Cleanliness is next to productivity: Kim vows county will remain open for business
Office doors are propped open and the buildings reek of bleach and disinfectant. But coronavirus or no, Hawaii County is open for business and Mayor Harry Kim intends to keep it that way.
Council schedules emergency meeting: Videoconference meeting to address COVID-19; emailed public testimony encouraged
The Hawaii County Council has scheduled an emergency session Friday with the Department of Health to have the state brief them and the community on coronavirus testing.
Council closing meetings: Meeting live-streams to continue, but no oral testimony
They say you cant fight city hall. In these uncertain times, you can hardly even go there.
Kim doesn’t want to shut county down: Mayor, Civil Defense brief council members in closed meetings
Mayor Harry Kim doesnt want to shut the county down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying instead hes promoting a community effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus on the island.
Summer Fun help wanted: Shortages in West Hawaii and Hamakua could disappoint keiki
There are going to be some disappointed keiki headed for the islands Summer Fun program in North and South Kona, North and South Kohala and Hamakua unless more workers are found to oversee them.
Hawaiian family claims ownership of Kohala shoreline parcel
A Native Hawaiian family claiming ownership of a Kohala shoreline parcel sparked a heated outburst from a sovereignty activist that temporarily shut down a Planning Committee hearing last week, but ended with the parcel moving forward to a rezoning.
$103M bond issue breezes through council committee
The County Council has nothing but aloha for a $103 million bond measure to raise money for road construction.
Kim creates multi-agency COVID-19 task force
Mayor Harry Kim has named a multi-agency task force to tackle the likely spread of COVID-19 on the island.
Kim names multi-agency COVID-19 task force
Mayor Harry Kim has named a multi-agency task force to tackle the likely spread of COVID-19 in the county.
Yagong seeks his old council seat
Former County Council Chairman Dominic Yagong, who held the District 1 Hamakua seat for 12 years, said Tuesday he plans to run for the seat again.
20 nominations considered by PONC: Commission kicks off land-buying program for 2020
Three stretches of Alii Drive oceanfront property are on a list of properties the county will consider purchasing this year under its open space land-buying program.
Audit says water department needs clearer contingency plans
The Department of Water Supply needs to take a few more steps to ensure the public has dependable access to water when equipment breaks down, the county legislative auditor said in a report released Tuesday.
Council panel to consider Kohala Shoreline rezoning
Developers of a 38-acre shoreline parcel north of Kohala Kai want to downsize the zoning to create only six lots rather than the 50 currently allowed, but local conservationists would prefer no development there at all.
$103M bond issue would build roads
A move to leverage the county general excise tax by floating bonds to expedite road projects could mean the payments stretch out past the 2030 expiration of the GET.
Ethics Board weighs in on attorney compensation
Hawaii County is suing an attorney representing former Council Chairman Dominic Yagong and former County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi in a 2012 defamation lawsuit filed by Elections Administrator Pat Nakamoto, saying the money Yagong and Kawauchi paid him rightfully belongs to the county.
Council reacts to mayor’s proposed budget
Nonprofit organizations are set to get a $1 million raise in Mayor Harry Kims proposed budget, but County Council members will see their individual contingency accounts shrink from $100,000 to $20,000 each.
Kim asks for 6.9% increase in $625.9 million budget, Chung pushes $103 million bond issue for roads
Mayor Harry Kim on Friday released a $625.9 million operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a 6.9% increase over the current year.
Ethics Board seeks outside legal help over Maunakea access road
Jurisdictional issues over Maunakea access road and who has authority to police it were at the forefront Friday, during several hours of testimony to the county Board of Ethics.
E-waste recycling program in jeopardy
Hawaii Countys e-waste program is drastically over budget and may have to be halted if more funding isnt found soon, local contractor Mr. Ks Recycle and Redemption Center told the Environmental Management Commission on Wednesday.
Water managers hold the line on budget
The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply is holding the line on its budget, projecting a 0.5% decrease compared to this year.
