Congratulations to this wonderful young Big Island woman!

I can just imagine the pride her family has, even I am full of pride for her!

Way to go Maile!!

https://bigislandnow.com/2024/05/10/big-...-scholars/

Apparently, it was not widely available.

Hope everyone is o.k.

Hopes and prayers.

'e

Vendors at the Keaau Farmer's Market are reporting on social media that they are being evicted and this will be their last month there.  They were previously located at the (IMHO nicer) location across Keaau-Pahoa Rd and were evicted to make way for the Keaau Long's (CVS) and moved to their current location somewhat hidden behind the Shell gas station in the corner of the parking lot near McDonalds.

I don't have any other information but a lot of the social media posts are blaming "The Shipmans".   No idea if there is any accuracy to that.

I'm not going to comment on this as I have conflicting views and haven't quite decided exactly where I stand on this, but others here should know about it given the importance of Hawaii and Mauna Kea to international astronomy, and should feel free to air their concerns.

I received this in my work email just a few minutes ago, unsolicited which always annoys me, but it is important.

https://astronomersappeal.voxmail.it/use...t=b840bbbb

"On December 29, 2022, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) sued the U.S. Federal Communications Commission over its decision to approve SpaceX’s application for up to 30,000 more low-orbit satellites, in addition to the 12,000 already approved and in process of filling our skies. This is Case No. 22-1337 [1] before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and has not yet been decided by the court."

So, while out shopping today, I came across this "State" Plated Car. 

It appears to be a 1997ish vintage. 

Namely, a Lexus ES 300. Which was considered a top-of-the-line luxury car.

It was about 35k brand new in 1997. Which in today's dollars is about $68k.

At first, I was kind of angered. 

But then, I realized that car is 27 years old. I’d say they got their monies worth!!!

But then again, that license plate looks almost brand new. I can't imagine the State is buying used 27-year-old Lexus' as a fleet car.

But then again, even though I could not get a close view of the driver, maybe it's a Puna car and they managed to steal a State License Plate???

Who knows - but that sure is something kind of strange!

ETA: No visible current safety inspection tag either?!?!?!?


   

"Kailua Bay is a vision of blue with regular sightings of a myriad of animals from spinner dolphins to humpback whales to the bright yellow tang."

"But it’s a facade."


"The bay has been a dumping ground for years,..."

Nearly 5 tons in tires removed from Kailua Bay : Big Island Now

So, aside from all the other junk dumped into Kailua Bay, how did these tires get there? Two of them from an airplane?

I'd sure love to know the source of this tire dumping - is this illegal dumping or is this a sanctioned official method of tire disposal?

A bill protecting Hawaii from invasive species has moved forward, with funds for “responding to” fire ants, coquis etc.  It still must pass the House & Senate.

$100,000 for coqui “response”
$3,180,660 for additional state workers

https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/nr24-1...uritybill/

Toxoplasmosis, an infection spread only in the feces of feral cats, is likely what killed a nēnē gosling in Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens last month.

The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) sent the diseased bird to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center for a necropsy (animal autopsy).

Raymond McGuire, the DOFAW biologist who collected the gosling and sent it to the lab to determine cause of death, said nēnē have particularly strong familial bonds and there’s one thing about this gosling’s death that is especially sad. The gosling’s mother, tagged as NTC, was the same bird that had another chick taken from her by a woman at Hilo park in March, 2023.

In a press release DLNR Chair Dawn Chang said, “This tragic incident highlights the problem of having feral cat colonies in areas that are known habitat for endangered or threatened species. Toxoplasmosis, or ʻtoxo’ for short, according to the USGS, continues to be the chief cause of death for infectious diseases for nēnē and critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals. We must keep cats out of native wildlife habitats or we’re likely to see more deaths among Hawai‘i’s State Bird population,”
Last year at the Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa, DOCARE officers ordered feral cat feeding to stop, at the request of the shopping center’s owners as nēnē were eating cat food right alongside a large population of wandering cats.

The nonprofit Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens put up signs cautioning visitors that it is illegal to touch, harass, feed, or harm a nēnē.


https://www.kwxx.com/2024/04/24/nene-gos...eral-cats/

What's everybody's thoughts on this??

I'm still "mulling" this myself!

There was a crime scene at 7th and Makuu.  Junkyard house.  Seems like the more junk in the yard, the more chance of violence eventually taking place. 


Shooting in Puna leaves man with multiple injuries; 1 man in custody
April 19, 2024 · 10:15 PM HST


A Puna man is being investigated for attempted murder after a 32-year-old man was shot several times.


https://bigislandnow.com/2024/04/19/shoo...n-custody/