Obituaries for Aug. 7
Juan Acoba Acob, 85, of Papaaloa, died July 17 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Bacarra in the Philippines, he was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Air Force and a retired landscaper at the Hilton Waikoloa Hotel. Visitation for friends and family to be held 9-10 a.m. Aug. 18 at the Honokaa Seventh-Day Adventist Church, with service at 10 a.m. and burial to follow. Survived by wife Lilia R. Acob of Papaaloa; children Ferdinand (Meriko) Acob of Canada, Janet (Rodelio) Cabreros of Hilo, Mildred (Chung) Cho of California, Ligaya (Steve) Acob-Powell of Maui, and Luis (Ferlita) Acob of Hilo; sister Arsenia Acosta of Hilo; and five grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Roaches, sewage, close L&L Drive Inn in Captain Cook
The state Department of Health has shut down the L&L Drive Inn in Captain Cook after discovering an active roach infestation, a suspected sewage backup and several other health violations in the restaurant.
Summit discusses fentanyl crisis, impact on youth
County and state policy makers urged public engagement in protecting Big Island keiki from the scourge of fentanyl.
Final draft of 2045 General Plan released
Hawaii County released a final draft of its plan for the island’s development over the next 25 years.
Big Isle tourism down in first half of ‘24
Tourism on the Big Island and Hawaii in general is down as high prices filter out overseas visitors.
Date set for KWXX Ho‘olaule‘a: Popular downtown Hilo event will return in January
After a year’s delay, the 28th KWXX Ho‘olaule‘a will return to downtown Hilo next year on Jan. 18.
County homeless camp relocated: Former site in Hilo has been restored
A downtown Hilo homeless shelter has been closed and relocated elsewhere in town, to the surprise of some of its new neighbors.
Enviromental review for TMT extended: Federal report not expected until the end of 2026
A federal agency will take at least two years longer to determine whether to fund the Thirty Meter Telescope.
County’s eminent domain plan heads to court
A plan by Hawaii County to take private land in Puna in order to restore Pohoiki Road has gone to court.
Neighbors of Punalu‘u project seek contested case
An association of Punalu‘u residents is once again challenging a resort development planned for the area.
Several earthquakes shake the Big Island; Kilauea not erupting
Several minor earthquakes rattled the Big Island this morning.
Swarms of flying insects are likely dark rover ants
The summer weather may be bugging more Hilo residents than usual this year as ants take to the sky in swarms.
Big expansion of Hilo Harbor entrance still in the works
A $62 million plan to expand the entrance to Hilo Harbor still needs some time in the oven.
Hawaiian Electric rolls out weather-monitoring stations
Hawaiian Electric will install a series of weather-monitoring stations in wildfire-prone areas statewide.
Time to end affordable housing credits? Report finds they don’t work as intended
Hawaii County’s incentives for building affordable housing don’t work, according to a study of the County Code.
East Hawaii home sales remain flat
Big Island homebuyers and sellers remain cautious in the face of an uncertain housing market.
Susan Kazama takes over as chancellor of Hawaii Community College
Susan Kazama likes to go fast.
‘We do it for love, not money’: Strong opposition to proposed changes to ag lot taxes
Big Island farmers are urging Hawaii County to postpone or cancel a set of new agricultural tax rules they worry will spell the end for many small farms.
Planning director: Bill could slow down permitting process
Requests for zoning changes could become more complicated under a proposed Hawaii County bill, warned the county’s top planning official.
Uncertain path forward for Bayfront Trails: Funding needed for next phases of the project
The next phase of the Bayfront Trails project connecting parts of Hilo is currently up in the air because of funding uncertainties.
