Big Island nearing 100K doses of COVID vaccine administered
Nearly 100,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered on the Big Island, state data released Wednesday shows.
More than half of last week’s DUI arrests occurred in Kona
Big Island police arrested 29 motorists for suspected drunken driving March 29 and Sunday. Six of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes.
Waikoloa man sought by police
Big Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 28-year-old Chace Kakela Gambill, of Waikoloa, who has an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
Boy, 16, killed during Honolulu police car chase identified
HONOLULU — The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s office on Wednesday released the name of the 16-year-old boy shot and killed by police during a car chase.
Honolulu mayor wants eased virus restrictions despite uptick
HONOLULU — Honolulu’s mayor wants to change Oahu’s coronavirus guidelines to allow for less restrictions despite a growing number of COVID-19 cases on the island.
Honolulu building plans examiner admits to taking bribes
HONOLULU — A Honolulu building plans examiner admitted during a court hearing Wednesday that she expedited a local architect’s projects in exchange for bribes.
Murder conviction affirmed in case of pregnant Maui woman
WAILUKU — A court ruling rejected the appeal of a man serving a life sentence for the murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend.
Big Island reports five new COVID-19 cases
The Big Island Wednesday reported five new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total case count to 2,546 since Feb. 28, 2020. .
Editorial: America should share vaccine with the world
As more Americans roll up their sleeves for a potentially life-saving vaccination, we are called by moral imperative and social justice concern to reflect on the reality that countries without the Western world’s economic capital are being left behind.
Letters to the Editor: April 7, 2021
Making more on unemployment
Ramesh Ponnuru: One cheer for the return of earmarks
After a 10-year hiatus, earmarks are coming back to the U.S. Congress. Democrats and Republicans alike repudiated the practice of letting congressmen direct federal spending to specific projects and enterprises around the start of President Barack Obama’s administration. Now both parties have decided to revive it, with reforms.
My Turn: A positive consequence of a conflict of interest
Good things happen unexpectedly! There is a positive consequence of Planning Director Zendo Kern’s conflict of interest. The conflict was caused because Kern was the owner’s representative for the Campbell/Clapp Trust before the Leeward Planning Commission and then he signed the Tentative Plat Approval for this owner days after being the mayor’s nominee for Planning Director. Having this conflict exposed, we are grateful that the Planning Department has now reopened the subdivision rezoning for the Campbell/Clapp Property.
My Turn: Planning ahead
It was very disappointing to read in the March 19 edition of the West Hawaii Today that the Leeward Planning Commission approved a five-bedroom Bed and Breakfast establishment on Alii Drive.
Commentary: Is our infrastructure ‘crumbling’? Not according to this data
Speaking about his ambitious infrastructure plans in a press conference, President Joe Biden recently stated, “One in five miles of our highways and major roads are in poor condition,” “More than one third of our bridges” need repair, and “we rank 13th globally in infrastructure.” These statements probably don’t sound surprising. Americans seem to believe that our infrastructure is, as some people say, “crumbling.”
Noah Feldman: Does Congress even have the power to end gerrymandering?
The “For the People Act” currently being proposed by House Democrats would transform the way the U.S. runs federal elections. Known as HR 1, the bill would make it substantially easier to vote. It would also counteract restrictive legislation enacted by Republican state legislatures in recent years.
West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery slated for expansion
The West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery is slated to receive funds for expansion in the Hawaii State Legislature’s Capital Improvement Project proposed budget.
Kurtistown man wanted on multiple sex assault charges in Pennsylvania
A 23-year-old Kurtistown man appeared Tuesday in Hilo Circuit Court after being arrested Monday on an extradition complaint alleging he’s wanted in Pennsylvania on multiple counts of sexual assault.
USA Women’s Water Polo Team donates lane course to county
A gift from the USA Women’s Water Polo Team could result in the County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation implementing a youth water polo program on the Big Island.
A reprieve for Van Pernis: Council Planning Committee postpones action on ouster of commissioner
Mark Van Pernis was called rude, crusty, insulting, confrontational and condescending, among other adjectives, during a grueling three-hour Tuesday evening session of a County Council panel that ended with a recommendation to not immediately remove him from the powerful Leeward Planning Commission.
