Mahukona Preservation Advances

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TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021 WESTHAWAIITODAY.COM 75¢ MAHUKONA PRESERVATION ADVANCES

BY NANCY COOK LAUER WEST HAWAII TODAY COUNCIL RESOLUTION BEGINS PURCHASE PROCESS [email protected] 145 continues a process that’s by a Tampa, who sponsored the resolu- Natural Resources Preservation A plan to preserve 644 acres been going on for decades, Florida, limited tion, said the property could Commission last year. of Mahukona land of histor- when community groups came liability compa- be purchased with county pub- “It makes all the sense in the ical and cultural significance together to push for public pur- ny, according to lic access funds either outright, world,” Richards said. “We’re has taken a big step forward chase of the lands. The 11 par- county property or as conservation easements, definitely seeking way forward with the County Council’s unan- cels, zoned agriculture, conser- tax records. working with the Hawaii Land conversations with corporation imous approval of a resolution vation and hotel/resort, carry Kohala Trust. He noted the proper- counsel on how we’re going to authorizing sale negotiations. a combined market value of Councilman ty was the top priority of the The approval of Resolution $13.3 million and are owned Richards Tim Richards, Public Access, Open Space and SEE MAHUKONA PAGE 5A DESTINATION MANAGEMENT NEEDED Home sales soar on isle

BY MICHAEL BRESTOVANSKY HAWAII TRIBUNE-HERALD Big Island homes are selling almost as soon as they hit the market as the real estate industry rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to multiple listing service data, 1,626 home sales have been made in the first half of this year — nearly 50% more than in the first half of 2020, and 500 more than the in the first half of 2019. With only one exception, every district on the island has had an increase in sales from last year, with Puna seeing a 47% increase from last year, and South Hilo a 36% increase. The exception was Hamakua, which had five fewer sales than last year, a decrease of 13%. The island’s median home sales price has also increased by 20%, or $79,000, from last year, and is nearly $100,000 higher than the median sales price by June 2019. The Puna median sales price is $280,000, a 25% increase from last year, while South Hilo’s dropped by 2% to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park ranger Mequette Gallegos, right, shows visitors different trails Friday. Masks are $395,000. not required at the park unless social distancing measures can not be achieved. KELSEY WALLING/HAWAII TRIBUNE-HERALD In North Kona, sales increased by 57%, with median sales prices jump- ing 23% to $926,000. Ka‘u sales GOVERNOR IGE CALLS FOR SHIFT IN THE WAY TAT FUNDS ARE USED increased by 26%, and median prices BY STEPHANIE SALMONS airports and hotels to really focus in on high-attraction destinations “in a way that climbed 19% to $295,000. South Kohala sales rose by 39%, HAWAII TRIBUNE-HERALD getting the visitors we want, then we do can really reduce the stress of so many and its median sales price increased have just unfettered access to the state visitors.” Gov. David Ige on Monday said less by 26% to $783,000. of Hawaii,” he said during a livestream In response to a question from a lives- money should be spent on tourism Islandwide commercial real estate Monday. advertising and more should be focused tream viewer, Ige said he cannot con- sales increased by 125%, although Ige said visitors aren’t spending as on destination management. trol or limit the number of flights into the median commercial sales price much as those who came previously. Ige recently vetoed legislation that Hawaii’s airports. dropped by 23% to $560,000. Many are staying in illegal, but cheaper, would take away the counties’ share “Once an aircraft lands, we can imple- It is a very brisk seller’s market of the Transient Accommodations Tax vacation rentals. ment quarantine orders and things like on the island, said Lucena Nicolas, on hotel rooms and short-term rent- “And because of that, they’re in the that, but that’s the limit of my authority founder of Pineapple Homes in als, as well as funding for the Hawaii communities, they’re creating traffic prob- as governor.” Pahoa. Tourism Authority, but that veto was lems, they’re parking illegally. It really Ige has said previously that when “I put one house on the