UH: No vaccine mandate
Citing high vaccination rates among students and employees across its 10-campus system, the University of Hawaii will not enforce a vaccine mandate for students attending class in the fall.
Volcano murder suspect pleads not guilty
A 32-year-old Volcano man accused of entering a neighbor’s property on April 26 and shooting the man to death pleaded not guilty to all charges Wednesday in Hilo Circuit Court.
Rural hospitals receive funding boost for COVID
More than $2.5 million in federal coronavirus relief funding will be divvied between 10 Hawaii hospitals to support COVID-19 response efforts in rural areas.
Planning Commission pushes for Parker School sidewalk
The Leeward Planning Commission wasn’t ready Thursday to give Parker School a pass on a sidewalk it promised in a lawsuit settlement and instead voted 5-0 to defer the issue for a month to give the applicant a chance to pursue a less costly option.
Ige: Moratorium on evictions is ending, but other remedies for tenants exist
State lawmakers are urging tenants who are behind on rent to take advantage of rental assistance and mediation programs in order to avoid a flood of evictions when Gov. David Ige’s eviction moratorium expires next month.
Felicia, still far from Hawaii, expected to become major hurricane tonight
The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Hurricane Felicia is rapidly intensifying and is expected to become a major hurricane overnight.
911 recordings show panic, disbelief when Florida condo fell
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Recordings of 911 calls after an oceanfront Florida condominium building collapsed in the middle of the night show disbelief, panic and confusion as people tried to comprehend the disaster.
Police seek leads on robbery suspect
Police are seeking for the public’s help to identify a man suspected of a robbery that reportedly occurred Sunday near Shipman Beach on the Shipman Beach Trail in Keaau.
Brush fire 75% contained
A brushfire that began burning Tuesday through Ouli Gulch between Kohala Mountain Road and Kawaihae Road was about 75% contained by Wednesday morning, according to Hawaii County.
Several state bills protecting resources signed into law
The 2021 legislative session has ended with nearly a dozen new laws protecting natural and cultural resources in the state.
Man sought for questioning in assault
Police are seeking the public’s assistance to find a 25-year-old man wanted for question in a Monday assault in Hilo.
Dispiriting setback: COVID deaths, cases rise again globally
COVID-19 deaths and cases are on the rise again globally in a dispiriting setback that is triggering another round of restrictions and dampening hopes for a return to normal life.
Alien signal receiver? Hawaii astronomers ‘frustrated’ by wild speculation about ‘Oumuamua
There is still much that scientists do not know about ‘Oumuamua, the interstellar object that was discovered passing through our solar system in 2017. But most agree that it probably isn’t the work of aliens.
Biden pitches huge budget, says Dems will ‘get a lot done’
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden made a quick foray to the Capitol on Wednesday hunting support for his multitrillion-dollar agenda of infrastructure, health care and other programs, a potential landmark achievement that would require near-unanimous backing from fractious Democrats.
Powell says inflation, though elevated, will likely moderate
WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that inflation, which has been surging as the recovery strengthens, “will likely remain elevated in coming months” before “moderating.”
Judge warns Hawaii to follow safety rules in jails, prisons
HONOLULU — A judge ruled she won’t appoint a special master just yet to make sure Hawaii officials are keeping inmates safe from COVID-19, but said she is troubled by allegations in a lawsuit describing “egregious conditions” at prisons and jails that led to virus outbreaks at five of the state’s eight prisons and jails.
Obituaries for July 15
Cecelia Marie Amend, 89, of Hilo died July 10 at home. Born in New York City, she was homemaker. Burial 10 a.m. Tuesday (July 20) at Alae Cemetery, new section. Face masks and social distancing required. Survived by daughter, Nancy (Randy) Amend of Anchorage, Alaska; son, Oliver (Sarah) Amend Jr. of Kasilof, Alaska; 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
US overdose deaths hit record 93,000 in pandemic last year
NEW YORK — Overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government reported Wednesday.
The Cuban people are on the right side of history. Change must come with them
Throughout the political landscape, our elected officials have called for support for the people of Cuba as they protest the tyrannical regime that denies them basic human rights, a communist rump state left over from the 20th-century Cold War.
Hilo youngster makes move at junior worlds
Hilo youngster Leo Saito moved within striking distance at the junior world golf championships in San Diego, firing one of Wednesday’s lowest rounds in the 9-10 division.
Bucks block out Suns, even NBA Finals 2-2
MILWAUKEE — Khris Middleton is an All-Star with unwavering confidence in his shot, always believing that no matter how poorly he starts that he can turn things around.
Hilo-bound lane of Highway 19 closed near Honolii due to brush fire
The Hawaii Police Department is asking motorists to avoid Highway 19 and Nahala Street due to a brush fire in the area of Alae Cemetery.
3 ways Florida can better protect condo towers
Rescuers are continuing the search at the Champlain Towers South, and it may take months to determine what toppled the 12-story condominium last month north of Miami Beach. But the tragedy has already exposed gaps in the way Florida manages high-rise buildings. That’s an invitation to another disaster in a condo-haven like Florida, where tall towers line the beaches, and where the impacts of climate change pose growing risks to lives and property, especially along the coast.
US troops in Haiti a bad idea
Haiti needs many things at the moment. American soldiers are not among them.
State briefs for July 14
Council member seeks parking ban during Kailua trail repairs
