UPDATED VIDEO (3/13/10)

iPhone version of video

A brushfire fueled by dry conditions and strong winds burns in Kawaihae.

The brushfire as seen from Puako area.

Photography by Jen Rabalais | Special to Hawaii 24/7

UPDATED (3/12/10, 11:15 p.m)

Civil Defense reports Kawaihae Road is now open.

Authorities believe a spark from a lawn mower may have caused the fire.

UPDATED (3/12/10, 6:42 p.m.)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor

At least 40 firefighting personnel are on the scene of a brushfire off Kawaihae Road. Although initially a 50-acre fire, the blaze now has consumed more than 600 acre, the county Fire Department reported.

Six engines, a tanker, three medic units, both county helicopters and support from several private companies and landowners, in addition to a tanker, brush truck from Pohakuloa Training Area are fighting the fire.

The choppers are continuing water drops to slow the fire and the bulldozers are working to cut a fire break around the fire.

No reports of injury or structures damaged.

Evacuated residents and visitors from Kawaihae Village, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, and Kawaihae Transitional Housing are being directed to shelter at Waikoloa Elementary School. The evacuations are precautionary.

Wind gusts were reported up to 40 mph and blowing toward the ocean.

UPDATED (3/12/10 5:58: p.m.)

Hawaii County Civil Defense reports that Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Akoni Pule Highway are now open to traffic. Kawaihae Road is still closed from Waiaka Road to Queen Kaahumanu Highway juction due to the brushfire.

Compiled from media releases (3/12/10 5:30 p.m.)

Windy conditions are feeding a brushfire in Kawaihae. The blaze, which started about 1 p.m. Friday, March 12, has scorched 600 acres.

Authorities have closed: Kawaihae Road from Waiaka Road to Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Akoni Pule Highway from Queen Kaahumanu junction to Kohala Ranch Road, Queen Kaahumanu Highway from Hapuna Beach Road to the Kawaihae Road junction.

Evacuations are under way in Kawaihae Village and Kawaihae Transition Homes.

Civil Defense has opened Waikoloa Elementary School as a shelter.

The Kawaihae brushfire as seen from Puako Road Friday afternoon. Photography by Laura Kinoshita | Special to Hawaii 24/7

Photo by Laura Kinoshita | Special to Hawaii 24/7

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (3/9/10)

An autopsy conducted Monday (March 8) on Kimo K. Elderts, 28, who was involved in a two-vehicle crash on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, .3 miles south of the 71 mile-marker on Saturday (March 6) concluded that he died of natural causes and not from injuries sustained in the crash.

The traffic fatality count was reduced to eight compared with four at this time last year.

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (3/8/10)

Police traffic investigators have identified a 28-year-old Hilo man who died Saturday (March 6) from injuries he sustained in a two vehicle crash on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, .3 miles south of the 71-mile marker.

The victim was identified as Kimo K. Elderts of a Hilo address.

Responding to a 1:15 a.m. call, South Kohala patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1989 Honda four-door sedan and traveling north on the highway when he crossed the centerline and collided with a 2010 Kia multi-purpose vehicle traveling south.

The driver of the Kia, a 21-year-old woman from Kailua-Kona, and her passenger, a 28-year-old man from Kamuela, were transported by Fire Rescue personnel to North Hawaii Community Hospital.

The woman was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu and was listed in critical condition.

The passenger was still confined to North Hawaii Community Hospital.

Both drivers were not wearing their seat belts while the front seat passenger was.

The victim was pronounced dead at 5:28 a.m. at Kona Community Hospital.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved but speed was a factor in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call Officer Andres Fojas at 961-8889.

Media Release compiled by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Fire/rescue crews responded to a 1:14 a.m. alarm Saturday (March 6) for a two car high speed crash on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway near the 72 mile marker which closed the roadway.

Two compact vehicles were involved in the head-on collision. One car had a lone driver pinned in the vehicle and pronounced dead on the scene.

The second car had a driver in serious condition who was pinned in the vehicle. A front seat passenger was in serious condition and free from the vehicle.

The highway was closed to traffic during the rescue of the pinned victims, to clear debris and for the police investigation. Both the driver and passenger of the second vehicle were taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital by medic units.

Hawaii County Civil Defense reported that police re-opened the highway to traffic at 6:40 a.m.

Editor’s note: updated post on the crash here.

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (2/24/10)

A 17-year-old Waikoloa girl died from injuries she sustained Tuesday, Feb. 23 in a two-vehicle crash on Queen Kaahumanu Highway at the 88 mile-marker in North Kona and just south of the Hualalai Resort.

The victim was identified as Angela Apostadiro of a Waikoloa address.

Responding to a 8:07 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined a 21-year-old Kealakekua man was operating a 2005 Hyundai multi-purpose vehicle and traveling south on Queen Kaahumanu Highway when he overtook a vehicle, continued south on the northbound shoulder and passed other vehicles traveling northbound while on the shoulder lane.

The Hyundai then collided with a taxi, a 2000 GMC van traveling north and being operated by a 50-year-old Waikoloa woman.

Both drivers and an 88-year-old woman visiting from France, who may have been a fare in the taxi, were transported by Fire Rescue personnel to the Kona Community Hospital.

The 17-year-old girl was a front seat passenger in the taxi and was the daughter of the driver. She was pronounced dead at 12:05 a.m. (Feb. 24).

Everyone involved was not wearing a seat belt.

The driver of the taxi and the 88-year-old woman were listed in serious condition. The 88-year-old woman was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center for further treatment.

Police believe that speed and alcohol contributed to this crash.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers arrested the driver of the Hyundai for negligent homicide, negligent injury, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, and reckless driving.

He was being held in the Kona Police Station cellblock pending further investigation.

Queen Kaahumanu Highway was closed for several hours and traffic rerouted as traffic investigators and crime lab specialists documented the scene.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this crash or who has any information about it to call Officer Joshua Lewis at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the seventh traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with four at this time last year.

MEDIA RELEASE

Fire/rescue crews responded to an 8 p.m. alarm to a fatal two vehicle crash on Queen Kaahumanu Highway near the 88 mile marker Tuesday (Feb 23).

A late model minivan and late model midsize SUV crashed together causing extensive damage to the front end and passenger sides of both vehicles resulting in a debris field approximately 150 yards long.

A 17 year-old girl died in the crash. Three other crash victims were transported to Kona Community Hospital: a 50 year-old woman an 87 year-old woman and 21 year-old male. The conditions of the three patients were not released.

The highway was closed shortly after the accident with detours at Waikoloa Road and Kaiminani Drive. Hawaii County Civil Defense reported the highway open at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday (Feb 24).

MEDIA RELEASE

The County of Hawaii Planning Department is now accepting applications for the South Kohala Community Development Plan Action Committee. Closing date to submit an application is Wednesday, March 24, 2010. All applications must be received in the Hilo or Kona Planning offices by 4:30 p.m. or be postmarked by March 24, 2010.

All residents of South Kohala are encouraged to apply. The goal is to have the Action Committee represent the many perspectives of the community.

Volunteers who serve on the Action Committee will be asked to 1) attend monthly meetings, 2) meet with supporting partners, 3) participate in training workshops and or retreats, 4) help organize and attend public involvement meetings, workshops and/or charrettes and, 5) serve as a source for promoting and sharing information about the South Kohala Community Development Plan with individuals and community groups.

Applications and additional information can be downloaded here.

Applications also may be picked up and submitted at the Hilo or Kona offices of the County of Hawaii Planning Department at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, in Hilo, and at 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy, Ste., 109, in Kailua-Kona. Applications will also be available at the Waimea Council office at 64-1067 Mamalahoa Hwy, Suite C-5, Kamuela, Hawai‘i 96743.

MEDIA RELEASE

Jason Winbush

The Hawai’i Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a man reported missing in the South Kohala area.

Police recovered a green kayak that was found floating upside down in waters off the South Kohala coast on November 27. In the investigation, police discovered identification for a Jason Winbush, also known as Jason Wilcox, Ken Washington, Ken Wilcox, “WJ” and “JW.”

Winbush is known to frequent the Waipio Valley area, Hapuna Beach, Kona and the Island of Maui. He is described as African-American, 6-foot-2, about 160 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair worn in dreadlocks. He also has a beard, a mustache and a tattoo on his forehead.

Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts call Officer Edward Lewis Jr. at 887-3082 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police have opened a coroner’s inquest case in connection with a man found floating in Anaeho’omalu Bay in South Kohala on Thursday (December 3).

The victim, 62-year-old John Linde of Friday Harbor, Washington, had been snorkeling with a friend until the friend returned to shore for about 20 minutes sometime between 9:30 and 10 a.m. Occupants of a charter snorkeling boat found Linde floating in the water 75 yards off shore.

They took him to shore and attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation until Fire/rescue personnel arrived and took him to North Hawaii Community Hospital. There, Linde was pronounced dead at 11:20 a.m.

MEDIA RELEASE

A teenager died Thursday, Oct. 29 from injuries he sustained when he fell 80 to 90 feet down Mamaewa Gulch off of Kohala Mountain Road in South Kohala, police reported.

The victim was identified as Shea Walling of a Honokaa address.

Police determined Walling slipped while attempting to climb out of the gulch at about 10 a.m., falling to the bottom of a 120-foot dried up waterfall.

A 16-year-old male hiking companion also fell and sustained cracked ribs and several scrapes. He was listed later Thursday in serious condition. A third hiker, a 19-year-old man, was not injured.

Fire Rescue personnel extracted Walling and his two male companions from the gulch.

Walling was transported to Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:38 p.m.

Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death and have classified the incident as a coroner’s inquest.

Mamaewa Gulch is located at the 4 mile marker on Route 250.

