Category: ESTA News

It is known that the Honolulu Water Service (BWS) has rejected all landfill candidates proposed by the Honolulu city government.
The city government is required to find a new landfill site by the end of this year to replace the currently used Waimanalo Glutch landfill, following an order from the State Land Use Commission (LUC).
In response, Mayor Rick Blangiad formed an advisory committee, selected six landfill sites, and requested a review by the Waterworks Authority.
However, Director of Waterworks Ernie Lau rejected the city government’s request, explaining that all landfill candidates are located above aquifers and pose a risk of water contamination.
The Honolulu Water Authority supervises water resources located on the island of Oahu, and the aquifers that serve as drinking water sources are classified as No Pass Zones and are specially managed.
In other words, the city government’s landfill candidates were all rejected because they overlapped with the no-pass zone.
Director Lau cited the Red Hill fuel leak incident that occurred in November last year as the reason for rejecting the candidate review, and emphasized that preventive measures should be taken to avoid repeating the same disaster.
He also pointed out that although modern landfill design and the latest technology have reduced the risk of leachate and pollutant leakage, complete containment is not possible, so contamination of drinking water sources cannot be ruled out.
Roger Badcock, director of the city’s environment department, promised the city would go all out to protect drinking water sources.
Ann Wright, a member of the grassroots group Oahu Water Protectors, noted the potential for leachate contamination if landfills were placed over aquifers, and would require the city to apply to the State Land Use Board for an extension of the deadline to find new landfill candidates.

US State Department special envoy for Iran Robert Marley announced that the US is focusing on other pending issues in its policy toward Iran, such as blocking the supply of Iranian weapons to Russia, rather than restoring the Iranian nuclear deal.
According to Bloomberg News, Mali said in an interview in Rome that day that “Iran is not interested in concluding an agreement,” implying that restoring the nuclear deal is not a top priority of US policy toward Iran.
“Right now, it is important for Iran to deter and obstruct arms supplies to Russia and to work to support the fundamental aspirations of the Iranian people,” Mali said.
The Iran nuclear agreement, also called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was signed by the West and Iran, including the United States, during the Obama administration in the United States in 2015, but the US Trump administration unilaterally abolished it in 2018.
The United States started negotiations to restore the nuclear agreement after the inauguration of the Joe Biden administration, but negotiations have stalled amid last-minute disagreements.
Iran recently stepped up its uranium enrichment activities, hampering international surveillance.
Last month, the board of directors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution calling for an investigation of nuclear material at three undeclared sites in Iran, judging that Iran had not given a sincere response to the allegation that nuclear material had been detected in three undeclared areas.
Iran is demanding an IAEA halt to its probe as a condition of resuming nuclear deal negotiations, but the US and its allies are rejecting the request.
Mali said in an interview that day that there is no reason for the United States to focus on Iran if it continues to make unacceptable demands for nuclear deal negotiations. “Because we cannot go back and continue being deceived.”
He went on to say that contacts between EU and Iranian government officials continued and negotiations had not formally stopped, but the last meeting was not held at the end of August.
Mali said the US goal now is to “deter, delay, deter and sanction” any arms transfers from Iran to Russia. It will happen,” he warned.
The Russian government claims it is not using Iranian weapons, but it is using Iranian drones in its attacks on Ukraine, and its reliance on them is growing.

As the year-end and New Year holidays approach, Hawaii Food Bank is struggling to supply food supplies.
Amy Marvin, CEO of Food Bank, said that it is not easy to prepare food as donations are decreasing compared to increasing demand.
For example, the food distributed every week at Honolulu Central Union Church is about 600 households, but in the second week of November, 642 households applied, exceeding the supply.

On average, 582 households received ration requests each week at the Central Union Church distribution center, so there was no major difficulty in supplying food.

CEO Marvin explained that the demand for food is increasing, especially among elderly households living alone and working households.
Due to the pandemic, the rate of inflation (inflation) continues to march high, and the price of meals is also increasing day by day.
The high cost of living puts a heavy burden not only on the low-income group but also on the non-profit organizations that support them.
CEO Marvin said that it took about 10 years for the damage suffered during the 2008 economic crisis to recover.
The financial crisis it is experiencing could also take years or more to recover from.

