Big Island Now poll: What is the top story for 2024?
It’s hard to believe that in a couple of weeks, 2024 will come to a close.
These past 12 months have been packed with change, including who will run Hawaiʻi County for the next four years.
Kimo Alameda, campaigning on issues that included public safety, mental health and affordable housing, defeated incumbent Hawai‘i County Mayor Mitch Roth in the general election.
One of the Big Island’s biggest stories was a break in the shocking Dana Ireland rape and murder case of 1991 in which DNA evidence identified a new suspect. Court documents said the suspect is “presumably dead by suicide,” after giving police a sample of his DNA.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Tower, the last remnants of the once iconic Jaggar Museum complex, was removed at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The complex had been damaged beyond repair by a series of earthquakes following the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea.
The dog mauling death of a man in Ocean View in 2023 led to a change in state laws regarding how dog owners are punished when their animals injure or kill someone. Lawmakers passed legislation increasing penalties from a misdemeanor to a felony for charges of negligent failure to control a dangerous dog.
Ka‘ū residents rallied this year when a property owner went to the Hawai‘i County Windward Planning Commission seeking a special management area use permit for a $350 million controversial luxury resort adjacent to Punalu‘u Black Sands Beach Park. Ka‘ū residents carpooled to the county building in Hilo to make their voices heard.
In January, the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall built in 1996 came to Hilo, the first time it had been in the state of Hawai‘i. “The Wall That Heals” bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.
Longtime Big Island lawmaker Mark Nakashima died unexpectedly July 11 at age 61 from health complications due to a two-decade battle with diabetes.
Nakashima grew up in Honokaʻa — a Dragon for life — and was first elected to his District 1 House seat in 2008, representing Hāmākua, a portion of Hilo and Kaʻūmana. He served in the seat until his death, and had planned to seek re-election.
The Hawai‘i County Council made changes to the short-term rental regulations that allows for more ʻohana housing on the Big Island. Bill 123 allows for up to three ʻohana units to be built on a single lot as long as it’s within a zoning district that allows those structures.
Alaska Airlines officially acquired Hawaiian Airlines at $1.9 billion. The U.S. Department of Transportation gave permission for the acquisition to close in August.
In the poll below, let us know what you think was the top story for the Big Island in 2024. If it’s not included in the poll, drop us a comment and let us know your thoughts.
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