Discussion
‘The smallest and cheapest’: Aviation attorney speaks out about fatal Kauaʻi helicopter crash
“On Kauaʻi in particular, a twin-engine turbine helicopter seems to be the prudent thing to use, but very few operators do because they’re more expensive,” said attorney Ladd Sanger.
Looking for a job? Līhuʻe Airport is hiring security officers
Salaries for security officers start at $60,000 annually and come with full federal employee benefits, as well as a $2,000 hiring incentive for all new employees.
Ambulance provider debate decided: Falck’s appeal is denied as AMR continues with $112 million contract
“We are disappointed that the Department of Health ultimately reversed course after initially selecting Falck to provide enhanced emergency medical services to Maui and Kaua‘i counties,” said Troy Hagen, chief commercial officer of Falck USA.
UH-discovered asteroid to make close approach to Earth, no impact risk
The asteroid, named 2024 MK, is about 575 feet or nearly two football fields across, and will brighten to visual magnitude 8, fainter than what is visible by the naked eye but easily detectable with binoculars or a small telescope.
PMRF honors Native Hawaiians at annual summer solstice ceremony
“We have our military mission to protect the homeland and protect our island home. Side by side, we have a collective kuleana (responsibility) to this place and to make sure that it endures forever. That’s what this is all about. That’s what the meaning is here,” said PMRF Commanding Officer Capt. Brett Stevenson.
Kapaʻa whale carcass originally planned to be left on shoreline will be buried
“The smell isnʻt that bad, but the hotel managers and also the Bull Shed restaurant, they’ve had to move patrons of the restaurant to different rooms,” said Billy Kinney, a cultural practitioner from Hanalei who works with Kia’i Kanaloa.
Gov. Josh Green issues intent to veto 17 bills
This veto list reflects our need to prioritize Hawaiʻi’s crippling high cost of living, the state’s affordable housing crisis and Hawaiʻi’s families impacted by the Maui wildfires,” said Gov. JoshGreen.
DLNR documents first recorded monk seal birth at Sand Island
Hawaiian monk seal Rocky (RH58) gave birth to a pup overnight. Today, Rocky and her pup rested on a beach at Sand Island State Recreation Area (SRA) on O‘ahu.
The Grassroot Institute reflects on 2024 legislative session on Kauaʻi
“I always love getting a chance to go out to Kauaʻi and talk with people,” said Ted Kefalas, the organization’s director of strategic campaigns, in an interview following the event.
Kauaʻi health office releases island-wide emergency preparedness report
KDHO conducted door-to-door surveys June 3-7, 2024, at randomly selected households islandwide. Over the course of five days, survey teams completed a total of 177 interviews, collecting valuable data about Kauaʻi residents’ health and well-being, their preparedness for emergencies, and their concerns about climate change impacts.
Decomposing whale head washed up on Kapaʻa beach to remain indefinitely
The head of a decaying sperm whale washed up on the shoreline of the Sheraton Kauaʻi Coconut Beach Resort in Kapaʻa on Friday, June 14, and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources says that after discussion with a cultural practitioner, it will not be moved.
Colleague alleges jailed artist’s letter for Kauaʻi councilman was a complaint, not a threat
“He was frightened, and he was blown away that the person who terrified him for years, this is his story, had become an elected official,” said Councilwoman Felicia Cowden.
Falck protests state’s decision to award new ambulance contracts to AMR
“We filed a notice of protest after identifying what appears to be a clear error in calculating Falck’s scores, along with inconsistencies in the evaluation criteria used to award the contracts,” said Troy Hagen, the chief commercial officer for Falck USA.
PMRF honors Hawaiian place name as Major’s Bay becomes Waiapua‘a Bay
Approximately 40 people attended the ceremony, which included speeches from PMRF staff, county officials, and cultural advisors, beginning with a welcome oli (Hawaiian chant) and pule (prayer).
Housing bills signed as Kaua’i develops homelessness, housing strategy
“This is a very straightforward way to help in the right place, build some additional capacity for our people so that they don’t have to leave and be in other states,” Green said. “We have to take action. We canʻt just keep kicking the can down the road.”
State awards ambulance contracts to American Medical Response following protests
“We are disappointed that Falck was not selected by the Department of Health, who found us more qualified than the incumbent to provide emergency medical services to Maui and Kaua‘i counties just last year before canceling the request for proposals in response to a challenge,” said Troy Hagen, chief commercial officer for Falck USA.
Kaua’i Fentanyl Task Force starts following rise in drug overdoses
“It’s not picking on any particular island. So it’s just spontaneous. It’s everywhere. And we just gotta keep looking at the numbers and never, ever think about patting ourselves on the back.”
U.S. Pacific Fleet to hold maritime exercise this summer
RIMPAC is the worldʻs largest international maritime exercise, which has been held biannually in summer months since 1971.
Hawaiian Host chocolate owners award four Kauaʻi students academic scholarships
Mamoru and Aiko Takitani own Hawaiian Host chocolates. The foundation reports awarding more than $13.5 million in scholarship and academic enrichment programs to students in Hawaiʻi over the years, including $219,000 in scholarships this year.
Unusual late season Kona low mostly fizzles on neighbor islands, drenches O‘ahu
Last week’s storm appears to be the latest kona low to directly affect the main Hawaiian Islands in at least the past 20 years.
