Stories by Stephanie Shinno

Building internet capacity on Kaua‘i

LIHU‘E — Last year, Hawaiian Telcom’s parent company Cincinnati Bell Inc., announced it was being acquired by Australian company Macquarie Infrastructure Partners in a $2.9-billion deal.

Heavy rains should ease soon

The National Weather Service ended the Flash Flood Watch for the island of Kaua‘i Tuesday afternoon, and weather experts say the heavy rain showers should be easing up over the next few days.

Aguilar has two hearings in April

HONOLULU — After being arrested last week on two counts of sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 18 by directing his victim into producing child pornography, Victor Aguilar, 65, a former educator and JROTC instructor at Waimea High School, made his first court appearance via phone from the Honolulu Federal Detention Center on Monday.

Team Rubicon cleans up after flooding

A veteran-led organization has launched a statewide operation to support recovery on three of the most-heavily-impacted islands, including Kaua‘i, which was affected by the recent heavy rain and flooding earlier this month.

Lunch and lashes with the drag queens

This luncheon was a drag. No, really, taken over by drag queens last Sunday at the Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort’s Sunrise Restaurant, and filled with music, elegant-yet-spicy entertainment and ono cuisine.

Hanapepe bridge project takes step backward

HANAPEPE — After a month of pouring new concrete on the north side of the new Kaumuali‘i Highway bridge over the Hanapepe River, Kalaheo resident Robert Brodowy spotted some highway workers jackhammering out yards of the new pour.

Readying for in-person learning April 5

LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i’s public secondary schools are making preparations to bring all students back to their campus for daily in-person learning, starting on Apr. 5 to April 9.

Man arrested after stolen-car chase

LIHU‘E — Kaz Alcos, a 32-year-old Lihu‘e man, was arrested Tuesday after stealing a vehicle from Garden Island Auto Sales. Kauai Police Department officials said he is currently in the cellblock and is being held on a $17,000 bail.

Chamber’s Kokua Card promoting safety, savings

LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau the Kaua‘i Chapter of the Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association created an opportunity for small businesses to reach visitors directly through their new Kokua Card program and the chamber is now accepting applications from now until Mar. 29.

Sheraton and The Cliffs gear up for April 5 reopening

KAPA‘A — Hotels on Kaua‘i that are not apart of the county’s enhanced movement quarantine aka “resort bubble” are gearing up for April 5, when the county returns to the state’s Safe Travels Program.

Median cost of Kaua‘i home nearly $1M

The median cost of a home on Kaua‘i reached nearly $1 million last month. Milo Spindt, a broker-in-charge and in property management at Elite Pacific, said the median sales price for a residential home on Kaua‘i was $975,000 in February, compared to $802,500 the same month last year, an increase of 21.5%.

Women empowering women

“A Woman’s Journey in 2021 — This Path Belongs to You” was the theme of a virtual symposium Thursday.

KIUC discusses Westside energy project

LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative has partnered with AES Corporation to build an innovative solar photovoltaic, battery energy storage and pumped storage hydro project, which will be the first of its kind in the world.

OED receives money to help workforce re-entry

LIHU‘E — The Office of Economic Development (OED) will receive another round of federal funds, $310,173, for its Workforce Innovations and Opportunities Act (WIOA) program for Plan Year 2020-2021, which was approved unanimously last Wednesday by the Kaua‘i County Council.