Lihue

Kauai: Out-of-state buyers drove up housing prices in 2021

January 3, 2022 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — An influx of out-of-state homebuyers and renters pushed up housing prices on the Hawaiian island of Kauai last year, officials said.

Mongoose caught on Kauai where invasive pest not established

December 29, 2021 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii agriculture officials are concerned after a live mongoose was caught on Kauai, an island that doesn't have an established population of the invasive pest that threatens native birds.

Kauai to use old irrigation system to store electric power

November 12, 2021 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — Kauai’s electric utility plans to use an irrigation system dating to sugar plantation days to help store solar power for use at night.

Travelers arrested in Hawaii for fake COVID test results

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHEROctober 1, 2021 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii authorities arrested two people from California for submitting fake COVID-19 test results to avoid a mandatory traveler quarantine meant to curb the virus' spread in the islands.

Kauai to change COVID reopening plan to handle delta variant

September 24, 2021 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — The island of Kauai is planning to revise its coronavirus restriction structure as the delta variant continues to impact the county.

Kauai council passes hotel room tax; mayor expected to sign

September 16, 2021 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — The Kauai County Council has passed a bill adding a 3% surcharge to the state's hotel tax after the state stopped sharing revenue from the tax with the counties.

Mayor Derek Kawakami plans to sign the legislation, said Sarah Blane, his chief of staff.

Work continues to keep Kauai seabirds off power lines

July 26, 2021 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — Kauai utility officials are installing glow-in-the-dark devices to prevent endangered nocturnal seabirds from crashing into power lines.

The diverters help Newell’s shearwater, Hawaiian petrel and band-rumped storm petrel avoid power lines after dark.

Kauai launches website to help visitors find transportation

July 21, 2021 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — Officials on Kauai have a created a website to help tourists find transportation options as the island experiences a shortage of rental cars.

Historic resort in ‘Blue Hawaii’ to be auctioned this month

July 2, 2021 GMT

WAILUA, Hawaii (AP) — The historic resort where Elvis Presley’s character got married in the 1961 film “Blue Hawaii" will go up for auction at a foreclosure sale on Kauai this month.

The Garden Island newspaper reported the abandoned Coco Palms Resort will be auctioned July 26 on the steps of the Fifth Circuit Courthouse in Lihue.

Kauai considers charging tourists to park at crowded beaches

June 28, 2021 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — Officials want to study parking lots at crowded beach parks on the Hawaiian island of Kauai and explore the possibility of imposing fees on tourists' vehicles.

Kauai has allocated $30,000 of the county's federal coronavirus relief money to study parking at Poipu, Lydgate and Hanalei's Black Pot beach parks, The Garden Island reported Monday.

Hawaii police search for missing Nebraska man suspended

June 17, 2021 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — Police in Hawaii have suspended searches for a Nebraska man whose family reported him missing after he failed to return home from a hiking and camping trip.

Samuel Joseph Martinez, 23, was studying microbiology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln before he flew to the Hawaiian island of Kauai on May 12 with plans to spend nearly two weeks hiking and camping.

Kauai police chief suspended without pay for mocking Asians

April 17, 2021 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — The police commission on the Hawaii island of Kauai has suspended the police chief without pay for five days for making discriminatory comments after an investigation found he mocked people of Asian descent...

Sheltered from virus, Kauai plans cautious return to tourism

By CALEB JONESMarch 18, 2021 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — As the coronavirus ravaged other parts of the U.S., residents of this rural Pacific island watched safely from afar...

Hundreds rally on Kauai to call for tourism reopening

February 19, 2021 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — More than 200 people gathered on Kauai to show support for reopening tourism on the island amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The group outside Vidinha Stadium Wednesday primarily consisted of business owners, The Garden Island reported.

Police: Couple flew to Hawaii despite positive virus tests

By CALEB JONESDecember 4, 2020 GMT

HONOLULU (AP) — A couple were arrested at a Hawaii airport after traveling from the U.S. mainland despite knowing they were infected with COVID-19, authorities said...

