La‘akea Chun nominated to Charter Commission

LIHU‘E — Local resident Alice Parker was so overwhelmed by the nomination of La‘akea Chun to a seat on the Charter Commission on Wednesday, she forgot the protocol of testifying before the Kaua‘i County Council.
Video

Trump declines to endorse a national abortion ban

NEW YORK — Former President Donald Trump said Monday he believes abortion limits should be left to the states, outlining his position in a video in which he declined to endorse a national ban after months of mixed messages and speculation.

Judge rejects Trump’s hush money trial delay request

NEW YORK — A New York appeals court judge on Monday rejected Donald Trump’s bid to delay his April 15 hush money criminal trial while he mounts a last-minute fight to move the case out of Manhattan, foiling the former president’s latest attempt to put off the historic trial.

Trump to announce his position on abortion Monday

NEW YORK — Former President Donald Trump says he will finally announce Monday when he believes abortions should be banned, after months of refusing to stake a position on an issue that could decide the outcome of November’s presidential election.

Biden will talk about student debt relief in Wisconsin

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden is traveling to Wisconsin to announce details of a new plan to ease student loan debt for millions, a trip that comes a week after primary voting in the Midwest battleground highlighted weaknesses for the Democratic president and Donald Trump, his Republican challenger.

Marijuana bill flames out in House

LIHU‘E — Legalization of the recreational use of marijuana for adults in Hawai‘i is nothing more than a pipe dream after a bill that would have made it possible failed to advance in the state Legislature.

‘Clean elections’ bill is washed up

HILO, Hawai‘i — A proposed program that would publicly finance election campaigns in Hawai‘i is dead after a Hawai‘i Island lawmaker concluded last week that the plan was fatally flawed.

Dangerous dogs legislation advances

HILO, Hawai‘i — A proposal to strengthen state laws regarding vicious dogs will reach another milestone today following weeks of overwhelming public support.

Coffee labeling bill before Senate committee

KAILUA-KONA, Hawai‘i — A bill, which would establish a timeline by which roasted coffee, instant coffee and ready-to-drink coffee beverages that use a geographic origin in labeling or advertising are required to contain a certain percentage of coffee by weight from that geographic origin is making, is on the move.