Former Waimea instructor Victor Aguilar sentenced for sexual assault
LIHU‘E — Former Waimea High School JROTC instructor Victor Aguilar pleaded no contest to one charge of sexual assault in the second degree on Wednesday for taking advantage of his underage student.
Hawai‘i legislative leaders push for affordable housing, tax relief
HONOLULU — The state Legislature convened for its first session on Wednesday, as party leaders presented a wide array of proposals from affordable housing bills to criminal justice reform.
From Kaua‘i to Ukraine: Treating artillery victims
SLOVIANSK, Ukraine — Kaua‘i doctor Allon Amitai heard the blast of an air raid siren early Saturday morning.
Kaua‘i legislators will lead at the statehouse this year
For a small island, Kaua‘i will hold a large degree of influence over the state Legislature this session.
Kaua‘i roadwork set for Jan. 15 to 21
KEALIA — The state Department of Transportation announced a right shoulder closure on Kuhio Highway is possible in either direction between mile marker 9.7 to 10.08, in the vicinity of Kealia Beach Park and St. Catherine Cemetery, from Jan. 15 to Jan. 20, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. for utility work.
Brue Baukol lays out plans for 18,000 acres of newly acquired Kaua‘i land
PORT ALLEN — With the exchange of more than $250 million, Colorado-based investment firm Brue Baukol Capital Group became Kaua‘i’s third-largest private landowner in June 2022.
Kaua‘i COVID-19 update: Case counts down to 51
HONOLULU — Staving off fears of a potential post-holiday COVID-19 spike, data released by Hawai‘i Department of Health on Wednesday showed that cases on Kaua‘i declined to seven per day from Jan. 3 to Jan. 9.
Man who shot his housemate in Wailua could see sentence reduced
LIHU‘E — It has been more than six years since Peter Bonfiglio survived a brutal attack from his housemate, who kicked down his door and shot him in the chest and head.
Kaua‘i County Council encourages hiring kama‘aina for leadership roles
LIHU‘E — In its first meeting of 2023, the Kaua‘i County Council passed a resolution encouraging hiring locals for top positions.
Kaua‘i democratic party accepting applications for Jimmy Tokioka’s statehouse seat
LIHU‘E — Out of work? Consider applying for a job as the next District 16 state representative.
Jury selection delayed as Kaua‘i murder suspect Vicente Hilario tries to dismiss case
Dozens of potential jurors called to the Lihu‘e state courthouse for the Vicente Hilario murder trial were sent home early Monday, as a motion from the defendant delayed the trial’s start date once again.
New Year, new laws on Kaua‘i
With the beginning of the new year comes the enactment of a spate of new laws passed during the historic 2022 state legislative session.
Kaua‘i road closures for the week of Jan. 8 – 14
KAPA‘A — The county Department of Public Works and Grace Pacific LLC announced that a portion of Kawaihau Road and Pelehu Road will be closed Monday through Friday, Jan. 9 to 13, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for clearing and grubbing, roadway excavation and sidewalk construction.
From Kaua‘i to Ukraine: Prepping for a war zone
KAPA‘A — Wool socks, wool hat and extra layers. A helmet and a bulletproof vest. A headlamp in case the power goes out. Sneakers in case he needs to run to a bomb shelter at night.
COVID-19 cases remain stable on Kaua‘i but effects linger
LIHU‘E — While COVID-19 has surged through the mainland United States during the holiday season, case counts on Kaua‘i have been holding relatively stable.
Plea deal reached in Lihu‘e Sun Village barricade case
The man who triggered a six-hour police standoff at Sun Village in July 2022 has agreed to a plea deal.
Dozens of concealed carry permits issued on Kaua‘i
LIHU‘E — Over the past two months, the Kaua‘i Police Department has issued dozens of concealed carry permits to gun owners throughout the island.
Kaua‘i road closures for the week of Jan. 1 – 7
KAPA‘A — The county Department of Public Works and Grace Pacific LLC announced that a portion of Kawaihau Road will be closed from Tuesday to Saturday, Jan. 3 to 7, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., for continuing construction of a peanut-shaped five-way intersection.
A look back at 2022 on Kaua‘i
LIHU‘E — While the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will probably never fully disappear, 2022 marked something of a return to normalcy for an island turned upside down by the virus.
Kaua‘i Representative Jimmy Tokioka leaves statehouse to work for Green administration
LIHU‘E — After 26 years in elected office, Jimmy Tokioka is moving on.