Kaʻū News Briefs Nov. 29, 2024

Not Turkey Trotters

    These game birds are hunted and eaten locally. They are Kalij pheasants, which were introduced to a ranch on this island in the 1960s and spread rapidly. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park reports they are frequently seen on park trails. Many visitors mistaken them for the state bird, the nēnē goose. The park post says, "Unfortunately, kalij , also spread the seeds of invasive non-native plants. We are especially grateful for our team that works hard behind the scenes to protect Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park from invasive, non-native introduced pests. While we do not remove Kalij from the park, we do go after invasive plants like Koster's curse, faya, Himalayan raspberry and many others that prevent native plants from thriving. A big mahalo to the volunteers, Guardians of the Trail, our park staff and cooperating partners who keep the heritage in your World Heritage Site!" NPS Photo by Janice Wei

MORE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND DEPUTIES are announced by Hawai‘i County Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda, who will be sworn-in at noon Monday. On Friday, he named administrators to lead four additional departments and offices. “I am excited to continue to grow our team, and I am confident in the skills and experience that each of these leaders brings to the County,” Alameda said. 

Wesley Segawa

    “With these appointees in place, we will work hard to improve our wastewater and solid waste infrastructure, grow our economy, expand affordable housing, and support sustainability across Hawai‘i Island.”
    Selected directors and deputy directors require County Council confirmation. Here are their descriptions from Alameda:
    Department of Environmental Management Director Wesley Segawa

Greg Kawaguchi

holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and has decades of experience in engineering, administration, and project management. He began his professional career as an engineer with Hawaiian Dredging and Construction Company and later established Wesley R. Segawa and Associates, Inc., focusing on public and private engineering and construction management projects.
    Department of Environmental Management Acting Deputy Director Craig Kawaguchi has served as the County’s Recycling Coordinator since 2022 and received the award of County of Hawai‘i Supervisor of the Year in 2024. He

Kehaulani Costa

previously served as an Executive Assistant under Mayor Billy Kenoi and a Recycling Specialist where he assisted with the start of the HI-5 recycling program on Hawai‘i Island. Kawaguchi will serve as acting deputy director until a permanent appointment is made.
   Office of Housing & Community Development Director Kehaulani Costa has worked for the County of Hawai‘i as a Housing Planning Specialist and Division Manager for the Office of Housing & Community Development’s Existing Housing Division, which administers the federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools and University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Costa brings decades of experience in non-profit management, education, and housing policy advocacy to the County.

Keiko Mercado

    Office of Housing & Community Development Deputy Director Keiko Mercado has dedicated her career to serving the people of Hawai‘i Island and nurturing relationships between community and government. Throughout her career, she’s learned that true leadership is rooted in a deep sense of responsibility to serve our community. This commitment has shaped her approach to government work, driving a passion for creating solutions that directly benefit residents and strengthen the fabric of communities across Hawai‘i Island.
   Department of Research & Development Director Benson Medina has served at an executive level in tourism, manufacturing, natural resource development, agricultural tourism and community education. Medina also serves as the President of Hui ʻOihana, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian

Benson Medina

Chamber of Commerce, and is the District Governor Nominee for Rotary International in Hawai‘i. He directed the islandwide 2022 Access to Care survey that provides critical data for healthcare providers on Hawai‘i Island and was the principal grant writer and project manager for the Hawai‘i Ag-Tourism Association. Medina is an active member of Hula Halau O Kawananakoa and speaks frequently on the relationship between Native Hawaiian values and business.
   

Dennis Lin

Department of Research and Development Deputy Director Dennis Lin was recently employed as the Community Relations Administrator for HPM Building Supply where he managed their community outreach and government relations. As an active member in his community, he has served as Chair of the Windward Planning Commission and on numerous community boards and councils. Lin is an active member of the Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce as Vice President and Economic Development Chair, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawai‘i.

Laura Acasio

    Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity & Resilience Administrator Laura Acasio has served the people of Hawai‘i as a former state senator and public school teacher. She currently serves on the County’s Environmental Management Commission and is a member of numerous nonprofit boards, including the governing board for Ka 'Umeke Kāʻeo Hawaiian Immersion Public Charter School and the 
Hui ʻOihana Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce.
    See other administrative picks from earlier this month at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2024_11_22_archive.html.

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CHARGED WITH IDENTY THEFT OF A PERSON OVER 60, a 36-year old Volcano woman is also charged with forging checks and depositing them into her account. Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced the charges against Rebecca Sutliff on Friday. He noted that it is a crime to possess confidential personal information of a person over the age of 60 without authorization.
    According to police reports, Sutliff is alleged to have forged six checks for a total of $1,950.00 and deposited the funds into her own personal account via ATM (automated teller machine) between July 20 and July 29, 2024.

Rebecca Sutliff

    A warrant of arrest was issued on Nov. 25 and Sutliff was arrested on Nov. 29. Sutliff made her initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Friday afternoon. Her bail was maintained at $116,000.00 and she was ordered to appear for preliminary hearing on Tuesday. As the Complaint alleges, Sutliff is charged with 19 offenses including six counts of Identity Theft in the Second Degree, five counts of Theft in the Second Degree (theft of property, the value of which exceeds $250, from a person 60 years of age or older), five counts of Forgery in the Second Degree, and a single count each of Unauthorized Possession of Confidential Personal Information, Theft in the Third Degree, and Theft in the Fourth Degree. 
    Identity Theft in the Second Degree is a class B felony offense which carries a penalty of either a ten-year prison term or four years probation and up to 18 months in jail. Forgery in the Second Degree and Theft in the Second Degree, are both class C felony offenses, which carry a penalty of either a five-year prison term or four years probation and up twelve months in jail. The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
    The case was initiated by Officer Shaneil Azevedo, Puna Patrol, previously assigned to South Hilo Patrol, and Christopher Barto, South Hilo Patrol. The felony investigation was led by Detective Jenny Lee, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Georgia Berrenberg.
    "The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment," said Hawai'i' County's Prosecuting Attorney. "Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. #hawaiiprosecutors #hawaiipolicedepartment #."

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