Drive-thru Pride returns
Hawaii Island LGBTQ Pride later this month will host “Drive-Thru Pride” for a second year amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
New law requires landlords to use mediation before evicting tenants
Mediation centers on the Big Island are preparing for an influx of cases when the state’s eviction moratorium ends in August.
Landmarks on the market: Kona Inn Shopping Village, Kona Bay Hotel up for sale
The iconic Kona Inn Shopping Village and Kona Bay Hotel in Historic Kailua Village are up for sale.
Vehicle and licensing clerks added to county roster
Relief is on its way for people who’ve complained of long lines and long waits for appointments with the county offices of vehicle registration and licensing.
US to spend $3.2B on treatments for COVID-19, other viruses
WASHINGTON — The United States is devoting $3.2 billion to speed development of antiviral pills to treat COVID-19 and other dangerous viruses that could turn into pandemics.
Honolulu police vow to be more transparent after shootings
HONOLULU (AP) — The Honolulu Police Department says it is making changes to be more transparent and address use of force tactics.
Biden signs bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signed legislation Thursday establishing a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, saying he believes it will go down as one of the greatest honors he has as president.
Obituaries for June 18
Lancelot “Lance” “Pastor Lance” “Da Dog” Ako, Jr., 66, of Ocean View died May 2 at home. Born in Kealakekua, he was a pastor for Hope DIA-mend Ministries, terminal agent for the former Aloha Airlines, dog catcher, therapeutic foster parent, security office and crosswalk guard at Ka‘u and Naalehu schools and U.S. Navy veteran. Services will be held at 10 a.m. June 26, 2021, at Hope DIA-mend Ministries at 92-8988 Ginger Blossom, Ocean View 96737. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Ako of Ocean View; daughter, Tiffany (Jeremy) Javier of Maui; sons, Lancelot Kainalu (Hannah) Ako, III of Kailua-Kona, Chadwick Keoni (Uriel Avila Zuniga) Ako of San Diego, CA.; brother, John Keone Ako of Seattle, WA.; 4 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Israel strikes Gaza after Hamas fires incendiary balloons
JERUSALEM — Israel launched airstrikes on the Gaza Strip late Thursday for a second time since a shaky cease-fire ended last month’s 11-day war. The strikes came after activists mobilized by Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers launched incendiary balloons into Israel for a third straight day.
‘Obamacare’ survives: Supreme Court dismisses big challenge
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court, though increasingly conservative in makeup, rejected the latest major Republican-led effort to kill the national health care law known as “Obamacare” on Thursday, preserving insurance coverage for millions of Americans.
A rash of recent cyberattacks emphasizes the importance of investing in cybersecurity
The U.S. armed forces are widely considered the most formidable military force on the planet, the ultimate deterrent to foreign invasion and attack. However, there’s an invisible enemy breaching U.S. defenses all too often.
Medicare must study expensive drug
The cost of caring for America’s nearly 6 million Alzheimer’s disease patients is already $600 billion a year, factoring in the cost of uncompensated caregiving. Now, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug treatment that may or may not work but is set to cost $56,000 a year for the average patient — a charge that in most instances will fall to Medicare.
Your Views for June 18
What a mess
Court: If bias rules have exceptions, faith groups qualify
Justice Samuel Alito called it a “wisp” of a decision — a Supreme Court ruling Thursday that favored Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia but was far from the constitutional gale wind that would have reshaped how courts interpret religious liberty under the First Amendment.
Seattle group wins appeal in quest to overturn Ireland murder convictions
The state Intermediate Court of Appeals on Tuesday ruled Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto erred when he denied a group seeking to overturn convictions in the Dana Ireland murder trial a hearing on a motion to unseal post-conviction DNA testing conducted on a piece of key evidence.
Hilo woman among first winners of vaccination contest
A Hilo woman and Honolulu man were named the first two winners of the #HIGotVaccinated prize giveaway.
DLIR launches another unemployment benefits program
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations on Wednesday announced it will launch the Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation Program.
Police arrest 13 for DUI
During the week of June 7-13, Hawaii Island police arrested 13 motorists for DUI.
Minimum term set for child’s death
A woman sentenced to a quarter-century behind bars in connection with the 2018 death of a 6-year-old Kona boy will be eligible for parole after serving just over 13 years.
New law aims to curb state eviction cases
Gov. David Ige ratified a law Wednesday aimed at minimizing the number of court eviction cases when his eviction moratorium ends in August.
Hawaii recognizes Juneteenth, Kalaupapa Month
Gov. David Ige signed five bills into law Wednesday focused on acknowledging and correcting inequality in the state.
Congress approves bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday
WASHINGTON — The United States will soon have a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery.
County discusses tipping fees, credit for garbage haulers
The county is reconsidering a change in how rubbish haulers are charged at the county’s landfills.
Man arrested in connection with Keauhou murder
Hawaii Police took a Kailua-Kona man into custody Wednesday in connection with the May 25 shooting death of Joey Richmond at Keauhou-Kainaliu Beach Road, locally known as “End of the World.”
