State recoups from big storm amid lingering flood threats
HONOLULU — A slow-moving storm that knocked out power, swamped dozens of homes and sent creeks and streams surging had mostly passed over Hawaii on Tuesday, though the threat of flooding lingered in some already-drenched areas.
Pearl Harbor survivors gather on 80th anniversary of attack
PEARL HARBOR — A few dozen survivors of Pearl Harbor and other veterans gathered Tuesday at the site of the bombing 80 years ago to remember those killed in the attack by Japan that launched the U.S. into World War II.
Hele-On could become free: Council members impressed with Mass Transit update
The countywide Hele-On bus system could become free of charge next year, interim Mass Transit Administrator John Andoh told County Council members Tuesday.
Judge blocks Biden vaccine mandate for federal contractors
A federal judge on Tuesday blocked President Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees of federal contractors, the latest in a string of victories for Republican-led states pushing back against Biden’s pandemic policies.
Lakers handle Celtics 117-102, split rivalry for season
LOS ANGELES — Unlike most of his Los Angeles Lakers teammates, Russell Westbrook grew up a Lakers fan who personally understood the yearly importance of their rivalry series with the Boston Celtics.
Lightning rally late, beat Canadiens 3-2 in Cup rematch
MONTREAL — Ondrej Palat scored with 38 seconds left, giving the Tampa Bay Lightning a 3-2 comeback win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.
New England’s Carles Gil wins MLS Most Valuable Player award
New England Revolution midfielder Carles Gil has been named Major League Soccer’s Player of the Year.
Steph Curry must-see TV anytime cameras are near
The shot has been replayed millions of times already on video and social platforms. And considering it was from the stands before a game, it obviously didn’t even count.
Frenzy Part II? What to expect when MLB roster freeze lifts
The ink was hardly dry on Corey Seager’s $325 million, 10-year contract with the Texas Rangers last week when baseball’s historically hurried free agency period crashed to a halt.
Bidens honor Pearl Harbor’s fallen in visit to WWII Memorial
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden on Tuesday marked the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor with a somber visit to the World War II Memorial in the nation’s capital.
Commentary: Captives in our own country: The incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII
On Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, Aiko Yoshinaga, a 17-year-old Los Angeles High School student, was headed home from a party with classmates when she heard a shocking radio report: Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor. Even at her young age, Aiko immediately realized that with a U.S. declaration of war against Japan, her Japanese immigrant parents, legally precluded from becoming naturalized citizens, would not just be considered aliens — they would be enemy aliens.
‘Kona low’ pounds Big Island
Hawaii County Civil Defense said it will begin damage assessments today after a winter weather system known as a “Kona low” generated high winds and torrential downpours in parts of the Big Island over the weekend and Monday.
Supreme Court remands Bolton rock-crushing case: Court cites ‘abuse of discretion’ by 2016 planning director
The Hawaii Supreme Court has sent a 2016 permit controversy over a North Kona rock-crushing operation back to the Leeward Planning Commission, saying the county erred when it didn’t allow an intervenor to participate in the process.
Resolution urges pursuit of Metropolitan Planning Organization
U.S. Census data from 2020 could allow Hawaii County to access millions of dollars in federal funding to solve transportation issues.
Obituaries: December 7, 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.
Storm sweeps Hawaii, brings threat of ‘catastrophic’ floods
HONOLULU — A strong storm packing high winds and extremely heavy rain flooded roads and knocked out power across the state, with officials warning Monday of potentially worse conditions ahead.
Schumer aims to push Biden’s economic bill through before holiday
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told fellow Democrats he’s still aiming to pass President Joe Biden’s nearly $2 trillion economic package before Christmas, a goal that is increasingly challenged by competing priorities that include raising the debt ceiling and the divisions in the party over the massive tax and spending plan.
Navy halts use of fuel storage complex above Oahu aquifer
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM — The U.S. Navy announced Monday that it has suspended use of a massive World War II-era fuel storage complex above an Oahu aquifer that supplies nearly 20% of Honolulu’s drinking water — following days of complaints that tap water smells like fuel and has sickened some people.
Pandemic stress weighs heavily on Gen Z: AP-NORC, MTV poll
Isolation. Anxiety. Uncertainty. The stresses of the coronavirus pandemic have taken a toll on Americans of all ages, but a new poll finds that teens and young adults have faced some of the heaviest struggles as they come of age during a time of extreme turmoil.
Turning outrage into power: How far right is changing GOP
WASHINGTON — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy appears to have settled on a strategy to deal with a handful of Republican lawmakers who have stirred outrage with violent, racist and sometimes Islamophobic comments.
Treasury wants more oversight of all-cash real estate deals
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is looking to expand reporting requirements on all-cash real estate deals to help crack down on bad actors’ use of the U.S. market to launder money made through illicit activity.
Omicron v. delta: Battle of coronavirus mutants is critical
As the omicron coronavirus variant spreads in southern Africa and pops up in countries all around the world, scientists are anxiously watching a battle play out that could determine the future of the pandemic. Can the latest competitor to the world-dominating delta overthrow it?
More omicron cases confirmed
Two additional cases of the omicron COVID-19 variant were confirmed Monday in Hawaii.
National and world news at a glance
Justice Dept. files voting rights suit against Texas over new map
NYC to impose vaccine mandate on private sector employers
NEW YORK — From big Wall Street banks to corner grocery stores, all private employers in New York City will have to require their workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the mayor announced Monday in the most sweeping vaccine mandate of any state or big city in the U.S.
