Christie Wilson
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Past articles by Christie:
Board of Land and Natural Resources repeals permit rules for Waikiki surf instructors, others
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted Thursday to repeal administrative rules requiring surf instructors, outrigger canoe captains and other people who operate commercially in Waikiki waters to obtain a state permit certifying their qualifications, despite objections from some longtime operators who said it would threaten the traditions and legacy of the Waikiki beachboys. → Read More
Maui to allow homeless to sleep in cars at county lot
Maui County is launching a one-year pilot program to allow residents who sleep in their vehicles to park overnight in a designated county-owned lot. → Read More
Preview: Chick-fil-A ready to open first Hawaii restaurant on Maui
Fast-food aficionados on Maui are eagerly awaiting Thursday’s opening of Hawaii’s first Chick-fil-A restaurant. → Read More
Job openings are plentiful at Oahu summer programs for children
Despite competitive wages and a promise of “awesome, fun-filled opportunities,” the pandemic-era labor shortage has extended to two of Oahu’s largest summer programs for kids. → Read More
Weddings in Hawaii rebounding after COVID slowdown
After putting off plans for a 2020 wedding as COVID-19 raged across the country, former Hawaii residents Rhonda Aoki, 32, and Jason Tran, 33, rescheduled their nuptials for this year and sent “save the date” cards to family and friends for Jan. 29 at the Waialae Country Club. → Read More
Waikiki Friday night fireworks’ return on Land Board agenda
Friday night fireworks off the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort might soon return in what could be seen as another sign of recovery from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. → Read More
Census data shows population decline on Oahu, Maui; growth on Kauai, Big Isle
Oahu lost 12,337 residents from July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released today, continuing a trend that was hurried along by the COVID-19 pandemic. → Read More
Delay expected for national park air tour plans in Hawaii
Proposals to cap tour flights over Hawai‘i Volcanoes and Haleakala national parks — or ban them altogether — are among the options being considered as two federal agencies work to draft mandated air tour management plans that are more than 20 years overdue. → Read More
New rules for medical cannabis broaden Hawaii’s edible menu
The previously limited menu of edible products at Hawaii’s medical cannabis dispensaries has been expanded under new Department of Health rules allowing the sale of gummies, chocolates, beverages, brownies, cookies and other items. → Read More
Hawaii’s effort to lower the impaired driving limit is bolstered by a federal report
A new federal study on the effects of lowering the legal limit for impaired driving in Utah could provide a substantial push for legislative efforts in Hawaii to follow suit. → Read More
Close encounter: A look at shark bites in Hawaii
Seven weeks after coming face to face — literally — with what he described as a great white shark while surfing off Kailua-Kona, Jared Willeford recently returned to the water at the surf spot known as Banyans. → Read More
Interest is high now that electric guns are legal to buy and carry in Hawaii
The sale and possession of electronic guns became legal in Hawaii on Jan. 1, but it will be at least several weeks before they are available to the public. → Read More
‘Brother’ Joseph Dutton garners support for possible sainthood
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has voted to support possible sainthood for “Brother” Joseph Dutton, who converted to Catholicism on his 40th birthday in 1883 and worked at the Hansen’s disease settlement at Kalaupapa for almost 45 years as penance for what he called his “degenerate decade” of hard drinking. → Read More
Proposed airport hotel on Maui awaiting word on moratorium
KAHULUI >> A newly released draft environmental review of a proposed $54 million, 200-room hotel adjacent to Kahului Airport that would cater to business travelers anticipates few negative impacts but comes amid impassioned debate on Maui about over- tourism. → Read More
Sears to complete exit of Hawaii department stores when Maui location closes today
KAHULUI, Maui >> A rack of men’s slacks, a couple dozen pairs of shoes, electrical cords for assorted appliances and six pairs of women’s underwear — all at 95% discounted prices — were pretty much all that was left for customers to pick over Saturday as Sears at the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center prepared to end its nearly 50-year run at the Kahului mall. → Read More
Hawaii flu-pneumonia report includes ‘hundreds’ of COVID-19 fatalities
The state Department of Health said Wednesday that “hundreds” of the more than 850 deaths counted in its influenza and respiratory disease surveillance report for the just-ended 2020-2021 flu season were casualties of COVID-19. → Read More
Flu, pneumonia deaths in Hawaii over past 12 months exceed all local COVID-19 fatalities
As COVID-19 continues to dictate public life and government policy in Hawaii, influenza and pneumonia have quietly killed at least 859 people over the past 12 months, exceeding the coronavirus death toll for the entire pandemic. → Read More
Blood bank reports critical shortage in all blood types
Fear of the COVID-19 delta variant and other factors have led to a critical shortage at the Blood Bank of Hawaii, which reports it has less than a day’s supply of the blood types most in demand. → Read More
Lava-damaged restoration projects set to begin in Puna
Projects to restore infrastructure damaged in the 2018 Kilauea eruption in Lower Puna are moving ahead, with environmental assessments scheduled to start for work on Highway 137 and Pohoiki Road, including potential restoration of water to Isaac Hale Beach Park, according to Hawaii County officials. → Read More
Maui Mayor Victorino considers allowing parents at sporting events
With Maui County’s rolling average of COVID-19 cases close to half of what it was in recent weeks, Mayor Michael Victorino said today he is considering loosening some of the emergency rules he imposed Sept. 15 as soon as next week. → Read More