DA: No charges for Cuomo from allegations by 2 women
NEW YORK — Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo won’t face criminal charges stemming from allegations from two women — including a state trooper — that he planted unwanted kisses on their cheeks, a suburban prosecutor said Tuesday. It’s the latest in a series of decisions about whether a raft of sexual assault and harassment claims against Cuomo will end up in criminal court.
Citing COVID, judge prods Maxwell jury to work overtime
NEW YORK — The jury weighing the fate Ghislaine Maxwell’s fate said Tuesday they were “making progress” at the end of the fourth full day of deliberations at the closely watched sex trafficking trial where a judge expressed concern New York City’s coronavirus surge could derail proceedings.
Putin to mull options if West refuses guarantees on Ukraine
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday he would ponder a slew of options if the West fails to meet his push for security guarantees precluding NATO’s expansion to Ukraine.
Prince Andrew: Accuser cannot sue because she isn’t in US
NEW YORK — A lawsuit by an American who claims Prince Andrew sexually abused her when she was 17 might have to be thrown out because she no longer lives in the U.S., lawyers for the Prince said in a court filing Tuesday.
Tutu’s family gathers in South Africa for Cape Town funeral
CAPE TOWN — Desmond Tutu’s family members gathered at his Cape Town home on Tuesday in preparation for his funeral this weekend as South Africans honored his life.
Hong Kong police arrest 6 journalists for sedition
HONG KONG — Hong Kong police were raiding the office of an online news outlet on Wednesday after arresting six current and former staff members for conspiracy to publish a seditious publication.
Russian court shuts renowned rights group
MOSCOW — Russia’s highest court on Tuesday shut down one of the country’s oldest and most prominent human rights organizations, the latest move in a relentless crackdown on rights activists, independent media and opposition supporters.
Hawaii: Don’t burn Christmas trees at sacred Oahu sandbar
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources is warning people that they face arrest if found burning Christmas trees at an oceanic sandbar.
University of Hawaii moves classes online as omicron spreads
HONOLULU — The University of Hawaii will conduct mostly online classes for the first two weeks of the spring semester as the state watches a surge in omicron coronavirus cases.
Water utility implores Navy to stop fighting Hawaii’s order
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.
Omicron, gatherings threaten spike; 42 new cases Monday
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i officials are foreseeing a rise in COVID-19 cases.
‘Ele‘ele School food drive gets two pickups worth of donations
‘ELE‘ELE — The ‘Ele‘ele Elementary School Student Council and population outdid themselves by collecting twice during the ‘Ele‘ele School 2021 Winter Canned Food Drive that ended on Dec. 17.
Kapa‘a keglers top Bowling All-Stars
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i High School boys bowling team — finishing the 47th Billy Tee’s Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Bowling State Tournament in ninth place, Dec. 10, with a 5,513 pinfall (a 46-pin difference from eighth place) — is the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation Boys Champion, according to a KIF Bowling All-Stars announcement Monday.
Girl Scouts get hands-on experience with local farmer
LIHU‘E — Two Senior Girl Scouts from Troop 174 on the North Shore of Kaua‘i, learned a lot more than they anticipated on their “Sow What?” Journey.
Nialanii takes listeners to “Paradise”
WAILUA — It’s a big day for Nialanii, a 21-year-old singer and seamstress set to release a new song and swimsuit at 8 o’clock this morning.
Lilley to release new underwater coffee-table book
HANALEI — Local filmmaker and photographer Terry Lilley estimates he has spent over 16,000 hours in the ocean.
North Shore Lions welcome the new year with golf
The Kaua‘i North Shore Lions Club is hosting its annual golf tournament for scholarships at the Makai Golf Course in Princeville on Jan. 8, with lots of prizes and fun.
Fireworks retailer opens at Hokulei Village Shopping Center in Puhi
The Pacific Fireworks pop-up store at the Hokulei Village Shopping Center opened Sunday as a line of customers snaked around the building.
Ho‘oponopono Plastic Program collects to upcycle plastics
A Kaua‘i-based ocean-conservation group is ready to expand its commercial-plastic-collection initiative, but needs help getting to the next level.
52 new COVID-19 cases on Kaua‘i Sunday
The state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office announced 52 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.
Births for Monday, December 27, 2021
• Paisley Hawea Ka Mehana O Ka La Tomacder • Leleo Andrew Joseph Maglinti • Mikayla Kiyo Maikapomai Ai
UH incubator program for farmers to hold introductory meeting
Kaua‘i residents interested in joining the island’s next crop of farmers can learn if the job is for them at a free University of Hawai‘i seminar on Jan. 13.
Waimea’s Kumano I Ke Ala highlighted in short film
In November, local filmmaker Sam Potter, known as Captain Potter on social media, released a new short film, “Aloha ‘Aina - Indigenous Life in Hawai‘i.”
Happy Camper for Monday, December 27, 2021
Paul Iloreta said he got called into work on Christmas Day at the Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort (kudos for taking care of the first responders’ holiday meals!) and wore the red holiday aloha shirt because there wasn’t enough time to do laundry before going off to work.
Westside Christian Center Assembly of God Christmas distribution
KEKAHA — One of the recipients of the food distribution, the first in a line of cars that snaked eastward down Kekaha Road toward the old Kekaha Sugar Company mill, said she needed to come early because she had a doctor’s appointment Thursday.