Transmission line upgrade causes partial lane closure
A partial lane closure will occur along sections of Highway 190 from the Waikoloa Junction to Puuanahulu starting April 21 and continuing through July 31, according to Hawaii Electric Light Co.
One lane will be closed to traffic from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Motorists are advised to expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes, if possible. The closure will allow crews to upgrade transmission lines and equipment to improve system reliability.
For more information, call 969-6666.
Police investigate vehicle fire
The Hawaii Police Department is investigating a vehicle fire that happened Saturday night in Hilo.
According to the Hawaii County Fire Department, two Hilo fire companies responded to a garage fire on Kaiulani Street. Firefighters found one person out of the house. That person was not injured. In the garage, a 2010 Jeep was on fire, with the flames spreading to the garage’s walls and ceiling.
Fire personnel extinguished the fire and ventilated smoke from the home.
Damage was estimated at $24,000, the Fire Department stated.
Missing Kona teen found
Big Island police have located 16-year-old Reina Aldorasi of Kona, who was reported missing last year.
She was found in Kailua-Kona, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Hilo man wanted for parole violation
Big Island police are asking for the public’s help in locating a 42-year-old Hilo man wanted for a parole violation.
Dale Daniel Arruda is described as part Hawaiian, 5-foot-7, weighing 170 pounds, and having short brown hair and brown eyes. He may have a goatee. He is known to frequent the Puna District, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Police warn the public against approaching Arruda. Instead, immediately call the police department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 to report any sightings. 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.
35 arrested for DUI
Police arrested 35 motorists between April 7 and Sunday for allegedly driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Eleven of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes. Two were younger than 21.
So far this year, there have been 387 DUI arrests, compared with 385 during the same period last year, a 0.5 percent increase, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
There have been 459 major accidents so far this year, compared with 381 during the same period last year, a 20.5 percent increase. So far this year, there have been four traffic fatalities on Hawaii Island compared with 11 during the same period last year, a 63.6 percent drop.
To date, one fatalities were related to drugs, one to alcohol and one to a combination of both, the department stated.
FAA: Hawaiian Airlines didn’t inspect plane properly
HONOLULU — The Federal Aviation Administration says Hawaiian Airlines went eight years without properly inspecting certain components of one of its planes used for commercial flights.
The FAA said Monday it is suggesting a fine of nearly $548,000 for the Honolulu-based airline. Airline and FAA officials said the company asked for an informal meeting to discuss the matter.
The agency said Hawaiian didn’t comply with a 2000 directive that established inspections of specific engine thrust reverser components. FAA officials said Hawaiian operated a Boeing 767-300 on more than 5,000 flights without complying with the directive.
The agency said a 2012 inspection found Hawaiian records wrongly said the directive didn’t apply to the aircraft.
An airline spokeswoman declined comment on the allegations but said Hawaiian’s first priority is safety.
Ewa Beach man arrested, accused of child porn
HONOLULU — FBI officials say a 53-year-old man was arrested at his home in Ewa Beach after being accused of producing child pornography.
Feliciano Lou Quimoyog was indicted on federal charges last week. An affidavit provided by the FBI on Monday says he is accused of coercing a girl to perform sex acts on video.
It’s not immediately clear whether Quimoyog has a lawyer. His case had not been entered into the court’s electronic filing system midday Monday.
Hawaii, Bali to form sister state relationship
HONOLULU — Hawaii and the Indonesian island of Bali are becoming sister states.
Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Indonesian Consul General Hadi Martono were scheduled to attend a signing ceremony at the governor’s chambers on Monday.
Hawaii and Bali have a lot in common: Both are major international tourist destinations, favored spots for surfers and have rich musical and dance traditions.
Hawaii forms “sibling” ties with other parts of the world when there’s evidence of substantial grassroots support, potential for expanding exchanges and both sides are expected to benefit economically.
The state said relationships like these raise Hawaii’s profile around the world and stimulate Hawaii’s economy.
Hawaii has 15 other sister state relationships, including five with provinces in the Philippines and four with Japanese prefectures.
Two Hawaii sister states are in China. Morocco, Portugal, South Korea and Taiwan each have one Hawaii sister state.
Fukuoka prefecture in Japan was the first to become a sister state of Hawaii, in 1981.
Ant infestation covers 4 acres in Waimanalo
HONOLULU — An extensive survey of an area in Waimanalo has determined approximately 4 acres are infested with little fire ants, tiny invasive ants that can inflict painful stings. Crews surveyed more than 50 acres from Kumuhau Street to Mahailua Street in Waimanalo and determined that the infestation area is on state land and in mulch areas located outside nurseries in that area. Little fire ants were detected previously on hapuu from Hawaii Island at a few nurseries and garden shops earlier this year, but those areas were treated and are now clear of little fire ants.
Survey operations were headed by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and involved several agencies including: the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Ant Laboratory, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, The Nature Conservancy, University of Hawaii, City &County of Honolulu, and Hawaii National Guard.
Little fire ants have been found on Hawaii Island since 1999. In late December, the ant was detected on hapuu logs (Hawaiian fern) at retail stores on Maui and Oahu. Since its detection, Oahu and Maui nurseries have been surveyed. Five Oahu nurseries, three of which were in Waimanalo, were found to have small infestations of little fire ants, which were treated and are clear of the ants.
By local and wire sources.