Stories by Ryan Collins

County Council holds public hearings

LIHUE —Three public hearings were held last Thursday afternoon by a four-member County Council without members Mason Chock, KipuKai Kuali‘i, and Arthur Brun (who was present for the first portion of the meeting) who were excused.

Fire on the ridge

The sun cast a shade, shrouded by thick smoke and clouds on the Westside of the island Sunday as families enjoyed their Father’s Day along Kekaha Beach, while a large brush fire in Kokee that broke out sometime Sunday morning crept down Poki Ridge and Paua Ridge alongside Kokee Road, eventually becoming visible to nearby residents on Kekaha Road.

Ready for the reopening

There is an eerie feeling that combs over the nearly-empty beaches and landscape of Haena and Wainiha that has been shut off from the outside world for the past 14 months.

People still residing at Coco Palms

Near the Coco Palms resort concrete ruins that line the north side of Kuhio Highway, on 14 acres of state land, a house overflows with trash, and derelict vehicles sit outside.

Man questions Black Pot Beach Park delay

A Kapaa man is questioning the county’s actions in the delayed reopening of Black Pot Beach Park in Hanalei. Through a series of emails, Michael McGinnis has asked Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami whether or not the beach park can be reopened immidiately.

United CEO: ‘We’re committed to this market’

United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz landed at Lihue Airport Thursday morning with the intention of keeping up the personal relationships that go into the company’s operations in Hawaii. His Kauai visit was the last stop after visiting all the islands this week.

‘The Greatest Generation’ still remembers

It’s hard to find many who were directly affected by D-Day nowadays. It’s getting even harder to find anyone who fought in the invasion of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944.

Catch a wave

Kalani Vierra and Krystl Apeles-Erickson won the world championship of tandem surfing in 2015.

County conducting fair market rent survey

Residents recently received a letter from the Kauai County Housing Agency, requesting them to fill out a 20-question survey in order for the agency to obtain data on what Kauai families are actually paying for rent.

Assessment appeals rising

The County of Kauai real property tax Board of Review has seen a sharp increase in the number of property assessment review appeals that have been submitted this year.

Highway reopening pushed back

The reopening of Kuhio Highway west of Hanalei, originally scheduled for June 13, has been pushed back again, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation.

County Council comments on spending plan

LIHUE — The Kauai County Council has refrained from making public comment on the 2019-2020 fiscal year budget throughout the budget process, which started in March.

Felicia Cowden heads to Russia for summit

LIHUE — Councilmember Felicia Cowden was not in attendance for Wednesday’s Kauai County Council meeting. She is traveling to Volgada, Russia to be a delegate at a Russian-American peace conference.

County cracks down on illegal TVRs

LIHUE — The Kauai County Council on Wednesday will hear public testimony on a bill aimed at helping the county shut down illegal vacation rental homes.

Young Brothers introduces ‘Kapena George Panui’

Over 100 people gathered at the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor Saturday afternoon to get to be a part of the official blessing ceremony of the Young Brothers new tugboat, the “Kapena George Panui.”