Nuclear restraints needed for presidents
In the final days of Donald Trump’s administration, General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offered some very unusual instructions to senior military officials. If they received orders to launch an attack, up to and including the use of nuclear weapons, they were to “do the process” of consulting with him first. The general asked all of the officers to verbally signal their assent, which he reportedly considered “an oath.”
Dump COVID vaccine religious exemptions
What is a COVID-19 vaccine mandate worth if it includes exemptions for “sincerely held religious beliefs”? Very little, if anything at all.
Obituaries for September 22
Jonathan Patrick Babino Sr., 62, of Hilo died Aug. 9. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired heavy equipment operator. No services. Online condolences: ballardfamilymortuaries.com. Survived by wife, Rhona-Ann Babino; sons, Jonathan P. Babino Jr. and Robert K. Babino; daughter, Marie K. Babino; brother, David (Amy) Babino; sisters; Marion Gene (Lester) Glicker, Angelynn Chun and Erleen (Teddy) Ah You; five grandchildren; an aunt, cousins, nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Your Views for September 22
The ‘Forgotten Coast’
Flower power: Virtual Alzheimer’s walk comes up roses
Flowers decorated a corner of Kinoole Street on Saturday in honor of the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2021 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Hawaii Island, which was celebrated virtually this year.
Libraries require negative COVID test or proof of vaccination
Last week, all Hawaii public libraries and offices began implementing requirements listed in Gov. David Ige’s latest executive order.
Forum tonight on vaccine booster shots
Questions about COVID-19 booster shots?
Lots of money, lots of need: Council gets an update on federal rescue funds
By NANCY COOK LAUER
Official: ‘Political will’ needed to fix solid waste problems
Hawaii County should impose new fees for Big island residents to dispose of waste in the future, suggested a county official Tuesday.
Deadline nears for HVNP’s air tours plan
Eleven of 24 U.S. national parks have completed drafts of court-ordered air tour management plans and released them for public comment.
Experts eye more Hawaii travel testing to contain COVID
HONOLULU — Hawaii officials are facing pressure to increase COVID-19 testing for travelers as the islands deal with a record surge of new infections, hospitalization and deaths. The calls come as federal guidelines change to require negative virus tests from both vaccinated and unvaccinated people coming to the U.S.
Kona couple accused of illegal restraint, nonsupport of teen
A Kailua-Kona couple is accused of illegally restraining a minor last month.
Police arrest 13 for DUI
During the week of Sept. 13-19, Hawaii Island police arrested 13 motorists for DUI. Three of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. None were younger than 21.
Hilo hospital’s antibody clinic opens
Hilo Medical Center on Tuesday opened its new monoclonal antibody clinic — with limited doses currently available.
Kolekole Bridge weight limit raised to 12 tons
The Hawaii Department of Transportation announced the allowable vehicle-plus-load limit on Kolekole Bridge north of Hilo on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) is now 12 tons.
DOH: 280 new COVID-19 cases statewide, 39 on Big Island
The state Department of Health today reported 280 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Hawaii, including 39 new infections on the Big Island.
Young, stacked U.S. team faces familiar battle in Ryder Cup
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – The Americans would seem to have a lot in their favor at the Ryder Cup.
‘He’s a tough kid’: Tua day to day for now
The bruised ribs that knocked Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out of Sunday’s 35-0 loss to the Bills don’t appear as if they will keep him out for a significant amount of time.
Let’s Talk Food: Southeast Asian cuisine
With the Delta Variant around the world, many of us are unable to travel yet. Our plans to Southeast Asia have been canceled in October as many countries have shut down. It is disappointing but we can “travel” through food and stay at home. In Vietnam, their chili-garlic sauce adds subtle heat and yet deep flavors over rice and noodle dishes.
Japanese sisters certified as world’s oldest twins at 107
TOKYO — Guinness World Records has certified two Japanese sisters as the world’s oldest living identical twins at 107, in an announcement Monday coinciding with Respect for the Aged Day, a national holiday in Japan.
US easing virus restrictions for foreign flights to America
WASHINGTON — In a major easing of pandemic travel restrictions, the U.S. said Monday it will allow foreigners to fly into the country this fall if they have vaccination proof and a negative COVID-19 test — changes replacing a hodgepodge of rules that had kept out many non-citizens and irritated allies in Europe and beyond where virus cases are lower.
COVID-19 surge tapers off: Hospitalizations, number of new cases in decline
Hawaii appears to be “out of the red zone” for COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.
DOT: Work to reopen Hakalau park unlikely to begin until 2023
Hakalau Beach Park likely will remain closed for the foreseeable future as the state Department of Transportation plans a multi-million-dollar project to repair the nearby bridge.
Clog in online permitting system slows PV installations
Local solar and photovoltaic contractors say there’s a clog in the permit pipeline from the county’s new EPIC online permitting system.
UN climate talks: Faint progress on money, none on pollution
Opening pocketbooks wider to fight climate change? That’s looking slightly more doable. Closing more smokestacks for the same goal? Not yet sold.
