Due to COVID-19 health risks, no veterans — now close to 100 years old — who were eyewitnesses to the aerial assault that began at 7:55 a.m. 79 years ago at Pearl Harbor will attend today’s remembrance ceremony, which will feature a moment of silence, a flyover in missing man formation and a speech by the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The physical absence of these World War II vets adds a layer of poignancy to the annual event, which also is closed to the general public to limit crowd size. Attendance in spirit is possible, though, as the ceremony will air on Pearl Harbor National Memorial’s Facebook page and at www.pearlharborevents.com.

House would ease marijuana laws

While voters watch Congress debate pandemic relief, representatives have turned to an issue that has grown progressively less controversial: marijuana decriminalization.

Its fate in the Senate is doubtful, but the House on Friday passed H.R. 3884, with both Hawaii Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Ed Case voting aye. Gabbard praised the bill’s move to expunge prior convictions and records, long one of her justice reform goals. And with her imminent departure from Congress, this could be her closing act.