Civil Engineer 3

The Kaua'i Bus announces new payment methods. Riders can now tap a Discover or Diners Club International contactless payment card, joining the other payment methods through the bus Open Payments system and giving the public even more convenient ways to simply tap and ride. August 13, 2026 · 4:00 AM PDT The Kaua[[ʻ]]i Bus announces a new way riders can pay fares. Riders can now tap a Discover or Diners Club International contactless payment card, joining Visa and Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay and prepaid Cash App Cards, all of which were already supported through The Kaua[[ʻ]]i Bus Open Payments system. The addition gives Kaua[[ʻ]]i residents and visitors even more convenient ways to simply tap and ride, with no cash, passes or advance planning required. It also continues the phased rollout of modern fare payment technology, which began in January 2025 with mobile ticketing, followed by account-based ticketing with the May 2025 launch of the Holomua smartcard and Open Payments in October 2025. The addition of Discover and Diners Club International further demonstrates the agency's commitment to giving riders greater choice and flexibility in how they pay their fares. Open Payments also supports riders who might not have access to a traditional bank card, including unbanked and underbanked residents, through the use of prepaid Cash App debit cards. Riders who prefer to pay with cash can load funds onto their bus account at select retail locations or obtain a Holomua smartcard at The Kaua[[ʻ]]i Bus office. Fare capping continues to apply regardless of which card or digital wallet a rider uses, helping ensure riders always receive the best available fare. "We're always looking for new ways to make riding The Kaua[[ʻ]]i Bus easier and more convenient for everyone, whether you're commuting to work or exploring the island," said Kaua[[ʻ]]i County Executive on Transportation Celia Mahikoa in a county release. Contact The Kaua'i Bus at 808-246-8110 or via email at [email protected] for additional information.

Kauai deploys detection dogs to combat invasive beetles. LIHUE (HawaiiNewsNow) - Four newly certified detection dogs have joined Kauai's efforts to manage coconut rhinoceros beetles. The Office of Economic Development announced Friday that Kauai's CRB response team has been strengthened by a specialized conservation dog training project. The dogs were trained to identify the smell of CRB breeding sites, which helps teams confirm the presence of active breeding grounds. Early detection is critical to slowing the spread of CRB and reducing damage to vulnerable plants and crops. Kauai's CRB response team partnered with Conservation Dogs of Hawaii to protect the island's palms, hala, kalo, banana, pineapple, ulu, and more. They are accepting CRB survey requests from residents, businesses, and property managers, who suspect there may be CRB breeding activity on their properties. "Early detection is one of the most effective tools we have to slow the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle," said Nalani Brun, Director of the Office of Economic Development. "Having four locally based, certified detection dog teams ready to deploy strengthens Kauai's ability to confirm CRB breeding sites and better understand where management actions may be needed," Brun said. The effort was funded by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the County of Kauai Office of Economic Development. For more information, contact Niki Kunioka-Volz at (808) 241-4951 or [email protected].