COVID-19 case count continues to grow
The Big Island reported 63 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, sending the island’s total case count to 4,353.
Forecasters monitoring 2 tropical cyclones far east of Big Island
Forecasters are keeping tabs on a pair of tropical cyclones located more than 1,000 miles east of the Big Island.
South Kohala wildland fire 95% contained
Firefighters Wednesday spent a sixth day working to extinguish a 40,000-plus-acre wildland fire in South Kohala.
Police probe underway after body of gunshot victim found at Puna park
Hawaii Island police detectives have initiated a homicide investigation after the discovery of a body Saturday at MacKenzie State Recreation Area in Puna.
Obituaries: August 4, 2021
Editor’s note: Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. Content is subject to editing for parity treatment and style continuity. Date of publication cannot be guaranteed. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Letters to the Editor: August 4, 2021
Intolerable wholesale marketing
A new national climate army: Democrats want to pay young Americans to tell you how to behave
As the U.S. recovers from a pandemic, with workers in services and manufacturing in short supply across the economy, here’s what no one sensible thinks America urgently needs: a huge new federal Civilian Climate Corps.
Mistaken identity lands man in Hawaii mental hospital
HONOLULU — Hawaii officials wrongly arrested a homeless man for a crime committed by someone else, locked him up in a state hospital for more than two years, forced him to take psychiatric drugs and then tried to cover up the mistake by quietly setting him free with just 50 cents to his name, the Hawaii Innocence Project said in a court document asking a judge to set the record straight.
Island Life: South Kona Gold
Golden clouds grace South Kona in late July. (Chuck Greenfield/Community contributor)
In Brief: August 4, 2021
Officer dead, suspect killed in violence outside Pentagon
CDC issues new eviction ban for most of US through Oct. 3
WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new eviction moratorium that would last until October 3, as the Biden administration sought to quell intensifying criticism from progressives that it was allowing vulnerable renters to lose their homes during a pandemic.
Kona man gets 5 years for officer assault
A judge Monday sentenced a 34-year-old Kona man found guilty in May of assaulting a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.
Puna land purchase advances
Hawaii County will consider purchasing 165 acres of Puna land under its open space land-buying program.
Bail maintained for Mountain View man on multiple gun and drug charges
A judge Monday denied a defense request to free a 61-year-old Mountain View man accused of 22 drug and firearms offenses on court-supervised release without cash bail.
Council members vote to oust Van Pernis
County Council members on Tuesday voted narrowly in favor of removing a commissioner from the Leeward Planning Commission.
Hometown Heroes: Nonprofits, agencies and volunteers ensure West Hawaii keiki are ready to learn
Editor’s note: Each Wednesday, West Hawaii Today is publishing a story about individuals, groups or organizations that have helped make life better for others in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Announcements: August 4, 2021
Friday’s Ohaha Food Drop moved to Honokaa
McCullers, Astros silence LA bats at raucous Dodger Stadium
LOS ANGELES — Lance McCullers Jr. threw 6 2/3 shutout innings and the Houston Astros withstood the raucous, heckling fans at Dodger Stadium to blank Los Angeles 3-0 Tuesday night.
Olympics: Biles returns to Olympic competition, wins bronze on beam
TOKYO — Simone Biles isn’t going home with a fistful of gold medals. A mental block — one brought on by exhaustion or stress or something the American gymnastics star still can’t quite grasp — that forced her to pull out of four Olympic finals saw to that.