In brief | Big Island | 3-30-14

Fire destroys apparently abandoned Milolii house

An apparently abandoned house burned to the ground Saturday morning in Milolii. Hawaii County Fire Department firefighters responded to a 9:30 a.m. alarm for the blaze on Lehua Avenue.

Five fire vehicles responded to find the single story, single-walled unoccupied house partially collapsed and fully engulfed in flames. Fire officials deemed the structure a complete loss.

Puna District 4 council office now open

District 4 Councilman Greggor Ilagan reopened his office in Puna after months of renovations and building improvements to the old Pahoa Police Substation.

“The public needs easy access to their government, and this new office will help achieve that goal,” Ilagan said.

The new office is located at 15-2879 Pahoa Village Road and is open from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays. The previous office, located at the Malama Marketplace in Pahoa, was closed because of budgetary concerns.

This space will also be available for other county departments to use as needed. Immigration services will operate from this office beginning Friday and will continue on the first Friday of each month.

“Please come and visit; our doors are open for anyone with concerns, comments and suggestions,” Ilagan said. The video conferencing site for public testimony will remain at the Pahoa Neighborhood Facility, 15-2710 Kauhale Street.

By local sources