Property assessment cap postponed: Administration warns measure could lead to East-West inequities
A bill capping property assessments could lead to an unfair balance between East Hawaii and West Hawaii, administration officials warned the County Council Finance Committee as a measure aiming to put a 15% ceiling on most commercial classes of property was postponed for the second time.
Keiki booster shots could begin soon
Booster shots for keiki ages 5-11 could be coming to the Big Island as early as next week, pending approval by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Kaiser Permanente mental health pros set for 3-day strike
Nearly five dozen Kaiser Permanente mental health professionals across Hawaii plan to strike this week.
Despite reservations, sunscreen ban advances
Hawaii County Council members gave tentative approval Tuesday to a ban on the sale of all but two kinds of sunscreen on the Big Island on the condition that county attorneys can prove the ban is enforceable.
Report: Hawaii County tops in nation in construction hurdles
It’s more difficult to get a construction project rolling in Hawaii County than anywhere else in the nation, according to a report released last month.
Harsher penalties urged for car thieves
A bill that would double the maximum possible sentence for stealing a vehicle is only one of several crime bills currently under consideration by Gov. David Ige.
Ippy Aiona keeps it easy: Famed Waimea chef releases new cookbook with simple, local-style dishes
It’s been a decade since Chef Philip “Ippy” Aiona was, at 23, the youngest competitor on “Food Network Star,” winning fans with his flowing locks, since shorn, and easy smile, which he still possesses. He went deep into the competition, a mere episode from the finals.
County Council eyes tougher sunscreen law
A state law took effect last year that banned the sale of sunscreens that contain two specific chemicals, but a proposed Hawaii County law would go further and ban selling all sunscreens except those containing two different substances.
Students at Ka‘u High honored for participation in agriculture program
Eighteen Ka‘u High School students received a Certificate of Achievement in Agriculture and Landscaping, along with college credits, for their participation in the Ka‘u Global Learning Lab.
DLNR to hold additional meetings on use of lay nets
The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold hearings statewide to discuss amendments to laws regarding lay nets — again.
Kona keiki museum will feature interactive STEM exhibits for younger kids
This fall, keiki will be able to learn about STEM concepts while experiencing hands-on, age-appropriate exhibits at Kona’s Hawaii Keiki Museum.
In early primaries, voters favor polling places over mail
ATLANTA — The great vote-by-mail wave appears to be receding just as quickly as it arrived.
‘Extremely grateful’: Family from Ukraine escapes war, feeling welcome on the Big Island
Maksym Koloson, his wife Karina and 12-year-old daughter Lina fled Eastern Ukraine as Russia’s attack began in February and have landed on the Big Island after two months of traveling.
The public’s turn: Council seeks input on budget increase, tax rollback
Property values are up dramatically, there’s a record high $779.7 million budget in the works and the County Council, for the first time in decades, is considering lowering the tax rates.
Palila habitat fence slated for expansion
Another five miles of fencing around a portion of Maunakea is slated for construction this year, which will almost, but not quite, enclose the upper slopes of the mountain after more than 10 years.
Grant would double bikeshare fleet: 15 stations would be split between Hilo, Kona
Hawaii County’s bike rental program has more than doubled ridership over the last two years and is poised to double its resources this year.
Char: Graduations could fuel COVID spike
State Health Director Libby Char said Friday she’s concerned the recent statewide rise in COVID-19 cases will become more pronounced during graduation season.
Ukraine opens first war crimes trial of captured Russian
KYIV, Ukraine — Journalists packed a small courtroom in Kyiv for the trial of a captured Russian soldier accused of killing a Ukrainian civilian in the early days of the war — the first of dozens of war crimes cases that Ukraine’s top prosecutor said her office is pursuing.
Bitcoin tumbles, stablecoin plunges in wild week in crypto
NEW YORK — It’s been a wild week in crypto, even by crypto standards.
Ethics Board dismisses complaint against Waltjen
The county Board of Ethics on Wednesday dismissed a complaint against Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen by a group opposing vaccines, masks and other pandemic protocols who said Waltjen ignored their petitions and compilations of documents they assert prove their case.