Merry Christmas from the Christmas Fund
Christmas is here, and the 34th Christmas Fund project, a partnership with the Zonta Club of Kauai and The Garden Island newspaper, has delivered gift cards and funds to eight different agencies and groups to fund their Christmas lists.
Contractors Association of Kauai wraps up 2024 with membership meeting
The Contractors Association of Kauai closed 2024 with its 67th Annual Meeting and Installation dinner on Dec. 5 at the Puakea Golf Course.
Landon McNamara says Eddie’s presence guided him in winning surf title
Landon McNamara is a musician and a model. After Sunday, he’s also the reigning champion of the world’s most prestigious big wave surf event.
Hawaii Ethics Commission plans penalty system akin to traffic fines
The commission ensures compliance with state ethics and lobbying laws.
Hilo’s tsunami museum closes due to financial woes; staff laid off
A notice taped to the museum door says the museum is temporarily closed “due to funding challenges” and includes a QR code that visitors can scan to donate funds.
Kilauea eruption prompts warning, has paused
HAWAII ISLAND — Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island began erupting again early Monday morning following increased earthquake activity.
North Shore fire causes roughly $100,000 in damage
KALIHIWAI — A structure fire on the North Shore caused an estimated $100,000 in damage early Friday morning.
Today is last day for free dental clinic
Today is the last day of a free dental clinic, but organizer Dr. Janie Yoo of the Kauai Eye Institute announced a free vision screening event on Thursday.
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority seeks 2-year deal with NFL’s Rams
Funding is expected to come from HTA’s budget for sports and signature events, for which $7.3 million was allocated for fiscal year 2025 and $9.9 million for fiscal year 2026.
Big Isle judge picks contractor to demolish house built on wrong lot
The contractor who erroneously built the house was ordered by the judge to deposit the funds for the demolition and removal of debris by Jan. 21 into an account established by the court.
Hawaii to start a series of income tax cuts in 2025
Residents across the state will see less being withheld from their paychecks beginning in January.
Feds send another $250M for Honolulu rail construction
Federal officials also sent $125 million in February, restoring relations with the FTA after officials grew frustrated by years of delays and cost overruns.
CHRISTMAS FUND: Single mother of 3 could use new clothes for keiki
LIHUE — Through Christmas Eve, The Garden Island will share daily, front-page stories about families and individuals (we don’t use their real names), who are facing challenges and would appreciate a little help this holiday season.
Happy Camper for Monday, December 23, 2024
Christmas Eve is as special as Christmas Day for many people. And in the little parish in Eleele, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Christmas Eve will see the presentation of “E Po Hemolele” by the church’s Kumu Ola Children’s Choir on Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m.
EDITORIAL: Hopes high for Kalaeloa housing
This potential jump in affordable units would represent laudable progress, and progress has been slow in coming to Kalaeloa.
Obituaries for Monday, December 23, 2024
• Thomas Atou • Diann Mary Huddy
Collecting debris from the fatal plane crash is NTSB’s focus
While the rest of the structure sustained minimal impact, the heavily damaged stairwell has complicated efforts to recover aircraft debris.
Finding New Year at the markets
“What? I missed Christmas?” said Jessika Cristobal of the Salty Wahine Gourmet Hawaiian Salts. “I’m going to be a Christmas Tree .
Year of the Forest Birds closes with hope
HONOLULU — As the days for 2024 count down, “Makahiki o na Manu Nahele: Year of the Forest Birds,” the year-long celebration and awareness campaign of Hawaiian forest birds comes to a close following the proclamation by Gov. Josh Green in January.
Maui is poised for $1.6B in federal funding to rebuild Lahaina
With Congress scheduled to adjourn Friday, the U.S. House likely will take up the bill this week before sending it back to the Senate, Schatz said.
Pohoiki Bay dredging projected to begin in February
The boat ramp — the ocean access for boaters in Puna — was rendered unusable in 2018 when lava from Kilauea’s Lower East Rift Zone eruption raised a sandbar in front of the ramp.
Achilles tang fishing ban off West Hawaii extended
The Achilles tang was once plentiful in West Hawaii waters, but its populations have sharply declined over the past two decades because of extensive exploitation by the commercial aquarium industry.
‘The Eddie’ is a go for Sunday
North Shore city lifeguard Luke Shepardson won the tenth and last Eddie on Jan. 22, 2023.
Kilauea Visitor Center will close for renovations in February
Visitors should plan ahead and be prepared for limited services and parking. Volcano House and the Volcano Art Center Gallery will remain open.
High surf warning through Monday morning
The National Weather Service has extended the high surf warning for north- and west-facing shores of Kauai and Niihau through 6 a.m., Monday. The warning may be extended, dropped, or modified as conditions develop.