Obituaries for Jan. 30
Fujiko Akamatsu, 104, of Kealakekua, died Jan. 8 in Kailua-Kona. She was a former cashier at Oshima Store, a retired kitchen worker at the Kona Community Hospital, and a member of the Daifukuji Soto Mission in Honalo, where visitation will be held 10 a.m. Feb. 10, with funeral to follow at 11 a.m. Survived by daughters Mildred (Stanley) Tromberg of Plantation, Fla., Linda (Samuel) Camp of Honolulu, Phyllis (Solomon) Alani of Kona; son-in-law Rex Bennett of Las Vegas, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Measures seek to ease Puna’s insurance crisis
A raft of bills in the state Legislature aim to stave off an insurance crisis in lower Puna.
Woman seeks answers following hit-and-run
An Orchidland woman is recovering — and seeking answers — after a hit-and-run incident involving her and her 4-year-old daughter earlier this month.
Obituaries for January 28
Karen Baraoidan, 72, of Papaikou, died Jan. 16 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a bookmaker. Visitation to be held 3-5 p.m. Feb. 3 at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, with prayer service at 5 p.m. Casual attire. Survived by sons Alex (Michelle) Galdones of Hilo, Derek (Cheryl) Sabino of Lanai and Jason (Wendy) Baraoidan of Gardena, Calif.; daughters Francell Garza and Rochelle Guzman of Gardena, Calif., Denise (Robbie) Perkins of Las Vegas, Kierra Bryant of Papaikou and Leah (Roger) Carvalho of Hilo; brothers Neal Macia and Gene Mancia of Hilo; sister Susan Gabris of Honolulu; 15 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Council rejects funds for Puna roadway study
The first stage in an effort to develop another roadway into Puna lost its state funding after the Hawaii County Council voted Wednesday against accepting the money.
County lowers maximum payments for lava-impacted properties
Owners of secondary homes damaged, destroyed or isolated by the 2018 Kilauea eruption will get smaller payouts than expected after Hawaii County adjusted the terms of its housing buyout program.
Obituaries for Jan. 26
Noli Dela Merced Acol, 59, of Keaau, died Dec. 19 in Hilo. Born in the Philippines, he worked as a Department of Transportation bus driver. Celebration of life to be held 1 p.m. Jan. 27 at Zion’s House of Praise Holiness Church. Survived by wife Sandra M. Talbert-Acol, son Isaiah A. J. Acol, fiance Robin A. Travis, daughter Sharay (Edward Patton) Acol, and numerous grandchildren, aunties, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
Obituaries for Jan. 25
Richard Scott Gribbin, 77, of Hilo, died Jan. 15 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Trenton, N.J., he was a quality control manager with Jas. W. Glover, Ltd. Prayer service to be held at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Honomu, with funeral service at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 30 at the same location. Final internment to take place at a later date. Casual attire, no flowers. Survived by wife Barbara of the Big Island, daughters Mary and Melanie of California, brother Jon of New Jersey, and three grandsons. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Dozens express strong opposition to County Council’s short-term rental measure
A proposal to rewrite how Hawaii County regulates short-term vacation rentals led to hours of backlash from residents accusing the County Council of overreach.
Man sentenced for slaying his mother with stone axe
A Keaau man was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in prison for bludgeoning his mother to death in 2020.
Governor highlights challenges, possible solutions in State of the State address
Gov. Josh Green made bold proposals for how to increase housing availability during a speech Monday.
Mauna Loa Observatory still isolated, but new funds could make it fully operational
More than one year after the eruption of its namesake volcano, the Mauna Loa Observatory remains high, dry and largely cut off from the rest of the island.
Obituaries for January 24
Alan “Scott” Aki, 53, of Hilo, died Dec. 26 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a cook and owner of DNS Catering. Visitation to be held 10 a.m. – 11 .m. Feb. 17 at New Hope Church Hilo with celebration of life to follow at 11 a.m. Casual attire. Survived by friend Derick Kai of Kona; sisters Kori (Ka‘eo) Higaki, Kelsy (David) Apao and Shaye (Kimo) Keliipaakaua of Hilo; brother Brandon (Charmaine) Chinen of Hilo; uncle Neal (Lihn) Aki of Hilo; and numerous aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Homelani Cremation Services.
HOVE residents ‘very upset’ over cell tower approval
The fight over a planned cell tower in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates has ended before it ever began.
Bill seeks to ban bike tour groups on certain roads
Certain North Kohala roads could become off-limits for bicycle tours under a bill intended to improve road safety in the district.
‘The Wall That Heals’ opens this week
A weeklong commemoration of the U.S. soldiers who died in the Vietnam War will begin Monday in Hilo.
Bill casts spotlight on short-term rentals
The Big Island’s vacation rental industry could be in for a shakeup this year under a series of new bills to be discussed over the next several months.
Theft of mail reported in parts of Hilo
Hilo residents are advised to secure their mailboxes after a spate of mail thefts around the north edge of town.
Fixes slated for Wailoa boat harbor: $3.2M allocated for the project
The Wailoa Small Boat Harbor is on the verge of getting some improvements after years of neglect.
Council passes bill targeting flavored tobacco products
Victory is sweet for health advocates after the Hawaii County Council passed a pending ban on flavored tobacco products, but the battle will continue at the state capitol.
