Bridges need repair, homeless find loophole, Legislature looks into stimulus, more top news

More of Hawaii's bridges are in need of modernization than bridges in most other states, according to an annual survey of state and county bridges by Better Roads magazine.

Leaders of Hawai'i's Neighbor Island counties say they'll manage to get through the fiscal year without budget deficits, but next year could bring employee furloughs and property tax increases.

Homeless camping in Kapiolani Park in the heart of the Waikiki tourist district is a problem the city can't make go away.

A joint panel of the state Legislature will examine the use of federal economic stimulus money in the state departments of health and human services.

For the second time in less than three weeks, a Honolulu police officer has fired multiple shots at a vehicle.

A probable cause hearing on a Hilo contractor's lien application against the state's biggest Burger King franchisee has been delayed.

Maui County is in the process of reaching settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Health over alleged violations at the county's landfills from more than three years ago.

A trio of experts on the workings of local government say while the existing “strong mayor” system has its faults, those problems can be addressed through elections, downplaying the need for a proposed switch to a council-county manager system.

The holidays and the birth of a new year give us the opportunity to count our Hawaiian blessings. Where else in the U.S. but in the makai areas of Hawaii can a person harvest pineapples, citrus, mangoes, papayas, bananas and avocados throughout the year and in the mauka areas, enjoy apples, plums, strawberries and peaches?