Hawaii businesses offer freebies for vets, audit slams Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 100 more join lawsuit against military over Red Hill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

These Hawaii spots offering freebies for veterans. Friday, November 11 is Veterans Day and many businesses across the country are offering free items or nice discounts for veterans, active duty and retired military people. KHON2.

OHA Vows Accountability After Audit Finds Evidence Of ‘Fraud, Waste And Abuse’. A financial investigation released Thursday found 22 instances of questionable spending worth more than $7.3 million made by former top officials at the Office of Hawaiians Affairs. The findings were a follow-up to a 2019 report that initially flagged 38 transactions made from 2012 to 2016. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

County Ethics Watchdogs Need More Money To Do The Job Right, State Panel Says. The Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct says the grants will beef up bare-bones budgets that now exist in all counties except Honolulu, which spends more on its ethics board. Civil Beat.

Green’s proposed visitor fee might be popular with residents, but lawmakers appear cool on the idea. One of the marquee elements of Gov.-KITV4.Josh Green’s agenda is a flat fee on all visitors to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for everything from erosion to parks. But it could already be in trouble at the Legislature ― a challenge that could be a test of his lobbying skills. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. David Ige reflects on wins and losses as his final inning comes to a close. Gov. David Ige is rounding third base and heading toward home as his last day in office approaches. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.

Voter Turnout For Hawaii General Election Plateaus At 48%. It’s the lowest general election turnout in the state’s history. Civil Beat.

On Election Day, this new tool helped speed up Hawaii’s delivery of voting results. New technology used on Election Day helped deliver voting results from more remote areas within minutes. The state Elections Office launched the Remote Rally system for the first time Tuesday and said it worked. Hawaii News Now.

Adult Learners Thought This Program Was A Path To College. They Were Wrong. Hawaii schools continued to operate a popular alternative diploma program from 2014 to 2019, despite it not meeting federal standards. Now some of those graduates are unable to access financial aid. Civil Beat.

The state Board of Education is appointed. It used to be elected. Is one way better? The governor nominates members, and the state Senate either confirms or rejects them. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii agency picks 4 planned mid-income affordable-housing projects to subsidize. Four planned affordable-housing projects received state financing help Thursday under a new program to produce rental apartments for middle-income residents. Star-Advertiser.

New state funding will help expand nursing classes, but it’s a fraction of what’s needed. At a news conference last month, Gov. David Ige released $1.75 million to combat a severe faculty shortage at nursing schools across the state. Hawaii News Now.

In effort to expand healthcare services, VA opens first telehealth station in Hawaii. There are more than 55,000 registered veterans living in Hawaii but not all of them live near a VA clinic. This can make getting access to healthcare challenging but a new program by the Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System is designed to bring healthcare services directly to vets. Hawaii News Now.

State Health Department warns of early rise of RSV rates. Health officials are warning of an early rise in cases of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza in Hawaii, similar to trends observed across the U.S. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Kauai Now. KHON2.

Oahu

Over 100 new plaintiffs join Red Hill lawsuit against federal government. More than 100 military family members and civilians who were on the Navy’s Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam drinking water system when it was contaminated with jet fuel in 2021 have joined a lawsuit suing the federal government, alleging military officials provided inadequate medical care in the days and months following the emergency. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Former TV anchor defeats incumbent in state Senate race. Former TV news anchor Brenton Awa pulled off a come-from-behind win in the race for the state Senate seat that represents Kunia, the North Shore and parts of Windward Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

North Shore property owner offers to take down concrete barrier poured on Sunset Beach. A North Shore property owner who poured concrete on the berm behind his Ke Nui Road home has been granted more time by the city to remove the barrier. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

State clears the way for Meadow Gold expansion. An expansion of the state’s only dairy processing facility could be completed within two years. Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaii is seeking to double the size of its premises in Hilo, a move that could enable more dairy producers in the state. Tribune-Herald.

New Rules For Kahaluʻu Bay Surf Schools. The Hawaiʻi BLNR on Thursday voted to limit the number of companies and students participating in surf instruction in a specific area of Kahaluʻu Bay. Big Island Video News.