The Hawaii Food Bank has faced several challenges this summer, including reduced federal support and increased costs and demand.
For example, in the summer, only about 25% of the federal food supply from the US Department of Agriculture Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is reported to have been supplied with food.

It’s better than no supply at all, but it doesn’t change the fact that the food bank in Hawaii does not have a small food burden to supply itself.
The food bank’s food rations are approximately 360,000 pounds per week.
Alicia Higa, director of the Community Health Department at Waianae Coastal General Hospital (WCCHC), said the demand for food among children and the elderly was higher than during the peak of the pandemic.
According to Isa Higa, about 750 seniors and 1,800 children visit the food pantry every week.

Since the food budget for the elderly is usually set for 500-550 people, it is said that if the current situation continues, the food stockpile could be exhausted by March next year.

Director Higa is experiencing a benefits cliff, where she loses her Social Security or SNAP eligibility for a small wage increase, and her rent increase cuts her budget for food.

WCCHC originally planned a Thanksgiving distribution event, but it was reported that it could not be carried out due to lack of funds.
Governor David Ige announced on November 18 that the Pandemic Food Stamps (SNAP) extended assistance benefit would be extended through January 16 next year.

The Governor benefits from the unprecedented inflation caused by the pandemic, which has increased the cost of food, fuel, childcare, transportation, and utilities, all of which are causing residents to suffer from food insecurity.
Foodbank CEO Marvin said operating costs continue to rise. For example, fuel costs increased by about 66% from about $6,000 in October 2021 to $10,000 in October this year, and the price of chicken jumped about twice in one year.
Marvin said the goal is to fill the shortfall in the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and fundraising.
He stressed the importance of fundraising, especially since for every dollar donated, more than two meals can be provided.
Phil Acosta, director of Aloha Harvest, a food distribution non-profit in Oahu, said they received a lot of funding during the pandemic, but are currently short on budget.

In addition, as the year-end and New Year holidays approached, there was a temporary surge in donations, but since this is a temporary phenomenon, it is necessary to be creative for more stable fund management.
Food insecurity in Hawaii has risen by 50% since the coronavirus outbreak, according to the Hawaii Food Bank. About 250,000 people in Hawaii need food assistance, and one in four children suffer from hunger.

It has been announced that more than 90% of the world’s population is immune to the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19).

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), said at a press conference on the 2nd (local time), “WHO believes that at least 90% of the world’s population will be infected with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV, thanks to vaccination or experience of infection. -2) is presumed to have a certain level of immunity,” he said.

Secretary-General Tedros urged the government not to let down its guard against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is true that we are getting closer to the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, but not yet,” he said.

Tedros pointed to gaps in the mechanisms to support public health by containing the spread of COVID-19 as a major concern.

He pointed out that “the gap in COVID-19 surveillance, testing and vaccination is the perfect condition for the emergence of a new mutation that can lead to high mortality.”

In other words, if the epidemic continues in underdeveloped countries due to poor quarantine and health systems, highly contagious and fatal mutations can emerge and spread again around the world.

President Tedros explained that there are currently more than 500 sub-mutations of Omicron, and that although these mutations may be less lethal, they are more contagious.
Omicron, which appeared a year ago in South Africa and became the dominant species worldwide, was immediately classified as a mutant of concern due to its explosive infectivity.
New sub mutations of Omicron, such as BA.2 and BA.5, have been confirmed to evade the antibody produced by infection with BA.1, an early Omicron virus.
Secretary-General Tedros sounded the alarm again last week, saying more than 8,500 people were counted as having died from COVID-19.
“It is unacceptable that such deaths occur now, in the third year of the COVID-19 outbreak, and we have learned to some extent how to prevent infection and save lives,” he said.