Kauai conducts invasive species control amid pandemic

July 18, 2020 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — The Kauai Invasive Species Committee and other groups have conducted early detection, rapid response and control work this year on dozens of invasive plant and animal species as other activities and business operations have been restricted during the coronavirus pandemic...

Hawaii helicopter crash pilot lost license for 2010 drug use

February 7, 2020 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — A pilot who was flying a sightseeing helicopter that crashed in Hawaii in December had his license revoked for marijuana use in 2010...

No-contest plea in machete attack: ‘He owes me choke ahi’

May 12, 2019 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — A Kauai man pleaded no contest after telling police he was under the influence of a hallucinogenic when he used a machete to wreak havoc on his former boss' home because of a fish dispute...

Alabama man fined for touching endangered Hawaiian monk seal

August 26, 2018 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — An Alabama man was fined $1,500 for touching a Hawaiian monk seal as well as harassing a sea turtle on Kauai, and then posting the videos on social media.

Activists ignore vacate order, occupy Coco Palms resort land

January 30, 2018 GMT

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — Despite a judge's order to vacate, a group of activists remained on the land where Kauai's Coco Palms resort resides.

The activists, who claim to be descendants of Kauai's last king, said they have documents giving them the rights to the land.

KPD honors Bobby Thompson

The Garden IslandNovember 6, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — The Kauai Police Department recognized School Resource Officer Bobby Thompson as the Employee of the Month during October’s Police Commission meeting at the Piikoi Building.

The Administrative and Technical Bureau honored Thompson for his outstanding investigative work and prompt action that led to the arrest of three male adults and the detainment of three male juvenile suspects in a criminal property damage and burglary incident at Waimea High School.

Energy project moves forward

The Garden IslandNovember 4, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — Kauai Island Utility Cooperative’s renewable energy project is taking another step forward, as KIUC has issued a request for qualifications for services and equipment supplies for the Pu‘u Opae Energy Project.

Messages for the president

John Steinhorst - The Garden IslandNovember 3, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — The head of the nation is visiting the Aloha State today.

President Donald Trump will be arriving on Oahu on his way to meet with military authorities in Hawaii, as well as government officials across Asia.

Who’s your Daddy O’s

John Steinhorst - The Garden IslandNovember 3, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — This man knows how to fly a helicopter, bowl a perfect game and catch a one-ton marlin.

Harry Shigekane does nearly everything, including feeding the community as a skilled chef.

As owner of Daddy O’s Restaurant, Shigekane, along with his wife Carole, takes pride in quality cuisine and exceptional service.

Island Calendar for Friday, November 3, 2017

Staff WriterNovember 3, 2017 GMT

Friday, Nov. 3

• Nordic Walking for Seniors, Lihue: 8:30 to 10 a.m. Lihue Neighborhood Center. Walking sticks for class are provided. No cost for seniors (55 up). 822-4599, esti@bobstropicals.com

Ragasa’s sex assault convictions affirmed by Appeals Court

The Garden IslandOctober 31, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — On Monday, the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals filed a Summary Disposition Order affirming the convictions of Larry Cass Ragasa on two counts of sexual assault in thef first degree, both class A felonies, and one count of sexual assault in the fourth degree, a misdemeanor.

Bots battle it out at Kukui Grove

Dennis Fujimoto - The Garden IslandOctober 30, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — The workspace provided by the Kauai Robotics Alliance at the Kukui Grove Center was bristling with activity Saturday as teams worked on robots for a trial tournament.

Outside, volunteers passed out treats to the horde of passing trick-or-treaters during the Halloween Festival.

Prosecutor gets $250K in federal funds

Staff WriterOctober 30, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — Nearly $250,000 in federal grant funds were awarded to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney to continue funding its Drug Nuisance Abatement Unit and Sex Assault Prosecution Unit.

