Senate hears mayors’ Safe Travels perspectives
LIHU‘E — County mayors made their case to the state’s Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 calling for modifications to the state’s Safe Travels program on Wednesday.
Expected $1.4B budget shortfall
LIHU‘E — Over 10,000 state employees will be furloughed beginning the first of new year to account for a projected $1.4 billion budget shortfall within the state’s general fund for the next four years, Gov. David Ige announced Wednesday.
2 new cases; community spread in small numbers
LIHU‘E — Wednesday, the county reported two new cases of COVID-19, both attributed to community transmission among adult male residents.
Asbestos treatment at Kapa‘a, Lihu‘e fire stations
LIHU‘E — Portions of the floors of the Kapa‘a fire station were being held together by duct tape, Kaua‘i Fire Department Chief Steven Goble reported to the Fire Commission Monday afternoon.
Kaua‘i Complex Area revising distance learning plans
LIHU‘E — For the upcoming second semester of school, the Kaua‘i Complex Area and Department of Education are revising distance learning models through the third quarter.
Polihale reopens after five-month closure
POLIHALE — Last Friday, admission into Polihale State Park reopened after nearly five months of closure.
Hanapepe bridge rehab coming
Construction and rehabilitation of the 1911 Hanapepe Road bridge over the Hanapepe River won’t be able to start until the makai bridge on Kaumuali‘i Highway is completed, but the process has already begun.
National Guard extended through end of March
LIHU‘E — With a federal extension, the Hawai‘i National Guard will continue to assist the state with COVID-19 missions through the end of March 2021.
Mayors want pre-, post-travel tests
LIHU‘E — All four county mayors have agreed on a new, unified, Safe Travels modification, and are awaiting word from Gov. David Ige.
HoKua Place stalled again
LIHU‘E — Wednesday, the state’s Land Use Commission granted a petition to intervene in the proceeding of rezoning lands for a 96-acre residential subdivision next to Kapa‘a Middle School that has been in the planning stages for nearly a decade.
Protesting COVID restrictions
LIHU‘E — “A lot of people were ready to rebound,” Levana Lomma said Wednesday afternoon. “Now they won’t have a Christmas.”
Council, prosecuting attorney sworn in virtually
LIHU‘E — There was a bit less fanfare Tuesday than in years past as the 2021-22 Kaua‘i County Council pledged their oaths to the people of Kaua‘i and were sworn in as councilmembers.
COVID committee suggests Safe Travels modification
LIHU‘E — The House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness has submitted a proposal to modify the state’s Safe Travels program which involves offering rapid post-arrival tests to travelers awaiting pre-travel testing results.
Kawakami defends opt-out
LIHU‘E — As Kaua‘i temporarily opts-out of the Safe Travels pre-travel testing program, Mayor Derek Kawakami offered some insight into his reasoning.
KFD overtime audit findings
LIHU‘E — An audit of the Kaua‘i Fire Department’s overtime practices has revealed that, rank-for-rank, training and the Sparky Trailer have contributed most to potential pension-spiking.
Kekaha residents line up for virus testing
A line of cars stretched along Kekaha Road to get into the parking lot of Kekaha School Saturday morning for free COVID-19 testing.
Ige approves temporary Safe Travels opt-out
LIHU‘E — Gov. David Ige has signed into effect a temporary pause of the Safe Travels program for Kaua‘i.
Four new cases, Wednesday
LIHU‘E — Wednesday, the county reported four new positive COVID-19 cases, including one adult visitor, two adult residents and one child resident.
Kauai County Council backs Mayor on COVID
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Council is throwing its weight behind Mayor Derek Kawakami’s request for the county to temporarily opt-out of the state’s Safe Travels program and institute a mandatory post-arrival test.
Kawakami requests Safe Travels pause
Mayor Derek Kawakami is asking Gov. David Ige to temporarily opt-out of the state’s Safe Travel program beginning Dec. 1.