Kapa‘a makes history in Honolulu rain
HONOLULU — One word describes the Kapa‘a High School football team’s 61-7 win over Kamehameha Schools-Maui Thursday night in soggy conditions at Da Skippa Dias field at Farrington High School: historic!
Hanalei Bridge reopens to traffic
HANALEI — Kuhio Highway at Hanalei Bridge has reopened to traffic, according to the Kaua‘i Police Department.
Real Estate Directory for December 31, 2021
Find the latest real estate listings, broker information and home improvement ideas.
Filipino culture celebrated on Rizal Day
LIHU‘E — Rizal Day is a day of mourning for Jose Rizal, considered a national hero in the Philippines, as well as victims of the Spanish colonial rule of the Philippines. Rizal’s death by execution is observed on Dec. 30 by Filipinos
OUR VIEW: A look back at 2021 on Kaua‘i
As the year winds down to a close, The Garden Island staff looked back on some of the defining moments of the last year on Kaua‘i.
Kaua‘i County records 142 new cases Dec. 30
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i recorded another county-high COVID-19 case count, and health officials are urging safe practices leading into the new year.
Hawai‘i public schools to reopen Tuesday
LIHU‘E — Hawai‘i public schools are anticipated to reopen with in-person learning Tuesday.
Red Raiders get second straight win over Warriors
KAPA‘A — The audience went wild with cheer after Kapa‘a’s Jada Ines threaded traffic and launched the ball under pressure in the final quarter, Wednesday at the Bernice Hundley Gym.
Six Menehune make KIF Cheer All-Stars
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation Cheer champion Waimea High School team landed six of the twelve All-Star positions, in the announcement of the KIF Cheerleading All-Stars, Thursday.
Visitor spending increased in November
LIHU‘E — Preliminary visitor statistics show that visitor spending this past November hit around $1.18 billion, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).
Waimea Library closes for $1.1 million renovation
WAIMEA — The Waimea Public Library will be closed for renovations through spring 2022.
Happy Camper for Friday, December 31, 2021
Olaf from Disney’s “Frozen” was supposed to meet up with Princesses Mirabel Madrigal (she’s so new from Disney’s “Encanto,” Macee Martinez had to make up her costume) and Anna from “Frozen.”
Obituaries for Friday, December 31, 2021
• Glenn Goldsmith • David Ko‘omealani Palama, Jr. • Dardanelle Francine Mapuana Sui Lang Kaauwai • Leona Ai Bryant
CDC warns against cruises, regardless of vaccination status
MIAMI — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned people on Thursday not to go on cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, because of onboard outbreaks fueled by the omicron variant.
Revelers await return to NYC’s Times Square to usher in 2022
NEW YORK — New York City readied to embrace the new year — and bid good riddance to another pandemic-marred 12 months — as it prepared to revive its annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square.
Comments renew debate over adoption as abortion alternative
Year after year, several thousand women in the U.S. carry an unintended pregnancy to term and then offer the baby for adoption. It’s a choice commended by many foes of abortion.
House committee says Trump privilege claim should be tossed
WASHINGTON — The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol says the Supreme Court should let stand an appeals court ruling that the National Archives turn over documents from former President Donald Trump that might shed light on the events leading up to and including that day.
Colorado wildfires burn hundreds of homes, force evacuations
DENVER — An estimated 580 homes, a hotel and a shopping center have burned and tens of thousands of people were evacuated in wind-fueled wildfires outside Denver, officials said Thursday evening.
Biden talks sanctions, Putin warns of rupture over Ukraine
WILMINGTON, Del. — President Joe Biden has warned Russia’s Vladimir Putiin that the U.S. could impose new sanctions against Russia if it takes further military action against Ukraine, while Putin responded that such a U.S. move could lead to a complete rupture of ties between the nations.
Israel approves 4th vaccine dose for most vulnerable
TEL AVIV — Israel has approved a fourth vaccine dose for people most vulnerable to COVID-19, an official said Thursday, becoming one of the first countries to do so as it braces for a wave of infections fueled by the omicron variant.
UK reports surge in COVID deaths, builds temporary wards
LONDON — The U.K. reported a sharp increase in coronavirus-related deaths Thursday as the National Health Service announced it was building temporary structures at hospitals in England to prepare for a possible surge of patients infected with the highly transmissible omicron variant.
Iran launches rocket into space amid Vienna nuclear talks
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran launched a rocket with a satellite carrier bearing three devices into space, authorities announced Thursday, without saying whether any of the objects had entered Earth’s orbit.
Parents selling children shows desperation of Afghanistan
SHEDAI CAMP, Afghanistan — In a sprawling settlement of mud brick huts in western Afghanistan housing people displaced by drought and war, a woman is fighting to save her daughter.
Hawaii’s COVID cases surge to record high as omicron spreads
HONOLULU — Hawaii set an all-time record for new coronavirus cases on Thursday as the state of about 1.5 million people reported nearly 3,500 new infections.
Navy needs more time to flush Pearl Harbor drinking water
HONOLULU — Military officials told Hawaii lawmakers that they need more time to flush jet fuel from their Pearl Harbor water system.