Hawaii

A young boy from Hawaii enters prestigious Mensa Society for intellectuals

Published

4 months ago

August 26, 2024

A young boy from Hawaii enters prestigious Mensa Society for intellectuals

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – In many ways, his parents say little Kaleo Kekuewa-Kwon is your typical kid – a bundle of energy packed into a five-year-old’s body.

But there’s so much more to him than meets the eye.

“He’s really thoughtful for his age,” said his dad, Sebastian Kwon. “He has a lot of emotional intelligence, I guess you would say.”

That intelligence showed up very early. Around his first birthday, Kaleo began recognizing letters of the alphabet. By the time he was four, he had taught himself how to read.

As for numbers and math, he’s a walking, talking calculator.

“One plus one is 2, two plus two is four, four plus four is eight, eight plus eight is 16, 16 plus 16 is 32, 32 plus 32 is 64, 64 plus 64 is 128, 128 plus 128 is 256,” Kaleo said.

His parents knew they had a bright child on their hands, especially when he started helping his older brothers with their homework. They recently had him tested with an IQ exam measuring preschoolers’ cognitive development.

“For him, it was just a fun play day. But when we got the results back, we were so shocked at how well he did,” his mom, Mailani Kekuewa, said.

“We knew he was smart. But we didn’t know he was that smart,” Sebastian said.

His scores were so off the charts that Kaleo was accepted into Mensa, the oldest and largest society for the world’s elite intellectuals. He is one of Mensa’s youngest members.

“That test was a piece of cake,” Kaleo said.

Apparently, it was. He completed his IQ tests in about 60 minutes. It usually takes several hours.

Now, Kaleo will participate in Mensa’s program for kids with high IQs.

“We just really think that it’s going to continue to broaden his network and challenge him and give him the resources he needs to continue to excel,” Mailani said.

Kaleo wants to be a scientist when he grows up, but first comes kindergarten.

“He’s excited to start kindergarten,” Mailani said. “He’s tried to keep busy all summer long. He just started piano a couple of weeks ago. He kept busy with Taekwondo. He’s definitely ready.”

Kaleo’s also learning hula, how to play the ukulele, and how to speak Hawaiian.

He’ll fit right in when the family moves back to the islands from Washington, D.C., in a couple of years, right after his dad retires from the Air Force.

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Hawaii

Closure and courage: Man faces justice following teen’s abduction from West Hawaii beach

Published

3 hours ago

January 1, 2025

Press Room

Closure and courage: Man faces justice following teen’s abduction from West Hawaii beach

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Hawaii Island man accused of abducting a 15-year-old girl and holding her captive in a bus on his Hilo property two years ago pleaded no contest to multiple charges in a Kona courtroom Tuesday morning.

Cher Angelel spoke on behalf of her daughter, Mikella, after the hearing.

The family expressed deep gratitude, thanking everyone who had a part in not only bringing the teen home, but also those who have helped to deliver justice in this years-long case.

“Today is the beginning of the end,” Angelel said. “There aren’t enough thanks for people that really stepped up. Way too many people to name. But you know who you are and we are so endlessly grateful for your support and help.”

Duncan Mahi pleaded no contest to two counts of kidnapping and one count of sexual assault in connection with the two-day crime spree that spanned Hawaii Island before the teen managed to escape in Hilo with the help of two good Samaritans who recognized her at a restaurant.

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Attorney Jeffrey Foster said, “A plea of no contest basically means that the defendant does not plead guilty, but he also agrees not to contest the charges against him.”

According to the plea agreement, Mahi will spend no less than 20 years behind bars.

It also means Mikella and the boy who was with her at the time of the abduction won’t have to testify at a trial.

“They are seniors in high school and ready to get on with their lives and not having a trial will definitely be a good thing for all of us,” said Angelel.

Today, Mikella is about to turn 18. Angelel said she is doing phenomenal.

“She has risen above it,” Angelel said. “She’s gotten on with her life. She’s a straight-A student. She’s applying for colleges, applying for scholarships. She’s going places in life.”

Angelel credits her daughter’s intelligence for helping bring her captor to justice.

“And I really want young women to really know what my daughter did to save herself and learn from her,” she said. “Memorizing his license plate from the very get-go. She left hair in the school bus he was keeping her in for DNA. She really did things that helped out the police.”

Mahi’s sentencing is scheduled for March 14 at 8:30 a.m. in Kona.

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Hawaii

Driver arrested after bicyclist fatally struck on Big Isle | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Published

12 hours ago

December 31, 2024

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Driver arrested after bicyclist fatally struck on Big Isle | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

A Pahoa man has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and first-degree negligent homicide after a collision resulted in the death of a bicyclist Monday, according to Hawaii island police.

The incident occurred at about 8 p.m. Monday on Kahakai Boulevard near Olao Street in Pahoa.

Police said Michael Richardson, 36, of Pahoa, was driving a 2018 Volkswagen GTI sedan east on Kahakai when he struck a man on a blue mountain bike traveling in the same direction.

Paramedics rushed the unresponsive bicyclist, apparently in his 50s, to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:55 p.m. His identification is pending, according to police, and an autopsy has been ordered to determine his cause of death.

In addition to DUI and negligent homicide, police also arrested Richardson on suspicion of driving without insurance. He remains in custody at the Hilo Police Station pending further investigation.

Witnesses to the collision or any information should contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808- 961-2339 or Jerome.Duarte@hawaiicounty.gov. Anonymous tips may also be reported to Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 in Hilo.

Police said this is Hawaii Cunty’s 29th traffic fatality this year compared to 15 at the same time last year.

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Hawaii

First Alert Forecast: Breezy winds and fair conditions to welcome the New Year

Published

20 hours ago

December 31, 2024

Press Room

First Alert Forecast: Breezy winds and fair conditions to welcome the New Year

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Typical trade wind weather is expected for most of this week, with moderate to breezy wind speeds and scattered showers focused over windward and mountain areas. The exception is late Tuesday into early Wednesday, when a plume of moisture is forecast to move in from the east, boosting windward showers. Trades will weaken Friday through the weekend as a front approaches from the northwest. Vog will likely increase across the state Friday through the weekend as the trades weaken and veer out of the southeast.

Medium northwest swell will continue through Tuesday. A large northwest swell is forecast to arrive Wednesday and will produce advisory level surf. An even larger northwest swell will arrive this weekend. Surf along south and east facing shores is expected to remain small this week.

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