US military brings back remains from WWII battle
HONOLULU — The U.S. military brought back the remains of more than 20 servicemen killed in one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.
An Air Force cargo plane flew the remains from Tarawa atoll in the remote Pacific island nation of Kiribati to Hawaii on Wednesday. Marines carried flag-draped caskets off the plane for a ceremony.
The remains are among those discovered in March by History Flight, a nonprofit organization that searches for the remains of U.S. servicemen lost in past conflicts.
They’re thought to belong to Marines and sailors from the 6th Marine Regiment who were killed during the last night of the three-day Battle of Tarawa. More than 6,000 Americans, Japanese and Koreans died.
Forensic anthropologists with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency will work to identify the remains using dental records, DNA and other clues.
Medical cannabis patients offered 2-year renewal
WAILUKU, Maui — Hawaii residents have been offered two-year renewals of their medical cannabis certification cards.
The state Department of Health started allowing the renewals Thursday. Officials say current medical cannabis cardholders can submit their two-year renewal applications through an online registration system.
Applicants must have a qualifying debilitating medical condition that is chronic and verified by a physician or advanced practice registered nurse.
Officials say patients must renew with the physician or nurse who issued a certification in a previous year. The issuing medical professional must agree that a two-year renewal is in the best interest of the patient.
Registered patients may submit renewal applications online 60 days before their cards expire.
Officials say registration fees are nonrefundable regardless of an application’s outcome.