“We are very grateful to our federal and state partners, especially Attorney General Doug Chin and his team, for supporting our efforts to fight sexual abuse and close down drug houses on Kauai,” said Prosecuting Attorney Justin F.

$53K raised for Aloha Relief for Harvey Fund

The Garden IslandOctober 29, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — First Hawaiian Bank announced Friday that their Aloha Relief for Harvey Fund has raised $53,627.

The bank established the Fund to assist the American Red Cross in their efforts to help the thousands of residents who were devastated by Hurricane Harvey on Aug.

Fact and fiction

Dennis Fujimoto - The Garden IslandOctober 13, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — Warren Palmeira of Wailua said he couldn’t find things like algebra back in 1974.

“My granddaughter has algebra at Kapaa High School, and she’s always asking me about it,” Palmeira said while thumbing through titles on the free table outside the Friends of the Lihue Public Library fall used book sale.

Obituaries for Friday, October 13, 2017

Staff WriterOctober 13, 2017 GMT

Anthony Sires Texeira

Anthony Sires Texeira of Kapaa passed away in Garden Isle Health Care on Sept. 30, 2017, at the age of 84. He was born in Lihue on Dec. 31, 1932; a Veteran of the United States Army he retired from Lihue Sugar Plantation as a Haul Cane Truck Driver after 44 years.

2-mile long lei heading to Vegas

John Steinhorst - The Garden IslandOctober 12, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — After thousands of hours by hundreds of volunteers, the Lei of Aloha for Las Vegas is nearly done.

The two-mile-long, ti-leaf lei of love will soon be delivered to the people of Las Vegas after the recent tragedy which killed 59 people in the city.

Kauai woman loses California home

Jessica Else - The Garden IslandOctober 12, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — Century-old photos and memories of a life before moving to Kauai went up in flames on Sunday, and Marlene Blair can’t do anything about it right now.

It was all harbored in her Santa Rosa house, which the Lihue resident bought in 1972, one of the many that burned down Sunday night in the Tubbs Fire.

Happy Camper for Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Dennis Fujimoto - The Garden IslandOctober 11, 2017 GMT

Kudos to the Lihue Christian Church (the line waiting for doors to open went around the social hall and toward the church!) on a successful bazaar Saturday! Pastor Malcolm Carr had his daughter Olwyen secure in a harness (works better than a tether, he said) — until she saw her friend Avery Domingsel.

Obituaries for Wednesday, October 11, 2017

The Garden IslandOctober 11, 2017 GMT

Delia Valentin

Delia Valentin of Kapaa died Sept. 21, 2017, at the age of 63. She was born in Honolulu on Oct. 30, 1953, and was an actress.

She is survived by husband Morgan Liddell, son Marqus, mother Lucia and brother Adelino Jr.

State OKs fourth cannabis dispensary

The Garden IslandOctober 11, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — The state Department of Health has issued a formal notice to proceed to Manoa Botanicals LLC, dba Noa Botanicals, after the dispensary completed laboratory testing requirements and passed its final onsite inspection.

Raider boys clinch bowling title

Dennis Fujimoto - The Garden IslandOctober 9, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — The Kauai High School boys bowling team soared to a 2,523 pinfall (838, 853, 832) over the challenge of Waimea boys, who tied the Raiders twice over the past five weeks.

The high score pushed the Red Raider boys to the Kauai Interscholastic Federation title, followed by the Menehune, who finished with a 2,158 pinfall (733, 714, 711).

Obituaries for Monday, October 9, 2017

The Garden IslandOctober 9, 2017 GMT

Anthony Sires Texeira

Anthony Sires Texeira of Kapaa passed away in Garden Isle Health Care on Sept. 30, 2017, at the age of 84. He was born in Lihue on Dec. 31, 1932, was a veteran of the U.S.

