TAX MAN: Governor Green ‘crossing the Rubicon’ again
When we were in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Ige was peppering us with emergency proclamations early and often, we at the Tax Foundation accepted that the Governor had emergency authority but questioned some of the things it was being used on. For example, we were one of several nonprofits to challenge his wholesale suspension of the open meeting laws and public records laws in his earlier proclamations.
TAX MAN: Upsetting the apple cart in 24-year-old litigation
One of the longest running court cases in modern history is Kalima v. State. The case, filed in 1999, concerned 2,515 beneficiaries of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) who sued the state over its handling of the Hawaiian homes program.
Home sales sink at end of summer, median price rises
LIHU‘E — A stagnant local housing market showed no signs of recovery in the final month of summer, as home sales plunged amid a backdrop of lofty mortgage interest rates.
Kalaheo Dental buying back Halloween candy
KALAHEO — For the eighth year, the Kalaheo Dental Group is hosting its Halloween Candy Buyback on Nov. 1 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at its offices located in Rainbow Plaza in Kalaheo.
Hawai‘iUSA donation goes to fighting bullying
LIHU‘E — Hawai‘iUSA Federal Credit Union utilized a grant presentation on Monday to introduce two members of its Executive Leadership Team to the Kaua‘i staff, and the recipient of its Hawai‘iUSA FCU Foundation.
TAX MAN: State of Hawai‘i receives an ‘F’ financial grade
We just got through with a legislative session where, due to anticipated federal aid to our state, we seemed to be swimming in money and were finding money for all kinds of things.
TAX MAN: Tourists, Keep Out!
In Vermont, there is a small town known as Pomfret. It has one of the most picturesque areas of the country for fall foliage, called Sleepy Hollow Farm.
Hotels on Kaua‘i exceed 80 percent occupancy in August
LIHU‘E — Hotels on the island of Kauai put up big numbers in August with occupancy exceeding 80 percent, in turn generating tens of millions of dollars in revenue for lodging establishments.
Kaua‘i visitors spend mightily in August
LIHU‘E — Visitor spending on Kauai eclipsed $200 million for the eighth straight month in August, as tourists continued to plow big bucks into the local economy while on the island.
TAX MAN: Who really pays for disaster assistance?
Have you ever thought about who, really, pays the cost of something like a Lahaina wildfire or a Hurricane Iniki?
BBB: Can credit and debt assistance companies help?
Millions of American are in debt, but debt relief companies have their own issues. American consumers hold more than $16 trillion of debt in the form of mortgages, credit cards, personal lines of credit, home equity lines of credit, student loans and personal loans. When emergencies strike or monthly paychecks don’t always cover bills, countless credit repair and debt relief companies offer to help.
‘Trunkers’ needed for Halloween event on Oct. 29
LIHU‘E — Kukui Grove Center and Kaua‘i Resilience Project are in the midst of preparing for this year’s Trunk-or-Treat event that will unfold on Oct. 29 starting as early as 3 p.m.,and running until 6 p.m.
TAX MAN: Let the donor beware
You may have heard the phrase “caveat emptor,” meaning “Let the buyer beware.” I
Howling into October at Kukui Grove
LIHU‘E — A young student at the Premier Martial Arts emerged from the dojo to a world of witches, ghouls and other Halloween frights on Wednesday during after-school hours.
Jobless rate decreases in August
LIHU‘E — Steady hiring in key sectors of the island economy helped push the unemployment rate down a full percentage point last month, when compared with the same period last year.
TAX MAN: Aiming a sledgehammer at monster homes
In Honolulu, some people have dealt with the housing crisis by building “monster homes.” As one prominent real estate company has described them, they are large houses built in land zoned for single-family homes.
Corteva Agriscience grants awarded to local schools
LIHU‘E — School principals, who represent a number of schools in the Kaua‘i Area Complex, were pleasantly interrupted by Corteva Agriscience’s Laurie Yoshida and Ryan Oyama on Wednesday.
TropiCats opening Friday at Harbor Mall
NAWILIWILI — TropiCats, Kaua‘i’s first-ever cat cafe, is scheduled to hold its grand opening on Friday at the Harbor Mall shopping center.
TAX MAN: Challenging the housing czar in Aloha State
This week we look at Governor Green‘s Emergency Proclamation Relating to Housing, and his use of the emergency statutes to suspend many of the laws that account for delays upon delays in housing starts.
Kilauea Fine Jewelry opens second store in Kapa‘a Town
KAPA‘A — After only two years in business, Kilauea Fine Jewelry is bringing its diamonds, gems and pearls to Kapa‘a Town as it opens up a second location on Kaua‘i’s east side.