Hawaii County News

HILO, Hawaii -- A company that's delinquent on its landfill tipping fees is one of four companies that recently won trash-hauling contracts with Hawaii County.

Andrew Walden at Canada Free Press writes: Bermuda and Palau may not be the only beautiful tropical islands to host illegal Islamist combatants being released from US custody at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station.

KONA>> The Hawaii County Council chose two freshmen members to lead powerful committees and ousted a veteran policy-maker from the vice chairman's position in a move widely viewed as shifting the balance of power from the west side of the Big Island to the Hilo side.

HILO - Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi yesterday signed into law a bill that mandates use of a hands-free cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

Bermuda and Palau may not be the only beautiful tropical islands to host illegal Islamist combatants being released from US custody at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station.

Councilman Kelly Greenwell of North Kona made the proposal in a letter to the Hawaii-born president.

HILO - A 14-month-old law banning tobacco use at all Hawaii County parks has gone largely unenforced because there are none or too few signs informing people of the prohibition.

Ira Rohter talked about sustainability, eco-tourism and other 'green' concepts decades before others began doing so in Hawaii.

Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira says the spending is justified even during the current economic downturn because the new helicopter will save money in the long run.

The Big Island's biggest attraction is also a health concern for Hawaii residents.

Big Island police are investigating the apparent assault of a 6-month-old boy with internal injuries.

Firefighters rescued an elderly person from a burning home in Pahoa yesterday, according to a Hawaii County Fire Department news release.

Keeping a child indoors during recess is normally reserved for students who misbehave.

A Big Island woman sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2008 for a drunk-driving accident that killed a woman has been granted probation after serving less than 18 months.

But if you're a politician from Honolulu, he's the man who can help you. Yokoyama, director of the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, is the go-to guy in Hilo.

A company seeking to fire up a wood-burning energy plant on the Big Island is facing community opposition as it works to address government requirements.

A 25-year-old Big Island man was killed last night in Kona after apparently losing control of his motorcycle.

KONA>> Hawaii County officials and consultants have unveiled the preferred design for Old Kona Airport Park.

Firefighters pulled a 31-year-old man from a private swimming pool in Manoa yesterday evening.

Takase is deputy corporation counsel for the county. The county, which was notified of the discrepancy by West Hawaii Today, calls it an "error." An 18-unit building was competed on the property last year, but it retained a residential vacant lot classification into the new 2009-10 tax year.