Kaua‘i Now poll: What was the top story in 2024?

Kaua‘i has seen a lot of tragedy, controversy and happiness over the past 12 months.

With 2024 coming to a close, Kaua‘i Now is looking back at some of the top stories that this year shaped the Garden Island.

The saga of the once-grand Coco Palms resort continued. A company from the mainland is moving ahead on construction of a new hotel while many in the community battle to stop it from happening.

A report of a threatening letter left for then Kaua‘i County Councilman Billy DeCosta at the Historic County Building resulted in the arrest of Glenn Gruenhagen, who pleaded guilty to terroristic threatening.

Kaua‘i’s iconic Kalalau Trail shut down after a breakout of the norovirus. Some hikers blamed rancid toilet facilities. The entire 11-mile trail, from Kē‘ē to Honopū in the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park, was closed for weeks in September and October. At least 50 hikers were impacted.

The community mourned following a helicopter crash in July that killed pilot Guy Croydon and visitors Amy Nichole Ruark Quintua and James Quintua. Witnesses said a “huge” gust of wind was followed by a very loud “bang” prior to the aircraft crashing.

Kaua‘i was represented on the world stage when long-time Kaua‘i resident Tatiana Weston-Webb competed in surfing for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The 28-year-old won silver at the Paris Olympics while representing her birth country, Brazil.

When Weston-Webb returned home, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami held a ceremony in her honor proclaiming Aug. 14 as Tatiana Weston-Webb Day.

“Obviously, I represent Brazil on the championship tour, but I also represent Kauaʻi,” Weston Webb said in a speech during the ceremony. “I couldn’t be prouder to call Kauaʻi my home.”

Also over the summer, brush fires scorched land in Kapa‘a, Kōke‘e and Kaumakani. Residents were evacuated in the Kaumakani blaze, but fortunately no homes were destroyed. Fires occurred within a few days of each other, burning thousands of acres.

Embattled Kaua‘i Police Chief Todd Raybuck is retiring. The announcement comes after the police commission decided to initiate disciplinary action after the chief reportedly left his gun between the handicapped assist railing and the wall in a police station bathroom. A Kauaʻi police officer found it and turned it in.

At the 61st annual Merrie Monarch Festival, second place overall went to Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leinā’ala, under the direction of Kumu Leinā‘ala Pavao Jardin, from Kalāheo. The hālau also placed in the Miss Aloha Hula competition with Heleolanimaināmakaohāʻena Hailee Jo Yokotake taking third runner-up.

Nurses of Wilcox Medical Center, the largest hospital on Kaua‘i, joined Oʻahu hospital staff during a rally at the Hawai‘i State Capitol in August to demand safe nurse-to-patient ratios.

“We’re all fighting for safe staffing,” said Dianna Rodriguez, a Wilcox nurse and speaker at the rally.

Nurses from major hospitals, including The Queen’s Medical Center and Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women and Children, also participated.

In September, the nurses of Wilcox Medical Center held a candlelight vigil to stand in solidarity with the nurses of Kapi‘olani Medical Center, who were “locked out” following a one-day strike amid contract contention.

In the poll below, let us know what you think was the top story for the Big Island in 2024. If it’s not included in the poll, drop us a comment and let us know your thoughts.