State Land Use Commission takes up Hawaii County’s STVR law
The question of whether Hawaii County can prohibit short-term vacation rentals on land classified as agriculture is now in the hands of the state Land Use Commission.
Ready, set, vote! Several options for casting your ballot
Ballots have arrived in Hawaii voters’ mailboxes. Now it’s decision time.
Honolulu opens ballot dropoffs early, neighbor islands protest
Voters on Oahu have greater access to the polls than those on the neighbor islands, as the City and County of Honolulu has already opened its ballot dropoff boxes to the public while neighbor island counties are using the Aug. 3 date set in state law.
Council moves new construction code forward: No building permit needed for window AC
Window air conditioners will no longer need a building permit, and stricter standards will be applied to factory-built homes under amendments to the building code considered Wednesday by the County Council.
‘Geofence’ could help tourists roam: County explores allowing ‘resort bubbles’ to allow quarantiners out of hotel rooms
Hawaii Island is joining Maui and Kauai in exploring a new concept in gradually reopening their doors to tourists — a “resort bubble” where quarantining visitors would be allowed freedom to roam within the confines of a “geofence.”
State won’t be ready to reopen Sept. 1, Kim says
The state isn’t ready to reopen to tourists Sept. 1 and it’s not ready to bring out-of-state college students back to campus Aug. 24, Mayor Harry Kim said in an hour-long interview Thursday.
County seeks proposals to spend $80 million: Fast-tracked bid request to get money on the street
Feed the hungry while supporting local farmers, fishers and restaurants is one goal of millions of dollars worth of grants being offered by the county.
No stamps needed: County battles rumors as ballots arrive at mailboxes
As ballots began trickling into Hawaii Island mailboxes Wednesday, traveling much faster was a false social media rumor about how many stamps are needed to mail it back.
Lee Loy amendment to fix ‘lame’ requirement of permits for window AC units
In the wake of a Department of Public Works press release that drew scorn when it was re-posted on Mayor Harry Kim’s official Facebook page, Hilo Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy has written an amendment to the construction code clarifying that building permits are not required to install a window air conditioning unit.
Roth leads the pack: Mayoral candidates report campaign contributions
Mayoral candidate Mitch Roth charged ahead of the pack raising money in the race for the county’s top spot, collecting more than $148,000, primarily from big-money donors.
Pro-business donors step up for County Council challengers: Incumbents Villegas and Kanealii-Kleinfelder outspent, according to new reports
Two freshman County Council members face formidable opposition in the campaign fundraising department, with pro-business challengers to both Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas and Puna Councilman Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder raising twice as much as the incumbents.
Council provides CARES input
Bolstered by nonbinding resolutions seeking financial bailouts for very small and women-owned businesses, the Hawaii County Council on Wednesday unanimously passed an $80 million relief package tapping into federal coronavirus funds.
Yes, window AC units require building permits in Hawaii County: DPW said energy code requires it, but it may be amended
Hawaii County is the only municipality in the state requiring people to get a building permit to put in a window air conditioner, a circumstance many say is not cool.
Factory-built housing raises concerns: Council committee advances 197-page construction code revamp
Create more affordable housing, or protect carpenters’ jobs?
‘Place of stay declaration form’ draws concerns: Vacation rental bill clears last Senate committee
The inclusion of a “place of stay declaration form” for all travelers in Hawaii in a gut-and-replace bill about vacation rentals raised eyebrows among some who otherwise support the bill.
CARES money to hit the streets in a few months: Council begins process of doling out millions
County Council members are urging Mayor Harry Kim’s administration to push coronavirus relief funds out as quickly as possible to island businesses so they can get residents back to work.
Kaleikini gets tepid endorsement from Senate panel: Hawaiian Homes Commission appointee confirmation proceeds to full Senate
After grilling Michael Kaleikini for about an hour, the Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee on Tuesday agreed to recommend his confirmation to the Hawaiian Homes Commission to the full Senate.
Commissioners at odds over Kealakehe sewer plant
A delay in design plans for the $75 million Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant frustrated members of the county Environmental Management Commission, who grilled the administration Wednesday about why the county can’t simply stop illegal discharges altogether.
Ige’s Big Island Hawaiian Homes Commission nominee scrutinized
After the Big Island’s second seat on the Hawaiian Homes Commission sat vacant for more than a year, Gov. David Ige’s pick to fill that post has encountered resistance in the state Senate.
Vacation rental bill gives counties subpoena power
A gut-and-replace bill to be heard today would give counties more authority — including subpoena power — over transient vacation rental platforms.
