Big Island Times News

Senators urge Biden to reassess disaster recovery funding request

By Big Island Times | May 14, 2024

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has joined forces with 11 of her Senate colleagues from disaster-impacted states to urge President Biden to reassess and resubmit his request for supplemental disaster funding. The appeal, led by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), was also endorsed by Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

Kauaʻi Self-Help Center Attorney Training equips attorneys for statewide initiative

By Big Island Times | May 14, 2024

On May 14, 2024, more than 20 attorneys participated in the Kauaʻi Self-Help Center Attorney Training. This event, which provided continuing legal education, was designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to contribute to the statewide initiative aimed at enhancing access to justice for Hawaiʻi residents requiring assistance with civil legal matters.

Kids to Parks Day' event celebrates outdoor lifestyle

By Big Island Times | May 14, 2024

On May 14, 2024, families gathered for a day of fun at the 'Kids to Parks Day' event. The day was filled with various activities such as hula hoop contests, a design-your-own-kite activity, nursery tours, and many other environmental education activities provided by a dozen community partner organizations.

DOH approves reopening of Redfish Poke by Foodland after safety violations

By Big Island Times | May 13, 2024

The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch has given Redfish Poke by Foodland the green light to reopen its doors. This decision comes after a follow-up inspection on May 13, 2024, confirmed that all critical food safety violations had been rectified.

New curator chosen for Hawai'i's Royal Mausoleum, Mauna 'Ala

By Big Island Times | May 13, 2024

Mauna ‘Ala, known as the fragrant hills, is the Royal Mausoleum established in 1865. It serves as the final resting place for the ruling monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i and is a revered state monument and culturally significant wahi pana. The remains of the Kamehameha and Kalākaua Dynasties, their families, and close advisors are entombed here.

Senate Democrats respond to new GOP legislation on data collection from pregnant women

By Big Island Times | May 13, 2024

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) in issuing a statement in response to new legislation introduced by Senate Republicans. The proposed legislation aims to establish a government-run website, pregnancy.gov, which would collect data on pregnant women and direct them towards anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers and other...

Hawai'i DOH approves reopening of Redfish Poke by Foodland

By Big Island Times | May 13, 2024

On May 13, 2024, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch gave Redfish Poke by Foodland a green placard and approved its reopening. This decision came after a follow-up inspection found that all critical food safety violations had been corrected. The establishment, located at 2375 Ala Wai Blvd., had previously received a red placard on May 10, 2024, leading to its immediate closure. However, a subsequent inspection conducted on May 13, 2024 revealed that all violations had been resolved.

New Tenant Screening Fee Regulations Implemented in Hawaii Since May 2024

By Big Island Times | May 13, 2024

As of May 1, 2024, a new law governing tenant screening fees was implemented to protect renters and promote transparency in the rental application process. The law, enacted as Act 200 (SLH 2023) and codified in Hawai‘i Revised Statutes § 521-46, restricts landlords from charging an applicant for a residential dwelling unit a tenant screening fee that exceeds the actual cost to obtain information about the applicant.

Senators urge preservation of Virginia Class submarine program

By Big Island Times | May 13, 2024

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, along with fourteen bipartisan members of the Senate, have sent a letter to the leadership of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. The letter urges them to maintain the procurement cadence of two Virginia Class submarines per year in order to preserve undersea supremacy and prevent destabilization of the industrial base.

Founder of Prince Dance Company: new performance will ‘explore our relationship with time’

By Big Island Times | May 10, 2024

Angel Prince, the founder of Prince Dance Company, announced that the studio's upcoming performance, 'ON TIME,' set to commence in May, will "explore our relationship with time." This statement was made in a press release on May 7.

Hirono secures key priorities for Hawaii in Senate Agriculture Committee's Farm Bill

By Big Island Times | May 10, 2024

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has successfully incorporated several key priorities for Hawaii in the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024, a multi-year Farm Bill proposal recently released by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).