market, subsequently overridden by the state does create friction between visitors and the state reaches a fully vaccinated and within five days, it was already in Legislature and became law. residents that really is not sustainable.” rate of 70%, all of Hawaii’s COVID- escrow,” Nicolas said. “We definitely agree that we need to be Ige said TAT dollars should be invest- related emergency restrictions will be Julie Hugo, real estate agent with changing how we spend the dollars that ed differently. dropped, and the state’s Safe Travels Venture Sotheby’s International we use, and it may be necessary to reduce Less money should go into advertis- Program will end. Realty in Hilo, said demand for Big the marketing and advertising dollars, ing, but more dollars should be spent Although vaccination rates in Hawaii Island homes has far outstripped but we’ve seen over the last several weeks on managing parks and hiking trails, have slowed, Ige echoed state health the available inventory, so homes are that without someone guiding, without focusing on “getting the visitors that we someone working with destinations and want,” and working to permit access into SEE IGE PAGE 4A SEE HOMES PAGE 7A VIRUS DELAYS SENTENCING MAN IN POLICE OFFICER ASSAULT TO NOW LEARN FATE JULY 26

JUDGE CONTINUED learned the defendant hadn’t yet document here that contains all HEARING AFTER had a chance to review a pre-sen- sorts of information about you,” LEARNING DEFENDANT tencing report and consult with DeWeese said after asking Ke if his attorney. he’d read statements in the report HADN’T MET Kona Circuit Court Judge from the victim (Hawaii Police WITH COUNSEL Wendy DeWeese opted to con- Department) Officer Randall tinue the hearing two weeks after Hancock, his wife and his mother BY CHELSEA JENSEN hearing sentencing arguments WEST HAWAII TODAY about the March 16, 2019, inci- [email protected] from Deputy Public Defender dent on the shoreline fronting James Greenberg and Deputy Huggo’s Restaurant. “I think you A judge delayed sentencing Prosecuting Attorney Chase have the right to see it because Shannon Ke appeared via Zoom for his sentencing Monday for a 34-year-old Kona Murray, and defendant Shannon otherwise you are not on notice hearing Monday before Kona Circuit Court Judge Wendy man found guilty by a jury of K. Ke’s address to the court. of what things I’m considering in DeWeese. DeWeese continued the hearing after learning assaulting a law enforcement offi- “I’m uncomfortable sentencing Ke hadn’t reviewed a pre-sentence investigation report nor cer and resisting arrest after she you because I’m looking at a big SEE SENTENCING PAGE 5A consulted with his counsel. CHELSEA JENSEN/WEST HAWAII TODAY INDEX Annie’s Mailbox ...... 3B Classified ...... 5B Comics ...... 4B Flavors ...... 8A Opinion ...... 6A Sports ...... 1B

HI 86 LO 74 WEATHER, PAGE 2A VOL. 53, NO. 194 16 PAGES WEST HAWAII TODAY | TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2021 HAWAII NEWS 5A Police respond IN BRIEF COVID-19 case count confirmed the death of a fully vac- administrator. cinated Oahu man, older than He called the response rates “fright- to break-in at increases by 15 80, who had multiple underlying eningly low.” Fifteen new COVID-19 cases health conditions. DOH spokesman Those who do not turn in their were reported Monday on the Big Brooks Baehr said the DOH report- paperwork on time will be noti- Holualoa Island, the third straight day Hawaii ed his death several weeks ago but fied that their SNAP benefits have County has reported new cases in the learned the man had been vacci- been terminated. While the person’s nated while conducting a follow-up double-digits. Electronic Benefit Transfer card investigation. On Saturday, the island reported will still work, no new funds will be Post Office 20 new cases and 12 on Sunday. According to Baehr, there have added. The person would have to Statewide, there were 114 new and been more than 100 deaths since reapply, and would likely see a gap in probable cases Saturday and anoth- the first people in Hawaii were fully USPS WORKING TO er 102 on Sunday. vaccinated in mid-January. More receiving the service. DETERMINE IF ANY “Over the weekend, we saw a bump than 99% have been unvaccinated up in cases again,” Gov. David Ige people. Additionally, about 98% of Maui median home price in MAIL WAS REMOVED said during a livestream Monday. individuals hospitalized recently have “Over 100 new cases a day over the been unvaccinated, he