New lay net rules to be discussed
The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a statewide hearing to discuss amendments to state laws regarding lay nets.
Kailua-Kona man gets probation in domestic abuse case
A 37-year-old Kailua-Kona man arrested in late April after a police chase following an alleged violent domestic incident in the Hilo Walmart parking lot was sentenced Nov. 30 to four years of probation by Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto.
Ilagan to hold town halls
State Rep. Greggor Ilagan, a Puna Democrat, is holding numerous town halls in various locations — including two virtual town halls via Zoom — this month. All start at 5:30 p.m. on the following dates:
UK opens door to Assange extradition to US on spying charges
LONDON — A British appellate court opened the door Friday for Julian Assange to be extradited to the United States on spying charges by overturning a lower court decision that the WikiLeaks founder’s mental health was too fragile to withstand incarceration in America.
New York’s COVID surge is back — and so is its mask mandate
NEW YORK — Facing a cold-weather surge in COVID-19 infections, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday that masks will be required in all indoor public places unless the businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement.
National Guard helping virus-sapped states, hospitals
More U.S. states desperate to defend against COVID-19 are calling on the National Guard and other military personnel to assist virus-weary medical staffs at hospitals and other care centers.
Omicron is already in the US. Discriminatory travel bans for southern Africa need to end
While the world’s scientists are scrambling to unravel the inner workings of the omicron variant, not enough people are talking about the elephant in the room: the southern Africa travel ban that remains in place.
Biden says hard work ahead to bolster democracies
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Friday wrapped up his two-day democracy summit, an event that was more about starting a global conversation about how best to halt backsliding than producing immediate results or expanding democracy’s reach.
Torrance racist text scandal highlights rot in police culture
Two Torrance, California, police officers allegedly spray-painted a swastika inside a car they had directed to be towed in January 2020, and the resulting district attorney’s investigation led to the discovery of a sickening stockpile of racist, antisemitic and homophobic texts sent between them and among about a dozen other members of the 200-plus officer agency.
Tropical Gardening: Tropical pines hard to find this year
Christmas is almost here, but it seems like most folks are a bit slow in getting their trees up this year. Don’t delay any longer since trees that are shipped in early are best. If you wait, the cut mainland trees will dry out and can become fire hazards. The advantage to imported trees is that they have a pine scent. This year almost 100,000 trees are arriving and unfortunately some unwanted hitchhikers as well. One container arrived with slugs, a garter snake and tree frogs from the Pacific Northwest.
More omicron cases confirmed on Oahu
Twelve cases of the omicron variant of the novel coronavirus have been detected on Oahu, the state Department of Heath announced this afternoon.
Regents schedule first meeting on new Maunakea Master Plan
The University of Hawaii Board of Regents is seeking public input on a draft of a new Master Plan for UH-managed lands on Maunakea.
Hilo’s Kabalis Hoke heeds call to coaching, reaps reward at Chaminade
Chaminade coach Kahala Kabalis Hoke was named West Region coach of the year, producing appreciation and reflection from one of Hilo’s own.
BIIF goes 0-3 in state girls volleyball quarterfinals
The good news: The BIIF’s best girls volleyball teams are back on Oahu this week, competing at the HHSAA volleyball championships for the first time in more than two years.
Forces of nature: HPA takes Kamehameha run game ‘personally’ ahead of D-II title game
Officially, Kamehameha calls it the double wing, and at its essence it’s smash-mouth, stop-us-if-you-can football. Having already tried to defend it once, Hawaii Prep coach Kaluka Maiava compared the offensive approach to “rugby.”
Closing arguments to be held Tuesday in sex assault trial
Closing arguments will be heard Tuesday in the jury trial for a 21-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting an elderly woman in 2019 at a South Kohala campground.
Police seek leads on missing woman
Police are seeking leads from the public to locate a missing 33-year-old woman.
Ready for prime time: New County Council maps set for public hearings
New County Council districts proposed by the Redistricting Commission are now ready for prime time, and the commission has set hearings next week to see what the public thinks of its work.
53 migrants dead, 54 injured in truck crash in south Mexico
TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, Mexico — A cargo truck jammed with people who appeared to be Central American migrants rolled over and crashed into a pedestrian bridge over a highway in southern Mexico on Thursday, killing at least 53 people and injuring dozens more, authorities reported.
Hilo skatepark mulled
“If you build it, they will come.”
Power restoration expected by Saturday
All those who have lost power after the “Kona low” weather system earlier this week should have power restored by noon Saturday, according to a statement Thursday from Hawaiian Electric.
Humane Society hosts free pet microchipping events
The Hawaii Island Humane Society wants to educate and celebrate pet owners this holiday season.
Puna man faces auto theft charges
A 25-year-old Puna man has been charged in connection with the Dec. 2 theft of a Toyota Prius from Kehena Beach Park.
Darwin in a lab: Coral evolution tweaked for global warming
COCONUT ISLAND, Oahu — On a moonless summer night in Hawaii, krill, fish and crabs swirl through a beam of light as two researchers peer into the water above a vibrant reef.
Court rejects Trump’s efforts to keep records from 1/6 panel
WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court ruled Thursday against an effort by former President Donald Trump to shield documents from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
