KULA (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Maui man was sentenced to 40 months in prison for setting off a homemade explosive device near Kaamana Street in Kula, back in August 2024.

According to court records, Jess Kiesel Lee, 43, planted multiple homemade fireworks in the area, one of which had Lee’s finger prints on it.

The Maui Police Department worked with the FBI to determine that at least one of the devices contained a mixture of compounds consistent with explosive firework powder.

A month later, an FBI search of Lee’s residence in Kula uncovered methamphetamine, firearms, ammunition, and IEDs containing flash powder.

Lee admitted to knowingly possessing that explosive powder after as a convicted felon.

U.S. District Judge Jill Otake noted that fireworks pose a danger to both individuals and the general public.

Otake went on to say that Lee’s placing his homemade firework near a wooded area on Kaamana Street placed the surrounding community in danger considering Maui’s susceptibility to wildfires.

“The protection and safety of our community is our highest priority,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “We have witnessed the serious harm and life-threatening danger presented by the possession and use of illegal explosives in our local communities, including illegal fireworks. We pledge to aggressively investigate, charge, and convict those who unlawfully construct, possess, or detonate explosives and explosive materials. We credit our steadfast partners at the FBI for their outstanding investigative efforts in this case.”

Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing any explosive shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

“Homemade explosive devices present a significant danger to our island communities,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “The FBI—in coordination with our law enforcement partners—is committed to using every tool available to hold criminals accountable when they threaten public safety.”

Following his prison sentence, Otake sentenced Lee to three 3 years of supervised release.

Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

Nearly 40 percent of annual proposals happen between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. Simple Hawaii Wedding prepares for its busiest inquiry period as newly engaged couples seek intimate and affordable Hawaii destination weddings.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – December 9, 2025 – As the holiday season approaches, Simple Hawaii Wedding is gearing up for what the wedding industry calls “engagement season”: the magical period between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day when nearly 40% of all marriage proposals take place.

Approximately 2.5 million couples get engaged annually in the U.S., with 19% of proposals happening in December alone, more than double any other month. Christmas Day ranks as the most popular proposal day, followed by Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

“Based on our experience, we typically see a significant uptick in wedding planning inquiries starting in January as newly engaged couples begin researching their dream wedding locations,” says Karma Hill, founder of Simple Hawaii Wedding.

Smart Couples Choose Intimate Celebrations

Wedding costs have reached record levels, with the average U.S. wedding now costing $36,000 in 2025, up from $29,000 in 2023.

In response, micro-weddings, intimate celebrations with 50 guests or fewer, now represent 18% of all U.S. weddings, up from just 10% in 2013. Industry experts estimate micro-weddings cost over 50% less than traditional celebrations, allowing couples to invest in what brings them joy, an unforgettable honeymoon, a down payment on a home, or peace of mind starting married life.

Hawaii Remains Top Choice

Hawaii ranks among the top three destination wedding locations in the U.S., with approximately 20,000 couples choosing the islands annually. The Hawaii destination wedding industry is projected to grow at 11.6% annually.

“The shift toward intimate weddings isn’t just about saving money, it’s about creating a more meaningful experience,” Hill explains. “The Big Island offers everything from pristine beaches to volcanic landscapes, and we make planning stress-free with all-inclusive packages.”

According to industry research, 30% of couples are reducing guest lists by an average of 25 people, prioritizing quality connections over large-scale productions.

The Simple Hawaii Wedding Difference

Simple Hawaii Wedding specializes in intimate Big Island ceremonies for 50 guests or fewer. With over 20 years of planning experience, the company partners exclusively with professional photographers, officiants, and vendors.

“We handle permits, photography, officiants, florals, and coordination,” says Hill. “Couples can have their dream wedding without the financial strain, emotional stress, or the logistics of a 150-person event.”

