“Big Island of Hawaii News” is following these local stories through Saturday, 14 April 2012:
A new Miss Aloha Hula for 2012; Mayor Kenoi will meet with Hawaiian activist about Kawa Bay; opihi limits reconsidered; and mandatory sick leave bill advances in the state Senate.
Sources cited in this summary include the Associated Press, the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, Stevens Media, the Hawaii County Police Department, and “Hawaii 24/7 News”.
A NEW MISS ALOHA HULA
(KITV-4/Hawaii Tribune-Herald). Rising above a field of 12 accomplished performers, Rebecca Lilinoekekapahauomaunakea Sterling of the Halau Mohala ‘Ilima was chosen as the new Miss Aloha Hula 2012 Thursday night at the Edith Kanaka’ole Multipurpose Stadium. Her hula kahiko was a chant for Kaleimakali’i, the 19th century ancestor of some of the last Hawaiian families to live at Kalia, Waikiki. She completed her solo ‘auana hula with the protest song commonly known as “Kaulana Na Pua.” Merrie Monarch judges voted Sterling’s performance the best of a dozen competitors vying for the coveted title. Tonight, 21 wahine and nine kane groups will take the stage tonight for the Group Hula Kahiko Competion. On Saturday evening, the formal competition will end with the Group Hula ‘Auana performance, beginning at 6:30 p.m. KITV-4 will carry the live television broadcast.
MAYOR WILL MEET WITH HAWAIIAN ACTIVIST ABOUT KAWA BAY
(Stephens Media). Mayor Billy Kenoi and his staff plan to meet next week with Abel Simeona Lui and other who claim Native Hawaiian title to almost $6 million worth of Kawa Bay property Hawaii County has purchased for an oceanfront park. The meeting comes almost four years after the county began the process of acquiring the 784-acre site and almost four months since a judge granted eviction orders against Lui and a group who live with him in tents and wooden structures. Lui claims he’s lived on the property for 20 years. So far, his attempts to fight the county purchase in state and federal courts have been rejected and Lui himself was removed from a Kona courtroom last November. Reporter Nancy Cook Lauer says the county administration has been meeting with Ka’u residents and working on a management plan for the property. Deputy Managing Director Wally Lau said Thursday that Mayor Kenoi is sensitive to Lui’s claims, and he wants to make sure the management plan incorporates al aspects of the issue. Lau said the mayor “wants to do it the pono way…then we’ll reasses where we’re at.”
STATE SENATE COMMITTEE CONSIDERS OPIHI LIMITS
(Hawaii Tribune-Herald). Legislation aimed at regulating the harvest of opihi has been revived after it died in committee last month. The state Senate committees of Water, Land, and Housing, and Hawaiian Affairs both passed a resolution Thursday asking for new rules for gathering the delicacy, believed to be in small numbers in certain parts of the state. Unlike bills, resolutions can only request action, not require it. Resolutions are not subject to the same filing deadlines, thus permiting them to be a substitute for failed legislation. The resolution will be sent to the state Senate floor for a vote. The measure requests that the state Department of Land and Natural Resources establish seasons for harvesting opihi, set a five-year harvesting moratorium on Oahu, and ban the taking of the limpet from below the waterline.
MANDATORY SICK LEAVE BILL ADVANCES IN THE STATE SENATE
(Hawaii Tribune-Herald). A bill that would require Hawaii businesses to offer their employees a minimum amount of paid sick leave passed its third reading in the state Senate on Tuesday. Hawaii Island state Senators Malama Solomon and Gil Kahele voted to approve the measure with reservations. Six state Senators opposed the measure, including Hawaii State Senator Josh Green of Kona.
MOTORCYCLIST KILLED
(Hawaii County Police Department). A 38-year-old Kona man died early Thursday morning from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident Wednesday evening at the intersection of Henry Street and Palani Road in Kailua-Kona. Police identified the victim as Caleb Wolfson of Kailua-Kona. Police determined that Wolfson was operating a 2006 Yamaha motorcycle which was eastbound on Henry Street when he hit a concrete barrier and was ejected from the motorcycle. Wolfson later died at the Kona Community Hospital. It is not known if he was wearing a helmet, but a helmet was found at the scene of the accident. Police believe alcohol was a factor in the fatal crash. Police have begun a coroner’s inquest and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
MAN CHARGED IN ROCK THROWING
(Hawaii County Police Department). Hawaii Island police have charged the suspect who was in custody on suspicion of throwing a large rock through the windshield of a moving vehicle Tuesday on Highway 130 in Puna. Police also found a secon victim, a 52-year-old Pahoa woman who reported that the man threw a rock at her car shortly after the first incident. She was able to apply her brakes before the rock hit her vehicle. The suspect, 49-year-old John Vezina of Hilo was charged Thursday afternoon with first-degree criminal property damage and first-degree attemped criminal property damage. Those with information in this case should call Detective Joel Field at 961-2381.
MAN SOUGHT IN SHOOTING CASE
(Hawaii County Police Department). Hawaii Island police are asking for your help in finding a man wanted for questioning in connection with an apparent shooting incident last year that injured a Puna man. On 22 October 2011, a 36-year-old Keaau man suffered a head wound when an occupant of a teal-colored sedan reportedly shot at him while the victim was driving on Route 130 near the Ainaloa subdivision. Following the incident, the sedan and several of its male occupants left the scene. The victim was treated and later released from the Hilo Medical Center. Detectives for the Area I Criminal Investigations Section have identified a person of interest as 22-year-old Misinale kalavi, Jr. of the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision. He is described as 6-foot-1, 280 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He is known to frequent the Puna and Kona areas. Those with leads in the case should call police at 935-3311.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAWAII ISLAND FORECAST THROUGH SATURDAY, 14 April 2012:
Hilo and vicinity–Partly sunny with a few showers. Some rain at night.
Kailua-Kona and vicinity–Mostly sunny and hazy. Some upslope showers this evening and Saturday morning.
Highs near 79. Lows near 65. Winds shifting to the east southeast, 8 to 16 mph, by Saturday. Sunrise Saturday–6:03 a.m. Sunset Saturday–6:38 p.m. Total hours of daylight on Saturday–12 hours, 35 minutes, and 28 seconds. Hilo tides for Saturday: High tide–11:11 a.m./11:24 p.m. Low tide–5:38 a.m./4:34 p.m.
HAWAII ISLAND SURF FORECAST THROUGH SATURDAY, 14 April 2012:
Hapuna Beach breaks–flat. Kona and Banyans–1 to 2 feet. Ka’u and Pohoiki–4 to 5 feet. Hamakua–3 to 4 feet. Hilo and Honolii–2 to 3 feet.
For the latest community events, sports updates, and entertainment news, visit kbigfm.com, native fm.com, kaparadio.com, and espnhawaii.com.
Thanks for joining us today!
Russ Roberts, editor
Laupahoehoe, Hawaii–along the beautiful Hamakua Coast
Filed under: Big Island of Hawaii News, Hawaii Island News, prgnewshawaii
