Rescue at Kua Bay: ʻThat lady was dead and they saved her lifeʻ By Tiffany DeMasters

The Saturday morning of Oct. 22 was sunny with blue skies at beautiful Kua Bay in West Hawaiʻi. Waves were 1 to 3 feet with the occasional set of 4-footers. Everyone on the beach and in the water was enjoying themselves, seemingly unaware of the elderly woman floating face down.

Everyone except for Ocean Safety officer Ian McVeigh. He had just showered and returned to the lifeguard tower after running along the beach when he noticed what appeared to be a piece of clothing in the waves.

   

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Holiday food drive kicks off at South Kohala resort

Hawaiʻi Island community members are invited to support The Food Basket now through Dec. 22

As of Tuesday, the public is encouraged to participate in the Waikoloa Foundation’s second Waikoloa Holiday Food Drive in support of The Food Basket, Hawaiʻi Island’s Food Bank and its efforts to provide food assistance and promote community resiliency.

   

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Six Big Island nonprofits recommended for $400,000 in County stewardship grants By Nathan Christophel

The Hawai‘i County Finance Department recommended awarding six Big Island nonprofits with stewardship grants to maintain seven parcels acquired through the County’s Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund.

County Finance Director Denna Sako presented the list, with total recommended grants of nearly $400,000, to the Hawai‘i County Council Finance Committee on Tuesday. The grant money would come from the special fund.

   

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East Hawai‘i company cited for air permit violations

The Hawai‘i Department of Health Clean Air Branch issued Notices of Violation and Order, or NOVO, against six companies statewide, including one in Kea‘au.

All responsible parties have or had the option to request a hearing to contest their alleged violations and penalties. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation paid a fine of $28,300 for various air permit violations on its boilers and diesel engine generators.

   

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Puna man wanted for questioning in sex assault investigation on O’ahu

Hawai‘i Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 24-year-old Jonah Kanoa Mokuiki Drummondo-Rodrigues, of Kea‘au, who is wanted for questioning in a sex assault investigation that occurred on Oʻahu.

Drummondo-Rodrigues is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on Drummondo-Rodrigues’ whereabouts should contact the police department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311 or Det. Gavin Kagimoto at 808-961-2276 or via email at gavin.kagimoto@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

   

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Alert: Beware of deputy sheriff impersonators and extortion scams

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Public Safety is warning people to beware of deputy sheriff impersonators and extortion scams.

In recent weeks, several people have come to the Sheriff Division Booking and Receiving Station at Keawe Street in Honolulu to turn themselves in at the instruction of scammers.

   

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Concealed carry applications spike on Big Island; County Council considering proposed gun measure By Nathan Christophel

Each month, hundreds of customers enter S. Tokunaga Store in Hilo to peruse and shop its selection of at least 15 brands of guns, including their best-sellers: 9mm Glocks and Sig Sauers.

“Right now, the firearms industry is pretty in demand,” Michael Tokunaga, the store’s owner, said. “Everybody is interested in getting firearms now. Ever since the pandemic, everything went crazy.”

   

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