After the recent Thanksgiving holiday, COVID-19 infections are on the rise again across the United States, including the Bay Area. Unlike the first year of the pandemic, most residents received vaccines and booster shots, and were able to check for corona infection more quickly and prepare for additional infections through self-examination, but quarantine measures such as wearing masks and maintaining distance were greatly loosened. At this time when Christmas and New Year’s holiday holidays are approaching, questions are emerging about how likely it is to be reinfected if you have had Corona 19 or have been vaccinated again. The following is a Q&A with experts about the possibility of reinfecting Corona 19 this winter reported by SF Chronicle.

Those who received the vaccine and booster shot have a low risk of reinfection. However, with the emergence of new viral sub-variants, the previously suggested interval between vaccinations of 6 months was reduced to 3 months. In other words, a reasonable period to be considered ‘safe’ from COVID-19 reinfection is within three months from the date of the COVID-19 vaccine, booster shot, and last infection.

Dr. Peter Chin Hong, UCSF, said that travel will increase during the holiday season and Corona 19 infections will also increase. explained that it can.

A recent study published in Nature Medicine found that people who are repeatedly infected with COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, are more likely to suffer from poor health, including hospitalization and death, than those with new infections. According to another study, the more people who are infected again, the more likely they are to suffer from long-term sequelae of Long Covid. Dr. Peter Chin Hong advised that the subjects of the study were in their 60s or older with underlying diseases, which may not apply in general cases, but still be careful not to be infected again.

Above all, the actions of the people are important. Indoor gatherings should be held in well-ventilated places, and when traveling, situations where you are most vulnerable to infection, such as inside a taxi to the airport, food court in the airport, touch payment in the market, using a public toilet, in front of the airport gate, boarding an airplane, etc. Be careful and work hard on personal quarantine, such as wearing a mask.

There is no choice but to follow the individual quarantine measures presented previously. Wash your hands often, get the vaccine and the latest booster shot, wear a mask, maintain social distancing, stay home, and avoid contact with people if you are sick. In addition, it is recommended to frequently test for COVID-19 through a self-test kit. Santa Clara County Health Commissioner Jeffrey Smith said, “In particular, the recent flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection simultaneously have reduced the number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds in the county.”

In the crater of Mauna Loa on the Big Island, which erupted for the first time since 1984, three cracks have opened since the 27th, spewing steam and smoke along with red lava.

The eruption resulted in lava flowing down from the mountain.  It is reported that the erupting lava stopped just 10 miles away from the main road at the northern base.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the maximum height of the lava fountain was “estimated to be between 100 and 200 feet (about 30 to 60 meters).”

It is known that there is no risk of human casualties from this volcanic eruption as of the 30th.

However, scientists warned that molten rock, volcanic ash, gas, and volcanic glass particles could be blown away by the wind.

The state authorities did not issue an evacuation order for residents, but only blocked the mountain top area and some roads.

Governor David Ige said, “The lava has not affected the residential area,” and added, “However, a state of emergency has been declared in order to respond promptly and restrict access when necessary.”

On the 29th, there is a strong smell of volcanic gas and sulfur in the air, but it is known that onlookers who want to see the lava flow (a phenomenon in which lava flows down the terrain) a little closer come to the other side of Saddle Road.

Mauna Loa is one Hawaii’s six active volcanoes and is recorded as the largest in the world. The last time the volcano, Mauna Loa erupted was in 1984, the eruption lasted for 22 days.

Although the proportion of vaccine recipients among corona19 deaths in the United States exceeded half for the first time, the Washington Post (WP) reported on the 23rd that vaccines are still effective in reducing mortality.

According to an analysis commissioned by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), a non-profit foundation, 58% of those who died of Corona 19 in the United States in August had completed the first and second vaccinations or booster shots (additional vaccinations).

In September of last year, the number of inoculated people accounted for only 23% of all deaths, but in January and February this year, it increased to 42% and is on the rise.

Experts, including Cynthia Cox, vice president of the non-profit Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), said the trend was not surprising.

First, as the spread of Corona 19 is prolonged, the number of vaccinated people is now greater than that of unvaccinated people, so the probability of deaths being vaccinated has increased.

Those who are most at risk of dying from Corona 19, such as the elderly, are more actively vaccinated.

