Hawaii Tribune-Herald. “Maui wildfire recovery costs prompt state spending cuts.”
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Accessed on 21 November 2023, 1248 UTC.
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigest.net).
Maui wildfire recovery costs prompt state spending cuts
State budget officials are scraping together a big pile of cash previously budgeted for a wide range of uses to instead pay for mounting Maui wildfire recovery expenses.
Mayor OKs bill that expands BI affordable housing criteria
Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth on Monday signed into law Bill 72, which establishes “an affordable housing preference” for Hawaii Island residents.
Tougher restrictions sought for transportation of plants
A controversial revision of state rules regarding interisland transportation of plants was rejected Friday.
Trial starts in ’09 murder: Patricia Wong is accused of slaying Kaycee Smith, 21, over money
The murder trial of Patricia Wong opened Monday in Hilo Circuit Court with Deputy Prosecutor Matt Woodward telling jurors that the 61-year-old woman shot Kaycee Smith — the 21-year-old rodeo champion Wong called her hanai daughter — to death in 2009 to gain control of Smith’s sizable inheritance.
Philippines leader Marcos’ visit to Hawaii boosts US-Philippines bond and recalls family history
HONOLULU — Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is meeting with senior U.S. military leaders and members of Hawaii’s large Filipino community this weekend in a visit steeped in geopolitical and personal significance for the leader, but also drawing small protests from a younger generation of Filipinos who point to the actions of his dictator father who died in exile in Hawaii.
‘Imiloa unveils new state-of-the-art planetarium projection system
The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo has upgraded its planetarium.
‘It’s a huge punch in the gut’: Surf school lottery ends with three of four permits awarded to one owner
Emotions were running high Friday at Makaeo Pavilion as the Department of Land and Natural Resources held a lottery to determine which four surf schools could operate at Kahalu‘u Beach.
Big Island goat problem worsens
As drought conditions continue in West Hawaii, state officials are searching for ways to mitigate the impacts of wild goats.
Honua Ola sues Hawaiian Electric for $1B
Honua Ola Bioenergy is seeking more than $1 billion in damages from Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc., claiming in federal court that the electric utility has used monopolistic measures to keep Honua Ola’s completed but idle biomass power plant from going online.
Pay hikes of more than 22% recommended for county administrators
Top county executives could be in line for significant pay raises come Jan. 1.
PGV nears maximum output
The Puna Geothermal Venture power plant is nearly back to full capacity.
Changes afoot for popular Hilo Christmas tree fundraiser
After 73 years, the Hilo Y’s Men and Women’s Club of Hilo has passed its traditional Christmas tree sale onto the Island of Hawaii YMCA.
Honoli‘i Beach Park sees unusually high swell
Dozens of surfers took to the waves Thursday morning at Honoli’i Beach Park in Hilo to take advantage of high surf.
Kamehameha Schools Hawaii campus reports large internal theft to police
Kamehameha Schools Hawaii filed a police report Thursday alleging a former employee stole more than $360,000 from the Keaau campus.
County Council passes bill easing requirements for PV systems
Homeowners will be able to install solar power systems more easily under a new bill passed Wednesday by the Hawaii County Council.
First responders honored in wake of repeated wildfires
WAIMEA — The same day as four wildfires sparked on Maui, including the Lahaina fire, firefighters were also battling seven hurricane wind-driven fires on Hawaii Island.
Bunka No Hi set for Saturday
The Hilo-based Japanese Community Association of Hawaii is sponsoring its Japanese Culture Day, or Bunka No Hi, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. this Saturday at the Sangha Hall.
Suspect in fatal Hawaii nurse stabbing pleaded guilty last year to assaulting mental health worker
A former Hawaii psychiatric hospital patient indicted Wednesday on a murder charge in the stabbing death of a nurse at the facility had pleaded guilty to a 2020 assault of a state mental health worker, court records show.
Police arrest 12 for DUI
During the week of Nov. 6-12, Hawaii Island police arrested 12 motorists for DUI. Two of the drivers were involved in a traffic collision. One was younger than 21.