Kailua-Kona man facing theft, other charges
A Kailua-Kona man is facing a slew of charges in connection with a series of alleged crimes that occurred in October and November in North Kona.
Tucker Henry Bontecou, 22, was charged Tuesday six counts second-degree theft; three counts each burglary and second-degree forgery; two counts each third-degree promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia; and one count each first-degre theft and fourth-degree theft, according to the Hawaii County Police Department. His bail was set at $46,250.
The charges stem from Bontecou’s arrest on Nov. 24 in connection with the alleged theft of items from a retail outlet in Keauhou, according to police. He was also arrested on suspicion of promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Area II Criminal Investigation Section and Vice Section detectives continued to investigate and linked him to three reported residential burglaries, according to police. The burglaries occured between Oct. 7 and Nov. 6 in the Kailua-Kona areas.
Funding released for park design, engineering work
Gov. Neil Abercrombie recently released $2.5 million in general obligation bonds for the planned Waimea District Park.
State Sen. Malama Solomon, D-Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa and Kona, said the funding would cover initial design and engineering work for the first phase of the park, which will be located off of Ala Ohio Road when built. The first phase, of five in all, includes infrastructure such as road improvements, water, sewer, and grading as well as the construction of two multi-use fields and restroom facilities, she said.
The project, which will start as a district park before expanding to a regional park, is expected to cost about $37 million total, according to the project’s draft Environmental Assessment released in late August. At full build-out, expected in 2026, it will encompass some 50 acres between the center of Waimea town and Waimea-Kohala Airport.
Maui beach closed after woman attacked by shark
WAILUKU, Maui — Maui County has closed a Kihei beach after a shark bit a woman there.
The county said in a statement the shark attack occurred at 1:20 p.m. Friday. The attack wasn’t fatal, but the county says the victim’s condition is unknown. The county expects Keawakapu Beach to reopen at noon today.
Bipartisan caucus for young people advocated
HONOLULU — A bipartisan group wants to increase the participation of young people in Hawaii’s government.
An announcement Wednesday from the state House of Representatives said a group of state and county leaders 40 years old and younger have established the Hawaii Future Caucus.
Spearheading the caucus are Republican state Rep. Beth Fukumoto, Democrat state Rep. Takashi Ohno and Honolulu City Councilman Stanley Chang, who is running as a Democrat for a U.S. House seat.
Fukumoto said young people are frustrated by partisanship. Ohno says voter participation and government transparency need to improve to make government more accessible and appealing to young people. Chang says he hopes the caucus helps to restore confidence and encourages engagement in government.
Native Hawaiian financial aid workshops offered
HONOLULU — Workshops will be held statewide to provide Native Hawaiians with information about college scholarships and financial aid resources.
The University of Hawaii said the effort is part of a statewide initiative to bring Native Hawaiian scholarship opportunities to underserved communities. The university said it is partnering with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, GEAR UP Hawaii, Pacific Financial Aid Association and the Native Hawaiian Education Association.
The workshops are open to high school students, parents, teachers and anyone interested in learning about the criteria and eligibility requirements for financial aid resources available to Native Hawaiians.
The first workshop is scheduled for Tuesday at Kauai Community College. A schedule is available at hawaii.edu/aha.
Hawaii Senate to introduce fishery bill
HONOLULU — State senators plan to introduce legislation that would establish a “no fishing zone” around Niihau.
Sen. Judiciary Chairman Clayton Hee said in a statement Wednesday the survival of people on Niihau will be in jeopardy if the government doesn’t take dramatic steps to reserve the island’s nearshore fisheries for its residents.
Hee said more people have been going to waters off Niihau to fish as Kauai’s fisheries have become depleted.
Niihau is the only populated island of Hawaii that doesn’t have any commercial stores where food can be purchased. The near shore reef fishery is the predominant source of food for Niihau residents.
Hee says the Senate will consult the Hawaiian Affairs Committee of the House on the legislation.
Skydiver hits power line, escapes serious injury
HONOLULU — A 25-year-old man escaped serious injury Thursday as he parachuted into high-voltage power lines and fell to the ground.
Honolulu Fire spokesman Terry Seelig told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that the man did not appear to be burned.
He was reported as stable and taken to a hospital.
Honolulu Emergency Medical Services said the man at about 9:30 a.m. hit power lines near Dillingham Field.
Seelig said the man was talking and alert after the fall.
Pickup crash kills 26-year-old Maui woman
HONOLULU — Maui County police said a Makawao driver was killed when her pickup left the roadway on Pau Hana Road.
Police said a 26-year-old Giuliana Johnson died in the crash at about 1:40 p.m. Thursday.
Johnson was driving a small pickup south on the road and missed a curve. The truck crashed through a fence in front of a home and struck an unoccupied vehicle.
Johnson died at the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt and the air bag in her truck was not activated.
Police said high speed may have been a factor in the crash.
By local and wire sources