County moves forward with Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center
The much-needed and long-planned Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center moved a step closer to fruition Thursday with a groundbreaking and blessing ahead of the start of mass grading of the site in Kailua-Kona.
County to receive donated rapid-response shelters
The Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development will soon have another tool for its toolbox to address homelessness and emergencies on the Big Island.
HPD releases annual disciplinary report
Two officers Hawaii Police Department officers were discharged and eight received suspensions ranging from one to 21 days in 2022, the department’s annual disciplinary report to the state Legislature revealed.
Freed after decades in prison, Schweitzer reflects on case, future
HONOLULU — On Ian Schweitzer’s first morning of freedom Wednesday, he woke up in a hotel room, looked over the balcony at the ocean and took in the beauty of the island he had been away from for over 20 years while imprisoned for a 1991 killing and rape he has always maintained he didn’t commit.
Bills seek harsher penalties for fentanyl crimes
In the face of a “pandemic” of fentanyl overdoses, lawmakers are seeking to increase criminal penalties for possession of the dangerous drug.
BIIF swimming, diving finals this week
The BIIF Swimming and Diving preliminary and finals schedule is set for Friday and Saturday this week.
Judge overturns Ian Schweitzer’s conviction in Dana Ireland’s rape, murder
A judge on Tuesday ordered that a Puna man who spent 26 years of his life behind bars for perhaps the most notorious murder in Hawaii’s history “be released from his shackles immediately.”
Report condemns Hawaii’s policies on sale of flavored tobacco products
Hawaii received an “F” grade for its policies on flavored tobacco products, according to the American Lung Association’s annual State of Tobacco Control report.
Bill to require County Council approval of time extensions postponed
A bill that would require County Council authorization of time extensions to zoning ordinances was temporarily set aside Tuesday after an amendment to the measure.
Bills would limit BLNR’s power over lease extensions
Big Island lawmakers are hopeful they can get a struggling program to revitalize parts of Hilo back on track.
Ocean View man charged with theft of rental vehicle, other offenses
A preliminary hearing is slated next month for a a 46-year-old Ocean View man accused of auto theft, drug possession and other offenses.
Judge overturns Ian Schweitzer’s conviction in Dana Ireland’s rape, murder
It’s the first night of freedom for a Puna man who spent 26 years behind bars for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Dana Ireland on Christmas Eve 1991.
Green declares homelessness an emergency during State of State
During his first State of the State address, Gov. Josh Green said his high priority legislative and budget priorities are “housing, homelessness, the cost of living, climate, environment and mental health.”
HFD seeks OK to hire grant manager
The Hawaii Fire Department is seeking County Council approval to hire a consultant to manage a nearly half-million dollar federal grant recently awarded to the county.
Petition seeks to free man convicted in ’91 Dana Ireland murder
HONOLULU — A petition filed Monday outlining new evidence in one of Hawaii’s biggest murder cases asks a judge to release a Native Hawaiian man who has spent more than 20 years in prison for the sexual assault, kidnapping and murder of a white woman on the Big Island.
Coalition takes aim at reducing fentanyl deaths
The Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force has partnered with state Sen. Joy San Buenaventura of Puna to introduce legislation to legalize fentanyl test strips.
Police chief outlines goals; community survey to go live Feb. 1
After a private swearing in ceremony Jan. 11 for Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz in Hilo, the new Hawaii County top cop took the oath again during a public affair Friday at the West Hawaii Civic Center.
Waimea man accused of sexually assaulting teen
A 33-year-old Waimea man is accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl over a four-month period.
Home sales slow in 2022: Interest rate hikes chill Big Island housing market
Big Island real estate agents are hopeful the housing market will stabilize in 2023 after sales slowed in 2022.
Woman indicted for fatal 2021 crash
A Kona Grand Jury on Tuesday indicted a Kona woman in relation to a May 2021 crash that killed a man who was a passenger in the vehicle she was driving.