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| Photo of South Point hoist where a visitor drowned in January. Nearby a visitor drove his jeep off South Point cliff by accident after midnight this Sunday morning and was rescued by county personnel with help from U.S. Coast Guard. Photo by Peter Anderson |
UNDER A FULL MOON, A VISITOR ACCIDENTALLY DROVE A RENTAL JEEP OFF SOUTH POINT CLIFF after midnight Sunday morning. Hawai'i County Fire Department and Police Department, and U.S. Coast Guard responded for a swimmer in distress at 3:38 a.m.. A rescue chopper flew to the area. They found the man approximately 100 yards off shore.
According to the report, "It was determined that the person accidentally drove his rented Jeep off the cliffs. He was alone in the Jeep. The swimmer was coached to a safe spot at the bottom of the cliffs where he could exit the water. The swimmer remained safely on the shoreline out of the water and surf but was at a 50-60 foot cliff. "The person was retrieved by technical rope by County-02 rescue personnel and brought back to safety awaiting EMS personnel. The person suffered from some facial injuries scratches and slight hypothermia. The person was treated and transported by C-02 and EMS. All units returned to quarters."
On Jan. 13, a 24-year old visitor from South Carolina drowned after jumping off the cliff South Point cliff at the hoist.
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SHINE SISTERHOOD INITIATIVE and Tara Compehos hosted a free monthly easy access prenatal clinic and meeting on Sunday. It's the last Sunday of every month from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 94-2166 South Point Road at the old Kalae Coffee.
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| Tara Compehos offers free prenatal clinics, as a licensed midwife. |
Compehos is a Certified Professional Midwife and founding member of Ka’ū Womenʻs Health Collective. She was Vice Chair of the state's Home Birth Task Force and is licensed as a midwife in Hawai’i and Louisiana. For 18 years she has advocated for peoples’ rights to personal, cultural and traditional birth practices. She teaches Childbirth Education and other classes online and in person.
Compehos provided some background information about access to care in Kaʻū. She said she offers an alternative to "the medical model of care," and noted the shortage of physicians here. In her easy access prenatal clinic, she offers the midwifery model of care, "the antidote to the maternal health care crisis that we are having in our country. Problems in the crisis include: highest maternal mortality and morbidity in all developed nations. This rate is even higher for Hawaiian and African American people. The midwifery model of care holds respect for the intricacy of the natural physiology of childbirth and belief that women's bodies are well designed for birth," said Compehos.
The session on Sunday included a conversation and sharing circle, followed by making tinctures and oils, with herbs such as yarrow, plantain leaf, rose petals, white oak bark and rosemary.
Funding for the clinic is provided by Women's Fund of Hawai'i. One of its supporters is Oprah Winfrey.
For more information about Shine Sisterhood Initiative see: https://shinesisterhoodinitiative.com/
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| National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA recently released this poster of koholā, honoring Hawaiian Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary. Art by Matt McIntosh of NOAA |
The last 2024 statewide count is Saturday, March 30. Locations on this island are Punalu'u Black Sand Beach on the Kaʻū Coast; Ho'okena Beach Park, Honaunau, Keahole Point and Hualalai on the Kona Coast; Pu'ukohola Heiau National Park and Mile Marker 7, Kapa'a Beach Park and Old Coast Guard Road on the Kohala Coast; Onekahakaha Beach Park in Hilo and Hawaiian Paradise Park in Puna.
Register and learn more at https://oceancount.org/.
The Hawaiian word for humpback whales is koholā. The whales come to Hawai'i to give birth, nurse their young and breed before heading north to summer waters.
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AN 18-YEAR-OLD MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE after a head-on crash Sunday afternoon left a 49-year-old man dead.
At 2:13 p.m., police responded to a traffic collision involving two vehicles below the intersection of Ke Ala O Keawe Road and Honaunau Road, near the 1.5-mile marker. Investigators determined that a brown 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV, operated by 18-year-old Keawemauhili Iolanikealoha Navas-Loa of Honaunau, was traveling east (mauka) when it crossed the double solid yellow lines and struck a gray 2003 Honda Accord sedan head-on.
The driver of the Honda Accord, Jerome “Tabu” Chadallen Kahoalii Heath of Kailua-Kona, was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 7:59 p.m.
