News from December 2021


Hawaii County Regenerative Agriculture, Water, Energy & Environmental Management Committee will meet Jan. 4

Hawaii County Regenerative Agriculture, Water, Energy & Environmental Management Committee will meet at 3 p.m., Tuesday. Jan. 4.


Hawaii County Parks and Recreation and Public Safety Committee will meet Jan. 4

Hawaii County Parks and Recreation and Public Safety Committee will meet at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 4.


Special magazine issue honors Murray's contributions to mathematical biology

A special issue of the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, Dec. 4, celebrates the contributions of J.D. Murray, one of the modern founders of mathematical biology.


Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet Jan. 4

Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 4.


Hawaii County Public Works and Mass Transit Committee will meet Jan. 4

Hawaii County Public Works and Mass Transit Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 4.


Ohio State University’s defensive tackle named 2021 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year

Ohio State University defensive tackle Haskell Garrett has been named to the 2021 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.


Virtual CPR/First Aid/AED-BL certification class planned for Hawaii manufacturers

The 2021 Adult First Aid/CPR/AED online course equips students with the knowledge necessary to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults.


Mayor's COVID-19 Second Amended Emergency Rule No. 19

Pursuant to the authority vested in me by Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (“HRS”) Chapter 127A and due to the public health concerns related to COVID-19, I hereby amend the Mayor’s COVID-19 First Amended Emergency Rule No. 19 adopted on December 1, 2021.


Hawaii County COVID-19 cases averaged 72 per day over past week

New COVID-19 cases in Hawaii County risen 351% over the past two weeks, with the average number of daily cases over the past week reaching 72, according to State of Hawaii Department of Health.


Hawai'i police issues reminder of fireworks rules

Hawaiʻi Island police, concerned about illegal aerial fireworks, are reminding the public about the rules governing the use of fireworks so they may enjoy a safe New Year’s holiday.


Uber to sell non-strategic stakes in other companies

Uber recently announced it plans to sell its non-strategic stakes in other companies.


Big Island events happening this week

On Tuesday, Dec. 28 -- and every Tuesday -- Hilo Toastmasters Club will meet virtually on Zoom between noon and 1 p.m.


World's oldest family tree discovered with DNA research

By analyzing DNA extracted from the bones and teeth of 35 individuals entombed at Hazleton North long cairn in the Cotswolds-Severn region, the research team was able to detect that 27 of them were close biological relatives.


OPEC raises Q1 2022 oil demand forecast, expects 'mild' impact from omicron variant

The alliance of oil exporting countries raised its forecast for global demand in the first quarter of 2022 by 1.1 million barrels a day.



Mastercard launches blockchain technology system to 'accelerate access to new ways to pay and prioritize choice for consumers and businesses'

Mastercard has garnered partnerships with cryptocurrency and digital asset companies to commit to the development of real-world platforms.


Stretchy, washable battery brings wearable devices closer to reality

UBC researchers have created what could be the first battery that is both flexible and washable. It works even when twisted or stretched to twice its normal length, or after being tossed in the laundry.


Gross Domestic Product (third estimate), corporate profits (revised estimate), and GDP by industry, third quarter 2021

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.3 percent in the third quarter of 2021 (table 1), according to the "third" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 6.7 percent.


Project Hawaii's volunteers are helping homeless children on three islands: 'We don't just give handouts'

Project Hawaii, Inc., an award-winning nonprofit organization, has encouraged volunteers to join them and support homeless children in Hawaii since 2003.


AI powers autonomous materials discovery

When a master chef develops a new cake recipe, she doesn’t try every conceivable combination of ingredients to see which one works best. The chef uses prior baking knowledge and basic principles to more efficiently search for that winning formula.