Rep. Tokuda addresses Big Island issues
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai‘i — The West Hawai‘i Civic Center Council Chamber was packed Wednesday with residents who came to participate in U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda’s town hall meeting.
Low-cost utility wildfire prevention short-circuited
HONOLULU — A bill to help Hawai‘i electrical utilities pay for statewide wildfire prevention using low-cost financing has been killed at the state Legislature.
Coffee labeling bill heads to final reading
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai‘i — A bill that would make it a violation of the coffee labeling law to use a Hawaii geographic origin in labeling or advertising for roasted coffee, instant coffee, or ready-to-drink coffee beverage blends that contain less than 51 percent coffee by weight from that geographic origin passed through Conference Committee and is headed for a final reading before being sent to Gov. Josh Green for his signature.
Hawai‘i residents could see big tax cut
HONOLULU — Hawai‘i taxpayers could be seeing phased state income tax cuts that over eight years amount to the biggest reduction in state history.
Officials meet, discuss Makua Valley military training sites
MAKUA, Hawai‘i — U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda joined community members Thursday in tours and meetings with officials at military sites on Oahu’s Leeward side.
HART receives $125M in federal funding
HONOLULU — The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation on Thursday announced $125 million in long-awaited federal funding to aid in the ongoing construction of the nearly $10 billion Skyline project.
Petroleum results in Red Hill water came from lab tests, Navy finds
HONOLULU — Laboratory contamination was the cause of increased low levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons detected in the Navy’s drinking water system since last summer, the Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill announced Wednesday. The TPH detections were not associated with jet fuel contamination in the underground Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, the Navy said.
About $1B arranged for wildfire expenses
HONOLULU — State House and Senate leaders have determined that close to $1 billion should be appropriated by the state for Maui wildfire response and recovery work through mid-2025.
House bill seeks to increase tobacco tax for cancer research
HONOLULU — A bill seeking to increase the tax on cigarettes and vaping products at the state Legislature is moving forward, but without the actual increase first proposed.
RICK STEVES: Italy connoisseurs choose leisurely Lucca
On a sunny summer evening in Lucca, Italy, I witnessed the simple joy of an old man bicycling with his granddaughter atop the town’s wide, fortified wall.
Births for Saturday, April 27, 2024
• Cove Kokee Brandeburg • Raja Kai Mariquit Macarubbo • Charlotte Kamakanamaikalani Kinney • Ka‘imipono Maikalani Mawae
Obituaries for Saturday, April 27, 2024
• Borita ‘Grandma Bo’ Becker • Frederick Kenneth Chaundy • Arthur Wentworth Keale
Compromise committee draft reached for state budget bill
HONOLULU —Hawai‘i House and Senate leaders resolved their differences over spending priorities on Tuesday evening, settling on a conference committee draft of the state budget bill that appropriates $19.2 billion for operations during the fiscal year beginning July 1.
Adult coconut rhinoceros beetles detected on the Big Island
HILO, Hawai‘i — Adult coconut rhinoceros beetles, a highly destructive invasive pest that has devastated O‘ahu palm trees, have been detected on the Big Island for the first time.
Obituaries for Friday, April 26, 2024
• Aletha ‘Puna’ Kawelukawahinehololioolimaloa Goodwin Kaohi • Kelvin K. Kanahele, Sr. • Rochelle Nora Paalua (Nishibata) San Agustin • Glenda Vierra
Mitsunaga ordered to remain in jail for duration of trial
HONOLULU — A federal magistrate judge ordered prominent Hawai‘i businessman and political donor Dennis Mitsunaga to remain jailed for the duration of his public corruption trial because of alleged witness tampering.
Maui mayor seeks more money to cover wildfire costs
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen is making an overtime plea to state lawmakers for more Lahaina wildfire recovery funding.
Hawaiian Airlines posts loss of $137.6M in Q1
HONOLULU — Hawaiian Holdings Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, improved revenue and continued investments during the first quarter, but deepened losses as it grappled with rising operating costs and other headwinds while pursuing a merger with Alaska Airlines.
Gov. Green pledges to sign rentals legislation
HONOLULU — Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday pledged to sign a bill into law that would give each county clear authority over vacation rentals — including the possibility of banning them — if it arrives on his desk, as expected.
Obituaries for Thursday, April 25, 2024
• Annette Cha Cha Kaluahine • Aletha Kawelukawahinehololioolimaloa Goodwin Kaohi • Rochelle Nora Paalua (Nishibata) San Agustin • Matthew James Ornellas Jr.