Two minor children within the Honda Accord, Heath’s 10-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter, were transported to Kona Community Hospital for medical attention and were later discharged after being treated.
Navas-Loa was arrested for second-degree negligent homicide and was later released pending further investigation.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Negligent Homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Ansel Robinson at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at ansel.robinson@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
Mentor Chayanee Brooks said The National Honor Society "is a prestigious organization established in 1921 to recognize and encourage high school students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, exemplary character, dedicated service, and responsible leadership. With over 1.4 million members across the globe, the NHS boasts a rich history and a commitment to fostering well-rounded individuals who make a positive impact in their communities."
It stresses academic excellence, requiring members to maintain a high GPA and demonstrate a commitment to learning.
It promotes service. Giving back is a core principle, with members participating in community service projects.
It develops leadership, cultivating future leaders by encouraging members to take initiative, organize events, participate in student government, and mentor others.
Regarding character, The National Honor Society fosters honesty, integrity, responsibility, and respect.
HPD ARRESTED 15 FOR DUI during the week of Feb. 12, through Feb. 18. Hawai‘i Island police arrested them for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. One of the drivers was involved in a traffic accident. One of the drivers was under the age of 21.
So far this year, there have been 139 DUI arrests compared with 143 during the same period last year, a decrease of 2.8 percent.
HPD’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 121 major crashes so far this year, compared with 131 during the same time last year, a decrease of 7.6 percent.
To date, there have been five fatal crashes, resulting in five fatalities, compared with three fatal crashes, resulting in four fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths) for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 66.7 percent for fatal crashes and 25 percent for fatalities.
In 2024, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) is zero compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
HPD promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.
So far this year, there have been 139 DUI arrests compared with 143 during the same period last year, a decrease of 2.8 percent.
HPD’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 121 major crashes so far this year, compared with 131 during the same time last year, a decrease of 7.6 percent.
To date, there have been five fatal crashes, resulting in five fatalities, compared with three fatal crashes, resulting in four fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths) for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 66.7 percent for fatal crashes and 25 percent for fatalities.
In 2024, the non-traffic fatality count (not on a public roadway) is zero compared to zero non-traffic fatalities for the same time last year.
HPD promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.
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At 2:13 p.m., police responded to a traffic collision involving two vehicles below the intersection of Ke Ala O Keawe Road and Honaunau Road, near the 1.5-mile marker. Investigators determined that a brown 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV, operated by 18-year-old Keawemauhili Iolanikealoha Navas-Loa of Honaunau, was traveling east (mauka) when it crossed the double solid yellow lines and struck a gray 2003 Honda Accord sedan head-on.
The driver of the Honda Accord, Jerome “Tabu” Chadallen Kahoalii Heath of Kailua-Kona, was transported to the Kona Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 7:59 p.m.
Two minor children within the Honda Accord, Heath’s 10-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter, were transported to Kona Community Hospital for medical attention and were later discharged after being treated.
Navas-Loa was arrested for second-degree negligent homicide and was later released pending further investigation.
The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a Negligent Homicide investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Ansel Robinson at (808) 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at ansel.robinson@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
This is the sixth traffic fatality this year compared to four this time last year.
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Honor Society Inductees Names Announced
Inductees to Kaʻū High National Honor Society on Friday are left to right Tyra Wong Yuen, Shaizay Jara, Alajshae Barrios,Tatyahna Kaupu-Embrey, Hokulani Carriaga-Pascual, Kaydence Ebanez-Alcosiba, Janee Bonoan, Megan Pierpont, Patricia Robben, Kona Smith, Stephen Throne, Dakota Seaver, Tancy David, Vladimir Fedoruk, Zayden Gallano, Danny Eder. Laci Ah Yee, Jazelle Amps (online) and Jacelyn Jara (absent from the ceremony). Photo from Ka'u High Honor Society.
It stresses academic excellence, requiring members to maintain a high GPA and demonstrate a commitment to learning.
It promotes service. Giving back is a core principle, with members participating in community service projects.
It develops leadership, cultivating future leaders by encouraging members to take initiative, organize events, participate in student government, and mentor others.
Regarding character, The National Honor Society fosters honesty, integrity, responsibility, and respect.
Leaders at Kaʻū High are teachers David and Chaynee Brooks.
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