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 transferredto 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

• 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.