Hawaii

Rain Brought by Hone Cancels Hawaii's Wildfire Warnings

Published

4 months ago

August 25, 2024

Rain Brought by Hone Cancels Hawaii's Wildfire Warnings

Hurricane Hone passed just south of Hawaii on Sunday, dumping enough rain for the National Weather Service to call off its red flag warnings that strong winds could lead to wildfires on the drier sides of islands in the archipelago. Hone had top winds of 85mph Sunday morning as it moved west, centered about 45 miles off the southernmost point of the Big Island, reported Jon Jelsema, a senior forecaster at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu. He said tropical storm force winds were blowing across the island’s southeast-facing slopes, carrying a foot or more of rain, per the AP.

“As the rain gets pushed up the mountain terrain it wrings it out, kind of like wringing out a wet towel,” Jelsema said Sunday. “It’s been really soaking those areas, there’s been flooding of roads.” Hurricane Gilma, meanwhile, increased to a Category 4 hurricane Saturday night, but it was still far east of Hawaii and forecast to weaken into a depression before it reaches the islands. Some Big Island beach parks were closed due to dangerously high surf, and officials opened shelters as a precaution, Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth said.

(More Hawaii stories.)

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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

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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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