SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2018 WESTHAWAIITODAY.COM $1.50
INSIDE
HILO — It’s now the public’s turn
to weigh in on the vacation rental
issue.
A measure first broached publicly
in November, which then
made its way through the Board of
Ethics to clear a conflict of interest
BLAZING A TRAIL FOR THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS
POHAKULOA
TRAINING AREA —
“Take it to outer space,”
exclaimed 7-year-old
Reggie Shropshire as an
unmanned aerial vehicle
took to the sky Friday
morning in the Saddle
between Mauna Loa and
Maunakea.
Using the UAV, Jason
Dzurisin, an ecological
data specialist with
Colorado State University,
showing dozens of excited
keiki attending Pohakuloa
Training Area’s annual
Earth Day event how
the U.S. Army’s Natural
and Cultural Resource
Program uses technology
to map the area.
With the maps and
multidimensional models,
he explained, staff
can monitor natural and
cultural resources without
concern, will be discussed next week
by the County Council Planning
Committee.
Bill 108 is scheduled to be heard
at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the West
Hawaii Civic Center. The public can
also testify by videoconference from
Hilo council chambers, the Pahoa
and Waimea council offices, the old
Kohala courthouse and the Naalehu
state office building.
North Kona Councilwoman
Karen Eoff, a co-sponsor of the bill,
said she’s hoping the public comes
out to testify.
“It’s important to hear from the
public on this issue,” Eoff said.
“As co-sponsors of the bill, (Kona
More photos, Page 4A
A drone mapping demonstration by Jason Dzurisin, ecological data
specialist, delights visitors Friday at Pohakuloa Training Area’s Earth Day.
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HI 84 LO 72 WEATHER, PAGE 7A
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58551 00781 7
VOL. 50, NO. 112 30 PAGES
Vacation rental input sought
SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATIONS BILL MAKES DEBUT TUESDAY
BY NANCY COOK LAUER
WEST HAWAII TODAY
ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com
A cyclist rides past a vacation rental on Alii Drive
SEE RENTALS PAGE 6A in January. LAURA RUMINSKI/WEST HAWAII TODAY
Runners head down Palani Road Saturday at the Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. LAURA RUMINSKI/WEST HAWAII TODAY
Earth Day at PTA
ANNUAL EVENT DRAWS HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS TO SADDLE
BY CHELSEA JENSEN
WEST HAWAII TODAY
cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com
Kua O Ka La Public
Charter School
student Kapono
Kaahie remotely
controls a robot
with Johannah Palm,
left, and Christine
Lujan watching
Friday at Pohakuloa
Training Area’s Earth
Day. PHOTOS BY LAURA
RUMINSKI/WEST HAWAII
TODAY
Evictions planned
at iconic church
MAUNA ZIONA SOLD TWO YEARS
AGO AT TAX AUCTION
BY NANCY COOK LAUER
WEST HAWAII TODAY
ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com
HILO — Thirteen families living on Mauna Ziona
Church property in North Kona are likely to be evicted
in the coming weeks, more than two years after
the property was purchased at county tax auction by
the Free Church of Tonga-Kona.
The families claim the right to live on the land,
although they don’t claim ownership, by virtue of an
1889 encumbrance and conveyance deed, handwritten
in Hawaiian and recorded with the state Bureau
of Conveyances. A representative of the families said
this is the latest generation of many who have lived
on the land after being awarded a royal patent.
District Court Judge Margaret Masunaga signed
judgments for possession of the property on April
10, according to court filings. The families named
are Kamanawa, Torres, Kala, Alapai, Kahumoku,
Hoomanaunui, Mahi, Kahikina, Ua, Lapa, Kamoku,
Keliihuluhulu and Peahi.
The families said they weren’t served eviction
papers.
The families, including children in strollers and
babies in arms, met Monday with Mayor Harry Kim.
They asked him to intercede in the coming evictions,
but Kim said it was out of his hands.
SEE EVICTION PAGE 5A
SEE EARTH DAY PAGE 9A
LESSONS FROM
THE PAST
Pacific Islander
Heritage Day teaches
guests and locals
PAGE 11A
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TAKING AIM
BIIF tennis titles
decided at Holua
SPORTS, 1B
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