Senate Republicans are happy for the US to default on its debt
Journey with us, if you will, all the way back to August 2019. In a budget deal passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, Washington suspended the U.S. debt limit for two years — two years in which Republicans refrained from pitching a fit every time the U.S. needed to borrow more money.
Why not make the kids alright?
Americans love rags-to-riches stories, tales of people who transcended childhood poverty to achieve adult success. Unless you’re totally oblivious to reality, however, you surely realize that such stories are the exceptions, not the rule. The disadvantages of growing up in poverty — poor nutrition, poor health care, an impoverished environment, the cognitive burden that goes along with never having enough money — can and often do hobble children for the rest of their lives.
Ironman competition to be held in Utah instead of Kailua-Kona
The Ironman World Championship will be held outside of Hawaii for the first time in its 40-plus history, race officials announced today.
Flight attendant on Hilo-bound Hawaiian Airlines jet attacked by passenger
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaiian Airlines said Thursday a passenger assaulted one of its flight attendants in an unprovoked attack during a flight.
DOH: 445 new COVID-19 cases reported statewide, 81 on Big Island
The state Department of Health today reported 445 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Hawaii, including 81 new infections on the Big Island.
FDA backs Pfizer boosters for seniors, high-risk
The U.S. moved a step closer Wednesday to offering booster doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to senior citizens and others at high risk from the virus as the Food and Drug Administration signed off on the targeted use of extra shots.
COVID-19 creates dire U.S. shortage of teachers, school staff
SAN FRANCISCO — One desperate California school district is sending flyers home in students’ lunchboxes, telling parents it’s “now hiring.” Elsewhere, principals are filling in as crossing guards, teachers are being offered signing bonuses and schools are moving back to online learning.
McCloskeys have earned Missouri law license suspension
Whatever tough-talking, populist-pandering nonsense Mark McCloskey tells voters in his U.S. Senate bid, the St. Louis personal injury lawyer pleaded guilty to a crime after recklessly wielding a gun at protesters marching peacefully past his home last year. And he said he’d do it again. That makes a question before the Missouri Supreme Court an easy one: Both McCloskey and his wife, law partner and fellow pretend-Rambo Patricia McCloskey, should have their law licenses suspended.
Biden made right call to return migrants on charter flights
The scenes from the border are dire and heart-rending. More than 14,000 migrants, most of them Haitians, crowded under and near a bridge in a makeshift camp. Women gave birth among the squalor. Men and children waded through the Rio Grande to Mexico for food, clean water and diapers.
Soccer: UHH men jump to 2-0 lead before Seattle Pacific storms back, win in OT
Things were looking pretty good for the UH-Hilo men’s soccer team, which held a 2-0 lead over No. 17 Seattle Pacific in the first half Wednesday.
Officer honored for saving women being held captive
Hawaii Police Department Sgt. Thomas Chung-Ming has been honored for actions that, according to a police statement, “very likely saved the life of a woman who was in imminent danger.”
Hawaii receives grant for pediatric mental health care
The state Department of Health is one of 30 states to receive a $2.2 million federal Pediatric Mental Health Care Access grant, providing the state $445,000 a year for the next five years to address pediatric mental health care for children and youth ages 3 to 21 years.
Police offering free virtual child car seat safety checks on Saturday
As part of National Child Passenger Safety Week, Big Island police will conduct free virtual child car seat safety checks from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday.
Your Views for September 23
Expedite bridge repairs
Obituaries for September 23
Annette Kunewa Aquino, 71, of Captain Cook died Sept. 10 at Kona Community Hospital. Born in Kealakekua, she was a homemaker, housekeeper at Kona by The Sea, Kanaloa Condominiums, and Kona Hukilau Hotel, cocktail waitress at the King Kamehameha Hotel, attendant at Kona Laundry and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Services at a later date. Survived by son, Alexander (Amy) Aquino Jr. of Napoopoo; daughter, Lonnetta (Tammie) Aquino Fukushima of Captain Cook; sister, Marella (Kendall) Hakkei of Honalo; stepdaughter, Suzette (Don) Graycochea of Kahuku, Oahu; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Olson Trust lawsuit alleges Tower Development execs violated noncompete agreement
The Edmund C. Olson Trust has filed a lawsuit against two corporate officers of Tower Development Inc. for pursuing redevelopment projects on Banyan Drive.
Legal challenge could cast shadow over land board meeting
A lawsuit demanding that two proposed redevelopment projects on Banyan Drive be halted could disrupt a Friday meeting of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
Public defender tells state high court prison situation ‘dire’
Deputy Public Defender Jon Ikenaga told the state Supreme Court on Wednesday the current COVID-19 situation in Hawaii’s jails and prisons is “significantly more dire” than in August 2020 when the court issued an order to decrease populations in correctional facilities in an attempt to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Ige releases $55M in CIP funds for Big Island projects
By STEPHANIE SALMONS
HTA: Progress on 2021 sustainable tourism goals
A tourism management plan for Hawaii Island is gradually being implemented, with the Hawaii Tourism Authority reporting steady progress on goals for 2021.
Ace Hardware participates in light bulb trade-in program
To bring Hawaii to a brighter, more sustainable future, residents have a chance to swap out their current light bulbs for energy-efficient bulbs.
DOH: 330 new COVID-19 cases statewide, 38 on Big Island
The state Department of Health today reported 330 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Hawaii, including 38 new infections on the Big Island.
UHH men’s soccer faces tough home test in Seattle Pacific
There won’t be any fans – not for a while – nor will the match be contested on the pitch the team would prefer, not this season, anyway.
Hawaii anti-vaccine leader has regrets after getting COVID
HONOLULU — A man who helped organize a Hawaii group that opposes COVID-19 vaccines and mandates says he contracted the disease and now has regrets.
