Office of Information Practices says ad hoc budget panel could violate state Sunshine Law
Behind-the-scenes budget meetings could run afoul of the state Sunshine Law, County Council members learned Tuesday. The council Finance Committee...
Political
Mass Transit mismanagement could hurt entire state’s federal funding
Millions of dollars in federal funding could be in jeopardy because the county Mass Transit Agency didn’t submit its required...
(Oahu)Battle lines take shape as 2 vacation rental bills advance By Gordon Y.K. Pang
When it comes to the thorny issue of vacation rental homes on Oahu, it seems the clearer the issue gets,...
Gov. David Ige urges Hawaii Legislature to resurrect water rights bill opposed by environmentalists By Sophie Cocke
Gov. David Ige is prodding state lawmakers to resurrect a controversial bill that would give public water users, including Alexander...
Council begins three days of combing through departmental spending plans
A full 38% of the county’s proposed 2019-20 budget is eaten up by employee pensions, retirement, health insurance and payment...
County Council District 9 update: 04-15-19 By Tim Richards County Council
Aloha! Once again, it is time for the monthly update from our office. BUDGET SEASON On March 1, the administration...
Council approves lava disaster aid measures
The Hawaii County Council gave final approval to all but one of three lava disaster aid bills on the table...
Ranked voting could make its way to Hawaii
Ranked voting, a new way to elect candidates for political office, could be coming to Hawaii if a bill making...
Council members say Big Pharma should help fix opioid crisis, vote to join class action lawsuit
Hawaii County is jumping into a multi-state class action lawsuit against Big Pharma manufacturers and distributors, seeking compensation for opioid...
Gabbard reaches donor threshold to qualify for debate
Gabbard reaches donor threshold to qualify for debate WASHINGTON — Tulsi Gabbard says her 2020 presidential campaign reached the donor...
State closer to forcing Airbnb to collect taxes on rentals
State lawmakers on Tuesday, eager to gather tax revenue from Hawaii’s flourishing, yet mostly unpermitted, vacation rental sector, passed legislation...
Charter Commission to consider special election
The Charter Commission will consider holding a special election later this year, rather than adding charter amendments to a 2020...
Revitalizing Banyan: Bill to create agency on its way to final vote
A bill creating a new redevelopment district for the Waiakea Peninsula is headed for its final vote in the state...
House committee kills flavored e-cigarette ban By AUDREY McAVOY Associated Press
HONOLULU — Hawaii lawmakers on Thursday killed a proposal that would have banned flavored electronic smoking devices and e-liquids, saying...
Bill to allow solar farms on prime agricultural land fails By Sophie Cocke
The state Senate on Wednesday killed a bill that would have allowed solar farms on prime agricultural land. The bill...
Open space fund draws most opinion at charter meeting
KAILUA-KONA — The Charter Commission afforded West Hawaii citizens a platform Wednesday to make their voices heard on potential amendments...
Hawaii County holds final hearing on vacation rental rules
Hawaii County planning officials heard from residents on all sides of the short-term vacation rental issue during the final hearing...
Coffee labeling measure deferred
KAILUA-KONA — A measure originally intended to change labeling requirements for coffee blends died quietly with a few passing words...
Mayor Kim still moving on Maunakea vision
HILO — Mayor Harry Kim said Friday he was pleased with a meeting he had with Gov. David Ige and...
April 5 cutoff for bills approaches
KAILUA-KONA — Time is ticking down for a handful of bills that would impact the Big Island to secure their...
