DOH: 831 new COVID-19 cases statewide, 176 on Big Island
Another 176 COVID-19 cases have been reported today on the Big Island as an ongoing surge, driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant, continues.
Pentagon: US troops must get their COVID-19 vaccines ASAP
WASHINGTON — Military troops must immediately begin to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a memo Wednesday, ordering service leaders to “impose ambitious timelines for implementation.”
Biden steers away from disastrous Trump policy
In today’s hyper-polarized political climate, President Joe Biden’s moderating instincts are often useful, as demonstrated by the infrastructure deal finally coming together in Congress. A half-loaf that is clearly better than nothing. But when it comes to putting out the raging wildfire that is climate change, it’s more apt to paraphrase, of all people, Barry Goldwater: Moderation is no virtue.
Approval of Pfizer vaccine validates COVID-19 mandates
The Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for people 16 and older should spur federal, state and local governments to impose widespread vaccine mandates.
Honolulu Little League moves 1 win from title game
From boys to men right before our eyes.
UH-Hilo volleyball can’t shake Chaminade in tight preseason PacWest poll
It’s no surprise that Azusa Pacific was voted No. 1 and UH-Hilo at No. 2 in the PacWest volleyball preseason coaches poll. After all, the Cougars are the two-time defending league champion, and the Vulcans finished as the conference runner-up in 2019 and reached the preseason.
With U.S. club soccer invite, Konawaena’s Hanks is keeping her options open
Caiya Hanks already has her future job waiting, but there’s a catch: the Konawaena senior soccer standout is still in school and intends to head off to college first.
Your Views for August 26
Disrespectful tourists
Final EIS published for dolphin swimming ban
Approaching and swimming with Hawaiian spinner dolphins is one step closer to being prohibited in Hawaii’s coastal waters.
Senators hear praise of Ige’s new appeals court nominee
HONOLULU — People on Wednesday praised Gov. David Ige’s latest nominee to serve on the Intermediate Court of Appeals, telling the Hawaii Senate Judiciary Committee that Sonja McCullen was highly qualified for the job.
Record number of COVID patients in HMC
Three dozen COVID-positive patients were hospitalized as of Wednesday at Hilo Medical Center, an all-time high.
Mandate for HMC: Vaccinations or testing for Hawaii Health Systems Corp. facility employees
Employees at Hilo Medical Center and other Hawaii Health Systems Corp. facilities in East Hawaii have until early September to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face weekly testing.
Lowen to continue pushing producer responsibility
State Rep. Nicole Lowen said she’ll continue pursuing increased producer responsibility for the waste their products produce, despite the failure to get her colleagues’ support of a bill she sponsored this year.
Parents of man killed by police in Hilo file lawsuit
The parents of a 31-year-old man shot and killed by police in Hilo on June 18 have filed a lawsuit against the county and held an online press conference Wednesday to talk about their son, Daniel Buckingham.
Char: COVID surge hasn’t peaked
Hawaii’s COVID-19 case numbers have not yet reached their peak, Hawaii Health Director Libby Char said Wednesday.
Motorcyclist killed in Puna crash
Police are investigating a fatal traffic collision that killed a motorcyclist Tuesday afternoon in the area between the 4- and 5-mile marker of Highway 132 in Pahoa.
DOH: 625 new COVID-19 cases, 100 on Big Island
The state Department of Health today reported an additional 625 COVID-19 cases, including 100 new infections on the Big Island.
COVID-19 outbreaks in US spur reversals on in-person learning
ATLANTA — A few weeks into the new school year, growing numbers of U.S. districts have halted in-person learning or switched to hybrid models because of rapidly mounting coronavirus infections.
Bring on the vaccination mandates
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was the first to receive an emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December. And as of Monday, it is the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive full approval from the FDA for people over 16.
Your Views for August 25
Ige’s plea
Lost and found: Community helps nurse locate stolen bike
When Kat Balsimo came out to her vehicle Saturday night after a grueling 15-hour shift as health coordinator at North Hawaii Community Hospital, her bike — her means of escaping the stress and realities of being a nurse amid the COVID-19 pandemic — had been swiped.
Obituaries for August 25
Natsuko Oshiro Aoki, 91, of Kealakekua died Aug. 7 at home. Born in Maunaloa, Molokai, she was a retired registered nurse, artist and quilter, board member of Kona Adult Day Center and member of Kona Okinawa Kenjinkai, Kona Kumamoto Kenjinkai, Kinuwai Kumiai, hrist Church Episcopal and Daifukuji Orchid Club. Services at a later date. No flowers. Memorial donations to Kona Adult Day Center, Hospice of Kona or Christ Church Episcopal. Survived by sons, Kevin Aoki of Gypsum, Colo., Brian (Suzette) Aoki of Surprise, Ariz., Warren (Lyn) Aoki of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Ron (Andrell) Aoki of Mililani, Oahu; daughters, Shayne (Patrick) Edwards of Marysville, Calif., and Diane Aoki of Kealakekua; sisters, Doris Onishi of Hilo and Kikue Shimabukuro of Los Angeles; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren;nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
County, Justice Department agree on improvements in Hele-On ADA complaint
Disabled riders on Hawaii County’s Hele-On bus system should have an easier time of it following improvements made in a settlement agreement in response to an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Police survey: High marks, but room for improvement
The results of a Hawaii Police Department community survey conducted in April were released to the public Tuesday, with the majority of respondents finding Hawaii Island is a safe place to live and work.
County seeks bids on Hilo Muni restaurant
The county Department of Parks and Recreation has extended to Sept. 14 the bid deadline for the lease to operate a restaurant concession at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course.
