In Case You Missed It
Update: 39-year-old woman previously reported missing found in good health
Big Island police report Shannon Smith was located Tuesday in Honoka’a.
Working Families Legislative Caucus sponsors several bills aimed at boosting economic justice
The Working Families Legislative Caucus, chaired by Big Island state Rep. Jeanné Kapela, is championing a bill package that includes measures to establish paid sick and family leave programs, strengthen access to the supplemental nutritional assistance program, tax capital gains at the same rate as ordinary income and create a state child tax credit.
State says ‘awa, also known as kava, is ‘generally recognized as safe’
Based on numerous scientific journals and publications provided to the Health Department and College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, the state concluded that the use of the noble variety of ‘awa root, mixed with water or coconut water, is safe and consistent with the substance and intent of federal regulations.
Hawai‘i Fire Department responds to fire at Hawaiian Electric substation in Kea‘au
Firefighters arrived at the scene in Kea‘au just before 7 p.m. Jan. 29 and discovered the fire in a 40-foot container that housed an electric generator and power transformers.
Kona legislators introduce stricter coffee labeling laws
This move comes in response to deceptive labeling concerns and a recent report from the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, which offered clear economic justification for the Legislature to increase the minimum content required for a product to bear the Kona name on its packaging.
Public help sought in cleaning up shopping carts littering Kona streets
The Kailua Village Business Improvement District has been returning abandoned shopping carts to merchants for the past few years. Now, the district hopes to involve the public in their efforts.
Hawai‘i State Senate to hold public hearing on vacation rental bill
The Feb. 2 hearing will be the first hearing on a Senate Bill about short-term vacation rentals following the Governor’s State of the State Address and the December 2023 federal court ruling in Hawaiʻi Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance v. City and County of Honolulu.
Big Island Now poll No. 47: What goals in proposed short-term rental bills are most important?
No matter on which side of the issue you stand, the goals the proposed legislation hopes to achieve have merit, so give us your opinion on what the bills are trying to accomplish by voting now.
Business Monday: Keiki and Kope offers coffee and indoor playground for children
Keiki and Kope officially opened in mid-December. Business has been good as it’s also filling a void where parents can take their children to after-school programs and drop-off childcare.
Big Island Now poll results: Voters divided on 2 priority issues this legislative session
In a poll last week we wanted to know what issues you thought should take priority this legislative session. Out of the 445 votes, 118 voters agreed all the issues listed in the poll were priorities.
Thousands descend on Hilo to visit Vietnam memorial The Wall That Heals
Since opening the exhibit Wednesday, at least 11,000 people have come to see The Wall That Heals, a replica of the Vietnam War Memorial that was dedicated in 1982 in Washington D.C.
Aloha Billy: Family, friends, community gather to celebrate life, legacy of former Hawai‘i County Mayor Billy Kenoi
There were no formal speakers, but there was plenty of laughter, hugs, music and food, with a few tears; it was almost like a family reunion of sorts, exactly how Kenoi’s youngest sister Kina Kenoi Sai said her brother would have wanted it.
Volcano Watch – Iceland’s recent eruption a reminder of lava flow hazards
A new eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula began on Jan. 14, threatening the small fishing village of Grindavik.
Kona 13-year-old on newest season of Food Network’s ‘Kids Baking Championship’
The flavor fluency, scrumptious skill set and culinary creativity the Big Island’s Tasi Savage has nourished through the years at home now are being showcased in a much larger kitchen in front of a nationwide audience as she competes during the 12th season of the competition series.
Proposed short-term rental rules on Big Island met with overwhelming opposition
More than 100 people submitted written testimony and dozens more turned out in person or via Zoom on Tuesday during a Hawai’i County Council committee meeting voicing concerns about a three-bill package aimed at ensuring all transient accommodation rentals on the island are operating safely, legally and under the same set of standards.
Hawai‘i Island police investigate possible drowning after Utah man dies following guided snorkel tour
Kona patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded to the Keauhou Pier awaiting the snorkel tour company’s return after the crew started CPR on an 83-year-old man from Centerville, Utah.
Public is reminded to keep a safe distance with the return of humpback whales
During whale season, especially in water depths of 600 feet or less, boaters are asked to maintain a speed of 15 knots or less to minimize the risk of striking a whale.
Hawai‘i Island police seek help finding Honoka‘a man wanted for burglary
The Hawai’i Police Department would like to remind the public that harboring or concealing a wanted person can result in criminal charges against the person who aides the wanted person.
Hawaiʻi Women’s Legislative Caucus presents bill package supports women, children, families
The package includes five bills and two resolutions.
Top 20 things to do on Big Island for Jan. 25-31: Celebrate the life of former Hawai‘i County Mayor Billy Kenoi, see ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,’ honor Ellison Onizuka and more
The Big Island will have the chance this weekend to bid aloha to former Hawai’i County Mayor William “Billy” Kenoi, who died 3 years ago after battling cancer, during a special celebration of life in Hilo. That’s just one of the many events and activities happening around the island during the next week.
