Christmas, New Year’s closures

LIHUE — The holiday season is upon us and in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holiday many establishments and offices will be closed.

Holiday recycling encouraged

LIHUE — Garden Island residents and visitors are being advised to be mindful of the added waste that will be generated this holiday season.

County council celebrates waterman Nick Beck

LIHUE — Nick Beck received the Kauai County Council’s commendation during the Wednesday council meeting for his induction into the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation Waterman Hall of Fame.

Gov. Green’s budget keeps ‘rainy day fund’ at $1.5 billion

Green previously told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that the state needs $100 million to $200 million annually to adapt to climate change and better protect the islands from another fire like the fatal one in 2023 that decimated Lahaina, which continues to recover.

OHA Chair Kahele uses relationships to aid Native Hawaiians

Kai Kahele — a former state senator, U.S. representative and unsuccessful candidate for governor in 2022 — was elected chair of the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs barely an hour after he was sworn in for his freshman term as an OHA trustee.

The Navy to hold public meetings on draft EIS for Pacific training

The Navy’s draft environmental impact statement on continued training in the Pacific proposes more frequent use of nearshore areas such as Kaneohe Bay and Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, along with new activities that include training in ocean mine warfare.

Queen’s plans new hospital in Kailua-Kona with helipad, housing

The Queen’s Health Systems plans to build an 80-bed hospital next to the Kailua-Kona Costco on Hawaii island that would include a helipad to cut travel time to its trauma center on Oahu and, critically, construct adjacent, below-market-­rate housing to recruit and retain some of the estimated 300 hospital staff, nurses and doctors.

Trump policies create uncertainty for Hawaii economy

Incoming President Donald Trump and his potential policies — especially campaign threats of tariffs on imported foreign goods — create an unknown for Hawaii’s economic forecast, which the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization otherwise expects to show modest growth through 2027.

Hawaii secures over $6M to bridge digital divide

Hawaii on Thursday received more than $6 million from the federal government to implement its Digital Equity Plan, part of a nationwide effort to address barriers to internet access and use. The funding is provided through the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.