#Finance Committee
Eradicating invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle means protecting economy, ecosystem and Hawaiian culture
Hawai’i County Council joins the battle to push the pests back by supporting Hawai’i County Department of Environmental Management public awareness and outreach initiative aimed at minimizing breeding grounds on the Big Island.
As 2024 session ends, Hawaiʻi House of Representatives leadership reflects on measures passed that improve lives of state residents
House speaker says this year was incredibly productive for the chamber, which made significant progress on its priorities including tax relief for asset limited, income constrained, employed families.
State House Finance Committee will not hear cannabis legalization measure
The panel’s move to sideline Senate Bill 3335, which was advanced by the Hawaiʻi state Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means committees last month, essentially kills the bill this legislative session.
County Council to consider proposed lower Puna water study examining possible health impacts of geothermal operations
The study aims to build on previous assessments by sampling more sites and conducting more analysis throughout its duration.
County Council drives ahead with new funding bill for study to identify alternate routes in Puna
The goal of the study and any future infrastructure, which is not a part of the proposed funding measure, is to find where other roadways could be placed in the district to help alleviate the longstanding issue of traffic congestion and increase capacity for evacuation in the event of a natural disaster and emergency response.
Council committees discuss affordable housing, land preservation, floriculture on Big Island
The Hawai‘i County Council met Tuesday for several committee meetings. Agenda topics ranged from floriculture and agricultural properties used as a primary residence to affordable housing, homelessness and preservation of a property in Hilo.
Council Postpones Resolution Seeking Performance Audit of County Housing Agency
A request by a West Hawai‘i council member to have the county auditor take a deeper look into the marred county Office of Housing and Community Development’s use of affordable housing credits was put on the backburner until later this month.
Resolution Seeks Performance Audit of Marred County Housing Agency
An expanding corruption scandal involving a former county housing specialist and his cronies has made headlines during the past two weeks and put a focus on the county’s use of affordable housing credits.
Finance Committee Gives Favorable Recommendation to Extension of Free Bus Fares
It looks like a bus ride on the Big Island will continue to be free of charge for at least another two and a half years.
