Latest news with #KimoAlameda
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaii's TMT project on chopping block amid federal cuts
HONOLULU (KHON2) — There has been a major development in the long-running battle over the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea. A federal funding cut could mean major changes for the project's future. New mayor's support reignites TMT debate The TMT has been the center of fierce opposition and protest for years. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda used to be against the project and even took part in the 2019 protests, but a new authority has been in charge since 2022 and his stance has changed. 'Nine of 11 of us are Hawaiian. So that's like, the perfect mix to make this decision of what's best for the mountain. So I was thrilled,' Alameda said. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Alameda said Native Hawaiian voices were finally leading the decision making when the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority was created. 'Not just for Hawaii, but I'm also fighting for Hawaiians because the 30 meter telescope allows us leverage to make the mountain better,' he said. 'What's the leverage to decommission five or six other telescopes? So, I don't think people realize that, you know, you don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.' The National Science Foundation said it will not fund TMT through its final design phase due to budget cuts, despite the local momentum. The National Science Foundation will instead back the completion of the Giant Magellan Telescope that is already under construction in Chile. Anti-telescope protesters oppose US attorney pick for Hawaii 'The Thirty Meter Telescope is one of the most compelling American opportunities in this generation. It is designed to explore the earliest galaxies, probe the nature of dark matter and dark energy, and search for life on exoplanets. Mauna Kea is the premier northern hemisphere site for astronomy, and TMT will enable the United States to demonstrate global leadership, while setting new standards for partnerships with the community where it wishes to be built and operated,' TMT project manager Fengchuan Liu said in a statement. 'We are disappointed that the NSF's current budget request does not include TMT, but we remain firmly committed to finding a path forward for TMT,' Liu's statement continued. 'We can imagine a future in which NSF participation in the TMT would open opportunities for significant discovery to the entire US science community, and welcome further conversations to make this a reality.' 'As ever, we appreciate our many supporters who share a common vision for future generations, and for excellence, as we strive to bring TMT to all the communities engaged with us,' Liu concluded. Check out more news from around Hawaii The Mauna Kea Authority has the final say on land use decisions — including whether TMT can move forward — but the future of the telescope remains uncertain whiteout federal funding. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Hōkūleʻa to stop in Hilo before traveling the world
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The esteemed Hōkūleʻa, along with Hikianalia, are set to depart Sand Island this weekend, where they will set sail for Hilo, marking their final stop on the Pae ʻĀina Statewide Sail before leaving the islands for the three-year Moananuiākea Voyage. The canoes are due to arrive in Hilo on May 20, where they will be docked for over a week for community engagement and voyage preparations. Future of Oahu's landfill in limbo as leaders look at other options There will be several events to honor the canoes' stay in Hilo, hosted by the County of Hawaiʻi, Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau, Grand Naniloa Hotel and the Hilo Community. There will be a welcome ceremony at the Grand Naniloa Hotel, which is tentatively scheduled for May 20, weather permitting. The next day, there will be a public dockside engagement event at the same hotel from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The final event will be Hilo's Hōkūleʻa Hoʻolauleʻa on May 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the ailoa Boat will also celebrate the canoes with music, entertainment, food trucks and more. During this time, Lihiwai Street from Kamehameha Avenue to Banyan Drive will be closed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a one-way traffic pattern in place. 'We are honored to welcome Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia to Hilo as they embark on the next leg of the Moananuiākea Voyage,' said County of Hawaiʻi Mayor Kimo Alameda. 'This visit is an opportunity to celebrate our heritage of exploration while deepening our shared responsibility to the ocean that connects all of us.' The canoes are tentatively scheduled to depart from Hilo to French Polynesia on May 30. Their upcoming voyage will span approximately 43,000 nautical miles and will visit 36 countries and archipelagos, about 100 indigenous territories and over 345 ports. Around 400 crew members from Hawaiʻi and the Pacific will take part in the voyage. For updates on their world tour, visit the Hōkūleʻa website and follow them on social media @hokuleacrew. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens proposes new admission fees
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii County is inviting the public to weigh in on proposed rule changes for the Panaʻewa Recreational Complex, including new admission fees for the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens and updated rates for the Panaʻewa Equestrian Center. Woman burned in Aliamanu New Year's blast released The public hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. on June 3 at the Aging and Disability Resource Center, located at 1055 Kinoʻole St. in Hilo. The county had initially introduced the fee proposals last year but hit pause following community feedback. The original plan was shelved in December 2024 after a public hearing in November. Since then, officials say they've made several changes aimed at making the fees more resident-friendly. Under the revised proposal, Hawaii Island keiki (children under 18) and kūpuna (seniors 60 and over) would receive free admission to the zoo, while adult residents would pay $4. Non-resident adults would pay $12, and non-resident children ages 3–17 would pay $5. Admission would remain free for children under 3. An annual pass would also be available for $25 per person. