Stories by Jessica Else

Vaccination hearing today

Concerned Kauai citizens are gearing up for today’s public hearing on immunization and health requirements for school attendance, set to start at 2 p.m.

New rules for the Navy

Federal ocean management officials have tightened up on rules for U.S. Navy training and testing in the Hawaii-Southern California area at the same time the Navy is proposing increased activities around Hawaii.

Steady electricity rates

A national service offering tips and strategies for relocation has announced its analysis of U.S. utilities costs, naming Hawaii as the highest in the nation. But, utilities in the state say Move.org has their numbers wrong — that the organization has overestimated what Hawaii residents pay for electricity, throwing the whole utilities estimate off kilter.

Report illegal fishing

Hawaii-based marine and animal protection organizations have joined forces with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to make it easier for people to report illegal aquarium fish collecting activity across the state.

EV training headed to Kauai

Hawaii’s sustainable transportation coalition has just certified 41 electric vehicle experts on Maui, Oahu and Hawaii Island, and is looking at Kauai for certifications in 2019.

‘Tis whale season

While scientists are studying why people are seeing fewer whales in Hawaii, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is reminding folks that they’re still out there.

No plans to fix Morgan Ponds

The seawall separating Morgan’s Ponds from the ocean at Lydgate Beach Park is still damaged, about eight months after debris from April floods put a hole in the rock wall.

Experts: Snakes no problem

Invasive species experts on Kauai aren’t concerned about the state’s plan to bring four brown tree snakes to Hawaii, and it’s not just because the reptiles will only be on Oahu.

Crisis intervention team graduates

Nine officers from the Kauai Police Department and three officers from the Hawaii Police Department graduated from the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training course held on Kauai earlier this month.

Counting the birds

Scientists are asking for the public’s help counting Kauai birds in December and with it comes the chance to get up close to endangered birds on the island.

The sweet life

Tucked behind rows of award-winning orchids and an enclosed garden, with koi and more than 50 monarch and citrus swallowtail butterflies, is a little shop that smells like plumeria and pineapple.

Prepping the isles for rising seas

Hawaii threw its weight in with five other U.S. states at a recent United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Poland in an effort to provide leadership in areas for which the federal government isn’t stepping up to the plate.

Renewables in 2018

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative is celebrating successes in 2018, namely a boost in use of renewable energy resources and implementing member-service enhancements.

KIUC diversion permit renewed

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative’s revocable permit for two upper diversions at Wai‘ale‘ale and Waikoko Streams was renewed by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources Friday, after lengthy discussions and testimony by several Kauai residents.

Cash, cleaning and quality time

I’m Harold and I’m a 45 year old recovering addict. I grew up in a very abusive family and I turned to drugs to escape all the bad feelings.

Augie T’s ‘Last Stand’ (up)

More than 20 years ago, Augie “T” Tulba took the stage at Vidinha Stadium as a young standup comedian, a gig that triggered a decades-long career and the release of nine comedy DVDs.

Gas prices going down

Average gas prices have dipped five cents going into the weekend according to the AAA Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch, which compares gas prices throughout the state on a weekly basis.

Clean your boots

Rapid Ohia Death was on the table at the Kauai County Council committee meetings on Wednesday as part of ongoing outreach to educate people in Hawaii about the fungus targeting the native trees.

Erosion sets back beach, road work

An ongoing million-dollar project to fix Weke Road and the surrounding Black Pot Beach Park area is already starting to erode now that the winter’s big swells have arrived.