Pohakuloa Training Area convoys slated today
Pohakuloa Training Area convoys slated today
Oahu-based units are scheduled to convoy between Pohakuloa Training Area and Kawaihae Harbor today.
From 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., convoys will travel from PTA to Kawaihae, using the Daniel K. Inouye and Mamalahoa highways, Waikoloa Road, Queen Kaahumanu Highway and the Akoni Pule corridor. Military police will escort the convoys.
The U.S. Army is working closely with the Hawaii County Police Department to coordinate the convoys. Motorists are advised to be alert and drive with care.
Road closures planned for Keauhou triathlon
The following road and lane closures will be in effect Sunday for the Lavaman Keauhou triathlon:
• Kaleiopapa Drive will be closed in both directions between Alii Drive and Keauhou Bay from 6 to 11:30 a.m.
• The Mamalahoa bypass will be closed in both directions from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Alii Drive will be closed in both directions between Kamehameha III Road and Alii Drive’s terminus with the Mamalahoa bypass from 7 to 11:30 a.m.
• The northbound lane of Alii Drive, between Kamehameha III Road and the intersection of Palani Road and Kuakini Highway, will be closed from 7 to 9:30 a.m.
• Kuakini Highway will be closed in both directions between Palani Road and Loloku Street from 7:30 to 10 a.m.
• Loloku Street will be closed in both directions from 7:30 to 10 a.m.
c The mauka lane Alapa Street will be closed between Kaiwi Street and Makala Boulevard from 7:30 to 10 a.m.
• Makala Boulevard’s right turn lane onto Queen Kaahumanu Highway will be closed from 7:30 to 10 a.m.
• The southbound lanes of Queen Kaahumanu Highway will be closed between Makala Boulevard and Palani Road from 7:30 to 10 a.m.
• Kaiwi Street will be closed in both directions between Queen Kaahumanu and Kuakini highways from 7:30 to 10 a.m.
• The southbound lane of Kuakini Highway, between Palani and Kamehameha III roads, will be closed from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Detours to Alii Drive will be via Hualalai and Lunapule roads and Lako Street.
• One lane of Kamehameha III Road, between Kuakini Highway and Alii Drive, will be closed between 7:30 and 10 a.m.
The Keauhou Small Boat Harbor’s boat ramp will also be closed from 5 to 11:30 a.m.
Local traffic will be allowed access in some areas as safety permits.
For more information, call 329-9718 or visit lavamantriathlon.com.
Officers receive awards for injuries while on duty
Hawaii County Police Department officers Joshua Gouveia and Garrett Hatada were both awarded the Police Cross on Friday by Chief Harry S. Kubojiri. The award is given to officers who receive life-threatening injuries as a result of hostile/adversary action while in the performance of official police duties.
Gouveia and Hatada received the award after both suffering gunshot wounds in connection with a shooting incident Jan. 2 in Hilo. About 7:45 p.m., police responded to a report of several gunshots fired in the area of Kilauea Avenue near the Wailoa River. At approximately 8:52 p.m., while checking parked vehicles in the area, officers observed a man hiding under one of the vehicles. Upon approaching him, Gouveia and Hatada were fired upon and suffered gunshot injuries. One of the officers was able to return fire.
The suspect, 31-year-old Keaka D. Martin of Hilo, fled the area on foot and was captured the next day, according to the department. He was charged Jan. 4 two counts of first-degree attempted murder, second-degree reckless endangering, place to keep a firearm, possessing a loaded firearm on a highway, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, ownership/possession of a firearm prohibited, and altering the identification markings on a firearm.
During the presentation of the awards, Kubujiri commended both men. He noted how Gouveia’s first thoughts after getting shot was concern for the safety of his fellow officers and how Hatada fired at the assailant in protection of others and did not mention his wounds until several minutes later.
Eminent domain plan for bypass moves forward
The Hawaii County Council voted Wednesday unanimously in favor of a resolution allowing the county to begin eminent domain proceedings to acquire the necessary property to finish the Mamalahoa bypass.
Resolution 223, which still requires a second reading and vote by the full council, calls for the acquisition of five parcels, comprising 7.2 acres, to complete development and construction of the last phase of the project, from the bypass’ intersection with Halekii Street to the intersection of Mamalahoa Highway and Napoopoo Road. The council voted 9-0 in favor of the resolution on the first reading.
