Obituaries for June 19
Rhea Kalaniopuupoohunaikeaopolohiwa Enos Akoi, 94, of Keaukaha died June 11 at home. Born in Hilo, she was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Keaukaha Ward, telephone operator for the former Hawaiian Telephone Co. and American Factors, educational assistant at Keaukaha Elementary School, teaching ukulele, guitar, oil painting and music, and music teacher for Ke Ola Pono No Na Kupuna Program. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday (June 23) at Hilo Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Committal service to follow at the Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 pavilion. Church or aloha attire. Survived by daughters, Bobbilyn Akoi of Hilo, Raynette (Rick) Francom of Utah and Judi (Maka) Adolpho of Oahu; sons, Bobby (Hiromi) Akoi and Jay (Haunani) Akoi of Oahu; 17 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Summer Festa helps raise funds for Portuguese center
People gathered around the Mooheau Park Bandstand to experience live music and Portuguese culture on Saturday afternoon during Summer Festa in Hilo.
Papaikou man accused of sexually assaulting minor
A 37-year-old Papaikou man has been indicted for the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl almost three years ago.
Smithsonian showcase features Hawaiian language student projects
Five Hilo students have their research projects in ‘Olelo Hawaii (the Hawaiian language) featured in a first-of-its-kind online showcase titled, “In Language There is Life: I ka ‘olelo no ke ola.”
Your Views for June 19
‘Poor optics’
Volcano Watch: A forgotten collapse of Halemaʻumaʻu crater
Last month, a Volcano Watch article highlighted a lesser-known Mauna Loa eruption that ended May 31, 1916. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff had to make a quick turnaround a week later when Kilauea Volcano’s Halema‘uma‘u crater began to subside. A series of collapse events took place from June 5–7, 1916, and observers described it as one of the most spectacular occurrences they had ever witnessed at Kilauea.
Tropical Gardening: The coconut as an emergency food supply
The Coconut palm we use in our landscapes is more than an ornamental tree. It is an essential food supply to many islanders throughout the tropics. It is like money in the bank if we ever got cut off from the rest of the world.
Five nabbed in warrants sweep
An inter-agency warrant sweep conducted in Hilo on Wednesday resulted in five arrests.
DOT updates status of Hamakua bridge repairs
The state Department of Transportation said, in addition to emergency repairs to Kolekole Bridge wrapping up this month, permanent repairs and lead remediation at Kolekole/Paheehee Bridge will begin in Spring 2024, at an estimated cost of $65 million.
Hilo man sentenced to 10 years for dealing drugs
A 26-year-old Hilo man was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for charges related to possessing and distributing methamphetamine and a firearms offense.
Patrol officer honored for work during investigation
A South Kohala patrol officer was recently honored for her work during a sexual assault investigation by the Hawaii Island Security and Safety Professionals Association.
Documents: Dispute over tequila led to stabbing
A 25-year-old woman told officers her refusal to give a bottle of tequila to an acquaintance she described as highly intoxicated led to the man stabbing her early Tuesday morning, according to court documents filed by police.
Bill would cause demise of astronomy
In November 2021, the National Academy of Sciences published a report titled “Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s (2021),” the latest in the series of decadal reports on astronomy and astrophysics.
Your Views for June 17
Fix Stainback
Obituaries for June 17
Maxima “Aida” Adelaida Simpao Gatchalian, 77, of Hilo died June 8 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Manila, Philippines, she was a retired certified nursing assistant and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo and the Filipino Community Center in Grover Beach, Calif. Visitation 5-6 p.m. Monday (June 20) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Wake service at 6 p.m. Visitation again 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday (June 21) at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Papaikou. Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park, Ilima section. Casual attire; masks requested. Survived by daughter, Valerie (Christopher) Parayno of Hilo; son, Raymond Gatchalian of California; brother, Jose (Elsie) Simpao of California; sisters, Julieta Apilado of California and Mila (Anil) Kumar of South Carolina; three grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
EHCC hosts ‘After Life’ wood sculpture exhibit
Striking wood sculptures by five artists are being featured in an exhibit at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in downtown Hilo.
Council passes resolution supporting gun control
The Hawaii County administration on Wednesday collectively urged U.S. lawmakers to pass gun safety measures.
Bill would give state $60M for endangered species
Hawaii would receive $60 million in federal funds to protect endangered species under a new bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Dozens compete in King Kamehameha’s Awesome Athletes Inclusive Canoe Race
Hilo Bay was full of excitement Sunday morning as athletes participated in the Big Island’s first canoe-paddling race for people with disabilities.
Upward Bound program lands $6M in grants
The University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Upward Bound program was awarded four new five-year grants totaling nearly $6 million to help high school students prepare for college.