Pandemic-weary Americans plan for summer despite COVID surge
A COVID surge is under way that is starting to cause disruptions as schools wrap up for the year and Americans prepare for summer vacations. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) (Caleb Jones)HONOLULU — (AP) — A high school prom in Hawaii where masked dancers weren't allowed to touch. A reinstated mask mandate at skilled nursing facilities in Los Angeles County after 22 new outbreaks in a single week. A COVID-19 surge is underway that is starting to cause disruptions as the school year wraps up and Americans prepare for summer vacations. Despite its surge, visitors have been flocking to Hawaii's beaches, especially in recent months.
wftv.comOrange County firefighter and fire dancer shares his story during AAPI Heritage Month
ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County firefighter Micah Naruo has quite a part-time job. When not fighting fires, he is fire spinning for Disney’s Lion King show at Animal Kingdom. And just like soccer, you know, I went to fire and knife practice for about two and a half hours. READ: Sheriff’s program aims to strengthen Orange County’s Asian communityNaruo picked the profession that seemed the perfect fit for his passion and enrolled in the Orange County fire program. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 17 AAPI: Micah Naro Orange County Firefighter AAPI: Micah Naro Orange County FirefighterMORE: Central Florida Gets RealClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
wftv.comThai archival find may resolve fate of missing WWII US flyer
At the U-Tapao naval air base on Thailand’s eastern seaboard, military personnel along with Thai and American officials paid their respects. Thailand was officially allied to Japan in World War II and occupied by its military, making it a target for British and U.S. bombers. Retired Thai Air Chief Marshal Sakpinit Promthep, who indulged his passion for Second World War history by working part-time in the archival section, spent months afterward going through its files one by one to check their condition. It sparked a “Eureka!” reaction for the history buff who'd heard rumors of a World War II plane crash in Lampang province but had never found any record of it. According to the DPAA, of the 72,335 U.S. service personnel still missing from World War II, almost 47,000 disappeared in Asian battle zones.
wftv.comHawaii helicopter crash that killed 7 was '100% preventable'
Hawaii Helicopter Crash FILE — This undated photo provided by the National Transportation Safety Board shows the scene where a tour helicopter crashed near the Na Pali Coast on the island of Kauai in Hawaii, in 2019. Federal accident investigators blamed a deadly tour helicopter crash in Hawaii on the pilot's decision to keep flying into worsening weather, but they saved their sharpest criticism for regulators whom they accused of lax oversight of tour flights in the islands. The National Transportation Safety Board determination on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, followed an investigation into the Dec. 2019 helicopter crash that killed all seven people on board. The board also said the FAA failed to do enough to ensure that tour pilots in Hawaii are trained in handling bad weather. Safety board Chair Jennifer Homendy said some will be quick to single out the pilot for causing the crash, which killed all seven people on board, but that she was trouble more by the FAA's role.
wftv.comNew bodycam footage from "Rust" shooting released
New body camera video released by the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office shows the frantic moments after the "Rust” shooting, including an interview with actor Alec Baldwin who was holding the gun that went off and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Omar Villafranca has more.
news.yahoo.comUS military drops appeal of Hawaii order to drain fuel tanks
The U.S. government on Friday, April 22, 2022 dropped its appeals of a Hawaii order requiring it to remove fuel from a massive military fuel storage facility that leaked petroleum into the Navy's water system at Pearl Harbor last year. Navy via AP, File) (Luke McCall)HONOLULU — (AP) — The U.S. government on Friday dropped its appeals of a Hawaii order requiring it to remove fuel from a massive military fuel storage facility that leaked petroleum into the Navy's water system at Pearl Harbor last year. The move comes more than a month after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the military would permanently shut down the tanks and drain all of their fuel. The Navy and the Hawaii Department of Health did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Petroleum leaked from the Red Hill tanks into a Navy drinking water well late last year, sickening 6,000 people mostly living in military housing.
