The Hawaii County Board of ethics asks Zendo Kern for an exhaustive list of projects he has worked on. The hearing will resume in February.
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Ethics Board seeks Kern’s client list
The county Board of Ethics, deluged with written testimony about Planning Director Zendo Kern’s fitness for the job, on Wednesday asked Kern for an “exhaustive list” of projects he’s worked on, then delayed a decision until next month.
Vog forecast for North, East Hawaii
Light and variable winds continue to provide West Hawaii areas some relief from the vog produced by the ongoing eruption at Kilauea Volcano’s summit.
State official says homelessness increase could be worse than after Great Recession
The state’s point man on homeless issues told lawmakers Wednesday he expects the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic to result in a gradual increase in homelessness statewide over the next few years.
Hawaii Island reports 7 new COVID-19 cases
Health officials reported seven new cases of COVID-19 on Hawaii Island Wednesday, bringing the island’s total case count to 2,037.
State plans to operate mass vaccination centers on Oahu
HONOLULU — Thousands of Hawaii residents are expected to have access to COVID-19 vaccines when the state opens mass vaccination centers on Oahu, officials said.
ACLU asks state to vaccinate sick, elderly prisoners on same schedule as those not incarcerated
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Hawaii is urging state officials to vaccinate sick and elderly incarcerated jail and prison inmates for COVID-19 on the same timetable they would individuals in the same risk groups who aren’t incarcerated.
Measures to control COVID-19 also have kept influenza at bay
Fears of a “twindemic” — an annual flu season combined with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — have not been realized.
Making sure no kid goes hungry: Laupahoehoe school receives grant to feed students during the pandemic
Editor’s note: Each Wednesday, West Hawaii Today is publishing a story about individuals, groups or organizations that have helped make life better for others in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lava recovery programs see some progress, but also delays
In 2021, the third year since the eruption of Kilauea in lower Puna, some recovery programs are seeing progress while others remain in limbo.
Cut red tape, but safety first: New Environmental Management director balks at Alii Drive sewer plan
Hawaii County residents who have expressed concern that Mayor Mitch Roth would push a pro-development agenda when he took office may have been reassured last week when his Environmental Management director — who still awaits council confirmation — delayed what seemed a formality accepting a sewer line because he thinks it could be a public health hazard.
Police arrest 26 for DUI
Hawaii Island police arrested 26 motorists for suspected drunken driving Jan. 4 and Sunday. One of the drivers was involved in a traffic crash.
Woman, 31, reported missing
Hawaii Island police are asking for the public’s help locating a 31-year-old Hilo woman who was reported as missing.
Hawaii Island COVID-19 case count hits 2,030
Hawaii Island’s COVID-19 case count increased by four Tuesday bringing the island’s total case count to 2,030.
Agency seeks $10M to avoid halt to Aloha Stadium work
HONOLULU — A Hawaii development organization will seek $10 million in funding to hire a private company and do other work necessary for the redevelopment of Aloha Stadium, a move that sidesteps what could have been a costly halt to the project.
Kern seeks ethics opinion: Planning director to address Board of Ethics on Wednesday
Planning Director Zendo Kern is seeking guidance from the Board of Ethics on potential conflicts of interest in his duties directing the operations of the Planning Department.
Roth remains hospitalized after heart attack
Mayor Mitch Roth remained hospitalized Monday at Hilo Medical Center after suffering a heart attack Saturday evening in South Kohala.
More than 150 residents, staff vaccinated for COVID-19 during Regency at Hualalai clinic
More than 100 residents and nearly 50 staff members of the Regency at Hualalai were vaccinated on Sunday.
Green: Hawaii ‘doing OK’ despite recent COVID-19 surge
Although the number of COVID-19 cases statewide is still in triple-digit territory amid a post-holiday surge, case counts seem to be on the decline.
Organizers: ’Unmasked flash mob’ canceled
An “unmasked flash mob” planned Saturday at the new Kailua-Kona Safeway has been called off, organizers said Monday evening.
Judge sets bail for Hawaii man accused in US Capitol riot
HONOLULU — A U.S. judge in Honolulu on Monday ordered a Hawaii resident and neofascist group member accused of participating in the riot at the U.S. Capitol last week to be released on $5,000 bail.