Police seek missing Mountain View teen
Police are searching for a 16-year-old Mountain View boy who was reported missing.
Rillian H. Woods was last seen in Nanawale Estates Feb. 28, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
He is described as 5-foot-8-inches tall, weighing about 120 pounds, and having brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Hikers rescued after night in Waipio Valley
Eight hikers were rescued Sunday morning after spending the night in Waipio Valley.
Hawaii County Fire Department rescue personnel responded late Saturday afternoon to a report of eight overdue hikers in Waipio Valley. The hikers, who were on the Hiilawe Falls trail, were unable to hike out because of worsening weather conditions and rapidly rising rivers and streams.
The hikers were located at first light Sunday and extricated by Hawaii County Fire Department Personnel. All the hikers declined medical attention.
Two kayakers rescued off North Kohala coast
The Hawaii County Fire Department rescued two kayakers on Sunday after they apparently encountered problems off the North Kohala coast.
Responding to the 12:27 p.m. alarm, fire rescue personnel arrived at the scene, located near mile marker 9 on Akoni Pule Highway, where they met with the kayakers’ father. The department noted strong offshore winds, around 20 mph to 30 mph, white caps and strong currents.
The kayakers were then located by Chopper 2. One Hawaii County rescue swimmer was deployed from the helicopter to assist with a Billy Pugh net rescue. However, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kiska, which was training in the area, arrived on the scene and rescued the two kayakers.
The kayakers were brought by the Coast Guard to Kawaihae Pier, where they declined medical attention.
New speed bumps installed at Hilo airport
The state Department of Transportation’s Airports Division is advising motorists of the new speed bumps, which were installed Monday at the Hilo International Airport fronting the terminal building.
The modifications were installed to address community concerns about speeding in the area, according to DOT.
The first speed bump was installed at the crosswalk on the Terminal Access Road across from the rental car lot. It will be monitored for several weeks to help motorists and pedestrians adjust to the new changes. DOT plans to eventually install speed bumps at all crosswalks locations. Signs will be in place to warn drivers of the alteration.
Motorists are advised to drive with caution while entering the airport terminal area and to be aware of the new modifications.
Nene geese on Oahu for first time since 1700s
HONOLULU — Endangered Hawaiian geese have been spotted in the wild on Oahu for the first time in centuries.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Monday a pair of nene have nested and successfully hatched three goslings at a national wildlife refuge near Kahuku on the North Shore. The agency says this is the first time the birds have been seen on Oahu since the 1700s.
Spokesman Ken Foote says the geese found their own way to Oahu and weren’t brought to the island by humans.
He declined to release further information, saying the agency will hold a news conference at the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday.
The bird is an endangered species found only in the Hawaiian Islands. There are more than 2,000 remaining in the wild.
Hilo skeet range closed Wednesday
The Hilo trap and skeet range will be closed Wednesday in observance of Prince Kuhio Day, according to the county Department of Parks and Recreation.
Normal operating hours will resume Saturday, which the range will be available for public use from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The facility’s schedule is available online at hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
For more information, call John Kushi at 961-8733.
Hawaii lawmaker fights against sex ed program
HONOLULU — A Republican lawmaker says Hawaii’s Department of Education is being secretive about its sex education program.
State Rep. Bob McDermott is taking issue with the Pono Choices curriculum being developed by the Department of Education. He said Monday it sexualizes the innocent by teaching 11-year-old children about anal sex.
But department spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz says a group of educators, parents, religious leaders and health professionals are evaluating the curriculum’s appropriateness. She says meetings were closed to the public so the group can focus on its work.
McDermott says the public does not want the Pono Choices program because it’s too controversial.
Dela Cruz says many critics of Pono Choices have never looked at the curriculum. She says the working group will release a report next month on its findings.
By local and wire sources