Surge in cases fuels demand for booster shots in E. Hawaii
Big Island health care providers are reporting an influx of people getting their vaccine booster shots as the omicron variant of the novel coronavirus continues to sweep through the state.
County expects Thursday will have highest daily case count since the start of the pandemic
Tomorrow may have the highest number of COVID cases in a single day on the Big Island since the beginning of the pandemic, county officials believe.
DOE: In-person learning to resume following winter break
The state Department of Education announced today full in-person learning will resume during the second semester that begins next week.
DOH revises state’s isolation, quarantine policy
The state Department of Health is revising its COVID-19 isolation and quarantine policies to closely align with recommendations made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hawaii reports surge in work-related fatalities in 2021
Seven people died this year in 23 “major” workplace accidents that occurred in Hawaii, the state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations reported Wednesday.
Hawaii’s top defensive player enters transfer portal
The University of Hawaii football team is losing its best defensive player.
One-two punch: Hilo High boys building around seniors Padilla, Solmerin
The Hilo High boys basketball team has depth and length, two things most BIIF teams don’t have. The Vikings are chasing their first BIIF Division I championship since 2010 and will likely play a 2-3 zone.
Learning to live with the virus
We are sticking our heads into the sand regarding the reality of omicron, and the results may be catastrophic.
Time to clean up the for-profit college hustle
Too many for-profit colleges bury students in debt in exchange for worthless degrees.
Hawaii: Don’t burn Christmas trees at sacred Oahu sandbar
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s public lands agency is warning people that they face arrest if found burning Christmas trees at an oceanic sandbar.
Water utility implores Navy to stop fighting Hawaii’s order
HONOLULU — The head of Honolulu’s water utility said Tuesday he prays the Navy doesn’t continue fighting an order to remove fuel from massive tanks that a hearings officer concluded pose “a metaphorical ticking time bomb” threatening drinking water.
Flu is making a comeback in US after an unusual year of
The U.S. flu season has arrived on schedule after taking a year off, with flu hospitalizations rising and two child deaths reported.
US move to shorten COVID-19 isolation stirs confusion, doubt
WASHINGTON — U.S. health officials’ decision to shorten the recommended COVID-19 isolation and quarantine period from 10 days to five is drawing criticism from some medical experts and could create more confusion and fear among Americans.
Rotary Club of Hilo awards $16,000 to two nonprofits
The Rotary Club of Hilo presented two checks of $8,000 each to their annual signature beneficiaries at the Nov. 19 club meeting.
Police arrest 15 for DUI
During the week of Dec. 20-26, 2021, police arrested 15 motorists for DUI. Six of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. None were younger than 21.
Undertakers, rabbis join global fight promoting COVID shots
In Germany, Lutheran pastors are offering COVID-19 shots inside churches. In Israel’s science-skeptical ultra-Orthodox community, trusted rabbis are trying to change minds. And in South Africa, undertakers are taking to the streets to spread the word.
UH will start the spring semester online-only for many
The University of Hawaii will shift most of its classes to online lessons only for the first two weeks of the spring semester in response to the current spike in COVID-19 cases.
Your Views for December 29
Inflation is a tax
Obituaries for December 29
Francis Shogo Abe, 86, of Kealakekua, died Dec. 10 at Marites Care Home. Born in Kealakekua, he was a retired customer service agent for the former Aloha Airlines, member of Kingsley Kumiai and Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple, and U.S. Army veteran. Services at a later date. Survived by wife, Kathleen Abe of Kealakekua; sons, Steven Abe of Honolulu and Neil (Michelle) Abe of Kealakekua; daughter, Leanne Abe of Kealakekua; sister, Grace Hiraoka of Palo Verdes, Calif.; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Ready to collect: New 3% hotel tax goes into effect Saturday
The county tax forms are in place, new government employees are being hired and the hospitality industry is ready to begin what Mayor Mitch Roth calls the “unacceptable but necessary” step of charging guests at hotels and transient vacation rentals an extra 3% starting Saturday.
NWS: Expect a rainy New Year’s Eve
If the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t enough to put a damper on New Year’s Eve celebrations, the rainfall predicted throughout the weekend might be.
Woman apologizes for Lake Waiau rock-throwing incident
A woman apologized Tuesday evening for posting photos and video earlier this month of large rocks being thrown into Lake Waiau atop Maunakea after her actions caught the attention of conservation managers and law enforcement.
Police ID Puna drowning victim
Police have identified the victim of a possible Christmas Day drowning in Kalapana as 41-year-old Oscar Odom of Puna, whom police say was a recent arrival from Alaska.
Kealakehe boys soccer opens season with 9-0 victory over Konawaena
KEALAKEKUA – The BIIF boys’soccer season is officially underway.
Indoor gatherings limited to 10; 50 new cases on island
Indoor gatherings on the Big Island are once again limited to no more than 10 people under a new emergency rule issued yesterday.
