20-Year-Old Hilo Woman Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash in North Kona

A 20-year-old Hilo woman was killed Friday (July 20) from injuries she sustained in a two-vehicle crash on Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway at the 91-mile marker in North Kona.

The woman was identified as Christine C.R. Laeda, of a Hilo address.

Responding to a 11:56 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that a 20-year-old woman, also from Hilo, was operating a 2005 Toyota four-door sedan and traveling south on Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway when she overtook a 2006 Chrysler four-door sedan and struck the left rear corner of the Chrysler, which was being operated by a 37-year-old California man.

The Toyota went out of control, ran off the right side of the road, and overturned.

Laeda, who was a back seat passenger in the Toyota, was not wearing a seat belt. She was ejected from the vehicle.

Fire rescue personnel took the driver of the Toyota and her other three passengers—a 19-year-old Hilo woman and two Kea‘au women, ages 22 and 20—to Kona Community Hospital, where they were treated and released with minor injuries.

Laeda was also taken to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 2:47 a.m.

The driver of the Chrysler and his two female passengers, ages 36 and 27, were not injured.

The driver of the Toyota, 20-year-old Tiana Sagapolutele-Silva of Hilo, was arrested for negligent homicide, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, open vessel, prohibition involving minor and negligent injury.

She was released pending further investigation.

Police believe that speed and alcohol were factors in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Larry Flowers at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the 20th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 12 at this time last year.

Big Island Police Investigating Murder of 30-Year-Old Honomū Man

7/23 UPDATE: Big Island police have identified the Honomū man who was fatally stabbed Sunday morning (July 22) as 30-year-old Joshua Earl Trickel.

Big Island police have opened a homicide investigation following the death of a 30-year-old Honomū man.

At about 6:18 a.m. Sunday (July 22), police responded to a home on Pua Street in Honomū after receiving a report of a stabbing.

Responding officers and Fire Department personnel discovered the victim within the residence with injuries and no apparent signs of life.

Police arrested 49-year-old Daniel Schuster of Honomū at the scene. He remains in custody at the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continue the investigation, which is classified as a second-degree murder.

Parade & Festival for United Nations International Day of Peace – Saturday, September 22, 2012

Taiko drums, marching bands, bon dance, jazz, rock & roll, hula, cirque performers and more—Honoka‘a town is tuning up and dressing up for the 6th Annual Parade & Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace, Saturday, September 22, 2012.  Stepping off at 10 a.m. from Honoka‘a High School, the Peace Day Parade is a “moving stage” of music, dance, colorful costumes and fun entertainment with a message.

Afterwards, a free community Peace Day Festival takes place at the Honoka‘a Sports Complex from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with great local and ethnic foods, artists and crafters, live entertainment and a large community Bon Dance for everyone to join.  The Peace Committee of Honoka‘a Honpa Hongwanji Buddhist temple, producers of the annual festivities, are now accepting booth applications from community groups, food and other vendors for the Festival.

The Peace Committee is also planning the 5K “Peace Run-Walk,” (Details coming soon to www.peacedayparade.org), “Read for Peace” programs in the library and school, a “Day of Mindfulness” and the popular annual Peace Poster Contest for students.

The Peace Poster Contest welcomes entries from students in grades kindergarten through 12, willing to take time to express their thoughts on the theme “Aloha Peace” by Friday, September 14. The contest is free to enter, and cash prizes are awarded to the winners in several categories.  Detailed information is available at: www.peacedayparade.org

“For the last several years we’ve honored local ‘Honoka‘a heroes’ in the Parade,” said Peace Committee Chairman Mile Okumura, “And this year, we’re excited to feature Mr. Everett Souza, who, for one shining moment was “The Fastest Man in America,’ holding the record in the 50-mile run.   At age 14, he blew the competition away, and we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of that feat.”

