Waipio Valley Road to close for holiday weekend
Waipio Valley Road will be closed to nonresidents over the Labor Day holiday weekend.
The closure will be implemeneted at 7 a.m. Friday and remain in effect through 7 p.m. Monday, according to Hawaii County officials.
The decision to close the road comes as the county continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents have also requested the closure, citing high traffic, roadway, and health concerns. Guards will be positioned at the top of the road throughout the weekend to ensure compliance.
“Closing the valley access road to nonresidents will help us ensure the health and safety of the Waipi‘o Valley community and the community-at-large as we head into the long weekend,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “Our numbers have hit record heights, and preventing large gatherings to the best of our ability is a surefire way to stop the spread and get things back to normal. That said, we would like to encourage all residents to stay home as much a possible this weekend. There will be ample time for us to get together and celebrate again, but that time is not now.”
HIHS adopts technology to help reunite pets with families
The Hawaii Island Humane Society (HIHS) is joining forces with Petco Love – formerly known as the Petco Foundation, a national nonprofit working to lead and inspire change for animals – to implement Petco Love Lost, a new, searchable national database that uses patented facial recognition technology to make finding lost pets quicker and easier.
This simple-to-use tool will be easily accessible to participating animal organizations nationwide, as well as any pet parent or person who finds a lost pet. Uploaded photos of a missing dog or cat are immediately scanned to determine whether the lost pet is at a participating shelter or with a neighbor in the community. Participating organizations currently utilizing this technology include: HIHS’s Keaau Shelter, the Animal Community Center in Kona, County of Hawaii Animal Control Services and Hawaii Animal Kuleana Alliance.
“We see firsthand how quickly a pet can go missing, whether they were curious, following a scent, wandered through an open gate or became scared during a storm,” said HIHS CEO Lauren Nickerson. “We work tirelessly to care for pets, whether they’re awaiting their forever home or lost and need help getting back to their families. There’s nothing more rewarding than reuniting families with their beloved pets and with Petco Love Lost, we’re confident it can lead to many more happy reunions, right here on Hawaii Island.”
For more information, visit www.hihs.org and www.petcolovelost.org.