There when you need it: Waikoloa Loan Closet provides medical equipment for the community. Realtor Phyllis Klicker had closed on a home sale in Waikoloa Village and discovered the previous owner had left behind a cache of medical equipment. Not wanting to take it to the landfill, she decided to open the Waikoloa Loan Closet, making the equipment available free of charge to anyone in need.West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Temporary Wednesday closures implemented to address permit backlog. The Plans Review Section of the Zoning Administration and Enforcement Division will be closed to the public temporarily on Wednesdays beginning Nov. 16, 2022. Maui Now.

Maui police chief explains new tactics. Joining KHON2 from the Valley Isle is Maui Police Dept. Chief John Pelletier, covering the island’s approach to concealed-carry permits, and the evolution of 21-century policing for Maui County. KHON2.

Man testifies about Maui beating he says was hate crime. A white man who says he was a victim of a hate crime when two Native Hawaiian men assaulted him while he was fixing up a home he purchased in their remote Maui village testified Wednesday that his attackers were racially motivated, even though he conceded that no racist comments can be heard in video taken during the 2014 beating. Associated Press.

Day 3: West Maui fire scorches 2,100 acres, burns mauka brush between Kahoma & Launiupoko. Firefighters continue efforts to contain a stubborn fire in West Maui has burned 2,100 acres since it was first reported on Tuesday. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i county council race shifts; Cowden and DeCosta in, Kagawa out. Late voting favored incumbent council members Felicia Cowden and Billy DeCosta, who passed former council member Ross Kagawa to slot into the sixth and seventh spots, respectively. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Community College names Margaret Sanchez as interim chancellor. Under Sanchez’s leadership, Kauaʻi CC received more than $3.5 million in grants in support of its mission, including enabling the college to be a Native Hawaiian Indigenous-serving institution. Kauai Now.

Kauai Animal Shelter Buys 10 Acres With Plans To Grow. The Kauai Humane Society now owns the Lihue parcel where it has operated for more than two decades. Civil Beat.

Mass inmate release in the works, COVID-19 cases continue to climb, mayors plead with Trump to stop non-essential travel to Hawaii, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii jail dormitory ©2020 All Hawaii News

Officials weigh the motion to release 426 inmates to curb the spread of COVID-19. Hawaii prosecutors and public defenders will meet again today to try to reach agreement over which inmates now being held at the state’s four jails will be released in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Council Concerned About Potential Inmate Releases. Council members do not want detainees to be released without support amid the pandemic. Civil Beat.

197 inmates tagged for release: HCCC awaits Supreme Court ruling for largest inmate release in the state. Hawaii Community Correctional Center, frequently the state’s most crowded jail, is also the one that will release the most inmates under a plan being worked out between the state Public Defender’s Office and county prosecutors. West Hawaii Today.

=====

Three Hawaii mayors ask Trump to stop all non-essential travel. Three of the state’s four mayors have asked President Donald Trump to stop all non-essential travel to Hawaii to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

Neighbor islands may implement even stricter rules if stay-at-home orders are ignored. Neighbor island officials said they are doing everything in their power to inform and protect their communities. KHON2.

Interisland quarantine order empties airports. Passengers to Hawaii in March dropped more than 98.5% as COVID-19 lockdowns reduced travel demand for the islands. Gov. David Ige instituted a 14-day mandatory self-quarantine for all arriving trans-Pacific passengers on March 26. Star-Advertiser.

=====

Hawaii sets new high for COVID-19 cases but officials say it likely will get worse. Hawaii on Wednesday saw the largest increase in coronavirus cases yet — 34 — but state officials acknowledged that more records likely are on the way despite travel restrictions and other measures implemented to stem the tide of disease. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Reports 34 More COVID-19 Cases. On Wednesday, Hawaii health officials reported the largest daily increase in coronavirus cases to date. Civil Beat.

Hawaii reports 34 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 258. The state is reporting 34 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, in the highest one-day total since the pandemic began. The cases bring the statewide total to 258. Hawaii News Now.

