Water Board approves rate hike
Big Island households will see a water rate increase beginning Jan. 1, but the approximately 8% hike in the basic rate is expected to be tempered by a decrease in the power cost charge in the near future.
County coffers contain an extra $40M
Hawaii County ended the last fiscal year with $40 million left over to be applied to the current budget, according to an Oct. 15 report to the County Council.
Police search for reported runaway
Hawaii Island Police are searching for a 17-year-old Kona boy who was reported as a runaway.
Kailua-Kona company wins HIplan award
Mermaid Mushrooms, a Kailua-Kona company developing a business producing gourmet mushrooms for local consumption, was awarded the $25,000 HIplan 2020 Grand Prize on Saturday.
Ballots pouring in: 41% of Hawaii County voters have already voted
Some 41% of Hawaii County’s more than 127,000 registered voters had already voted by Friday, with 11 days to go before the Nov. 3 general election.
Bill creating airport zone moves forward: Bill 199 allows hotel at Kona, Hilo airports
A bill that would allow hotels at Kona’s Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport moved a step forward Tuesday with a positive vote from the County Council Planning Committee.
Closed-door meeting decides development: Council members work with developers to amend controversial bill
Two County Council members are meeting behind closed doors with developers of a controversial Kailua-Kona development, trying to work out a deal after proposed changes to the project received negative recommendations from the county Planning Department and Leeward Planning Commission.
Most CARES money distributed: Island families and businesses take advantage of federal relief funds
More than 1,540 Hawaii Island businesses and nonprofit organizations have received an average $8,961 in government assistance, 812 families have received an average $4,415 to help with their rent and mortgages and 115,581 individuals have received food so far under programs paid by federal coronavirus relief funds.
County almost halfway through coronavirus relief money
Hawaii County spent almost half of its $80 million federal coronavirus relief money in the first seven months of the program, and with three months to go before the money has to be spent or returned, Mayor Harry Kim is confident returning it won’t be an option.
Puakea Ranch expansion approved
A special permit to expand the uses of a historical ranch near Hawi was approved Thursday on a 6-0 vote by the Leeward Planning Commission.
Ready, set, go: A reluctant Mayor Kim opens the island to trans-Pacific travelers
Mayor Harry Kim prefers not to open up the island at all today to trans-Pacific travelers without quarantine, but since he has no choice, he implemented the two-test procedure to reduce the coronavirus infection risk to residents and visitors.
Mail stoppage alarms Kailua-Kona residents: Temporary delivery halt coincides with ballot mail-out
Three Kailua-Kona apartment buildings had their mail stopped, apparently without notice, shortly after ballots went out last week.
Council calls emergency meeting: Legislative body seeks travel testing update from mayor
County Council Chairman Aaron Chung has called an emergency council meeting for 1 p.m. today to get a briefing from Mayor Harry Kim about how interisland and trans-Pacific travel will work come Thursday.
Neighbors win a round: Board of Appeals overturns Walua Road vacation rental permit
Neighbors of a Kailua-Kona vacation rental won a round Friday, when the county Board of Appeals overturned the Planning Department and revoked the nonconforming use and vacation rental permits of a resident who claimed a homeowner’s property tax exemption.
1 million masks: Big Island benefits from Benioff connections
A San Francisco tech billionaire with a home on the Kona coast wants to make sure the Big Island doesn’t run out of masks.
County voter rolls swell by another 5,000: Ballots should show up in mailboxes today or Saturday
Interest is growing in the upcoming election.
Questions surround county composting plans
The future appeared muddy Tuesday for a county compost project, leaving members of a County Council committee frustrated that the long-awaited project may never be completed.
Fiber optic ring will improve internet speed, stability
Just when COVID-19 has turned many meetings virtual and a faster, more stable communications network is needed most, a project a decade in the making is about to reach completion.
Finalists for mayor head down the home stretch
There’s a lot of agreement, but also major differences, between the two candidates running for Hawaii County’s top office.
CARES money still available: Individuals, businesses and nonprofits urged to apply
As the county continues pushing federal coronavirus relief money out to the public, there are still plenty of opportunities for individuals, businesses and nonprofits to apply for help with bills, rent, mortgages and utilities.
