State health director urges caution as virus cases rise rapidly throughout the state.
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Accessed on 25 December 2021, 1250 UTC.
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‘Omicron’s going to take off’: State health director urges caution as virus cases soar
State and county officials are urging residents to keep their holiday celebrations small as COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise statewide.
Police plan traffic checkpoints, saturation patrols for the holidays
The Hawaii Police Department plans to have DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols on the Big Island’s roads for the Christmas and New Year’s Day weekends.
Astronomers discover dozens of rogue planets
Astronomers using Maunakea observatories have discovered at least 70 planets within our galaxy that do not orbit a star.
Here comes Santa Claus: NORAD ready to help keiki track jolly old Saint Nick
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, launches its annual Santa locator tool today for keiki who want to track when jolly old Saint Nick will reach the Aloha State.
Jury trials suspended again due to virus surge
Hawaii Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald on Thursday issued an order once again postponing the start of jury trials in Hawaii’s courts until after Feb. 28.
Police: Missing teens found
Police report that two east Hawaii runaways have been located in good health. Fifteen-year-old Elijah Fontes was located in Hilo on Dec. 10, and 17-year-old Shayla-Rae Pomroy was located in Hilo on Wednesday.
DOH: 66 new cases on the Big Island; 2 new deaths
The state Department of Health is reporting 1,511 new COVID cases statewide today, with 66 on the Big Island.
Police renew request for leads on missing woman
Police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance to locate 62-year-old Mahali De Rasayana, also known as Julie Ann Linderman, of Puna.
Hospitals prep for surge: ‘Don’t let your guard down over the holidays’
Big Island hospitals are preparing for a rough winter as all signs point to an omicron-fueled COVID-19 surge within the next month.
Council passes glyphosate ban at county parks
The County Council on Wednesday passed a bill banning the use of Round-Up or other glyphosate-based herbicides at county parks, sending it to Mayor Mitch Roth, who is expected to sign it.
Holiday rush is on at Big Isle airports
Big Island airports have been busy amid the holidays with nearly 21,000 trans-Pacific arrivals between Sunday and Wednesday.
Mountain View man pleads guilty to meth distribution
A Mountain View man charged with methamphetamine trafficking has changed his plea in federal court.
DOH: Four suspected Omicron cases on the Big Island
The state Department of Health suspects that there could be at least four cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 on the Big Island.
Lost Maunakea hiker rescued in heavy snow, sleet
A lost hiker was rescued Tuesday in thick white-out conditions on the Humuʻula Trail at the 13,000-foot elevation on Maunakea, according to the University of Hawaii.
Council: $6M for one-lane bridge in Hilo
The Hawaii County Council unanimously voted Wednesday to contribute $6 million to a project to replace a heavily used one-lane bridge in Hilo.
Variant casts shadow over the recovery of economy
Just as Americans and Europeans were eagerly awaiting their most normal holiday season in a couple of years, the omicron variant has unleashed a fresh round of fear and uncertainty — for travelers, shoppers, party-goers and their economies as a whole.
Police: Highway 11 at Kipimana Street now open
UPDATE: Highway 11 at Kipimana Street is now open.
Water Board frustrated by slow PVC project: Solar plans stuck in building permit backlog
First the pandemic lockdown orders and then delays getting permits from a backlogged Department of Public Works have led to a 382-day delay in the county Department of Water Supply being able to transition some of its electrical use to solar power.
Forecasters: Expect a wet Christmas
East Hawaii residents should expect the wet weather that’s drenched the windward side of the island for much of the month to continue through Christmas weekend.
Kailua-Kona man set for trial on manslaughter charge
A 28-year old Kailua-Kona man will stand trial on a manslaughter charge stemming from an assault Dec. 3 that left a 64-year-old Holualoa man dead.