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| Protesters held signs along Hwy. 11 Saturday in advance of the public hearing on new development proposed for Punalu'u in a Special Management Area designed to protect resources near the ocean. Photo by Ophir Danenberg |
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| Protesters stood in opposition to the proposed Punalu'u development on Saturday at Hwy 11 and the road into Punalu'u. Photo by Ophir Danenberg |
The proposal by Black Sand Beach, LLC would create a Wellness Center, restore the Aspen Center, as well as golf and tennis venues and build some 225 residential and transient units on the more than 400 acres makai of Hwy 11, all more than a fifth of a mile from the shore. It would also put an open market and restaurant near Punalu'u Black Sand Beach.
The developers stated that should their proposal be ap proved, they would ban tour buses from the county park pavilion area and restrict them to the parking lot above Black Sand Beach. Owner of the property Eva Liu said Saturday that should her Punalu'u Village proposal be approved, she would not allow any vehicles on the Black Sand Beach and promised her own conservation plan to preserve the shoreline for public use.
Opponents cited the increased crowding of the shoreline, even without new development there. They also contended that additional commercial establishments, accommodations and residences would further crowd the shoreline. They pointed to the nesting site of the endangered hawksbill turtles on the Black Sand Beach and stated that Punalu'u is the only family, friendly beach with a lifeguard between Kona and Hilo. They also stated that there are burial sites on the land that should be preserved.
REOPENING AT HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ARE CHAIN OF CRATERS ROAD and![]()
other sites that were off limits during the recent heightened seismicity. With reduction in the number of earthquakes, which reached more than 600 a day, Chain of Craters and coastal backcountry sites Hilina Pali Road, Kulanaokuaiki Campground, Nāpau, and Pepeiao Cabin were closed.
Over the last week, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and park staff monitored thousands of shallow low-magnitude earthquakes below the upper East Rift Zone and just south of the summit caldera. According to USGS, the consistent decrease in both seismicity and ground deformation over the past 30 hours to background levels indicates that this pulse of unrest has ended.
While the unrest appears to be over, Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes on earth and conditions can change at any time.
The park website offers updates and alerts that could impact visits.
MILOLI'I-KAʻŪ VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT filled the courts at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym on Saturday with 36 teams competing from around the island into the evening.
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| The big sign was also carried in Mauna Kea protests on the mountain years ago. Photo by Ophir Danenberg |
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| This sign suggests some luxury residences would be built at Punalu'u. Photo by Ophir Danenberg |
Signs carried such slogans as "Protect Our Sacred Lands,""Kapu Punalu'u," "2,500 sq. ft. Is Not A Bungalow," and "5 Generations in my ohana here today calls Punalu'u our backyard. Save. Punalu'u for our Future."
The public hearing will be held on Monday, May 6 at 9 a.m. in County Council Chambers in Hilo before the Windward Planning Commission. The last public hearing on the issue was March 7 when 80 people testified against the plan, eight in favor and 50 people remained to give their testimony. The Monday meeting overseers will let those who weren't able to speak to testify first, followed by additional testifiers in person and on zoom
Opponents said they are meeting at 5:45 a.m. on Monday to form a caravan to the public hearing, leaving Punalu'u at 6 a.m. and plan to arrive to sign in to testify at 8:45 a.m., the hearing beginning at 9 a.m. It will be streamed live on the County of Hawai'i's Windward Planning Commission's You Tube channel. Testifiers can also use Zoom.
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| Opponents oppose the practice of the first Punalu'u resort developers' bulldozing of graves. They also oppose putting a marketplace near the ocean and encourage all building to be inland. Photo by Ophir Danenberg |
facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
REOPENING AT HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ARE CHAIN OF CRATERS ROAD and
Over the last week, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and park staff monitored thousands of shallow low-magnitude earthquakes below the upper East Rift Zone and just south of the summit caldera. According to USGS, the consistent decrease in both seismicity and ground deformation over the past 30 hours to background levels indicates that this pulse of unrest has ended.
While the unrest appears to be over, Kīlauea is one of the most active volcanoes on earth and conditions can change at any time.
The park website offers updates and alerts that could impact visits.
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| Thirty six teams are competing at the Herkes Kaʻū District Gym Photo by Ophir Danenberg |
facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
Play continues on Sunday, with keiki to high school youth from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Free to the public.
Court where he pleaded “No Contest” to the charges of Attempted Assault in the First Degree and Carrying or Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony in relation to a March 7, 2023 incident. On that day, Kahihikolo fired a shotgun at his girlfriend at an Outrigger Drive residence in Ocean View.
Kahihikolo also pleaded “No Contest” to charges of Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree and Resisting Order to Stop in the First Degree in relation to a March 10, 2023 incident, where he disregarded police attempts to arrest him while operating a stolen Dodge Charger.
Carrying or Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony carries a penalty of a 20-year prison term. Attempted Assault in the First Degree carries a penalty of a ten-year prison term.
The case was initiated by Officers Melissa D’Angelo, Isaac Michaels, and Xylon Takata, Ka‘u Patrol, and the felony investigation was led by Detective Blayne Matsui and assisted by Detectives Len Hamakado, Jason Foxworthy, and Donovan Kohara, Area II Criminal Investigations Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Kate Perazich, Matt Woodward, and Chase Murray. The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. #hawaiiprosecutors #hawaiipolicedepartment # # #
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The food concession and donations support Miloli'i-Kaʻū Volleyball Club traveling to the O'ahu Aloha Summer Classics.
On the menu are: Laulau bowl, chili bowl, shoyu chicken, smoke meat bowl, Dorito salad, Pāhala pops, musubi and drinks.
To donate to the club, contact Kaimi Kaupiko at 808-937-1310.
facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive and support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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| Youth volleyball weekend at Herkes Kaʻū District Gym with the Miloli'i-Kaʻū Club tournament. Photo by Julia Neal |
TWENTY YEARS IN PRISON FOR RONALD P.K. KAHIHIKOLO is the sentence. Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that the 45-year old Ocean View man's long prison term is related to May 2023
shooting and manhunt incidents. Kahihikolo was detained without bail and appeared in
Kona Circuit Court where he received his sentence.
The prosecuting attorney reported that on February 27, 2024, Kahihikolo appeared in Kona Circuit
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| Ronald P.K. Kahihikolo |
Kahihikolo also pleaded “No Contest” to charges of Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree and Resisting Order to Stop in the First Degree in relation to a March 10, 2023 incident, where he disregarded police attempts to arrest him while operating a stolen Dodge Charger.
Carrying or Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony carries a penalty of a 20-year prison term. Attempted Assault in the First Degree carries a penalty of a ten-year prison term.
The case was initiated by Officers Melissa D’Angelo, Isaac Michaels, and Xylon Takata, Ka‘u Patrol, and the felony investigation was led by Detective Blayne Matsui and assisted by Detectives Len Hamakado, Jason Foxworthy, and Donovan Kohara, Area II Criminal Investigations Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Kate Perazich, Matt Woodward, and Chase Murray. The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300. #hawaiiprosecutors #hawaiipolicedepartment # # #
facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive and support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.
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