Company fined for ocean pollution
HONOLULU — A federal judge in Hawaii has ordered a Singapore-based shipping company to pay $1.75 million in fines for allegedly dumping bilge waste directly into the ocean.
The ConAm Returns
Two years ago, we as voters were inundated with impassioned arguments on both sides of a proposed constitutional amendment (“ConAm” for short). The amendment would have given the State the power to impose a surcharge on real property tax, ostensibly to fund teacher pay raises.
Survey: Kaua‘i is good place to start a small business
LIHU’E — A recent study from SmartAsset, a New York Financial company discovered that Kaua’i is one of the top islands in the state to start a small business. Maui comes in at first, with Kaua’i at second, Hawai‘i Island at third and Oahu in last.
Gifts from the heart blow in
LIHU‘E — The rains came and went and the winds were blowing Thursday at Kukui Grove Center, where Sienna Agpaoa of Claire’s was finalizing the placement of Valentine’s Day decorations in the store’s window.
Kipu Ranch Adventures receives enviromental award
PUHI — Kipu Ranch Adventures recently received the Sustainable Tour Operator of the Year award for 2019 from the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawai‘i.
Peaceful demonstration at Lihue Airport
LIHU‘E — On the first day of negotiations between Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants and the board of directors, a handful of flight attendants held a peaceful demonstration at Lihue Airport.
The Garden Island newspaper lands new editor
LIHUE The Garden Island has named reporter Jessica Else as the new editor-in-chief.
Rental car company owner says investigation unfair
LIHU‘E — The state Office of Consumer Protection is investigating a Lihu‘e rental car company after a review of one customer’s contract revealed “numerous violations” of state laws, raising suspicions that the business “was likely engaging in unfair or deceptive acts,” according to court documents.
There are consequences for bucking state auditor
On January 8, OHA Trustee Brandon Kalei’ana Lee wrote an op-ed in the Star-Advertiser entitled “OHA has right to attorney-client privilege.”
Hawaiian Airlines reports on company activities
LIHUE — Hawaiian Airlines Chief Financial Officer Peter Ingram didn’t have much to say about Southwest Airlines stepping into Hawaii airspace during his annual talk at the Thursday Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Small fire becomes inferno of rumors
LIHUE — The fire outside the back of Pietro’s Pizza and Pasta early Monday was no big deal, thought owner Tom Iannucci.
Lodging employees honored
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s tourism industry came together Thursday to honor the best and brightest employees in a variety of categories.
Don’t let them double up on us just yet
Following a major U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2018 (South Dakota v. Wayfair), many States, including ours, enacted “economic nexus” legislation, which means that we consider any business that transacts $100,000 or more in Hawaii sales or 200 or more Hawaii transactions to be subject to Hawaii tax laws, and we require such a business to comply with the law by registering and paying tax.
Credential stuffing affects many types of online accounts
Admit it. Most of us are guilty of using the same username and password on multiple accounts – it’s just so much easier to remember. But here’s the thing, that one simple short cut puts you at a much higher risk of getting hacked than ever before through a new method called “credential stuffing.”
Servco gives nearly $400K
HONOLULU — Servco Pacific Inc. raised nearly $400,000 for Aloha United Way during its annual Servco United Campaign through employee e-pledges, fundraisers, and a special program by the Servco Foundation that donated $100 for each team member that pledged.
Augie T fundraiser will benefit Waimea theater
LIHUE — Augie Tulba will be performing at the Historic Waimea Theatre on Jan. 25.
What really is a minimum wage?
Happy New Year! It’s now 2020 and talk already has begun about raising our minimum wage. $10.10 an hour is not a living wage, some say, so we should be hoisting our minimum wage to say $15 or $17, which some say is the minimum required to make ends meet here in Hawaii assuming you are working 40 hours a week.
New manager at Waimea Plantation Cottages
WAIMEA — Waimea Plantation Cottages, a 43-acre oceanfront property with 61-authentic plantation cottages that is operated by Coast Hotels, announces the appointment of Janice Ishihara as its new senior manager of sales and marketing.
Housing on LBA agenda
LIHUE — Kauai housing, issues and answers, is the subject of the Lihue Business Association’s meeting 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at Duke’s Canoe Club on Kalapaki Beach.
Sunshine Markets vendor list application open
LIHUE — The Office of Economic Development for the County of Kauai announces the opening of the qualified farmer vendor list for the eight Kauai Sunshine Markets.