The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island: Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022

Nīnole Bridge, above, which was torn down, will be memorialized along with Hīlea Bridge, also torn down, the two replaced
with safer bridges. The fed and state ask for public input on educational displays to be created for the old bridges and surrounding areas at Pāhala and Nā’ālehu Libraries. Photo from state Department of Transportation

THE HISTORIC BRIDGES TAKEN DOWN FOR SAFETY AT NINOLE AND HILEA on Hwy. 11 will be memorialized in a display at Nā’ālehu and Pāhala Public Libraries. The Federal Highway Administration, state Department of Transportation and state Historic Preservation Office are seeking public input. The Federal Highway Administration signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the state Historic Preservation Office, under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act "because the replacement bridges required demolition of the existing historic bridges," according to a community outreach message from FHWA.

This historic photo of Hīlea Bridge was submitted
to www.bridgehunters.com by Erick Castillo

According to FHWA, "The interpretive materials for public display will include a summary of the character defining features including the engineering and design for the Hīlea and Nīnole Bridges and will discuss the portion of Highway 11 that extend through the project area of potential effect that was constructed in the late 1930's and early 1940's, likely around the time of the construction of Hīlea and Nīnole Bridges. Also to be highlighted is the 1940 straightening of the Old Government Road that is northwest of the project Area of Potential Effect. The FHWA will prepare the interpretive materials and will consult with the SHPD and consulting parties during the development of such materials.

The initial plan is for a two-panel, free-standing display at Pāhala and Nā’ālehu Libraries.

The organizers of the display request suggestions by Sept. 15. For answers to questions and additional information, contact Lisa Hemesath at lisa.hemesath@dot.gov or at (720) 963-3473. Or contact FHWA’s environmental consultant Kristen Nishimura at Kristen.Nishimura@jacobs.com.

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Gov. David Ige will visit the Museum of Japanese Emigration to Hawai'i during his trip to
Japan, which began on Thursday. Photo from the Museum

The Atomic Bomb Dome at Hiroshima Peace Memorial survived the
nuclear blast that killed more than 140,000 people at the end of WWII.
Gov. David Ige will lay a wreath there during his visit this week to Japan.
Photo from Wikipedia

GOV. DAVID IGE TRAVELED TO JAPAN ON THURSDAY for sister-state missions in Hiroshima and Yamaguchi Prefecture. While in Yamaguchi Prefecture, the governor will meet with Gov. Tsugumasa Muraoka, visit the Museum of Japanese Emigration to Hawaiʻi, and participate in a sister-state signing ceremony and reception.
The governor is also scheduled to visit Matsuyama City and Ehime Prefecture, where he will meet with Gov. Tokihiro Nakamura. Gov. Ige is scheduled to stop in Uwajima City, and Uwajima Fisheries High
School, where he will pay respects at the memorial honoring the nine people killed in the 2001 collision between the fishery training ship Ehime Maru and the USS Greeneville nuclear submarine.
While in Hiroshima Prefecture, the governor will meet with Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki and mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the sister-state agreement between Hiroshima and the State of Hawaiʻi. The governor will also visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and lay a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
Other engagements include a stop at Osakikamijima Island for a visit to the Carbon Neutral Facility.Lt. Gov. Josh Green serves as acting governor until Gov. Ige returns to Hawaiʻi on Sept. 3.

THE BAND KAʻŪ TRAVELS TO KONA THIS SATURDAY. With Demetrius Oliviera and Leka Gravela in the lead, the band will perform at this year's Kona Summer Bash, Aug. 27.
Kaʻū will share the stage with Kapena, Ho Aikane, B.E.T. and the Opihi Pickers. Tickets for the day are $40 presale and $55 at the gate. The location is the KBXEXTREME parking lot in Kailua-Kona. The gates open at 3 p.m., with music beginning at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.Ekolumusic.com.

The Band Kaʻū performed its first hit songs more than 20 years ago. Discography of The Band Kaʻū include Easy on the Eyes, Neon Moon, Shake You Down, Footprints in the Sand and Ka'u Boardwalk Angel.

See historic photos of The Band Kaʻū, including former bass player Dane Sesson, and find links to recorded music and more at https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheBandKau/posts/

NINETEEN MOTORISTS WERE ARRESTED FOR DUI during the week of Aug. 15 - 21. Hawai`i Island police arrested 19 for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Five of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. Two of the drivers were under the age of 21.

Through Aug. 21, there were 651 DUI arrests compared with 713 during the same period last year, a decrease of 8.7 percent. There were 517 major accidents this year compared with 512 during the same period last year. This is an increase of 1.0 percent.
As of Aug. 21, there were 23 fatal crashes (one fatal crash reclassified on 5/30/22 due to a medical condition) resulting in 25 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths, and one of which was reclassified due to a medical condition), compared with 14 fatal crashes, resulting in 14 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents is an increase of 64.3 percent for fatal crashes, and 78.6 percent for fatalities.
HPD promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022