Oahu-based military units will make several convoys from Kawaihae Harbor to Pohakuloa Training Area between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. beginning on Sunday, according to the U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa.
PTA convoys
may snarl traffic
Oahu-based military units will make several convoys from Kawaihae Harbor to Pohakuloa Training Area between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. beginning on Sunday, according to the U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa.
The convoys are planned for Sunday through Tuesday and again on Thursday and Saturday, according to the office. They will travel via Saddle Road, Mamalahoa Highway, Waikoloa Road, Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Kawaihae Road.
Motorists are advised to be alert and drive with care, the office stated.
For more information, call the garrison’s Public Affairs Officer Bob McElroy at 969-2427.
Man killed
in Mountain View crash
A 28-year-old Mountain View man is dead following a two-car crash early Friday on Highway 11 in Mountain View.
The victim has been identified as Waimoku T. Lum Ho, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Lum Ho was driving a southbound 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck when he apparently rear-ended a 2009 Dodge Ram flatbed truck that was also traveling south, according to police. Lum Ho was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the 1:27 a.m. crash.
Lum Ho, who according to the Hawaii Fire Department had to be extricated from the vehicle, was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he died at 2:50 a.m.
The driver of the Dodge, a 39-year-old Volcano man, was not injured, according to police.
Police said speed was a factor in the crash, however, it is unknown if alcohol or drugs were contributing factors.
Highway 11 was closed in the area for a several hours while police and fire personnel were on scene, according to police. Traffic was detoured via Old Volcano Road.
A negligent homicide investigation has been initiated and police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Anyone with information on the crash should call Officer Paul Kim at 961-2332.
This is the ninth fatality on Big Island public roads this year compared with six at this time in 2011, according to police.
Not guilty plea
in fatal 2009 crash
A 27-year-old Kailua-Kona woman recently pleaded not guilty to a negligent homicide charge stemming from a 2009 fatal crash at the Kuakini Highway and Hualalai Road intersection.
Veronica Mercado-Santana on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to second-degree negligent homicide before 3rd Circuit Court Judge Glenn Hara in Hilo. Hara set her trial for 8 a.m. July 31 in Kona before 3rd Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Strance.
The negligent homicide charge stems from the Feb. 6, 2009, death of 29-year-old Steven L. Carvalho of Kailua-Kona according to a 3rd Circuit Court complaint filed Jan. 26 by Hawaii County Deputy Prosecutor Kimberly Taniyama.
Carvalho was operating a 2003 Suzuki motorcycle and traveling north on Kuakini Highway when a southbound 2006 Toyota van driven by Mercado-Santana apparently failed to yield the right-of-way to Carvalho and made a left turn in front of the motorcycle, according to police.
Carvalho, who was not wearing a helmet, was transported to Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to police.
Meeting in Honokaa to focus on Ahualoa Well developments
A community meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Honokaa High and Intermediate School cafeteria for an update from the county Department of Water Supply.
The water department has accelerated construction of a water transmission line for the $13 million Ahualoa Well Development project to April 16. This will cause traffic redirection and possible road closures.
The project includes outfitting of the existing Ahualoa Well, construction of a 1 million gallon tank and related facilities and installation of about 26,000 feet of waterline from the well along Mamalahoa Highway to Honokaa town. Goodfellow Bros. Inc. is the contractor, and the project is expected to be completed by June 2013.
By local sources