wftv.comEzra Miller arrested again in Hawaii
Ezra Miller arrested again in Hawaii Just weeks after "Justice League" star Ezra Miller was charged in connection with an incident at a Hawaii karaoke bar, the actor was arrested again early Tuesday on suspicion of assault, authorities said. (Hawaii Police Department)PAHOA, Hawaii — Just weeks after “Justice League” star Ezra Miller was charged in connection with an incident at a Hawaii karaoke bar, the actor was arrested again early Tuesday on suspicion of assault, authorities said. >> RELATED STORY: Ezra Miller arrested, charged with disorderly conduct, harassmentOfficers later located Miller near Highway 130 and Kukula Street and arrested the actor on a charge of second-degree assault, police said. 4-19-22 Ezra Miller Arrested for Assault in Pāhoa https://t.co/w9S58hxFef — Hawaii Police Department (Official Site) (@Hawaii_Police) April 19, 2022Last month, police arrested Miller on charges of disorderly conduct and harassment at a bar on Silva Street in Hilo. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 25 Through the years Actor Ezra Miller attends a photo call for "City Island" at Merkato 55 on April 24, 2009 in New York City.
wftv.comHyo Joo Kim maintain 3-shot lead in windy LOTTE Championship
EWA BEACH, Hawaii — (AP) — Hyo Joo Kim rallied with two late birdies for an even-par 72 to maintain a three-stroke lead Friday in the LPGA Tour's LOTTE Championship. “It was very windy today," said Kim, the 26-year-old South Korean player who won the last of her four LPGA Tour titles in 2019. I think it was difficult because it was not specifically (from one) direction. I had a hard time in that regard.”Kim nearly holed out from a greenside bunker for eagle on 18. Her tee shot found a bunker on an adjacent hole, her second hit a nearby tree and left her a shot out of the rough.
wftv.comHjo Joo Kim shoots second 67, takes 3-stroke lead in Hawaii
EWA BEACH, Hawaii — (AP) — Hyo Joo Kim birdied three of the final six holes for her second 5-under 67 and a three-stroke lead Thursday after the second round of the LPGA Tour’s LOTTE Championship. Kim had her second bogey-free round. Kim has played in the LOTTE Championship every year since the tournament debuted in 2012. A Lim Kim followed an opening 72 with a 67 to get to 5 under, along with Na Rin An (68). “It’s really windy here and sometimes there’s a gust (of) wind,” A Lim Kim said.
wftv.comKim has 3-shot lead halfway through 2nd round in Hawaii
EWA BEACH, Hawaii — (AP) — Hyo Joo Kim birdied three of the final six holes for her second 5-under 67 and a three-stroke lead Thursday midway through the second round of the LPGA Tour’s LOTTE Championship. Kim had her second bogey-free round in a row. “First of all, I’m satisfied,” said Kim, the 26-year-old major champion from South Korea. I hit one fairway bunker short, but just overall really steady.”Fellow Australian Hannah Green, the leader after the first round, played in the afternoon. “It’s really windy here and sometimes there’s a gust (of) wind,” A Lim Kim said.
wftv.comHannah Green takes 1-stroke lead at LPGA Lotte Championship
EWA BEACH, Hawaii — (AP) — Hannah Green shot a 6-under 66 on Wednesday to take the lead after the first round of the LPGA Lotte Championship. Green had eight birdies, including five on the front nine, at breezy Hoakalei Country Club, a first-time venue in the 10th edition of the tournament. The Australian hit 11 of 14 fairways, 14 of 18 greens in regulation and needed just 26 putts. “I just felt like with the putter I just needed to see a couple go in. The event was played at Ko Olina Golf Club for its first eight years, was canceled in 2020 and moved to Kapolei Golf Club last year.
wftv.comHannah Green takes early lead in LPGA Lotte Championship
EWA BEACH, Hawaii — (AP) — Hannah Green shot a 6-under 66 on Wednesday to take the lead halfway through the first round of the LPGA Tour's LPGA Lotte Championship. “I just felt like with the putter I just needed to see a couple go in. Jennifer Kupcho, coming a major victory two weeks ago at Rancho Mirage in the California desert, played in the afternoon. It is the 10th edition of the Lotte Championship, but the first time the tournament has taken place at Hoakalei Country Club. The event was played at Ko Olina Golf Club for its first eight years, was canceled in 2020 and it moved to Kapolei Golf Club last year.
