Trial starts for marijuana activist

A 62-year-old Mountain View man authorities say ran an unlicensed medical marijuana dispensary told potential jurors Wednesday he is being prosecuted for providing sick people with an “uninterrupted supply” of medical-grade cannabis for “compassionate use” — something he said the state failed to do when it passed a medical cannabis law in 2000.

UH regents unveil Maunakea resolution

A new resolution proposed by members of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents would establish deadlines for the decommissioning of several Maunakea telescopes and set groundwork for future educational programs on the mountain.

Too many unanswered questions about vaping

One needn’t be an anti-smoking or anti-weed zealot to be concerned about the apparent dangers of vaping electronic cigarette cartridges that have been illicitly modified to deliver THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

Obituaries for October 17

James Edward Farias, 80, of Hilo died Oct. 15 at Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua in Honokaa. Born in Pepeekeo, he was a land surveyor and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mass at 10:30 a.m. Casual attire. Burial to follow at Homelani Memorial Park. Survived by sisters, Flora Temporal of Hilo and Rose M. (Felipe) Resurrecion of Volcano; brother, Joseph (Alice) Farias of Hilo; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Trump dismisses Syria concerns; Dems walk out of WH meeting

WASHINGTON — Washing his hands of Syria, President Donald Trump declared Wednesday the U.S. has no stake in defending the Kurdish fighters who died by the thousands as America’s partners against IS extremists. Hours later, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other top Democrats walked out of a meeting at the White House, accusing him of having a “meltdown,” calling her a “third-grade politician” and having no plan to deal with a potentially revived Islamic State.