Environmental group to study effects of artificially cooling Earth
The Environmental Defense Fund will finance research into technologies that could artificially cool the planet, an idea that until recently was viewed as radical but is quickly gaining attention as global temperatures rise at alarming rates.
Seoul activists develop ‘smart balloons’ to send messages deep into North Korea
SEOUL — In the balloon warfare between North Korea and South Korean activists, one Seoul-based group has honed its tech expertise to develop balloons capable of dispersing leaflets and electronic speakers hundreds of kilometres across the border.
Conservation fence protects endangered seabirds at Molokai preserve
A new, 5,600-foot-long conservation fence at Mokio Preserve now keeps seabirds safe from predators on Molokai, according to the nonprofit American Bird Conservancy and Molokai Land Trust.
Suspects sought in Keaukaha assault
Police detectives are requesting assistance to help identify three suspects involved in an assault Saturday evening at King’s Landing in Hilo.
Trump’s lawyer seeks oral arguments on Fani Willis appeal in Georgia case
ATLANTA — Lawyers for former President Donald Trump on Monday asked the Georgia Court of Appeals to hear oral arguments on the challenge to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis from Fulton County’s election interference case.
On Sen. Menendez’s patio, businessperson says, he asked directly for help
NEW YORK — Jose Uribe, a businessperson who has said he bribed Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., in return for his help in quashing a criminal investigation involving two people close to him, testified Monday that he had asked the senator directly for his help and that Menendez had said he would “look into it.”
Rebecca Grossman gets 15 years to life for murders of boys killed in LA crosswalk
LOS ANGELES — A judge on Monday sentenced Rebecca Grossman to 15 years to life in prison for the murders of two brothers she struck while speeding through a Westlake Village crosswalk four years ago, saying her actions were “reckless and unquestionably negligent.”
Obituaries for June 11
Shimomi “Violet” Araujo, 98, of Hilo died June 3 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Born in Waiakea Mill, Hilo, she was a retired seamstress for the former Shimomi’s Garment Factory and the former Kamehameha Garments, and member of Hilo Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Lanakila FCE, aka Hilo Association for Family and Community Education. Visitation 1-3 p.m. Sunday (June 16) at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 3 p.m. Cremation to follow. Visitation and celebration of life also 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, June 19, at the Hilo Seventh-day Adventist Church, 162 Kapiolani St. Interment at a later date. Survived by daughter, Elizabeth (Roger) Toledo of Hilo; son, Clayton B. (Terri Saito) Araujo of Hilo; daughter-in-law, Jo Ann Araujo of San Antonio; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.
Regarding unhoused: ‘We are far from done’
The recent Homeless Point-in-Time Count (PITC) results for Hawaii County, as reported on by the Tribune-Herald on June 6, indicates a significant reduction of 285 individuals or 28% in our unhoused population and should be celebrated. Yet this positive step may seem contrary to what many experience daily in downtown Hilo.
The Oceans Court ruled that the seas are a hot mess. Why haven’t you heard about it?
On May 21, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, in Hamburg, Germany, ruled that greenhouse gases are marine pollutants and nations must take action to “reduce, control and prevent” their effects. The tribunal, sometimes called the Oceans Court, was responding to a request from a consortium of small island nations disappearing under rising seas.
Senate contraception bill vote is a preview of next fight over reproductive rights
It is infuriating as well as alarming that the U.S. Senate on Wednesday failed to pass the Right to Contraception Act, a straightforward bill that would guarantee a federal right to safe and legal contraception.
Man dies in Kona of apparent drowning
Police are investigating a possible drowning involving a 31-year-old man from Pahoa that occurred Sunday morning off the shore of Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona.
Police report fentanyl arrests for May, seek tips from public
As part of its continuing community outreach about the dangers of fentanyl, the Hawaii Police Department provides monthly updates about the amount of fentanyl-related arrests in Hawaii County and the quantity of fentanyl recovered for the preceding month.
Uber loses challenge to California gig work law in US appeals court
(Reuters) — A U.S. appeals court on Monday rejected a bid by Uber and subsidiary Postmates to revive a challenge to a California law that could force the companies to treat drivers as employees rather than independent contractors who are typically less expensive.
UAW president faces probe over alleged retaliation against other union leaders
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain is under investigation by an independent federal monitor over allegations of retaliation against other union leaders, according to a court filing on Monday.
Nvidia sparks chatter over possible Dow inclusion after stock split
(Reuters) — Nvidia’s 10-for-1 stock split aimed at luring retail investors has taken effect, sparking speculation over chances of the artificial intelligence bellwether’s inclusion in the blue-chip Dow index.
Family of ‘Sammy’ Mwarey sues police department, cop
The family of a 16-year-old Hilo High School junior who died after being struck as a pedestrian by an on-duty Hawaii Police Department officer driving a blue-and-white police cruiser is suing the department and the officer.
1 in 5 Hawaii residents experience domestic violence, new study finds
A new study by the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence aims to raise awareness of the prevalence of intimate-partner violence in Hawaii and the hurdles to seeking help that survivors face.
Frightening log from Titan submersible’s fatal dive declared a fake
Last year, a purported transcript of communications between the Titan submersible and its mother ship circulated widely on the internet. Viewed millions of times, the so-called log suggested that a series of alarms had turned a dive to the resting place of the Titanic into a heart-pounding crisis in which the five voyagers struggled in vain to return to the surface.
Apple brings ChatGPT and more AI to devices, Wall Street yawns
Apple unveiled a long-awaited AI strategy on Monday, integrating its new “Apple Intelligence” technology across its suite of apps including Siri and bringing OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT to its devices.