And since vaccines lose their ability to stop the virus over time, booster shots are needed to maintain resistance.  That doesn’t mean vaccines aren’t effective.

The WP reported that the effectiveness of the vaccine is remarkable when comparing the mortality rates of vaccinated and non-vaccinated people by age group.

According to the CDC, as of August, the risk of death from Corona 19 in unvaccinated people aged 65-79 was 9 times higher than that of vaccinated people, 3 times higher in 18-29 years old, 5 times higher in 30-49 years old, and 6 times higher in 50-64 years old.

Those over 50 who were hit with at least two booster shots had a three-fold reduced risk of dying than those who were hit with only one booster shot. However, Americans are passive about additional vaccinations.

The United States released a booster shot specialized for sub-variants of Omicron last September, but so far, about 35 million people have been vaccinated, which is only about 10% of the total population.

The US government is conducting a six-week campaign until the end of the year to increase the vaccination rate.

A tragic incident occurred when a barber was shot and killed while cutting a child’s hair.

According to Puyallup Police, an 8-year-old boy was cut by a barber at the JQ barbershop at 112 East Stewart Avenue, Puyallup, around 5:00 p.m. on the 30th.

The victim, whose name has not been released, is said to be a 43-year-old owner of the barbershop.

There were an 8-year-old boy, his mother, another barber and a customer inside the barbershop at the time, but no one was injured.

Police are investigating the possibility of killing the target, as no items were stolen from the store and the shooting was aimed at the victim.

According to eyewitnesses, the suspect was about 5 feet 8 inches tall and was dressed in all black at the time.

The police ask residents who work or live near the scene of the incident to check the CCTV to see if there is a person with a similar appearance to the suspect and report it (Police 253-770-3343).

Twenty-four ballots were dumped on Highway 17 and authorities are investigating.

Local and federal investigators are investigating whether a ballot dumped near Highway 17 and Sugarloaf Road in Scotts Valley, 20 south of San Jose, is simple mail theft or an attempt to sabotage an election.

On the morning of the 12th, Julie Nieman, who was on her way to work, found these ballots that were soaked in mud and water and discarded like trash, and it was reported that she delivered them to the USPS. “Someone cut off the edge of the envelope with scissors and took out the ballot paper that was inside,” Nieman said.

One of the discarded ballots was identified as belonging to San Jose voter Lou Witkin. Mr. Witkin said, “I sent the ballot by mail on the 6th, and it was found here on the 11th,” and said, “The authorities will figure out the problem and explain it.”

The Santa Clara County Department of Elections said the discarded ballots were lost while they were in the possession of the postal service, and that they are consulting with county legal counsel as to whether they can count the ballots or whether they should be legally disposed of.

Amazon, the world’s largest e-commerce company known to be cutting 10,000 jobs, the largest ever, has begun restructuring its workforce by notifying its employees of layoffs.

Dave Limp, senior vice president of Amazon’s devices and services division, sent a memo to employees on the 16th, saying, “After review, the company has decided to integrate some teams and programs in the devices and services division.”

“We started notifying affected employees yesterday (the 15th),” he continued. “One of the decisions to consolidate was due to the determination that some roles are no longer needed.”

“It is painful to announce this news and to lose talented employees with this decision,” he wrote.

“Some team adjustments are being made,” Amazon said, “because certain positions are no longer needed.”

The total number of layoffs may be somewhat flexible, but the job cuts are the largest ever for Amazon, according to the NYT.

It is known that this restructuring will focus on the technical and retail sectors, as well as the personnel department.

New cloud gaming divisions such as Luna and Alexa Team, a voice assistant service, were also included in the restructuring target.

The number of employees has doubled in two years, but future performance is expected to fall short of market expectations due to concerns about the economic downturn.

When Amazon announced its third-quarter earnings last month, it expected fourth-quarter revenue to be between $140 billion and $148 billion. This was evaluated as falling far short of the market forecast of $155.15 billion.

As a result, the stock price plummeted, and the market capitalization also fell below 1 trillion dollars in 31 months.