Flags to be flown half mast ot honor Jimmy Carter
LIHUE — In honor of the life and legacy of President Earl Carter, Jr. the thirty-ninth President of the United States, who died on Sunday, Governor Josh Green ordered all U.S. flags along with the Hawaii state flag to be flown at half-staff.
Hawaii leaders single out Jimmy Carter’s human rights contributions
Hawaii lawmakers and community leaders are mourning the death of former President Jimmy Carter while reflecting on his legacy, particularly his humanitarian efforts following his presidency.
Schatz: Social Security change to boost benefits for 100K in Hawaii
The bill will overturn a decades-old change to the program that had been made to limit federal benefits to some higher-earning workers with pensions.
Hawaii Ethics Commission plans penalty system akin to traffic fines
The commission ensures compliance with state ethics and lobbying laws.
Defense bill includes funding for Hawaii facilities, enviromental cleanup
The National Defense Authorization Act, the annual military spending bill that sets the Pentagon’s priorities, authorizes over $2.2 billion in spending on Hawaii facilities.
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.
Gov. Josh Green’s state budget accounts for tax cuts, fire settlement
A major unknown is if the Hawaii Supreme Court rules in favor of lawyers representing insurance companies opposed to terms of the Maui settlement.
Gov. Josh Green plans new push on tourism fee, housing
Gov. Josh Green plans to ask the upcoming Legislature for the power to divert $60 million in each of the next two fiscal years from interest earned on the state’s “rainy day fund” to help Hawaii fight back against climate change and reduce the risk of future wildfires.
Hawaii joins ‘blue state’ coalitions to fight Trump policies
Gov. Josh Green says he will not send Hawaii National Guard troops to the mainland to help enforce potential Trump administration immigration policies “that would break up families.”
Close Hawaii House election goes to court after recount
A race for a seat in the state Legislature that turned out to be the biggest nail-biter in Hawaii’s Nov. 5 general election might not be settled yet.
Holland is newest council member
LIHUE — Fern Anuenue Holland became the newest member of the Kauai County Council when the council was sworn in by Judge Randal Valenciano on “the first working day of December” at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
New Hawaii legislators, leadership hold fate of legal recreational marijuana
State legislators expect to take another run at legalizing adult recreational marijuana use and impose new, unspecified fees on tourists — all while figuring out how to pay for historic tax cuts passed earlier this year.
Legislative process workshop on Nov. 20
LIHUE — A workshop that aims to empower people interested in learning more about the Hawaii legislative process is set for Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Gov. Green calls Kennedy’s choice as HHS leader ‘insane’
Gov. Josh Green has “severe reservations” and is strongly criticizing President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Two Kauai lawmakers to lead state Legislature
A state lawmaker from Kauai has become the new speaker of the state House of Representatives and the first woman to hold the position.
Long voter lines of mostly Republicans delay tally
Long lines of people — overwhelmingly Republicans — who exercised their right to vote in person and even register to vote all day and night Tuesday delayed the release of election votes past midnight Wednesday, the longest delay in Hawaii voting history, said Hawaii Elections Chief Scott Nago.
Holland, Kaneshiro join Kauai County Council
LIHUE — A tight battle for the final seat on the Kauai County Council ended with a newcomer knocking off an incumbent to join the seven-member governing body on Wednesday.
Trump is elected 47th president, soundly defeats Harris to retake White House
Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States on Wednesday, fulfilling his promise to shatter America’s political status quo after he refused to accept his loss to President Joe Biden four years ago and inspired a mob of supporters to violently storm the U.S. Capitol.
Voter Service Center to open in Lihue
LIHUE — Voter services for the upcoming 2024 General Election are set to open on Tuesday.
Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association reveals endorsements in Kauai County Council race
LIHUE — A statewide tourism organization with deep ties to the hospitality sector has thrown its weight behind one-half dozen candidates running for the Kauai County Council in the 2024 General Election.