Celebrating pop culture
The island of Kaua‘i held its second-ever Comic Con over the weekend, as cosplayers, fans, vendors and entertainers came out for a day full of celebrating pop culture.
Lawmakers take aim at Hawai‘i Tourism Authority
LIHU‘E — As lawmakers move forward with two bills aimed at repealing and replacing the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the authority and a nonprofit group are speaking out against the proposed measures — for opposing reasons.
Kaua‘i health department predicts rise in COVID-19 cases
LIHU‘E — As the state Department of Health reported that COVID-19 hospitalizations have nearly doubled in the past week, the DOH Kaua‘i district health officer says she expects to see a rise in cases on Kaua‘i in the coming months.
Gun bill seeks limits in ‘sensitive’ areas
A Kaua‘i gun control advocate and a gun store manager are speaking out with contrasting opinions on recent gun control legislation, as a bill aimed at restricting who can carry firearms, and where, continues to make its way through state Senate chambers.
Visitor impact fees bill moves forward
LIHU‘E — Legislators are considering a bill for a visitor impact fee program that would require all nonresidents ages 15 and up to pay $50 for an annual license to visit state parks, beaches, forests, hiking trails, and other natural areas.
County considers nearly $5M for Kaua‘i landfill issue
County of Kaua‘i council members considered proposed funding to address the ongoing Kekaha landfill crisis during its annual budget meeting on Tuesday, as representatives from the county Department of Public Works broke down how requested funding would confront the questionable future of Kaua‘i’s only landfill.
Kaua‘i COVID-19 update: 29 new cases, no deaths
LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i Department of Health reported 29 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Kaua’i this past week, bringing the total number of cases on the island up to 19,215 since the start of the pandemic.
Coco Palms Resort to be rebuilt
KAPA‘A – The latest developer of Kaua‘i’s infamous Coco Palms Resort is officially prepping for the site’s demolition and reconstruction, and he says people can expect the new resort to be completed in about three years.
Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union hosting free financial webinars
LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i State Federal Credit Union is holding six free financial education webinars in April and June, and is encouraging the public to register.
Kaua‘i seeks funding for pre-planning of new road and trail
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Council approved a move to apply for $800,000 in funding for the initial planning of two infrastructure projects aimed at constructing a major road and trail system on Kaua‘i. But its still likely to be several years before either project approaches the development stage.
Hilton Garden Inn on Wailua Bay fire show thrills visitors
KAPA‘A — Twice a week, the Hilton Garden Inn Kaua‘i on Wailua Bay hosts what it calls a “mesmerizing fire show” for visitors, and it certainly kept that promise on Friday night.
County of Kaua‘i sets full-scale search and rescue exercise
LIHU‘E – The County of Kaua‘i will hold a full-scale, multi-agency search and rescue exercise this month with a number of participants, including the United States Coast Guard, Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency, Kaua‘i Fire Department, Kaua‘i Police Department, Ocean Safety Bureau, Civil Air Patrol, and Kaua‘i Search and Rescue.
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority seeks help with Canadian market
HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is requesting proposals for “visitor education and brand management services” for the Canadian market.
New policy could reduce high cost of evictions
Lawmakers are hoping that a new bill will help reduce evictions and assist tenants struggling to make rent payments.
CDC recommends hepatitis B screening for all adults
HONOLULU — A Hawai‘i coalition working on hepatitis elimination throughout the state is hoping that new federal guidance for hepatitis B screening will encourage more people to get screened.
Hawaii Tourism Authority decries budget allotment
HONOLULU — Just hours after the state House Finance Committee unanimously approved the operating and capital budget for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 fiscal years, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s President and CEO John De Fries issued a statement citing “extreme concern” with his agency’s allocated funding.
Koloa principal nominated for leadership award
A Kaua‘i elementary school principal has been nominated for a $25,000 education award, and she’s hoping to use the funding to help expand a teacher training program.
Error found on over 2,000 Hawai‘i drivers licenses
LIHU‘E — Hawai‘i residents who received a driver’s license in February should check their cards for a printing error, according to a recent advisory from the state Department of Transportation.
Grounded yacht sinks to the ocean floor
HONOLUA BAY, Maui — The 120-ton luxury yacht stuck on the shore reef of Honolua Bay was finally freed over the weekend, only to then be sunk to the bottom of the ocean on Sunday.
Jimmy Johnson to hold book signing at Talk Story Bookstore
LIHU‘E — After more than three decades of dreaming of becoming a novelist, a Kaua‘i real estate agent has made his own wish come true.