2022 was slowest year for US home sales in nearly a decade
LOS ANGELES (AP) — U.S. home sales tumbled to the slowest pace in nearly a decade as soaring mortgage rates and sky high prices in 2022 pushed homeownership out of reach for many Americans.
Google axes 12,000 jobs as layoffs spread across tech sector
LONDON — Google is laying off 12,000 workers, or about 6% of its workforce, becoming the latest tech company to trim staff as the economic boom that the industry rode during the COVID-19 pandemic ebbs.
March for Life eyes Congress for post-Roe abortion limits
WASHINGTON (AP) — A half century after Roe v. Wade, March for Life supporters on Friday celebrated the Supreme Court’s dismantling of that constitutional right to abortion and heralded the political struggle set loose by the court’s decision. President Joe Biden pledged to do all in his limited power to restore core abortion rights.
Hilo falls to Biola
The University of Hawaii at Hilo men’s basketball team lost to Biola 54-61 on Wednesday night. The team is 11-4 overall and 7-3 in conference play.
Prized replica of feathered helmet stolen
A piece of art stolen from the Volcano House hotel last week has an estimated value of more than $30,000.
CSO ready for removal; decommissioning of Maunakea observatory to begin this spring
The removal of a Maunakea observatory is slated to begin this spring and will prompt the temporary closure of several roads.
HCCC reports uptick in COVID cases: Origin of outbreak ‘difficult to pinpoint’
Hawaii Community Correctional Center appears to be on the mend after an uptick in COVID-19 cases at the facility following the holidays.
State eyes purchase in North Kohala for PONC preservation
Residents can nominate sites around the Big Island to be acquired and preserved through Hawaii County’s Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission.
Hawaii lawmakers return with vows to help working families
HONOLULU — Lawmakers opened a new session of the Hawaii State Legislature on Wednesday with proposals to provide more tax relief to working families and impose fees on travelers using popular state parks and trails.
Mother of alleged killer called police, reported suicide attempt
The mother of the 21-year-old Hilo man who allegedly stabbed his grandparents to death early Monday morning in the family’s Panaewa home called police to report a suicide in progress, saying her son was experiencing an episode of schizophrenia and had a knife.
Scouts sued over boy’s death
The family of an 11-year-old Boy Scout who was killed in August when an AK-47 semiautomatic rifle was accidentally discharged is suing the Boy Scouts of America and the Boy Scouts of America, Aloha Council.
Island’s lone open landfill could reach capacity in 23 years
The West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill is on pace to reach capacity in less than 25 years.
Kona Gold claims men’s 70 division softball title
They Mayor’s Cup Senior Softball Tournament continues today at Old Kona Airport Park with 34 teams from Hawaii and the mainland competing.
Aerial sheep hunting scheduled for end of month
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will conduct aerial hunting operations to reduce sheep populations in Maunakea forest reserves at the end of the month.
Moving species emerges as last resort as climate warms
In a desperate effort to save a seabird species in Hawaii from rising ocean waters, scientists are moving chicks to a new island hundreds of miles away.
Hawaii to make preschool available for all 3-4 year-olds
HONOLULU — Hawaii put forward a plan Tuesday to make preschool available to all 3- and 4-year-olds by 2032, which if successful would put the state in a rarified group of states managing to provide pre-kindergarten education to most of its children.
Grandson charged in slayings: Joshua Ho is accused of killing grandparents
Joshua Makana Jiro Ho, 21, of Hilo was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder and other offenses following an early morning incident Monday that led to the death of his grandparents, Jeffrey Yoshio Takamine and Carla Kayoko Takamine.
Hawaii needle exchanges at record high
The nonprofit Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center reported a record number of needle syringe exchanges in Hawaii County and the state in 2021.
Hilo couple allegedly killed by grandson remembered as humble, generous people
The victims of an apparent double homicide Monday in Hilo are being remembered as low-key, humble people who, in their quiet way, made the community a better place.
On King’s holiday, daughter calls for bold action over words
ATLANTA — America has honored Martin Luther King Jr. with a federal holiday for nearly four decades yet still hasn’t fully embraced and acted on the lessons from the slain civil rights leader, his youngest daughter said Monday.
