#Hawaii County Council

The operating budget and new tax rates for Hawai‘i County will go into effect on July 1, 2026.

Four of the nine seats are open with three council members unable to run due to term limits and a fourth member deciding not to seek re-election.

This 313-page policy document aims to guide the pattern of future development in all major areas: residential, recreational, commercial, industrial and agricultural.

The Hawaiʻi County Council postponed the measure that has broad support in order to address questions, including about funding and whether the recovery officer position would be permanent or activated only in times of emergency and its immediate aftermath.

The operating and capital budgets for the next fiscal year for Hawai‘i County will have their second and final readings in June.

Hawai‘i County Council Member Rebecca Villegas withdrew her bill over concerns about the legality of mandating pricing for owners of the private lots.

The Hawaiʻi County Council will hold a special meeting on Thursday, May 21, where it will decide whether to adopt the operating and capital improvement budgets and the real property tax rates.

The bill will be heard again on May 19 during Hawai‘i County Council’s Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit.

These homes will be for “long-term permanent housing for underserved populations who face significant barriers to secure, safe and affordable housing.”

Budget discussions before Hawai‘i County Council continue today with several departments outlining their priorities, including Parks and Recreation, Office of Aging and Environmental Management.

Hawaiʻi County budget discussions continue throughout the week before the County Council, with each department explaining their proposed funding needs.

The bill now goes to Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda, who said Wednesday he is unlikely to veto it.

The measure proposes three hours of free parking and a cap on hourly and daily rates at privately owned lots in the Historic Kailua Village.

The bill calls for three free hours and regulated rates charged at private parking facilities in Historic Kailua Village

The new proposed Tier 3 tax rate for second homes worth more than $4 million would impact about 842 properties on the Big Island.

The proposed Tier 3 would impact about 842 parcels primarily in West Hawai‘i, with an estimated value of $5.3 billion, according to Hawaiʻi Countyʻs real property tax administrator.

The community is invited to attend the service on Jan. 11 in Hilo.

Dominic Yagong died Wednesday morning in Hilo while in comfort care at Hilo Benioff Medical Center after suffering a severe stroke in May.

The 28-year Hawai‘i Island police force veteran has had an exemplary career, with him again and again stepping up and showing off his longstanding commitment to public safety, community partnerships and youth outreach.

Bill 109 would end parking on Hina Lani Street for about a three-mile stretch, from Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway to Anini Street.