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Monday, May 15, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, May 15, 2023

Air tours over Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park are promoted in this photo from hawaiitours.com.

AIR TOUR MANAGEMENT PLANNING FOR HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK seeks public feedback. National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration have published their Draft Air Tour Management Plan and environmental assessment. They encourage anyone with interest or concern about air tours over Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to review and comment through the project website and during a zoom public meeting on Wednesday, June 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Zoom Link will be https://faavideo.zoomgov.com/j/1615197156. Passcode: 246810. A Google Form for Questions is at https://forms.gle/NK67Ue1cGg25twoZ.
    The proposed plan would:  Authorize up to 1,565 air tours per year over Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on three defined routes; designate Wednesdays for quiet-technology flights only during the hours of 9
An air tour over Hawai'i Volcano National Park crater shown
 by www.lovebigisland.com
 a.m. to 5 p.m.;  designate no-fly days on Sundays and establish specified flight times of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for non-QT flights and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for QT flights.  
    Public feedback can be submitted through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website starting this Tuesday, May 16 through June 16 at 8 p.m.. NPS and FAA will consider comments to help inform the final ATMP 
for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. See
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkID=307&projectID=103522.
Ten operators reported an average of 11,376 flights per year at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park between 2017 and 2019. NPS and FAA are working towards completing the air tour management plan for Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park by Dec. 31. The schedule is part of a plan approved by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for the agencies to comply with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000.     

    A statement from Hawai'i Volcanoes says, "An important part of the process is the inclusion of Native Hawaiian groups and individuals. The agencies are consulting with Native Hawaiian organizations and other groups that have lands adjacent to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and with Kūpuna (elders) and individuals who attach historic and cultural significance to resources within the park." 

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ANOTHER PEDESTRIAN WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE AT NIGHT ON HWY 11. This time it was fatal on Sunday night in Glenwood, following the hit and run in Captain Cook on Saturday.        According to Hawai'i Police Department, the second accident occurred Sunday around 9:45 p.m. fronting Glenwood Park. HPD reported that the driver of a 2003 Tacoma pickup who claimed he thought he hit a pig, kept going to a friend's house, returned to the scene, found the man, called 911 and gave CPR to the unresponsive victim. The 40-year old victim was later pronounced dead. The driver, 34-year old Patrick Murphy, of Mountain View, is being held by police at Hilo cellblock pending charges of first-degree negligent homicide, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to give information or render aid. The victim is the ninth motor vehicle fatality of this year.
     Police ask for witnesses to come forward. Contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
    Regarding the hit and run in South Kona on Saturday night, Hawai‘i Island police arrested and charged the driver that left a 24-year-old male pedestrian critically injured. Alec Lyle Timpson, age 30, of Captain Cook, turned himself in to police Sunday, at 11:25 a.m., at Kealakehe Police Station after police issued a media release describing the vehicle involved in the collision. Police investigators also recovered a silver 2001 Ford F-150 pickup truck as evidence.
Alec Lyle Timpson
    The hit-and-run collision took place Saturday evening on Hwy 11, near the 110-mile marker in South Kona. Responding to an 8:46 p.m. call, police determined that an unknown vehicle was heading south on Highway 11 when it struck the male pedestrian, who was walking south across the highway in the southbound lane. The pedestrian was not in the marked crosswalk when he was struck. The driver of fled and failed to render aid to the pedestrian.
    The male pedestrian, who has not been positively identified, was transported to the Kona Community Hospital and transferred
to Queens Medical Center on O'ahu for further treatment, where he is listed in critical condition.
    After conferring with County Prosecutors Office, police charged Timpson with: First-degree negligent injury and failure to give information or render aid for accidents involving death or serious bodily injury. His bail is set at $7,250. Timpson is held at the Kealakehe Police Station cellblock pending his initial court appearance.
    HPD sent out an announcement saying, "Police would like to thank the public for their assistance in this investigation." Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent injury investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Adam Roberg at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229 or email at adam.roberg@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
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Charlene Iboshi of aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai'i,
Mayor Mitch Roth, Police Chief Benjamin Moskawicz, 
Pastor Renee Godoy and County Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen
  with Police Week Proclamation. Photo from HPD
POLICE WEEK FESTIVITIES ARE LINED UP ACROSS THE ISLAND. Hawai‘i Island residents and visitors are invited to events including station tours, during the national event.
    Police Week nationally supports police work and recognizes officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed every May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as National Police Week. In Hawaiʻi County, Police Week activities take place through Friday, May 19.
   A formal Police Week ceremony was held  Monday with
 a new name unveiled on the Memorial Wall. HPD recently learned that Police Capt, T. Simeona was murdered in a shootout with a suspect in North Kohala on September 25, 1890. Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz said,“Back in 1890, the department as we know it today did not exist. Rather, officers were overseen by a sheriff,
Officer Manuel Cadinha who gave his
life in 1918 when he was hit on the 
head while serving a warrant. 
Photo from HPD
who was appointed by a police marshal on O'ahu, who in turn was appointed by the king. While not technically a member of the department, we consider Capt. Simeona a part of our law enforcement ‘ohana. We are pleased he is finally being recognized and honor
Officer William Oili, who gave his 
life attempting to rescue two men who were
drowning in 1936. Photo from HPD 

ed for the ultimate sacrifice he made protecting our island community.”  A second ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 16, at 10 a.m. at Kona police station. Both ceremonies were planned with pre-ceremony entertainment and a tribute to Hawaiʻi County officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.             
In addition to Simeona, they are:
• Officer Manuel Cadinha, who gave his life in 1918.

• Officer William “Red” Oili, who gave his life in 1936.
• Officer Ronald “Shige” Jitchaku, who gave his life in 1990.
• Officer Kenneth Keliipio, who gave his life in 1997.
• Park Ranger Steve Makuakane-Jarrell, who gave his life in 1999.
• Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa, who was killed in the line of duty on July 18, 2018.
    During Police Week, members of the public are encouraged to attend tours at the Hilo and Kona Police stations on Friday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call Sergeant Amy Omaya at (808) 961-2264 to schedule an appointment.

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2023 OUTSTANDING OLDER AMERICAN AWARD NOMINEES from Volcano to Ocean View were named recently, with winners honored last Friday. See story on island wide winner Fely Villegas, 76, of Pāhala, in last Sunday's Kaʻū News Briefs. Other Nominees from Volcano to Ocean View were:
    Mahealani Yong Snell, 69, of Volcano. She has been a Red Cross volunteer since 2011, handling casework assigned to her. She is President of Volcano Senior Club and a board member and secretary of Volcano Community Association. She has worked a  volunteer at Puna Covenant Church in women's ministry, service to the homeless and for an international justice mission.
    Bridget. Pittman, 67, of Nā'ālehu: She is a member of Nā'ālehu Methodist Church and volunteers for the Food Bank. She helps to pick up Senior Nutrition Program participants and lunch pick-ups from Nā'ālehu School Cafeteria. Pitman also volunteers as an Arts & Crafts designer. She is always learning new things and registered to join Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi to further her educational skills and practices.
    Lucy Rogge, 84, of Ocean View: She moved to Ocean View with the love of her life over 13 years ago and helped to establish the first Pickle Ball Court at Kahuku County Park. On her hands and knees she painted the lines for the court and played pickle ball until 2018. There are about 20 regular players continuing to enjoy pickle ball at Kahuku as a result of Rogge's effort.
    Carl Ferrin, 70, Ocean View: He enjoys helping people, especially those in need, offering rides to anyone who needs one. He is known for his very good mood. He served in the Navy and volunteers at the Food Basket.