Stories by Wyatt Haupt Jr.

Younger travelers seek adventure, authenticity

TOKYO — For generations, Hawaii has been a dream destination for Japanese tourists. Tour groups catering to Japanese travelers have drawn thousands to the islands with promises of sightseeing, shopping and dining in Waikiki and relaxing at resorts.

Roadwork scheduled on Kauai

LIHUE — A number of road-related projects are on tap in the days ahead with grass cutting, tree trimming and guardrail repair making up the bulk of the work, the Hawaii Department of Transportation said in an update on Friday, Oct. 4.

Kapi‘olani and nurses reach an agreement

Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children and the Hawaii Nurses’ Association on Tuesday reached a tentative contract agreement after over a year of contentious negotiations and on the 18th day of the hospital’s lockout of roughly 600 unionized nurses.

Visitor arrivals and spending fall in August on Kauai

LIHUE — The island of Kauai might not have seemed lighter in August, at least by a people count, but it was as the number of visitors and the money they spent dropped significantly in the second full month of summer.

Board anticipates stadium completion for 2028 season

HONOLULU — The state will likely miss a self-imposed deadline Monday, but Stadium Authority board members said at Thursday’s monthly meeting they don’t see it affecting the overall timeline that still has a new Aloha Stadium in Halawa built in time for the 2028 football season.

Roadwork scheduled on Kauai

LIHUE — A number of road-related projects are on tap in the days ahead, the Hawaii Department of Transportation said in an update on Friday, Sept. 27, as the fall season enters its second week on the island of Kauai.

West side sports courts to get resurfaced

LIHUE — A trio of westside sports courts are in line for some capital improvement work after the Kauai County Council approved the receipt and expenditure of $1.65 million from the state.

Rule change will increase food aid for Hawaii families

HONOLULU — An internal rule change at the state Department of Human Serv­ices will mean 13,000 to 14,000 Hawaii households will be eligible for another $40 million to $45 million — or an average of $3,200 a year — in SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps.