Biden orders tough new vaccination rules for federal workers
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Thursday announced sweeping new pandemic requirements aimed at boosting vaccination rates for millions of federal workers and contractors as he lamented the “American tragedy” of rising-yet-preventable deaths among the unvaccinated.
Largest US quake in half-century causes Alaska little damage
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The largest earthquake in the United States in the last half century produced a lot of shaking but spared Alaska any major damage in a sparsely populated region, officials said Thursday.
Officials in Tokyo alarmed as virus cases hit record highs
TOKYO — Japanese officials sounded the alarm Thursday as Tokyo reported record-breaking coronavirus cases for the third-straight day with the Olympics well underway.
Congress passes bill to fund Capitol security, Afghan visas
WASHINGTON — Congress overwhelmingly passed emergency legislation Thursday that would bolster security at the Capitol, repay outstanding debts from the violent Jan. 6 insurrection and increase the number of visas for allies who worked alongside Americans in the Afghanistan war.
Obituaries for July 30
Mary Louise Danfield, 80, of Hilo died July 18. Born in Grand Island, Neb., she was a registered nurse for Life Care of Hilo. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by daughter, Rebecca Miles of Kapaho; brother, Ron (Polly) Danfield; sisters, Marjorie Travis of Omaha, Valjean Embrey of Yutan, Neb., Betty Werth of Herman, Neb., and Romona Lillich of Atwood, Kan.; two granddaughters; cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
A birthday gift: Israeli woman donates kidney to Gaza boy
ESHHAR, Israel — Idit Harel Segal was turning 50, and she had chosen a gift: She was going to give one of her own kidneys to a stranger.
Israel to offer 3rd COVID booster shot to older citizens
JERUSALEM — Israel’s prime minister on Thursday announced that the country would offer a coronavirus booster to people over 60 who have already been vaccinated.
Female draft debate should reopen the whole issue of involuntary service
A move in Congress to require young women to register for the draft as young men are required to do has riled conservatives like Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. The issue is, for the moment at least, a theoretical one. America hasn’t drafted anyone in half a century, relying entirely on a volunteer military since 1973.
Dems failing to engage young people
Acouple of months ago, I wrote an op-ed for The Progressive magazine about why President Joe Biden needs to build a bridge with young Americans. The nationally syndicated piece drew hundreds of responses from strangers agreeing with my sentiments. But I heard nothing from the one place that mattered most: the White House.
Your Views for July 30
Poor planning
Hmong Americans rejoice in gold
TOKYO — For years, gymnast Sunisa Lee wasn’t training just for herself.
Beach buddies: U.S. faring fine after late swap of players from Hawaii
TOKYO — Americans Jake Gibb and Tri Bourne got thrown together so quickly on the eve of the Tokyo Games they didn’t even have time to figure out the traditional post-point high-five that all beach volleyball teams do, with varying degrees of choreography.
3 reasons CDC’s new mask guidance makes sense
Just two months after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was generally safe for those vaccinated against COVID-19 to drop their masks, the agency switched course and now recommends that even the inoculated wear face coverings indoors in areas where the highly transmissible delta variant is spreading rapidly.
As planet burns, billionaires soar
While record-breaking wildfires burned across the Western United States, Amazon executive chairman and billionaire Jeff Bezos stepped out of his space capsule to a crowd of cheering fans. His company Blue Origin’s first launch into space was a success.
Your Views for July 29
Regarding Azevedo
Dry conditions prompt road closures in HVNP
In an effort to prevent wildfires, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has closed parts of Mauna Loa and Hilina Pali roads to motorized vehicles until further notice.
Obituaries for July 29
Irene Hanako Dong, 87, of Kailua-Kona died July 22 at home. Born in Isleton, Calif., she was an auditor for the state of California, member of Grace Community Church and survivor of Tule Lake Japanese Internment Camp in California. Celebration of life 11 a.m. Saturday, August 14, at Grace Community Church in Kailua-Kona. Face masks and social distancing required. Survived by sons, Mark (Jane) Dong of Sacramento, Calif., and Gordon (Kim) Dong of Kailua-Kona; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
That a boy!: K-9 officer Echo retiring after 8 years of service
After eight years of dedicated service, a West Hawaii K-9 officer is retiring to a dog’s life.
Police camera videos of teen’s fatal shooting aired in court
HONOLULU — Portions of Honolulu police body camera videos were shown in court Wednesday during a hearing to determine whether there is probable cause to support murder and attempted murder charges against three officers in the shooting death of a 16-year-old Micronesian boy.
‘This is not a joke’: Puna man recounts long battle against COVID-19
After 49 days in the hospital, Frederick Tibayan was released from Hilo Medical Center on Wednesday after a nearly fatal bout with COVID-19.
HTA head: In wake of funding cut, other agencies will need to assist with tourism management
Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO John De Fries said during a livestream Wednesday that HTA, which had its budget reduced by about 24% as a result of a bill passed this summer, will have to rely on other state and county agencies to help control a growing number of visitors.
PGV opponents appeal dismissal of lawsuits seeking environmental review
Appeals were filed late last month in a trio of lawsuits that requested an updated environmental review be completed for Puna Geothermal Venture, which was damaged by lava in 2018.
‘History’ on display again: Hawaii Plantation Museum reopens
The Hawaii Plantation Museum has reopened to visitors after closing last year at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New CDC guidelines set off rush to reimpose mask mandates
New guidance from the federal government set off a cascade of mask rules across the nation Wednesday as cities, states, schools and businesses raced to restore mandates and others pushed back against the guidelines at a time when Americans are exhausted and confused over constantly shifting pandemic measures.
County’s Environmental Management Commission mulls garbage user fees
Would you be willing to pay a few extra cents — or a few extra dollars — toward disposing of the products you purchase and the packaging they come in?
