Lockdowns or vaccines? 3 Pacific nations try diverging paths
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Cheryl Simpson was supposed to be celebrating her 60th birthday over lunch with friends but instead found herself confined to her Auckland home.
Rental assistance program awards more than $4 million
A countywide rental assistance program has issued more than $4 million to county residents and will be extended until the middle of next year.
Biden says US-led evacuation from Kabul is accelerating
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Sunday the U.S.-led evacuation of Americans, at-risk Afghans and others from the Kabul airport accelerated this weekend, although it remains vulnerable to threats posed by the Islamic State extremist group.
Slow-moving storm Henri drenches Northeast US
WESTERLY, R.I. — Tropical Storm Henri socked the Northeast with strong winds as it made landfall Sunday on the coast of Rhode Island and sent lashing bands of rain westward, knocking out power to over 140,000 homes and causing deluges that closed bridges, swamped roads and left some people stranded in their vehicles.
22 dead, many missing after 17 inches of rain in Tennessee
WAVERLY, Tenn. — At least 22 people were killed and rescue crews searched desperately Sunday amid shattered homes and tangled debris for dozens of people still missing after record-breaking rain sent floodwaters surging through Middle Tennessee.
Gig drivers deserve workplace rights
Tech giants like Uber, Lyft and DoorDash may soon be knocking on people’s doors — but it won’t be to deliver a meal or a ride. Instead, they’ll be asking for help in their effort to knee-cap protections for the gig workers they employ.
No containment, new threats from Northern California fire
PLACERVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire burning for a week in Northern California continued to grow out of control, one of about a dozen big blazes in the drought-stricken state that have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of people to evacuate.
Golf: Waiakea High golfer reaches semis at HSJGA match play championships
It’s 15 holes down on Maui and hopefully many more to go for Dysen Park.
Once a Viking, always a Viking: Siua eases into football life at Valley City State
There’s a comfortable vibe for Masila Siua, who’s playing football for Valley City State University, an NAIA school in North Dakota.
Mask, vaccine conflicts descend into violence and harassment
PHOENIX — The Hawaii lieutenant governor watched in horror as protesters showed up outside his condo, yelled at him through bullhorns and beamed strobe lights into the building to harass him over vaccine requirements.
Council postpones North Kona subdivision votes
List of proposed emergency rules
A new emergency rule proposed by Hawaii County and under consideration by Gov. David Ige also outlines rules for restaurants, bars, food courts and other dining establishments; barber shops and beauty operators; and places of worship.
New rules await approval: Mayor seeks OK for more stringent COVID-19 restrictions
Mayor Mitch Roth last week proposed more stringent restrictions aimed at curbing the surge of COVID-19 cases in Hawaii County.
KTA to host free COVID testing around isle
KTA Super Stores is offering free COVID-19 testing on the Big Island four times a week.
At least 8 killed in Tennessee flash floods; dozens missing
WAVERLY, Tenn. (AP) — Catastrophic flooding in Middle Tennessee left at least eight dead and dozens missing Saturday as record-shattering rainfall washed away homes and rural roads, authorities said.
‘We’re doing a very good job’: Hawaii on track to meet zero emissions deadline
Despite a grave warning from the United Nations about the impending danger of climate change, state officials believe Hawaii is making good progress toward protecting the environment.
IS threat forces US changes to evacuations at Kabul airport
KABUL, Afghanistan — Potential Islamic State threats against Americans in Afghanistan are forcing the U.S. military to develop new ways to get evacuees to the airport in Kabul, a senior U.S. official said Saturday, adding a new complication to the already chaotic efforts to get people out of the country after its swift fall to the Taliban.
Biden sees dip in support amid new COVID cases: AP-NORC poll
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is facing a summer slump, with Americans taking a notably less positive view of his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and his job approval rating ticking down.
Obituaries for August 22
Monico Cruz Castillo, 92, of Kailua-Kona died Aug. 1, at home. Born in Bactad, Urdaneta, Pangasinan, Philippines, he owned Castillo Orchid and Plumeria Farm, grew coffee, macadamia nuts and avocados, was a houseman for the former Kona Hilton Hotel, landscaper at Pottery Terrace and past president of Filipino Organization of Kona. Graveside service 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, at Kona Memorial Park. Limited attendance due to COVID-19 restrictions. Survived by daughters, Lydia (Gene) Ota of Keopu, Tellie (Tante) Castillo-Urban of Kailua-Kona, Glenda (Ronnie Wamil) Tabucbuc of Honokaa and Maria (Peter) Carvalho of Keauhou Mauka; sons, Gloco (Lynn Hamilton) Castillo of Kealakehe, Nookie (Jessievel) Castillo of Kailua-Kona and Monico (Michael Sutton) Castillo Jr. of Honolulu; sister, Trinidad Bagalay of Philippines; 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Europe fears Afghan refugee crisis after Taliban takeover
HANGEDIGI, Turkey — From above, the new border wall separating Turkey from Iran looks like a white snake winding through the barren hills. So far it only covers a third of the 335-mile border, leaving plenty of gaps for migrants to slip across in the dead of night.
Volcano Watch: ‘Aila‘au — the largest subaerial Kilauea lava flow
The 2018 lower East Rift Zone and 35-year-long Pu‘u ‘O‘o eruptions of Kilauea had large impacts on the Puna District. Many residents were deeply affected by devastating lava flows, earthquakes, gas emissions, and other volcanic hazards. However, it is important to note that these eruptions are dwarfed compared to some past Kilauea eruptions including the largest identified subaerial flow — ‘Aila‘au.
Your Views for August 22
Decreasing the odds
Needles and noses: Vaccines and masks are a must to beating COVID
Shifting away from his Afghan debacle, President Joe Biden on Wednesday went back to that other war, COVID-19, with a two-prong attack on the enemy: vaccines and masks. This fight cannot be victorious unless all Americans join together — so we urge Donald Trump, winner of 74 million votes, to be patriotic and get his booster shot before the cameras and urge his followers to follow him. He can even get Tucker Carlson to join him and call it a party.
Stay home, fans: Empty stands at UH home events over rising coronavirus cases
Spectators will not be permitted to attend the University of Hawaii season-opening home sporting events because of the surge in cases, school officials announced Friday.
Vietnam mistakes repeated in Afghanistan
The rapid collapse of the Afghan government has lessons to teach us, if we will listen. Many of these are lessons we could have learned from the Vietnam War, but we did not.
