Congressional delegation asks US to tackle Navy’s fouled water
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s congressional delegation on Thursday asked House and Senate leaders to make sure the military spends whatever money it has available to address the contamination of Pearl Harbor drinking water by a Navy fuel storage facility that has leaked petroleum.
CDC panel recommends Pfizer, Moderna COVID shots over Johnson and Johnson’s
Most Americans should be given the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines instead of the Johnson and Johnson shot that can cause rare but serious blood clots, U.S. health advisers recommended Thursday.
Kona man facing manslaughter charges
A 28-year-old man will make his initial court appearance today on a charge of manslaughter stemming from an assault that left a 64-year-old Captain Cook man dead.
Regents get Maunakea update
Changes are coming for Maunakea over the next few years.
Schools step up security in response to threats on TikTok
Educators announced plans to increase security in response to TikTok posts warning of shooting and bomb threats at schools around the country today as officials assured parents the viral posts were not considered credible.
Pressure builds against doctors peddling false virus claims
They have decried COVID-19 as a hoax, promoted unproven treatments and pushed bogus claims about the vaccine, including that the shots magnetize the human body.
National and world news at a glance
Scientists are racing to gauge the threat of omicron
Benner, Barnett earn podium spots at Honolulu Marathon
Nearly 9,000 runners took part in Sunday’s 48th edition of the Honolulu Marathon and companion race, the Start to Park 10K. While the numbers for this year’s event were significantly less than in previous years, it turned out to be the largest sporting event in Hawaii since the start of COVID-19.
Island Life: Headin’ out
The Kai ‘Opua Canoe Club paddles out at Kailua Bay on a December morning.
Editorial: Abortion and gun rights: A bad law is still a bad law
Regardless of what you think about abortion rights, Texas’ poorly crafted abortion law is about to unleash a slew of unintended constitutional consequences across the country.
Commentary: We are the ones failing our teens, not social media
It’s no secret that social media is taking a toll on teenagers, especially girls. Filters and photo editing create the facade of a seemingly perfect life and put an emphasis on unrealistic beauty standards and constant comparison. This often leads to decreased self-esteem and to body image concerns.
Tyler Cowen: Who does inflation harm more, the poor or the rich?
With inflation now rising faster than at any time in the last four decades, economists are debating which group suffers more from inflation, the poor or the rich. This kind of economywide question is not easy to answer, especially when rates of inflation have been so low in recent times and hard data are scarce. Nor is it obvious how exactly to compare the losses to the poor to the losses to wealthier groups. Nonetheless, the arguments suggest that the poor are likely to take a beating.
Local neo-psych-rockers make Kahilu debut
Keyboardist Kaimalu Harmon’s eerie otherworldly tones opened Mister Peanut’s 90-minute Kahilu Theatre show last Friday. “Set The Controls” is a very spacey jam, much like you’d hear on an early Pink Floyd or Jimi Hendrix album. Lead vocalist Mike Bennet provided random starship trooper commands until the mothership landed on planet Peanut Butter and the song ended.
Music series continues
Ohrlando’s Live From Home will present its 30th livestream performance at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Kohala Plein Air Painters on display
The Firehouse Gallery and Kohala Plein Air Painters invite the public to a Plein Air Paint Out from 9 a.m. to noon today at the gallery in Waimea.
Skateboarder in critical condition following crash in Waimea
A 20-year-old skateboarder remained hospitalized Thursday after being struck by a vehicle on Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea.
Waimea Middle School cancels classes Friday amid nationwide threat of school shootings
Waimea Middle School has decided to cancel school today as a precautionary measure due to a nationwide social media rumor that school shootings will take place on Friday, Dec. 17.
‘Home for the HiloDays’ at the Palace this weekend
“Home for the HiloDays” is back this year with in-person and virtual options available for the three days of holiday performances this weekend.
Man indicted for attempted murder
A Kona grand jury on Monday indicted a Big Island man on attempted murder and four other charges related to a domestic violence incident that took place in early December.
Obituaries: December 17, 2021
Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. Content is subject to editing for parity treatment and style continuity. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Any questions regarding obituaries should be directed to the mortuary or via email to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Richards to seek state Senate seat
Kohala Councilman Tim Richards is planning to forego a final term on the County Council to run for the District 4 Senate seat vacated when the state Reapportionment Commission redrew the boundary lines on the Big Island.
Hilo man sentenced to 20 years for ‘unfathomable’ crimes against a minor
A 45-year-old Hilo man was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison for the repeated sexual assault of a minor between September 2011 and October 2017.
One year later, ‘vaccines are truly life-savers’
The state Department of Health on Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 vaccinations in the islands.
$10M boost for Big Isle airports
Big Island airports will receive $10 million in federal funds for infrastructure improvements as part of a $246 million funding package for the state.
Officials urge COVID caution heading into the holidays
Despite COVID-19 cases rising yet again on Oahu, Lt. Gov. Josh Green says no changes to virus safety protocols are currently planned for the holidays.