State tops 250 total COVID-19 cases. Wednesday had the largest number of new COVID-19 cases reported in Hawaii over a one-day period, and Gov. David Ige said the pandemic has turned our community upside down and is forever altering the way that we once lived. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Updates: As Case Count Hits 258, Expect 'It Will Get Worse'; Small Biz Loans Available. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii COVID-19 Update For April 1, 34 New Cases Reported. The cumulative totals for positive cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi statewide now stands at 258. Big Island Video News.

=====

Emergency Room doctor warns of COVID-19 peak in Hawaii. A consultant on the Netflix Docuseries "Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak" released this January says Hawaii is at least a few weeks away from a potential peak in the coronavirus outbreak, and what we do now will make a big difference. KITV4.

Man who became Hawaii’s first coronavirus death likely caught disease in Las Vegas, state says. The state’s first and only COVID-19 victim likely caught the disease in Las Vegas and brought it back with him to Hawaii. KITV4.

No Statewide Text Alerts, Ige Says. As the public clamors for information from the state on how to respond to COVID-19, the governor says a text alert system won’t be used. Civil Beat.

With Hawaii residents forced to stay at home, booze sales boom. Local spirit and wine distributors and Hawaii’s largest, locally owned grocery store said they’ve seen a big spike in the sales of alcoholic beverages in recent weeks. Hawaii News Now.

Unemployment filings in March top 160,000. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reported total unemployment filings in March of 160,929. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Board of Education may change graduation requirements for Class of 2020. The Board of Education will meet today to consider altering graduation requirements so seniors can get their diplomas on time despite the disruption of the COVID-19 shutdown that has closed public schools. Star-Advertiser.

This Hawaii Firm Says It Has Millions Of Masks For Sale. But health officials say the company’s masks aren’t really a help to the medical community which has recently received a new supply from established providers. Civil Beat.

Are surfing and other ocean activities safe during a health crisis? Most experts say yes. There’s a growing debate over whether surfing should be allowed during the coronavirus pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

Some Hawaii Agencies Get Creative To Keep Public Involved, Others Abandon Participation. Civic participation is a challenge during the time of coronavirus. Some agencies are finding ways to still include the public, despite Gov. David Ige's emergency order suspending the requirement among other state laws. Hawaii Public Radio.

Deal reached with apparent new owners of Meadow Gold Hawaii. Meadow Gold Hawaii could soon have a new owner. Industrial Reality Group plans to buy the Hilo and Honolulu facilities from Dean Foods Company for an undisclosed amount. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Restaurant Association notifying the public about restaurant employee relief fund. The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation has created a Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. KITV4.

Oahu

Waikiki doctors to offer blood test that detects exposure to COVID-19. Some in the medical community call the 10 minute test a game changer that can identify people who've had the virus and have built immunity against it. KITV4.

Parks and hikes are closed, but that’s not keeping everyone away. Despite orders to stay at home and practice social distancing, HNN has been flooded with complaints about tightly packed crowds and trespassing into closed areas. A look around Oahu shows it’s clear some people are following the rules while others are not. Hawaii News Now.

HPD issues warnings to more than 250 people at closed Ala Moana Beach Park. City and county parks closed a week ago yet KITV-4 saw several people run past barricades set up at the park entrances on Wednesday. KITV4.

Tenants of Bishop Street office building notified of worker’s positive coronavirus test. A worker in the 25-story downtown office building Bishop Place has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting Douglas Emmett Management to alert the other building tenants. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu Homeless Shelters Are Desperate For More Room As Virus Looms. Honolulu’s hotels could house Oahu’s homeless population several times over, but officials have announced no concrete plans to expand the shelter system’s capacity. Civil Beat.

Deep cleaning coming to all fire stations HFD says. The Kalihi Uka Fire Station was temporarily shut down on Tuesday after two fire fighters tested positive for COVID-19. KHON2.

