County hopes water study will shed light on Hilo Bay contaminants
Hilo Bay’s water quality could be improved in the future following a planned watershed study.
Hilo wastewater plant upgrades could start next summer
Long-planned upgrades to the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant should begin next summer.
Obituaries for Oct. 26
Steven Charles Devonshire, 76, of Kailua-Kona, died Sept. 22 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Exochi, Greece, he was a carpenter and a U.S. Army veteran. Memorial service to be held Dec. 9 from 3-5 p.m. at his residence. Survived by daughter Ashley Devonshire of San Diego; son Chase (Rachel) Devonshire of Kona Palisades; sisters Anna Devonshire of Kailua-Kona and Fredi McMullen of Amity, Oregon; and two grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Army set to conduct large-scale exercise
Big Island residents are advised to be aware of increased military traffic both on the ground and in the air as a large-scale U.S. Army training exercise takes place over the next few weeks.
Obituaries for October 25
Earl Esteban Veloria, 84, of Hawi, died Oct. 11 at home. Born in Ola‘a, he was a retired teacher and athletic director for Kohala Middle and High School and the first Native Hawaiian Temple President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Visitation to be held Nov. 4 from 8 – 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Kohala Ward with funeral service at 11 a.m. and burial to follow at Hawi County Cemetery. Messages of aloha to be sent to PO Box 463, Hawi, HI, 96719. Preceded in death by parents Esteban and Ruth Luka Hale Veloria and sisters Bertha Hunt and Eunice “Loha” Mulec. Survived by wife Audrey Veloria of Hawi; son Kaleo (Mindy) Veloria of Kamuela; daughter Rena (Maka) Loo of Hawi; hanai son Giorgio (Vittoria) Villa of Milan, Italy; brothers Richard, Jerry (Dolly), and Roy Veloria; sisters Beatrice “Nani” (Gary) Rothfus, Cynthia (Archie) Kekuawela, Audrey Correa and Hana Veloria; seven grandchildren, two hanai grandchildren, one great-grandchild, four hanai great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Obituaries for Oct. 24
Ernest Patrick Montibon, 55, of Waikoloa, died Oct. 14 at North Hawaii Community Hospital. Born in Hilo, he was a maintenance worker for Kuhio Golf and Beach Club in Waikoloa. Celebration of life to be held at a later date. Preceded in death by mother Estrellita Lorraine “Ciana” Harper. Survived by sons Brandon Kauka (Krystal) Montibon and Patrick Kauka (Queene) Montibon, both of Waikoloa; hanai son Kalae Keka (Desiree) Belt; granddaughters Mahina and Talia Perreira Kauka; hanai grandsons Damien, Daniel and Donovan Keka Reyes-Belt; the Alidon and Montibon Ohana; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Conviction vacated for younger of two brothers accused of raping, killing Dana Ireland in 1991
More than two decades being convicted for a murder he didn’t commit, Shawn Schweitzer walked out of a courtroom Monday with a smile and a clean record.
Big Isle home sales decline
Soaring interest rates have cooled the Big Island real estate market, with sellers and buyers alike reconsidering transactions.
‘Design Labs’ to gather community input on Banyan mural
A community project to create a mural at the site of the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel marks the beginning of new efforts to beautify the ailing Banyan Drive.
BI hotels beat pre-pandemic profits despite fewer guests
Big Island hotels in September made more money with fewer guests compared to prepandemic rates.
2 Big Isle nonprofits selected to help mitigate impact of tourism
The Hawaii Tourism Authority has chosen a pair of Big Island nonprofits to mitigate tourism impacts at Punalu‘u and Kealakekua Bay.
Seismic activity increases at Kilauea; HVNP closes two trails
Continued unrest at Kilauea volcano has led Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to close more trails to the public.
Hawaii Festival of Birds returns to Hilo
After a two-year of absence, the Hawaii Festival of Birds is once more making its annual migration to Hilo this weekend.
Expert cautions County Council about its power and waste preferences
A national energy and waste expert poked holes Tuesday in several planned Hawaii County environmental projects.
Did construction start at TMT site? Land board to mull the question next month
After months of delays, the question of whether construction work on the Thirty Meter Telescope has begun will be answered in November.
BLNR approves transition of Hilo lots into affordable housing
About 35 acres of state land around Hilo and Kalaoa will be set aside to Hawaii County for affordable housing development.
BLNR OKs removal of Hawi dam, reservoir
A nearly century-old Hawi reservoir and dam will be destroyed after decades of disuse.
BLNR denies research application, saying project failed to engage with residents
A United Kingdom-based research project that took samples from Big Island reefs has been terminated after a state board found the scientists failed to hold sufficient public outreach about the project.
EPA awards county, UH $2.1M in effort to reduce disposable foodware
A program that would replace disposable foodware with reusable items at Hilo restaurants and other places that sell or serve food will take shape later this month.
Kilauea set for repeat of ’74? Eruption at southern summit area could begin at any time
An eruption at the summit of Kilauea volcano could begin with little warning, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported Wednesday.