The United Nations has been celebrating the International Day of Peace for more than 25 years, but Peace Day became law in Hawai‘i in 2007 as a result of lobbying by the teen group, United Junior Young Buddhist Association.  Proceeds go towards community services, including educational programs, charities, environmental activism programs and various peace initiatives year-round.
The 6th Annual Parade & Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace are presented by the Peace Committee of the Honoka‘a Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in cooperation with the United Nations and numerous community organizations.  The Peace Committee continues to seek additional support. Go to their website for information on sponsorship, contributions (including for the Silent Auction) and purchasing t-shirts:  www.PeaceDayParade.org or email info@peacedayparade.org

Related articles

• Noted Author, Budhist Scholar to Speak in Honoka’a and Hilo (damontucker.com)
• Elton to headline Peace One Day concert (bigpondnews.com)

3.0 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes the Kailua Area of the Big Island This Morning

Magnitude	3.0
Date-Time	Sunday, July 22, 2012 at 17:53:09 UTC Sunday, July 22, 2012 at 07:53:09 AM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location	19.645°N, 156.263°W
Depth	29.1 km (18.1 miles)
Region	HAWAII REGION, HAWAII
Distances	28 km (17 miles) W (271°) from Kailua, HI 28 km (18 miles) WSW (252°) from Kalaoa, HI 31 km (19 miles) W (276°) from Holualoa, HI 123 km (77 miles) W (267°) from Hilo, HI 246 km (153 miles) SE (138°) from Honolulu, HI
Location Uncertainty	horizontal +/- 1.9 km (1.2 miles); depth +/- 1 km (0.6 miles)
Parameters	Nph= 51, Dmin=26 km, Rmss=0.15 sec, Gp=263°, M-type=duration magnitude (Md), Version=1
Source	U.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Hawaii National Park, Hawaii
Event ID	hv60372816

Hawaii Will Receive $8.44 Million to Buy New Buses

Hawaii will receive $8.44 million to buy new buses for all four counties, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Representative Mazie K. Hirono and U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa announced.

The money comes from the FY 2012 State of Good Repair Program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Ane Keohokālole Highway is designed as a multi-modal transportation corridor, including bike lanes, sidewalks, and bus stops. County Mass Transit will establish a Hele-On Bus loop using Ane Keohokālole and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highways.

“The county bus systems provide our residents and visitors with a safe and reliable form of transportation that improves access to work and leisure activities, especially on the neighbor islands, and we must maintain and refurbish our fleet whenever possible. On Oahu, it is a much needed alternative to driving on an island recently recognized for having the worst traffic in America, as evidenced by recent ridership statistics showing an increase of more than 5,300 passengers a day over the same period last year. Hawaii is also the state most dependent on imported fossil fuels, and the bus is being used more and more by those who want to get out of their cars and avoid high gas prices. I would like to thank the administration for this critical investment,” said Senator Inouye.

“By funding the maintenance and repair of Honolulu and neighbor island bus fleets, this grant helps residents get to work and school while avoiding the gas pump and reducing pollution in the air we breathe,” said Senator Akaka.

“The bus systems across Hawaii are some of the fastest growing in the nation and they provide vital transportation services to both our residents and visitors. Today’s announcement shows the Obama Administration is committed to supporting public transit, which helps to give all of our citizens—whatever their means and whatever their age—access to jobs, education, medical care, and other community resources. These investments will help to make sure that this access is preserved, and that our bus systems can continue to operate safely and efficiently,” said Congresswoman Hirono, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

“I thank the U.S. Department of Transportation for providing funds that will allow us to repair and replace vehicles that may diminish the quality of public transportation in Hawaii. Traffic congestion and the need for transportation alternatives no longer affect Honolulu’s urban corridor alone; they are a concern across the state. Our public transportation systems provide our residents and visitors with safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options, and we must continue to invest in their upkeep,” said Congresswoman Hanabusa.

DOT Grant Awards:

County of Hawaii: $1,200,000
County of Maui: $1,000,000
City and County of Honolulu: $5,000,000
County of Kauai: $1,240,000