wftv.comHawaii couple drop restraining order against Ezra Miller
HONOLULU — (AP) — A Hawaii couple have dropped their petition for a temporary restraining order against actor Ezra Miller, known for playing “The Flash” in “Justice League” films. According to court documents, a judge dismissed the case Monday after the couple requested it. A judge had granted the restraining order petition, saying it was needed to prevent future harassment and had set a hearing for Wednesday. A hearing is scheduled for April 26 on Miller's arrest. There is also a hearing scheduled for Tuesday in a separate case involving an alleged traffic violation for Miller in Hilo.
wftv.comChildren say toddler's death was accident, plead to save mom from execution: "She's innocent"
Melissa Lucio, a mother of 14 who was convicted of her toddler's death, is set to be executed April 27. Her children say it was an accident, and nearly half of her state's lawmakers want the execution to be stopped. Lilia Luciano reports.
news.yahoo.com"60 Minutes" interviews Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from fortified war rooms
"60 Minutes" spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his fortified war rooms for an hourlong interview. Topics included the West's response to the conflict and what victory would look like for Ukraine.
news.yahoo.comJan. 6 panel has enough evidence to refer Trump for criminal charges, Liz Cheney says
The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot has enough evidence to refer former President Donald Trump for criminal charges, Rep. Liz Cheney says. She says the panel has not made a decision about moving forward with a referral.
news.yahoo.comAn asteroid the size of a bus will safely fly by Earth today and you can watch it live online
Asteroid 2022 GN1 will pass within 79,000 miles (127,000 kilometers) of Earth, or about one-third of the distance between the Earth and the moon, later this evening. The event will be live streamed by the Virtual Telescope Project.
space.comActor Ezra Miller ordered to stay away from Hawaii couple
A Hawaii judge has granted a couple's request for a temporary restraining order against Ezra Miller, an actor known for playing “The Flash" in “Justice League” films. The couple filed a petition for a temporary restraining order Tuesday, alleging that Miller burst into their bedroom and threatened them in Hilo, a small town on the Big Island. Late Sunday, police were called to Margarita Village in Hilo, where they said Miller yelled obscenities, grabbed a mic from a singing woman and lunged at a man playing darts.
news.yahoo.comUkrainians stranded in Hawaii get help from canoe paddlers
The Prishchak family travelled to Hawaii for a long-awaited vacation on Feb. 16 and planned to return to Ukraine on March 7. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones) (Caleb Jones)KAILUA, Hawaii — (AP) — A Ukrainian family who came to Hawaii for a long-awaited vacation ended up watching from the islands in shock as bombs started dropping on their country. Now, more than a month later, they remain stranded on Oahu without access to their house, money, family or friends. “Sadly, we can’t help all the Ukrainians, but we can help this family,” wrote Charlotte Johnson, an Oahu resident who helped set up the fundraiser. The U.S. is also expanding efforts to help Ukrainian refugees elsewhere.
wftv.comUkrainians stranded in Hawaii get help from canoe paddlers
A Ukrainian family who came to Hawaii for a long-awaited vacation ended up watching from the islands in shock as bombs started dropping on their country. Now, more than a month later, they remain stranded on Oahu without access to their house, money, family or friends. Vasyl and Marina Prishchak and their three daughters, ages 5, 10 and 16, arrived in Hawaii in the middle of February and had an idyllic, three-week beach vacation planned before Russia invaded Ukraine.
