County seeks to refinance $357M in bonds: Council set to vote Wednesday on paying off old bonds, floating new ones
Hawaii County plans to take advantage of low interest rates and its excellent bond rating to refinance up to $357 million in bonds.
Contact tracing for the public: Voluntary contact tracing app would allow personal notification
Would a voluntary, free app that lets people know they were within 10-12 feet of someone who later tests positive for coronavirus help stem the rising tide of infections?
Planning director sends employees home: Close contacts of two employees test positive for COVID-19
The county Planning Department office in Hilo was closed to the public and operating Thursday with just two officials at the oars after close contacts of two employees tested positive for coronavirus.
COVID-19 work stoppage cost $3.4M: Most employees back at work after several months of paid leave
Hawaii County’s first tumultuous months of the COVID-19 lockdown resulted in an estimated 141,850 lost hours of work from county employees, at a cost of $3.4 million in salaries.
Leeward Planning Commission gives OK to airport hotel proposal
A new land use designation paving the way for a hotel to be built at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport was passed unanimously Thursday by the Leeward Planning Commission and now makes its way to the County Council.
Council urges hiring freeze: Resolution asks Kim to give next administration a chance to evaluate new hires
With the current mayor and a former mayor providing different perspectives, the County Council on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution urging Mayor Harry Kim’s administration to immediately institute a hiring freeze for the remainder of his term.
Kim withdraws Fire Commission nominee: Selection of HGEA rep draws controversy
An irked Mayor Harry Kim appeared Tuesday before a County Council panel and withdrew his nomination of a union representative for a seat on the Fire Commission after denouncing a process he said became politicized.
County can deny STVRs on agricultural land: State Land Use Commission unanimously upholds county vacation rental ban
Short-term vacation rentals do not belong on agricultural land, the state Land Use Commission ruled Thursday in upholding Hawaii County’s authority to deny that use.
Maunakea protest camp spurs ethics complaint: Ethics Board debates jurisdiction, postpones action until September
The Board of Ethics considered a citizen petition Wednesday asking why Hawaii County isn’t enforcing laws on Maunakea ranging from last year’s blockade of the mountain’s access road to the construction of unpermitted structures near the protest site.
CARES money hitting the streets: County awards $43 million of its $80 million coronavirus relief grant
With less than five months left to use it all or lose it, Hawaii County has been just chipping away at spending $80 million in federal coronavirus relief funds, but the pace is expected to quicken over the coming months as grants are distributed among community organizations and individuals.
Roth sweeps most Big Island precincts: Kim doesn’t win a single precinct, analysis shows
Mayor Harry Kim didn’t prevail in a single one of the Big Island’s 43 voting precincts while coming in third behind two of the 14 challengers for the county’s top elected post.
Roth, Marzo face runoff after defeating Kim for mayor
A countywide elected official with experience running a large government agency, or a fresh face with no government experience at all? That’s the choice facing Hawaii County voters in the Nov. 3 general election when they decide who will be the county mayor.
Council members get $100,000 CARES money each to give to constituents
A fast-tracked resolution unanimously approved Wednesday gives each County Council member $100,000 in federal coronavirus relief money to distribute to constituents, without competitive bids or public notice.
Council passes construction code: New framework makes one permit for building, electric, plumbing and energy codes
Factory-built housing will continue to be allowed in Hawaii County’s new construction code, but with extra restrictions following a unanimous vote Wednesday by the County Council after a protracted discussion.
Ballots pouring in: Elections Division machines sort, count ballots
Deep in the basement of the county building in Hilo, a mammoth machine whizzes through up to 18,000 ballot envelopes an hour, slices them open, time- and date-stamps them, checks the thickness to ensure they contain ballots, verifies signatures and sorts them by precinct.
Inside the operation: HPM touts modular housing as controversial bill comes up for final reading
The old carpenters’ adage, “measure twice, cut once” is taken to a new level at HPM Building Supply’s Keaau factory, where computers do the measuring and lasers show where to make the cuts and attach the hardware.
Only the names have changed: Honolulu super PAC resurfaces in West Hawaii races
In a replay of a 2014 West Hawaii council race, a powerful Honolulu pro-construction political action committee has targeted a sitting councilwoman by standing up a well-financed challenger in an attempt to unseat her.
Kim’s friends, employees chip in, Roth maintains strong money lead as election draws nigh
Mayor Harry Kim’s reelection campaign is getting by with a little help from his friends. And his employees.
County purchases Puapuaa acreage in Kona
The Puapuaa properties located makai of Alii Drive will now officially belong to the people of Hawaii County following the purchase of more than 12 acres in North Kona.
Coalition to consider legal action if state does not increase number of polling places
Three voting rights groups have given the state and counties a Friday deadline to commit to increasing the number of voter service centers or face legal action.
