Shaka inches closer to becoming official state gesture
HILO, Hawai‘i — Lawmakers and Hawai‘i residents alike appear to be vibing with a proposal to make the shaka the official state gesture of Hawai‘i.
Blood alcohol content legislation dies again
HILO, Hawai‘i — Legislation that would reduce the threshold for drunken driving from 0.08 percent blood alcohol content to 0.05 percent is dead for this year.
Hawaiian Electric warns of energy deficit
HILO, Hawai‘i — Hawaiian Electric is asking all Hawai‘i Island customers to reduce or shift their electricity use over the next month.
‘Safe Space’ draws concerns: Residents, lawmaker worried about impact of homeless camp on area
HILO, Hawai‘i — A state lawmaker has joined some Hilo residents in their concerns about a planned government-sanctioned homeless encampment near the Hilo Lagoon Center.
Marijuana bill gains traction in Legislature
HILO, Hawai‘i — The long-anticipated legalization of recreational marijuana in Hawai‘i is only a few votes away from the desk of Gov. Josh Green.
‘Clean elections’ bill is washed up
HILO, Hawai‘i — A proposed program that would publicly finance election campaigns in Hawai‘i is dead after a Hawai‘i Island lawmaker concluded last week that the plan was fatally flawed.
Dangerous dogs legislation advances
HILO, Hawai‘i — A proposal to strengthen state laws regarding vicious dogs will reach another milestone today following weeks of overwhelming public support.
Dredging of Wailoa Small Boat Harbor on track
HILO, Hawai‘i — Lawmakers and boaters hope for smooth sailing at the Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo, as a long-awaited dredging project inches closer toward beginning.
Coffee labeling bill before Senate committee
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai‘i — A bill, which would establish a timeline by which roasted coffee, instant coffee and ready-to-drink coffee beverages that use a geographic origin in labeling or advertising are required to contain a certain percentage of coffee by weight from that geographic origin is making, is on the move.
Cockfighting bill clears Senate Judiciary Committee
HILO, Hawai‘i — A state proposal to impose greater criminal penalties relating to cockfighting drew outcry from residents.
Kawakami delivers State of the County address
LIHU‘E — In his sixth State of the County address since taking office, County of Kaua‘i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami laid out a sweeping plan for the island as he navigates a final term in office.
The U.S. has its first presidential rematch since 1956
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Just when Americans thought they were out, Joe Biden and Donald Trump pulled them back in.
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Biden clinches nomination, Trump getting closer
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Bidenclinched the Democratic presidential nomination with decisive victories in Georgia and Mississippi on Tuesday, overcoming concerns about his leadership from within his own party as the 2024 presidential contest shifts to a general election rematch that many voters do not want.
Republican Rep. Ken Buck to leave Congress
DENVER — Colorado Republican Rep. Ken Buck said Tuesday that he’ll resign next week, narrowing his party’s razor-thin House majority and potentially short-circuiting Rep. Lauren Boebert’s effort to succeed him.
State of the County Address on March 14
LIHU‘E — Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami will deliver the State of the County Address on March 14.
Kaua‘i to get millions in federal funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Brian Schatz announced on Tuesday that he secured $394 million in new congressional directed spending, known commonly as earmarks, in the first half of this year’s government funding bill.
GOP presidential caucus to be held March 12
LIHU‘E — The 2024 Hawai‘i Republican Presidential Caucus will held on Tuesday, March 12. The caucus will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Evslin to host town hall meeting on Monday
LIHU‘E — Capitalizing on the Legislature’s five-day recess, House Representative Luke Evslin is inviting the public to attend a community town hall meeting where he will deliver an update on the 2024 Legislative session.
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Haley sharpening contrasts with Trump before South Carolina primary
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nikki Haley is using the closing days of her South Carolina Republican primary matchup with Donald Trump to hone her argument that she is the lone remaining candidate who can unite Americans, despite the former president’s electoral wins thus far and his popularity in her home state.
Pot legalization bill advances in Legislature
HILO, Hawai‘i — A bill that would legalize the recreational use of cannabis by adults 21 and over cleared its first legislative hurdle on Tuesday.