said. June was more than $1.1M BY WEST HAWAII TODAY STAFF last weekend, which looks like it’s WAILUKU — The highest medi- probably the result of the Fourth of an price for a single-family home in Big Island police are asking for the pub- State worries people July weekend. I do anticipate we’ll Hawaii last month was in Maui County lic’s help in identifying persons involved be seeing higher case counts over aren’t completing food in a break-in that occurred sometime at more than $1.1 million. the next few days.” stamp paperwork While Kauai has been seeing the between Saturday and Monday morning The 15 Big Island cases report- at the Holualoa Post Office. HONOLULU — The state of highest median statewide price in ed Monday brought the island’s Hawaii said people haven’t been com- recent months, Maui County went At 7:05 a.m. Monday, Kona patrol officers total case count to 3,368 and were pleting the paperwork they need to higher in June because of a large vol- responded to a report of a possible break-in among 63 cases reported statewide, continue receiving food stamps, rais- ume of luxury home sales and low at the Holualoa Post Office. Upon arrival, according to the Department of officers determined that unknown persons ing concerns that thousands may be inventory, The Maui News reported Health. Oahu reported 28 cases, unintentionally cut off from public entered the post office sometime after it Maui County six and Kauai seven. Monday. closed on Saturday and before employees assistance. Maui set a new county record at Seven cases were among residents The missing documents come arrived on Monday morning, according to $1,117,500 according to a report last diagnosed out of state. after the federal government, citing the Hawaii Police Department. week from the Realtors Association of Since the end of last February, the coronavirus pandemic, dropped Employees from the United States Postal 38,544 people have tested positive the normal requirement that peo- Maui. It was a 44.5% increase from the Service are working to determine if any arti- for COVID-19 across Hawaii. ple on the Supplemental Nutrition same month last year when the median cles of mail were removed from within the The Big Island had a 3.7% sev- Assistance Program, or SNAP, do an price was $773,250, the report said. post office, police said. Detectives from the en-day positivity rate, over the eligibility review and a six-month Kauai’s median was $1.1 million, department’s Area II Criminal Investigation state’s 2.3% positivity rate on review. It did so to ensure that people Oahu’s was $978,000 and the Big Section are conducting preliminary investi- Monday. Over the last 14 days, 114 did not experience a lapse in benefits Island’s was $465,000, according to gations until agents from the United States cases have been reported on the during the public health emergency. data from Hawaii Information Service Postal Inspection Service arrive on island to Big Island. Over the past week, the But it lifted the waiver this month. and Honolulu Board of Realtors. continue the investigation. island has reported an average of The state Department of Human Low interest rates for mortgages and Anyone with information on this inci- 10.7 cases per day. Services sent 2,200 letters for the limited inventory are fueling record dent should call the department’s none- No new coronavirus-related six-month review last month but only high sales prices at a “frenzied pace” mergency number at (808) 935-3311 or deaths were reported on Monday. 700 were returned, the Honolulu in the U.S. housing market, the report contact Detective Ray Fukada at (808) Of the 521 deaths confirmed and Star-Advertiser reported. It sent said. 326-4646, ext. 281, or via email at ray. reported by the state to date, 404 15,000 eligibility review letters but “Eager buyers are making multi- [email protected]. were on Oahu, 57 were on Maui, 55 only 7,000 were returned. Those who prefer to remain anonymous, were on the Big Island and two on “Typically, we receive about 80% ple offers, some for well over asking should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961- Kauai. Three deaths were among back in normal years,” said Brian price, while others are making offers on 8300. Crime Stoppers does not record any residents outside the state. Donohoe, the department’s benefit, homes sight unseen,” the report said. calls or subscribe to caller ID. The state Department of Health employment and support services By staff and wire sources

