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| The state Department of Land & Natural Resources and other partners encourage involvement in Climate Week. Photo from DLNR |
state. Climate Week highlights the need for urgent action on implementing climate change strategies that
are equitable, culturally responsive, and resilient.” Chang cochairs the Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission.
Climate Week organizers aim to highlight many actions funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and other 
Mary Alice Evans, Interim Director of the State Office of Planning & Sustainable Development, and Climate Week Commission Co-Chair said, "“Listening to communities and developing local solutions is a priority for CCMAC as we create the Climate Action Plan."
One of the events involving this island is a webinar titled: High elevation Hawaiian plant communities: implications for conservation under climate change. See all of the events around the state at https://climate.hawaii.gov/hawai%ca%bbi-climate-week-2024/
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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| Gov. Josh Green and First Lady Jaime Green are in Japan for a week to meet with government and business officials to foster increased tourism to Hawai'i. Photo from the Governor's office |
The statement says he is fostering stronger ties between Japan and Hawai‘i and said, “Japan and the Japanese people are part of our ‘ohana due to our historic connections, economic ties and culture, and we are committed to enhancing travel through our ‘Travel Corridor’ concept. By expanding Global Entry, integrating biometric screening, and pursuing preclearance status, we are making travel more efficient, convenient and secure for Japanese citizens visiting Hawai‘i.”
Green continues pursuit of pre-clearance status between Hawai‘i and partner airports such as Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Pre-clearance is a program administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows travelers to undergo customs and immigration inspections at their departure airport, rather than upon arrival in the United States. "This initiative has been successfully implemented in 15 different locations across six partner countries, and has been proven to streamline the travel process, reduce wait times and enhance the overall travel experience," says the statement from the governor.
"Key among Governor Green’s initiatives is the expansion of Global Entry for Japanese citizens," says the statement from his office. "Global Entry, a trusted traveler program administered by CBP, expedites the customs and immigration process for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. The benefits of holding Global Entry status include no processing lines, no paperwork, reduced wait-times, and PreCheck via the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Currently, Global Entry status is allowed for up to 1,500 Japanese citizens. The Biden Administration and Japan’s government are collaborating to find a way to expand Global Entry to Japanese citizens by removing the cap by late 2024. This will streamline entry for Japanese citizens into Hawai‘i and the rest of the United States."
Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is also working to leverage CBP’s Mobile Passport Control through advanced biometric collection and exploring new partnerships with TSA to enhance the traveler experience, reduce wait times and increase security. "Biometric screening technology offers a secure and efficient means of verifying travelers’ identities and improving border security, while expediting the screening process and reducing costs. Additionally, HDOT has begun a review of the international passenger journey for specific recommendations that can enhance the traveler experience and increase facilitation," says the statement.
RESTRICTION OF VEHICLES FROM TREE MOLDS RECREATIONAL AREA OFF MAUNA LOA ROAD will begin this Thursday, March 21 on weekdays from 7:30 am. to 3:30 p.m..Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park announced the temporary closure due to heavy equipment operations for the Park's Disaster Recovery Project.
"Pedestrians will be allowed access but must use caution and yield to trucks and machinery on the roadway," says the Park statement. The closure to vehicles is expected to last through early April.
Outside of the restricted 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays, the road and Tree Molds area will be open to vehicles at all other times.
Work continues on Phase One of the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Disaster Recovery Project and traffic safety and infrastructure upgrades. The latest project updates include establishing a materials staging area at the former horse corral off Mauna Loa Road.
Construction closures and delays are updated on the park's new construction webpage: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/construction-closures.htm?fbclid=IwAR0EX87hntI2rgwuZ9nZUxvd90a0U2aW0tJSd9wwpOvX2GWKIrYRk9OzdxY
under the age of 21. So far this year, there have been 197 DUI arrests compared with 224 during the same period last year, a decrease of 12.1 percent.
HPD's Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 205 major crashes so far this year, compared with 200 during the same time last year, an increase of 2.5 percent.
To date, there were eight fatal crashes, resulting in eight fatalities, compared with four fatal crashes, resulting in five fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths) for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 100 percent for fatal crashes and 60 percent for fatalities.
In 2024, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) is zero compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
HPD promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.
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Green continues pursuit of pre-clearance status between Hawai‘i and partner airports such as Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Pre-clearance is a program administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows travelers to undergo customs and immigration inspections at their departure airport, rather than upon arrival in the United States. "This initiative has been successfully implemented in 15 different locations across six partner countries, and has been proven to streamline the travel process, reduce wait times and enhance the overall travel experience," says the statement from the governor.
