Char ‘very concerned’ about New Year’s celebrations
The state’s health director said Wednesday she’s “very concerned about New Year’s” celebrations and hopes people will act accordingly to minimize the risk of spreading novel coronavirus infections.
Better late than never? 23 years later, property owners seek sewer fee refund
After paying their two sewer bills for more than two decades, owners of two contiguous lots on Alii Drive are arguing they should have had to pay only one sewer bill because the structure on one of the lots is an outbuilding, not an unoccupied unit as defined by the county.
Tourism continues rebound
Despite stronger than expected visitor numbers in 2021, state officials on Wednesday said 2022’s tourism outlook is hazy.
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 today will have highest daily case count since the start of the pandemic
Today 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.
National and world news at a glance
Ghislaine Maxwell found guilty of aiding in Epstein’s abuse
US sees more kids in hospitals as COVID spikes, CDC’s Walensky says
The U.S. is seeing a higher number of kids in hospitals, as omicron spreads across the country, Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told MSNBC.
Island life: A great way to end the day
The sun prepares to set on the horizon.
Editorial: The National Labor Relations Board’s agreement with Amazon is a watershed
It’s rare for a company with the size and power of Amazon to experience anything resembling capitulation to regulatory authority, which is why it was such a welcome surprise for the National Labor Relations Board to have reached a wide-ranging settlement with the e-commerce giant. Among other things the agreement mandates that the company notify current and former warehouse workers about their full suite of rights and permit greater labor organizing in its workplaces, such as by barring it from ejecting employees from worksites 15 minutes after the end of their shift.
My Turn: Affordable housing comes to the Big Island at a cost
While Hawaii County states that 3,400-plus affordable housing units are needed to accommodate the now homeless in our community, you might ask where will these units be built? What is considered affordable? Rent is the biggest expense for most families. I have found that an average studio or one bedroom starts around $1,000 and up, not including utilities. I hear that there is not any housing available, so I looked into it. I found one private investor has applied to build a 112-unit complex in Harbor View (a subdivision of single-family homes) off of Kealakehe Street, north of Lailani.
Tagovailoa leads Terps past Virginia Tech in Pinstripe Bowl
NEW YORK — Taulia Tagovailoa raised the MVP trophy over his head as confetti fluttered around him and could only think, not of his near-flawless dominance in the Bronx, but of the words of his Maryland coach.
Kyle Seager retires after 11 seasons with Mariners
SEATTLE — Kyle Seager announced his retirement Wednesday after 11 seasons in the majors, all with the Seattle Mariners.
No. 11 Auburn starts fast, hands No. 16 LSU its 1st loss
AUBURN, Ala. — Walker Kessler had 16 points, a career-high 11 blocked shots and 10 rebounds to lead No. 11 Auburn to a 70-55 victory over previously unbeaten No. 16 LSU on Wednesday night in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
Ja Morant, Grizzlies rally to beat reeling Lakers 104-99
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ja Morant scored 41 points, Desmond Bane added 20 and the Memphis Grizzlies overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 104-99 on Wednesday night.
Mongoose caught on Kauai where invasive pest not established
HONOLULU — Hawaii agriculture officials are concerned after a live mongoose was caught on Kauai, an island that doesn’t have an established population of the invasive pest that threatens native birds.
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 and Industrial Relations reported Wednesday.
Police seek Kona man wanted for questioning
Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 26-year-old Hauoli Vickery of Kona, who is wanted for questioning in connection with a criminal investigation.
Fire engulfs Pepe‘ekeo apartment building
Police are investigating a structure fire that occurred Wednesday at the Kauhale Olu Apartments on Kumula Street in Pepe‘ekeo.
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.
UH puts brakes on in-person instruction
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.
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 confusion among many Americans.
Water utility implores Navy to stop fighting state’s order to remove fuel
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.
State: Don’t burn Christmas trees at sacred Oahu sandbar
HONOLULU — The state’s public lands agency is warning people that they face arrest if found burning Christmas trees at an oceanic sandbar.
Obituaries: December 29, 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. Any questions regarding obituaries should be directed to the mortuary or via email to obituaries@westhawaiitoday.com. Memorial advertisements may be purchased through the newspaper advertising department.
Severe Brazil flooding spreads in Bahia and beyond
BRASILIA, Brazil — A total of 116 cities in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia were in a state of emergency because of flooding on Tuesday due to heavy rains that have been pounding the region since the end of November.
