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HONOLULU — Hawaii on Wednesday said it was fining the U.S. Navy more than $325,000 for operations and maintenance violations at a massive underground fuel storage facility on Oahu. The state Department of Health said in a news release the fines resulted from inspections it undertook of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in…

An increase in electric rates is leading to the highest power cost surcharge on county water bills in at least two years, with the Water Board on Tuesday approving a 16% hike in the power cost charge. The increase from $1.85 to $2.15 per thousand gallons, starting Monday, was approved on a 7-0 vote. No…

HONOLULU — Some Native Hawaiians are objecting to President Joe Biden’s choice for U.S. attorney, saying Clare Connors treated dozens of elders like criminals when her office prosecuted them for blocking a road while protesting the construction of a the Thirty Meter Telescope “She has acted aggressively towards the Hawaiian people during all of our…

The state Land Board voted unanimously last week to approve rules that limit and regulate commercial surf school activity in Kahalu‘u Bay. “This regulation, it’s definitely a step forward in making this a safer environment for all of our park users,” Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation Director Maurice Messina told the land board…

Police on Wednesday were searching for 25-year-old Brendon Hironaka of Puna who is wanted for questioning regarding a violent domestic dispute Friday on Pokahu Drive in Kurtistown. Hironaka is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, 115 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. On Friday afternoon shortly before 3:30 p.m., Puna patrol officers responded…

HONOLULU — Starting next week, Honolulu will allow outdoor and indoor entertainment venues to operate at full capacity with vaccinated attendees, the mayor said Wednesday as he announced the city’s latest measures easing coronavirus restrictions. Patrons will have to wear masks, Mayor Rick Blangiardi said at a news conference. No food and only water will…

As the county administration struggles with a backlog of more than 1,500 building permit applications stuck in its new computerized EPIC system, contractors and County Council members have more questions than answers following a statement from Mayor Mitch Roth that certain permit reviews will be “expedited.” “Our administration is committed to working through the backlog,…

Walter Wayne Deguair, 56, of Volcano, died Oct. 8 in Hilo. He was born in Honolulu. Celebration of life to be held Saturday (Nov. 6) from 12-3 p.m. at 15-1649 12th Avenue in Keaau. Masks and social distancing required. Survived by daughter Amy Deguair; parents Joseph Deguair Sr. and Victoria Deguair; brothers Joseph Deguair, Jr.…

WAILUKU, Maui (AP) — A judge had denied a defense request to move away from Maui the trial of a man charged with murder in the disappearance of his girlfriend. Jury selection for Bernard Brown’s trial is now set to begin next month, The Maui News reported. Brown, 50, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree…

Hawaii County ended the last fiscal year with $52.7 million left over to be applied to this year’s budget, according to an Oct. 15 report to the County Council. The fund balance — money not spent in the previous year that’s carried over to the new budget year that began July 1 — is higher…

Roadwork — or lack thereof — continues to plague the residents and businesses of Keaukaha. One lane of Kalanianaole Avenue, the primary access road to Keaukaha and King’s Landing, has been partially closed for road construction since 2018. Last month at a Keaukaha Community Association meeting, Hawaii County Public Works Director Ikaika Rodenhurst announced that…

A survey that could determine whether the Thirty Meter Telescope receives federal funding will be unveiled this week. The Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey, also called Astro2020, is a survey of major U.S. astronomy projects over the next 10 years conducted by the National Academy of Sciences. The survey is a comprehensive analysis of the…

SEATTLE (AP) — A federal grand jury in Seattle has indicted a man accused of punching a flight attendant in the face twice and trying to open the cockpit door during a flight from Hawaii to Washington state. Ryan Cajimat, 21, of Kapolei, Oahu, is charged with interference with flight crew members and attendants, as…

Hawaii County late Friday afternoon announced it is reopening county gymnasiums and community centers on Monday. The Department of Parks and Recreation also is working toward reopening its senior centers, senior congregate meal sites, and senior classes in January 2022, according to a news release. “As case numbers continue to decline, we believe that it…

Researchers have found nearly four times more specimens of a rare insect on Maunakea this year than in the last two years combined. This year, live traps set out by researchers at the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Center for Maunakea Stewardship collected nearly 3,000 wekiu bugs, a rare insect endemic to the Maunakea summit…

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. governors want a seat at the table as international leaders prepare to gather in Scotland at a critical moment for global efforts to reduce fossil fuel emissions and slow the planet’s temperature rise. At least a half dozen state governors — all Democrats — plan to attend parts of the two-week…

COVID-19 could not hold back Wildcat pride. Konawaena High School virtually celebrated it’s 100th anniversary on Oct. 16. The volunteer committee met for nearly three years to plan, fundraise and promote the celebration. Although they were not able to have the in person celebration that was planned, Sandra Taosaka said they were pleased to be…

A new emergency call center being built in Hilo will improve communications between the county’s police and fire departments. The center, which began construction Wednesday, eventually will house both fire and police dispatch systems and a fire administration support complex at 540 Kupuna Place, directly next to the Mohouli Senior Housing Project. The project will…

Drivers should watch for lane changes and traffic delays on Waianuenue Avenue as crews begin probing for utility lines. The county’s Department of Public Works will be probing for utility lines underground between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. Probes are an accurate way to track the path of nonconductive utility lines. Workers will…

The Hawaii Paroling Authority has set a minimum term for a 26-year-old Waimea man who was sentenced to serve a half-decade behind bars for a 2019 crash that claimed the life of a mother of four and injured three girls. Nicholas Abarcar was sentenced by Kona Circuit Court Judge Robert D.S. Kim to serve five…

Hawaii County will not be reinvesting in certain water infrastructure destroyed by the 2018 Kilauea eruption, public officials said Thursday. During a public informational meeting on Zoom about a series of proposed water infrastructure improvement projects in Puna, Keith Okamoto, chief engineer for the Department of Water Supply, said the county will not be pursuing…

It has been one month since the new eruption began inside Halema‘uma‘u crater in Kilauea volcano on Sept. 29. Over the past 12 months at the Kilauea summit, there has been a water lake and two eruptions within Halema‘uma‘u. The previous eruption of the volcano began in December 2020 and ended in May 2021. This…