University of Hawai‘i ranked a top 100 employer for women
LIHU‘E — The University of Hawai‘i System is one of the United States’ top 100 workplaces for women, according to a Forbes magazine list released this week. The university system, comprised of 10 campuses across Hawai‘i, ranked number 90 overall and number 17 in the U.S. education industry.
Obituaries for Friday, July 28, 2023
• Roy Stewart Honjo • Flora Cox
Trump accused of asking staffer to delete camera footage
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump faced new charges Thursday in a case accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents, with prosecutors alleging that he asked a staffer to delete camera footage at his Florida estate in an effort to obstruct a federal investigation into the records.
Trump lawyers met with prosecutors ahead of 2020 election indictment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lawyers for Donald Trump met Thursday with members of special counsel Jack Smith’s team ahead of a potential indictment over the former president’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to a person familiar with the matter.
White House aims at lowering cost of housing, increasing supply
The White House is taking steps aimed at increasing the the supply of affordable housing while also bolstering protections for renters.
Biden looks to provide relief from extreme heat
WASHINGTON. D.C. — With heat waves spreading across the United States, President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new steps to protect workers — including a hazard alert notifying employers and employees about ways to stay safe from extreme heat — as well as measures to improve weather forecasts and make drinking water more accessible.
Senate passes defense bill, clash looms in House
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate has passed a massive annual defense bill that would deliver a 5.2% pay raise for service members and keep the nation’s military operating, avoiding partisan policy battles with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote.
Fighting intensifies in SE Ukraine, Kyiv claims gains
KYIV, Ukraine — Fierce fighting raged Thursday in southeastern Ukraine, where a Western official said Kyiv has launched a major push and Russian President Vladimir Putin said “hostilities have intensified significantly.”
Japan raises alarm over China’s military, Russia ties, Taiwan tensions
TOKYO — Japan stepped up its alarm over China’s assertiveness in the region, its growing military ties to Russia and its claims on Taiwan in an annual defense paper released Friday that is the first under Tokyo’s new security strategy calling for a major military buildup.
Vatican, Vietnam agree to open resident Holy See office
VATICAN CITY — Vietnam formally agreed Thursday to let a Vatican representative live in the country and open an office, a notching up of relations that could have implications down the line for the Holy See’s delicate ties with China.
Australian PM is confident the U.S. will deliver submarines
CANBERRA, Australia — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday he was confident of securing bipartisan political support in the United States for a deal to provide his country with submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology.
NK leader Kim shares stage with Russian, Chinese delegates at parade
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shared center stage with senior delegates from Russia and China as he rolled out his most powerful, nuclear-capable missiles in a military parade in the capital, Pyongyang, marking a major war anniversary with a show of defiance against the United States.
U.S. Senate votes to expand radiation-exposure compensation
SANTA FE, N.M. — The U.S. Senate has endorsed a major expansion of a compensation program for people sickened by exposure to radiation during nuclear weapons testing and the mining of uranium during the Cold War, with a vote Thursday on a massive defense spending bill.
22 attorneys general oppose 3M settlement over ‘forever chemicals’
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Twenty-two attorneys general urged a federal court Wednesday to reject a proposed $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially dangerous chemicals, saying it lets manufacturer 3M Co. off too easily.
$10.7M to fund University of Hawai‘i microbiome research
Small-scale science is about to get a big paycheck.
Halau returns to Lili‘uokalani contest
Like a general leading her warriors to battle on Wednesday, Kumu Hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin of Halau Ka Lei Mokihana O Leina‘ala took the first step toward their waiting flight to O‘ahu where the halau will participate in the 2023 Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Competition.
Tour companies host free sightseeing event at Kikialoa Small Boat Harbor
Tour companies at Kikialoa Small Boat Harbor gave free Napali Coast sightseeing tours to more than 200 Kaua‘i residents on Wednesday, July 26, launching what organizers say will be an annual event for locals.
Traffic advisory issued for Koloa Plantation Days Parade
The historic Koloa Plantation Days Parade on Saturday morning, and its accompanying park celebration, will mean traffic advisories will take place from 9 a.m. until at least 1 p.m.
Obituaries for Thursday, July 27, 2023
• Doreen Reiko Koerte • Carole Porfiria Nacion
HOOSER: Looking ahead to 2026 elections
The year 2024 will be big in national politics, but locally it may be a bit “ho hum.” There’s no governor’s race, no mayor’s race, our four state legislative seats seem locked up, and movement on the Kaua‘i County Council will likely be minimal.
Kumu’s Cupboard takes care of teachers
LIHU‘E — According to the state Department of Education school calendar, teachers report to classes starting Aug. 1.
Japan visitors reaffirm sister city relations
For 24 Ishigaki City, Japan citizens, the importance of the 60th anniversary Reaffirmation Ceremony was obvious. The group traveled 4,800 miles from Japan to attend and participate in the 60th anniversary of the sister city relationship, and witness the reaffirmation of the relationship for another 60 years, and beyond.
Happy Camper for Wednesday, July 26, 2023
The historic Koloa Plantation Days parade (Koloa Union Church, celebrating its 100th anniversary on Sunday, is the parade’s grand marshall) that starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday wraps up a full week of activities (many not related to Koloa Plantation Days) that started last Friday with the heavy traffic going out of Lihu‘e.
Parents call for ouster of Waimea Canyon Middle School principal
HANAPEPE — Representatives from the state Department of Education heard parents and teachers call for the immediate removal of Waimea Canyon Middle School Principal Melissa Speetjens at a meeting at Hanapepe Neighborhood Center on Monday evening, where Speetjens was accused of multiple forms of negligence and creating a toxic school environment for students and staff.
Obituaries for Wednesday, July 26, 2023
• Roy Stewart Honjo • Neil Manguchei • Patrick ‘Pat’ Jerome Pavao • Milagrosa Farinas Ramos • Flora Cox