All rained out
March, traditionally the rainiest month of the year for the windward side of the Big Island, was much wetter than usual.
Popular tropical garden attraction reopens
A year after closing, the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden has reopened to visitors.
No timeline yet for Waianuenue road work
A pavement rehabilitation project is in the works for a section of Waianuenue Avenue, but a start date for the improvement has not been established.
Downtown Hilo mural highlights mobility, agriculture
A colorful new mural is being painted onto the wall of a downtown Hilo business.
Honolulu police chief retiring June 1
Just days after a poor annual review, Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard announced that she will retire from the department June 1.
Hawaii’s master gardeners are the Peace Corps of the tropical garden world
When it comes to community outreach, the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) Extension Service is comparable to the way Peace Corps reaches out to folks in other countries. The Master Gardener program is an important component of the CTAHR Extension Service. That program is set up to assist local folks with home gardening issues. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this service has been severely limited, but is again available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Kona Office in Kainaliu.
Bill that would cut HTA resources passes final committee
A bill that would substantially limit the resources and duties of the Hawaii Tourism Authority has passed its final committee in the state Senate.
Novel version to blame for 15 on Big Island
Nearly 350 cases of COVID-19 in Hawaii have been caused by a variant strain of the novel coronavirus, according to data provided Friday by the state Department of Health.
‘We are seeing good progress’: Over 10,000 doses administered via Kona mega clinics
Mega vaccine clinics at Kekuaokalani Gymnasium in Kailua-Kona continue, with more than 10,000 vaccines administered in March alone.
BLNR fines Ka‘u dam owner: Edmund C. Olson Trust ordered to pay $7,500 for unaddressed deficiencies
The Board of Land and Natural Resources Friday fined the Edmund C. Olson Trust, owner of the Keaiwa Reservoir above Pahala, for failure to comply with a notice of deficiency issued in February 2020.
Master navigator Chad Kalepa Baybayan dies
Chad Kalepa Baybayan, master (pwo) navigator and a captain of the Hokule‘a, died late Thursday night Hawaii time while visiting family in Seattle.
Honolulu police chief gets negative commission review
HONOLULU — The Honolulu Police Commission has given Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard negative reviews in a performance assessment.
Maui to require 2nd virus tests for trans-Pacific travelers
WAILUKU — Maui County in Hawaii will soon require second coronavirus tests for trans-Pacific travelers flying directly to the island.
Senate version of state budget includes funding for lifeguards at Kua Bay, Hapuna
Full funding for lifeguard services at two Big Island state beach parks has been restored by the state Senate in its draft of the proposed state budget.
‘HTA is no different’; Bill would limit state tourism agency’s responsibilities, funds
Tourist to stand trial in death of friend
A 37-year-old Pittsburgh man will stand trial on a single charge of manslaughter stemming from a March 29 altercation at a Kailua-Kona vacation rental that resulted in the strangulation death of his roommate, a fellow visitor from Pittsburgh.
Police seek info on theft suspects
Big Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying four people involved in two separate thefts at stores in Waimea and Waikoloa.
COVID-19 case count climbs to 2,557 as doses of vaccine administered tops 99K
The Big Island’s COVID-19 case count increased by 10 Thursday as the number of doses of the COVID vaccine administered prepared to pass 100,000.
Maui considers reserving beach parking for residents
WAILUKU — The Maui County Council is considering measures that would reserve at least half of all public beach access parking for residents and for visitors to be charged parking fees.
Steep decline in giant sea turtles seen off US West Coast
MONTEREY, Calif. — Scientists were documenting stranded sea turtles on California’s beaches nearly 40 years ago when they noticed that leatherbacks — massive sea turtles that date to the time of the dinosaurs — were among those washing up on shore. It was strange because the nearest known population of the giants was several thousand miles away in the waters of Central and South America.
