Volunteers sought to clean up Morgan’s Ponds
WAILUA — The County of Kaua‘i Department of Parks and Recreation opened Lydgate Beach Park and the Kamalani Playground area to the public on Thursday.
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.
Search continues for hit-and-run driver in Koloa
KOLOA — The Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD) continues to search for the driver involved in last week’s hit-and-run that left a 72-year-old Koloa resident in serious condition.
Lifeguard tower hours extended on Kaua‘i
LIHU‘E — Swimming is one of the most popular activities on the Garden Island and officials with the Ocean Safety Bureau (OSB) have committed more of their time to assist residents and guests so they can continue to have a safe and enjoyable visit at the beach.
La‘akea Chun joins Kaua‘i Charter Commission
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Charter Commission has a new commissioner in La‘akea Chun following the unanimous approval from the Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday during its scheduled meeting at the historic County Building.
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.
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.
City touts ‘sustainable’ projects near Skyline
HONOLULU — On Earth Day, Honolulu officials rode the city’s driverless, all-electric Skyline trains to not only tout the benefits of mass transit but laud current and future sustainable projects along the West O‘ahu line.
Kapa‘a house fire causes $500K in damage
KAPA‘A — A residential fire displaced three people and caused an estimated $500,000 in damage on Saturday evening.
Hawaiian Paradise Park shooting captured on video
HILO, Hawai‘i — A 31-year-old Hawaiian Paradise Park man admitted shooting an acquaintance Friday morning — and there is video footage of the incident, according to court documents filed by police.
Senate joins House in failing to ‘decriminalize’ cannabis
The full state Senate on Monday killed the last chance this legislative session to make marijuana use more lenient by increasing amounts of possession while reducing fines.
UH-Hilo faces enrollment challenges
Fall enrollment at the University of Hawai‘i in Hilo was down last year, continuing a years-long trend.
‘Gut and replace’ bill pending at Legislature
HONOLULU —State senators are pushing a bill that would fund and govern a Maui wildfire death and injury compensation fund, but the measure runs a risk of violating the Hawai‘i Constitution.
Winfrey and Johnson give millions to wildfire victims
Lana Vierra misses the swing set at her Lahaina home, which was reduced to ashes in the wildfires that swept through her community last summer.
Thirty Meter Telescope project dependent on NSF funding
HILO, Hawai‘i — The fate of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) rests in the hands of the Hawaiian community, observatory officials say.
Authorities on the lookout for distracted motorists
LIHU‘E — The state of Hawai’i is encouraging motorist to prioritize road safety by refraining from using their cellphones while driving. Recent data ranks Hawai‘i as the second highest state in the nation for fatal crashes, making it imperative that drivers remain vigilant while on the road.
Regenerative tourism draws groups to isles
HONOLULU — Members of the American Association of Geographers, who were in Honolulu for their 2024 annual meeting, volunteered Sunday during an ocean and beach park cleanup at Magic Island where tons of trash were removed from the polluted peninsula and ocean.
Hawai‘i lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals
HONOLULU — Amy Chadwick spent years scrimping and saving as a single mother of two to buy a house in the town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui.