Hawaii finally hits 70% fully vaccinated mark
Months after Gov. David Ige set it as a milestone for lifting COVID-19 restrictions, and weeks after he rescinded that decision, 70% of the state’s population has finally been fully vaccinated against the virus.
Hawaii sells a record-high $1.88 billion in bonds
Gov. David Ige announced Thursday that the state has sold a record $1.88 billion in general obligation bonds.
Additional hours at driver’s licensing office
Hawaii County has announced an extension of hours of operation at the Hilo and Kailua-Kona driver’s licensing offices to help process expired or expiring credentials.
Inmates to receive $50 incentive for COVID-19 vaccination
The Department of Public Safety has implemented a vaccine incentive program for inmates.
Nursing school applications on the rise despite virus burnout
By PAT EATON-ROBB
The nuts and bolts: Under first-year coach, Kamehameha stressing fundamentals in return
It’s back to teaching the basics — blocking and tackling — for a lot of BIIF teams, including Kamehameha, which has a roster of 50 but most with little or no football experience.
Lucy in the sky: Spacecraft will visit record 8 asteroids
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Attention asteroid aficionados: NASA is set to launch a series of spacecraft to visit and even bash some of the solar system’s most enticing space rocks.
Obituaries for October 15
Lee Enriques, 85, of Hilo died Sept. 26 at home. Born in Halaula, North Kohala, he was a retired county fire captain, president of NSI-LBE Inc., shop manager of Garden Exchange and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kaumana 1/2 Mile Kumiai, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce and an avid fisherman. Visitation 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Private wake service to follow. Visitation again 9-10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo. Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Seating limited; face masks and social-distancing required both days. No flowers. Cremation to follow. Survived by sons, Vernon (Jodi) Enriques of Mililani, Oahu, Russell (Lisa) Enriques and Jeffrey (Tammy) Enriques-Ikeda of Hilo; daughter, Lynne Enriques of Hilo; brother, Donald (Mieko) Enriques of California; sister, Leona Goss of Honolulu; sister-in-law, Pauline Enriques of Pahala; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Planning underway for 2022 Merrie Monarch Festival, but uncertainty looms
“So far, we’re going ahead.”
Police identify woman killed in electrocution accident
Police have identified a woman killed Tuesday in an electrocution accident in Hawaiian Beaches subdivision in Pahoa.
America’s Arab allies warming to Syria’s dictator
King Abdullah II of Jordan made news last week when he took a phone call from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It was the first contact between the king and president in more than a decade, since Syria’s civil war began.
U.S. making progress against COVID-19
It’s too soon to declare mission accomplished, and the economy needs more time to recover. But the nation is approaching the winter holiday season in a better place with COVID-19. Now is the time to redouble the push for vaccinations and to make smart choices that’ll help America return to a sense of normal.
Honolulu Marathon prep ongoing though future uncertain
HONOLULU — Organizers are planning for the Honolulu Marathon, even though it’s not clear government officials will allow it to be held in December.
Associated Press Jayden Portrait – pictured with her father, Mitch – came up with an enterprising idea to skirt hospital rules and see her mother alive one last time.
MIAMI — Banned from the Florida hospital room where her mother lay dying of COVID-19, Jayden Arbelaez pitched an idea to construction employees working nearby.
‘It’s not Satanism’: Zimbabwe church leaders preach vaccines
SEKE, Zimbabwe — Yvonne Binda stands in front of a church congregation, all in pristine white robes, and tells them not to believe what they’ve heard about COVID-19 vaccines.
Honokaa man pleads in extreme domestic abuse case
County Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen said his office will seek the maximum 10-year prison term for a 27-year-old Honokaa man arrested for a series of domestic abuse incidents that took place between February and April.
Leading the Waveriders: New players stepping up on the gridiron for Kealakehe
At first glance, the Kealakehe football team’s roster might look a little thin on experience.
Your Views for October 14
The freedom to live
Obituaries for October 14
Mabel Naomi Castillo, 73, of Hilo died Oct. 3 at Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center. She was born in Kohala. Visitation 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday (Oct. 19) at Dodo Mortuary Chape. Celebration of Life at 10:30 a.m. Urn burial to follow at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Seating limited; masks and social distancing required. Casual attire. Survived by daughters, Crystal Jones of Fayetteville, N.C., Noelani (Eric Koosmann) Castillo of Seattle and Carla-Mae (Shaltan Caravalho) Castillo of Keaau; stepdaughters, Chloe (Ricky) Babas of Keaau and Charlotte (Kiyo) Kubo of Glenwood; stepson, Carlito Castillo of Pepeekeo; brother, William Kapaloa Hussey of Oregon; sisters, Violet Oliver of Hilo, Maile (Castor) Fernandez of Keaau and Nani (Don) Svendsen of Kohala; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Higa pleads guilty in federal court to embezzling, bribery
Stacy Higa admitted in federal court Wednesday to embezzling money from two federal programs and using some of it for cosmetic dental surgery and to help fund his 2020 campaign for mayor.
Woman in Puna killed while trying to flee downed power lines
A woman in Pahoa was killed Tuesday evening after being electrocuted by a downed power line.
Planet orbiting dead star gives glimpse into the aftermath of the Sun’s demise
A Maunakea telescope has discovered a distant solar system that could indicate what our own solar system will look like after the sun dies.
Higa pleads guilty to embezzlement and bribery
A former County Council chairman and Big Island mayoral candidate pleaded guilty today to embezzlement of more than $38,000 from AmeriCorps and of offering a bribe in return for grants under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
Keiki get artsy with EHCC project
The East Hawaii Cultural Center invited keiki to the lanai for the first Youth Art Series project since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