The remaining portion of the road, to Napoopoo Junction, is estimated to cost $27 million to complete. The council approved paying the Edward Seiji Ikeda Revocable Trust $54,050 for a 3.4-square-foot parcel that will be used as right of way and drainage during its August meeting.
Hawaii County officials have planned for a Mamalahoa bypass in South Kona going back to the late 1970s. When 1250 Oceanside Partners went through the rezoning and subdivision process for Hokulia in 1994, county officials required the developer to build the bypass between Keauhou and Captain Cook. That requirement was finalized in a 1998 development agreement. Years of litigation followed involving the county, developer, bond insurer and a private landowner.
The first 3.5-mile portion of the bypass was built by the developer and opened in 2009, allowing traffic in one direction during limited hours. The county later negotiated the bypass open for two-way use between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. It reopened full time in January.
Hilo man facing burglary, theft charges at school
A 21 year-old Hilo man is facing burglary and theft charges stemming from separate residential burglaries and a theft that occurred at a Hilo school.
Kalei Kaina Kaaumoana was charged Friday with two counts of first-degree burglary and three counts of second-degree theft, according to the Hawaii County Police Department. Kaaumoana’s bail was set at $80,000. His initial court appearance is slated for Monday.
Kaaumoana’s charges stem from several reported burglaries and a theft including an Oct. 23 burglary in which a 91-year-old woman told police that her residence had been entered and several items taken, an Oct. 30 burglary in which a 36 year-old man reported that his residence was entered and several items were taken, and an Oct. 21 theft of a Kamaka ukulele from a Hilo area school, according to police.
Mobile carriers to stop billing third-party charges
The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Office of Consumer Protection announced late Wednesday that three of the nation’s largest mobile phone carriers — AT&T Mobility, Sprint and T-Mobile — will no longer charge customers for commercial premium short messaging services, also known as “premium text messages.”
The messages account for the majority of third-party charges on cellphones and for the majority of complaints about “cramming,” or unauthorized third-party charges, according to the office.
Consumers can guard against mobile cramming by check monthly wireless phone charges thoroughly and noting the services you have not ordered or calls you have not made; taking a closer look if a flat-rate plan increases in price by a few dollars; and keeping an eye out for generic-sounding services and fees like “minimum use fee,” “voicemail fee” or “member fee,” according to the office.
The office said it will continue to work with other states for industry reforms and to recover money for Hawaii consumers victimized by cramming.
The Office of Consumer Protection is the primary Hawaii state agency responsible for reviewing, investigating and prosecuting allegations of unfair or deceptive trade practices in consumer transactions.
Grand jury indicts former kickboxing champion
HONOLULU — A former world kickboxing champion has been indicted on federal charges of theft of public money, money laundering and tax and wire fraud.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported 54-year-old Dennis Alexio and his wife Anitalei were indicted Nov. 13.
The indictment was sealed until the couple appeared Thursday in U.S. District Court. Both pleaded not guilty.
Dennis Alexio is in custody. A bail hearing is scheduled for Monday.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard L. Puglisi granted Anitalei Alexio her release on $25,000 unsecured signature bond.
Hawaii News Now reported the federal indictment lists more than 40 counts and that Anitalei Alexio and her lawyer had no comment as they left the federal courthouse. A trial is scheduled for January.
Maui police say traffic deaths have dropped
WAILUKU, Maui — Maui police are crediting a drop in traffic deaths to more suspected drunken driving arrests and traffic enforcement.
The Maui News reported Friday that Lt. Ricky Uedoi, commander of the police traffic section, said the numbers are a direct reflection of the work of the officers.
There have been 13 traffic deaths in Maui County this year, down about one-third compared with previous years. Uedoi said four were alcohol-related and one was drug-related. That’s down from 20 deaths during the same time frame in 2012.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving said about half the traffic deaths in all of Hawaii involve alcohol.
Uedoi said the number of suspected DUI arrests in Maui is up 20 percent to 943 through the end of October, compared with 786 arrests during the same time frame last year.
By local and wire sources