Your Views for August 12
COVID wake-up call
Trial in death of Waimea toddler delayed
Trial for a 47-year-old Waimea woman charged with the 2017 murder of a Waimea toddler has been continued for three weeks until a legal challenge can be resolved.
Obituaries for August 12
Charann Mary Darlene Alick, 26, of Keaau died July 27 at the Hilo Medical Center. Born in Bethel, Alaska, she was an employee of Hilo Candy Co. Private services. Online condolences: homelanimemorialpark.com. Survived by father, Benjamin Alick of Pilot Station, Alaska; sisters, Misty (Arthur) Silva of Hilo and Gianny Brito of Wisconsin; brother, Levi Brito of Wisconsin; fiancé, Daniel Ingold of Keaau; hanai parents, Michelle and Shawn Brinkman of Keaau. Arrangements by Homelani Memorial Park.
County expects hefty bill from historic blaze
A tally of the cost of battling the Big Island’s largest wildland fire in history likely will not be available until September.
Rejected Leeward Planning Commission nominee files ethics complaint against council members
A rejected nominee to the Leeward Planning Commission has filed an ethics complaint against four of the five council members who voted not to confirm her, claiming they discriminated against her because she’s a real estate professional.
Feeding the ‘spiritual hunger’: Hilo churches stay strong despite COVID challenges
Hawaii religious leaders were happy to learn Wednesday that Gov. David Ige’s executive order limiting indoor gatherings to 10 people and 50% capacity would not apply to churches.
More COVID cases in E. Hawaii long-term care homes
With 79 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday, the number of Big Island infections tallied since the start of the pandemic now totals more than 5,000.
Good job, Sasa; former Vul bound for Portugal
Sasa Vuksanovic doesn’t know any Portuguese, but he’s sure to hear “bom trabalho” when he scores for the S.C. Lusitania Expert professional basketball team in Angra, Portugal.
Recruits bolster UHH men’s basketball
The latest edition of the UH-Hilo basketball team will be in second-year coach Kaniela Aiona’s image with new recruits who will add much-needed depth, significant skill-level upgrades, and, maybe most importantly, youth.
Hometown Heroes: Conservation is officer’s true reward
Conservation officer John Kahiapo was surprised when a typical Saturday at a keiki fishing tournament turned into a celebration for him and his 30 years as an officer for the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Your Views for August 11
The blame game
Forging ahead: Parker Ranch outlines historic fire’s impact, future plans
Parker Ranch is forging ahead with plans for a large reforestation project on the slopes of Maunakea and reseeding thousands of acres of pasture destroyed by the largest fire to impact the operation in its 175-year history.
Ige cuts allowable gathering sizes, caps indoor capacities at 50%
By comparison, Ige said, the state was averaging 60 new cases per day a month ago, with only 48 people in the hospital.
No COVID cases at HCCC — for now
Hawaii Community Correctional Center is free of active COVID-19 cases for now, according to a statement Tuesday by the state Department of Public Safety.
Obituaries for August 11
Michele Ann Carvalho, 50, of Kailua-Kona died July 30 at home. Born in Kealakekua, she was a secretary for West Hawaii Elecronics. No service is planned at this time. Survived by life partner, David Mayers of Kailua-Kona; brother, Martin (Lani) Carvalho Jr. of Kailua-Kona; maternal grandmother, Leslie Duarte of Holualoa; nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, two grandnephews and a grandniece. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Hilo Medical Center full amid latest COVID-19 surge
Tiffany Martinez, an intensive care unit nurse at Hilo Medical Center, has been working with COVID-19 patients since the onset of the pandemic 17 months ago.
Groups irked by agricultural theft
Farmers and law enforcement officials expressed their frustrations Monday evening in a community meeting about agricultural theft in Honomu.
DLNR eyes ‘Love Island’ for impact on wildlife
Department of Land and Natural Resources investigators will observe the set of “Love Island” this week to determine if the production is having a negative effect on local wildlife.
Ige tightens social gathering restrictions
Gov. David Ige has tightened statewide limits on social gatherings in response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases throughout the state.
DOH: 436 new COVID-19 cases statewide, 76 on Big Island
Another 76 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases were reported today on the Big Island.
Senate OK’s $1 trillion infrastructure plan; Hawaii to get at least $2.8 billion
WASHINGTON — With a robust vote after weeks of fits and starts, the Senate approved a $1 trillion infrastructure plan for states coast to coast today, as a rare coalition of Democrats and Republicans came together to overcome skeptics and deliver a cornerstone of President Joe Biden’s agenda.
Making dad proud: It’s child’s play for Vargas, but 5th Richardson win special
Noelani Vargas remembers when she first starting competing at the Richardson Roughwater Swim as an 8-year-old when her late father, Roger, would drive her from Waimea to Hilo.
Police seek leads on ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect
Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 37-year-old Anthony Romero Gonsalves, whom they say should be considered armed and dangerous.
Three people, dog rescued from sinking boat on Hilo Bayfront
Firefighters rescued three people and a dog after a recreational dingy partially submerged about 100 yards off the Hilo Bayfront early Saturday afternoon.
Parts of isle suffering from severe drought
According to National Weather Service’s senior service hydrologist in Honolulu, portions of the Big Island are experiencing severe drought — and he linked that drought to a record-sized fire firefighters battled in South Kohala.
