Hawaii County auditor says new controls should “curb” favoritism in county hiring.
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Accessed on 14 March 2022, 1158 UTC.
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‘What you know, not who you know’ County auditor says new controls should curb favoritism in county hiring
It took more than four years, but the county has finally implemented a whistleblower hotline, one of the recommendations of a scathing 2017 audit that found questionable hiring practices in county government.
Back to the brew: Kona Brewers Festival returns amid ongoing pandemic
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Kona Brewers Festival returned Saturday albeit on a smaller-than-normal scale with just a quarter of the attendees, breweries and restaurants.
Dry wet season increases fire risk
The prolonged dry spell during what is usually the rainiest time of year continued to plague Hawaii Island in February.
A wiliwili good time: Festival brings community together to celebrate iconic tree
While the wiliwili may not have been in bloom Saturday, the community was blooming with excitement and cheer at the 11th annual Wiliwili Festival in Waikoloa Village.
Next Bayfront Trails phase slated to be finished this year
Work on the long-awaited next phase of the Hilo Bayfront Trails project should be complete by the end of the year, a county official said.
Onishi pushes back on retirement fund bill
A bill that would establish a state-managed retirement fund program for employees might be dead on arrival unless proponents make fundamental changes to how it operates.
Minimum wage bill crosses over to Senate
A bill that would raise Hawaii’s minimum wage has reached the halfway point of its journey through the state Legislature.
EPA plan would limit downwind pollution from power plants
WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a plan that would restrict smokestack emissions from power plants and other industrial sources that burden downwind areas with smog-causing pollution they can’t control.
Documents detail what led to body in concrete in Oahu tub
HONOLULU — A 23-year-old man killed his 73-year-old lover, tried to make it look like a suicide, poured cement over his body in a bathtub and planned to fraudulently take ownership of his car and home in one of Oahu’s most exclusive, gated communities, police said in court documents filed Thursday.
Small snag in lava buyout program
The county’s program to buy back properties destroyed, damaged or isolated by the 2018 Kilauea eruption has not been significantly delayed by a missing agreement with the state.
Hilo Medical Center opens 2nd catheterization laboratory
After three years of planning and construction, Hilo Medical Center has opened its second catheterization laboratory.
Planning Committee advances Waikoloa timeshare project
An array of promised community benefits was enough Tuesday to propel a Waikoloa Beach Resort timeshare project out of a County Council committee with a positive recommendation.
Navy fuel leak prompts Honolulu plea for water conservation
HONOLULU — Honolulu’s water utility on Thursday asked roughly 400,000 Oahu residents to voluntarily cut their water use by 10% because of concerns about dry weather and a petroleum leak from a massive Navy fuel storage facility that has forced it to shut down three wells.
Suspect arrested after body found in concrete in Oahu tub
HONOLULU — Two men captured in Southern California and suspected of an Oahu killing were living in the victim’s house in an exclusive, gated community until neighbors complained about a stench, leading to the discovery of the homeowner’s body encased in concrete in a bathtub, police said.
No consensus on Waipio Valley Access Road closure
Kona’s King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade a go
After a two-year hiatus, Kona’s King Kamehameha Day Celebration Parade is returning and organizers are asking for the community’s help to ensure the June 11 event is a hit.
Council passes resolution condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine
The County Council Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine and offering support for the Ukrainian people.
Ige appoints Costales to replace former lawmaker Cullen
HONOLULU — Gov. David Ige on Wednesday appointed a nonprofit manager to fill a state House seat vacated by former Rep. Ty Cullen, who resigned last month when prosecutors alleged he took bribes in exchange for influencing legislation.
Council committee advances $149.5 million bond issue
County Council members Wednesday were enthusiastic about a $149.5 million bond authorization, saying the money could help the county secure “once in a generation” federal dollars for badly needed projects.
Man charged after shooting at Kona apartment complex
Big Island police have arrested 30-year-old William Lawrence of Kailua-Kona with various firearm offenses stemming from an incident that occurred shortly after midnight on Wednesday at an apartment complex in Kealakehe.