“Hawai’i’s new law bans balloon releases to protect marine life.”
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MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2023
Today, take a closer look at a new law that bans balloon releases in an effort to protect Hawai’i’s marine life. Are you an attorney who might want to help out the 3rd Circuit Court on the Big Island? The court is seeking per diem judges for Family and District Court.
In cased you missed it during the weekend, the 96th recruit class of the Hawai’i Police Department graduated seven new officers, all of whom were recently honored during an invite-only ceremony. You also can read about other new state laws that took effect on Jan. 1 and how officials with the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources is relieved that years of restoration work to help native plants and seabirds in a Mauna Loa forest reserve were untouched by the volcano’s first eruption in 38 years.
As always, thank you for reading. Have a great Monday and an awesome week!
Hawai’i’s new law bans balloon releases to protect marine life
A new statewide law banning the intentional release of balloons in Hawaiʻi — and the strongest such measure in the country — went into effect Jan. 1, 2023.
Other laws in the United States allow for the release of up to a set number of balloons such as 25, 50 or 100 or there’s a loophole for “biodegradable” balloons.
Applicants sought for 3rd Circuit Family, District Court per diem judges
The 3rd Circuit Court is looking for attorneys interested in serving as per diem judges for Family and/or District Court on the Big Island.
Per diem judges are part-time judges appointed by the chief justice of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court on an as needed basis. During their term of service, per diem judges can still engage in the private law practice; however, they and their partners and associates cannot practice in the court to which they are assigned. Furthermore, government employees are disqualified from serving as per diem judges. Once appointed, per diem judges are also prohibited from holding other public positions for profit.
AARP Hawaiʻi offering free online Zumba classes with instructor Robin Bush
Get fit and have fun in the New Year with free online Zumba classes featuring popular instructor Robin Bush.
AARP Hawaiʻi’s Zumba Gold online exercise classes will be held on Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m., and run Jan. 12 through Feb. 25.
7 graduate as part of Hawaiʻi Police Department’s 96th recruit class
The Hawaiʻi Police Department on Friday honored the graduates of the 96th police recruit class during an invite-only ceremony at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Police personnel, guest speakers and family members of the recruits were in attendance to congratulate the graduates.
The 96th recruit class began training July 1. The recruits came from a variety of backgrounds and previous career paths, and after six months of intensive training, seven graduated. The newly graduated officers will now undergo four months of on-the-job field training with veteran police officers before being qualified to work alone.
What new Hawai’i laws are taking effect on New Year’s Day?
Several new State of Hawai’i laws are set to take effect on Jan. 1.
They cover a wide variety of areas, including car insurance for residents renting to visitors, tobacco taxes, catalytic converters, mandatory ethics training for state legislators and workers, fireworks, ranked-choice voting and even balloons.
Mauna Loa forests, natural area reserves dodged lava bullet By Nathan Christophel
When Mauna Loa began erupting late at night on Nov. 27 for the first time in 38 years, officials with the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources anxiously watched to see where the spewing lava would go.
In the potential path of the destructive lava were several state forest reserves and natural area reserves filled with endangered species, their native habitat and years and millions of dollars spent on restoration work.
3 family dogs die in blaze at ʻĀinaloa residence
Big Island firefighters and police officers responded to a structure fire shortly after 6:30 p.m. Friday in Puna that resulted in the deaths of three pets.
Upon their arrival at 6:39 p.m., first responders discovered a 30-by-40-foot single-story, single-family home at 16-2138 Hanalē Drive in ʻĀinaloa partially involved in fire. A total of 17 firefighters and 11 units from the Hawaiʻi Fire Department were dispatched to battle the blaze. Officers with the Hawaiʻi Police Department arrived first to provide a safe scene while firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.
Big Island weekly lane closures: Dec. 31, 2022-Jan. 6, 2023
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation announces weekly lane closures for Dec. 31, 2022, through Jan. 6, 2023. Lane closure schedules can change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting.
The Highway 130 contraflow will not operate Jan. 1, 2023, in observance of the New Year’s Holiday.
US Rep. Kahele’s congressional term ends; returning to Hawaiian Airlines
Congressman Kahele delivered more than $26 million dollars in community project federal funding to Hawaiʻi’s 2nd Congressional District to support nonprofits, county and state priority projects, and Federally Qualified Health Centers throughout Hawaiʻi.
UH to benefit from solid results in Federal Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus spending bill
Millions of dollars in funding was secured to strengthen the University of Hawaiʻi’s position as a major research institution and economic generator for the state.
Kauai Weather Forecast for January 02, 2023
Light to moderate trade winds will continue around Maui County and the Big Island into Tuesday, with light winds across the remaining islands. A stable…
Kauai Surf Forecast for January 02, 2023
The current large, long-period northwest swell will produce dangerously large breaking waves along exposed north and west facing shores into early Tuesday…
