News from March 2024
DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES RELEASE DATE FOR MAUI WILDFIRE PHASE ONE REPORT
By Big Island Times | Mar 18, 2024
HONOLULU – Attorney General Anne Lopez has confirmed that the Phase One report on the independent investigation into the Maui wildfires will be released on April 17, 2024. The report will provide a comprehensive analysis of how the fire incident unfolded during the first 24 to 72 hours and its aftermath, including a detailed timeline of events.Speaking on behalf of the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), Steve Kerber, PhD, PE, vice president and executive director, expressed gratitude towards community members and emergency workers for sharing their experiences during...
Celebrating National Judicial Outreach Week 2024
By Big Island Times | Mar 18, 2024
HONOLULU — Hawaiʻi judges and justices recently participated in National Judicial Outreach Week, aiming to promote a better understanding of the rule of law and the importance of education among students and the general public.First Circuit District Court Judge Timothy E. Ho shared insights with students at Nimitz Elementary School during a career day, emphasizing how education can prepare them for future careers in the legal field. He was joined by Circuit Court Judge Faʻauuga L. Toʻotoʻo, who engaged with students from Hilo High School.On Maui, Second Circuit Chief...
3-17-24 Three Men Injured, One Woman Killed in DKI Crash
By Big Island Times | Mar 17, 2024
Three elderly men were injured and one elderly woman died in a fatal three-vehicle traffic collision on Daniel K. Inouye (DKI) Highway at the 25-mile marker, on Saturday afternoon, March 16, 2024.According to the reports, the operator of the BMW sedan, a 69-year-old man from Pāhoa, sustained injuries and was admitted for treatment. The driver of the 2007 Chevy pickup truck, a 65-year-old man from Pāhoa, sustained minor injuries and was also taken to Hilo Medical Center. An 85-year-old man from Keauhou, who was driving the Ford SUV, was transported and admitted to Hilo...
DCCA NEWS RELEASE: Cease and Desist Ordered for Sigue Corporation
By Big Island Times | Mar 17, 2024
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Financial Institutions ("DFI") issued a cease-and-desist order to Sigue Corporation on March 15, 2024. According to the news release, Sigue Corp. is a licensed money transmitter operating in Hawai'i since June 18, 2009.Upon reviewing the situation, the DFI found that the Company does not meet the statutory provisions related to financial condition. The Order mandates that Sigue Corporation must cease engaging in the business of money transmission in Hawai'i.As stated in the news release, in 2023, Sigue...
Hawaii County Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee will meet March 19
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaii County Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee will meet at 12 p.m., Tuesday, March 19
Hawaii County Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being will meet March 19
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaii County Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being will meet at 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 19
Hawaii County Water Board will meet March 19
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaii County Water Board will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 19
Hawaii County Kailua Village Design Commission will meet March 19
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaii County Kailua Village Design Commission will meet at 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 19
Hawaii County Policy Committee on Infrastructure and Assets will meet March 19
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaii County Policy Committee on Infrastructure and Assets will meet at 9 a.m., Tuesday, March 19
Hawaii County Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee will meet March 19
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaii County Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 19
Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet March 19
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 19
Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet March 19
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 19
Hawaii County Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee will meet March 19
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaii County Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee will meet at 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 19
Hawaii County Council will meet March 20
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaii County Council will meet at 9 a.m., Wednesday, March 20
3-16-24 Hilo Man Arrested Following Hours Long Standoff with Police
By Big Island Times | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaiʻi Island police have arrested 45-year-old Justin Makoto Pittullo, of Hilo, with terroristic threatening and violation of a court order following a nearly 9-hour standoff at a Hilo residence Friday evening, March 15, 2024."Shortly after 10:30 p.m., South Hilo patrol officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of Ponahawai Street for a report of a man threatening a female tenant, which was in violation of an active temporary restraining order," said the police report.Responding officers found that Pittullo had barricaded himself within the upstairs portion of...
Police Charge Hilo Man Following Barricaded Standoff
By Big Island Times | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaiʻi Island police detectives have charged 45-year-old Justin Makoto Pittullo, following a nearly 9-hour standoff in Hilo late Friday night, March 15, 2024.The charges against Pittullo stem from an incident reported shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Friday night, when Hilo patrol officers responded to a Ponahawai Street residence for a report of a man threatening a female tenant, which was in violation of an active temporary restraining order."His bail is set at $14,000." - Hawaiʻi Island police detectivesResponding officers determined the male suspect, later identified...
Police Seeking Runaway Aulani Alfapada
By Big Island Times | Mar 16, 2024
Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 17-year-old Aulani Kahekalaokalani Alfapada who was reported as a runaway. Alfapada is described as having a tan complexion, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 112 pounds, with long dark brown hair and brown eyes. She is known to frequent the Hilo and Puna areas. Police are urging anyone with information on Alfapada's location to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.
Police Remind Motorists to Drive Safely This St. Patrick’s Day
By Big Island Times | Mar 15, 2024
St. Patrick’s Day is one of our nation’s most popular holidays. It’s also one of the most popular drinking holidays, making it a dangerous time on our island’s roads. To spread the message about the dangers of drunk driving and to help keep our island roads safe, Hawai‘i Police Departmentis teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remind Big Island motorists that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.According to NHTSA, there were 272 lives lost in drunk-driving crashes over the holiday period (6:00 p.m....
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Welcomes First Graduating Class of Corrections Officers
By Big Island Times | Mar 15, 2024
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) in Honolulu celebrated the graduation of its first class of adult corrections officers at the Mission Memorial Auditorium. The thirty graduates from Basic Corrections Recruit Class (BCRC) 24-01 completed their training and are set to begin their careers as Adult Corrections Officers in facilities across the state.DCR Director Tommy Johnson expressed his pride in the new officers, stating, “This initial Basic Corrections Recruit Class graduation for DCR represents a new generation of Corrections Officers and hopefully,...
Police Charge Suspect in Waikoloa Village Burglaries
By Big Island Times | Mar 15, 2024
Hawai‘i Island police have charged 23-year-old Tyson Stephens in connection with a series of burglaries in the Waikoloa area earlier this month. Stephens, who was wanted for various offenses, including burglary and theft, was apprehended by South Kohala patrol officers on Wednesday evening in Waikoloa.According to the police report, Stephens was charged with "Two counts of first-degree burglary, Two counts of fourth-degree theft, One count of unauthorized entry into a dwelling, Three counts of conditions of bail, supervised release." His bail was initially set at $50,700,...