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You 'One of my first actions as mayor was to suspend the previous zoo admission fee proposal because it needed to be fairer for residents,' said Mayor Kimo Alameda in a statement. 'After several months of review, we believe this new proposal will keep the zoo affordable for families and people of all ages, from keiki to kūpuna, while ensuring that non-resident guests also contribute.' He added that revenue from the new fees could help fund future improvements at the zoo, including new exhibits and educational programs. Located in a lush rainforest, the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens is home to nearly 300 animals representing 82 species. It's the only tropical rainforest zoo in the U.S. and features playgrounds, picnic pavilions, a petting zoo, a gift shop, and more. The county is also proposing a new phased-in fee schedule for the Panaʻewa Equestrian Center, which offers facilities for horse racing, rodeo events, dressage, and public riding. The center operates daily and includes a racetrack, arenas, wash racks, and rental stalls with paddocks. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Full details on the proposed rule changes will be available at the public hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hawaii County, state, treating palms for coconut rhino beetles in Kona
COURTESY HDOA Workers conduct coconut rhinoceros beetles treatment on palm trees at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport. COURTESY HDOA Workers conduct coconut rhinoceros beetles treatment on palm trees at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport. Invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles have been detected in the Kona area, including near the airport, according to state officials. Hawaii County and the state Department of Agriculture say since January, they have been collaborating on efforts to combat the beetles, which is a serious pest and killer of palm trees. The beetles damage palms by boring into the crowns to feed on sap. Last week, crews completed the latest round of treatments on palms at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, where one adult beetle was found in a trap in March. More than 100 trees at airport grounds were treated, and there have so far been no further beetles detected there, officials said. They also treated dozens of trees at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii, where two adult beetles were also found in traps in March. 'The staff of the Department of Agriculture remains dedicated to stopping the further spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle, with emphasis in areas that are not known to be infested, ' said Sharon Hurd, Hawaii Board of Agriculture chair, in a news release. 'We truly appreciate the concern and assistance of Mayor Kimo Alameda and the county's public works crew in providing the resources to prevent CRB from taking hold on Hawaii Island. We also appreciate all the various agencies and organizations that work tirelessly in the fight against invasive species.' In January, the team treated trees in the Waikoloa area, where was found last fall in a trap during routine monitoring. There have so far been no further detections in Waikoloa. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. All treated trees have been tagged and surrounded with yellow tape, as coconuts from these trees should not be consumed. The coconut rhinoceros beetle was first detected on Oahu in 2013, and has since been found in many neighborhoods on the island as well as on Kauai, Maui and Hawaii island. Officials ask residents to be vigilant when purchasing mulch, compost and soil products, and to inspect bags for evidence of entry holes. An adult beetle is all black, about 2-inches long, with a single horn on its head. The grubs live in decomposing plant and animal waste. Visit the CRB Response website at to learn more. Residents can also report possible CRB infestation by calling the state's toll-free Pest Hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378 ). Questions regarding pesticide use may be addressed to HDOA's Pesticides Branch at 808-973-9402. 1 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? .
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hawaiʻi County mayor discusses infrastructure, more in State of the County
HILO, Hawaii (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi Mayor Kimo Alameda delivered his State of the County address on April 8 in Hilo, addressing issues such as the island's infrastructure deficiencies and housing while also celebrating the county's accomplishments. 'Let me tell you–we are not just running, we are flying. In the past four months, we have done more than some administrations have done in four years,' Alameda said. Big Island receives four new ambulances The mayor referenced the acquisition of four new ambulances for the island, the start of the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant rehabilitation project and the island's incoming helicopter ambulance, which he says is 'capable of picking up anyone, anywhere on the island and taking them to Queen's Medical Center for care.' Currently, Big Island residents would need to go to the airport to catch a plane. 'It's no secret that we have the greatest infrastructure deficiencies in the history of the county,' Alameda relation to infrastructure, Alameda addressed the need for cesspool conversions, while also revealing plans to fix up parks around the island, while also building public restrooms, with the mayor calling to restrooms essential. 'A bathroom, to me, is a basic human right,' Alameda said. 'I also think the need for recreation is equally important because you can't just stay in your house and kids need things to do.' Alameda also reference fixing the runway at the Kona Airport, to aid in bringing in more direct flights to Kona. 'After the tourists land, they then need to have a place to stay and that should be at our hotels,' Alameda said. 'So, let's support the hotel industry, which means cracking down on illegal vacation rentals.' The mayor then continued on to discuss providing hotels with a strong workforce, while also providing those workers with affordable housing and emphasizing community health. 'Let us move forward–not divided by districts, but united by aloha,' Alameda said. 'I am committed to listening, learning and leading with you at the center of every decision we make.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
