“Swim clubs, community jump in to revitalize the Kona Aquatic Center.”
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2022
The last work week of 2022 is coming to a close. Mahalo for staying with us this year and reading our content.
Today’s top stories include the community’s successful efforts to revitalize the Kona Aquatic Center by installing new starting blocks and pouring new concrete for a portion of the pool deck.
Hawaii Police Department will be led by Benjamin Moszkowicz, a 22-year veteran of Honolulu Police Department, starting in January. In the meantime, HPD will be led by Acting Chief Andrew Burian.
And finally, Parker Ranch is partnering with Waimea Butcher Shop to ensure local products are available to the public year-round.
Mahalo for your readership!
Swim clubs, community jump in to revitalize Kona Aquatic Center
For four years, swimmers with Kona Aquatics and Kona Dolphins have not been able to host meets at their home Kona Aquatic Center because of starting blocks that had been “condemned.”
The swimmers have had to travel to pools around the county and off-island for all their competitions — and they have not had been able to practice with starting blocks, which are platforms used by swimmers to dive into the pool to start races.
$2.7 million in grants to help small-scale agriculture throughout Hawaiʻi
The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture has awarded 579 grants totaling $2.7 million for small-scale agriculture, including home gardening, herding and livestock operations in areas that face food insecurity. Of the nearly 600 grants, 133 are coming to the Big Island.
More than 7,400 applications were received this fall under the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program. The applications and project proposals were evaluated and ranked by the state Department of Agriculture Market Development Branch, with final approval received last week from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Re-ZOO-venation Days begin in 2023 at Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens
The Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens in Hilo will have some extra time in 2023 for a little R&R in an effort to enhance its grounds, facilities and animal areas.
Re-ZOO-venation Days will begin Jan. 5, and be observed the first Thursday of each month thereafter next year. Re-ZOO-venation Days will allow zoo staff the time to undertake larger enhancement projects and the opportunity to participate in professional development to increase their skills.
Hawai‘i Police Department’s new chief comes aboard in January
During a special meeting Thursday morning in Hilo, the Hawai‘i County Police Commission appointed Assistant Chief Andrew Burian to serve as acting chief until Benjamin T. Moszkowicz takes his post as the island’s new top cop in January.
Burian’s appointment comes as the current interim chief Kenneth Bugado Jr. is set to retire, effective Dec. 30 at 4:30 p.m.
Parker Ranch partners with Waimea Butcher Shop to double down on Big Island-grown products
One of the largest and oldest cattle ranches in the United States is partnering with a whole-animal specialty butcher shop and deli to ensure year-round availability of Big Island-grown products.
Waimea Butcher Shop and Parker Ranch Inc. recently announced that they have signed an agreement for a strategic alliance. Under the terms of the partnership, Parker Ranch will become an equity owner in Waimea Butcher Shop and its strategic capital partner for future growth opportunities. Additionally, Mills Stovall will continue to operate the butcher shop’s day-to-day business as the manager and majority owner.
Police seek missing Hilo man
Big Island police are asking the public for its assistance with locating a missing Hilo man.
The Hawai’i Police Department says 53-year-old John Beitler was last seen Dec. 9 in the area of Banyan Drive in Hilo. Beitler is described as being 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 165 pounds and Caucasian, with black hair and brown eyes.
After four days, search ends for man who went missing while swimming in waters off a Kaua‘i beach
The multi-agency search for a California man who went missing on Christmas Day while swimming in waters off Kaua‘i has ended.
The Kaua‘i Police Department reported the search for 56-year-old Prakash Shroff was suspended Wednesday afternoon after a four-day effort by land, air and sea to find him. Shroff is being reported as Kaua‘i’s 12 drowning in 2022.
From cashier to union president, Domingo reflects on Maui days, supporters
When Maui resident Donna Domingo started as a cashier at the Maui Lu in Kīhei in the late 1970s, she never thought that one day, she would rise to become the first female president of the Hawaiʻi ILWU Local 142 with 18,000 members statewide, then including longshoremen, hotel workers, and pineapple, sugar, and general trade employees.
Gov. Green makes seven more appointments including Director of Wellness and Resilience
With over 20 years of experience in mental health and criminal justice systems, Tia Roberts Hartsock will serve as the state’s first Director of Wellness and Resilience.
Kauai Weather Forecast for December 30, 2022
A surface high pressure ridge positioned just north of the Hawaiian Islands will be weakened by two passing cold fronts over the next several days. Expect…
Kauai Surf Forecast for December 30, 2022
A new medium-period west-northwest swell has arrived in the coastal waters. A High Surf Advisory was issued earlier for north and west facing shores. Surf…
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigest.net and https://hawaiidigestscience.com).