Stories by Ryan Collins

Growing pains

Just down the road from Haena State Park, visitors are parked on the side of the road in a group of four vehicles. They’re illegally parked. It’s something that residents are dealing with on a daily basis and are hoping to get more help with.

County looks to clean up plumbing code

A bill relating to the plumbing code that has been before the County Council Public Works and Veteran Services Committee for a year and a half dominated the discussion of the committee meeting Wednesday morning.

‘We’re going to get it done’

The North Shore community showed up in force at the Waipa Foundation Center Wednesday evening to take part in an Office of Hawaiian Affairs public meeting.

Kauai unemployment drops for May

LIHUE — The Hawaii State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate statewide for May was 2.8 percent, the same as in March and April.

‘The hearts of the people care for the land’

It’s the first Saturday of the month at the Lawai International Center, a 32-acre sanctuary that hosts an extraordinary restoration project of 88 Buddhist shrines that were constructed in 1904 by workers at the nearby Koloa Sugar Company, the likeness of which exist on Kauai and Shikoku, Japan.

For whom the bill tolls

There is always a cause for concern with public officials having too much power and overreach with impunity. I know that is how some people felt when Bill 2746 was passed on second reading last week.

Trout season jumping at Pu’u Lua reservoir

It was a beautiful Tuesday afternoon in paradise with nothing but time on my hands and plenty of sunshine. It was one of those hot westside days where the sun can be felt early in the morning, gaining in intensity as the day progressed, urging me to seek relief in the cool fragrant winds of Kokee State Park.

Talk Story: Stephanie Krieger

Ten years ago, on July 20, 2009, Nani Moon Meadery and “Queen Bee” owner-operator Stephanie Krieger opened their doors to the public, offering 100% local, hive-to-table mead.

Mean what you say and say what you mean

A resolution to save the residents at the Courtyards at Waipouli Apartments was a good start by our County Council. Now the real work begins. The resolution begins the process of settling on a “fair market value” of the complex, which will be done through independent assessors.

90 days to comply

The county may soon have the authority to place liens on illegal transient vacation rentals.

Kawakami at conference

Kauai and Niihau Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami is attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 87th annual meeting in Honolulu at the Hilton Hawaiian Village now through July 1.

Firefighter pay raises approved by county council

There is a new collective bargaining agreement for Kauai firefighters through 2021 as the Kauai County Council passed a bill that will usher in a new area for first responders with a 5-2 vote Wednesday during the council meeting at the Historic County Building.

Salt Pond under fire

The county Planning Commission will hold a hearing Tuesday, June 25, that will begin the process of whether or not to grant Smoky Mountain Helicopters Inc. a class IV zoning permit, which would allow them the ability to make modifications to an existing helicopter tour facility at Port Allen Airport.

It feels like the first time

There was plenty of pride to go around at the First Kauai Pride Parade and Festival, as hundreds made their way to Rice Street Saturday morning, helping to make the inaugural celebration a memorable occasion and notable success for the many sponsors and organizers.

A thank you to all the firefighters

Who knew that a day devoted to the fathers in our lives could be such a hectic day on the island of Kauai? Many fathers here on island spent their special day that only comes once a year combating a fire to keep us — the community — safe and able to celebrate with our loved ones.

Westside facing drought

LIHUE — The weather will continue to be hot and dry, perpetuating the current drought on the leeward side of Kauai, according to the National Weather Service