Mom of hospitalized Waikiki bartender also tests positive for COVID-19. The mother of the Waikiki bartender currently on life support with COVID-19 has also tested positive for the coronavirus disease. Star-Advertiser.

Navy envisions major development near Pearl Harbor rail station. The Navy, as part of an ambitious public-private partnership, envisions a major development near a future rail station that includes 2.3 million square feet of low-, medium- and high-rise residential and commercial space, a high-rise hotel and pedestrian walkways over the H-1 Freeway and Kamehameha Highway connecting it all with Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kim rescinds plastic bag ban: COVID-19 emergency prompts new actions. Mayor Harry Kim issued his third Supplementary Emergency Proclamation late Wednesday, suspending the ban on single-use plastic bags, among other actions. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor Kim Suspends Plastic Bag Reduction Law. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim signed a Third Supplementary Emergency Proclamation on Wednesday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Video News.

Mayor Harry Kim made a third emergency proclamation Wednesday, a portion of which suspends Hawai‘i County’s ban on single-use plastic bags for the next 60 days. Big Island Now.

=====

Police arrest nine people for violating stay-at-home order. The Hawaii Police Department arrested nine people for not sheltering in place during the past week. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi National Guard Ready, PPE Arrives In Hilo. Currently, the guard is doing planning and logistics in support of the state during this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Video News.

Hilo Municipal Golf Course closed due to virus. The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation announced the closure effective Wednesday in a press release issued Tuesday afternoon. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Web Stream: Maui Mayor Provides Update on COVID-19, April 1, 2020, 4 p.m. Maui Now.

At least 40 citations issued for violations of new rules. Police have issued at least 40 citations for violating emergency stay-at-home rules, with many of the violations occurring at beaches in the Kihei area, police said Tuesday. Maui News.

=====

Maui Health treating first COVID-19 patient. Maui Health is treating its first confirmed COVID-19 patient, the hospital operator said Wednesday morning. Maui News.

Maui Health is Treating its First COVID-19 Positive Patient. Maui Health today acknowledged that it is treating its first patient confirmed by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health as having COVID-19. Maui Now.

=====

Councilmember Molina Requests a Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan. His resolution asks Council Chair Alice Lee to issue a Request For Proposals for the compilation of a plan to assess and review. Maui Now.

Maui Bus adjusts schedules, routes. Starting today, the county is suspending three Maui Bus commuter routes and adjusting schedules for other routes because of significant decreases in passengers caused by COVID-19. Maui News.

Kauai

No new cases on Kaua‘i. Kaua‘i officials confirmed Wednesday that no new COVID-19 cases have been reported since March 29 on the island, though the number of cases statewide continues to climb. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i 2020 Census reporting falling behind. Only 19.8% of households in Kaua‘i have responded to the 2020 Census since it opened last month. That’s almost two times less than the national average of 38.4%, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. Garden Island.

Anahola market open. The Saturday market emerged in the face of farmers markets closing due to COVID-19 concerns. Garden Island.

Hawaii's first confirmed COVID-19 death, inter-island quarantine begins, unknown number of idle state employees collect paychecks, may forego raises as economy tanks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii beach scene in happier times ©2020 All Hawaii News

New study makes dire predictions about human toll of coronavirus in Hawaii. A new study is issuing dire predictions about the death toll in the islands from coronavirus, but the governor said the projections don’t take into account Hawaii’s 14-day mandatory quarantine for all visitors and returning residents, which went into effect last week. Hawaii News Now.

=====

State sees first death. An older Oahu man recently hospitalized with multiple medical issues became Hawaii’s first fatality linked to the new coronavirus as cases in the islands climbed to 224. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Reports First COVID-19 Death. The state coronavirus infection count rose by 20 on Tuesday, and an elderly Oahu man died late Monday evening. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s first coronavirus-related death was older Oahu man with multiple health issues. Following the state’s first coronavirus-related death in Hawaii, government and public health officials pleaded with residents Tuesday to take stay-at-home orders seriously. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 1st death; Green stresses need to protect kupuna; ‘essential’ travel defined. he first COVID-19-related death in Hawaii is that of an elderly Oahu man who tested positive for the coronavirus after being hospitalized, authorities revealed Tuesday during a statewide media conference. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Updates: First Coronavirus-Related Death, Model Projects 374 Deaths, DOH Maps Hot Spots. Hawaii Public Radio.

