Biden to meet with pope’s Ukraine peace envoy
ROME — U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with Pope Francis’ peace envoy Tuesday as part of the Holy See’s peace and humanitarian initiatives for Ukraine, with the plight of Ukrainian children taken to Russia topping the agenda, the White House and Vatican said Monday.
Taiwan’s presidential front-runner U.S. visit criticized
TAIPEI, Taiwan — China is criticizing an upcoming stopover in the United States by Taiwan’s vice president and presidential front-runner William Lai as a challenge to its territorial integrity, while Taiwan says it’s merely a transit stop.
The pope’s visit to Mongolia shows his dedication
VATICAN CITY — The young cardinal in charge of Mongolia’s tiny Catholic community said Monday that Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to a country with just 1,450 Catholics is evidence of his willingness to travel to the farthest corners of the globe to minister to even a handful of the faithful.
Russian fighter jet flies close to U.S. warplane over Syria
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Russian fighter jet flew very close to a U.S. surveillance aircraft over Syria, forcing it to go through the turbulent wake and putting the lives of the four American crew members in danger, U.S. officials said Monday.
Alaska coast earthquake triggers tsunami advisory
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake triggered a brief tsunami advisory for southern Alaska late Saturday, but the advisory was canceled about an hour later, monitoring bodies reported.
EK Legends finish strong in Kaua‘i Senior Softball
The Kaua‘i Senior Softball league wrapped up its 2023 season on Saturday with contests being waged at Isenberg Park and Baniaga Field in Hanapepe.
Bonjolea II gets third win in Wahine Series
Bonjolea II, with Bonnie Tiffany behind the big wheel, took its third straight win on Thursday during the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Wahine Series Race No. 3 that was waged in winds of 13 knots blowing out of the northeast at the Nawiliwili Harbor.
County of Kaua‘i issues advisory as tropical storm approaches island
A tropical storm, which is moving through the Pacific Ocean and heading toward the Hawaiian Islands, prompted an advisory on Sunday from the County of Kaua‘i urging residents to prepare for potential impacts.
Kaua‘i environmentalists call for Wailua wetland restoration
Environmental activists on Wednesday reiterated their call to revert the lands surrounding the long-dilapidated Coco Palms Resort into wetlands, arguing that natural restoration could help Kaua‘i better combat climate change and its impacts.
Back to School Bash a smash in LIhu‘e
Resembling a scene from the pre-COVID days of the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau Fair, thousands of keiki accompanied by their families filled the walkways of Kukui Grove Center during the ninth annual Back to School Bash on Saturday.
PMRF hosts ceremony to reinter Native Hawaiian remains
The lineal descendants of iwi kupuna discovered on the grounds of the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) were joined by leadership of the facility during the two-day Ka Mauiki‘iki‘i O Ke Kauwela, or celebration of the summer solstice.
Obituaries for Monday, July 17, 2023
• Helen Angela Boreliz • Jose L. Bernades Sr. • Amancio ‘Mancio’ Gabriel Calventas
Happy Camper for Monday, July 17, 2023
Ron Wiley of KONG Radio Group said when the state Department of Transportation closes the right lane (of a two-lane road like the Kaumuali‘i Highway), that’s closing half the road. Grass and tree trimming have been responsible for a lot of motorists’ adjustments to accommodate this maintenance work, like all those motorists from Kapa‘a who planned to attend the Waimea Shingon Mission bon dance who had to leave by 3 p.m. to arrive by 5 p.m. (the bon service start at six). That was not enough time to stop at Friday Art Night in Hanapepe. Brian Atendido was smart…he got to Waimea by 3 p.m. (so what to do until the bon dance starts at 6 p.m.?).
Kaua‘i Veterans Museum reopens after renovation work
LIHU‘E — Kahu Jade Wai‘ale‘ale Battad said, personally, the Kaua‘i Veterans Museum almost always makes you feel better than when you enter the museum located inside the Kaua‘i Veterans Center on Veterans Memorial Highway.
Hawai‘i Gov. Green touts successes to United Nations despite missing most state targets
NEW YORK — Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green spoke at the United Nations headquarters this week to highlight the state’s successes in environmental and housing goals. The newly-released report he referenced, however, tells a far bleaker story.
Road lane closures planned for week of July 16 – 22, 2023
LIHU‘E — A number of lane and shoulder closures are on tap along island roads this week, with the most active work area being along Kuhio Highway in Wailua.
U.S. Southwest swelters under dangerous heat wave
PHOENIX — A dangerous heat wave threatened a wide swath of the Southwest with potentially deadly temperatures in the triple digits on Saturday as some cooling centers extended their hours and emergency rooms prepared to treat more people with heat-related illnesses.
Farm fields don’t just feed us. They store carbon.
DYSART, Iowa — When Al Schafbuch cut back on plowing his Iowa fields decades ago and later began growing cover crops, he was out to save money on fertilizer and reduce erosion. He got those benefits and saw his soil change for the better, too: dark, chunky, richly organic matter that he said feels like “chocolate cake.”
Alaska volcano spews ash cloud, weather service warnings pilots
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An erupting volcano in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands sent a towering cloud of ash into the air Friday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an inflight warning to pilots.
DeSantis would consider Iowa’s Reynolds as VP
ANKENY, Iowa — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Saturday he would consider Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds as a potential running mate, should he win the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, and dismissed former President Donald Trump’s recent complaints about her as “totally out of hand.”
Trump, DeSantis in their own fundraising tier
NEW YORK — Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis are dominating the fight for campaign cash in the Republican presidential contest, according to federal filings made public Saturday.
South Korea President makes a surprise Ukraine visit
KYIV, Ukraine — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Saturday, offering support for the invaded country in its war with Russia while demonstrating his own nation’s cooperation with NATO.
Protests swell in Tel Aviv, movement vows ‘days of disruption’
JERUSALEM — Tens of thousands of protesters packed the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday night, marking the 28th straight week of demonstrations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to overhaul the country’s judiciary. Protest leaders promised further “days of disruption” lie ahead.
Rains cause flash floods, landslides in South Korea
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean rescue workers pulled seven bodies from a flooded tunnel where around 15 vehicles were trapped in muddy water, as days of heavy rain triggered flash floods and landslides and destroyed homes, leaving at least 33 people dead and forcing thousands to evacuate, officials said Sunday.
Hundreds of migrants form group to head toward U.S.
SUCHIATE, Mexico — Nearly a thousand migrants that recently crossed from Guatemala into Mexico formed a group Saturday to head north together in hopes of reaching the border with the United States.