Kauaʻi

Police departments across the nation and the state have been struggling to keep up staffing, but the Kauaʻi Police Department has reduced its vacancy numbers and overtime costs over the last few years with several strategies. HPR's Sabrina Bodon has more.

A medical readiness program called “Tropic Care” starts today on Kauaʻi and will run until June 20.

Transportation officials will provide updates on several ongoing and upcoming projects such as pavement resurfacing and safety improvements along Kuhio Highway, and rehabilitating Hanalei Bridge.

Former Kauaʻi County Councilmember Arthur Brun was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in federal prison for leading a drug trafficking ring. Offenses included methamphetamine distribution, assaulting a federal law enforcement officer, and witness tampering.

All four counties adopted ordinances to tax at a maximum of 3% on gross rental incomes from establishments like vacation rentals, hotels and timeshares. Now the tax revenues are higher than what the counties would have been allotted by the state. HPR's Sabrina Bodon reports.

The Tropic Care medical readiness training program will provide free services like physicals and eye and dental exams for residents on a first-come, first-served basis from June 13 to 20.

A grand jury has indicted a former Kauaʻi Police Department records clerk for fraud and theft, according to the state attorney general. Mikalynn Hiranaka could face up to 20 years in prison and fines.

Scientists are still studying an intense storm that hit parts of Kauaʻi a little more than four years ago. Nearly 50 inches of rain fell in 24 hours in April 2018, shattering the previous record for rainfall in the United States.

Federal accident investigators are blaming a deadly Kauaʻi helicopter crash on the pilot’s decision to keep flying into worsening weather. But the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board is saving her sharpest criticism for regulators who are supposed to oversee air tour operations.

The state is taking steps to provide more camping reservations at Kalalau on Kauaʻi for local residents. As part of the plan, additional camping permits will be issued for walk-in applicants.