Water employees offered vaccinations: Staff moved ahead in line after letter to Ige
There hasn’t been a single positive coronavirus test among the Department of Water Supply’s 164 staff, and the agency wants to keep it that way.
Former Hawaii County mayor succumbs to cancer: Billy Kenoi leaves a long legacy of a bodacious life
Hawaii lost a rising political star and ambassador of aloha Tuesday with the death of former Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi. Kenoi, 52, succumbed to myelofibrosis, a rare form of leukemia he’d been battling since 2015.
Former Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi dies after battling cancer
Former Mayor Billy Kenoi, 52, has died, friends and family said Tuesday.
Council committee again pans Travalino for Leeward Planning Commission
It was deja vu Tuesday for Mark Travalino, who once again faced a County Council Planning Committee opposed to his appointment to the Leeward Planning Commission.
Commission sees election success in all-mail balloting
Despite a 2020 general election when some Oahu polls closed almost four hours late and some Hilo voters spent three hours in line, the state Elections Commission is sending the Legislature a rosy review in its required biennial evaluation of the conduct of the election.
Ige appointee called for his impeachment
Gov. David Ige’s appointee to the District 1 state Senate seat pushed for Ige’s impeachment less than a year and a half ago through a change.org petition she posted on her public Facebook page.
UPDATE: Council Planning Committee recommends unfavorable vote on Kern’s nomination
The County Council Planning Committee voted 5-4 Tuesday evening to send the confirmation of Planning Director Zendo Kern to the council early next month with a negative recommendation.
Waikoloa development up for review: Council Planning Committee to hear rezoning application
A plan to develop a 36-unit housing complex, some units classified affordable, along with eight commercial lots in Waikoloa Village will be taken up by the County Council Planning Committee on Tuesday after a negative recommendation from the Leeward Planning Commission and the Planning Department under the prior administration.
Gas use down 18%: County highway fund takes a hit from less driving
Hawaii Island motorists just weren’t heeding the call of the open road much last year.
Ethics Board seeks Kern’s client list
The county Board of Ethics, deluged with written testimony about Planning Director Zendo Kern’s fitness for the job, on Wednesday asked Kern for an “exhaustive list” of projects he’s worked on, then delayed a decision until next month.
Cut red tape, but safety first: New Environmental Management director balks at Alii Drive sewer plan
Hawaii County residents who have expressed concern that Mayor Mitch Roth would push a pro-development agenda when he took office may have been reassured last week when his Environmental Management director — who still awaits council confirmation — delayed what seemed a formality accepting a sewer line because he thinks it could be a public health hazard.
Kern seeks ethics opinion: Planning director to address Board of Ethics on Wednesday
Planning Director Zendo Kern is seeking guidance from the Board of Ethics on potential conflicts of interest in his duties directing the operations of the Planning Department.
Roth remains hospitalized after heart attack
Mayor Mitch Roth remained hospitalized Monday at Hilo Medical Center after suffering a heart attack Saturday evening in South Kohala.
Roth hospitalized with chest pains: Stent implanted, now under medical evaluation
Mayor Mitch Roth was being evaluated by doctors and Managing Director Lee Lord has taken over as acting mayor after Roth had a stent implanted after suffering chest pain Saturday evening, according to a press release Sunday morning.
Public unhappy over lack of access: Pandemic, technology and tension during long council session
A heavy and sometimes controversial agenda, coupled with technical problems during a global pandemic, brought a new set of challenges to the County Council last week, during a meeting that saw testifiers grumble about lack of access and a mayor appear to step outside his lane to advise council members on Sunshine Law issues.
Sustainability summit set for March
A sustainability summit, bringing in experts to brainstorm with elected officials and the public, is one of seven campaign promises Mayor Mitch Roth made for his first 100 days in office.
Council confirmations: Rodenhurst squeaks through first step; Kern postponed
Mayor Mitch Roth’s pick for Public Works director squeaked through a sometimes tense confirmation hearing Tuesday after more than two hours of grilling by a split County Council panel.
$77M in bonds will cover old debts, finance new projects
The county has sold $77.1 million in general obligation bonds to retire old debt and free up money to pay for new capital projects, Finance Director Deanna Sako said in a report to the County Council.
Council panel in search of an auditor
The county has been without its legislative auditor for two months following Bonnie Nims’ resignation, and the County Council has launched a search for a new one.
9 Roth appointees face council confirmation
Nine appointees to Mayor Mitch Roth’s Cabinet are scheduled to appear Tuesday before County Council committees, the first step in the approval process before council confirmation.
