Hawaiʻi County

The council moved Bill 51 through its final hearing Wednesday in a 6-2 vote after fierce debate and passionate testimony by the public and council members.

Hawaiʻi County Council member Matt Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder and Elaine Partlow from Action 4 Animals Hawaii sit down with HPR’s Maddie Bender to debate a bill that would prohibit feeding stray or feral animals on county property.

Sacred Hearts School principal Tonato Lolesio talks about plans to set up classrooms in temporary facilities while rebuilding their campus, which was destroyed in the Lahaina fire; Hawaiʻi County Council Member Matt Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder and Elaine Parlow from Action 4 Animals discuss a divisive measure that would prohibit the feeding of stray or feral animals on county property

The county’s Office of Housing and Community Development announced its home improvement loan program as a way for low and moderate-income homeowners to repair and improve their homes without as heavy a financial burden.

Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda discusses inspections of Hilo's historic banyan trees after human remains were found under one tree that fell over last weekend; State Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Karl Rhoads talks about an upcoming informational briefing on the rule of law with U.S. Rep. Ed Case

The nine-member Hawaiʻi County Police Commission needed five votes to allow Moszkowicz to take back a letter of resignation he sent in early June. The commission split 4–4 on Thursday, meaning his resignation stands.

Bill 51 proposes fining those who are caught feeding stray and feral animals on County of Hawaiʻi land — $50 for first-time violators and up to $500 for repeat offenses.

Hawaiʻi Police Department Chief Ben Moszkowicz has issued an apology following his bid to become the interim chief of the Honolulu Police Department. Earlier this month, Moszkowicz resigned from his post after Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi endorsed him for Oʻahu's interim chief position.

A new lifeguard tower has been installed at Kohanaiki Beach Park thanks to community advocacy. Resident Rachel Able advocated for the tower after her daughter sustained injuries while surfing and died in November 2022.

Bill 47 is a partial revival of a set of measures that failed last year that would have overhauled zoning and operational laws on “transient vacation rentals” in the County of Hawaiʻi.