5 rescued in waters off Kealia Sunday
KEALIA — A group of local swimmers was rescued by first responders after becoming distressed in the water off Kealia Beach on Sunday afternoon.
2 teenage girls critically injured in hit-and-run in Po‘ipu
PO‘IPU — A Kalaheo man was taken into custody on Sunday morning, about two hours after an alleged hit-and-run that left two teenage girls in critical condition.
State road saftey bills signed into law
LIHU‘E — A slate of bills aimed at increasing safety on local and state roads was ushered into law during a signing ceremony at the Hawai‘i Capitol in Honolulu.
Blume inspires cat lovers at book signing event on Kaua‘i
There’s something special about caring for animals in need, and on Friday, July 7, Jason Blume shared all about the gratification that he gets from having fostered more than 40 neonatal kittens through the Kaua‘i Humane Society at his book-signing event at the shelter.
Number of lane, shoulder closures scheduled for local roads
LIHU‘E — A number of lane and shoulder closures are planned for local roads this week, with the bulk of the work taking place on Kuhio Highway in Wailua.
$6.5 million Hanalei Base Yard project complete
HANALEI — A blessing ceremony was held on Thursday for the $6.5 million Hanalei Base Yard and Garage, which was damaged in a historic flood roughly five years ago.
HOOSER: The politics of personal responsibility
We are fortunate to live in a community that’s small enough to actually meet face-to-face with the people who represent us at the state and county level. The same cannot be said for residents of Los Angeles, New York, Chicago or the great majority of urban areas.
Night work set on Kuhio Highway
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation will be doing night work on Kuhio Highway, between Kuamo‘o Road and the Kapa‘a bypass, part of a short-term improvement project, on Friday and Saturday, July 7 and 8, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Domestic passenger count tops 80,000 in June at Lihu‘e Airport
The number of people offboarding domestic flights at Lihu‘e Airport climbed to its highest reading of the year last month, as the summer tourism season took flight on the island of Kaua‘i.
Average daily room rate rises in May
LIHU‘E — Stout visitor spending totals through the first five months of the year have been fueled, in large part by an accommodation sector that is experiencing a big upswing in room rates on Kaua‘i.
Visitor spending climbs past $1B in 2023 on Kaua‘i
Total visitor spending crossed the $1 billion mark at the end of May, marking the earliest that figure has been reached in a calendar year on Kaua‘i.
Kaua‘i home sales off more than 41 percent
A woozy housing market couldn’t get off the ropes in May, as home sales sank more than 41 percent on Kaua‘i amid a backdrop of lofty interest rates that have significantly raised the cost of buying a home.
Working to expand access to abortion on Kaua‘i
A year ago, the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade (1973), terminating the constitutional right to abortion. The decision has had immeasurable impacts all over the nation, especially on women of color and sexual and gender minority people, who often face inequitable access to health care.
Affirmative action ruling met with disappointment
LIHU‘E — A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday to strike down affirmative action in college admissions was met with disappointment and disdain from educators and lawmakers in Hawai‘i.
Kaua‘i Police Department: Two missing residents located
LIHU‘E — A pair of local residents, who had been presumed missing earlier this month, have been located, authorities said Wednesday.
KFD issues advisory concerning fireworks use
LIHU‘E — The County of Kaua‘i Fire Department issued an advisory on Tuesday reminding folks about the use of firecrackers and fireworks on the Fourth of July.
HOOSER: 10th anniversary of Bill 2491
Ten years ago, on June 26, 2013, Kaua‘i County Council Bill 2491, introduced by myself and the late council Member Timothy Bynum, passed its first reading.
Brush fire chars 30 acres in Koke‘e
KOKE‘E — A brush fire scorched 30 acres of land on the makai side of Waimea Canyon Drive on Sunday afternoon.
Jobless rate falls to 2.5 percent on Kaua‘i
The unemployment rate in the County of Kaua‘i moved within spitting distance of pre-pandemic lows last month, largely because of robust hiring in the accommodation sector ahead of the summer tourism season.
Summer roadwork season underway on Kaua‘i
The summer roadwork season is in full swing, with a number of lane closures scheduled this week, including a nightly, single-lane closure for emergency deck repairs on the Kuhio Highway Bryan J. Baptiste Memorial Bridge over the Wailua River.