By Baron Sekiya, David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by Baron Sekiya, Hawaii247.com]

PUNA, Hawaii: In Orchidland Subdivision, Fire crews responded to a 7:49 a.m. alarm at a home on 34th Avenue Wednesday morning.

A two-room extension on the rear of the home and a bedroom sustained heavy fire damage. The rest of the home sustained major damage due to smoke and heat. Firefighters had the blaze under control about 10 minutes after arriving on scene.

This video comes to us from Hawaii24/7, taken just after the blaze was extinguished.

Fire dispatch reports an estimated $135,000 in damage to the home. There were no injuries and traffic was detoured around 34th Avenue during operations due to emergency vehicles on the scene.

Nobody was home at the time of the fire. The American Red Cross is meeting with three residents of the home to assist.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[File video by David Corrigan]

PAHOA, Hawaii: In political news out of Puna…

Dr. James Weatherford has tossed his hat into the race for the District 4 county council seat, to be decided by voters in 2012.

Weatherford ran for District 5 in the last election… which is basically the same location, however now that Puna has two districts, Weatherford will contend for the Puna makai seat occupied by councilman Fred Blas.

Weatherford wrote on various local websites and forums that his candidacy derives from his passion for and commitment to public service, and the desire to serve this community that has given him so much.

He has also vowed that his campaign will neither solicit nor accept any private campaign contributions and will be funded solely from the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

PAHOA, Hawaii: In Pahoa, this car wreck shut down Highway 130 temporarily on Thursday evening… ironically, the crash happened at the same time the Puna community met in town to discuss plans to improve traffic and saftey on the very same roadway.

State Senator Gil Kahele organized the meeting which drew a large crowd to hear Sal Panem, Hawai’i Island’s District Engineer with the Department of Transportation, go over all the details on the State Highway 130 projects in Puna.

At a September meeting in Keaau, residents were frustrated when it seemed as if the DOT did not have all the answers to their questions.

But on Thursday night, Sal Panem came prepared, distributing handouts specifically showing all the different improvements planned for the road.

Hunt expressed gratitude for Panem’s effort.

The rest of the audience wasn’t so quick to let the DOT off the hook.

Damon Tucker, the local blogger who sat on the original advisory committee on the road project and who has documented the many accidents on Highway 130, questioned the costs associated with consultants.

Soon, the conversation turned to roundabouts… the eternal debate when it comes to envisioned traffic efficiency of the future highway.

But just as the meeting took a quick break to set up for more presentations, a police Nixel alert went out to cell phones warning travellers that Highway 130 had just closed because of another traffic accident.

This was the scene on 130 right outside the new Long’s Drugstore… this SUV was upside down, and county fire crews worked to clean the debris as police directed traffic around the crash scene… folks on the side of the road were in an  apparent shock over what has become commonplace on what residents call “the most dangerous road in the state.”

An unfortunate illustration of the urgent need to reach consensus on these issues, and – as the senator said – move from meetings to action.

By David Corrigan and Tim Bryan

[Video, file video by David Corrigan]

HILO, Hawaii: During his pre-legislative session talk story in Hilo last night, Senator Gil Kahele reiterated his commitment to solving transportation problems in Puna.

At the top of everyone’s list is Highway 130, which is already slated for massive improvements in the coming years.

In September, Kahele organized a community meeting with Department of Transportation officials in Kea’au… however, there was much confusion over what was actually planned for the project. As a result, funds that were to be used in the Puna project were re-routed to a project on Maui, Kahele said.

Kahele said there will be another meeting in Pahoa  to discuss the project and clarify information on  the evening of December 1st.

UPDATE: Sen. Kahele’s staff has also issued this media release about the upcoming meeting:

SENATOR GILBERT KAHELE ANNOUNCES DOT UPDATE IN PUNA

Hawai’i Island’s District 2 State Senator Gilbert Kahele is hosting a Highway 130 update in Puna on December 1st 2011.

