Facebook unveils new controls for kids using its platforms
NEW YORK — Facebook, in the aftermath of damning testimony that its platforms harm children, will be introducing several features including prompting teens to take a break using its photo sharing app Instagram, and “nudging” teens if they are repeatedly looking at the same content that’s not conducive to their well-being.
Obituaries for October 11
Abel Awong, 96, of Hilo died Sept. 12 at home. Born in Laupahoehoe, he was retired from the state Highways Division, a U.S. Army World War II veteran and member of Honomu Henjoji Mission and United Public Workers Retirees. Private services held. No flowers or koden (monetary gifts). Survived by wife, Irene I. Awong of Hilo; sons, Kirk (Corinne) Awong of Hilo and Lance (Wendy) Awong of Kona; daughters, Shirley Ann (Charles) Shimizu, Irma Lee Murasaki and Lydia (Randy) Hart of Hilo; nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Let Abu Zubaydah testify about the dark days of US torture
Supreme Court justices appeared to agree last Wednesday that it’s time for the longest-held U.S. detainee at Guantánamo Bay to tell his story in court. The prisoner, Zain al-Abidine Muhammad Hussein, better known as Abu Zubaydah, was waterboarded more than 60 times after being captured in a Pakistani military raid in March 2002. U.S. intelligence and FBI agents wrongly believed he was a top-level al-Qaida operative and subjected him to months of merciless torture.
In post-census fight for seats, both parties play the dirty gerrymandering game
The post-census redistricting process now underway around the country presents an important test for centrists to either live up to fundamental ideals such as fairness and choosing what’s best for the country, or go for the jugular the way the extremists in both parties do. Nice folks who play by the rules tend to finish last in politics, especially when it comes to the kinds of gerrymandering designed to determine election outcomes favorable to the dominant party in power.
6.1 quake jolts Big Island
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake rocked the Big Island at about 11:49 a.m. this morning.
BIIF tweaks football schedule, but everybody’s in
Some BIIF football teams made it easier than others, but they all made it – Department of Education mandate and all.
UHH alum Spain makes smooth transition to minor league baseball
Dylan Spain pitched three games in the Florida Coast League before the Atlanta Braves’ rookie league affiliate had seen enough.
Vuls find drive to win in 5 again
The UH-Hilo volleyball team went five sets again to beat another PacWest foe, Concordia, 20-25, 26-24, 25-16 , 16-25, 15-7 Saturday night at its fan-free gym.
Cartoon for October 10
The Big Island as seen by Hawaii Tribune-Herald cartoonist Gary Hoff.
‘It’s not a valid dialogue’: Some activists unhappy with Maunakea plan forum
A recent public meeting to discuss the University of Hawaii’s future plans for Maunakea failed to win the trust of some Native Hawaiian activists.
Brazilians seek pre-pandemic normalcy as deaths top 600,000
SAO PAULO — Bars in Sao Paulo are full again for evening happy hours, lawmakers in the capital of Brasilia have nearly done away with video sessions via Zoom, and Rio de Janeiro’s beaches are packed. Calls for strict social distancing seem but a memory.
DeWeese appointed to vacant Kona circuit judgeship
Gov. David Ige announced Friday the appointment of Wendy M. DeWeese to the seat previously held by Kona Circuit Judge Melvin H. Fujino, who retired in 2020.
Project continues to explore what Christmas tree species are ideal for isle climate
With the holiday season fast approaching, Big Island residents must once again grapple with a crucial question: where to buy a Christmas tree?
Taniyama appointed a District Court judge
Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald announced Thursday the appointment of Kimberly B.M. Taniyama to fill a judicial position in the District Court of the Third Circuit.
Many districts see near- to above-average rainfall in Sept.
Rainfall totals in the Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo, Puna and South Kona districts were mostly near- to above-average for September, according to the monthly precipitation summary prepared by the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
Fire destroys lower Puna home
A midday Thursday fire gutted an unpermitted 500-square-foot one-story house near the 24-mile marker of Chain of Craters Road in Kaimu.
‘A very strong seller’s market’: More than 300 single-family homes bought in Puna in Q3
Home sales remained vigorous on the Big Island this summer despite a spike in COVID-19 cases and a request by the governor for visitors to stay away.
Gate sparks debate: Property owners seek to secure their community
Good fences may make good neighbors, as the poet famously says. But gates, apparently not so much.
Obituaries for October 10
Renfred Reginald Beaumont, 69, of Volcano died Sept. 14 at home. Born in Honolulu, he was a professional musician, a founding member of the group Olomana, retired U.S Navy lieutenant commander and loved motorcycle road racing and the ocean. Private services held. Survived by son, Wren Evans and daughter, Tiera-Lyn Kehaulani Kahapea-Zablan. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Texas clinics cancel abortions after court reinstates ban
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas clinics on Saturday canceled appointments they had booked during a 48-hour reprieve from the most restrictive abortion law in the U.S., which was back in effect as weary providers again turn their sights to the Supreme Court.
McConnell seizes on debt standoff to undermine Biden agenda
WASHINGTON — In the frantic bid to avert a default on the nation’s debt, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell held a position of unusual power — as the one who orchestrated both the problem and the solution.
GOP doc dispenses sketchy medical advice on virus immunity
TOPEKA, Kan. — Roger Marshall won’t let people forget he’s a doctor, putting “Doc” in the letterhead of his U.S. Senate office’s news releases. But when he talks about COVID-19 vaccines, some doctors and experts say the Kansas Republican sounds far more like a politician than a physician.
New river of lava threatens even more buildings on La Palma
LOS LLANOS DE ARIDANE, Canary Islands (AP) — A new river of lava belched Saturday from the La Palma volcano, spreading more destruction on the Atlantic Ocean island where over 1,000 buildings have already been engulfed or badly damaged by streams of molten rock.
From COVID to climate change, we have no idea what we’re talking about
While it is nonsensical to try to prescribe a diagnosis to America’s current state of civic discourse — from dumping manure on the White House lawn in the name of climate action to attending the Met Gala to demand we “tax the rich” — we often blame partisan politics. But what if part of the problem is that we literally cannot understand one another? And, perhaps worse than that, the institutions we trust to lead the public have stopped trying to communicate to be understood.
Reproductive health care is a human right
As a sociologist who has researched reproduction and reproductive technologies for the last 12 years, I’ve learned that individuals are only one part of the equation. The choices people make are never removed from public policy or the resources — or lack thereof — made available by state and federal government.
