Department of Health Influenza Surveillance Report says “flu season starts to peak.”
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Flu season starts to peak
Flu season started early this year as the number of cases rose again in December throughout Hawaii, according to the state Department of Health’s Influenza Surveillance Report.
Demand for SNAP benefits ‘increased by 40%’
The number of people in Hawaii receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits has declined since hitting a record high in July 2021, but applications still remain well above prepandemic levels.
Police try to unravel mystery of missing pedestrian, death of driver
Police are trying to piece together the details of a Friday night incident in Hawaiian Beaches in which a pedestrian disappeared after apparently being struck by an SUV whose driver collapsed at the scene and died later that night.
‘Inefficiencies,’ ‘personal preferences’ & ‘chaos’
An investigation into Hawaii County’s building permit process found systemic flaws, but no real surprises, county officials said Wednesday.
Panel OKs spending plans for $2.3 million in fuel taxes
A County Council panel gave its OK Wednesday to spending plans for $2.3 million in excess and lapsed fuel taxes on Hawaii Island.
Announcements: January 5, 2023
Team assessing damage, impacts of Mauna Loa eruption
Puna man dead after incident with police
Police say three officers are on administrative leave with pay as the Hawaii Police Department investigates an incident Monday evening that left a 38-year-old Puna man dead.
Kona Community Hospital announces its first baby of 2023
Kona Community Hospital was the last on the island to welcome its first baby of 2023.
Community rallies to help police officer, family after house fire
A 15-year-veteran of the Hawaii Police Department whose home was heavily damaged by fire Friday evening said he and his family are “so grateful” for the “overwhelming support and love from the community.”
Brazen heist: Stolen truck used in theft of ATM from Kona gas station
Two thieves were caught on video using a stolen government vehicle and tow harness to make off with an ATM early Sunday from a gas station in Kailua Village.
Back in play: West Hawaii golf subsidy program returns
Hawaii County’s subsidized golf program continues in 2023 at two West Hawaii locations.
Body found ‘burned severely’ inside banyan tree
An autopsy is scheduled for today for a woman whose badly burned body was discovered Monday on Banyan Drive in Hilo.
Burned body located on Banyan Drive in Hilo
Hawaii Island police are investigating the discovery of a badly burned body on Banyan Drive in Hilo.
‘It’s not just my loss’
In October, two weeks before her 15th birthday, a student from Kealakehe High School died of a drug overdose.
It’s a girl! Hawaii Island’s first baby of 2023 born in Waimea
Hawaii Island’s first baby of 2023 was a bouncing baby girl born early Sunday to proud parents in Waimea.
Council to consider excess, unspent gas taxes
Over $2.3 million in excess and unspent fuel taxes will be mulled this week by the County Council.
Smoother travels ahead: Resurfacing planned for Hina Lani Street; work starts Jan. 18
It’ll be a smoother ride on Hina Lani Street this year with over half of the mauka-makai connector road slated for resurfacing.
Maui police officer shoots, kills man holding weapon
KAHULUI, Maui — A Maui officer shot and killed a man who advanced toward him with an unspecified weapon, police said.
Hold on to those balloons! Raft of new laws kick in Sunday
As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated,” and the state Legislature is attempting to do just that with a bevy of new laws focused on ethics and other issues.
2022: A Year in Review
As the Big Island welcomes in 2023 with hopes for prosperity and success, West Hawaii Today is taking a moment to look back on the big events of 2022. Here are the Top 10 news stories as voted by the newsroom.