“Big Island’s Rep. Jeanne Kapela introduces sex trafficing bill to protect keiki.”
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Accessed on 26 January 2023, 2036 UTC.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2023
Big Island state legislator Jeanné Kapela introduced sex trafficking bill to protecting keiki, saying traffickers are targeting school-aged children.
A 3-year-old Hawaiian monk seal died after suffering from a shark bite. Experts say the loss of the female seal is tragic as she would’ve been integral in building up the endangered population.
On the brighter side of things, whale watchers observed a rare wildlife encounter between a group of pilot whales and a juvenile humpback as they socialized off the Kona Coast.
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Big Island’s Rep. Jeanné Kapela introduces sex trafficking bill to protect keiki By Nathan Christophel
HONOLULU — Sex trafficking is happening throughout Hawai‘i and Big Island state legislator Jeanné Kapela says students know they are the targets.
“We have the highest number of sex trafficking victims per capita in the entire nation and that ends by educating our children and preparing their educators to help the individuals who protect those kids in those classrooms,” said Kapela, who represents House District 5 (Nāʻālehu, Ocean View, Captain Cook, Kealakekua and Kailua-Kona).
Update: Missing 27-year-old from Keaʻau located in good health
Update: Big Island police report that Evelyn Higgins, who was previously reported as missing, was located Jan. 25 in Pāhoa in good health.
Original story: Hawaii Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 27-year-old Evelyn Higgins of Kea’au, who was reported missing.
VIDEO: Rare interaction between pilot whales and young humpback off Kona coast
A juvenile humpback and a group of pilot whales were seen socializing together offshore from Keāhole Point earlier this week.
Guests aboard a vessel with the touring company Hawaiian Adventures Kona watched the wildlife encounter on Tuesday during the morning whale watch tour.
43-year-old’s bomb threat causes evacuation of Hilo shopping center
Hilo patrol officers evacuated a retail shopping center in the 100 block of East Puainako Street on Tuesday afternoon due to a bomb threat.
A man, identified as 43-year-old Ebn Wandell of Hilo, had walked into a management office and stated he had a bomb in the bag he was carrying. Wandell left the bag in the office and ran away, according to Hawaiʻi Island police.
Kona man charged after punching female gas station clerk, stealing cash
John Bull Macomber, 51 of Kona, was arrested and charged with robbery, assault and drug offenses stemming from a Jan. 24 incident at a Kona gas station in the early morning.
According to the Hawaiʻi Island police, at 1:25 a.m., Kona patrol officers responded to the business in the 74-0100 block of Honokōhau Street after a female employee reported that an unknown male entered the establishment and punched her several times in her head while demanding money from the cash registers.
Hawaiian monk seal dies at Kona’s mammal hospital following shark bite
A Hawaiian monk seal died at Ke Kai Ola, the Marine Mammal Center’s hospital in Kailua-Kona after suffering a severe shark bite.
The seal, identified as RM28, was rescued in a shallow cove off the Kauaʻi coast on Jan. 11 after displaying lethargic behavior. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration received reports of the 3-year-old seal appearing to be in poor condition the previous day. NOAA, with the assistance from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources, brought the animal to the DLNR facility on Kauaʻi for initial assessment and triage care.
Environmental Legislative Caucus announces 2023 bill package for Hawai’i
This week the Environmental Legislative Caucus of the Hawai’i State Legislature introduced a package of bills to address the state’s environmental issues.
The caucus is a coalition of legislators that works in collaboration with non-governmental organizations and governmental agencies on topics including climate change, energy and conservation.
Kaua‘i planning director ‘shocked’ by Coco Palms resort revelations By Scott Yunker
After an emotional 4-hour public meeting Tuesday, mainland developers with plans to build a new 350-room hotel at the derelict Coco Palms resort on Kaua‘i won a small victory.
The County of Kaua‘i Planning Commission unanimously denied a petition — by community groups in opposition to a new hotel — for a declaratory order that would have labeled the developers’ building permits as lapsed due to a lack of substantial progress.
Maui bicycle shop owner watches Makawao store ‘go up in flames’
Krank Cycles, one of Maui’s original bicycle shops, gives away bikes to kids and helps repair bikes free in Maui County communities each year.
National authors visit Kamaliʻi Elementary School
National authors Allison Hintz and Antony Smith made a special visit to Maui’s Kamali’i Elementary School recently, thanks to generous support from The Four Seasons Maui.
Kauai Weather Forecast for January 26, 2023
A weakening cold front will stall near Maui today. Unstable conditions aloft will produce bands of showers and thunderstorms across the eastern half of the…
Kauai Surf Forecast for January 26, 2023
A long period XL northwest swell (300-320 degree) will gradually fade over the rest of the week. As this northwest swell continues to fade and new moderate…
