Major state land shift underway
Gov. Josh Green said Thursday his administration has made major steps toward putting more state-owned land into agricultural production.
Hawai‘i lawmakers have eyes on wildfire prevention
HONOLULU — Hawai‘i lawmakers on Wednesday opened a new session of the state Legislature vowing to address glaring problems laid bare by the deadly wildfire that destroyed the historic town of Lahaina in August: the threat posed by wildfires and the lack of affordable housing.
Kaua‘i County Council member receives ‘credible threat’
LIHU‘E — A threat against a sitting member of the Kaua‘i County Council prompted a set of new security measures at the Historic County Building.
Wildfire prevention atop legislative agenda; Helping Maui fire victims also a top priority
HONOLULU — Hawai‘i lawmakers are due to convene this week for the first time since the burning of historic Lahaina awakened the state to the deadly and costly threat posed by wildfires in an age of climate change.
New ocean stewardship fund takes effect
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai‘i — A bill passed into law in 2021, which established an ocean stewardship special fund, took effect on Jan. 1.
Legislators attempt to revive election reform
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai‘i — State legislators announced plans to reintroduce a bill calling for full public financing of elections in Hawai‘i.
Hawai‘i Senate Majority announces priorities for 2024 session
LIHU‘E — A sweeping list of priorities have been targeted by lawmakers days before the 32nd Hawai‘i Legislature convenes in Honolulu.
Bringing awareness to human trafficking
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i joined other counties in Hawai‘i in having Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami issue a proclamation on Tuesday designating January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
Nakamura named Act 279 Working Group chair
LIHU‘E — Hawai‘i House Majority Leader Nadine K. Nakamura of Kaua‘i (District 15) was named chair of a legislative working group, whose role will be to oversee the execution of millions of dollars aimed at whittling down a beneficiary waiting list for housing.
Minimum wage hike falls short on Kaua‘i
LIHU‘E – The Kaua‘i County Council is aiming to address the island’s high cost of living for working residents, following the recent announcement that the minimum wage increased to $14 per hour on Jan. 1, 2024.
Landfill expansion project in the works
LIHU‘E — As the County of Kaua‘i’s only landfill runs out of space, local officials have not yet been able to expand the current landfill’s capacity, find a new landfill location, or implement an alternative solution to help manage the decades-long issue of the island’s overflowing waste.
County seeks approval for ‘Waimea 400’ affordable housing
LIHU‘E — As the County of Kaua‘i Housing Agency works to obtain land use and environmental approvals for a new affordable housing development on the island’s westside, the agency is asking members of the public to weigh in on plans for the future project.
Kaua‘i County Council approves phone hacking device for police
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Police Department will soon have access to a controversial phone unlocking device, giving officers the ability to hack into both iPhone and Android devices.
County of Kaua‘i honored for work on sea level rise
LIHU‘E — The County of Kaua‘i was honored by the Hawai‘i Senate for its adoption of a new Sea Level Rise Constraint District.
Ambulance services issue gets clarity
LIHU‘E – The state Department of Health met with the Kaua‘i County Council regarding the future of ambulance services on Wednesday, nearly two months after protests led the department to cancel its decision to change emergency medical providers.
County approves over $2M for fire, disaster prevention
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Council approved more than $2 million in funding to be used for fire, ocean and disaster prevention funding during a meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
Evslin addresses plans for ‘housing crisis’ after becoming chair of House Committee on Housing
LIHU‘E — Following the recent announcement that Kaua‘i state Rep. Luke Evslin was appointed to chair the House Committee on Housing, Evslin spoke of his efforts to address the state’s housing shortage.
County of Kaua‘i aims to recoup search and rescue costs
LIHU‘E – Following a number of recent rescues on the island, the Kaua‘i County Council is working to pass a bill that aims to make it easier to charge people for the cost of being rescued, as well as establish a donation fund to assist with paying for the county’s search and rescue operations.
Bringing awareness to hunger and homelessness
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i County Council Chair Mel Rapozo, one of more than a handful of representatives of groups seeking solutions to hunger and homeless, said on Thursday that although November is recognized as being Homeless and Hunger Awareness Month — homeless and hunger awareness should be every day.
Nonprofit details ‘youth mental health crisis’ on Kaua‘i
LIHU‘E – The head of a community initiative for youths detailed how high schoolers and middle schoolers on the island are “really struggling” with issues, including poor mental health, substance abuse and loneliness, in a presentation to Kaua‘i County Council members this week.