Jury to begin deliberations in murder trial today
The prosecutor in the murder trial of a man accused of the fatal stabbing of his mother three years ago in lower Puna told jurors that the defendant, Sean Rutledge, “made good on his threats” to kill her, while the defense attorney said witnesses saw “the real killer” and the real killer was not Sean Rutledge.
Portuguese celebrate 140 years since first immigrants arrive
On Sept. 30, 1878, the S.S. Priscilla, a three-masted wooden sailing ship, arrived in Honolulu Harbor from Funchal, Madeira, after 116 days at sea. The Priscilla, a German barque, carried precious cargo — Hawaii’s first Portuguese immigrant families, who came to work on the sugar plantations as contract laborers.
Judge dismisses suit against Hu Honua, county
A judge granted Hu Honua Bioenergy’s request for a summary judgment in its favor in a civil suit that sought to halt construction of the 30-megawatt biomass power plant in Pepeekeo until an environmental review is completed.
State, county sued over BEI Hawaii gas leak
A supervisor for BEI Hawaii in Hilo who suffered lung injuries as a result of a chlorine gas leak at the facility two years ago is suing the county and state for negligence, claiming response to the leak was inadequate.
Based on feedback from lawmakers, county scales down lava recovery wish list
A decision on a whether there will be a special session of the state Legislature to consider disaster relief funding appropriation, especially for Puna communities impacted by lava from Kilauea volcano’s lower East Rift Zone eruption, needs to be made soon.
Elderly man dies in Hilo house fire
A man believed to be in his mid- to late-70s was found dead Saturday in the rubble of a home destroyed by a mid-morning fire in downtown Hilo.
One dead in downtown Hilo house fire
CORRECTION 9-17-18: A previous version of this story had an incorrect address provided by the Fire Department. The Tribune-Herald regrets the error.
Damage to county infrastructure caused by Lane totals about $20M
Damage to county facilities from the flooding late last month caused by torrential downpours from Hurricane Lane totaled about $20 million, Managing Director Wil Okabe said Thursday.
National Park Service acquires ‘Great Crack Property’ in foreclosure sale
The National Park Service has acquired a 1,952-acre oceanfront property in Ka‘u from a Florida real estate developer.
Mental exam ordered for man who prompted school lockdowns
A 40-year-old Hilo man accused of making a threat of gun violence Monday on the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus said he’s being “followed by satellites” and made other bizarre statements Wednesday during his initial court appearance.