Hawaii

Hawaii woman on humanitarian mission in Gaza among thousands ordered to evacuate

Published

1 year ago

October 14, 2023

Hawaii woman on humanitarian mission in Gaza among thousands ordered to evacuate

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Hawaii woman on a humanitarian mission in Gaza is among the more than 1 million people ordered to to flee ahead of an expected ground invasion.

Ramona Okumura, a retired Hawaii teacher and medical technician, has been communicating with her family frequently. Her brother, Glenn, has gotten texts messages periodically.

He said her sister was in a convoy moving south of Gaza.

Her escape happened as Israel warned 1.1 million civilians to flee south within 24 hours.

The military dropped flyers into Gaza that said “evacuate your homes immediately.”

Colleagues of Hawaii woman trapped in Gaza call for humanitarian corridor, ceasefire

“We were biting our nails and waiting for what’s going on,” said Glenn Okumura.

Ramona Okumura, a volunteer with the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, recently sent a message to her family that said, “Where can we go in a place only 25 miles long and 5 miles wide?

“Imagine all of Oahu crammed along in a space from Hawaii Kai to downtown?”

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, described the situation as very dangerous.

“The war needs to end and that is where a lot of the emphasis has to go,” she said.

“But at the same time, we very much know that Israel has a right to defend itself and American support will continue to that end.”

Ramona Okumura’s family said the organization she has been volunteering for has now arranged plans for her and other humanitarian aid workers to leave Gaza.

“It’s halfway happy, elated but still apprehensive because it ain’t over till it’s over,” said Glenn Okumura. “But like Ramona said, plans always change over there in the Middle East so just gonna wait until she’s there and then we can kind of give another sigh of relief.”

Ramona Okumura is a Washington resident so her family has been working with state leaders there. They said U.S. Rep Pramila Jayapal confirmed the State Department was working to update their team on the ground and said assistance in Gaza is still extremely limited.

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Hawaii

With jolly festivities in full swing, how are you celebrating the holidays? Share your photos!

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

With jolly festivities in full swing, how are you celebrating the holidays? Share your photos!

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – With family and friends celebrating the holidays, Hawaii News Now wants to see how you are making the most of the jolly festivities.

From house decorations and shining lights to unwrapping presents and spending time with loved ones, share your photos by submitting them below!

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Hawaii

Plane crash under investigation on Hawaii Island

Published

12 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Plane crash under investigation on Hawaii Island

WAIMEA (HawaiiNewsNow) – Federal investigators are looking into what caused a plane to crash on Hawaii Island Monday.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirms it is looking into what caused a Cessna to go down at Parker Ranch in Waimea shortly before noon.

Investigators said preliminary information indicated the plane experienced a loss of engine power.

A witness said two people walked away from the aircraft on their own. No one was hurt.

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Hawaii

Hawaii Bowl announcers Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker get rare moment in spotlight

Published

20 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Hawaii Bowl announcers Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker get rare moment in spotlight

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring … and the only sports on TV was the Hawaii Bowl on ESPN.

The Christmas Eve game pitting South Florida (6-6) against San Jose State (7-5) didn’t bring the same energy as a major bowl, but when you’re the only live major sporting event on U.S. TV, fans will take notice.

On social media, the matchup generated surprising buzz for a minor bowl game.

People treating the Hawaii bowl tonight like it’s the Super Bowl
— Zlatni Topki (@ZlatniTopki) December 24, 2024

Out in Honolulu, ESPN had play-by-play announcer Tiffany Greene and color analyst Jay Walker on the game, and the pair, who have worked together for years, made the most of their moment in the spotlight.

Greene, who was the first African-American woman to serve as a play-by-play commentator for college football on a major network, had the opportunity to call some big plays, including this kickoff return touchdown by South Florida’s Ta’Ron Keith.

Tiffany Green was VERY amped up about this kick return touchdown and later replay of the big play from USF returner Ta’Ron Keith. pic.twitter.com/FkHDlaYBPK
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 25, 2024

And here’s Greene on a big interception early in the game.

USF forces an interception that would later result in points and a 14-0 lead over San Jose State.
Tiffany Greene and Jay Walker on the call of the Hawai’i Bowl on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/eMyo4aHsXn
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 25, 2024

Unfortunately, everything did not go smoothly for Greene and Walker. Of particular concern, Walker’s audio sounded consistently muddy, as if he were doing the broadcast remotely.

Are they actually there? Her co host literally sounds like he’s on a zoom call
— HuskerJim (@jimtheplumber63) December 25, 2024

Others on social media were even less charitable in their comments on the announcers.

This is a horrible announcing crew. This is not a high profile game, but as the only one on Cmas Eve, likely with a decent audience of folks looking for distractions, why this crew & not a better one? Why not put these guys on one of the midday workday games with less eyes/ears?
— Justin Firesheets (@JFiresheets) December 25, 2024

Yet some fans were left wanting to hear more of Greene and Walker in the future.