Hit-and-run victim ID’d
LIHU‘E — A Lihu‘e man has been identified as the bicyclist, who was killed in a hit-and-run on Rice Street two days before Thanksgiving.
Kaua‘i COVID-19 Update: 46 new cases, new variants on the rise
HONOLULU — Data released on Wednesday by the state Department of Health showed 46 new COVID-19 cases on Kaua‘i from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, and 1,049 new cases statewide.
Kawahara to hold book signing in Hanapepe
HANAPEPE — The public is invited to attend a book signing for Dawn Fraser Kawahara’s latest book, “The ‘Green Flash’ Calabash: Pre-Pandemic Kaua‘i Chronicles” on Friday, Dec. 9 at Talk Story Bookstore in Hanapepe.
Births for Friday, December 9, 2022
• Hokuili Waipua‘A‘Ala O Konolea Ornellas • Isabela Rose Hali‘a Rapozo • Maria Nathalie Claro Cariaga • Hunter DJ Kupa‘a Ka Mana‘o O Kekoa Mana O‘I ‘O O Kalani Silva • Aubrey Jessechialyn Chutneg Falanruw
Obituaries for Friday, December 9, 2022
• Damascio Ruiz Jr. • Sonny Aulani Niau • Paul James Pimienta • Ann Kazue Nishikawa
Griner freed: WNBA star swapped for Russian, heads home
WASHINGTON — Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a high-profile prisoner exchange as the U.S. released notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. But the U.S. failed to win freedom for another American, Paul Whelan, who has been jailed for nearly four years.
House passes defense bill scrapping COVID vaccine mandate
WASHINGTON — A bill to rescind the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the U.S. military and provide nearly $858 billion for national defense passed the House on Thursday as lawmakers scratch off one of the final items on their yearly to-do list.
House report: Snyder had role in ‘toxic’ Commanders culture
WASHINGTON — The Washington Commanders created a “toxic work culture” for more than two decades, “ignoring and downplaying sexual misconduct” and what former female employees described as hundreds of instances of sexual harassment by men at the top levels of the organization, according to a report published Thursday by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Oil spill in rural Kansas creek shuts down Keystone pipeline
TOPEKA, Kan. — An oil spill in a creek in northeastern Kansas shut down a major pipeline that carries oil from Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast, briefly causing oil prices to rise on Thursday.
Sand storm: NJ sues town that fixed eroded beach despite ban
NORTH WILDWOOD, N.J. — A sand storm at the Jersey shore is escalating.
Ukraine: Russia put rocket launchers at nuclear power plant
KYIV, Ukraine — Russian forces have installed multiple rocket launchers at Ukraine’s shut-down Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Ukrainian officials claimed Thursday, raising fears Europe’s largest atomic power station could be used as a base to fire on Ukrainian territory and heightening radiation dangers.
US sending $275 million in military aid to Ukraine
WASHINGTON — The U.S. is sending an additional $275 million in military aid to Ukraine, including large amounts of ammunition and high-tech systems that can be used to detect and counter drones in its ongoing war with Russia, according to U.S. officials.its ongoing war with Russia, according to U.S. officials.
Israel’s Netanyahu moves closer to forming far-right cabinet
JERUSALEM — Israel’s designated prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, reached a coalition deal Thursday with an ultra-Orthodox party, bringing him a step closer to forming what is expected to be the most right-wing and religious government in the country’s history.
Peru president’s power grab recalls country’s dark past
LIMA, Peru — Peru’s ousted President Pedro Castillo rose to power 17 months ago as a populist outsider. But he squandered what little popularity he had when he stunned the nation by dissolving Congress in an act of political suicide that recalled some of the darkest days of the nation’s anti-democratic past.
German coup plot fueled by conspiracy claims, COVID measures
BERLIN — An alleged plot to topple the German government, led by a self-styled prince, a retired paratrooper and a Berlin judge, had its roots in a murky mixture of post-war grudges, antisemitic conspiracy theories and anger over recent pandemic restrictions, experts say.
Mauna Loa lava no longer imminent threat to Hawaii highway
HONOLULU — Lava from the world’s largest volcano is no longer an imminent threat to the main highway across the Big Island of Hawaii, scientists said Thursday, a development that was a welcome reprieve for motorists who depend on the road.
Kaua‘i Chorale Christmas concerts coming
“Hallelujah,” the Kaua‘i Chorale live Christmas concerts return after a COVID-19-imposed hiatus, said Artistic Director S. Morris Wise, accompanist Rose Alfiler, the 40 singers and a community ready for live choral music.
Obituaries for Thursday, December 8, 2022
• Michelle ‘Michie’ Matsuko Perlas • Hollace ‘Holly’ V. Chung • Ann Kazue Nishikawa
Cub-o-Ree hands out gold
Trevan Goias-Arzadon of Cub Pack 3168 captured gold on Saturday when the keiki sailor won the raingutter regatta during the Scouts of America Aloha Council Kaua‘i District Cub-o-Ree.
Kaua‘i lawmakers on anti-corruption proposals: Transparency and term limits
In the wake of a series of shocking public corruption scandals, the state Legislature convened a panel of experts earlier this year to develop reforms aimed at restoring faith in government.
Couple only wishes for Christmas decorations
Mr. and Mrs. Orly are an elderly couple who have a lot of medical issues. Mrs. Orly is the primary caregiver for her husband, who has dementia along with mobility issues and several other medical issues.
Kaua‘i Rush 2014 wins on O‘ahu
The Kaua‘i Rush 2014 9 under girls soccer team found gold at the Rush Thanksgiving tournament that wrapped up Nov. 27 at the Waipio Soccer Complex on O‘ahu.
HOOSER: The fundamental political question
Bob Dylan sang that regardless of your station in life, “You gotta serve somebody.”
Red Kettle campaign needs help
HONOLULU — The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Island Division announced Monday that it is requesting donations and volunteer support from businesses and individuals to help those in need during this holiday season.
Bail reduction denied in Anahola man’s assault case
LIHU‘E — Judge Randal Valenciano denied a request for a bail reduction for an Anahola man charged with assault, in Lihu‘e Circuit Court on Monday.