"Key among Governor Green’s initiatives is the expansion of Global Entry for Japanese citizens," says the statement from his office. "Global Entry, a trusted traveler program administered by CBP, expedites the customs and immigration process for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. The benefits of holding Global Entry status include no processing lines, no paperwork, reduced wait-times, and PreCheck via the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Currently, Global Entry status is allowed for up to 1,500 Japanese citizens. The Biden Administration and Japan’s government are collaborating to find a way to expand Global Entry to Japanese citizens by removing the cap by late 2024. This will streamline entry for Japanese citizens into Hawai‘i and the rest of the United States."
Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is also working to leverage CBP’s Mobile Passport Control through advanced biometric collection and exploring new partnerships with TSA to enhance the traveler experience, reduce wait times and increase security. "Biometric screening technology offers a secure and efficient means of verifying travelers’ identities and improving border security, while expediting the screening process and reducing costs. Additionally, HDOT has begun a review of the international passenger journey for specific recommendations that can enhance the traveler experience and increase facilitation," says the statement.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
THE BILL TO PUT MORE TEETH INTO VICIOUS DOG LAW passed the state Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Tuesday and goes on to a conference committee. Failing to to control a dog that kills a human would become a felony and net up to five years in prison. A dangerous dog would be defined as
“any dog that, without provocation, causes a bite injury to a person or another animal.” The measure would also establish misdemeanor penalties for allowing dogs to injure a person or kill an animal.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Attorney Teresa Tico testified in support of Bill 2058 making it a felony to allow dogs to hurt people. She works with a hui, including Sharon Matson whose father Bob Northrop was killed by a pack of dogs in Ocean View. They aim to reduce the number of dog attacks in Hawai'i.
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| Bob Northrop was killed last Aug. 1 in Ocean View by four dogs as he walked to a friend's house. |
“any dog that, without provocation, causes a bite injury to a person or another animal.” The measure would also establish misdemeanor penalties for allowing dogs to injure a person or kill an animal.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Attorney Teresa Tico testified in support of Bill 2058 making it a felony to allow dogs to hurt people. She works with a hui, including Sharon Matson whose father Bob Northrop was killed by a pack of dogs in Ocean View. They aim to reduce the number of dog attacks in Hawai'i.
Tico relayed that in a separate attack in Hawai'i two months ago, a pit bull in a pack of dogs grabbed a doctor and severed an artery in his leg, but charges still have not been brought against the dog owner. He nearly bled out and almost died, said the attending EMTs. The victim suffered 47 dog bite wounds and received 17 staples. Tico said the number of dog bite cases in Hawai'i has risen since Covid, but since the offense is only a petty misdemeanor, there is no deterrence.
Tico said she sees time and time again that prosecutors and defense attorneys plea bargain the case down to a leash law violation, even for injuries inflicted on children with facial disfigurements for the rest of their lives. She said that the felony is needed to deter people from letting dangerous dogs run loose.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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| Tree Molds Road area will be closed on weekdays from this Thursday into April. Map from NPS |
RESTRICTION OF VEHICLES FROM TREE MOLDS RECREATIONAL AREA OFF MAUNA LOA ROAD will begin this Thursday, March 21 on weekdays from 7:30 am. to 3:30 p.m..Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park announced the temporary closure due to heavy equipment operations for the Park's Disaster Recovery Project.
"Pedestrians will be allowed access but must use caution and yield to trucks and machinery on the roadway," says the Park statement. The closure to vehicles is expected to last through early April.
Outside of the restricted 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays, the road and Tree Molds area will be open to vehicles at all other times.
Work continues on Phase One of the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Disaster Recovery Project and traffic safety and infrastructure upgrades. The latest project updates include establishing a materials staging area at the former horse corral off Mauna Loa Road.
Construction closures and delays are updated on the park's new construction webpage: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/construction-closures.htm?fbclid=IwAR0EX87hntI2rgwuZ9nZUxvd90a0U2aW0tJSd9wwpOvX2GWKIrYRk9OzdxY
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| New construction in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has led to a new website on the progress and road and trail closures. NPS map |
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
HPD ARRESTED 13 MOTORISTS MARCH 11-17. Hawai‘i Police Department arrested 13 for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Four of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. Three were
HPD's Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 205 major crashes so far this year, compared with 200 during the same time last year, an increase of 2.5 percent.
To date, there were eight fatal crashes, resulting in eight fatalities, compared with four fatal crashes, resulting in five fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths) for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 100 percent for fatal crashes and 60 percent for fatalities.
In 2024, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) is zero compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
HPD promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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