Longtime UH-Hilo theater sound tech dies in accident
A motorcycle crash July 15 in Colorado sent shock waves back to the Big Island.
Obituaries for July 21
Lee Ann Ashimine, 68, of Kohala died June 30 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in Kohala, she was a retired operations manager for Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union. Visitation 2-3 pm, blessing and eulogy 3-3:30 pm and fellowship to follow Saturday (July 27) at Michael and Lee Ann’s home 55-3235 Akoni Pule Hwy. Casual attire. Survived by husband, Michael Ashimine of Kohala; daughters Hulali (Jerry) Kahaikupuna of Kohala and Kawehi (Joshua) Castillo of California; mother, Madeline Gonsalves of Kohala; sister, Lanette Yamamoto of Kohala; brothers, Anthony (Renee) Gonsalves of Kohala and Neal (Shaurin) Gonsalves of Honokaa; four grandchildren; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ed Olson dies at 93
Edmund “Ed” Olson, Big Island businessman and philanthropist, died Monday afternoon at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. He was 93.
Husband of crash victim sues other driver, blasts plea offer
The family of a woman who was killed in a North Kona traffic crash two years ago is suing the driver of the other car, his parents and a car rental company, seeking more than $14 million in damages.
Police commissioner sues HPD and assistant chief
A Hawaii County police commissioner is suing the Hawaii Police Department and one of its senior commanders.
June brought below average rainfall to E. Hawaii
The summer dry season “kicked into high gear during June.”
Hospital morgue overcapacity: Hawaii County urged to build its own facility
The Hilo Benioff Medical Center morgue is severely overcapacity — with repercussions festering beyond the hospital’s campus, according to several sources.
Green to appoint Nakashima’s successor, Dems to submit choices
Since the 2008 election, the residents of House District 1 have known only Mark Nakashima as their state representative.
Green signs public safety bills
Bills signed into law Tuesday expand the statute of limitation for civil litigation against predators who sexually abuse children, raise the age to buy ammunition to 21 — the legal age to purchase guns in Hawaii — and mandate the state’s law enforcement agencies to hire more women and nonbinary police officers.
Volcano man accused of wild drive in stolen Jeep
A 43-year-old Volcano man was arrested after allegedly leading officers on a high-speed chase in Hilo on the Fourth of July in a stolen Jeep.
4 new laws address tourism, environment
Gov. Josh Green signed four bills into law Monday that would create action plans to manage tourism, crack down on illegal commercial ocean activities, create a beach management plan for Oahu’s iconic North Shore and prohibit seabed mining in Hawaii state waters.
Man charged with disturbance on Hele-On Kona trolley
Police arrested a 31-year-old Captain Cook man Friday after an alleged disturbance on a Hele-On trolley vehicle in Kailua-Kona.
New laws aim to improve fire safety, reduce fraud during disasters
Bills signed into law Friday by Gov. Josh Green would crack down on aerial fireworks and disaster charity fraud during emergencies, reestablish a state fire marshal and help those with limited English proficiency to navigate both emergency evacuations and relief available in the wake of disaster.
New laws aim to bolster coffee, mac nut growers
Gov. Josh Green signed 11 agriculture-related bills into law Wednesday that address feral chickens, the labeling of macadamia nuts and coffee, and the sale of compost, among other things.
Petitioners appeal decision regarding Lee Loy
Petitioners who sought to disqualify Hawaii County Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy from running for the state House District 2 seat are appealing Hawaii Chief Election Officer Scott Nago’s decision that she is eligible to run.
Judge ups bail for man in domestic violence case
A Hilo judge on Friday more than doubled the bail for a domestic violence suspect.
Police seek leads in Mountain View murder
Police said Tuesday they have not yet identified a suspect in the strangulation death of a 71-year-old woman found dead in her Hawaiian Acres subdivision home almost two weeks ago.
Green signs laws to aid keiki, kupuna
Gov. Josh Green on Monday signed 16 bills into law designed to enhance the protection and care of keiki and kupuna and to help ensure safety in Hawaii’s schools.
For Chief Judge Kim, retirement is ‘rehirement’
Today will be the last day on the bench for Third Circuit Chief Judge Robert Kim, four years to the day after being named the Big Island’s chief administrative jurist by Hawaii Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald.
Kona man gets 10 years for child enticement; 9 other Operation Keiki Shield cases updated
A 32-year-old Kailua-Kona man was sentenced June 24 to 10 years in prison for child enticement charges.