Puna “Galaxy” Kicks Off Kirk Bank’s Soccer Tournament on Oahu With Two Wins

The U-10 Puna “Select” soccer team kicked off the Kirk Bank’s soccer tournament today with two solid wins.

The Puna “Galaxy” U-10 select soccer team is on Oahu this weekend.

The first victory was over a strong team from Kaneohe, Oahu and the second hard fought win was over a team of select players from West Oahu.

The team will continue on with games tomorrow at the Waipio Soccer Complex on Oahu and depending on how they do tomorrow… will be also playing on Sunday at sometime.

Big Island Police Searching for Missing 15-Year-Old Kona Girl

Hawaiʻi Island police are searching for a 15-year-old girl reported as missing.

Shellsea W. Gouveia-Asuncion

Shellsea W. Gouveia-Asuncion has been missing from her Kona home since March 6. She may be in Kona or Hilo.

She is described as 5-foot-5,105 pounds with brown eyes, short black hair and a fair complexion. She wears plugs in both earlobes.

Police ask that anyone with information on her whereabouts call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Officer Robert Sakata at 326-4646, extension 276.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

 

Big Island Police Looking for Man Who Sexually Assaulted Female Minor on the Bus

Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man wanted for harassment and sexual assault on a public bus.

Have you seen this guy?

On January 28 at about 3:25 p.m. the unidentified man touched a female minor while engaging in an indecent act on a Hele-On bus in Waimea near the Lakeland bus stop. He is described as African-American, tall and thin with short dark hair. He was wearing a RVCA hat and white Beats headphones with a red cord. He may be in Hilo.

Police ask that anyone with information on his identity or location call 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 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Big Island Police Identify Man Killed in Moped Accident

Police have identified the man killed Thursday (March 21) from a moped crash on Painted Church Road in Hōnaunau, as 23-year-old Shyden D. Bento of a Captain Cook address.

Shyden Bento Facebook picture

Responding to a 9:07 p.m. call Thursday, Kona patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 2001 Honda moped and traveling north on Painted Church Road when he ran off the right side of the road and struck a rock wall. He was not wearing a helmet.

He was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:25 p.m.

 

Gov. Abercrombie to Attend Blessing of Pohoiki PV Solar Farm in Puna

Tomorrow, Governor Neil Abercrombie will be in attendance to oversee the initial launch and blessing of the Pohoiki PV Solar Farm in Puna. Aunty Mahealani Henry will conduct the blessing, and music will be provided by Dewi Maile Lim and Friends.

Greenpower Solutions LLC designed the solar farm to produce energy, food, and employment- three priorities for the state of Hawai`i. The plant is composed of 400 solar panels mounted on 9′ tall structures. The structures act as a frame for a greenhouse and aquaponic food growing system. Electricity is produced from the plant and is sold to Helco under a 20 year feed-in-tariff contract. The plant will produce enough energy to supply about 25 homes in Puna.

The Pohoiki PV Solar Farm is an example of the business potential of solar power in Puna and in the state. Electrical engineer and owner Raj Budhabhatti moved to Hawai`i in 2005 and started Greenpower Solutions to address Hawai`i’s energy needs. Greenpower aims to deliver innovative technical and financial solutions to turn energy challenge into energy opportunity.

The plant connects the local landowner with a private investor and uses technology created by Greenpower Solutions LLC. The landowner receives a percentage of the energy harvested monthly for the next 20 years. After that time the plant will belong to the landowner. The plant was designed and built using an all local professional workforce.

The plant was inspected by HELCO on March 13, 2013 and is currently in operation.

 

Hawaii Ecotourism Association Announces Ecotour Guide of the Year Award

The Board of Directors of the Hawaii Ecotourism Association recently announced creation of a new award for 2013 – Ecotour Guide of the Year. The award is open to any employee of an Association member. Nominees should embody the core assets of quality ecotourism: effective interpretation, conservation of natural resources, and authentic cultural experiences.

HEA member operators can nominate their employees for this newly created award. Three finalists will be chosen and the voting process will be opened to the general public. The winner will be announced at the HEA annual awards luncheon in May.

Nominees must have good communication skills, exhibit understanding and implementation of traditional Hawaiian hospitality, and set a good example for promoting sustainable tourism in Hawaii.

Nominations will be accepted March 18 through April 5, 2013. To submit a nomination, email HEA at admin@hawaiiecotourism.org. Include “Ecotour Guide of the Year Nomination” in the subject line of the email. The body of the email must include:

1) HEA Member Organization/Employer

2) Guide Name (nominee)

3) Ecotourism Credentials (trainings, certifications, etc.)

4) In 250 words or less explain why nominee should receive Ecotour Guide of the Year

5) Contact information for person or persons submitting nomination

Finalists will be announced on the HEA Facebook page on April 12, 2013, at which time voting will commence. Hawaii has some of the best guides anywhere, and HEA looks forward to recognizing the best and brightest in the Islands!

Hawai‘i Ecotourism Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to protect Hawai‘i’s unique environment and culture through the promotion of responsible travel and educational programs aimed at the public and visitor industry relating to ecotourism issues. HEA is committed to diversifying the travel industry of Hawai‘i through advocacy for ecotourism to protect Hawai‘i’s unique natural environment and cultures. Website: www.hawaiiecotourism.org