‘Nice weather’ forecast for New Year’s Eve
Fair weather will ring in the new year in East Hawaii, according to official forecasts.
As tree species face decline, ‘assisted migration’ gains popularity in Pacific Northwest
PORTLAND, Oregon — As native trees in the Pacific Northwest die off due to climate changes, the U.S. Forest Service, Portland, Oregon and citizen groups around Puget Sound are turning to a deceptively simple climate adaptation strategy called “assisted migration.”
Food insecurity rises in Hawaii amid increasing costs
A new study from nonprofit Hunger Free America found that 137,000 people across the state lived in food-insecure households between 2020 and 2022 — including 14.7% of children, 8.3% of employed adults and 4.4% of older residents.
Maine bars Trump from ballot as US Supreme Court weighs states’ authority to block former president
PORTLAND, Maine — Maine’s Democratic secretary of state on Thursday removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause, becoming the first election official to take action unilaterally as the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to decide whether Trump remains eligible to return to the White House.
Federal judge accepts redrawn Georgia congressional and legislative districts that will favor GOP
ATLANTA — A federal judge on Thursday accepted new Georgia congressional and legislative voting districts that protect Republican partisan advantages, saying the creation of new majority-Black voting districts solved the illegal minority vote dilution that led him to order maps to be redrawn.
Independent lawyers begin prosecuting cases of sexual assault and other crimes in the US military
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military on Thursday opened a new chapter in how it investigates and prosecutes cases of sexual assault and other major crimes, putting independent lawyers in charge of those decisions and sidelining commanders after years of pressure from Congress.
Obituaries for December 29
Mary Louise Apo, 82, of Hilo died Dec. 10. Born Ka‘u, she was a former crossing guard and lunch/yard supervisor for Naalehu Elementary School, janitor for Naalehu Public Library and Ka‘u Police Station, and of Kilauea and Ka‘u wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 5, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 522 Ponahawai St. in Hilo. Service at 10:30 am. Burial 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Survived by sons, Lawrence (Esther) Apo of San Antonio and Wayde (Billie-Lee) Apo Sr. of Ainaloa; daughters, Sherlene (Robert) Rosario of Pahala and Tanya (George) Garcia, of Crownsville, Md.; sisters, Angeline Moniz and Aileen Mattos of Hilo; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; aunts, uncles and cousins. Arrangements by Ballard Family Mortuary.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard out of prison years after persuading boyfriend to kill her abusive mother
Gypsy Rose Blanchard, the Missouri woman who persuaded an online boyfriend to kill her mother after she had forced her to pretend for years that she was suffering from leukemia, muscular dystrophy and other serious illnesses, was released Thursday from prison on parole.
New weight loss drugs are out of reach for millions of older Americans because Medicare won’t pay
WASHINGTON — New obesity drugs are showing promising results in helping some people shed pounds but the injections will remain out of reach for millions of older Americans because Medicare is forbidden to cover such medications.
New year’s resolution — appreciating the silence in conversation
My new year’s resolution for 2024 was shaped by a random moment. I was coming out of the shower, full of thoughts about a novel I’m working on. I suddenly noticed seven small makeup bags, replete with sample giveaways that I’ve accumulated for way too long, tucked away in a corner.
No immunity from justice: Trump doesn’t get a pass from federal felonies
It was no surprise that the U.S. Supreme Court turned down Special Counsel Jack Smith’s very unusual request to hear an appeal of a trial judge’s decision that Donald Trump does not enjoy presidential immunity for criminal acts committed during his term of office even before an appeals court ruled on the matter.
Your Views for December 29
China’s aggression definitely a threat
Israeli strikes across Gaza kill dozens of Palestinians, even in largely emptied north
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli forces bombarded cities, towns and refugee camps across Gaza on Thursday, killing dozens of people in a widening air and ground offensive against Hamas that has forced thousands more to flee from homes and shelters in recent days.
Social media companies made $11 billion in US ad revenue from minors, Harvard study finds
Social media companies collectively made over $11 billion in U.S. advertising revenue from minors last year, according to a study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health published on Wednesday.
Obituaries for December 28
Greg “Maka” Maka‘ala Hiroshi Branco, 32, of Mountain View died Dec. 17 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Hilo, he was a landscaper, driller, beekeeper and 2010 graduate of Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus. Celebration of life 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at Wailoa State Park large pavilion. Casual attire. Survived by son, Zavery Ha‘ali‘i Branco; daughter, Zailey Anale‘a Branco; father, Greg Branco; mother, Vickie Murata; companion, Sandylynn Akiona; sisters, Seasons Branco, Jasmine (Alan Soistman Jr.) Branco and Asa (John) Harvest; hanai sisters, Cheyanne Rapoza and Lisa Ebesugawa; maternal grandparents, Herbert and Tazuko Murata; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
As the Endangered Species Act turns 50, those who first enforced it reflect on its mixed legacy
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On Dec. 28, 1973, President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act. “Nothing,” he said, “is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed.” The powerful new law charged the federal government with saving every endangered plant and animal in America and enjoyed nearly unanimous bipartisan support.
Fireworks: Permits, rules, regs
The sale of firecrackers and other fireworks in Hawaii County began Tuesday and ends at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
She died weeks after fleeing the Maui wildfire. Her family fought to have her listed as a victim.
LAHAINA, Maui — Sharlene Rabang and her calico cat fled the wildfire that destroyed her town on Maui and arrived at a family home on another Hawaii island after a 24-hour odyssey that included sleeping in a car.
Hilo man pleads not guilty in child porn case
Federal court documents link an 18-year-old Hilo man charged with possession of child pornography to neo-Nazi satanic pedophiles.
Cell tower raises concerns: Proposed project in HOVE would be located near Kahuku Park
A cell tower planned to be built in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates is being challenged by residents concerned about the project’s close proximity to their homes.
Denver Broncos bench QB Russell Wilson and will turn to Jarrett Stidham
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos are benching quarterback Russell Wilson in a move that could have major ramifications for both his future and theirs.
Bowl roundup: Miller Moss throws Holiday Bowl-record 6 TD passes, USC beats No. 16 Louisville 42-28
SAN DIEGO (AP) — With Caleb Williams watching from the sideline, Miller Moss threw a Holiday Bowl-record six touchdown passes in his first college start and Southern California ended a frustrating season by beating No. 16 Louisville 42-28 on Wednesday night.
LeVert scores 29 points, hits go-ahead 3 as Cavs rally in 4th to beat Mavs 113-110
DALLAS — Jarrett Allen and the Cleveland Cavaliers are counting the games until Donovan Mitchell returns from a longer-than-expected absence from an illness for a team short-handed well beyond the star guard.
NBA roundup: Maxey, Harris, Melton help 76ers beat Magic 112-92 without Embiid
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tyrese Maxey scored 23 points, Tobias Harris and De’Anthony Melton added 22 each ands the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Orlando Magic 112-92 on Wednesday night while playing without reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid.
BIIF hoops: Pahoa girls down Hilo
The Pahoa Daggers defeated the Hilo Vikings 48-31 in a home game on Wednesday night. Pahoa senior Jaylynn Kaawaloa-Alidon was the top scorer with 18 points and sophomore Remedy Gonsalez scored 13 points.