Man indicted for Keauhou murder
A 27-year-old Kona man has been indicted on charges of murder and arson in connection with a fatal May 25 shooting in Keauhou.
Gutted with a Rusty Scalpel: Groups call for cessation of ‘Gut and Replace’ process
A bill Gov. David Ige is threatening to veto and one he signed are the “winners” of this year’s Rusty Scalpel award from two public-interest groups.
Prematurely weaned pup sent to Marine Mammal Center
The Marine Mammal Center, the world’s largest marine mammal hospital, admitted an endangered Hawaiian monk seal from Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument at its hospital in Kailua-Kona the center announced Wednesday. The successful rescue and transport of PP08, a prematurely weaned female pup, was made possible thanks to the Center’s partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
‘Disney in the Park’ set for Saturday
The Hilo Community Players are returning to Kalakaua Park with a new event, “Disney in the Park.”
Ige signs women’s caucus bills and other measures
Gov. David Ige on Thursday signed a slew of bills into law, including legislation from the Hawaii Women’s Legislative Caucus.
More restrictions to be eased July 8
The state will relax travel and gathering restrictions on July 8, when 60% of the Hawaii’s population is expected to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Nearly all COVID deaths in US are now among unvaccinated
Nearly all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. now are in people who weren’t vaccinated, a staggering demonstration of how effective the shots have been and an indication that deaths per day — now down to under 300 — could be practically zero if everyone eligible got the vaccine.
Many feared dead after Florida beachfront condo collapses
SURFSIDE, Fla. — A beachfront condo building partially collapsed Thursday outside Miami, killing at least one person and trapping others in the tower that resembled a giant fractured dollhouse, with one side sheared away. Dozens of survivors were pulled out, and rescuers kept up a desperate search for more.
Report: Over 600 bodies found at Indigenous school in Canada
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Leaders of Indigenous groups in Canada said Thursday investigators have found more than 600 unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school for Indigenous children — a discovery that follows last month’s report of 215 bodies found at another school.
Obituaries for June 25
Lawrence K. Kaloi Jr., 68, of Hilo died June 6 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a retired drywall installer and a member of New Hope East Hawaii. Visitation 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel, Hilo. Funeral Service 6 p.m. Cremation to follow. Seating limited, masks and social distancing required. Aloha attire. No flowers. Survived by wife, Evonne Kaloi of Hilo; daughters, Kari Kaloi of Hilo and Kyra (Amanda Santos) Kaloi of Kansas City, Mo.; sons, Lawrence (Shelbi Mahuna) Kaloi III, Samuel (Ashley Gouvea) Kaloi, and Kyle Kaloi of Hilo; brothers, Lelund Kaloi, Leonard (Kehau) Kaloi and Lyle Kaloi of Honolulu; sister, Memory Hanakeawe of Oahu; four grandchildren; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
State briefs for June 25
Tax agency boosts peer-to-peer car rental oversight
Safety net needs more than stimulus checks
The COVID-19 pandemic in the United States has left millions of people struggling to make ends meet. Massive government spending, especially the stimulus checks, has provided crucial relief. But the checks are just a band-aid for a U.S. social safety net that has been shredded by decades of budget cuts and draconian rules.
Your Views for June 25
Make it permanent
Senate votes 50-50, and the dysfunction continues
This week, our congressional dysfunction continued as the vote on the For the People Act was along purely partisan lines with a vote of 50 Democrats in favor and 50 Republicans against. The level of dysfunction is heightened by the fact that this was not a vote to pass the voting rights legislation, but simply a vote on whether to even debate the proposed legislation.
Homegrown hire: Former assistant Sueda takes reins of UHH softball program
It took almost a month to find retired UH-Hilo softball coach Callen Perreira’s replacement, but the best candidate was under everybody’s noses all along.
Ige announces changes to travel, gathering rules starting July 8
Beginning July 8, fully vaccinated domestic travelers coming to Hawaii will be able to bypass quarantine and pre-travel testing requirements, Gov. David Ige announced today.
State briefs for June 24
Homeless project grows with mobile med clinic
No debate on voting: end the filibuster
As expected, debate on a bill to protect voting rights was blocked in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday when the Democratic sponsors failed to garner 60 votes. But in reaching out to centrist Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., Senate Democrats indicated that they were open to compromise.
Unvaccinated Missourians fuel COVID: ‘We will be the canary’
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As the U.S. emerges from the COVID-19 crisis, Missouri is becoming a cautionary tale for the rest of the country: It is seeing an alarming rise in cases because of a combination of the fast-spreading delta variant and stubborn resistance among many people to getting vaccinated.
Your Views for June 24
Fight against Alzheimer’s
Alii Drive condo heads to contested case hearing
A proposal to build a five-story condominium on Alii Drive is heading to a contested case hearing after three neighbors petitioned the Leeward Planning Commission.
Police ID man shot dead by officers
Police identified a man killed in an officer-involved shooting Friday in Hilo as 31-year-old Daniel Buckingham.
Police arrest 16 for DUI
During the week of June 14-20, 2021, Hawaii Island police arrested 16 motorists for DUI. Six of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. None was younger than 21.
PUC asks state, county for input on PGV
Months after suspending an application for an amended power purchase agreement between Hawaiian Electric and Puna Geothermal Venture — pending the completion of a supplemental environmental review — the state Public Utilities Commission is seeking input from both Hawaii County and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
State AG repudiates lawsuit over HCCC outbreak
State Attorney General Clare Connors responded Wednesday to a federal class-action lawsuit filed by 11 Hawaii inmates — including five at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in Hilo — over conditions and practices in jails and prisons the plaintiffs claim caused COVID-19 outbreaks.
