Two-year sentence for Hawaii woman’s Trump lobbying scheme
HONOLULU — An American consultant was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison for an illicit lobbying effort to get the former Trump administration to drop an investigation into the multibillion-dollar looting of a Malaysian state investment fund, and to arrange for the return of a Chinese dissident living in the U.S.
Coast Guard tracks Russian ship near Hawaii
HONOLULU — The U.S. Coast Guard in recent weeks has been monitoring a Russian vessel, believed to be an intelligence-gathering ship, off the coast of the Hawaiian Islands.
Lawmakers return with vows to help working families
HONOLULU — Lawmakers opened a new session of the state Legislature on Wednesday with proposals to provide more tax relief to working families and impose fees on travelers using popular state parks and trails.
Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai continues tradition of charitable giving
It was a beautiful day Tuesday at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai as a handful of grateful people from Big Island nonprofits gathered on the oceanside 18th tee at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Hualalai Golf Course.
Arts and entertainment news at a glance
West Hawaii County Band performs Sunday
Bills take aim at GET
This year in the state Legislature, there are roughly two dozen House bills and another two dozen Senate bills targeting the general excise tax, many of which request exemptions.
Bills seek harsher penalties for fentanyl crimes
In the face of a “pandemic” of fentanyl overdoses, lawmakers are seeking to increase criminal penalties for possession of the dangerous drug.
Justice Department investigating Abbott baby formula plant
NEW YORK — The U.S. Justice Department is investigating the Abbott Laboratories infant formula plant in Michigan that was shut down for months last year due to contamination, the company confirmed.
Peru closes Machu Picchu as anti-government protests grow
LIMA, Peru — Peru indefinitely shut the famed ancient ruins of Machu Picchu on Saturday in the latest sign that anti-government protests that began last month are increasingly engulfing the South American country.
First Native American woman in space steps out on spacewalk
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The first Native American woman in space ventured out on a spacewalk Friday to prep the International Space Station for more solar panels.
Novel coronavirus strain XBB.1.5 arrives in Hawaii County
The omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, which some have dubbed the most transmissible strain yet of the virus that causes COVID-19, has been detected in Hawaii County.
Bone dry in E. Hawaii
The prolonged dry spell that’s thus far been the story of the wet season on the Big Island’s windward side has caused long lines at the county’s public water spigots for residents who rely on water catchment.
Decommissioning of Caltech Submillimeter Observatory to begin this spring
The removal of a Maunakea observatory is slated to begin this spring and will prompt the temporary closure of several roads.
Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai field includes 7 World Golf Hall of Fame members
The 42-player field is set for the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai slated Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Hualalai Course.
Filling up
The West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill is on pace to reach capacity in less than 25 years.
China officials to meet on economy, aim to ease tension
ZURICH — U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sits down with her Chinese counterpart Wednesday in the highest-ranking contact between the two countries since their presidents agreed to look for ways to improve relations that have grown increasingly strained in recent years.
Aerial sheep hunting scheduled for end of month
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will conduct aerial hunting operations to reduce sheep populations in Maunakea forest reserves at the end of the month.
Grandson accused of killing grandparents
Joshua Makana Jiro Ho, 21, of Hilo was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder and other offenses following an early morning incident Monday that led to the death of his grandparents, Jeffrey Yoshio Takamine and Carla Kayoko Takamine.
Renovation planned for Kona hotel
The iconic Kona Bay Hotel in Kailua Village is set for a multi-million renovation and rebranding.
Hilo couple allegedly killed by grandson remembered as humble, generous people
The victims of an apparent double homicide Monday in Hilo are being remembered as low-key, humble people who, in their quiet way, made the community a better place.
