Auditor candidates narrowed to two: County has been without an auditor five months
A County Council subcommittee searching for a county auditor has narrowed the list to two mainland candidates.
Roth wants Van Pernis off Leeward Planning Commission
Mayor Mitch Roth wants to oust Mark Van Pernis from the powerful Leeward Planning Commission, in what could be an unprecedented action that is, however, within the authority of the mayor and County Council as defined by the county charter.
Nishimoto leaves Public Works
Just four months into his four-year term, Mayor Mitch Roth has lost his first top official, with Merrick Nishimoto leaving as deputy director of the Department of Public Works.
Solar water tax break program dims
The County Council will soon be considering a bill eliminating a tax break for property owners who install solar hot water panels on their property.
Roth addresses West Hawaii Forum
It’s all still a waiting game as Mayor Mitch Roth works on his proposed budget, with the county awaiting word from the state and the state awaiting word from the federal government before anticipated revenues become more solid.
Conflict of interest? Kern signs off on approval of project he represented as a planning consultant
Zendo Kern represented clients as a consultant before the Leeward Planning Commission on a rezoning application, and then as planning director, signed off on a plat map for the same project, records show.
Fire chief selection questioned: Secret voting raises concerns
A politically connected battalion chief with a degree in fire science rocketed past his more experienced colleagues to take the top position in the Fire Department, but questions have come up about how the vote was taken, so it may have to be redone.
Future uncertain for CDP committees, Kailua Village Design Commission
The county has called a halt to filling citizen boards that advise the government on planning and design because the administration said it wants to take a hard look at how the boards can best be used.
Bed and breakfast approved on Alii Drive: Leeward Planning Commission allows project despite cesspool concerns
A five-bedroom Alii Drive home a half mile south of Laaloa Beach Park won approval Thursday to become a bed and breakfast establishment, despite concerns about sea level rise and wastewater issues.
A shot in the arm: Money, vaccines headed to Hawaii Island
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz on Wednesday described a shot in the arm for Hawaii County, both literally and figuratively.
A Hele-On hub for Kona
Eleven Kailua-Kona locations are in the running for a centralized Hele-On bus hub, and the county wants to hear which one the public likes best, or if other sites would be better.
CIP projects by district a no-go
One councilman’s request for the others to prioritize the top five capital improvement projects for their districts turned into a discussion Tuesday about whether the nine council members should stay focused on their own districts or take a countywide perspective.
Big Island Press Club announces annual Torch of Light, Lava Tube awards for 2020
The Big Island Press Club awards its annual meritorious Torch of Light Award to James Hustace and the Waimea Community Association and the Lava Tube dishonor award to Gov. David Ige.
Approval isn’t automatic when department misses deadline: Board of Appeals rejects argument in short term vacation rental case
County code that allows automatic approval of certain permits if the Planning Department misses its deadline garnered a lot of opposition at the County Council earlier this month. But as an applicant for a vacation rental permit found out Friday, the law doesn’t always apply.
Schatz to brief County Council on federal aid: County to get $36M in direct American Rescue Plan Act funds
Hawaii County will get $36 million to prop up a budget diminished by the coronavirus pandemic, and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz is scheduled Wednesday to brief the County Council about how it can be spent.
Changes could come to vacation rental law: Annual fee, expanded areas possible under new administration
Changes, including an annual renewal fee, could be coming to the county’s short-term vacation rental registration process as the new administration evaluates the program with the hope of making it more self-sufficient.
Ahu‘aila‘au proposed for county land buy: Neighbors seek purchase of ’Fissure 8’ with PONC funds
Neighbors of Puna’s internationally famous “Fissure 8” want the still smoldering volcanic vent preserved for future generations, and they’re asking a county land-buying commission to purchase it using taxpayer money.
$1.8M for travel: Federal grants prop up county travel budgets
Some county departments plan to dramatically increase their travel budgets for the new fiscal year that starts July 1, after an austere period that saw Zoom teleconferences replace the traditional off-island conventions previously attended by government officials and staff.
Handling the gun surge: $545,760 grant to help HPD process firearms permits
Concerns about the coronavirus pandemic coupled with political turmoil could have contributed to an almost doubling in firearms permits and registration on Hawaii Island last year compared to 2019, leading to a waiting list at the Police Department of up to three months.
Energov moving forward: Planning and permit system set to go live July 26
A multi-agency software system designed to streamline the planning and building permit process is now scheduled to go live at the end of July, five years after the project first began.
