A bill that would boost Hawaii’s minimum wage moves forward quickly.
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Accessed on 26 January 2022, 1253 UTC.
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Quick start for wage bill
A bill that would almost double Hawaii’s minimum wage — incrementally increasing it to $18 per hour by Jan. 1, 2026 — has broken quickly out of the gate at the start of this year’s legislative session.
Hawaiian Airlines seeks to resume service to Japan in second quarter
Hawaiian Airlines is seeking to resume flights to Japan in the second quarter, a delay from the carrier’s earlier goal of restarting service in late March due to the omicron variant.
Another guilty plea in Honolulu permits bribery scheme
HONOLULU — A former building plans examiner with the Honolulu planning department pleaded guilty Tuesday to taking bribes in exchange for expediting the approval of permit applications.
Police misconduct up in ‘21: Five HPD officers terminated, 21 suspended
Five Hawaii County police officers were fired and 21 others suspended without pay in 2021, according to the Hawaii Police Department’s annual disciplinary report to the state Legislature.
Legislation would change management of Maunakea
A bill will be introduced in the state Legislature today officially formalizing a 2021 proposal to develop a new state agency to manage Maunakea.
PIT count returns: Annual survey of homelessness underway
The annual Point in Time Count is underway on the Big Island with volunteers and advocates working to provide a snapshot of all those experiencing homelessness in the community.
Documents detail Orchidland conftontation, arrest
Court documents identify Puna patrol officers whose taxpayer-subsidized Toyota 4Runners were allegedly damaged Friday by a suspect attempting to flee from arrest as Terence Scanlan and Bryson Miyose.
Bills aim to reduce abandoned vehicles
A Big Island lawmaker is spearheading a suite of bills aimed at reducing the amount of abandoned vehicles in Hawaii.
Ige proposes tax refund as Hawaii recovers from pandemic
HONOLULU — Gov. David Ige on Monday proposed refunding $100 to every taxpayer and dependent as the economy and tax receipts recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Pathways to productivity
Editor’s note: This is the second story in a two-part series about the challenges people with special needs have getting help in Hawaii County.
Hawaii tourism agency awards cultural, environmental grants
HONOLULU — The Hawaii Tourism Authority has awarded grants to several local environmental and cultural organizations in a bid to preserve natural areas and enhance the role of Native Hawaiians in the industry.
Deer on Maui airport runway prompts additional fencing
KAHULUI — A reinforced fence has been installed around a Maui airport after a deer blocked a runway earlier this month.
Council rejects contractor for Leeward Planning Commission
The County Council last week rejected its second nominee to the Leeward Planning Commission in six months, saying the candidate, Shane Vincent of Waimea, would bring too much of a developer perspective to the board.
More support needed: Big Island lacking resources for special needs children, adults
Char: Number of state COVID cases ‘very concerning’
The state health director said she thinks “it’s a bit early” to say Hawaii’s surge of COVID-19 cases fueled by the omicron variant has plateaued.
Progress on Hilo skate park, but confusion over funding
Hawaii County has taken another step toward building a skate park in Hilo, but members of the skating community remain skeptical.
Two men charged with Puna property crimes
Two 19-year-old men are facing charges in connection with alleged property crimes in Puna.
Hawaii’s teacher retention rate hovers just above 50%
HONOLULU — Only 51% of Hawaii public school teachers remained in the job after five years of work, according to a new report from the state Department of Education.
North Kona, South Kohala vacation rental hotspots
North Kona and South Kohala are home to about 80% of short-term vacation rentals on the island and 87% of complaints about STVRs registered countywide with the Planning Department.
Police arrest two after violent confrontation in Orchidland
Police arrested two people Friday after one of them allegedly rammed two taxpayer-subsidized police vehicles in Puna.
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigest.net).