Stories by Stephanie Shinno

Police raid smoke shops Wednesday

LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Police Department confirmed the raiding of two separate smoke shops, one in Nawiliwili and one in Kapa‘a on Wednesday.

Reporter’s view about getting the COVID-19 vaccine

I took a leap of faith and got my first shot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shot on Tuesday at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall since I got the email from the Department of Health saying it was time for essential workers to get vaccinated.

Sea-level rise affects everyone

LIHU‘E — “The golden era of coastal living is over,” said University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor Charles “Chip” Fletcher of the Department of Earth Sciences in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, in a recent virtual meeting hosted by the Kaua‘i Board of Realtors (KBR).

Hanalei Hill emergency lane to open Tuesday

HANALEI — A single emergency lane of Kuhio Highway by Hanalei Hill is targeted to be open today for emergency responders only — not for the general public, according to the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Highway Divison.

DOE adopts reopening strategy

HONOLULU — Hawai‘i Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto said increasing the number of students returning to in-person learning during the fourth quarter, particularly in the elementary grades is possible.

State crews assess Hanalei Hill

LIHU‘E — On Friday, a state Department of Transportation crew finished its Hanalei Hill landslide assessment on Kuhio Highway, and reported that a single lane will be opened for emergency access early next week. However, it could take several months before the road is fully opened again.

KIUC board election ends on Saturday

LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s 2021 board of directors’ election deadline is this Saturday at noon, and there are three nominated candidates, all incumbents, on the ballot for the three available seats.

Aguilar indicted by grand jury

LIHU‘E — Victor Aguilar, a 65-year-old Kalaheo man, was arrested on Thursday on a grand-jury indictment charging five counts of sexual assault in the second degree for allegedly sexually assaulting a former student at Waimea High School.

Emilia Knudsen recognized for philanthropist

KAPA‘A — Emilia Knudsen, a 12-year-old philanthropist of Kapa‘a and a sixth-grader at Alaka‘i O Kaua’i Charter School, has received The Prudential Spirit Of Community Awards’ Certificate of Excellence, which recognizes the top student volunteers in the state of Hawai‘i.

Lawsuit aims to protect threatened forest bird

The Center for Biological Diversity has sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to designate critical habitat and develop a recovery plan for the threatened ‘i‘iwi, the best-known of Hawai‘i’s imperiled honey-creepers.

Gov. signs off on UI Tax relief

HONOLULU — Governor David Ige has signed a bill that will temporarily lower unemployment insurance rates for some businesses and nonprofits.

Schools may be close to in-person learning

HONOLULU — The state Department of Education is considering the reopening of schools on Monday, March 22, according to officials who announced the target date in a press conference Tuesday.