‘Christmas Cabaret’ in Hilo starting tonight
The Hilo Community Players is bringing the sounds of the holidays to Hilo with its annual “Christmas Cabaret.”
Waimea Middle School cancels classes Friday amid nationwide threat of school shootings
Waimea Middle School has decided to cancel school on Friday as a precautionary measure due to a nationwide social media rumor that school shootings will take place on Dec. 17.
US faces a double coronavirus surge as omicron advances
The new omicron coronavirus mutant speeding around the world may bring another wave of chaos, threatening to further stretch hospital workers already struggling with a surge of delta cases and upend holiday plans for the second year in a row.
Honolulu latest county to adopt a hotel tax
HONOLULU — Honolulu has become the latest Hawaii county to adopt its own hotel tax after Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed legislation adding a 3% surcharge to the state’s levy on short-term rentals.
Fed report details fatal Kauai helicopter crash in 2019
HONOLULU — The National Transportation Safety Board released an investigation report Wednesday on a fatal Hawaii tour helicopter crash that killed seven people.
What insurrection? Trump team was frantic on Jan. 6
Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows joined Fox News host Sean Hannity Monday in denouncing the House select committee investigation of the Jan. 6 insurrection, with Hannity repeatedly calling it a “sham” and Meadows insisting the bipartisan probe is all about “going after” former President Donald Trump. Despite all of Meadows’ denials and avoidance tactics, he’s right on that point: It is about Trump. It’s about the president’s overt efforts to foment insurrection and his refusal, for 3 hours and 7 minutes, to tell the rioters to stand down.
Require vaccination for air travel in US
The United States is closing in on a heartbreaking COVID-19 milestone. Nearly 800,000 American lives have been lost in the pandemic.
Your Views for December 16
Puna crime
Obituaries for December 16
Elena Olarte Cobile, 85, of Hilo died Dec. 5 at home. Born in Hinundayan, Southern Leyte, Philippines, she was a retired accounts clerk for Hilo Medical Center, member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Hilo Visayan Club. Visitation 8-9:30 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 22) at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Alae Cemetery. Casual attire; face masks and social distancing required. Survived by sons, Eric (Tracy) Cobile of Vancouver, Wash., Douglas (Leisley) Cobile, Chuck (Robyn) Cobile and Raymond Cobile of Hilo; six grandsons; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Police: Man admitted to killing
By JOHN BURNETT
One year later, ‘vaccines are truly life-savers’
The state Department of Health on Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 vaccinations in the islands.
‘Home for the HiloDays’ at the Palace this weekend
“Home for the HiloDays” is back this year with in-person and virtual options available for the three days of holiday performances this weekend.
Hilo man sentenced to 20 years for ‘unfathomable’ crimes against a minor
A 45-year-old Hilo man was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison for the repeated sexual assault of a minor between September 2011 and October 2017.
Man, 21, guilty of sexual assault
A 21-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting an elderly woman in 2019 at a South Kohala campground was guilty Wednesday on all counts filed in the case.
Richards to seek state Senate seat
Kohala Councilman Tim Richards is planning to forego a final term on the County Council to run for the District 4 Senate seat vacated when the state Reapportionment Commission redrew the boundary lines on the Big Island.
Hawaii officials urge COVID caution heading into the holidays
Despite COVID-19 cases rising yet again on Oahu, Lt. Gov. Josh Green says no changes to virus safety protocols are currently planned for the holidays.
$10M boost for Big Isle airports
Big Island airports will receive $10 million in federal funds for infrastructure improvements as part of a $246 million funding package for the state.
Police arrest Volcano man in year-old murder case
Police have arrested a 60-year-old Volcano man on suspicion of second-degree murder in the case of a 34-year-old man whose body was found Jan. 5 buried in a shallow grave in upper Puna.
Police: Missing Puna man found
Police report that Ethan Bailey of Keaau, who was previously reported as missing, was found in good health in Hilo on Sunday.
Hilo’s Mr. Olympia: Missing a part of tricep, Ha qualifies for powerlifting tourney
A 374-pound bench press is not as impressive as a 435-pound bench press, but it’s a whale of an accomplishment if you’re Branden Ha.
Defense secretary monitoring Navy fuel spill
HONOLULU — U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he is monitoring the Navy’s handling of jet fuel contamination in its Pearl Harbor drinking water system.
Pfizer confirms COVID pill’s results, potency versus omicron
WASHINGTON — Pfizer said Tuesday that its experimental pill to treat COVID-19 appears effective against the omicron variant.
US COVID death toll hits 800K
The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 topped 800,000 on Tuesday, a once-unimaginable figure seen as doubly tragic, given that more than 200,000 of those lives were lost after the vaccine became available practically for the asking last spring.
Newsom’s drought actions insufficient
(San Jose) Mercury News
Unity, resolve needed on Ukraine crisis
Allied unity — and, most profoundly, resolve — is key in convincing Russian President Vladimir Putin that the cost of invading Ukraine is too high to bear.
