125 Hawaii Guard soldiers return today

About 125 Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers were scheduled to return this afternoon after nearly 18 months on active duty in Kuwait.

Hawaii Army National Guard officials said some of the soldiers originally deployed to Kuwait in October 2008 with the 29th Brigade Combat Team and chose to remain in Kuwait with the Wyoming Army National Guard's 115th Fires Brigade, which took over for the Hawaii unit in August.

The 115th Brigade and the 29th Brigade shared the same missions, which included security and administration of several military posts and also escorting convoys into and out of Iraq.

Today's homecoming will be held at the 29th Brigade headquarters in Kalaeloa.

Transit development meeting set for tonight

The public is invited to attend the second islandwide Transit Oriented Development meeting at the Farrington High School Auditorium tonight.

Organizers say the workshop will give participants the chance to learn the status of the city's transit development program while also hearing from experts who have studied and built similar projects.

The keynote speaker is Anthony Downs of the Brookings Institute.

“;He is deeply knowledgeable about national development trends, particularly the relationship between transportation and housing,”; Terrance Ware, the city's Transit Oriented Development administrator.

Registration for the workshop begins at 6 p.m.

More information is available online at the city's Transit Oriented Development Web site, honoluludpp.org.

Tamaribuchi to lead Guard unit on Big Isle

Lt. Col. Paul Tamaribuchi will take over a Hawaii Army National Guard 450-member Big Island infantry unit on Saturday. He will assume command of the 29th Brigade Combat Team's 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry, from Lt. Col. Rudolph Ligsay, who has led the unit since January 2007. Ligsay will become executive officer for the 103rd Troop Command.

The change of command will take place at Hilo's Keaukaha Military Reservation.

At Pearl Harbor, Rear Adm. Ron J. MacLaren, who has been the Pacific Fleet's assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics, fleet supply and ordnance, will be assigned as military director for the Joint Contingency Acquisition Support Officer of the Defense Logistics Agency in Fort Belvoir, Va.

Pohakuloa hunting banned this month

The Army says hunting of wild pigs, sheep and goats will not be allowed at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island this month because of soldier training. The closure applies to all public hunting areas at Pohakuloa. It says hunters should hunt in other areas.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

State offers H1N1 shots

The state Department of Health will hold free H1N1 vaccination clinics on the Big Island throughout this month.

West Hawaii residents can make an appointment to go to the Kona Health Center, 79-1015 Haukapila St., Kealakekua, on Friday, Monday and April 16 and 28 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The East Hawaii Public Health Nursing Office, 75 Aupuni St., Suite 106, Hilo, will hold H1N1 clinics from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Monday and April 15, 19, 22, 26 and 29.

There is no cost for the vaccination; anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. To schedule an appointment in Kona or for more information, call the Kona Health Center at 322-1500. In Hilo call the East Hawaii Public Health Nursing Office at 974-6025.