MEDIA RELEASE

On Friday, October 2, livehawaiianmusic.com will be streaming a live broadcast worldwide from The Shops at Mauna Lani, bringing you the dynamic music of progressive slack key guitarist, Bolo Rodrigues from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This broadcast is part of the “Around the Big Island Broadcast” on October 2nd. Livehawaiianmusic.com is bringing to the world the spirit of the Big Island as they circle the island. They will be filming and broadcasting live music, with other local artists, Lopaka Ryder, Donald Kaulia, Kino Kapea and others, starting at Sunrise, from Kawa‘a Bay, with stops at Kilauea Crater, the Kea‘au Youth Business Center (KYBC), and Hilo-side locations, before their Sunset broadcast with Bolo at the Shops at Mauna Lani.

Livehawaiianmusic.com invites you to join them in this journey to experience what the Big Island holds accompanied by the magic of music coming from local artists. This trip is the first installment of “Around the Big Island Broadcast”, a monthly exploration brought to you by livehawaiianmusic.com and it’s sister site, livehawaiiantv.com (soon to be launched) that will capture the vibrant life, beauty and art, nature and culture, people and politics, we have the privilege to be a part of in Hawai’i.

The Shops at Mauna Lani is the premier destination on the Kohala Coast for live island music, world-class shopping and fine dining. The Shops is also home to Hawaii’s most distinct art galleries, including Peter Lik Gallery, Third Dimension Gallery and Lahaina Galleries.

MEDIA RELEASE

A Waikoloa man is in police custody in connection with a robbery in South Kohala.

At 6:15 a.m. Thursday (September 10), South Kohala patrol officers responded to a report of a robbery at the Kings Shops, where someone had entered a store through a door that was unlocked for deliveries and removed liquor and other items.

When a witness attempted to follow the man as he exited the store, the man pulled out a knife or similar sharp object and threatened the witness.

At 10:30 a.m., police found the suspect, 24-year-old Casey Leitch, at the Queens Shops and arrested him after a foot chase. He is being held at the Kona police cell block pending charges while detectives continue the investigation.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Villages of Aina Le'a site in Hawaii (in blue)

(Honolulu, Hawai‘i—July 30, 2009)—“The Villages of Aina Le‘a,” a 1,000-plus acre development on the South Kohala Coast of Hawai‘i Island, has received its first infusion of cash from Singapore’s Capital Asia Group Pte Ltd.

DW Aina Le`a Development, LLC and Capital Asia, marketing and sales hub for the project, signed a financing agreement today in Singapore. Capital Asia will raise a total of $62,000,000—or more—for the first phase, which includes 385 town homes to be sold under county affordable-housing guidelines.

“I am pleased to assist DW Aina Le`a with development capital in its efforts to provide a major contribution to the Big Island community,” said Winston Yau, president of Capital Asia.

“Our respect for family housing at affordable rates motivates us to participate in Aina Le`a’s initial building phase. We are also committed to providing DW Aina Le`a with future financing for the completion of its master planned community,” he said.

Winston Yau and Robert Wessels in Singapore

Robert Wessels, a managing partner of DW Aina Le`a Development, LLC praised Capital Asia for its financial contributions and assistance in meeting DW’s obligations and responsibilities for the first phase.

“All of our partners have committed their maximum resources to helping us build our town homes, which will be sold within Hawai‘i County’s affordable housing guidelines,” he said.

Wessels also added that, given the dire state of the economy, he is pleased that the project will help put so many people back to work, while providing much needed affordable housing on the Big Island.

The Villages of Aina Le`a is a master-planned golf course community that will include a lodge, homes, condos, world class golf and spa facilities, a shopping center, a Village Center, commercial offices and medical facilities, and more.

DW Aina Le`a has already begun work on the site, directly across from the Mauna Lani Resort on Hawai‘i’s Gold Coast.

View Waikoloa Road in a larger map

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawai’i Police Department is investigating a vehicle-pedestrian collision that took place Monday night (July 13) on Waikoloa Road near the 3-mile marker.

Around 10:15 p.m., a car driven by a 44-year-old California woman heading east on Waikoloa Road struck a South Kohala patrol officer who was directing traffic for a previous collision at the same location. The suspect’s car was the second of two vehicles that the officer was attempting to slow down as both entered the traffic collision scene.

Initially, the officer had to move to avoid the first vehicle, whose driver had disregarded the officer’s signals to slow down. As the officer turned to obtain the license plate information of that vehicle, he was struck by the second vehicle, which also ran over his right foot.

Fire Department rescue personnel took the 50-year-old officer to North Hawai’i Community Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and released.

South Kohala police have initiated a negligent injury case and are continuing the investigation.

Police advise the public to exercise caution when approaching accident scenes and to follow the directions of officers directing traffic.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Police Department is investigating a series of criminal property damage complaints in the South Kohala District.

Vandals have used spray paint and markers to write graffiti at several locations in the district. The most recent incidents were at the Waimea ballpark and at Ho’oko Street Park in Waikoloa.

The incidents may be happening in the evening and early morning hours. Police request that the public call the police to report any suspicious activity they observe in the parks.

Anyone with information about these incidents or any incident of criminal property damage in the South Kohala District may call Community Police Officer Paul Bugado at 887-3080 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.