Despite what judge rules, occupiers say land is theirs
The battle continues over Coco Palms Resort in Wailua, between developers Chad Waters and Tyler Greene and a group of Native Hawaiians who say the land rightfully belongs to them by royal decree.
Shopping with a cop
The sight of the Kauai Police Department Mobile Incident Command vehicle parked at the main entrance to the Big Kmart Friday morning in Lihue sparked questions in the minds of some shoppers.
TGI staff reflects on meanings, memories of Christmas
Following are stories from some of TGI’s staff about Christmas and its meaning in their life.
Praising the tree of life: ‘How lovely are thy branches’
The young Norfolk pine tree in its black plastic tub seemed to be awaiting me in the entry of a local shop about five years ago. This would be no Charlie Brown tree, with its perfect shape — almost as perfectly layered even at its 4-foot stage as a kid’s representational drawing of a standard Christmas tree.
Judge’s partial lifting of Trump ban gives refugees hope
After hearing heartbreaking stories of refugees who have struggled to reconnect with their families and listening to the plight of others who strive to leave dangerous situations, a federal judge said he would try to issue a ruling on a motion to block a Trump administration ban on refugees before Christmas.
Trump sends Christmas greetings to US troops abroad
President Donald Trump opened his first Christmas Eve in office by offering season’s greetings to U.S. troops stationed around the world and chatting up children who called into a Defense Department program that tracks Santa Claus’ flight path.
White Christmas on its way for Northeast, Midwest
If you live in the Northeast or Midwest, you’re not dreaming: It’s probably going to be a white Christmas.
NORAD takes calls from kids around the world awaiting Santa
Hundreds of volunteers at an Air Force base in Colorado were answering questions on Sunday from eager children who wanted to know where Santa was on his Christmas Eve travels. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump also pitched in and took calls for the NORAD Tracks Santa program from their Florida estate.
Typhoon ravages south Philippines with 120 dead, 160 missing
One of the deadliest storms to hit the Philippines this year blew out of the country’s south Sunday after leaving more than 120 people dead and 160 missing in landslides and flash floods.
North Korea calls latest UN sanctions ‘an act of war’
North Korea on Sunday called the latest U.N. sanctions to target the country “an act of war” that violates its sovereignty, and said it is a “pipe dream” for the United States to think it will give up its nuclear weapons.
Dimming Christmas lights reflect Venezuela’s grim crisis
Marilyn Pitre recalls taking her family on evening strolls at Christmas time through Altamira Plaza in Venezuela’s capital, soaking up the dazzling lights and giant tree made of light bulbs in a display that once drew comparisons to New York City’s Rockefeller Center.
Putin foe clears first step in bid for Russian presidency
Hundreds of supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny nominated him for president Sunday, allowing Navalny to ready the endorsement papers required for candidacy and putting pressure on the Kremlin to allow him to run.
Belgrade’s extortionate plastic Christmas tree mocked by residents
A 60-foot plastic Christmas tree in the center of Belgrade has been derided by residents after reportedly costing $98,000.
Jerusalem violence, rain put damper on Bethlehem Christmas
It was a subdued Christmas Eve in the historic birthplace of Jesus on Sunday, with spirits dampened by cold, rainy weather and recent violence sparked by President Donald Trump’s recognition of nearby Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Spain’s king addresses Catalonia in Christmas Eve speech
King Felipe VI used his traditional Christmas Eve address Sunday night to call on Catalonia’s newly elected parliament to renounce further moves toward secession from Spain.
Pope on Christmas: Bethlehem trek’s like today’s migrations
Pope Francis in Christmas Eve remarks Sunday likened the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem to the migrations of millions of people today who are forced to leave homelands for a better life, or just for survival, and he expressed hope that no one will feel “there is no room for them on this Earth.”
Guatemala says it is moving embassy in Israel to Jerusalem
The president of Guatemala says the Central American country will move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
Water service restored for hundreds in Ala Moana area
Hundreds of residents in the Ala Moana area have water service after a main break.
Agency falling short on payments to state for center
The Hawaii Tourism Authority has fallen short on its payments to the state for the Hawaii Convention Center. The agency still owes 79 percent of the center’s original $350 million balance.
Hawaii boy asks Santa to ‘take Grandma’s cancer away’
A 6-year-old Hawaii boy wrote a letter to Santa Claus asking the jolly figure to remove his grandmother’s cancer.
Ichiro Suzuki hopes to remain in Major League Baseball
Ichiro Suzuki, who became a free agent in November when the Miami Marlins declined their option to sign him for the 2018 season, still hasn’t given up hope of remaining in Major League Baseball.
Rough times for smugglers who knitted N Korea to the world
The small-time smugglers who long helped secretly knit North Korea to the outside world have seen their work plunge since ruler Kim Jong Un came to power, as a handful of large, well-connected Chinese businesses have taken over the trade along the Chinese border.
Trump criticizes FBI deputy director as he plans retirement
President Donald Trump again questioned the impartiality of the deputy director of the FBI, Andrew McCabe, who is planning to retire from the bureau in the months ahead after being buffeted by attacks over alleged anti-Trump bias in the agency.
Da Shadow: Portables, potholes
What’s up with the portable buildings behind the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihue?
Vet center gets county dollars for roof repairs
The roof on the Kauai Veterans Center is the top priority for the Kauai Veterans Council, said Stu Burley, the newly installed commandant.