Produced by David Corrigan, Stephanie Salazar

Hawaii County approves bond 

On Wednesday, the Hawaii County Council finally approved a $56 million dollar bond for various public improvement projects around the island.

The vote has been six months in the making, and was ultimatley passed by a 7 to 2 vote. Dominic Yagong and Angel Pilago were the only “no” votes.

Radiation levels in Big Island milk decrease

Data released by the Environmental Protection Agency show a decrease in the radiation levels found in Big Island milk.

The EPA posted the results of testing from milk samples collected April 13. The data showed no traces of radioactive iodine-131 isotopes, and 21 combined picocuries per liter of the cesium isotopes, that have a 30 year half life. On April 4, the EPA detected 43 picocuries of cesium, more than twice as much. It also detected about 18 picocuries of iodine-131.

HAMAKUA – Kapulena Ag update

The final Environmental Assessment for the Kapulena Agricultural Park has made a Finding of No Significant Impact.

The planned 1,739 acre project is located mauka of the Honokaa-Waipio Road, and consists of 10 parcels of fallow, former sugar lands that the county hopes to turn into a productive agricultural resource.

The final EA says that the Hawaiian hoary bat and the Hawaiian hawk have been detected on the site, but that tree clearing will be done on months outside the nesting seasons.

According to the document, fencing and clearing of existing roads will occur immediately. The initial pilot grazing project is planned to commence in early 2011. The installation of infrastructure, expanded agricultural use, and the construction of a training facility will phase in over a projected 10-year period.

HILO – Easter Egg Hunt

The Easter holiday is nearly upon us and that means hundreds of keiki will charge the field of Wong stadium, feverishly hunting for easter eggs.

The Hawaii County Department of parks and Recreation says the 18th Annual “Biggest Easter Egg Hunt” gets underway in Hilo when the stadium gates open at 7:30 a.m. on Friday.

The easter egg hunt gets underway for 4 year old and under at 9 a.m. … as long as the child can walk alone, organizers warn. 5 to 12 year olds will make the dash beginning at 10 a.m.

There will also be easter bunny pictures, and contests in milk drinking, ice cream eating, egg fighting and easter bonnet.

KAILUA-KONA – Tsunami awareness

April is tsunami awareness month in Hawaii, and with a little over one month passed since a tsunami hit the leeward shores of the Big Island with destructive force, its hard to imagine awareness in Kona lacking.

In fact, residents and visitors to Kailua Village get a daily reminder from the appearance of the famous seawall. Just a few days ago, the area around the damaged sections of the walkway remained blocked off and unpaved.

On March 11, tsunami waves poured over the top of the breakwall, damaging stores along Alii Drive.

FEMA is making Federal aid available for public infrastructure repairs – like this – since the tsunami was declared a major disaster by the United States.

KAU – Disturbance in Pohue Plaza results in arrest

Police are relaying a sordid account of a disturbance at Pohue Plaza in Ocean View on Wednesday.

Police arrested a 19 year old for disorderly conduct, fourth-degree criminal property damage and two counts of third-degree assault. Police are still searching for two of his companions.

Officers say they observed the 19-year-old holding a 30-year-old man against the glass window of a shop and attempting to hit him. The alleged assailant’s swing missed the victim and broke the window. A 43-year-old woman was also assaulted when she tried to block the suspects from entering one of the shops.

KOHALA – Easter egg scramble in Waikoloa

Another place to celebrate the easter holiday this year… The Queens MarketPlace at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. On Saturday there will be an egg and hunt and Easter Bunny appearance at the Waikoloa Bowl, an Easter Spring Celebration at Kings’ Shops, and a Fashion Show and Luncheon.

The next day will feature an Easter Brunch at the Water’s Edge Ballroom, and the always entertaining Easter Eggstravanganza at the Palace Lawn starting at 9:30 am

MAUNA KEA – Astronomers observe expanded Pluto atmosphere, carbon monoxide

Observations of Pluto made from the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope in 2009 and 2010 have revealed that the distant “dwarf planet” has an atmosphere that has expanded dramatically since the year 2000 – perhaps a sign of seasonal changes over the course of its 248 year orbit around the sun.

Scientists from University of St Andrews as well as the Joint Astronomy Centre have also detected carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. Only methane has been detected prior, although scientists do expect there to be plenty of hard-to-detect nitrogen in the atmosphere of the icy world.

NORTH KOHALA – Kawaihae Watershed Partnership Workday

Earth Day will be celebrated all across the island this weekend, and one project in North Kohala is hoping to round up some volunteers to malama the Kohala Mountain.

Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Parker Square and return by 3 p.m. Snacks, tools and protective gloves will provided, but it is recommended that you bring water and lunch. RSVP preferred by email to:  pelekaneadmin@kohalawatershed.org.

PUNA – Another Highway 130 & Kahakai intersection accident injures local twirling legend

World reknown twirling champion Annetta Lucero is the latest name on the Big Island to fall victim to the dangerous Kahakai Boulevard and highway 130.

The Big Island Chronicle is reporting that Lucero, seen here in a recent parade, sustained a pierced lung in the accident and has been hospitalized. The condition of the passengers in the other vehicle is not known.

SOUTH KONA – Sam Choy’s in Keauhou

Hawaii247’s Baron Sekiya recently had a chance to talk story with local celebrity chef Sam Choy – who was happy to give some details on his new restaurant coming to Kona… here at the location of the old Wendy’s above the Keauhou Shopping Center.

VOLCANO – Mardie Lane retires

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Public Information Officer Mardie Lane has retired after more than 30 years of serving the 333,086-acre national park.

Lane officially retired March 31, 2011. Lane, known as the “lane ranger”, started as a seasonal park ranger in 1977, and in 1982 became a permanent park ranger after earning her degree in park management and environmental education at the University of Oregon.

Lane said she first visited Kilauea at the age of three and her fascination with the volcano began. She has kept the public updated on eruptions, worked with television and film crews, and coordinated visits by dignitaries and celebrities, and now that she is retired the Volcano resident will be a volunteer interpretive ranger, work at the park stable. Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando said Lane’s work keeping the public informed of park news and current volcanic conditions was widely recognized worldwide.