New 3% hotel tax takes effect on Saturday, 01 January 2022.
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Accessed on 29 December 2021, 1200 U/tc.
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Ready to collect: New 3% hotel tax goes into effect Saturday
The county tax forms are in place, new government employees are being hired and the hospitality industry is ready to begin what Mayor Mitch Roth calls the “unacceptable but necessary” step of charging guests at hotels and transient vacation rentals an extra 3% starting Saturday.
UH will start the spring semester online-only for many
The University of Hawaii will shift most of its classes to online lessons only for the first two weeks of the spring semester in response to the current spike in COVID-19 cases.
Woman apologizes for Lake Waiau rock-throwing incident
A woman apologized Tuesday evening for posting photos and video earlier this month of large rocks being thrown into Lake Waiau atop Maunakea after her actions caught the attention of conservation managers and law enforcement.
NWS: Expect a rainy New Year’s Eve
If the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t enough to put a damper on New Year’s Eve celebrations, the rainfall predicted throughout the weekend might be.
Obituaries for December 29
Francis Shogo Abe, 86, of Kealakekua, died Dec. 10 at Marites Care Home. Born in Kealakekua, he was a retired customer service agent for the former Aloha Airlines, member of Kingsley Kumiai and Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, and U.S. Army veteran. Services at a later date. Survived by wife, Kathleen Abe of Kealakekua; sons, Steven Abe of Honolulu and Neil (Michelle) Abe of Kealakekua; daughter, Leanne Abe of Kealakekua; sister, Grace Hiraoka of Palo Verdes, Calif.; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Police ID Puna drowning victim
Police have identified the victim of a possible Christmas Day drowning in Kalapana as 41-year-old Oscar Odom of Puna, whom police say was a recent arrival from Alaska.
Indoor gatherings limited to 10; 50 new cases on island
Indoor gatherings on the Big Island are once again limited to no more than 10 people under a new emergency rule issued yesterday.
Water utility implores Navy to stop fighting Hawaii’s order
HONOLULU — The head of Honolulu’s water utility said Tuesday he prays the Navy doesn’t continue fighting an order to remove fuel from massive tanks that a hearings officer concluded pose “a metaphorical ticking time bomb” threatening drinking water.
Hawaii: Don’t burn Christmas trees at sacred Oahu sandbar
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s public lands agency is warning people that they face arrest if found burning Christmas trees at an oceanic sandbar.
Police arrest 15 for DUI
During the week of Dec. 20-26, 2021, police arrested 15 motorists for DUI. Six of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. None were younger than 21.
Hawaii official agrees Navy must remove fuel from tanks
HONOLULU — A Hawaii state official on Monday agreed that the Navy should be required to remove fuel from massive fuel tanks it owns near Pearl Harbor, saying they pose “a metaphorical ticking time bomb” threatening the water supply of the state’s most populous island.
Gathering limits to tighten: Mayor tests positive for COVID-19; state sees record surge of cases
Indoor gathering restrictions will tighten yet again on the Big Island after Mayor Mitch Roth, along with several thousand other Hawaii residents, contracted COVID over the weekend.
Zuckerberg buys more Hawaii land, including deadly dam site
HONOLULU (AP) — Billionaire Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has purchased more property in Hawaii, including most of a reservoir that unleashed a deadly flood 15 years ago.
Roth tests positive for COVID-19
Mayor Mitch Roth tested positive for COVID-19 over the Christmas weekend, his office said today in a statement.
Police investigate Christmas Day drowning in Puna
Police are investigating a possible Christmas Day drowning in Puna.
Nearly 1,400 new COVID cases after record breaking weekend
Nearly 1,400 new COVID cases have been reported statewide today after a record breaking number of new cases over the holiday weekend.
Map is pau: New County Council boundaries completed by Redistricting Commission
After seemingly endless meetings where tiny population clusters were moved block by tedious block, spirited public input and a dozen drafts later, a final map of County Council districts has been approved that will stand for the next 10 years.
HPD updates community on animal control program, services offered
Jan. 1 will mark six months of the Hawaii Police Department’s hands-on management of animal control services on the Big Island — the same date a new law goes into effect requiring dog and cat owners to microchip their animals.
New laws to take effect Jan. 1
A law that will make it more difficult to build “ghost guns” is among a number of new laws that will take effect next month.
Albizia fight to go on in 2022: BIISC hopes to obtain new funding to clear invasive trees
The ongoing war against albizia trees will continue in Puna next year after a lean 2021.
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigest.net).