Gas use down 18%, County highway fund takes a hit from less driving
Hawaii Island motorists just weren’t heeding the call of the open road much last year.
Ethics Board seeks Kern’s client list
The county Board of Ethics, deluged with written testimony about Planning Director Zendo Kern’s fitness for the job, on Wednesday asked Kern for an “exhaustive list” of projects he’s worked on, then delayed a decision until next month.
Cut red tape, but safety first: New Environmental Management director balks at Alii Drive sewer plan
Hawaii County residents who have expressed concern that Mayor Mitch Roth would push a pro-development agenda when he took office may have been reassured last week when his Environmental Management director — who still awaits council confirmation — delayed what seemed a formality accepting a sewer line because he thinks it could be a public health hazard.
Roth remains hospitalized after heart attack
Mayor Mitch Roth remained hospitalized Monday at Hilo Medical Center after suffering a heart attack Saturday evening in South Kohala.
Kern seeks ethics opinion: Planning director to address Board of Ethics on Wednesday
Planning Director Zendo Kern is seeking guidance from the Board of Ethics on potential conflicts of interest in his duties directing the operations of the Planning Department.
Roth hospitalized with chest pains: Stent implanted, now under medical evaluation
Mayor Mitch Roth was being evaluated by doctors and Managing Director Lee Lord has taken over as acting mayor after Roth had a stent implanted after suffering chest pain Saturday evening, according to a press release Sunday morning.
Public unhappy over lack of access: Pandemic, technology and tension during long council session
A heavy and sometimes controversial agenda, coupled with technical problems during a global pandemic, brought a new set of challenges to the County Council last week, during a meeting that saw testifiers grumble about lack of access and a mayor appear to step outside his lane to advise council members on Sunshine Law issues.
Sustainability summit set for March
A sustainability summit, bringing in experts to brainstorm with elected officials and the public, is one of seven campaign promises Mayor Mitch Roth made for his first 100 days in office.
Council confirmations: Rodenhurst squeaks through first step; Kern postponed
Mayor Mitch Roth’s pick for Public Works director squeaked through a sometimes tense confirmation hearing Tuesday after more than two hours of grilling by a split County Council panel.
$77M in bonds will cover old debts, finance new projects
The county has sold $77.1 million in general obligation bonds to retire old debt and free up money to pay for new capital projects, Finance Director Deanna Sako said in a report to the County Council.
Council panel in search of an auditor
The county has been without its legislative auditor for two months following Bonnie Nims’ resignation, and the County Council has launched a search for a new one.
9 Roth appointees face council confirmation
Nine appointees to Mayor Mitch Roth’s Cabinet are scheduled to appear Tuesday before County Council committees, the first step in the approval process before council confirmation.
Council approves Kailua-Kona development
An agreement worked out by two council members negotiating with developers of a Kailua-Kona project was approved by the County Council last week and then sent to the mayor, despite three council members’ assurances that the public would have one more opportunity to comment at a council forum.
Todd, Rawlins, Acacio finalists for state Senate seat
A state representative and two political newcomers made the cut Wednesday night from a list of seven Democrats vying for Gov. David Ige’s nomination to fill the remaining two years of the state Senate seat vacated by Congressman-elect Kai Kahele.
Waipio Valley pedestrian ban booted
It’s back to the drawing board for a bill prohibiting pedestrian access to Waipio Valley, after County Council members Wednesday raised constitutionality issues and the effect closing hiking there would have on other valleys, such as Pololu Valley in North Kohala.
Local Dems to pick Kahele replacement candidates
Three familiar names and four not quite as familiar will vie for an open state Senate seat this evening in virtual interviews with precinct officials who will select three Democrats to send to Gov. David Ige as candidates to fill the District 1 seat vacated by Kai Kahele, who was elected to Congress.
Many appeal their property assessments
More than twice as many property owners appealed their tax assessments this year than last year, according to the 2020 report of the county Real Property Tax Board of Review.
Kierkiewicz on board of company receiving CARES funds
Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz steered taxpayer money to a not-yet nonprofit corporation on whose board she sits, records show.
‘Artisan-scale’ composting popular: Environmental Management Commission considers alternatives to $10.5M composter
This may be one of those cases where bigger isn’t necessarily better, at least when it comes to turning waste into compost.
County spent 80% of $80 million CARES funds
With just a month remaining to spend it or send it back, Hawaii County government had used about 80% of the $80 million in federal coronavirus relief funds it received in March, according to the November update the county sent to the state Thursday.
