Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Seven new COVID-19 cases reported on Big Island

Dec. 30, 2020 • Updated 12:25 p.m.

Seven new COVID-19 cases have been reported today on the Big Island, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense.

Kilauea lava lake expands as eruption continues

Dec. 30, 2020 • Updated 10:07 a.m.

The lava lake inside Halemaʻumaʻu continues to expand as lava erupts from vents on the northwest side of the crater, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

No preseason, no problem: NFL rookies shine in strange year

Dec. 30, 2020

Facing fourth-and-goal at the 1 in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams, the New York Jets turned to veteran Frank Gore — along with rookie Mekhi Becton.

Council approves Kailua-Kona development

Dec. 30, 2020

An agreement worked out by two council members negotiating with developers of a Kailua-Kona project was approved by the County Council last week and then sent to the mayor, despite three council members’ assurances that the public would have one more opportunity to comment at a council forum.

Ige delays furloughs until ‘at least July 1’

Dec. 30, 2020

Gov. David Ige said Tuesday that he is delaying the implementation of furloughs for state employees through at least July 1, 2021.

COVID-19 exposure notification app now available to residents of Hawaii County

Dec. 30, 2020

AlohaSafe Alert, the state of Hawaii’s official COVID-19 exposure notification app, is now available to Hawaii County residents and is expected to launch statewide next week.

McConaughey buys new home in Kona gated community

Dec. 30, 2020

Matthew McConaughey has new luxury digs in West Hawaii, Pacific Business News reported Tuesday.

Trump’s $2,000 checks stall in Senate as GOP blocks vote

Dec. 30, 2020

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s push for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks stalled out Tuesday in the Senate as Republicans blocked a swift vote proposed by Democrats and split within their own ranks over whether to boost spending or defy the White House.

West Hawaii golf subsidy program returns

Dec. 30, 2020 • Updated 7:34 p.m.

Hawaii County’s subsidized golf program returns Friday at two West Hawaii locations.

Police find driver of pickup sought as potential murder witness

Dec. 30, 2020

Police said Tuesday that they found the driver of a white Nissan Frontier they wanted to interview as a potential witness in the Dec. 18 fatal shooting of 41-year-old Benjamin Craig Davidson in the parking lot of the Puainako Town Center in Hilo.

Injured hiker rescued on Maunakea

Dec. 30, 2020

Pohakuloa Training Area fire personnel and county fire rescuers on Monday extricated a woman hiker from a trail on Maunakea.

Police arrest 19 for DUI

Dec. 30, 2020

During the week of Dec. 21-27, Hawaii Island police arrested 19 motorists for DUI. Five of the drivers were involved in traffic accidents. One was younger than 21.

FAA reforms reassert primacy of Boeing oversight, safety

Dec. 30, 2020

At last, Congress has undone disastrous Federal Aviation Administration policy that abetted Boeing’s lapses in pushing the unsafe 737 MAX to market. The restoration of trusted FAA oversight is a necessary step to set Boeing back on course as aviation’s longtime leader.

State briefs for December 30

Dec. 30, 2020

Former official named leader of rail project

‘Like a bathtub filling up’: Alabama is slammed by the virus

Dec. 30, 2020

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — With its dozen intensive care beds already full, Cullman Regional Medical Center began looking desperately for options as more and more COVID-19 patients showed up.

1st reported US case of COVID-19 variant found in Colorado

Dec. 30, 2020

DENVER — The first reported U.S. case of the COVID-19 variant that’s been seen in the United Kingdom was discovered in Colorado, announced Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday.

News briefs for December 30

Dec. 30, 2020

Biden criticizes pace of vaccine rollout, vows to accelerate

Obituaries for December 30

Dec. 30, 2020

Arthur George Kahalepa‘akea Ahana, 78, of Waimea died Dec. 19 at home. Born in Honolulu, he was a retired electrician and proprietor of Ahana Electric and member of the Annunciation Catholic Church. Survived by wife, Gwen Ahana of Waimea; son, Keoni (Roselee) Ahana of Waimea; daughter, Maliaokalani (Nathan) Ahana-Pascual of Waimea; brothers, Neyland (Naomi) Ahana of Kaneohe, Oahu, and Wildon Ahana of Honolulu; sisters, Novie Widemann and Giselle Ahana of Waimanalo, Oahu; sister in-law, Sharon Keliiholokai of Waimea; four grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

Trump’s capitulation on pandemic relief is no cause for celebration

Dec. 30, 2020

Americans should feel no more gratitude for President Donald Trump’s eleventh hour decision to sign the $900 billion pandemic relief measure than they might have for a vandal’s choice not to spray paint graffiti on their walls. The president’s behavior merely conforms to what might pass as normalcy.

A progressive wish list for 2021

Dec. 30, 2020

As 2020 mercifully draws to a close, there is reason to be optimistic that 2021 will present opportunities for progressive change, to the betterment of all. As part of making that happen, the majority of Americans who support progressive ideals should make specific demands of President-elect Joe Biden.