Unpermitted gym gets more time to prove it’s safe
A gym that’s been operating without permits in an agricultural shed for almost two years got a reprieve Thursday on an after-the-fact permit after the Leeward Planning Commission asked for inspections.
Trial set for ex-cop accused of stealing cocaine from evidence locker
A retired police officer is scheduled to face trial for allegedly stealing cocaine from an evidence locker in the Hilo Police Station and intimidating a witness.
Outbreaks strand some students at home with minimal learning
RALEIGH, N.C. — Within his first week back at school after a year and a half, 7-year-old Ben Medlin was exposed to a classmate with COVID-19, and he was sent home, along with 7,000 other students in the district, for 14 days of quarantine.
Report: Combining outbreak racial data could obscure disparities
A new report authored by Hawaii researchers highlights the value of separating public health data in order to identify and address racial disparities.
Crash & learn: Big Island-boosted satellite project will get second launch
A satellite built with the assistance of Big Island students was destroyed earlier this month during a rocket launch, but the project will get a second chance soon.
Still no whistle-blower hot-line: Four years later, audit recommendation yet to be implemented
The Human Resources Department has been scrutinizing interview packets before county departments vet candidates for employment, one of several practices instituted after a scathing 2017 audit found favoritism in county hiring.
COVID cases trend downward, but HMC still over capacity
Hilo Medical Center continues to operate beyond its capacity amid the novel coronavirus surge.
Retired detective sentenced to probation
A retired Hawaii Police Department detective has been sentenced to four years of probation for his role in an armed confrontation in Hawaiian Paradise Park in 2017.
Rides for vaccinations: County, Uber partner to provide trasportation for shot-seekers
Hawaii County’s Mass Transit Agency is partnering with Uber to provide access to rides to and from COVID-19 vaccination appointments in as part of the county’s Hele-On Get Your Shot! campaign.
Ethics Board retracts Van Pernis vote
Now that Mark Van Pernis is no longer a commissioner on the Leeward Planning Commission, the Board of Ethics on Monday retracted a prior finding that he violated the ethics code.
State senator: Plan to designate Maunakea occupiers as ‘homeless individuals’ is unacceptable
Two Oahu legislators have asked the state Department of Hawaiian Homelands to halt any plans to forcefully remove protesters who remain on Maunakea.
Charter school project back before land panel
The Windward Planning Commission is set to decide whether to grant a special permit for Connections New Century Public Charter School to build a new campus on about 70 acres of state land in Hilo.
Working group may not visit Maunakea
A working group formed to discuss the future governance of Maunakea might not actually visit the mauna.
New dairy planned for Ookala site
A family with ties to the Big Island hopes to support sustainable agriculture with a new dairy operation in Ookala.
State ponders Roth’s request to publicize list of those in quarantine; Ige says ‘it’s a balancing act’
The state is evaluating a proposal from Mayor Mitch Roth to publicly identify individuals who opt to quarantine after arriving on the island, Gov. David Ige said.
5 transfer stations back to regular hours
Five county transfer stations have resumed regular operating hours this week after facing service interruptions due to COVID-19-related staffing issues.
Ethics board clears council members
The Board of Ethics unanimously cleared five County Council members of wrongdoing Monday following two complaints on unrelated issues.
Antibody clinic on way: HMC hopes to have COVID-19 treatment center running this month
Hilo Medical Center this month will open a monoclonal antibody clinic to treat patients with COVID-19.
Low-income apartments approved for Kealakehe
A 111-unit subsidized rental apartment project is slated to be constructed on 5.4 acres near the intersection of Kealakaa and Uluaoa streets in Kealakehe, following unanimous approval last week by the County Council.
Internet funding rule could favor rural areas over cities
Cities and urban counties across the U.S. are raising concerns that a recent rule from President Joe Biden’s administration could preclude them from tapping into $350 billion of coronavirus relief aid to expand high-speed internet connections.
