Obituaries: April 6, 2022
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.
New Hawaii State Hospital facility to open after delays
HONOLULU — State officials expect the Hawaii State Hospital to finally open its new psychiatric facility in about two weeks after more than a year of delays.
Zoos hiding birds as avian flu spreads in North America
OMAHA, Neb. — Zoos across North America are moving their birds indoors and away from people and wildlife as they try to protect them from the highly contagious and potentially deadly avian influenza.
Gas tax cut measure proceeds to public hearing despite negative vote
The County Council is likely to stomp on the brakes on a resolution cutting the county gas tax 10 cents a gallon to help alleviate drivers’ pain at the pump.
Killing of Ukrainian civilians could bring new sanctions
BUCHA, Ukraine — Police and other investigators walked the silent streets of ruined towns around Ukraine’s capital, documenting widespread killings of unarmed civilians and other alleged war crimes by Russian forces that could draw tough new Western sanctions as soon as today.
COVID outbreak ‘extremely grim’ as Shanghai extends lockdown
BEIJING — The COVID-19 outbreak in China’s largest metropolis of Shanghai remains “extremely grim” amid an ongoing lockdown confining around 26 million people to their homes, a city official said Tuesday.
2 killed in Georgia, Texas as damaging storms strike South
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Violent storms killed at least two people, one in Georgia and another in Texas, on Tuesday as hail, strong winds and tornadoes tore across the South, where authorities warned a second day of violent weather could follow.
National and world news at a glance
Pandemic aid bill stalls over immigration restrictions
Future of COVID boosters comes down to crucial meeting of FDA Advisers
An all-star panel of COVID-19 experts will convene this week to hash out how and when vaccines should be updated to address future variants as the virus continues to rapidly mutate.
In fiery speech, Ukraine’s Zelenskyy implores UN Security Council to hold Russia to account
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an impassioned address to the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday, likened Russian atrocities in his homeland to Nazi war crimes, calling for Nuremberg-style tribunals to hold Moscow accountable.
US airport security screening to become more gender-neutral
WASHINGTON — U.S. airport security procedures will become more gender-neutral, with changes to scanners used for screening and the use of an “X” for travelers going through Precheck who do not identify as male or female, the Biden administration said Thursday.
US, UK and Australia plan to develop hypersonic weapons
The U.K., U.S. and Australia said they are working on developing hypersonic weapons — military technology already deployed by Russia in Ukraine — as part of their new trilateral security pact called AUKUS.
Commentary: Schools are better off without police
When a fight broke out among middle school students in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in early March, a security guard intervened. The guard, an off-duty police officer, was filmed pushing the head of a 12-year-old girl of color into the ground, placing his knee on her neck for about half a minute before handcuffing her, and walking her out of the cafeteria.
Editorial: Trump’s latest frivolous lawsuit, against Clinton and others, should cost him
Former President Donald Trump — whose various slanders against his real and perceived political foes made him the most libelous president ever to hold the post — is now suing Hillary Clinton and others who highlighted his suspicious behavior toward Russia during and after the 2016 presidential campaign. If and when Trump submits to being deposed by the defendants, we’ll believe this is something more than his usual empty bluster. If that doesn’t happen (prediction: it won’t), Trump should be on the business end of a major frivolous-litigation judgment.
Mayor, cabinet members to speak during town meeting
Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth, Planning Director Zendo Kern and Parks and Recreation Director Maurice Messina will join in Waimea Community Association’s virtual town meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Island Life: Birds in paradise
A bird of paradise blooms in South Kona.
KARES is recipient of Mutts Across America Award
The Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service has been selected as an exemplary animal welfare organization in Hawaii by the MuttsNation Foundation and Tractor Supply Company.
New trial date set for ex-cop in missing drug evidence case
It will be another 19 months before a former Hawaii Police Department officer will stand trial on charges stemming from a May 2019 indictment for allegedly stealing cocaine in 2014 from a police evidence locker in Hilo.
Bill takes aim at feral chickens
A bill that would create a program to reduce the state’s feral chicken population is on the verge of passing the Legislature.
Ruling sides with female athletes at Hawaii high school
HONOLULU — A U.S. appeals court ruling said a judge was wrong to deny class-action status to Hawaii female high school athletes suing over gender discrimination.