Elderly O‘ahu Man First COVID-19 Victim in Hawai‘i, DOH Assures Accuracy of Test. The Hawai‘i Department of Health reported the state’s first coronavirus-related fatality Tuesday, saying the victim was an elderly male resident of O‘ahu dealing with several other health complications in addition to the virus. Big Island Now.

Older Oahu man is Hawaii’s 1st coronavirus death; total cases at 224. Gov. David Ige said Hawaii’s first coronavirus death is an older Oahu male who was hospitalized with multiple medical issues. Maui News.

Hawaii's first COVID-19 related death. State Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson said today  Hawaii has recorded its first COVID-19 related death. KITV4.

=====

Interisland quarantine to stem in-state spread of coronavirus starts Wednesday. A mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for interisland travelers starting Wednesday comes as Hawaii begins to address a shift in COVID-19 cases from mostly out-of-state travel-related to more in-state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Inter-Island Quarantine Order Signed, Detailed. Governor David Ige has officially issued a new emergency order requiring inter-island travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days. Big Island Video News.

Ige to require quarantine for interisland flyers. Questions still linger over how to enforce new 14-day self-quarantine. Maui News.

Here’s how the mandatory quarantine for inter-island travelers will work. The state’s mandatory quarantine for inter-island travelers takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Air scales back service, offers free interisland flights to health care workers. As a new, interisland 14-day mandatory quarantine goes into effect, Hawaiian Airlines is further reducing its flight schedule. Hawaiian says it will provide a total of 16 daily round-trip flights between the neighbor islands, starting Saturday, April 4. Hawaii News Now.

Mandatory quarantine for inter-island travelers to take effect April 1. Starting April 1, a new state mandate ordering inter-island travelers to undergo a 14-day quarantine will go into effect. KHON2.

=====

Leaders don’t know how many state workers are getting paid to do nothing. One of Hawaii’s biggest employers — state government — is trying to determine how it can have more workers be productive amid prohibitions on less essential work that can’t be done with social distancing. Star-Advertiser.

As economy weakens, state lawmaker says public worker raises could be in jeopardy. Pay increases for government workers, such as public school teachers and first responders, may be in limbo. State House Finance Committee Chair Rep. Sylvia Luke says the pandemic has dramatically cut projected tax revenue by 25 to 30 percent. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Isle tourism won’t improve until curve flattens. Hawaii’s visitor industry is under siege as COVID-19 containment measures and dropping visitor demand have slowed tourism — the largest contributor to the state’s growth — to a trickle. Star-Advertiser.

Public Defender’s Office Wants Hundreds More Hawaii Inmates Released. The Supreme Court is considering the proposed releases to avoid a coronavirus outbreak in correctional facilities. Civil Beat.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green recommends everyone wear a protective mask when they leave their home. Lieutenant Governor Josh Green is a doctor and the Hawaii COVID-19 Healthcare Liaison. He said not all masks are created equal, but something is still better than nothing. KHON2.

Hawaii’s geography and widespread testing are advantages in the COVID fight. The novel coronavirus has upended life in Hawaii and been an economic disaster, but Hawaii residents do have some unique advantages as public health officials fight to slow the local spread of the disease. Star-Advertiser.

=====

New State Virus Maps Have Some Geographic Breakdowns. New maps from the Hawaii health department illustrate higher concentrations of confirmed coronavirus cases in some areas. Civil Beat.

DOH releases map of COVID-19 cases by zip code. KITV4.

