Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Court upholds $1.3B verdict against Alex Jones in Sandy Hook case

Reuters — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A Connecticut appeals court today largely upheld a nearly $1.3 billion defamation verdict against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in a case accusing the Infowars founder of spreading lies about the 2012 Sandy Hook mass shooting.

Google Payment Corp under U.S. regulatory supervision

Reuters — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 23:00:00 +0000

The U.S. watchdog for consumer finance today announced it was ordering federal supervision of Google Payment Corp., the internet giant’s payment arm, a decision the company immediately said it was challenging in court.

Nasdaq, S&P 500 hit record highs amid jobs data, upbeat forecasts

Reuters — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 22:40:00 +0000

NEW YORK >> The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 rose to record closing highs today following upbeat forecasts from Lululemon Athletica and other companies and as U.S. jobs data fueled expectations the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates this month.

Police believe gunman who killed insurance CEO has left NYC

Reuters — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 22:00:00 +0000

NEW YORK >> New York City police believe the man who fatally shot a UnitedHealth top executive has left the city, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said today, as the hunt for the gunman passed the crucial 48-hour mark. Brian Thomson, 50, the CEO of UnitedHealth’s insurance unit, was shot in the back on Wednesday in what police described as a targeted attack. Police have released multiple photos of the suspect - who fled the scene, climbed on an electric bicycle and disappeared into Central Park - and have asked the public for help in tracking him down.

U.S. milk supply to be tested for bird flu virus

New York Times — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 20:31:00 +0000

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin testing the nation’s milk supply for the bird flu virus known as H5N1, nearly a year after the virus began circulating through dairy cattle, the department announced today.

U.S. appeals court upholds TikTok law forcing its sale

Reuters — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:23:00 +0000

WASHINGTON >> A U.S. federal appeals court today upheld a law requiring Chinese-based ByteDance to divest its popular short video app TikTok in the United States by early next year or face a ban.

U.S. jobs data cements Federal Reserve rate cut this month

Reuters — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:41:00 +0000

Federal Reserve officials appear more likely to cut interest rates this month after data showed the U.S. labor market remained strong but continued to cool in November, with a deeper debate to come next year over whether to pause further reductions in borrowing costs.

House Republicans block release of ethics report on Gaetz

New York Times — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 11:05:00 +0000

WASHINGTON >> The House on Thursday night blocked the release of a damaging Ethics Committee report about former Rep. Matt Gaetz, as Republicans voted to bury it, an expected move that makes it less likely the materials will ever be made public.

Taiwan urges China to ‘unclench its fists’ ahead of war games

Reuters — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:20:00 +0000

TAIPEI >> Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te urged China on Friday to “unclench its fists” and not take any unilateral actions, saying ahead of expected Chinese war games around the island that Beijing would not win any respect for military drills.

Rainbow Wahine swept by TCU in NCAA Tournament opener

Billy Hull — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:06:00 +0000

EUGENE, Ore. >> The chilly weather outside Matthew Knight Arena crept onto the wrong side of the net for the Big West Conference champions.

Family of missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi hires attorney

Peter Boylan — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:06:00 +0000

The family of a Hawaii woman missing since Nov. 11 has hired a criminal defense attorney after the Los Angeles police chief said she entered Mexico voluntarily and amid a report that she may have been involved in an alleged immigration scam marriage with an Argentine man.

Scoreboard – December 6, 2024

Derek Kalani — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:50 +0000

Calendar TODAY SOCCER ILH girls: Punahou I-AA vs. Pac-Five at Kapiolani Park field No. 1; Punahou at Le Jardin; Damien at Kamehameha. Games start at 4:15 p.m. OIA West: Leilehua at Aiea (boys varsity at...

Television and radio – December 6, 2024

Derek Kalani — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:42 +0000

On the air Listings are for Oceanic and Hawaiian Telcom analog/digital. *—premium station. **—retelecast. ***—delayed. Check your TV guide for latest updates. TODAY TIME TV CH HT BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING BYB Extreme Fighting Series 3...

High surf advisory in place for Niihau, Kauai, Oahu

Star-Advertiser Staff — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A high surf advisory has been issued for the north and west shores of Niihau and Kauai, and for the north shores of Oahu, effective until 6 p.m. today.

Chaminade sweeps Stanislaus State to move on in NCAA volleyball tournament

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Mahala Ka’apuni put down 12 kills and notched three aces as the Chaminade volleyball team swept Stanislaus State 26-24, 27-25, 25-11 in the first round of the NCAA Division II West Regional in Pomona, Calif., on Thursday.

Konawaena impresses at Pa‘ani Invitational

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Kaanoipua Leleiwi and Angelie Molina scored 11 points each as No. 3 Konawaena pulled away early and stymied Clovis East (Calif.) 60-43 on day one of the Pa‘ani Invitational on Thursday night at Hemmeter Fieldhouse.

Facts of the Matter: Snowball Earth hypothesis: A planet frozen in time

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Imagine the entire Earth locked in a deep freeze, covered in ice from the poles to the equator. This is the essence of the Snowball Earth hypothesis, a theory that suggests our planet may have been entirely or nearly entirely frozen over multiple times in its ancient past. It’s an idea that sounds like science fiction, but there is strong evidence to back it up.

Independent audit finds UH athletic department lost $2.1M

Stephen Tsai — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The University of Hawaii athletic department incurred a $2.1 million deficit for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Honolulu Marathon caught up in boom of interest in running

Dave Reardon — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Tischa Yates plans to do things for the first time on back-to-back days that lots of people think are crazy.

