Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday Dec. 27, 2022

Hawai'i Life Flight is supported by Hawai'i National Guard as Life Flight begins to come out of its safety stand down following one of its planes and crew gong missing Dec. 16 between Maui and Hawai'i Island. Photo from Hawai'i Life Flight

EMERGENCY MEDICAL AIRLIFTS by Hawai'i National Guard will continue. Gov. Josh Green, M.D. extended the emergency proclamation on Tuesday in response to the recent Hawaiʻi Life Flight accident. A statement from the governor's office says, "Currently, Hawaiʻi Life Flight is in a transition phase as its local crews steadily come back online and the company begins the process of coming out of its 'safety stand down.' The extension of this emergency proclamation allows our state to continue providing staffing resources needed to ensure seamless availability of emergency transportation."
    On Friday, Dec. 16, an emergency proclamation was issued in response to the Hawaiʻi Life Flight air
medical aircraft that went missing in ʻAlenuihāhā Channel while en route from Maui to pick up a patient in Kamuela on Hawai'i Island. "This emergency proclamation activated collaborative efforts to add personnel, airframes, and other important resources to care for 52 patients, to date," according to the governor's statement.
   "By coordinating efforts between Hawaiʻi Life Flight, the State Department of Health, the Army National Guard, the Coast Guard, the mayors, and medical facilities throughout the state, we helped to ensure that emergency transport was available for critically ill patients, especially those throughout our neighbor island communities. Together, we worked collaboratively and maintained emergency air medical transport," said Green.
    "I am so proud of the Hawaiʻi National Guard's professionalism and responsiveness while providing critical patient air transport support over an eight-day period. The operations aligned with the State's priority of saving lives and preventing human suffering," said Major General Kenneth Hara.
    The disaster emergency relief period for this emergency proclamation will continue through Friday, Jan. 6, unless terminated or superseded by a separate proclamation, whichever occurs first.

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THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY IS ASKING FOR PUBLIC INPUT for a survey ahead of the opening of the 2023 Hawai'i Legislature. Kelden Waltjen, Prosecuting Attorney for Hawai'i County, invites citizens to take the Legislative Initiatives Survey online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ProsecutorsSurvey2023.
     Issues include such matters as seeking harsher penalties and accountability for domestic abuse, fentanyl possession, drug distribution resulting in serious injury or death, felons in possession of firearms, and driving under the influence, the construction of a new correctional facility on Hawai‘i Island, increasing funding for substance abuse and mental health treatment providers, and to obtain data for the consideration of future legislative measures that address crime in our community.
    The statement from the Prosecuting Attorney says, "Over the past year, our Office has met with community groups, neighborhood watches, community stakeholders, and citizens about their concerns and interests. In an effort to ensure that our community’s views are properly represented, our Office intends to share this survey’s results to serve as a guide for our Hawai‘i Island legislative delegation, and the Hawai‘i County Council and Mayor."
   Data obtained from the survey last year was used and relied upon in the passing of Act 54, introduced by Rep. Greggor Ilagan) and Ordinance 22-36 (introduced by Councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz). Act 54 added theft of a motor vehicle and motorcycle to the offense of Theft in the First
Degree, a class B felony, thereby increasing the penalties associated with motor vehicle and motorcycle theft across the State. Ordinance 22-36, in-part, amended Chapter 4 of the Hawai‘i County Code to establish harsher penalties, including felony offenses, for dog owners in relation to dog attacks that resulted in serious or substantial bodily injury or death.
    "This simple 13 question, yes/no answer survey includes relevant legal background information for each of the initiatives. We hope to utilize the data collected to encourage our Hawai‘i State and County lawmakers to propose legislation that will enact positive changes within our criminal justice system and make our community a safer place," says the Prosecuting Attorney's statement.

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POLICE HAVE LOCATED OCEAN VIEW RESIDENT, 42-year-old Ronald Patrick Keahonui Kahihikolo, who has been wanted since July 2021 for three outstanding arrest warrants, as well as for questioning in several other criminal investigations.


    On Sunday, Dec. 25 at 12:54 p.m. Kona Patrol officers responded to a residence in the 78-6800 block of Mamalahoa Highway in Kailua-Kona regarding the location of a stolen motorcycle. Upon arrival, officers located the stolen motorcycle and Kahihikolo, who was subsequently taken into custody.
OV resident arrested is
Ronald Patrick Keahonui
    Personnel from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section continued their investigation into additional criminal investigations that Kahihikolo is suspected to be involved in, including several motor vehicle thefts and an incident involving a discharge of a firearm.
    On Monday Dec. 26, after conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, Kahihikolo was charged with: one count of first-degree bail jumping; one count criminal contempt of court; and one count violation of terms and conditions of release on bail, recognizance, or supervised release. Kahihikolo’s bail was set at $7,000 and he was released after posting bail.
    The other investigations Kahihikolo is suspected of being involved in will be forwarded to, and reviewed by, the County Prosecutor’s Office with charges possibly filed at a later date.

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LEX BRODIE'S IS NO LONGER A PLACE TO DROP OFF USED MOTOR OIL. Effective January 1, 2023, Lex Brodie's Tire and Service in Hilo will no longer be participating in the Do-It-Yourself Used
Motor Oil Recycling Program. The County advises: "Please do not abandon used motor oil at this site. Visit http://www.hawaiizerowaste.org for more information on used motor oil collection sites.
    This program is made possible by the generous support of local businesses that voluntarily collect used motor oil from do-it-yourselfers. "Continuation of this program will be put at risk if used motor oil is dropped-off at sites after hours," says the statement from the County.
    Businesses wanting to participate in the Do-It-Yourself Used Motor Oil Recycling Program can email mailto:diyumo@hawaiicounty.gov for more information.


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UPCOMING EVENTS

Christmas Lights & Icons Show continues to brighten up the corner of Lehua and Palm in Ranchos at Ocean View every evening. See story at www.kaucalendar.com.

Holiday Lighting and Decor dress up the cottages at Kīlauea Military Camp for the public to see. See story at www.kaucalendar.com.

Christmas in the Country is ongoing until the New Year at Volcano Art Center Gallery and VAC's Ni’aulani Campus. See story at kaucalendar.com.

The Hiking Incentive Program at Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park wraps up at the end of year. For the Kūkini Challenge, hikers, and walkers can turn in miles, recording them at the Visitor Contact Station for a chance to win a silver water flask and accolades for the fourth quarter of 2022.

FREE FOOD

St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View.
   Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Masks and social distancing required.

Ka'ū Food Pantry Distribution, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 9:30 a.m. until pau at St. Jude's Episcopal Church above Kahuku Park in Ocean View. Sponsored by Hawai'i Island Food Basket.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Pantry Food Distribution, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 10 a.m. until pau at Ka'ū District Gym in Pāhala. Sponsored by Hawai'i Island Food Basket.

Cooper Center Community Pantry Food Distribution, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 9:30 a.m - 11 a.m. at 19- 4030 Wright Road in Volcano. Sponsored by Hawai'i Island Food Basket.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

See The Ka'ū Calendar in the mail and in stands from Volcano through Miloli'i. Also see stories daily on Facebook and at www.kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com.
OUTDOOR MARKETS

Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

Ocean View Swap Meet at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks required.

The Book Shack is open every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Kauaha'ao Congregational Church grounds at 95-1642 Pinao St. in Wai'ōhinu.

See daily, weekly, and monthly events, and more, on page 8 and page 9 of the monthly print edition.