‘A long time coming’
The much-needed and long-planned Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center moved a step closer to fruition Thursday with a groundbreaking and blessing ahead of the start of mass grading of the site in Kailua-Kona.
Search for Ireland’s killer continues
Hawaii County’s police chief and prosecuting attorney issued separate statements late Thursday afternoon saying they will be steadfast in their quest to bring to justice the man who left DNA on several pieces of key evidence in the 1991 rape and murder of Dana Ireland.
Johnny Nicholas and band to tour with Honokaa Dragon Jazz Band
Honokaa music hero Gary Washburn and the Dragon Jazz Band will team up with Texas blues legend Johnny Nicholas and his band Hell Bent for a circle-island concert tour in February.
Bills take aim at GET
This year in the state Legislature, there are roughly two dozen House bills and another two dozen Senate bills targeting the general excise tax, many of which request exemptions.
FDA’s advisers back plan to simplify COVID-19 vaccinations
The U.S. is poised to make COVID-19 vaccinations more like a yearly flu shot, a major shift in strategy despite a long list of questions about how to best protect against a still rapidly mutating virus.
Freed after 20 years, Hawaii man reflects on case, future
HONOLULU — On Ian Schweitzer’s first morning of freedom Wednesday, he woke up in a hotel room, looked over the balcony at the ocean and took in the beauty of the island he had been away from for over 20 years while imprisoned for a 1991 killing and rape he has always maintained he didn’t commit.
Police misconduct down in ‘22: Two HPD officers discharged, eight suspended
Two Hawaii Police Department officers were discharged and eight received suspensions ranging from one to 21 days in 2022, the department’s annual disciplinary report to the state Legislature revealed.
Bills seek harsher penalties for fentanyl crimes
In the face of a “pandemic” of fentanyl overdoses, lawmakers are seeking to increase criminal penalties for possession of the dangerous drug.
County to receive donated rapid-response shelters
The Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development will soon have another tool for its toolbox to address homelessness and emergencies on the Big Island.
Monk seal dies from injuries following shark bite
The Marine Mammal Center and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Wednesday that a juvenile female Hawaiian monk seal known as RM28 died at Ke Kai Ola, the center’s hospital in Kailua-Kona, after suffering severe shark bite trauma.
Man imprisoned for 1991 Dana Ireland murder, rape released
A judge on Tuesday ordered that a Puna man who spent 26 years of his life behind bars for perhaps the most notorious murder in Hawaii’s history “be released from his shackles immediately.”
Bill to require County Council approval of time extensions postponed
A bill that would require County Council authorization of time extensions to zoning ordinances was temporarily set aside Tuesday after an amendment to the measure.
Lawmakers target flavored tobacco products
Hawaii received an “F” grade for its policies on flavored tobacco products, according to the American Lung Association’s annual State of Tobacco Control report.
Neighbors helping neighbors
Kokua Harvest continues to blossom.
Green declares homelessness an emergency during State of State
During his first State of the State address, Gov. Josh Green said his high priority legislative and budget priorities are “housing, homelessness, the cost of living, climate, environment and mental health.”
US proposes once-a-year COVID shots for most Americans
WASHINGTON — U.S. health officials want to make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the annual flu shot.
Task force, lawmaker working on measure to legalize fentanyl test strips
The Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force has partnered with state Sen. Joy San Buenaventura of Puna to introduce legislation to legalize fentanyl test strips.
Petition seeks to free Hawaiian man convicted of ‘91 murder
HONOLULU — A petition filed Monday outlining new evidence in one of Hawaii’s biggest murder cases asks a judge to release a Native Hawaiian man who has spent more than 20 years in prison for the sexual assault, kidnapping and murder of a white woman on the Big Island.
Police chief outlines goals; community survey to go live Feb. 1
After a private swearing in ceremony Jan. 11 for Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz in Hilo, the new Hawaii County top cop took the oath again in a public affair Friday at the West Hawaii Civic Center.
Home sales slow in 2022
Big Island real estate agents are hopeful the housing market will stabilize in 2023 after sales slowed in 2022.
