Mistaken identity lands man in Hawaii mental hospital
HONOLULU — Hawaii officials wrongly arrested a homeless man for a crime committed by someone else, locked him up in a state hospital for more than two years, forced him to take psychiatric drugs and then tried to cover up the mistake by quietly setting him free with just 50 cents to his name, the Hawaii Innocence Project said in a court document asking a judge to set the record straight.
Puna land purchase advances
Hawaii County will consider purchasing 165 acres of Puna land under its open space land-buying program.
Council members vote to oust Van Pernis
County Council members on Tuesday voted narrowly in favor of removing a commissioner from the Leeward Planning Commission.
Hometown Heroes: Nonprofits, agencies and volunteers ensure West Hawaii keiki are ready to learn
Editor’s note: Each Wednesday, West Hawaii Today is publishing a story about individuals, groups or organizations that have helped make life better for others in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kona man gets 5 years for officer assault
A judge Monday sentenced a 34-year-old Kona man found guilty in May of assaulting a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.
Bail maintained for Mountain View man on multiple gun and drug charges
A judge Monday denied a defense request to free a 61-year-old Mountain View man accused of 22 drug and firearms offenses on court-supervised release without cash bail.
‘We’ve got this under control’: Firefighters continue to work Big Island’s largest fire for fifth day
Firefighters Tuesday continued battling flames and dousing hotspots within the 62.5-square-mile burn area of the Big Island’s largest wildland fire in history.
64 more COVID-19 cases reported Tuesday
The Big Island reported 64 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, sending the island’s total case count to 4,290.
Police nab 15 for suspected drunken driving
Big Island police arrested 15 motorists for suspected drunken driving July 26 and Sunday. Three of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes.
Parker School announces vaccine requirement
Parker School will require employees and all eligible students to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by Oct. 1.
Plane lands returns to Kona after engine warning light illuminates
A Hawaiian Airlines jet landed without incident Tuesday morning at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole after an engine warning light illuminated shortly after takeoff.
HHSC supports call for healthcare worker vaccine mandates
The Hawaii Health Systems Corp. on Monday said it supports the Healthcare Association of Hawaii’s new call to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for health care workers across the state.
Delta variant surge has had little impact on tourism
Despite the recent spike in Delta variant COVID-19 cases, Hawaii’s popularity as a travel destination continues to grow.
Department of Health reports 76 new COVID-19 cases on Big Island; 365 new cases statewide
The state Department of Health on Monday reported 76 new COVID-19 cases on the Big Island and 365 new cases statewide amid an ongoing surge.
Ige, others say benefit of reopening schools exceeds the risk
State health and education leaders are committed to returning students to classrooms today, despite the latest surge of COVID-19 cases in Hawaii.
Volunteers work to support those battling fire
Volunteers in Waimea brought food and water to first responders Monday as they battled the 40,000-acre fire burning near the Department of Hawaiian Homelands Puukapu Subdivision.
Firefighters continue to battle Hawaii Island’s largest fire
Firefighters appear to have gotten the upper hand on a more than 40,000-acre wildland fire in South Kohala deemed the largest in Hawaii Island history.
Roads reopen as firefighters get upperhand on South Kohala fire
Hawaii County officials are asking residents and visitors to remain vigilant and to be prepared for evacuate if needed as firefighters continue to battle a 40,000-acre wildland fire that threatened Waikoloa Village Sunday afternoon.
Results of breakwater study expected by this fall
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed a study of whether potential alterations to the Hilo Bay breakwater would improve water quality in the bay.
