Omicron variant found in Hawaii

The state Department of Health confirmed this afternoon that the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529, also known as the omicron variant, has been detected in the islands.

Petroleum detected in Oahu tap water

HONOLULU — The Hawaii State Department of Health said Wednesday a laboratory has detected petroleum product in a water sample from an elementary school near Pearl Harbor amid heightened concerns that fuel from a massive Navy storage facility could contaminate Oahu’s water supply.

US reports 1st case of omicron variant in returning traveler

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. recorded its first confirmed case of the omicron variant Wednesday — in a vaccinated traveler who returned to California after a trip to South Africa — as scientists around the world race to establish whether the new, mutant version of the coronavirus is more dangerous than previous ones.

Guns and protests a toxic mix

Unsurprisingly, the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict has exposed some fierce divisions among Americans. On one matter, though, there ought to be renewed consensus: It doesn’t help to have guns displayed at political rallies and protests.

Obituaries for December 2

Naomi K. Alcosiba, 88, of Hilo died Oct. 30 at home. Born in Hilo, she was a retired bar manager for 33 years at the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel and member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Visitation 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Prayer service at 6 p.m. Visitation again 8:30-9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo. Funeral Mass at 9 a.m.. Burial to follow at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire; face masks and social distancing required. Online streaming of Thursday’s services available. Contact a family member for information. Survived by son, Tony Alcosiba of Honolulu; hanai sons, Kenneth Lance Alcosiba of California, Patpong Chittkusol of Bangkok, Thailand, and Lawrence Nakano of Honolulu; daughters, Gale (James) Camacho of Keaau and Alissa L. (Keith) Kashiwada of Puuloa; hanai daughters, Lydia Martins of Hilo and Tanya Dudoit of Oahu; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.

County Democrats seek clarity on reapportionment

The Hawaii County Democratic Party is asking the state Reapportionment Commission to take another look at how nonresident military and students were extracted from population data in light of new figures showing there were almost twice as many military personnel as previously thought.

Feds fund Waianuenue bridge repairs

A small but significant bridge in Hilo will receive $1.5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to kick-start a modernization and disaster mitigation project.