Stories by Jessica Else

Clear path to Hanalei

Kuhio Highway was closed just before Hanalei Town on Christmas, even though the Hawaii Department of Transportation has paused roadwork on their Hanalei hill slope-stabilization project and full-lane closures in the area are about to come to an end.

No sign of survivors

The remains of six people were recovered Friday after a tour helicopter crashed in a remote area near Napali Coast.

Safeguarding the skies

With measles reported in at least five U.S. airports this holiday season, the outbreak in Samoa and more direct flights from the mainland to Lihue Airport, staff have to stay vigilant to keep disease from spreading.

Hula for Health

LIHUE — A new study out of the University of Hawaii is showing what hula can do for hypertension.

Wind, rain potential through Thursday

LIHUE — It was a windy weekend across the islands and forecasters say there’s potential for big gusts, wind advisories and rain through the holiday.

Christmas at Chicken in a Barrel

KAPAA — Stop by Chicken in a Barrel in Kapaa for free holiday eats today as the restaurant continues its annual tradition of feeding the community on Dec. 25.

Saving Kanaele

Water was running in peaceful streams out of Kanaele after days of rains drenched Hawaii’s last, intact, lowland bog, protected on all sides by steep mountains and the Kauai Watershed Alliance’s first predator-proof fence.

Seeds of a science center

WAIMEA — Some students at Waimea Canyon Middle School are curious about the science that goes into making pancakes. Others want to know how to prevent concussions in football.

PMRF gets environmental honor

BARKING SANDS — The U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands has been named the winner of the 2019 Navy Community Service Environmental Stewardship Award, acknowledging excellence in conservation and species preservation at the base.

Nonprofit reports pine tree theft

KAPAA — Just days before Christmas, someone decided to play the part of The Grinch at the Friendship House in Kapaa, stealing two big sections of the property’s Norfolk pine trees.

KIUC announces successes in energy generation

LIHUE — Kauai Island Utility Cooperative is now powering Kauai more routinely off of 100% renewable energy, and though that goal isn’t reached on a daily basis, the co-op is getting close.

HoKua Place EIS approved

KAPAA — The state Land Use Commission on Tuesday approved the final environmental impact statement for a petition to rezone 97 acres in Kapaa for urban use, making way for a proposed residential development.

Bigger Boulders protect salt beds

HANAPEPE — There aren’t as many vehicles lined up along the beach at Salt Pond as there have been in the past, thanks to community members and the county working together to protect their natural resources.

Maui Jim strategizes for another year

LAHAINA — From their birthplace in Maui, Maui Jim has expanded worldwide but the popular sunglasses brand still likes to return to their roots once a year.

Rain delays Loop Road work

WAILUA — It’s taking longer than expected to complete repairs on Loop Road, the Kauai community’s main access to the east side of the Lihue-Koloa Forest Reserve.

Auntie Aggie’s gift to Anahola

ANAHOLA — Christmas arrived early in Anahola. East side families gathered on Friday night at a special holiday craft fair where students sang and danced and Santa handed out presents.

More school threats

KAUAI — Police are on campus at three schools Friday in response to another round of threats posted to social media.

Stop the invasive spittlebug

LIHUE — While her sights are set on the White House, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is still working to safeguard her home state against an invasive bug that’s targeting grasslands and starting to impact the cattle industry on Hawaii Island.