With cloudy state finances, Hawaii’s ‘rainy day’ fund held for future rainy day
Hawaii lawmakers have recently considered cutting every state agency’s budget along with various special funds and capital improvement projects to pay for stunning costs related to the Maui wildfire disaster, with one very big special fund excluded.
Hawaii seeks answers to state’s lithium-ion battery conundrum
As Hawaii strives toward its clean energy goals, there is growing concern over the waste stream of lithium-ion batteries that come with renewable energy technology.
‘Mystical Chocolate Masquerade’ set for April
It’s glitz, glam and glorious fun for the “Mystical Chocolate Masquerade” at the 11h Big Island Chocolate Festival, April 26-27, at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort &Spa.
Maui’s mayor prioritizes housing and vows to hire more firefighters after Lahaina wildfire
HONOLULU — Maui’s mayor says he is prioritizing housing, evaluating evacuation routes and hiring more firefighters as his Hawaii community recovers from the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.
Coffee labeling bill advances
A bill that 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 headed to the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection on Wednesday.
County bill would require waste facilities be open at least 2 days a week
Garbage day may come twice a week again for Kalapana residents thanks to a new County Council proposal.
Dredging of Wailoa Small Boat Harbor on track, but work not expected to begin until July
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.
Progress made on Waimea food processing plant
Farmers in Waimea are one step closer to having a refurbished food processing facility after the partial demolition of the Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant.
‘This is a part of our culture’: Hawaii residents oppose measure targeting cockfighting
A state proposal to impose greater criminal penalties relating to cockfighting drew outcry from residents Thursday.
Habitat set aside for 12 endangered Big Island species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated nearly 120,000 acres of land on Hawaii island as protected critical habitat for 12 endangered species.
Island Life for Friday, March 15, 2024
Honu’s hanu (breathe) at the Kona coast. (Reiko Sekine/community contributor)
HPD gets liftgates from Vibrant Hawaii
Hawaii Police Department’s Community Policing Section extends a heartfelt mahalo to the nonprofit organization Vibrant Hawaii, for its recent donation of two Tommy liftgates, one in Hilo and one in Kona.
Tribute celebrates life, legacy of Kamehameha III: Concert, panel discussion tomorrow commemorate his lasting impact on Hawaii
Kamehameha Schools Kaiaulu invites the community to celebrate the life and legacy of Kamehameha III at the 23rd annual Kauikeaouli Festival this Friday through Sunday at Keauhou Bay in West Hawaii.
Captain Zodiac turns 50: Popular Kona ocean tour company reaches milestone
An ocean adventure tour company is celebrating 50 years in business in Hawaii.
BISAC unveils two Narcan vending machines in Hilo
Two new vending machines offering Narcan, a lifesaving medication for opioid overdoses, have been installed in Hilo.
Island Life for Thursday, March 14, 2024
Bronze statue of lei makers at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole. (Terri Brache/community contributor)
County dispatcher honored for life-saving actions
Mayor Mitch Roth honored Allison Ford on Monday for her swift action in early January that led to the resuscitation and recovery of Winnie Mochida of Honoka‘a.
Have ‘Coffee with a Cop’ in Waimea this Friday
Hawaii Police Department’s South Kohala Community Policing Section invites the public to join officers for “Coffee with a Cop” from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., Friday at McDonald’s in Waimea, located in the Waimea Center at 67-1154 Mamalahoa Highway.
Richardson’s gets a facelift: Park improvements, renovated ocean center unveiled
Richardson Ocean Park and Center is open and fully accessible to the public after 19 months of construction.
Assessment details plans for old Hilo hospital renovations
A plan to renovate the old Hilo Memorial Hospital continues apace after a draft environmental assessment for the project was published last week.