Nearly $5 million dredging project completed at Hilo small boat harbor

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Boaters are in deep water at last after a months-long dredging project at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo wrapped up last week.

Hawaii island man accused of multiple firearm offenses

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A Hawaii island judge has denied a request by a 39-year-old Kurtistown man facing firearm and domestic violence charges to be released from custody without posting cash bail.

Letter: Legalizing marijuana would leave state stoned

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A cottage industry for marijuana establishes Hawaii as a gateway drug locale like Amsterdam. When California legalized marijuana, a host of issues arose, including organized crime profiteering and shored tax payments. And using schools as a perimeter zone for county legal sales is shameful. THC in the bloodstream has scientific basis, establishes evidence for the impaired driver to determine if marijuana was being used in the vehicle also.

Letter: Isle motorcycle clubs roll out the holiday joy

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Christmas is a-comin’ and how do I know? One-thousand-one motorcycles passed below my apartment on the first Sunday of December. The riders were in sharp formation and for sure had spent the previous day polishing their bikes and wrapping a Christmas gift or two for some child to enhance his and her holiday.

Letter: Marines’ missile system a shot in wrong direction

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Regarding your Tuesday article on the Marine Corps NMESIS with the 3rd Littoral Combat Team: Shibai is what will happen to the Marines sitting out on some island with their naval strike missile (“Isle Marines first to get ‘ship-killing’ missile launcher,” Star- Advertiser, Dec. 3). The Chinese will neutralize them in a heartbeat with their long-range missiles.

Letter: Proposed tax is blatant government overreach

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

I disagree with your editorial in support of the empty homes tax (“It is time to pass ‘empty homes tax,’” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Dec. 2). I am a widower living in a four-bedroom home. While I have children living on Oahu, none presently live with me. My fear is that the City Council will move on to an underutilized homes tax.

City seeks candidates for Honolulu Ocean Safety Commission

Ian Bauer — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration says the process has begun to find candidates to serve on the new commission that will oversee the city’s Ocean Safety Department.

Police brutality suit involving Honolulu officers delayed until 2026

Peter Boylan — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A father and son suing the city after they were allegedly assaulted by Honolulu police officers during a New Year’s Day-long pursuit of an attempted murder suspect are “extremely frustrated” by delays in their case, according to their attorney.

EMS stresses e-bike safety due to increase in injuries

Nina Wu — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Getting a bicycle to put under the Christmas tree this year?

Letter: Biden pardon was right choice in light of Trump

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Just a word of support for President Biden and his decision to pardon his son. I don’t believe he lied when he said he wouldn’t. When it became apparent who the next president would be, he had a choice to make: Save Hunter or leave his fate to the next man who shows no compunction to do cruel and illegal things.

Letter: Empty homes tax solves for supply and demand

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

The cost of housing is a function of supply and demand. Demand from investors and nonresidents has driven up the price of residential real estate so that most Hawaii residents cannot afford to buy a home. Rental costs have also increased.

Kokua Line: How do I get refund from Harris Jewelry?

Christine Donnelly — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Did Harris Jewelry ever have stores in Hawaii?

Rearview Mirror: 2024 columns spotlighted Obama Sr., Dick Tracy tale

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Every December, I review the previous 11 months and write a two-part series of things I learned during the year. Writing this column is a process of discovery for me that I thoroughly enjoy. Here are some highlights.

5 Questions: Stacy Kealohalani Ferreira, Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

BIO FILE: Stacy Kealohalani Ferreira

Off the news: Marathon a boon for hotels, bane for locals

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

It’s an early Christmas for Oahu hotels as thousands of running enthusiasts stream into the islands, ready to carb load and take on the 2024 Honolulu Marathon. For locals, that means modified traffic patterns and road closures Sunday along the 26.2-mile coastal course that starts at Ala Moana Beach Park, loops through downtown, reaches out to Hawaii Kai and finishes at Kapiolani Park.

Editorial: Stop stiffing Hawaii service workers

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

With yet another announcement from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that a Hawaii business has shortchanged employees — this time by skimming off a portion of workers’ tips, in addition to failing to pay overtime — it’s time for a holiday-themed public service announcement to employers: Don’t do that.

Off the news: Events commemorate Pearl Harbor attack

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

A host of events are now underway to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor, the historic assault by Japan that plunged America into World War II.

On the Move: Janet Covington and Deanna D’Olier

None — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:04:00 +0000

Child &Family Service has named Janet Covington clinical supervisor of military family services, previously clinical director of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic since 2020. Covington is a licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor and national certified counselor with more than 15 years of experience, including as psychological health coordinator for the Hawaii Army National Guard and military and a family life counselor.

Trump appoints former PayPal exec as AI and crypto czar

Reuters — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

President-elect Donald Trump today said he was appointing former PayPal Chief Operating Officer David Sacks as his “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar,” another step towards overhauling U.S. policy.

Biden team considers blanket pardons to thwart Trump’s threats

New York Times — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 01:55:00 +0000

WASHINGTON >> President Joe Biden’s staff is debating whether he should issue blanket pardons for a swath of President-elect Donald Trump’s perceived enemies to protect them from the “retribution” he has threatened after he takes office, according to people familiar with the discussion.

Hawaii volleyball swept by TCU in NCAA Tournament first round

Billy Hull — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 01:40:00 +0000

EUGENE, Ore. >> TCU All-America candidate Melanie Parra put down a match-high 24 kills, and the Horned Frogs ended Hawaii’s season with a 25-17, 25-18, 25-22 sweep in the first round of the NCAA Tournament today at Matthew Knight Arena.