TAX MAN: Getting kids to school in Kihei

Let’s start with a simple proposition. Taxpayers pay our government to get things done. Taxpayers don’t pay our government agencies to fight each other so that nothing gets done.

Extreme heat moves east

NEW YORK — Carlos Reyes sought shade under a tree in the Bronx on a day that felt like it was over 100 degrees (38 degrees Celsius) because of the heat and humidity.

UFO hearing was ‘insulting’ to U.S. employees, official says

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A top Pentagon official has attacked this week’s widely watched congressional hearing on UFOs, calling the claims “insulting” to employees who are investigating sightings and accusing a key witness of not cooperating with the official U.S. government investigation.

Scott criticizes DeSantis over support for slavery curriculum

ANKENY, Iowa — U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina has criticized fellow Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for supporting new standards that require teachers to instruct middle school students that slaves developed skills that “could be applied for their personal benefit.”

DeSantis shies away from Trump criticism at Republican dinner

DES MOINES, Iowa — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed “I will get the job done” but shied away from attacking former President Donald Trump as the two top rivals for the Republican presidential nomination were making rare appearances at the same Iowa campaign event on Friday night.

Moscow blames Kyiv for attacks in south Russia

KYIV, Ukraine — Russian forces on Friday struck the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro and pounded a key village in the southeast that Ukraine claimed to have recaptured in its grinding counteroffensive, while Moscow accused Kyiv of firing two missiles at southern Russia and wounding 20 people.

Shiite Muslims commemorate the mourning day of Ashoura

TEHRAN, Iran — Millions of Shiite Muslims in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and around the world on Friday commemorated Ashoura, a remembrance of the 7th-century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein, that gave birth to their faith.

Soldiers declare Niger general as head of state after coup

NIAMEY, Niger — Mutinous soldiers who staged a coup in Niger declared their leader the new head of state on Friday, hours after the general asked for national and international support despite rising concerns that the political crisis could hinder the nation’s fight against jihadists and boost Russia’s influence in West Africa.

Putin woos African leaders at a summit in Russia

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Russian President Vladimir Putin courted leaders from Africa at a summit on Friday, hailing the continent’s growing role in global affairs and offering to expand political and business ties.

Hawai‘i latest gun control law goes before a judge

HONOLULU — A legal battle over whether Hawai‘i can continue enforcing a new law banning firearms on its world-famous beaches went before a U.S. judge, who said Friday she would rule as soon as possible but didn’t give a specific date.

Play Streets coming to Laukona Park

HANAMA‘ULU — The Play Streets Kaua‘i planning team announced the arrival of and accessibility to the popular Play Streets free program at Laukona Park in Hanama‘ulu on Aug. 12 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Happy Camper for Friday, July 28, 2023

OK, it’s time for the Koloa Plantation Days historic parade (Happy 100th Anniversary, Koloa Union Church, which serves as the parade grand marshall!), and figuring out how to get there with all the traffic closures (how long did it take to get to Koloa last Friday?).