Planning Tips for Holiday-Engaged Couples

For couples who get engaged this holiday season and are considering a Hawaii destination wedding, Simple Hawaii Wedding recommends:

1. Book early – The most popular wedding dates (May, July, and October in Hawaii) fill up quickly

2. Consider the off-season – February, March, and January offer beautiful weather with fewer crowds

3. Start planning 9-12 months in advance – This is the average timeline for destination weddings

4. Research all-inclusive packages – They simplify planning and often provide better value

5. Trust local experts – Work with planners who know the locations, vendors, and permit requirements

“Our goal is to take the stress out of planning,” says Hill. “We create simply beautiful weddings that are authentically you, without breaking the bank.”

About Simple Hawaii Wedding

Simple Hawaii Wedding provides premium wedding planning services for intimate Big Island weddings, elopements, and vow renewals. Founded by Karma and Steve Hill, the company offers complete wedding packages featuring professional photography through Karma Hill Photography, experienced officiants, stunning floral arrangements, and seamless coordination. Simple Hawaii Wedding provides premium wedding planning services for intimate Big Island weddings, elopements, and vow renewals. Founded by Karma and Steve Hill, the company offers complete wedding packages with professional photography through Karma Hill Photography, experienced officiants, stunning floral arrangements, and seamless coordination.

The company serves the Kona and Kohala coast of the Big Island and also operates Simple Maui Wedding, Simple Oahu Wedding, and Karma Hill Photography, extending a superior standard of service across all island locations.

For more information, visit simplehawaiiwedding.com.

Media Contact
Company Name: Simple Hawaii Wedding
Contact Person: Steven Hill
Email: Send Email
City: Kailua-Kona
State: Hawaii 96740
Country: United States
Website: https://simplehawaiiwedding.com

Press Release Distributed by ABNewswire.com

To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Holiday “Engagement Season” Set to Spark Wave of Hawaii Destination Wedding Bookings

HONOLULU (KHON2) — A 40-year-old man was charged with assault after Honolulu police say he punched a Department of Education employee after an altercation at a basketball game.

Some involved in athletics say it’s been a dangerous growing trend and could spoil things for other sports families.

At Moanalua High School last Thursday, Honolulu Police say the man got into an altercation with referees during a basketball game. And when the woman was escorting the refs outside when the game ended, the man confronted the group, his daughter got tangled with the school official, and he punched the woman.

“It has become tremendously crazy for, overall, in the past maybe 10 years,” said Alton Mamiya, Hawaii State Basketball Officials Association. “I would say officials have been assaulted way back in the day, too, but it hasn’t been this bad.”

It’s a growing problem in all sports in Hawaii. So much, that lawmakers introduced and passed a bill in 2023 that makes it a felony in some instances to attack a sports official.

“Being a sports official myself, I umpire baseball and softball, and I’ve seen how tense games can get,” said Rep. Andrew Takuya Garrett, who co-authored the bill. “Like any umpire, I’ve been on the receiving end of some verbal abuse. But again, just want to reiterate, there is no call, none whatsoever that justifies assaulting a sports official.”

“They all think that their children are going to be stars, they’re going to be, they should be going to college, they should be first string, they should be playing more,” said Rich Miano, football analyst. “And this is a problem that exists throughout every level.”

“I think some parents envision their child getting a full ride to college, and they want to make sure that they have every opportunity to pursue that,” said Garrett.

Because of all this, sports officials are leaving the game. One group found that 50,000 sports officials across the country stopped working since 2019 because of these issues. And it’s no different here. Mamiya says he’s severely understaffed and unable to retain new people.

“Once they come out and they hear all this kind of stuff, they don’t want to officiate because liability for them,” said Mamiya. “And they have other, this is not their full-time job. This is their part-time job to exercise and get on the court and give back to the community and give back to these kids.”

“And when someone attacks a sports official, it really threatens the entire system,” said Garrett. “Games can get canceled, leagues lose officials, and ultimately, kids are the ones who pay the price.”

“Please understand that we’re not here to go against you,” said Mamiya. “We’re trying to help the sport.”

The man was charged with second-degree assault, with bail set at $15,000. The DOE had no comment.

“To me, those people need to be indicted,” said Miano. “That’s a police intervention. That’s physical assault. And we should not have that in our society.”