Help is on the way: Funding to assist ranchers in battling two-lined spittlebug
Help is on the way for Big Island ranchers fighting an invasive bug decimating pasture land in North and South Kona.
US virus cases nearly triple in 2 weeks amid misinformation
MISSION, Kan. — COVID-19 cases nearly tripled in the U.S. over two weeks amid an onslaught of vaccine misinformation that is straining hospitals, exhausting doctors and pushing clergy into the fray.
Building code lives to fight another day: Skeptical County Council wants lots of changes
After almost six hours of extremely detailed and sometimes tense debate, the County Council on Wednesday first killed, then resurrected, a new residential building code.
Ola Brew opens new taproom in Hilo
Ola Brew has opened its second location, a taproom in Hilo.
Wildfire smoke clouds sky, hurts air quality on East Coast
PORTLAND, Ore. — Smoke and ash from massive wildfires in the American West clouded the sky and led to air quality alerts Wednesday on parts of the East Coast as the effects of the blazes were felt 2,500 miles away.
State briefs for July 22
Maui mayor vetoes hotel construction moratorium bill
Biden says getting vaccinated ‘gigantically important’
CINCINNATI, Ohio — President Joe Biden expressed pointed frustration Wednesday over the slowing COVID-19 vaccination rate in the U.S. and pleaded that it’s “gigantically important” for Americans to step up and get inoculated against the virus as it surges once again.
Unvaccinated staff eyed in rising nursing home cases, deaths
WASHINGTON — Lagging vaccination rates among nursing home staff are being linked to a national increase in COVID-19 infections and deaths at senior facilities, and are at the center of a federal investigation in a hard-hit Colorado location where disease detectives found many workers were not inoculated.
Obituaries for July 22
Mark Luis Gallegos, 53, died June 21 at Kona Community Hospital. He was born in Santa Rosa, Calif. Survivors please contact 808-322-9592. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Your Views for July 22
‘Our choice’
Republicans have their own private autocracy
I’m a huge believer in the usefulness of social science, especially studies that use comparisons across time and space to shed light on our current situation. So when political scientist Henry Farrell suggested that I look at his field’s literature on cults of personality, I followed his advice. He recommended one paper in particular, by New Zealand-based researcher Xavier Márquez; I found it revelatory.
The case for vaccine mandates
In much of America, vaccine hesitancy has turned into vaccine defiance. Several states have banned or are considering banning demands by businesses that people show proof of vaccination. Tennessee — where only 38% of adults are fully inoculated and the COVID-19 caseload is growing fast — has gone so far as to cancel public schools’ efforts to encourage eligible children to get their shots (including flu shots). For good measure, the state has fired its medical director for vaccine programs.
Magnitude-7.0 earthquake hits Panama, no tsunami threat to Hawaii
According to Hawaii County Civil Defense, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on Oahu reports an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 occurred at about 11:25 a.m. Hawaii time in the vicinity of Punta De Burica, Panama.
Dozens on Maui rally for housing affordability
KAHULUI, Maui — Dozens of Maui residents held a rally for affordable housing as the county’s median home price tops $1 million and the county council considers a new affordable housing plan.
Police seek leads on man they describe as ‘armed and dangerous’
Police are seeking the public’s assistance to locate 31-year-old Bronson Rodney Amaral, whom they said should be considered armed and dangerous.
Convoys today between Pohakuloa and Kawaihae
Army Garrison Hawaii said Tuesday Army Reserves are transporting their wheeled vehicles from Pohakuloa Training Area to Kawaihae Deep Draft Harbor today between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Obituaries for July 21
Candy Alvarado, 59, of Pahoa died July 6 at home. Born in Oahu, she was a retired health aide at Connections Public Charter School in Hilo. Services noon-4 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at Wailoa State Recreation Area in Hilo. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by husband, Alipio Alvarado of Pahoa; son, Glenn Mansanas II of Aiea, Oahu; daughters, Fairlene Naone of Kailua, Oahu, Rene Pagaoa of Kaneohe, Oahu, Lorraine Mansanas of Volcano, Jacqueline Mansanas of Honolulu, Rowena Mansanas of Keaau and Jaymee Mansanas of Lynnwood, Wash.; 18 grandchildren. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Detective who spearheaded child sex crime sting honored
For his selfless work making Hawaii Island a safer place for keiki, police Detective Gavin Kagimoto was honored with the Haweo Award during a ceremony held at County Council chambers in Hilo on July 6.
Mosaic alphabet projects paint colorful pictures
A mosaic project is filling empty spaces with color in a downtown Hilo park.
India’s pandemic death toll could be in the millions
NEW DELHI — India’s excess deaths during the coronavirus pandemic could be a staggering 10 times the official COVID-19 toll, likely making it modern India’s worst human tragedy, according to the most comprehensive research yet on the ravages of the virus in the South Asian country.
Shrinking military, students could affect reapportionment
The number of nonresident military families and students to be extracted from population counts before state House and Senate seats are allocated to islands is down significantly from the 2010 census, a factor that could affect the distribution of legislative seats for the coming decade.
Schools in US confront more polarization with mask rules for fall
Students in Wichita, Kansas, public schools can ditch the masks when classes begin. Detroit public schools will probably require them unless everyone in a room is vaccinated. In Pittsburgh, masks will likely be required regardless of vaccination status. And in some states, schools cannot mandate face coverings under any circumstances.
Shuttle service for Maunakea on hold, ‘not dead’
Although the Maunakea Visitor Information Station reopened last week after a year of COVID-related closure, a proposed shuttle service to the popular destination will not happen anytime soon.
Ige: Indoor masking, social distancing to continue
Gov. David Ige said Tuesday it’s not yet time to roll back government-imposed coronavirus-related restrictions on restaurants and other businesses.
Pinch 3-run HR in 9th rallies Dodgers by Giants
LOS ANGELES — Even without three of their biggest bats, Will Smith and the Los Angeles Dodgers found a way to rally for a big victory over the San Francisco Giants.
