Kaʻū News Briefs Dec. 3, 2024

County Council members took the oath Monday and Kaʻū's Hunnay Demelo danced for them. Council members followed
 up with their first meeting of the new term. Photo by Julia Neal

Kaʻū is located in County Council District 6, in
light blue, which covers a large chunk of the
 island's 5,086.70 square miles. Its council
 member Michelle Galimba, who covers it all,
was sworn in for a new term on Monday
 and received her committee assignment.
Map from County of Hawai'i

HAWAI'I COUNTY COUNCIL HELD ITS FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW TERM on Monday after swearing in ceremonies at Keauhou. Council members officially took their committee posts.

    Kaʻū council member Michelle Galimba chairs Committee on Communications, Reports, & Council Oversight. Kona council member Rebecca Villegas is Vice Chair.
    Kona council member Holeka Goro chairs the entire council and runs the meetings. Hilo council member Dennis “Fresh” Onishi is Vice Chair.
    Puna council member Matt Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder chairs Committee on Finance. Kohala council member James Hustace is Vice Chair.
    Hilo council member Jenn Kagiwada chairs Committee on Governmental Operations & External Affairs. Council member Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder is Vice Chair.
    Hilo though Hāmākua council member Heather Kimball chairs Committee on Legislative Approvals & Acquisitions. Hilo council member Fresh Onishi is Vice Chair.
    Puna council member Ashley Kierkiewicz chairs Police Committee on Health, Safety & Well-Being. Council member Heather Kimball is Vice Chair.
   North and South Kohala Council member James Hustace chairs Policy Committee on Public Works & Mass Transit. Council member Ashley Kierkiewicz is Vice Chair.
    Kona and South Kona Council member Rebecca Villegas chairs Policy Committee on Environmental & Natural Resource Management. Council member Jenn Kagiwada is Vice Chair.

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The new administration of Mayor Kimo Alameda shelved admission fees for Pana'ewa Zoo between Hilo and Kaʻū.
Photo from County of Hawai'i

KEEP THE ZOO FREE FOR NOW, SAYS NEW MAYOR KIMO ALAMEDA. The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks & Recreation announced on Tuesday that it is suspending plans to introduce admission fees for the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens to allow the issue to be further reviewed and studied.

    "The Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens is one of the County's gems and it is important that we

Tzatziki and Sriracha at Pana'ewa Zoo. Photo from County of Hawai'i

continue to steward this facility and ensure that residents can enjoy it fairly and equitably," said Alameda. "Introducing admission fees is a big step that requires careful consideration from our administration with input from the public and community stakeholders."
Under rule changes proposed by the prior administration, admission fees of $4 per adult and $1 per child for residents and $12 per adult and $5 per child for non-residents would have been implemented on Jan. 2. Currently, admission to the zoo is free.
    "We will study this matter carefully before deciding if any such actions are warranted," Alameda continued. "In the meantime, please continue to enjoy the zoo with free admission."
    The zoo is part of the County-owned Pana'ewa Recreational Complex that also includes the Pana'ewa Equestrian Center. As part of this action, proposed rule changes for the equestrian center are also being suspended for further review.

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A 70 YEAR-OLD BICYCLIST FROM VOLCANO was severely injured in a hit and run accident at the intersection of Hwy 11 and Namakanipaio Campground on Tuesday morning. The location is within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Witnesses and anyone with information are urged to contact Officer Meagan Kubojiri at (808) 985-6170 or email Meagan_Kubojiri@nps.gov. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can call the NPS tip line at (888) 653-0009 or email nps_isb@nps.gov.
    The Park statement says the cyclist "was severely injured after being struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run incident." The National Park Service law enforcement officers have launched an investigation and urge anyone with information to come forward.

    The incident occurred around 9:20 a.m. The vehicle was described by witnesses as gold-colored sedan.

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HPD ARRESTED 13 MOTORISTS FOR DUI between Nov. 18 and 24. Hawai'i Island police made the arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. One driver was involved in a traffic accident. One was under the age of 21.

    So far this year, there have been 873 DUI arrests compared with 848 during the same period last year. This is an increase of 2.95 percent.

    HPD’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 891 major crashes so far this year, compared with 762 during the same time last year. This represents an increase of 17 percent.

    To date, there were 26 fatal crashes, resulting in 28 fatalities (three of which had multiple deaths, one was reclassified as suicide, one reclassified as a medical condition, two died at a later date, and one not counted - did not occur on a public roadway). This compares to 14 fatal crashes, with 15 fatalities (one crash with multiple deaths, one victim died at a later date, and one crash was reclassified as a medical condition) for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 85.7 percent for fatal crashes and 86.7 percent for fatalities.
    To date, the non-traffic fatality count so far this year is 1 compared to 0 non-traffic fatalities (not on a public roadway) for the same time last year.
   Police promise that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

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