Bicyclist killed in Hilo crash
A bicyclist was killed Saturday after he was struck by a semitrailer on Highway 19, north of Hilo.
The Hawaii County Fire Department, which responded to the crash reported at 8:47 a.m., said the bicyclist was found on the roadway with no signs of life.
Highway 19 was closed from Kamehameha and Waianuenue avenues to Hau Lane for about four hours while police investigated the crash. No further information was available as of press time.
High surf advisory extended for west-facing shores
National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu have extended a high surf advisory for Hawaii Island’s west-facing shores through 6 p.m. today.
The service forecast waves ranging in height from 6 to 10 feet today because of another large northwest swell headed toward the islands.
The service categorized the surf’s impact as “moderate” and advises the public to expect strong breaking waves and rip currents and heed all advice given by ocean safety officials.
Road work on tap for Hawaii Island
Alternating single lane closures will be in effect this week on Volcano Road, between mile markers 8.6 and 13.4, in the vicinity of Keaau to Mountain View for pavement reconstruction, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Alternating single lane closures will be in effect on Hawaii Belt Road, between mile markers 26 and 27, in the vicinity of Laupahoehoe Gulch, in North Hilo for roadway improvement work.
Alternating single lane closures also will be in effect on Hawaii Belt Road, between mile markers 28 and 29, in the vicinity of Kaawalii Gulch, in North Hilo for roadway improvement work.
Crews will work from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, according to the department. Crews will not work Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
24-hour lane closure remains in effect on Hakalau-area bridge
Alternating single lane closures remain in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the Umauma Stream Bridge on Hawaii Belt Road, near mile marker 16 in Hakalau, for bridge repairs, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Vehicle weight is limited to 25 tons and the speed limit over the bridge is 25 mph. Vehicles weighing more than 25 tons must use Kauniho Road, Old Mamalahoa Highway and Leopolino Road as a detour route, according to the department.
DLNR plans animal control activities
The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife will conduct animal control activities Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 5 and 6 and March 19 and 20 in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve, palila management lands and the Kaohe Game Management Area.
The activities, according to the department, are specifically for trapping mouflon/feral sheep hybrids and staff hunting and aerial shooting from helicopters for feral goats, feral sheep, mouflon and mouflon/feral sheep hybrids within palila critical habitat in Unit A of the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve, palila mitigation lands, and Unit G of the Kaohe Game Management Area.
The department said aerial shooting is required to comply with a federal court order mandating the removal of sheep and goats from critical habitat for palila, a bird endemic to Hawaii.
Public access to Mauna Kea Forest Reserve, palila mitigation lands, the Kaohe Game Management Area and Mauna Kea Hunter Access Road will be restricted and allowed by permit only for animal salvage purposes for safety reasons. Permit access is allowed at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5 and March 19; and at 6 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 and March 20, according to the department,
The actions are pursuant to Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapters 13-130-19 and 13-104-23(a) (3). The Mauna Kea Observatory Road will remain open.
To implement the closure, both the Hale Pohaku and Kilohana gated entrances to Unit A and G and the gate behind Mauna Kea State Recreation Area will be locked between 7 p.m. Wednesday and 7 p.m. Thursday; 7 p.m. Feb. 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 6; and 7 p.m. March 18 to 7 p.m. March 20, according to the department.
Salvage permits can be applied for via telephone call to the DOFAW Waimea office at 887-6063 until 10 a.m. the day before the hunts are scheduled. One permit, valid for a single day, will be issued per call, per vehicle.
Applicants can have their names added to a stand-by list for additional days, should all slots not be filled by other applicants. No standbys waiting at the gates will be allowed. The driver, occupants, vehicle license plate, and vehicle make and model are needed when calling in.
A maximum of 15 permitted vehicles will be allowed at the Puu Koohi location and 10 permitted vehicles at the Kaluamakani location, according to the department.
Carcasses taken during the shoot will be available to the permitted public for salvage at the following locations, which require a four-wheel drive vehicle and permit:
Wednesday, Feb. 5 and March 19 at Puu Koohi. Permittees must meet at Mauna Kea State Park no later than 7 a.m.
Thursday, Feb. 6 and March 20 at Kaluamakani. Permittees must meet across from the Waimea Veterinary office on Mana Road no later than 6 a.m.
For more information, contact DOFAW in Waimea at 887-6063 or in Hilo at 974-4221.
By local and wire sources