Obituaries for December 28
William “Billy” Aina, 89, of Las Vegas, formerly of Ewa Beach, Oahu, died Dec. 4 in Las Vegas. Born in Hilo, he was retired from the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War and was a meat cutter at the Army Commissary at Schofield Barracks. Memorial services 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12 at the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). Survived by daughters, Malaurie Berg of Las Vegas and Billie Ann Terao of Kauai; son, Randall Aina of Oahu; sisters, Vera Ermatinger of Utah, Myra Paul and Verna Villaverde of Hilo; brother, Henry Aina of Hilo; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchild; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Palm Eastern Mortuary, Las Vegas.
FEMA sells disaster trailers cheaply despite victim demand
FORT WORTH, Texas — The federal government typically spends up to $150,000 apiece — not counting utilities, maintenance or labor — on the trailers it leases to disaster victims, then auctions them at cut-rate prices after 18 months of use or the first sign of minor damage, The Associated Press has learned.
Brother Noland: New CD, new band, three shows
Brother Noland Conjugacion is celebrating the new year with a new CD, a 10-piece band and three shows on the Big Island.
Disney-Fox deal may create a new nerdy nirvana
MENLO PARK, California — The coming union of the Disney and Fox media empires is set to create a new nirvana for fanboys and -girls, one that reunites superheroes and sci-fi characters long separated by an energy barrier of corporate legalism.
‘Something did survive’ California wildfires: Goldfish
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — What Logan Hertel and his friends found in the scorched remains of their Northern California neighborhood wasn’t a photo album, wedding ring or even a skittish cat separated from its family.
Babe Ruth of the Rubik’s Cube
WAIMEA — Matty Inaba is only 11, but he’s already talking retirement.
Police: Utility vehicle stolen in N. Kohala
Police are investigating the theft of a Land Pride utility vehicle in North Kohala over the long Christmas weekend.
A grave concern: County says insurance should cover cost of replacing damaged headstones
A driver’s insurance policy should cover the cost of replacing approximately 15 headstones damaged or destroyed after a vehicle plowed into Hilo’s Alae Cemetery last week, according to the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation.
A $1.75 billion cesspool problem: Required upgrades could lead to sewer rate increases
Five Big Island regions are especially vulnerable to contamination from cesspools, a state report says.
Cartoon for December 28
The world as seen by cartoonist Tom Stiglich, Creators.com.
We don’t need government to remind us that smoking kills
WASHINGTON — Preaching morality while practicing cupidity can be tricky, but various American governments have done it for years regarding smoking. This mental contortion now has a new chapter. The four largest American tobacco companies (Altria, R.J. Reynolds, Lorillard, Philip Morris) are, under government compulsion, funding newspaper and television ads to tell — actually, to remind — people that their products are sickening:
Your Views for December 28
Help with pigs
Tribune-Herald Athlete of the Week: Nalu Kahapea
Nalu Kahapea • Basketball
Rarest of the rare: Colony of endangered seabirds discovered at PTA
They’re the little birds that could.
BIIF eight-man football: Pahoa senior, Ka’u freshman share top offensive honor
By its nature, eight-man football is a dream scenario for shift and fast ball-carriers who excel when playing in space.
Their Views: CDC’s seven dirty words merely, er, discouraged, says White House
Bunk, says the Centers for Disease Control. Its staff was NOT, repeat NOT, forbidden to use certain terms — “diversity,” “fetus,” “transgender,” “vulnerable,” “entitlement,” “science-based” and “evidence-based” — in budget documents.
Their Views: A year of chaos, division and disruption in national politics
Change came to Washington in 2017, as the new president promised.
Their Views: Trump again exploits tragedy for political gain
Most Americans saw nothing but tragedy in a massive train derailment that left at least three people dead and about 100 injured in Washington state on Monday. President Donald Trump saw an opportunity to be exploited for political gain.
News in brief for Dec. 27
Media face challenges in rush to misconduct reckoning
Lifelong best friends discover they’re actually brothers
HONOLULU (AP) — Two Hawaii men who grew up as best friends recently learned that they’re actually brothers and revealed the surprise to family and friends over the holidays.
Democrat in Virginia House race asks court to invalidate tie
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — The Democrat in a tied race for a Virginia House seat that could affect which party controls the chamber said Tuesday that she’ll ask a court to declare the tie invalid and her the winner.
Part of White House Magnolia tree to be removed for safety
GREENACRES, Fla. — A large portion of a famed magnolia tree planted on the south grounds of the White House by President Andrew Jackson will be removed because it is weak and poses a safety risk, a spokeswoman for first lady Melania Trump said Tuesday.
Keaau man pleads guilty to second-degree negligent homicide
KAILUA-KONA — A 23-year-old Keaau man pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in connection with a moped crash in 2015 that resulted in a Kailua-Kona woman’s death.
Police hope autopsy will help solve Puna murder
Police investigators still aren’t sure whether the charred body found Monday morning inside a torched truck in Puna is a man or woman.
UH-Hilo pharmacy study could have nationwide impact
A University of Hawaii at Hilo study designed to decrease medicine-related re-hospitalizations of older adults is garnering national attention.
