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.
Roth to run for reelection: Mayor cites successes, challenges of first term while gearing up to fight for a second
Mitch Roth will seek a second term as mayor.
Bill allows county to fix private roads
After months of revisions and rewrites, the Hawaii County Council finally passed a measure that will allow county funds to be used to repair private subdivision roads.
Bill to fund study of Puna alternate route postponed
A study investigating possibilities for a new roadway into Puna has been put off a little longer after questions about how to protect Hawaiian homestead land.
Kawamoto Swim Stadium diving tower to reopen
The diving tower at the “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium in Hilo will finally reopen after years of disuse.
Airline merger ‘makes sense’: Execs from Alaska, Hawaiian discuss impacts, benefits
Hawaii Airlines and Alaska Airlines executives couldn’t promise that the proposed merger between their two companies will reduce airfares, but said the customers should experience only minimal disruptions.
PGV expansion moves ahead
A planned expansion of Puna Geothermal Venture is inching closer to reality.
