Study shows high bacterial presence Kaua‘i waters
LIHU‘E — Environmental organization Surfrider Kaua‘i’s Blue Water Task Force has found continued bacterial contamination of Kaua‘i’s streams and surf sites, as researchers fear possible fecal presence throughout much of the island’s waters.
Ex-Honolulu building chief gets 5 years prison in $100K bribery scheme
HONOLULU —A former Honolulu chief building inspector has been sentenced to five years in prison for accepting more than $100,000 in bribes and lying about it to investigators, as federal officials continue to crack down on corruption in Hawai‘i.
Native Hawaiian group receives $85k grant to revitalize Hawaiian language
LIHU‘E — Native Hawaiian organization Papahana Kuaola has received a nearly $85,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as part of a multi-organizational effort to revitalize ‘olelo Hawai‘i, the Hawaiian language, from keiki to kupuna.
UH researchers develop artificial intelligence for reef conservation
If AI ever rises up, at least the reefs will be safe.
New invasive species imperils Hawai‘i’s aquatic ecosystem
A multi-agency working group has discovered a new invasive species off Hawai‘i’s coastline that threatens to upend the island chain’s marine ecosystem by outcompeting and suffocating its coral reefs.
Can wasps save Hawai‘i’s coffee industry?
It’s not very often people are happy to have wasps around.
Kapa‘a High Warriors walk on as all 228 seniors graduate
There was no shortage of pomp and circumstance at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex Friday evening.
‘Something that I’ll always remember’ — surfer Charles Smith brings home gold to Kaua‘i
LAWA‘I — Lawa‘i resident and avid surfer Charles Smith, 60, brought home gold last month after taking first place in the Hawai‘i Surfing Association State Championship’s 60-plus shortboard division.
Seabird restoration project begins at critical Kaua‘i cultural site
A massive seabird conservation project on the Napali Coast is taking wing.
Hawai‘i Legislature passes bill to create fireworks task force
LIHU‘E — There goes the boom. The state Legislature earlier this month approved Senate Bill 821, which would establish a multiagency task force dedicated to combating the widespread sale and use of illegal fireworks across the state.
Sandon Igne gets 10 years for deadly Kaua‘i Christmas Eve crash
LIHU‘E — A Lawa‘i man will serve 10 years in prison after causing a Christmas Eve 2020 car crash that killed two people and injured two others.
Kaua‘i county budget draft finalized
The Kaua‘i County Council finalized the county’s draft budget on Friday, including additional decreases to the Homestead tax rate and new funds for the Kaua‘i Police Department, in an uncharacteristically noncombative council meeting.
Kaua‘i County Council supports mosquito biocontrol to protect honeycreepers
The Kaua‘i County Council approved a resolution supporting biological control efforts to protect endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers from mosquito-borne disease.
Hawai‘i ranked worst state for saving money
It can be hard living in paradise.
Mongoose captured in Nawiliwili renews concerns of Kaua‘i spread
A live mongoose was caught at Nawiliwili Harbor last week, renewing concerns over the possibility that the invasive species could spread to Kaua‘i.
Red Cross Kaua‘i sounds the alarm on fire safety
In an effort to protect residents from the dangers of house fires, volunteers from humanitarian groups American Red Cross Kaua‘i and Team Rubicon are installing free smoke alarms and educating homeowners on how to stay safe in the event of a fire.
Hawaiian Airlines releases sustainability report
Honolulu-based Hawaiian Airlines has published its annual Corporate Kuleana report, a docket evaluating its progress in sustainability after regaining 91 percent of its pre-pandemic capacity and affirming its plans for a greener future.
Hawai‘i Legislature passes $21.7 billion budget despite education concerns
LIHU‘E — A $21.7 billion state budget proposal passed final reading on the last day of the state Legislature’s 2023 session on Thursday after several lawmakers voiced concerns over what they perceived as an underfunding of the state’s education systems.
Gold Medal Flour recalled for possible salmonella contamination
General Mills has issued a voluntary recall of some Gold Medal brand bleached and unbleached flour bags, as a federal investigation linked their products to a nationwide salmonella outbreak.
Hawai‘i green fee bill dies in conference session
Another year, another failed green fee bill for Hawai‘i. A proposal to charge nonresidents for use of Hawai‘i’s recreational sites fell short of passing on Friday, April 28, during a frantic push to send the state Legislature’s remaining bills to a final vote.