Island Life: After the rain
A pair of hibiscus is seen after a rain shower.
Commentary: The Webb telescope photos are a welcome antidote to the grim facts of today
Facts these days seem so grim. They feel like storm clouds: all too real and ready to bring more lightning than much-needed rain.
Ramesh Ponnuru: Democrats are scapegoating Biden for their own misjudgments
Democratic discontent with President Joe Biden is boiling over into the press. His polling is abysmal, his age is showing and the Democrats are facing a potential wipeout in the midterm elections in November. Democrats are taking their complaints, mostly off the record, to reporters.
KARES receives $10K grant to help senior dogs
Old dogs have something to wag about this summer: Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service or KARES is among the winners of an annual grant from The Grey Muzzle Organization.
FDA weighs oversight changes after formula, Juul troubles
WASHINGTON — The head of the Food and Drug Administration has asked for a review of the agency’s food and tobacco programs following months of criticism over their handling of the baby formula shortage and e-cigarette reviews.
Ookala Post Office to close
The Ookala Post Office is closing at the end of business on July 31, and dozens of seniors who live in the former plantation town on the Hamakua Coast will now have to go to Paauilo to get their mail.
NOAA administrator ratifies dolphin swim ban
As litigation over the validity of a rule banning swimming with Hawaiian spinner dolphins continues, NOAA Administrator Richard Spinrad recently ratified the final rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service last fall.
US environmental study launched for Thirty Meter Telescope
HONOLULU — The National Science Foundation said Tuesday it plans to conduct a study to evaluate the environmental effects of building one of the world’s largest optical telescopes on sites selected on the Big Island and Spain’s Canary Islands.
Ex-Hawaii County official admits role in affordable housing scheme
HONOLULU — A former Hawaii County official admitted in court that he used his position to scam a program meant to address the lack of affordable housing.
Council wants details on homeless program
A skeptical council Finance Committee on Tuesday advanced a no-bid $10 a year lease for a homeless shelter in Kona’s Old Industrial Area after officials with the county Housing Office and the nonprofit holding the contract assured council members they would provide more details about the program at the final reading of the measure Aug. 3.
Most major nations lag in acting on climate-fighting goals
WASHINGTON — For most of the major carbon-polluting nations, promising to fight climate change is a lot easier than actually doing it. In the United States, President Joe Biden has learned that the hard way.
Elections officials urged to prepare for shortages, delays
MADISON, Wis. — Elections officials from across the country meeting under heightened security were urged Tuesday to prepare for supply chain issues that could lead to shortages in paper used for everything from ballots to “I voted” stickers for years to come.
Dos Santos powers to 400 hurdles win at worlds, US takes 2-3
EUGENE, Ore. — Alison Dos Santos of Brazil powered down the homestretch to take the 400-meter hurdles title at the world championships on Tuesday night.
Nation and world news at a glance
Fourth COVID vaccine cleared for use in US
Fire department gets new water safety equipment
Big Island ocean users, as well as lifeguards, all became safer on Thursday thanks to a sizable donation by the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation to the Hawaii Fire Department.
Obituaries: July 20, 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.
Editorial: In post-Roe America, questions arise over the meaning of fetal personhood
A Texas woman is fighting a ticket she received on June 29 for driving in a Dallas HOV lane. Under normal circumstances, this would not merit an editorial mention. But times have changed in Texas. The woman, Brandy Bottone, argues that, because she is pregnant, her fetus counts as a human with equal rights under Texas law. The Texas Legislature and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott made that bed with a big assist from the U.S. Supreme Court, now they must lie in it.
Stanton, Buxton lead AL over NL in 9th straight All-Star win
LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton homered in a sweet spot in his Dodger Stadium homecoming at the All-Star Game, with 50 family and friends in the stands where he watched games as a youngster.
Houle takes emotional Tour stage win, Vingegaard keeps lead
FOIX, France — Canadian cyclist Hugo Houle claimed an emotional first-ever grand tour stage victory on Tuesday, while Jonas Vingegaard stayed in the overall lead of the Tour de France after a tough 16th stage as the race hit the Pyrenees.
UH righty Blaze Koali’i Pontes, Saint Louis shortstop Aiva Arquette selected in MLB draft
The University of Hawaii baseball team had a second player taken in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft today when right-hander Blaze Koali‘i Pontes was selected in the 16th round (No. 484 overall) by the Oakland Athletics.
