News from October 2023


Hawaii County Council will meet Nov. 1

Hawaii County Council will meet at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1


Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet Oct. 31

Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31


Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet Oct. 31

Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31


Hawaii County Policy Committee on Infrastructure and Assets will meet Oct. 31

Hawaii County Policy Committee on Infrastructure and Assets will meet at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31


Hāmākua-Kohala Health to host breast cancer awareness event

Hāmākua-Kohala Health, a federally qualified health center located in Hawaii, will host a Breast Cancer Awareness event at Honokaʻa Gym Complex on Nov. 3. The event, called Ladies Night Out, will feature free health screenings, massages, nail paintings, and more.


Hawaii Coffee Association to host free webinar series

The Hawaii Coffee Association will be hosting a Coffee Leaf Rust Webinar Series in October and November, offering essential updates on the Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) disease in Hawaii. The series will be open to the public free of charge.


Hawaii County Council met Oct. 18

Hawaii County Council met Wednesday, Oct. 18


Traffic collision on Ali'i Drive leaves Kailua-Kona man in critical condition

According to a news release by Hawaii Police Sergeant Thomas Koyanagi, a Utah man was taken into police custody following a traffic accident that critically injured a 54-year-old Kailua-Kona man.


Attempted murder investigation underway in Ocean View shooting incident

Hawai'i Island police are seeking the public's assistance in an attempted murder investigation following a shooting incident in Ocean View. The incident occurred on Sunday evening, October 15, 2023, in the Hawai'i Ocean View Estates subdivision. The police received a distress call reporting a male in need of medical assistance, possibly as a result of an assault.


UH at Mānoa: 'we can reduce ecosystem flammability and therefore the impacts of wildfire across the islands"

According to a recent discovery made by a PhD student from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa School of Sciences, new species of flammable, invasive grasses have been found across most Hawaiian Islands. The student, Kevin Faccenda, believes that by identifying and locating these "fire-promoting" grass species, measures can be taken to reduce the impacts of future wildfires.


Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet Oct. 17

Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 17


Hawaii County Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee will meet Oct. 17

Hawaii County Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee will meet at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 17


Hawai'i State Teachers Association and Kamehameha Schools distribute over 1000 backpacks and school supplies to hundreds of Lahaina families on October 12

The Hawai'i State Teachers Association (HSTA) and Kamehameha Schools partnered to distribute hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies to Lahaina families. This initiative was launched in response to the wildfires that occurred on August 8, which destroyed King Kamehameha III Elementary School and temporarily closed three other schools.


Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet Oct. 17

Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 17


Hawaii County Policy Committee on Infrastructure and Assets will meet Oct. 17

Hawaii County Policy Committee on Infrastructure and Assets will meet at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 17


Big Isle mom and pop nurseries to host the Plant People Road Show on Saturday, October 28

Big Isle mom and pop nurseries will be hosting the Plant People Road Show on Saturday, October 28. It will take place at the Makaeo Pavilion at Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.


Senior driver charged following fatal collision in Hilo

Carlton Inada, a 70-year-old resident of Hilo, is facing charges of negligent homicide and failure to render aid following a fatal traffic collision that occurred on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. The collision resulted in the death of a 79-year-old woman from Hilo.


Two arrested after road rage incident in Pāhoa

Hawai'i Island police have taken two individuals into custody following a road rage incident that unfolded on Papaya Farms Road in Pāhoa on the evening of October 5, 2023.


Family of Bob Wagner: 'Our loving husband and father touched many lives throughout Hawai'i and will be dearly missed by all who knew him'

Former University of Hawai'i Head Football Coach Bob "Wags" Wagner passed away on October 3 at age 76. Wagner, who had been battling ongoing health issues, was remembered fondly by his family and the community he touched.


UH Hilo: 'an important benefit of adding the CSAC concentration is that students will be trained to treat both substance use disorders and mental health issues'

The University of Hawai'i at Hilo is expanding its mental health counseling program in Fall 2024 in an effort to address the increasing demand for mental health services in the County of Hawai'i. Thanks to funding from the Hawai'i Department of Health's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division and the Hawai'i County Mayor's Office, students will have the opportunity to participate in the newly introduced "Certified Substance Abuse Counselor" (CSAC) specialization.