Dredging of Wailoa Small Boat Harbor on track
HILO, Hawai‘i — Lawmakers and boaters hope for smooth sailing at the Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo, as a long-awaited dredging project inches closer toward beginning.
Murderer encased lover’s body in concrete in bathtub
HONOLULU — A man pleaded guilty to murder Monday, about two years after his lover’s decomposing body was found encased in concrete in a bathtub in one of Hawai‘i’s most exclusive gated communities.
Subpoenas on Maui agencies delay release of key report into Lahaina Fire
HONOLULU — Hawai‘i’s attorney general on Monday blamed a delay of the release of a key report into a deadly Maui wildfire on county agencies that forced investigators to issue subpoenas.
Coffee labeling bill before Senate committee
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai‘i — A bill, which would establish a timeline by which roasted coffee, instant coffee and ready-to-drink coffee beverages that use a geographic origin in labeling or advertising are required to contain a certain percentage of coffee by weight from that geographic origin is making, is on the move.
Maui mayor prioritizes housing and vows to hire more firefighters in aftermath of Lahaina Fire
HONOLULU — Maui’s mayor says he is prioritizing housing, evaluating evacuation routes and hiring more firefighters as his Hawai‘i community recovers from the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.
Cockfighting bill clears Senate Judiciary Committee
HILO, Hawai‘i — A state proposal to impose greater criminal penalties relating to cockfighting drew outcry from residents.
Waikoloa Village closer to getting a roundabout
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai‘i — A new traffic roundabout in Waikoloa Village is one step closer to becoming a reality after the release of a draft environmental assessment with an anticipated finding of no significant impact.
Acid attack suspect plotted second strike
HONOLULU — A man accused of dousing a woman with acid in Hawai‘i last year allegedly tried to cast doubt on himself as a suspect by plotting with a fellow inmate to carry out a second, similar attack, authorities said.
Assessment details plans for old Hilo hospital renovations
HILO, Hawai‘i — A plan to renovate the old Hilo Memorial Hospital continues apace after a draft environmental assessment for the project was published last week.
Man arrested for touching teenage girl on flight from Hilo
HILO, Hawai‘i — A 49-year-old Na‘alehu man was arrested for allegedly touching a 14-year-old girl on Friday night during a flight bound for Honolulu from Hilo International Airport.
Volunteers help keep Kona beaches clean
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai‘i — West Hawai‘i beaches are much cleaner today thanks to an army of volunteers who came out for the 28th Wave Riders Against Drugs (WRAD) Community Beach Cleanup organized yearly by Jeff Fear, Jerome Kanuha and their extended ohana.
5 people found dead in Honolulu home in apparent murder-suicide
HONOLULU — Honolulu police said Sunday they were investigating what appears to be the murder-suicide of a family, including three children, at a Manoa home.
Regulatory costs have huge impact on condo prices
HONOLULU — A University of Hawai‘i report published Monday found regulatory costs account for more than half of the price of a new condominium in Hawai‘i, a place where high housing costs are fueling an exodus of local-born residents searching for cheaper places to live.
Biden wins Democratic caucuses in Hawai‘i
HONOLULU — President Joe Biden won the Democratic caucuses in Hawai‘i on Wednesday, propelling him closer to winning his party’s nomination again after romping through the Super Tuesday contests earlier this week.
Donation a boon for Hilo hospital
HILO, Hawai‘i —A $50 million investment in Hilo Medical Center by Salesforce Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff and his wife, Lynne, will be used to launch a family birthing center and help the hospital complete its expansion of the intensive care unit.
Odysseus mission deemed mostly a success
HILO, Hawai‘i — The first successful American moon mission in 50 years went dark Thursday after a rough landing a week earlier, but Hawai‘i Island astronomers say the space flight was largely successful.
Hawai‘i Democrats to hold presidential caucus
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hawai‘i Democrats will hold a presidential preference vote on Wednesday, as President Joe Biden moves closer to securing the delegates needed to clinch nomination for a second term in the White House.
Puna groundwater study funding sought
HILO, Hawai‘i — The impacts of Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) on Puna’s groundwater could be the subject of a nearly $500,000 federal study being proposed by a Hawai‘i County Council member.
Delicate reef ecosystems being examined in Lahaina
LAHAINA, Hawai‘i — Abraham “Snake” Ah Hee rides waves when the surf’s up and dives for octopus and shells when the water is calm. The lifelong Lahaina, Hawai‘i, resident spends so much time in the ocean that his wife jokes he needs to wet his gills.
Honolulu bribery trial won’t be postponed
HONOLULU — An upcoming bribery trial against Honolulu’s former top prosecutor won’t be delayed despite an ongoing investigation into allegations that a defendant threatened the judge who had been presiding over the case, which prompted his unexpected recusal last month.