Hawai‘i hospitals burdened by skyrocketing infection rate amongst the unvaccinated
HONOLULU — Adult intensive-care units throughout the state are packed. On Friday, the state’s hospitals reported a total of 223 licensed adult ICU beds and 224 ICU patients, 99 of whom have COVID-19.
NTBG hosts virtual auction through Sept. 8
KALAHEO — Supporters of the National Tropical Botanical Garden have until Sept. 8 to bid in the nonprofit’s second annual virtual auction.
DLNR slams large, unprotected gatherings in midst of pandemic
LIHU‘E — Department of Land and Natural Resources officials did not mince words Wednesday, when asking residents and visitors to behave responsibly at state parks this Labor Day weekend.
State safeguarding native birds, plants in Honopu watershed
HONOPU VALLEY — The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife is building a fence enclosing nearly 240-acres in the Honopu Valley to protect native flora and fauna from invasive species.
Face mask litter on rise, Surfrider says
A growing number of face masks are littering Kaua‘i, leading to pollution of island waters, according to a local nonprofit.
Proposed KPD facility draws mixed response
KAPA‘A — A handful of residents voiced opposition to the Kaua‘i Police Department’s proposed Kawaihau substation during an informational meeting held online Wednesday.
County to draw $475K for rare special election
LIHU‘E — The county is moving to allocate $475,000 for a special election prompted by the retirement of Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar.
WKEP finds no long-term damage in draft environmental assessment
WAIMEA — A draft environmental assessment for the West Kaua‘i Energy Project expects no long-term adverse impacts would result from the proposed construction.
Upgrades to state-run nurseries growing plants facing extinction
LIHU‘E — Plant nurseries dedicated to the propagation of native species are set to receive upgrades, using $150,000 acquired from the state.
Jobless rate drops to 9.6%
The county’s unemployment rate continues to move toward pre-pandemic levels, according to a recent report from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
Searches, rescues and traffic collisions climb to pre-COVID rates
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Fire Department has seen a surge in calls for service this summer.
Attorneys: Employers should mandate vaccines if government doesn’t
LIHU‘E — Business attorneys and a hospital CEO urged employers to mandate COVID-19 vaccines, at a Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i webinar on Wednesday.
State has funds for Ke‘e Beach lifeguards
HA‘ENA — The County Council will discuss renewed state funding of the Ke‘e Beach lifeguard tower at today’s meeting.
Island health care must attract Kaua‘i talent, administrators say
‘OMA‘O — A long-term-care facility is offering tuition reimbursement for anyone completing the certified nursing assistant course and going to work there.
County mulls tax on Turo providers
State tax officials are interested in the ramifications of car-rental apps like Turo, but agencies aren’t commenting on suspected levels of tax delinquency among the platform’s users.
Experts: New mosquito birth control ‘game-changing’ for endangered avians
The last refuge of the island’s endemic forest birds is no longer safe.
KPD commits to new parking enforcement measures in Ha‘ena
HA‘ENA — The Kaua‘i Police Department is moving to address chronic illegal parking on Kuhio Highway near Ha‘ena State Park under a new law.
New documentary, panel tackles threat to native birds
A conservation group will premiere a short film spotlighting native birds’ plight today.
Puakea may tee off this autumn
Puakea Golf Course is tentatively scheduled to reopen sometime this fall.
$370K granted to Kaua‘i nonprofits
Eleven Kaua‘i organizations have received a combined $370,000 in grants from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.