Kaua‘i road closures: May 13 through May 19
WAILUA — The stretch of highway in front of the blighted Coco Palms Resort will see continued road work next week, as a plan to create a fourth lane nears completion.
Feds: Kaua‘i company owes workers $97K for overtime and travel
A Kaua‘i cleaning service has been hit with its second labor violation in less than a decade after federal investigators determined they failed to pay nearly $50,000 in workers’ overtime wages and travel expenses over a three-year period.
Kaua‘i County Council discusses buying Coco Palms
After 30 years of failed attempts at private development and little progress made in improving the condition of the dilapidated Coco Palms Resort, the Kaua‘i County Council is considering taking matters into its own hands.
Plea deal reached in Koloa School bomb threat case
A Kaua‘i man who called in a bomb threat at the school his ex-girlfriend’s children attended, agreed to a plea deal on Monday.
Kaua‘i Police Chief Raybuck eyes department reorganization
The organizational structure of the Kaua‘i Police Department may look different by this time next year.
HDOT moves to fix traffic problem near Lihu‘e McDonald’s drive-thru
The state Department of Transportation took steps to fix traffic problems on a chaotic stretch of highway near the Lihu‘e McDonald’s drive-thru in late April, installing barriers between the northbound lane of Kuhio Highway and the fast food spot.
Kaua‘i road closures: May 8 through May 12
The state Department of Transportation announced a single right lane closure on Kuhio Highway is possible in either direction, for grass cutting and tree trimming, between mile markers 0.5 and 1.2, in the vicinity of Hanalei Plantation Road and Ohiki Road, Monday through Friday, May 8 to 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
County plans play court resurfacings
LIHU‘E — The county Department of Parks & Recreation opened the county’s first dedicated pickleball courts at Anne Knudsen Park in Koloa on May 1 — one of five major court resurfacing projects on the docket.
Former Kaua‘i Rep. Jimmy Tokioka appointed to run DBEDT
HONOLULU — Gov. Josh Green announced Friday his selection of former Kaua‘i state Rep. James “Jimmy” Kunane Tokioka as the new Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism after the Legislature shot down his first nominee for the role.
Kilauea man enters not guilty plea in sexual assault of a minor case
LIHU‘E — A Kilauea man appeared at the Fifth Circuit Court in Lihu‘e on April 28, where he entered a not guilty plea to a charge of sexual assault in the first degree.
$10.7M verdict in construction dispute
A legal dispute over the construction of a Puhi Industrial Park warehouse ended with a nearly $11 million verdict last week.
Kaua‘i issues $25 million bond for affordable housing project
LIHU‘E — The largest affordable housing project ever undertaken by the County of Kaua‘i received a major financial boost on April 26 with the county council’s approval of a $25 million bond issuance.
Road closures: April 30 through May 5
KEALIA — The state Department of Transportation announced that a single right lane closure on Kuhio Highway (Route 56) is possible in either direction in the vicinity of Kealia Road and Ka‘ao Road, May 1 through May 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for grass cutting along guardrails.
$145 million for Kaua‘i capital improvements in state budget
LIHU‘E — The final version of the state budget bill, which was approved by two committees earlier this week, includes $145 million for Kaua‘i capital improvement projects focused on transportation, education, and health care.
Kaua‘i teachers speak on new union contract
LIHU‘E — The Hawai‘i State Teachers Association membership voted Wednesday to ratify a new contract that includes 14.5 percent raises over four years.
Kaua‘i County Council moves to increase pepper spray access
Kaua‘i is currently the only county in the state that requires residents to file for a permit and pass a background check in order to buy pepper spray.
Point In Time Count shows homelessness increasing on Kaua‘i
LIHU‘E — Amid sky-high housing costs and the expiration of pandemic-era tenant protections, homelessness appears to be on the rise on Kaua‘i.
Wailua man gets 10 years for deadly high speed accident
LIHU‘E — A Wailua man, who caused a fatal hit-and-run crash while driving 30 miles per hour over the speed limit, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Kaua‘i road closures: April 24 to 29
The state Department of Transportation announced that a single shoulder closure of Kuhio Highway is possible in either direction at Kilauea Stream Bridge, on Tuesday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a routine inspection of the Kilauea Stream bridge.
U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda talks climate at first Kaua‘i town hall
LIHU‘E — A crowd of about 50 people, and one roving pigeon, gathered at the Wilcox Elementary School Cafeteria on Saturday morning for new U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda’s first Kaua‘i town hall.