Stories by Stephanie Shinno

Kittens need loving homes

It’s kitten season on Kaua‘i, and the Kaua‘i Humane Society has a few suggestions for people who run across them on their property or elsewhere on Kaua‘i.

New way to learn in the fall

The state Department of Education, Kaua’i Complex Area office announced yesterday in the county’s COVID-19 briefing video, that it will revise school learning models starting the first quarter of the school year 2021 to 2022.

Free to fly again

On Friday, Gov. David Ige signed the 20th proclamation on COVID-19, to allow inter-county travelers vaccinated in the state to bypass pre-travel testing and/or quarantine requirements, starting today.

Sweetener found in streams linked to leaking cesspools

Traces of the artificial sweetener sucralose have been found in 20 streams and four rivers on Kaua‘i, and some scientists say it could mean cesspools and septic systems on the island are leaking into those streams and rivers.

Unions argue over teacher bonus

State lawmakers passed a bill on the last day of the 2021 legislative session, that would give all public-school teachers a one-time. $2,200 bonus payment. Two unions are in disagreement over the incentive.

Simplicia Amazing

A county park employee, Simplicia Tugade has been cleaning up Salt Pond Beach Park with a smile for 28 years.

Mixed feelings on Tier 3

Governor David Ige Thursday approved Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami’s updated Business & Recreation Guidelines tier chart, and the county’s move to a newly-modified Tier 3.

North Shore students have unique commute

A week after the Hanalei landslide occurred, one parent got his boat and transported his son and classmates from Black Pot Beach to the former Princeville Hotel’s beach access, a 10-minute Zodiac boat ride, followed by a van ride courtesy of the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay, to get to school in Kilauea.

CDC: Go outside without masks

Hawai‘i officials were still mulling over mask mandates on Tuesday after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased its guidelines, with the CDC now saying fully-vaccinated Americans don’t need to cover their faces when outdoors unless they are in a big crowd of strangers.

Smith’s Fern Grotto tour reopens

Businesses, resorts and tours are reopening on Kaua‘i as visitor numbers increase, and Smith’s Tropical Paradise is one of them.

Credit union has funds to help renters

The Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union is gearing up to launch the Kauai 2021 Coronavirus Rent and Utility Assistance Program in early May.

Students win big at state science fair

Twelve students, from Kaua‘i High School in Lihu‘e and from St. Theresa School in Kekaha, scooped 19 awards and $4,600 in cash and scholarship prizes at the Hawai‘i Academy of Science’s virtual 64th annual Hawai‘i State Science and Engineering Fair, held April 17.