Latest News from Big Island Times

Hawaii County Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee met Tuesday, May 21

Hawaii County Parks and Recreation Department will meet July 4

Hawaii County Parks and Recreation Department will meet Thursday, July 4

Hawaii County Environmental Management Commission will meet July 3

Hawaii County Environmental Management Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 3

Hawaii County Liquor Commission will meet July 3

Hawaii County Liquor Commission will meet at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 3

Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission will meet July 1

Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission will meet at 9 a.m., Monday, July 1

Gov Green appoints new CIO forms task force on insurance issues

On June 28, 2024, the Office of the Governor announced several key appointments and the formation of a task force to address property insurance issues.

Governor signs 13 bills benefiting Native Hawaiians on housing, education

Governor Green signed 13 bills aimed at benefiting Native Hawaiian communities and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) beneficiaries, focusing on housing, education, and cultural practices.

Hawaii delegation supports Biden's supplemental disaster aid request

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), along with U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-HI) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI), issued a statement regarding President Joe Biden’s new supplemental appropriations request, which includes funding for disaster recovery on Maui and nationwide.

Hawai'i concludes Digital Currency Innovation Lab amid rising cryptocurrency scam concerns

The Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Financial Institutions (DFI) and the Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) have announced that the Digital Currency Innovation Lab (DCIL) will conclude on June 30, 2024. This research project, initiated in 2020, aimed to explore the digital currency landscape within the state and assess the regulatory framework for companies specializing in digital currency.

Senator Hirono criticizes Supreme Court ruling overturning Chevron doctrine

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released a statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, a case concerning the Chevron doctrine. Earlier this month, Senator Hirono spoke on the Senate floor to raise alarm about the Court’s then-pending decision.

Hirono criticizes Supreme Court's EMTALA ruling following DOJ lawsuit against Idaho

By Big Island Times | Jun 27, 2024

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued a statement today in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in United States v. Idaho, a case involving the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). The U.S. Department of Justice had sued Idaho following the Dobbs decision in 2022, arguing that the state's anti-abortion law was preempted by EMTALA. This federal act mandates Medicare-funded hospitals to provide abortion care not only when necessary to prevent patient death but also when required to stabilize a patient...

Hawai'i announces statewide outdoor warning siren system test for July

By Big Island Times | Jun 27, 2024

The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System is scheduled for Monday, July 1, 2024, at 11:45 a.m. The siren test will be coordinated with a test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System.

Deputy sheriff arrested for reckless endangering and harassment

By Big Island Times | Jun 26, 2024

On June 26, 2024, at 8:30 a.m., Deputy Sheriff William K. Keahi, age 40, was arrested for alleged reckless endangering and harassment by the Department of Law Enforcement’s Criminal Investigations Division. Keahi was released pending further investigation.

Hawaii County Bar Association recognizes scholarship winner

By Big Island Times | Jun 26, 2024

The Hawaii County Bar Association (HCBA) convened in Hilo on June 7 to honor the recipient of its annual essay contest and scholarship program.

Deadline approaches for Hawai‘i Home Energy Assistance Program applications

Applications for the Hawai‘i Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP) are due June 28, 2024. H-HEAP is a federal program designed to help families keep their utilities on, especially those households that are most vulnerable, such as the elderly, the disabled, and households with young children. H-HEAP assists households by providing a one-time payment toward their electric or gas bill.

State publishes findings from comprehensive Hawai’i digital economy survey

The Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) has published the results of its Hawai‘i digital economy survey. Conducted by the Hawai‘i Broadband and Digital Equity Office (HBDEO), the survey involved over 1,000 businesses to assess their use of digital technology.

Hawaiʻi Department of Health issues recall alert for Totally Cool ice cream products

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) has issued a recall alert for ice cream and frozen dairy products from Totally Cool, Inc. due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. These products were distributed across the United States and include Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery ice cream cakes, Jeni’s frozen dessert sandwiches, and Marco ice cream sandwiches and pints. They may have been available at supermarkets such as Safeway and Whole Foods in Hawaiʻi.

Health department recalls Totally Cool ice cream due to Listeria risk