news.yahoo.com'The Flash' actor Ezra Miller arrested at Hawaii karaoke bar
HONOLULU — (AP) — An actor known for playing “The Flash” in “Justice League” films was arrested after an incident at a Hawaii karaoke bar, where police say he yelled obscenities, grabbed a mic from a singing woman and lunged at a man playing darts. Ezra Miller late Sunday took issue with people singing the Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper ballad “Shallow,” at Margarita Village, a bar where mostly locals frequent in Hilo, a small town on the Big Island, Hawaii Police Assistant Chief Kenneth Quiocho said. “He’s an actor but he’s not like famous to me,” Quiocho said. “He’s not Ben Affleck, let’s put it that way.”Miller was arrested shortly after midnight Monday and charged with disorderly conduct and harassment. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
wftv.comEzra Miller arrested, charged with disorderly conduct, harassment
Ezra Miller FILE PHOTO: Ezra Miller attends Burberry closing party for Anne Imhof's Exhibition 'Natures Mortes'at Palais de Tokyo on October 18, 2021 in Paris, France. Miller was arrested in Hawaii over the weekend. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images For Burberry)“The Flash” actor Ezra Miller has been arrested in Hawaii and charged with disorderly conduct and harassment. >> Read more trending newsPolice in Hawaii said there was a report of a disorderly customer in a bar Sunday evening. 3-28-22 Vermont Visitor Arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Harassment in Hilo https://t.co/12RMQ3eckH — Hawaii Police Department (Official Site) (@Hawaii_Police) March 29, 2022Miller paid the bail of $500 and was released from custody, police said, according to People magazine.
wftv.comChiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, fiancee Brittany Matthews get married in Hawaii
MAUI, Hawaii — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes married his longtime girlfriend, Brittany Matthews, in a ceremony Saturday in Hawaii. Mahomes’ younger brother, Jackson Mahomes, served as his best man, People reported. >> Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, fiancée Brittany Matthews welcome baby girlKelce served as one of the groomsmen, according to People. Since their engagement, Mahomes and Matthews welcomed their first daughter, Sterling Skye Mahomes, KMBC reported. Matthews is a founder and owner of the KC Current, Kansas City’s professional women’s soccer team, the television station reported.
wftv.comAgency: Hawaii helicopter nose dived before crash killed 4
The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that a helicopter that crashed in Hawaii last month and killed all four people on board nose-dived from 200 feet (60 meters) above ground after it unexpectedly stopped while making a shallow left turn. The agency's preliminary report on the Feb. 22 crash on Kauai said U.S. Navy contractor Croman Corp. was using the Sikorsky S-61N helicopter to retrieve inert training torpedoes from the Pacific Ocean at the time. The helicopter then was expected to return the torpedo to the nearby Pacific Missile Range Facility using a sling load, which is cargo carried beneath a helicopter.
news.yahoo.comPentagon to permanently shut fuel tank facility in Hawaii that leaked, sickening more than 6,000, official tells AP
WASHINGTON — (AP) — Pentagon to permanently shut fuel tank facility in Hawaii that leaked, sickening more than 6,000, official tells AP. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
wftv.comMassive Hawaii taro root could be largest ever harvested
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — (AP) — A super-sized taro root has been harvested on Hawaii's Big Island. The 50-pound corm, which is the root of a taro plant, was grown on Aina 'Ahiu Farm in Hawaii Island's South Kona district and could possibly be the largest on record, West Hawaii Today reported Wednesday. Clarence and Nellie Medeiros, who harvested the plant, said it could feed about 180 people. The entire taro plant can be eaten, not just the root, in a variety of Hawaiian dishes from the staple poi to lau lau and squid luau, both of which include taro leaves. Different generations feeding the next generations.”For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, West Hawaii Today.
wftv.comMassive Hawaii taro root could be largest ever harvested
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) — A super-sized taro root has been harvested on Hawaii's Big Island. The 50-pound corm, which is the root of a taro plant, was grown on Aina ‘Ahiu Farm in Hawaii Island’s South Kona district and could possibly be the largest on record, West Hawaii Today reported Wednesday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says taro plants usually weigh between 1 and 2 pounds.
news.yahoo.comJill Biden calls on unvaccinated in Hawaii to get shots
First lady Jill Biden visited a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Waipahu, Hawaii, on Sunday to encourage unvaccinated Hawaiians to get their shots as the delta variant surges through much of the U_S_ Biden in remarks at the pop-clinic at Waipahu High School said the virus has become “more contagious than ever” and urged the unvaccinated to “help us move past this virus once and for all.”.