A look at how Biden’s Cabinet nominees fared Tuesday
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s Cabinet is starting to fill out, with nominees for agriculture secretary and United Nations ambassador gaining Senate approval Tuesday.
Board leaders of Texas’ grid operator resign after outages
AUSTIN, Texas — Four board leaders of Texas’ embattled power grid operator said Tuesday they will resign following outrage over more than 4 million customers losing power during a deadly winter freeze last week.
Capitol defenders cite missed intelligence for deadly breach
WASHINGTON — Missed intelligence was to blame for the outmanned Capitol defenders’ failure to anticipate the violent mob that invaded the iconic building and halted certification of the presidential election on Jan. 6, the officials who were in charge of security that day said Tuesday in their first public testimony on the insurrection.
Tiger Woods seriously injured in California car crash
LOS ANGELES — Tiger Woods was seriously injured Tuesday when his SUV rolled over and ended up on its side in suburban Los Angeles, authorities said. The golf superstar had to be pulled out through the windshield, and his agent said he was undergoing leg surgery.
Food groups fight to save one Trump virus program
DES MOINES, Iowa — As the Biden administration sets up shop, many policies initiated by its hard-right predecessor are being targeted for extinction. But agricultural groups and anti-hunger organizations are fighting to keep one they’ve come to depend on, which channels food that might otherwise be plowed under to people reeling under the coronavirus pandemic.
Mars rover’s giant parachute carried secret message
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The huge parachute used by NASA’s Perseverance rover to land on Mars contained a secret message, thanks to a puzzle lover on the spacecraft team.
States rush to catch up on delayed vaccines, expand access
HOUSTON — A giant vaccination center is opening in Houston to administer 126,000 coronavirus doses in the next three weeks. Nevada health officials are working overtime to distribute delayed shots. And Rhode Island is rescheduling appointments after a vaccine shipment failed to arrive as scheduled earlier in the week.
Drug executives: Big jump in vaccine supply is coming soon
WASHINGTON — COVID-19 vaccine makers told Congress on Tuesday to expect a big jump in the delivery of doses over the coming month, and the companies insist they will be able to provide enough for most Americans to get inoculated by summer.
Washington taps pastors to overcome racial divide on vaccine
WASHINGTON — Stately and deliberate, with a distinctive white streak in his black hair, the Rev. Wallace Charles Smith started his Valentine’s Day sermon at Shiloh Baptist Church by talking about love and vaccinations.
San Marino finally gets vaccines, but goes with Sputnik V
ROME — The Republic of San Marino finally can start its coronavirus vaccination drive after the first shots arrived Tuesday. But the city-state surrounded by Italy had to resort to its “Plan B” and buy Sputnik V jabs from Russia after plans to get European Union-approved doses from Italy got delayed.
Hawaii Senate committee passes automatic voter registration
HONOLULU — A bill advanced Tuesday by the Hawaii Senate Judiciary Committee would automatically register to vote eligible U.S. citizens who apply for a driver’s license or state identification card, unless the individual declines to be registered.
Authorities capture illegal ball python, iguana on Oahu
HONOLULU — The Hawaii Department of Agriculture has captured a ball python and an iguana in separate residential areas on Oahu, both of which are illegal to own in the state.
Ku Makani crisis resource line opens
LIHU‘E — Trained crisis counselors are here to help.
HMSA donation furthers future doctors, program receives $5M
HONOLULU — In July 2020, the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) welcomed 77 first-year medical students into its new curricular initiative, the Learning Community program.
Boys & Girls Club fundraising golf tourney goes off without a hitch
PRINCEVILLE — The weather gods agreed with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i Saturday to allow the Fourth annual BGCH Kaua‘i Classic fundraising golf tournament to take place at the Princeville Makai Golf Club.
New office coincides with Mike Martinez 10th year anniversary
LIHU‘E — Saturday marked the 10th anniversary for Mike Martinez Insurance and Financial Services, and the opening of new offices for Martinez at the Park Plaza 1 building located behind the HMSA Building in Lihu‘e.
Sheraton Coconut Beach hosting farmers market, craft fair Friday
WAIPOULI — The Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort will host a farmers market and craft fair on Friday afternoon on its property located near the CVS Long’s Drugs in Waipouli.
Flood Insurance Rate Map changes effective Feb. 26
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided the County of Kaua‘i with completed updates to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Kaua‘i County with an effective date of Feb. 26, 2021.
Births for Tuesday, February 23, 2021
• Teyten Eliezer Kulounamauna Same • Peyten Mae Kawainohialuanamaikeakua Same
Obituary for Tuesday, February 23, 2021
• Henry Kamakaokalani Kanahele