From the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

The threat of Tropical Storm Flossie cost taxpayers more than $350,000 in lost worker productivity, and it inconvenienced residents when garbage transfer stations were closed and public bus service suspended, but Mayor Billy Kenoi on Monday afternoon maintained a “better safe than sorry” stance.

Kenoi put all “nonessential” county employees on paid administrative leave for Monday. The nonessential designation covers just about all 2,400 county employees except those in the Police Department and Fire Department and some wastewater workers.

Kenoi defended his decision to make the early call to shut down county services as the island faced the likelihood of the first direct hit from a tropical storm or hurricane in more than 20 years.

Kenoi said when he made the call Sunday afternoon to close services, Flossie was aimed directly at Hawaii Island with winds over 60 mph. The storm veered northward and began a weakening trend later Sunday evening, leaving some Hawaii Island residents on Monday posting skeptical comments on Facebook.

“It was absolutely the best decision to make,” Kenoi said Monday afternoon. “Our decision can’t be made in hindsight, but with the best information we had at the time. … We wanted people off the roads. We wanted people to stay home or in safe, secure areas.” Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Maui Electric responds to storm-related power outages

Winds, rain knock out power for thousands on Gig Isle

Lightning from storm strikes two Maui structures, one person

Chemical marijuana creates dangerous situations on Kauai

Sergeant: Maui speeding operation meets goals

Kauai County offers free bus service

Photo: Mayor Bill Kenoi in 2010. (Hawaii County)

—Chad Blair