have been inspired to be the “As far as for our organiza- “There’s a really imporant close the gap. MAHUKONA: voice to speak up on what they tion working alongside these and unspoken code of con- Toni Withington, speaking CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A believe is the best for the peo- folks, we are really happy about duct in how you engage with for groups Malama Na Wahi ple and places of Kohala,” said all the support,” said Chadd a place,” Kamakaala said. “It Pana O Kohala, Ka Makani O proceed with this.” Johnelle “Amoo” Ching, Kainoa Paishon, senior captain and is a really important aspect for Kohala Ohana, Malama Kohala Some 50 people submitted project director for Kohala PWO Navigator for Na Kalai Mahukona.” Kahakai and Maika’i Kamakani testimony to the council sup- Unupa’a, an after-school men- Wa‘a. “Let’s do this together The property contains more O Kohala, praised the process porting the land purchase and torship program that comes out and do this for Mahukona and than 175 cultural and archae- for its community involvement. more than 5,700 have signed an continuing to provide for the ological sites, fishing villages of the Kohala School Complex. “Since the founding of the online petition seeking protec- “Mahukona has been the icebox generations that come after us.” and heiau that are still used County Open Space Fund in tion of the land. to many ohana from Kohala Shae Kamakaala, director today, including the Ko‘a Heiau 2006, in cooperation with other Testifiers described longtime who gather to feed their fami- of aina protection and general Holomoana, an important and family relationships on the land, lies. It is the famous coastline counsel for the Hawaii Land rare navigational heiau. Kohala groups, we have nom- telling the council their early that we all come to relax and Trust, said the land preserva- The Hawaii Land Trust is inated Kohala coastal lands, memories of fishing, swim- rejuvenate our souls.” tion group is working closely currently working with the including Mahukona, to the ming and appreciating the land Hawaiian voyagers especial- with the landowner, the state state Department of Land and Mayor’ s annual priority list of important to early Hawaiians. ly came out in force to sup- and county and the families. It’s Natural Resources to apply for important lands to conserve,” “The haumana of Kohala port the plans, their groups especially important to follow federal money, leveraging coun- Withington said, adding the Unupa’a have a sentimental working with the Hawaii Land the native protocols in interact- ty PONC funds and then tap- land has been on the PONC relationship to Mahukona. They Trust to preserve the land. ing with the land, she said. ping into a capital campaign to priority list for that long.

has also been vaccinated. 262 inmates at the facility with my life, to actual- conduct, first-degree arms and hands, con- SENTENCING: “I know that DPS is try- — 36 inmates over opera- ly get a job, be a better assault, two counts of sciousness and memory CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A ing to do the right thing tional bed capacity. asset in the world.” first-degree assault on issues, seizures and prob- by trying to protect every- Prior to DeWeese delay- Ke was found guilty by Hancock in connec- lems with mobility. He sentencing you. Frankly, body’s health and welfare, ing the hearing, Murray a jury on May 5 of resist- tion with the March 16, said he never faced any of I’m not comfortable in but at some point we can’t had argued for the state ing arrest and first-de- 2019 incident in Kailua the conditions prior to the continuing with your sen- keep the jail locked down to sentence Ke to con- gree assault of a law Village. March 26, 2019, incident. tencing right now because like this,” said DeWeese. current prison terms of enforcement officer fol- During the trial, you have not had a chance In an emailed response five years for first-degree lowing a weeklong trial. Hancock testified he has If Ke had been convicted to review with your lawyer to a request for com- assault of a law enforce- Ke had faced first-de- not worked since the inci- of first-degree attempted the pre-sentence investi- ment regarding the sen- ment officer and one year gree attempted murder dent, having been placed murder, he would have gation. There are things tencing’s continuance, for resisting arrest, with with the enhancement of on disability because of faced