National and world news at a glance
Omicron is not more severe for children, despite rising hospitalizations
Island life: Dawn burns bright
The sun rises over Kona on Tuesday.
Hometown Heroes: The Waikoloa Foundation helps fill The Food Basket’s shelves
Editor’s note: Each Wednesday, West Hawaii Today is publishing a story about individuals, groups or organizations that have helped make life better for others in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Letters to the Editor: December 29, 2021
Stunning joke
Commentary: Learning to live with COVID
We are sticking our heads into the sand regarding the reality of omicron, and the results may be catastrophic.
Tyler Cowen: America would be more happy with more people
It is one of the most worrisome economic statistics of a year that was full of them: In 2021, according to the Census Bureau, the U.S. population grew at the slowest rate in recorded history.
John Madden, Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster, dies at 85
John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday morning, the league said. He was 85.
Hawaii’s top defensive player, linebacker Darius Muasau, enters transfer portal
The University of Hawaii football team is losing its best defensive player.
No. 21 Houston beats Auburn in Birmingham, finishes 12-2
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Jake Herslow caught a 26-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass from Clayton Tune with 3:27 left, and No. 21 Houston beat Auburn 17-13 on Tuesday in the Birmingham Bowl.
Palat scores in OT, Lightning rally past Habs in NHL return
TAMPA, Fla. — Ondrej Palat scored 36 seconds into overtime after Tampa Bay teammate Corey Perry tied it late in the third period, and the Lightning beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 on Tuesday night in the first NHL game following an extended holiday break.
Lakers end 5-game skid; James, Westbrook have triple-doubles
HOUSTON — LeBron James and Russell Westbrook both had triple-doubles and the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a season-high, five-game skid with a 132-123 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.
Police nab 15 for DUI
Police arrested 15 motorists for suspected drunken driving between Dec. 20 and Sunday. Six of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes.
Police seek whereabouts of Hilo man
Hawaii Island police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating 35-year-old Kenoa Castro of Hilo, who was reported missing. He was last heard from in mid-October.
Police renew request for info on missing man, 67
Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 67-year-old Christopher A. Polifka of Kona, who was reported missing by his family on Oct. 10.
Police ID victim of apparent drowning off Puna
Hawaii Island police have identified the victim of a possible drowning that occurred Christmas Day, Saturday, in the Kalapana area.
Police warn of phone scams asking for bail money
Hawaii Island police are warning the public about continuing phone scams that attempt to deceive unsuspecting people for assistance in obtaining bail money for a family member who is incarcerated and needs immediate assistance.
Woman apologizes for Lake Waiau rock-throwing incident
A woman apologized Tuesday evening for posting photos and video earlier this month of large rocks being thrown into Lake Waiau atop Maunakea after her actions caught the attention of conservation managers and law enforcement.
Toast to 2022 with more than just champagne
The act is innately celebratory, hopeful and a little nostalgic, and the bubbles themselves can take many forms: tiny and flashy, racing to the glass’s surface; big and bouncing across the tongue; delicate and softly sparkling. They can come from time-honored pours of Champagne or another sparkling wine, one that is tart with acid, floral and honeyed, or simply flitting along, carrying the idea of sweetness. Or they can be from bubbling cocktails, less in step with strict holiday tradition but no less merrily effervescent.
Aromatic spice paste enlivens Balinese pork
Whether it’s an entire spit-roasted pig or the more accessible skillet-braised shoulder, pork frequently is the focus of feasts during religious festivals in Bali, a pocket of Hindu tradition in majority-Muslim Indonesia.
Hungry? Here’s why you should be eating goat meat
Is America at long last discovering that goat is the G.O.A.T.? Having returned to my home in New York after three years abroad, I am surprised to see so many restaurant menus featuring my favorite form of protein, which I learned to love growing up in India.
Warm up with chickpea and potato soup
Fragrant spices flavor this hearty vegetarian soup. It’s a one-pot meal that can be made in 15 minutes. You just add the ingredients to the saucepan, cover with a lid and let it cook.
Jonathan Bernstein: Biden can promise action, but omicron is in charge right now
President Joe Biden had a difficult job to do in his speech on Tuesday afternoon. He had to urge action on the omicron variant without sparking panic; show that his administration is taking action on the latest COVID-19 variant without making it seem as if it hadn’t done enough so far; and empathize with people who have had enough of the pandemic without sounding pessimistic.
Zuckerberg buys more Kauai land, including deadly dam site
HONOLULU — Billionaire Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has purchased more property in Hawaii, including most of a reservoir that unleashed a deadly flood 15 years ago.
US officials recommend shorter COVID isolation, quarantine
NEW YORK — U.S. health officials on Monday cut isolation restrictions for Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.
Biden signs $768.2 billion defense spending bill into law
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law Monday, authorizing $768.2 billion in military spending, including a 2.7% pay raise for service members, for 2022.
