News from July 2023


Hawaii County Council will meet Aug. 2

Hawaii County Council will meet at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 2


Hawaii County Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee will meet Aug. 1

Hawaii County Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee will meet at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1


Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet Aug. 1

Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1


Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet Aug. 1

Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1


Hawaii County Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee will meet Aug. 1

Hawaii County Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee will meet at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1


Hawai'i County Prosecutor's Office: Captain Cook man charged with multiple felonies 'was granted supervised release over Prosecutor's objections'

A 21-year-old man facing multiple charges and in custody on $250,000 bail was granted supervised release by Kona District Court over the objection of prosecutors. Derick Camacho of Captain Cook was arrested for first-degree robbery and other felonies on July 20 in relation to an incident at a retail establishment in Ocean View.


Mayor Roth: Newly created office 'blends scientific knowledge with culturally-aware practices in the protection of Hawai'i Island's rich culture and ecosystems'

Hawai'i County Mayor Mitch Roth signed Bill 48 into law on July 26, which established the new Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) for the county. Roth said on social media that he is "most excited" about the equitable practices the bill contains.


Pacific Islands researchers: 'We are taking off for a mission on the high seas!'

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and the Southwest Fisheries Science Center are embarking on the 2023 Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey.


Hawai'i Police Department investigates drowinging 'that occurred near the public beach access at Hokulia in Kailua-Kona'

The Hawai'i Police Department (HPD) issued a media release on July 25 on an investigation into the death of a 17-year-old at a beach in Kailua-Kona, according to are release from the HPD. The teen was found unresponsive on the ocean floor, and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the death.


Park Superintendent Loh: "Mahalo to everyone who spent their day with us, and especially to our park staff, volunteers and partners who worked hard to make the cultural festival happen."

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park held a cultural festival at the Kahuku Unit of the park on Saturday, where 985 locals and visitors came together to create lauhala bracelets, twisted lei from tī leaves, played Hawaiian games and enjoyed ono kine grindz on the festival grounds. Multiple performers held performances for festival attendees, including Debbie Ryder’s Hālau o Leionalani, Keaīwa, Kenneth Makuakāne, the Kīpapa Sisters, Russell Mauga and Da Kahuku Mauka Boyz, and LoriLei’s Hula Studio.


First Lady Green: "It has been a humbling honor to welcome the standard home, where it belongs."

Governor Josh Green and his wife, First Lady Jaime Kanani Green, received the Royal Standard of Queen Lili'uokalani, Hawai'i's last reigning monarch, returning it to Washington Palace. The Queen's Royal Standard was placed on public view for the first time in 130 years, marking a significant moment in Hawai'i's history.


HPD: "Hawai'i Island police have arrested and charged 38-year-old Alicia Jean Nakamura of Hilo with abuse, assault, and promoting a dangerous drug following an incident in Mountain View late Friday evening"

According to a media release issued by the Hawai'i Police Department, a 38-year-old woman was arrested for charges related to abuse, assault, and the promotion of a dangerous drug. HPD reports the woman abused her 4-year-old daughter, assaulted her 74-year-old neighbor, and was found in possession of methamphetamine following an incident at 10:45 p.m. Friday, July 21.


HPD: 'Hawai'i Island police are renewing their request for the community's assistance in locating 32-year-old Jasmine Swartz of Kailua-Kona'

According to a press release issued by the Hawai'i Police Department (HPD), authorities continue their search for missing 32-year-old Jasmine Swartz of Kailua-Kona who was reported missing by her family in April.


Hawaii County COVID-19 cases averaged 9 per day over past week

New COVID-19 cases in Hawaii County were up 33% over the past two weeks, with the average number of daily cases over the past week reaching nine, according to data from the state’s Department of Health.


Hawaii County Council will meet July 26

Hawaii County Council will meet at 9 a.m., Wednesday, July 26


Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet July 25

Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 25


Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet July 25

Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m., Tuesday, July 25


HPD: 'Hawai'i Island police are renewing their request for information about a July 2021 unsolved murder that occurred in Puna'

The Hawai'i Police Department continues to seek leads in the unsolved murder of a 76-year-old man dating back to July 2021, according to a July 17 media release. HPD is urging anyone who may have relevant information to reach out to investigators through the department’s non-emergency number.


Sen. Schatz: 'Thanks to the Biden Administration, nearly 1,700 people across Hawai’i will see thousands of dollars in student loan debt eliminated in the next few weeks'

The Department of Education announced 1,690 Hawaiians are eligible for automatic loan relief due to the Biden-Harris Administration’s implemented fixes to Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans. “Thanks to the Biden Administration, nearly 1,700 people across Hawai’i will see thousands of dollars in student loan debt eliminated in the next few weeks,” said Senator Brian Schatz.


Hawaii Gov. Josh Green: Rate of highway accidents 'unacceptable and should not be occurring.'

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has signed off on a series of bills aimed at increasing safety on the state's highways after at least 43 people were killed in traffic accidents over the first six-months of the year, according to a report.