Building upon the recently completed DOT forum held in September, Hawai’i Island’s District 2 State Senator is using this forum to specifically address all State Highway 130 projects in Puna and to help clarify some of the issues that were addressed in September at the DOT Town Hall held in Keaau. Sal Panem, Hawai’i Island’s District Engineer will be the featured speaker and is expected to give a comprehensive report on Highway 130 and all transportation projects associated with the Puna Highway. Mr. Panem will also give a a current status update and time line for both short term and long term projects.

“Highway 130 is my #1 priority in Puna. The feedback I received from the Transportation Town Hall I hosted in September was that those that attended felt not enough time was spent on Highway 130 and the information that was provided was not clear and concise. Several members of the community who have spent a significant amount of time on Highway 130 said they felt confused and unsure of the projects time line and specific details. I discussed this with the State DOT directors and we were all in agreement that we should go back to Puna and provide a presentation focused exclusively on Highway 130, and we are doing just that. We have decided to go into the heart of Puna and host this forum at the Pahoa Neighborhood Facility on December 1st. My one request is that the community come out and attend this important meeting and we get as much participation and attendance from the forty thousand plus residents of the Puna District. Tell your family, friends, neighbors and community associations, if Highway 130 is important to you come out and attend this meeting, I am providing you, my constituents of Puna the opportunity to be heard, I hope to see you there” Senator Gil Kahele

Senator Kahele’s Highway 130 update with
Hawai’i DOT District Engineer Sal Panem

PUNA

PAHOA NEIGHBORHOOD FACILITY

December 1st 2011, 6:00-8:00PM

If you have a specific issue you want addressed in regards to Highway 130 email your issue(s) to:

senkahele@capitol.hawaii.gov

or call/fax in your issue to:

1-808-586-6760 (Office)

1-808-586-6689 (Fax)

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

HILO, Hawaii: On Wednesday, the University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Pharmacy hosted a free public forum on a sometimes debilitating disease known to the rainy areas of Puna makai in greater numbers than the rest of Hawaii.

In a program entitled “Rat Lungworm Disease: What DO We Know?” … a panel of experts in scientific research, medicine, public health and agriculture presented the latest information on this potentially devastating disease, contracted by eating slugs or snails that carry the small worms. that includes accidental consumption , when the tiny slugs are not fully removed from raw produce before it is eaten.

Panelists included state and federal officials, including experts from UH-Hilo and UH-Manoa, physicians from Hilo Medical Center, and representatives of Malama O Puna were also there. Puna is home to a large population of vegans who are concerned about how the disease may impact their way of life.

This video includes parts of the talks given by Dr. Jon Martel, the medical director for the internal medicine hospitalists program at Hilo Medical Center. Also, Dr. Robert Cowie, UH Manoa Pacific Biosciences Research Center, and Ann Kobsa, a biologist with Malama O Puna who knows many of the people stricken with the disease living in the Puna area.

The forum was sponsored by the UHH College of Pharmacy, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the USDA, UH-Manoa and Global H.O.P.E.

By David Corrigan, Baron Sekiya, Daryl Lee and Tim Bryan

[HPP video by Daryl Lee, Lani Puna Gardens video by Baron Sekiya, Hawaii247.com]

PUNA, Hawaii: On Tuesday, lightning lashed the east side of Hawaii Island, and in Puna the violent electrical storm caused damage to homes and left residents in a state of alarm.

This is what Pahoa looked like shortly before noon, with pouring rain and loud thunder claps.

Numerous lightning ground strikes were reported in the area, and right outside of town this HELCO crew worked to repair lines that were struck on Highway 130.

On 13th avenue in Hawaiian Paradise Park, resident and retired Hawaii County police officer William Hodson was startled to find a lightning bolt had crashed into his home while he was away.

But perhaps the most frightening moment for the region came when the Puna Geothermal Venture plant was apparently struck by lightning, tripping the facility offline and causing some hydrogen sulfide gas to be vented. Residents of nearby Lani Puna Gardens grew concerned, and notified authorities.

