Legislative talk story: Lowen, Kanuha talk with constituents about 2021 session
At a Tuesday evening virtual talk story, West Hawaii’s representation in the state Legislature shared some highlights from the 2021 legislative session.
Ethics Board weighs in on Van Pernis complaints
Leeward Planning Commissioner Mark Van Pernis was in the hot seat again Wednesday, this time before the county Board of Ethics.
HFD likely to finish out fiscal year slightly under budget
Hawaii Fire Department Chief Kazuo Todd said Wednesday the department will likely finish out the fiscal year slightly under budget.
Virus outbreaks in Hawaii jails prompt inmate lawsuit
HONOLULU — A class-action lawsuit on behalf of Hawaii inmates says the state has failed to protect people from COVID-19 outbreaks in unsanitary jails.
Popular bluff reopens at HVNP
More trails at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park have been reopened following the 2018 Kilauea eruption.
State officials tout incentives, hope more residents will get vaccinated
State leaders are hopeful that recently announced incentives and benchmarks will entice more people to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, but it’s too soon to tell what effect those efforts will actually have on inoculation numbers.
Biden opens overseas trip declaring ‘United States is back’
MILDENHALL, England — President Joe Biden opened the first overseas trip of his term Wednesday with a declaration that “the United States is back” as he seeks to reassert the nation on the world stage and steady European allies deeply shaken by his predecessor.
Officers not indicted in Honolulu shooting that killed teen
HONOLULU — Grand jurors have declined to indict three Honolulu police officers in a shooting that killed a 16-year-old boy.
‘This IS INSANE’: Africa desperately short of COVID vaccine
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — In the global race to vaccinate people against COVID-19, Africa is tragically at the back of the pack.
AP source: US to buy 500M Pfizer vaccines to share globally
WASHINGTON — The U.S. will buy 500 million more doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to share through the global COVAX alliance for donation to 92 lower income countries and the African Union over the next year, a person familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
Closed cold case murder tied to ousted Tennessee governor
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A former Tennessee governor’s administration helped fund a contract murder of a key federal witness decades ago while embroiled in the state’s largest political scandal, law enforcement officials announced Wednesday.
Obituaries for June 10
Michael Kirchner Bates, 80, of Waimea died May 28 at his residence. Born in Paia, Maui, he was a building materials supplier, Realtor, U.S. Coast Guard veteran and member of St. James Episcopal in Waimea. Private service to be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Kawaihae Canoe Club, P.O. Box 1087, Waimea, Hawaii 96743. Condolences may be sent to Gale Bates, P.O. Box 760, Waimea, Hawaii 96743. Survived by wife, Gale Bates of Waimea; daughters, Nicole (Shane) Vincent and Alexandra (James) Hustace of Waimea, Fiona (James) Emley of California; brother, William (Vibeke) Bates of Kula, Maui; two grandsons; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.
Keystone XL pipeline nixed after Biden stands firm on permit
BILLINGS, Mont. — The sponsor of the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline pulled the plug on the contentious project Wednesday after Canadian officials failed to persuade President Joe Biden to reverse his cancellation of its permit on the day he took office.
Russian court outlaws opposition leader Navalny’s groups
MOSCOW — A Moscow court on Wednesday night outlawed the organizations founded by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny by labeling them extremist, the latest move in a campaign to silence dissent and bar Kremlin critics from running for parliament in September.
Your Views for June 10
Circus of clowns
A bipartisan bill would help the USPS take a step toward sustainable solvency
Abipartisan group of U.S. senators have introduced a bill to begin reforming the beleaguered United States Postal Service which is being financially crushed by retirement expenditures and falling demand.
Free speech is the most important right and cannot be curbed
The name, the For the People Act, has an elegant simplicity. The number, HR 1, does too. Democrats call it a first-aid kit for a republic where big money, gerrymandering and voter intimidation have the body politic on life support.
