Hawaii County

Last updated: 5/16/2020

Information -- it's inoculation against the anxiety that can take hold as COVID-19 spreads, jobs are lost and lives are frayed. Hawai‘i Public Radio is compiling resources and information to help the community deal with the hurdles ahead as we navigate life during a pandemic.

Updated: 5/7/2020, 12:06 p.m.

Hawaii legislative leaders announced today that lawmakers will convene on Monday to deal with a projected $1 billion budget shortfall in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim has confirmed he plans to seek another term in office.

HILO, Hawaii — The Hawaii County Council has accepted a $5.3 million agreement with the state for reimbursement of law enforcement overtime costs during demonstrations against the Big Island giant telescope project.

Counties around Hawai’i have closed public gathering spaces as confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to rise. But one county remains an exception.

See yesterday’s updates: Hawaii schools closed until April 7, Kauai imposes a curfew, Maui and Honolulu close dine-in.

Updated: 3/19/20, 7:00 p.m.

House Speaker Scott Saiki, calling the response to the pandemic "utterly chaotic," implored Gov. David Ige to shut down the state for 15 days.

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — Multiple road construction projects in Hawaii could start sooner under a $103 million bond measure advanced by a county council committee.

HILO, Hawaii — The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Hawaii County agreed on an $82 million damage assessment to be used to repair roads inundated by lava during a massive volcanic eruption.

KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii County's mayor has made public a $625.9 million budget proposal for the next fiscal year that includes a $7.8 million increase in retirement benefits for county employees.

HILO — The Puna Geothermal Venture power plant is expected to restart operations in the second half of 2020, later than a previous estimate, according to its owner.

HILO — The Solid Waste Advisory Committee in Hawaii has proposed a plan that includes 82 waste management recommendations covering nine programs.

HILO, Hawaii — The mayor of Hawaii County has identified six legislative priorities ahead of a scheduled meeting with all four county mayors to begin the regular legislative session.

HILO — The Hawaii County Council fell one vote short of overriding a mayoral veto of a bill to ban the use of herbicides on county property.

A revised contract between Hawaiian Electric and Puna Geothermal Venture could lower power bills for Big Island residents.

HILO — Puna Geothermal Venture hopes to finish reconstruction of its facility this year after the eruption of a Hawaii volcano shut down its operation, the company said.

HILO — The Hawaii Police Department has gone $3 million over budget primarily because of the necessity of an increased police presence near the site of demonstrations at the Mauna Kea Access Road, an official said.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim has vetoed a measure to ban use of herbicides in county owned and maintained parks and areas along roadways.

KAILUA-KONA — The Hawaii County Council has become the first local government in the state to ban the use of herbicides on public property, officials said.

HILO, Hawaii — The newest homeless shelter on the Big Island has reached near capacity weeks after opening, Hawaii housing officials said.

A power company is seeking public input on a proposed solar array it said will generate enough electricity to power an average of more than 14,200 households, the company said.

A plea deal was offered to protesters arrested on the Big Island during the first week of Mauna Kea demonstrations in July, state authorities said.

HILO — Hawaii County has agreed to pay a $15.1 million settlement to the family of a Michigan man who was hit and killed by a police patrol car, officials said.