‘I thought I was dying’
Tourism slumps in June
Index
Athlete of Week B1
Big Isle history B4
Classified B6
Comics B5
Big Island residents can get
rebates on efficient air purifiers
and window air conditioners
Issue No. 213
18 Pages in
2 Sections
Today’s
weather
Page A2
Commentary A6
Community A8
Crossword B4
Cryptoquote B4
INSIDE
>>> Lava ow entering ocean near Pohoiki
appears to be “building a delta.” A9
Dear Abby B4
Horoscope B4
Nation A4, A5
Obituaries A2
Sports B1
State A3
Surf Report A2
World A5
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Internet
Visit us on the Web at:
www.hawaiitribune-herald.com
Jessica Tilton
wipes away tears
while being
interviewed
from a hospital
bed about a July
16 explosion
caused by lava
oozing into
the ocean that
sent molten
rock crashing
through the roof
of a sightseeing
boat she was on.
Associated Press
By JENNIFER
SINCO KELLEHER
Associated Press
HONOLULU — Jessica Tilton
wanted to see lava flowing into the
ocean off the Big Island but thought
her sightseeing boat got too close
to the explosive phenomenon.
“It was too close for comfort,”
the 20-year-old from Washington,
Ill., told reporters Tuesday from
her Honolulu hospital bed.
She could not estimate how close
the boat was but said she expected
it would be farther away.
Tilton was on a July 16 tour with
her twin 15-year-old sisters and father
when an explosion caused by the lava
entering the ocean water sent molten
rock crashing through the roof of the
boat they were on, injuring 23 people
— her the most seriously. The
others had minor burns and scrapes.
A boulder of lava about 2 feet
in diameter hit her, breaking her
thigh bone and pelvis and leaving
her with other injuries.
She was airlifted to Honolulu,
where she underwent several surgeries
and is working on rehabilitation
that focuses on trying to sit
KEALOHA
Changes announced in funeral for fallen officer
By JOHN BURNETT
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Police announced scheduling
changes for Saturday’s
services for fallen Officer
Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa,
who was shot and killed in
the line of duty on July 17.
A family-only visitation
will take place from 7:30-
8:30 a.m. at Afook-Chinen
Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
A special visitation only for
first responders and dignitaries
will be from 8:30-10 a.m.
The service is scheduled
for 10-11:30 a.m.
A public viewing will
take place from 11:30
a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The event is open to the
public, but visitation with
the Kaliloa family will be
limited to immediate family
members, close friends, dignitaries,
first-responder personnel
and their families.
At the conclusion of the
funeral service, the public
will be allowed access to the
lower level of the auditorium
to view the display.
A funeral procession will follow
the service, leaving the auditorium
at 12:30 p.m. The procession,
limited to family members
and Puna patrol officers, will
See FUNERAL Page A9 BRONSON KALILOA
KILAUEA ERUPTION
Injured tourist recalls lava blast that sent molten rock through boat roof
See BLAST Page A7
HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald
Noe Noe Kekaualua, left, teaches tourists from Washington, Utah and Japan how to make kupe‘e lei Tuesday
during Hilo Hula Tuesdays put on by Destination Hilo at Mo‘oheau Bandstand in downtown Hilo.
By MICHAEL BRESTOVANSKY
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Although total visitor spending
to date this year on the
Big Island remains higher than
2017, spending and visitors to
the island declined in June.
According to preliminary
data from the Hawaii Tourism
Authority, visitor spending on
the Big Island in June totaled
$194 million, coming $2 million
short of what visitors spent
on the island in June 2017.
That slight shortfall came
after several months of increased
spending compared with 2017.
Decline in
island visitors
correlates with
beginning of
Kilauea eruption
See TOURISM Page A9
Save energy,
save money
By TOM CALLIS
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Hawaii Island
residents can receive
rebates on energy-efficient
air purifiers
and some air conditioners
starting today.
Brian Kealoha,
Hawaii Energy executive
director, said
the discounts are
in response to the
increased demand
for these appliances
because of the
Kilauea eruption,
which has affected
air quality, and
the loss of Puna
Geothermal Venture
as a power source.
“We’re adding
more load to the
system,” he said,
regarding demand for
the appliances. “…
We understand that’s
going to happen.
We want to encourage
you, if you are
purchasing that, to
use energy-efficient
equipment.”
Rebates are $40
for air purifiers and
$50 for window air
conditioners with an
“Energy Star” label.
Rebate applications
are
available
at
participating
stores,
including
all big-box
retailers and HPM
Building Supply.
Additionally,
Hawaii Energy is
increasing existing
rebates for energy-efficient
refrigerators
from $150 to $250,
split-system air conditioning
(less than
2 tons) from $150 to
$250, and split-system
air conditioning
(2-3 tons) from $250
to $350. Rebates
are increasing for
See REBATES Page A10
/www.hawaiitribune-herald.com