Obituaries for Sunday, October 8, 2017

The Garden IslandOctober 8, 2017 GMT

Delia Valentin

Delia Valentin of Kapaa died Sept. 21, 2017, at the age of 63. She was born in Honolulu on Oct. 30, 1953, and was an actress.

She is survived by husband Morgan Liddell, son Marqus, mother Lucia and brother Adelino Jr.

Happy Camper for Friday, October 6, 2017

Dennis Fujimoto - The Garden IslandOctober 6, 2017 GMT

Joy Miura Koerte said the Lihue Christian Church bazaar is Saturday from 9 to (the lines to get in start well ahead of that) 11 a.m. at the church’s social hall on Kress Street with baked goods, sushi, nishime, produce, local-style crafts, quilts, and more.

More room at the Walk

Dennis Fujimoto - The Garden IslandOctober 6, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — There are people registered for the 10th Annual Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk, Saturday, but there is room for more people, said Jack Hodges, the Walk leader of the Kauai photowalk which takes place at the Kilohana Plantation from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m.

Island Calendar for Friday, October 6, 2017

Staff WriterOctober 6, 2017 GMT

Friday, Oct. 6

• Mahelona Hospital’s Fifth annual Breast Cancer Walk: 9:30 a.m. Ke Ala Hele Makalae, behind the Kapaa Neighorhood Center. Refreshments, roses, entertainment.

World Teachers’ Day

John Steinhorst - The Garden IslandOctober 5, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — Teacher Kevin Matsunaga believes student learning should continue after class is over.

“We feel like learning doesn’t have to end at 2 p.m.,” the media productions teacher at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School said.

Keiki look to shape future

John Steinhorst - The Garden IslandOctober 5, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — Of the more than 100 people that attended the Kauai County Council’s General Plan Update hearing Wednesday, it was the voices of Kauai’s youth that echoed throughout the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.

Fresh food for the keiki

Jessica Else - The Garden IslandOctober 3, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — Locally grown foods are popping up in school cafeterias across the state as farm-to-school programs start taking hold, and this month there’s a chance to help at Kauai’s school gardens.

Three workdays have been scheduled around the island in celebration of National Farm-To-School Month: At the Malama Kauai Youth Garden in Kalihiwai, Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha Public Charter School, and Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School.

‘Too Much Life’

The Garden IslandSeptember 22, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — The feature film “Too Much Life,” which is in development, has received over half of its funding from Kauai backers.

Kauai Made Films is still seeking $47,000 to complete funding by their Oct.

Exceeding standards

John Steinhorst - The Garden IslandSeptember 22, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — Two Kauai high schools showed the highest growth in English Language Arts/Literacy in the recenty released 2016-2017 Strive HI Performance System results

“I must thank the teachers, support staff, administrators, families, business and community partners from all Kauai schools for contributing to the success and improvement in teaching and learning,” said Bill Arakaki, Kauai Complex Area superintendent.

Hanalei woman indicted in meth case

The Garden IslandSeptember 18, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — Prosecuting Attorney Justin F. Kollar said Friday that Aquila Ecolono, aka Aquila Say, 42, of Hanalei, was indicted on Sept. 13 by a Fifth Circuit Grand Jury for six charges associated with an October 2016 incident.

Some say Draft General Plan doesn’t do enough

John Steinhorst - The Garden IslandSeptember 7, 2017 GMT

LIHUE — The 287-page county document created to plan for Kauai’s future has some residents fearful of what’s ahead.

The first hearing of the Draft General Plan by the County Council went for nearly five hours Wednesday at the Historic County Building.

Rapozo to run for mayor

The Garden IslandAugust 12, 2017 GMT

LIHUE – Kauai County Council Chairman Mel Rapozo announced today his bid for the office of Mayor of Kauai, kicking off the campaign season for the 2018 election for the island’s top job.

Rapozo made his announcement at the Kauai Museum alongside his wife Patsy and with more than 70 family, friends and supporters present.