As it turns out the material that was vented ended up at 62 parts per billion, well below the 10-parts-per-million that triggers an evacuation.

Plant managers reported that the leak was sealed, and by late afternoon, the odor had dissipated in surrounding neighborhoods and no hydrogen sulfide odor was present by the plant buildings, according to Hawaii247.com.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

PAHOA, Hawaii: A familiar face in Puna may be on his way to joining the Hawaii County Transportation Commission.

Jon Olson, up for a preliminary approval to the position when he goes before the Hawaii County Council Committee on Economic Development and Mass Transit.

Folks in Puna will recognize Olson for his frank testimony on Puna’s continued growth, and the resulting infrastructure failures.

According to the communication, Olson is the Vice Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Axiliary Flotilla 3-19, a member of the Puna Friends of the Park, Pahoa Main Street, and the Puna Traffic Safety Council.

If approved, Olson will serve until December 31, 2014.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

PAHOA, Hawaii: Nancy Iaukea, at teacher at Pahoa High and Intermediate, is among Hawaii’s seven District Teachers of the Year.

According to a state media release, Iaukea is a former business owner and Marine Corps officer who found her calling in the classroom after serving as a substitute teacher.

She is now a highly-qualified science educator who holds a Masters Degree in Special Education.

The state says that for the past five years, Nancy’s special education students have consistently won awards and honors at district and state science fairs.

Nancy focuses her teaching on real-world service learning projects such as recycling and composting to instill in students a sense of responsibility and ownership of the environment.

Iaukea was recently honored on Oahu by Governor Neil Abercrombie, Hawaii State Board of Education Chairman Don Horner, and Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi, who made the announcement during a ceremony honoring the seven District Teachers of the Year at Washington Place.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[File video by Daryl Lee and Charlie Hazelton]

HAWAIIAN PARADISE PARK, Hawaii: Folks both online and on the street were shocked and increasingly disturbed by the news of crime after henious crime, apparently unrelated yet all occurring within 10 miles of one another in Puna.

Saturday started off with two startling acts of aggression in the early morning hours…

Around 2:40 a.m. police responded to a report of a victim with a gunshot wound and found a 36-year-old man with a head wound, allegedly received following a brief confrontation involving at least three other local males in a sedan, while he was driving on Highway 130 in the area of the Ainaloa subdivision.

The suspects fled the area in the vehicle—described as possibly being similar to a Ford Escort or Nissan Sentra. The victim was treated at Hilo medical Center and released. There have been no arrests made in that incident.

Meanwhile, in Hawaiian Paradise Park, a horrifying home invasion left 69 year old Mary Davy hospitalized. Davy was allegedly attacked with a pair of her own gardening shears by this 18 year old neighbor… Seferin Tilipou… who is now facing charges of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree burglary and first-degree assault.

Police apprehended Tilipou shortly after he fled the scene, who was found hiding in a nearby house.

Tilipou – who is hearing-impaired – will undergo a psychological examination before he returns for a hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 22.

Davy was released from Hilo Medical Center on Monday.

Her daughter Suzanne MacAdam, who was on the phone with her mom as the assault happened, detailed what she heard in this interview right after the incident.

Even beyond Puna makai, bold criminal behavior was making headlines. On Monday at Wailoa State Park, a group of teenagers were reportedly attacked by a larger group of assailants reportedly swinging baseball bats. In Eden Roc, a home on ohia Street was burglarized over the weekend, and on the way out the thieves tried to burn down the house.

And back in the 10 mile red zone of Hawaiian Paradise Park and Keaau, the unsettling accounts of threatened violence made headlines.

18 year old Dustin M.K. AhChong was charged with kidnapping and six counts of first-degree terroristic threatening for an incident that allegedly occurred one week ago at a home in Hawaiian Paradise Park.

During a domestic dispute over custody of an infant, police say AhChong pointed a hand gun and then a rifle at five victims and threatening to shoot them if the infant was not surrendered to him.

Police arrested AhCong and both weapons were later recovered… it turns out they were an “air soft” pistol and a pellet rifle.

No one was hurt in the incident.

But the big story came a few days later, when this man – 18 year old Jeremy Costa – allegedly posted threats towards Kamehameha Schools Keaau campus on his Facebook page.

Police arrested and charged Costa – who was an ex-Kamehameha Schools student – with first-degree terroristic threatening.

Police said they took the Costa’s alleged messages very seriously.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

PAHOA, Hawaii: Details on the fatal crash that closed down Route 132 below Nanawale Blvd to just above Lava Tree State Park on Sunday.

Police say 53-year-old Jill E. Peterson of Hilo died from injuries she sustained in a motorcycle crash on Kapoho-Pāhoa Road .2 miles south of the 2-mile marker.

The victim was operating a 1999 Honda motorcycle and traveling north on Kapoho-Pāhoa Road, when she ran off the right side of the road, lost control and struck a guardrail.

She was not wearing a helmet.

Fire Rescue personnel took her to Hilo Medical Center, where she died at 6:48 p.m.

Police believe that speed may have been a factor in this crash. They do not suspect any alcohol or drug use.

Two suspects allegedly involved in disturbing incidents that unfolded over the weekend in Hawaiian Paradise Park were in court on Monday. More on those cases in our Hilo report.

By David Corrigan, Charlie Hazelton, and Stephanie Salazar

HAWAIIAN PARADISE PARK, Hawaii: It was a violent weekend in Puna, as two incidents on Saturday in and around the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision have left residents shocked and shaken.

First, a shooting on Highway 130 sent one man to the hospital and prompted a second-degree attempted murder investigation.

Shortly after 2:40 am. on Saturday, Puna patrol officers responded to the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision to investigate a report of a victim with a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, police discovered a 36-year-old man with a head wound and determined that he sustained the injury following a brief confrontation involving at least three other local males and a teal colored sedan.

Police learned that the victim sustained the injury when an occupant of the teal sedan shot at him while he was driving on Route 130 in the area of Ainaloa subdivision. Following the incident, the occupants fled the area in the suspect vehicle which is being described as possibly being similar to a Ford Escort or Nissan Sentra.

Fire Department personnel took the victim to Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated for the injury and released.

No arrests have been made in connection with this investigation.

In the second incident… police are investigating what has been classified as first-degree burglary and second-degree attempted murder, in a brutal alleged home invasion in Hawaiian Paradise Park.

Police say they responded to the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision to investigate a report of a woman screaming for assistance. Upon arrival, police discovered the 69-year-old woman with severe head injuries and determined that a man forced his way into her home before assaulting her.

The shaken daughter of the victim, Suzanne MacAdam, spoke on camera the next day at the scene of the horrific attack.

According to MacAdam, her mother Mary Davy – who lives alone at her home – was sleeping when she heard strange noises outside her home at 11 p.m.

MacAdam says that’s when Davy called her on the phone.

MacAdam retraced the terrible moments inside her mother’s home…

Officers from the Puna district converged in the area to assist in the search for the suspect. He was observed fleeing the home upon officers’ arrival at the scene.

At about 1:25 a.m., following an extensive search, an 18-year-old Seferin Tilipau was found hiding in a nearby house and was taken into custody.

On Sunday, detectives charged Tilipau with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree burglary and first-degree assault. He is being held without bail pending his initial court appearance in South Hilo District Court on Monday at 1 p.m.

Police have recovered what they believe to be the weapon used in the assault.

Hawaii Fire Department medics took the victim to Hilo Medical Center, where she was treated for her injuries and is listed in stable condition.

The victim’s daughter says the suspect is known to her family…

Police are asking that anyone with information about this case call Detective Derek Morimoto at 961-2380 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.