stemming from a reported stabbing Feb. 29 in Kailua Village.
Yagong seeks his old council seat
Former County Council Chairman Dominic Yagong, who held the District 1 Hamakua seat for 12 years, said Tuesday he plans to run for the seat again.
EPA fines owners of Kona cesspools
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced two fines totaling $144,696 for the continued operation in Kona of a dozen large-capacity cesspools in violation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Papaikou man accused of possessing nearly a pound of heroin
A 45-year-old Papaikou man accused of possessing nearly a pound of heroin faces 11 drug- and firearms-related charges, 10 of them felonies, after a federal search warrant was served March 4 on his Government Road home.
Volcano woman charged with two attempted carjackings
A 24-year-old Volcano woman accused of two attempted armed carjackings Friday evening in Hilo is facing 17 criminal charges, 16 of them felonies.
Final EA released for Pahala wastewater plant
A final environmental assessment was published Sunday for the proposed Pahala wastewater treatment facility.
State confirms rapid ohia fungal disease on 5th Oahu tree
HONOLULU (AP) Hawaii officials have confirmed another discovery of a fungal disease that has killed hundreds of thousands of native ohia trees in the state.
DOH to increase testing for COVID-19
Hawaii is shifting its COVID-19 response efforts into higher gear this week by launching a statewide surveillance testing program to identify cases of community spread of the coronavirus, the state Department of Health announced.
Bill would establish guidelines for distribution of disaster funds
A County Council committee will hear a bill today that will determine how to disburse millions of dollars of Kilauea eruption recovery funds.
Resolution urges creation of flood mitigation plan for Puna
A Puna councilman hopes to begin a long-delayed project to reduce the chance of floods throughout Puna.
County reaches agreement with FEMA on lava-covered roads
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Hawaii County have reached agreement on the cost of replacing public roads in Puna inundated by lava during the 2018 Kilauea eruption.
20 nominations considered by PONC: Commission kicks off land-buying program for 2020
Three stretches of Alii Drive oceanfront property are on a list of properties the county will consider purchasing this year under its open space land-buying program.
Virus outbreak prompts cancellation of concerts on the Big Island
Concern over the spread of the novel coronavirus named COVID-19 has caused the first cancellation of a public entertainment event on the Big Island.
Marzo running for mayor
Ikaika Marzo, a Puna tour operator who became a social media phenomenon during the monthslong 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kilauea volcano, is running for mayor.
County sanitizes popular park facilities
As fears of the coronavirus outbreak mount, areas popular with tourists are taking precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Hospitals button up: HMC, others implement new visitor restrictions, screenings
New visitor restrictions and screenings are now in place at Hilo Medical Center, Hale Hoola Hamakua, Kau Hospital, Extended Care Facility and HMCs outpatient clinics in response to ongoing developments with COVID-19.
Zoning proposal could restrict Oahu wind farm installations
HONOLULU (AP) A Honolulu zoning proposal aimed at restricting the installation of energy-producing windmills has received preliminary approval from a city government committee.
Kids Heart Challenge gets kids moving, helping others
The sound of childrens laughter from physical activity rang through the yard at Kona Hongwanji Preschool last Friday morning as keiki took part in the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge.