News from August 2021
Over 450 invasive goats removed from Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
By Art Benavidez | Aug 30, 2021
Hundreds of goats were successfully removed from Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park last week.
Hawaii Police Department offers tips on finding lost pets
By Press Release | Aug 30, 2021
Hawaii Police Department (HPD) is updating the public on animal control services provided in Hawaii County.
Big Island Times area weekly mass times
By Big Island Times | Aug 28, 2021
The following parishes in the Big Island Times coverage area hold weekly mass at these designated times.
Ige is 'pleased with the vaccination and compliance rates' of Hawaii state employees
By Bree Gonzales | Aug 28, 2021
The Hawaii Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) has reported that many of the state’s employees have been fully vaccinated; however, the numbers do not include the Department of Education and University of Hawaii employees.
USGS scientist on recent earthquake: 'Please be aware that aftershocks are possible and may be felt'
By Bree Gonzales | Aug 28, 2021
The 4.1-magnitude earthquake located east of Pāhala on Aug. 18 had no observable impact on Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes, as confirmed by U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) Scientist-in-Charge Ken Hon.
Hawaii State Teachers Association demands new agreement due to 'very limited alternatives' to in-person teaching
By Bree Gonzales | Aug 28, 2021
The Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) called on the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE), raising concerns about rising COVID-19 cases and renewal of their memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the 2021–22 school year.
Bliss Kazumi Nakayama
By Big Island Times | Aug 28, 2021
Bliss Kazumi Nakayama, 61, of Hilo, died August 20, 2021, at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center.
Louise Chiyoko Kozuki
By Big Island Times | Aug 28, 2021
Louise Chiyoko Kozuki, 91, of Hilo died Aug. 20 at the Life Care Center of Hilo.
Roland Lorenzo Lucero
By Big Island Times | Aug 28, 2021
Roland Lorenzo Lucero, 81, of Hilo, Hawaii, peacefully and naturally passed on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at Hilo Medical Center in Hilo, Hawaii where he resided.
Sy James McGloughlin
By Big Island Times | Aug 28, 2021
Sy James McGloughlin, 63, of Captain Cook, Hawaii, died August 11, 2021 at his residence.
James Keliihoukamoku Leleiwi, Jr.
By Big Island Times | Aug 28, 2021
James “Boogie” Keliihoukamoku Leleiwi, Jr., 69, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, died July 10, 2021, at his residence.
IRONMAN competition postponed till 2022 due to 'resurgence of the virus and new delta strain'
By Bree Gonzales | Aug 27, 2021
The 2021 Supersapiens IRONMAN World Championship, which was originally set for Saturday, Oct. 9, has been postponed until Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022.
Hawaii County mayor: Rising COVID-19 cases create an 'unbearable strain on our health systems and communities'
By Bree Gonzales | Aug 27, 2021
In response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth appealed to Gov. David Ige (D) for the reinstatement of pretravel testing for every person traveling to the Hawaiian Islands.
With the 'delta variant causing a surge in cases,' Hawaii receives funding to bring in health care reinforcements
By Bree Gonzales | Aug 27, 2021
Over 500 experienced health care professionals from out of state will be deployed to supplement local staff in 19 hospitals statewide in the coming weeks, with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Both virtual and in-person events happening this week on Big Island
By Bree Gonzales | Aug 27, 2021
Enjoy the weekend and the following week on the Big Island with these fun events.
Multiple earthquakes recorded in Kilauea summit caldera, but there is 'no evidence of lava at the surface'
By Bree Gonzales | Aug 27, 2021
While the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has detected an increase in earthquake activity beneath the south part of Kilauea summit caldera, within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, USGS has stated that the volcano is not erupting.
Hawaii County COVID-19 cases averaged 132 per day over past week
By Big Island Times reports | Aug 27, 2021
New COVID-19 cases in Hawaii County were up 29% over the past two weeks, with the average number of daily cases over the past week reaching 132, according to data from the State of Hawaii Department of Health.
End of Hawaii eviction moratorium has come and gone: 'Thanks to vaccines, many residents are now back at work'
By John Suayan | Aug 27, 2021
With time having run out on Hawaii’s eviction moratorium, struggling renters have resorted to mediation to keep from ending up on the street.
Hawaii teachers demand improved school safety due to 'packed classes and impossibly little opportunity to safely distance students'
By Art Benavidez | Aug 26, 2021
Teachers in Hawaii are looking to bring back safety measures that were afforded to them last year, and last week they stepped up their demands in effort to do so.
As COVID-19 numbers soar, Hawaii's health director warns residents: 'We are on fire'
By David Hutton | Aug 26, 2021
As the delta variant of COVID-19 drives cases higher throughout the state, hospitals across Hawaii are once again being pushed to the breaking point, leading state officials to sound the alarm and take action to slow the spread of the virus.