life in prison without in here you might want to Department of Public credit for time served. a hate crime, disorderly nerve problems in his the possibility of parole. respond to.” Safety Spokeswoman “Every witness that tes- Greenberg said he Toni Schwartz said: Due tified said that the defen- didn’t have the ability to to the current COVID-19 dant was the aggressor. NOTICE OF POWER OUTAGE go over the report with situation at the Hawaii Officer Hancock did not his client due to the ongo- Community Correctional do anything but act in North Kohala ing lockdown at Hawaii Center, we provide Zoom a professional manner July 29 (8 P.M.) to July 30, 2021 (6 A.M.) Community Correctional calls for attorney/client and that the defendant Center. The Hilo jail has privileged discussions.” struck the first blow Hawaiian Electric announces a scheduled power outage that will affect been on quarantine pro- “We also have been and continued to attack customers in North Kohala. The outage will be from 8 p.m. on Thursday, July tocol since late May, when working with the courts officer Hancock once 29, to 6 a.m. on Friday, July 30, 2021. two COVID-19 cases to facilitate video hear- they were in the water,” There also will be partial road closures on Kohala Mountain Road between mile markers 6 and 10 and on Akoni Pule Highway between mile markers 22 cropped at the facility. ings, including bail, status Murray said. “That’s the and 25. Motorists are advised to drive with caution in these areas. “I didn’t go because of hearings, and sentenc- evidence before the court This temporary outage is necessary to allow Hawaiian Electric personnel COVID. I should have ing hearings. The video and those are the facts to safely perform maintenance and upgrade infrastructure and equipment for sent it (via mail). I didn’t option is used to ensure the jury convicted the system reliability and resilience. The work is being performed overnight to go to the jail because I the health and safety of defendant o. There’s no minimize disruptions to customers. haven’t been able to,” Customers are advised to unplug sensitive equipment prior to the out- all those involved,” she defenses, and certainly age and to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Those who depend on Greenberg said. continued.” none found by the jury.” medication or life support equipment should make arrangements for a back- DeWeese then instruct- On Monday, Hawaii Greenberg argued for up power supply or transportation to a facility outside the affected area. ed Greenberg to try to go Community Correctional probation, noting his The County of Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply (DWS) recommends over the report with his Center said it received client has already been that residents store enough water for their use for the night. DWS will set up a client via phone call or 21 inmate test results. Of infected with COVID- temporary spigot on a ﬁ re hydrant near the Ka‘auhuhu Transfer Station for the community’s use during the power outage. Zoom, though noting a that number, one was pos- 19 and has served 778 Hawaiian Electric thanks customers for their patience and understanding. phone call “is not mean- itive and 20 were nega- days — which is over If there are any questions or concerns, please call (808) 969-6666. ingful consultation.” She tive, leaving the number two years behind bars. also stated she would sign of active cases at the facil- He also noted his client an ex parte motion or ity at eight. Since the start doesn’t have a violent order to allow the attor- of the current outbreak record. ney access to the jail, if in late May, 253 inmates “I humbly apolo- requested by the facility’s and 24 staff members gize for my actions that warden. have tested positive for day. It could have went “I’ll be happy to sign COVID-19. Earlier this another route, a much that kind of an order,” she month, the department better route. I’m ready noted. declared all inmates free to be a better person Greenberg noted he of COVID-19 before more in the community,” Ke is fully vaccinated and positives cropped up. said, speaking via Zoom would like to visit his cli- As of the most recent from Hawaii Community ent. Ke also chimed in inmate population report Correctional Center. “I’m that while he was sick- issued July 5, Hawaii trying to be there for ened with COVID-19 in Community Correctional my daughter … and I’m the recent outbreak, he Center reported having ready to move forward