No major injuries in shark attack
KEKAHA — Doug Moore was sitting on his surfboard when he felt a sharp pain in his right index finger around 8:30 a.m. at Davidson’s Beach on Monday.
KFD plans to avoid budget shortfall
Cuts to training and overtime, fewer retirements and vacancies remaining unfilled are among the ways the Kaua‘i Fire Department and its Ocean Safety Bureau will not experience a budget shortfall this upcoming fiscal year.
HGEA: Majority opposed work week change
According to an amended prohibited practice complaint filed by the Hawai‘i Government Employees Association, 59 out of 82 members surveyed were opposed to a proposed four-day, 10-hour work schedule prior to its implementation for County of Kaua‘i workers.
Beaches open through June
Weekend beach plans have no need to be canceled, as the county’s initial-beach-reopening pilot program has been extended through the end of June.
Feasibility of a Japan travel bubble
LIHU‘E — Could a soft opening of the state to Japanese visitors be the first strategy in establishing the state’s economy and reinventing tourism?
Council approves tax rates
LIHU‘E — The county plans to allow a 90-day grace period on upcoming property tax payments in addition to temporarily waiving transaction fees payments.
County faces prohibited practices complaint for 4-day workweek
LIHU‘E — The County of Kaua‘i is under fire for its implementation of a four-day 10-hour work schedule.
Fatality in moped accident in mid-May
LIHU‘E — Two weeks ago, Kealia resident Travis Long collided with a pedestrian in a moped accident while riding the shoulder of Kuhio Highway.
How to participate in council public hearings
LIHU‘E — While public meetings are physically closed to the public per an emergency rule by Gov. David Ige, the Kaua‘i County Council is offering another way for constituents to join in.
Communication breakdown
Kaua‘i councilmembers have expressed their frustrations over the lack of transparency of the mayor’s administration in responding to COVID-19.
Economic rebuild recommendations offered
The Kaua‘i County Council heard about 45 economic-recovery recommendations from Mayor Derek Kawakami’s Kaua‘i Economic Recovery Strategy Teams last week, including how to support local businesses, the importance of communications, the need for broadband and improved infrastructure and the long-term need to diversify the economy.
CARES Act funding for Kaua‘i housing
LIHU‘E — The county’s Housing Agency received community development funds to soften the blow of the coronavirus crisis across public services and by providing new facilities, including the first of a series of tiny house villages.
Stay Home Kaua‘i delivers the goods
As the world tried to understand the coronavirus pandemic, health authorities advised citizens to stay home, especially the kupuna community who were most vulnerable.
A hui hou Uncle
Hawaiian legend and, to quote his own lyrics, “an island one of a kind,” Willie K died in his Wailuku home on Monday, the family announced Tuesday.
Steven Goble named new KFD chief
LIHU‘E — Close to two years since the search began, the Kaua‘i Fire Commission has chosen former Henderson, Nevada Fire Department Fire Chief Steven R. Goble to take the lead of the Kaua‘i Fire Department.
A new life for the Spay Pod
LIHU‘E — After sterilizing over 2,000 cats in a matter of 15 months, the team of the Animal Balance Spay Pod is pivoting to a new group.
Budget talks continue
When the Kaua‘i County Council received the fiscal year 2021 supplemental budget in early May, it included about $10.7 million in cuts from the initial budget proposal in March.
Mayor proposes $33.6 million CIP budget
LIHU‘E — When Mayor Derek Kawakami submitted a supplemental budget revision at the end of last week, it included a $10 million reduction in the proposed operating budget, and a $768,493 reduction in capital improvement projects for the budget period beginning July 1.
Nearly 500 cited for breaking rules
LIHU‘E — Nearly 500 misdemeanor citations have been doled out relating to breaking state and county emergency rules set in place to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus.
June filing date approaching
LIHU‘E — With less than a month left to file nomination papers for the 2020 primary election, all but one eligible member of the Kaua‘i County Council has at least pulled papers.