A closer look at how the state’s coronavirus zip code maps work. An explanation Tuesday on that map released by the department of health showing cases by zip code. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Meadow Gold Hawai'i to close following Dean Foods' bankruptcy. Meadow Gold Hawai'i, a Dean Foods Company, is set to close according to the company. KITV4.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Cutting Payroll Costs To Weather Pandemic. The question for already-beleaguered media outlets nationwide is when steps such as furloughs and reduced work schedules can be lifted. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Mayor Caldwell and police chief oppose release of jail inmates. Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard raised new objections Tuesday to the proposed release of hundreds of inmates from overcrowded state jails, arguing that releasing prisoners now will trigger an increase in crime at the worst possible time. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor: Prison May Be ‘Safest Place’ To Ride Out COVID-19. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s comments contradict the CDC and the experience of correctional facilities across the country where coronavirus is spreading rapidly. Civil Beat.

Caldwell wants Trump to stop travel to isles. Noting Hawaii’s first COVID-19-related death, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Tuesday emphasized the importance of everyone following state and county “stay-at-home” orders during the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s police chief reports numbers on arrests and citations for violations of the emergency proclamation. Police are issuing more warnings than citations for violations of stay-at-home orders. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki doctors to offer blood test that detects exposure to COVID-19. Some in the medical community call the 10 minute test a game changer that can identify people who've had the virus and have built immunity against it. KITV4.

More first responders test positive for COVID-19. The Honolulu Fire Department has confirmed that a second fire fighter from the Kalihi Uka Fire Station has tested positive for COVID-19. KHON2.

=====

The Queen’s Medical Center employee tests positive for coronavirus. The first employee of the Queen’s Medical Center has tested positive for the coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s Health Systems employee diagnosed with coronavirus. A Queen’s Health Systems employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19 at a facility, a spokesperson confirmed. Hawaii News Now.

Queen’s Medical Center confirms an employee has tested positive for the coronavirus. The Queen’s Medical Center confirms one of its workers has tested positive for COVID-19. KHON2.

=====

Amid pandemic, 17 homeless people move into state’s first Kauhale village. Many times, the community’s reply to plans for a property for the homeless is not in my backyard. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

West Hawaii leads in positive COVID-19 tests. West Hawaii had the majority of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the island, a state Department of Health map released Monday shows. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Muni closed because of coronavirus. The Hilo Municipal Golf Course is closed until further notice because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county Department of Parks and Recreation announced Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

County Closes Hilo Muni Golf Course. The Hilo Municipal Golf Course will be closed until further notice starting on April 1, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Video News.

Still struggling to recover from 2018 eruption, Pahoa takes another hit from pandemic. A walk through downtown Pahoa is strikingly reminiscent to 2018, when businesses struggled to stay open as many Puna residents lost their homes and visitors stayed away from the area. Tribune-Herald.

Testing demand wanes as people follow stay-at-home order. The Pahoa facility — part a network of clinics in the East Hawaii Region of the Hawaii Health Systems Corp., which also includes Hilo Medical Center, Ka‘u Hospital and Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua — is in its second week of offering COVID-19 screening and testing in the rural East Hawaii district. Tribune-Herald.

Cars Line Up For Computers, Meals At Pāhoa Schools. Families of Pāhoa High and Intermediate students picked up computers for distance learning, and meals, during the statewide school closure. Big Island Video News.

‘Emergency and humanitarian release’ sought for sex assault suspect. Counsel for a 19-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a septuagenarian last summer at a Kawaihae campground is seeking “emergency and humanitarian release” for his client due to the COVID-19 pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Effective Immediately, Maui Health Allows Employees to Wear Their Own Masks. Effective immediately, new hospital protocol for personal protective equipment (PPE) allows Maui Health employees and providers to wear their own masks. Maui Now.

Mayor Victorino Provides Guidance on Interisland Travel for Maui County. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino provided guidance to Maui County residents on the inter-island travel quarantine policy issued by Gov. David Ige. Maui Now.

Kauai

Visitor arrested for violating quarantine. The Kaua‘i Police Department arrested 62-year-old Dwight Anthony Tucker of Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday for violating the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine order. Garden Island.

State officials are holding a virtual town hall meeting for Hawai‘i residents on the Zoom platform on Thursday, April 2, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The list of speakers currently includes Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, House Speaker Scott Saiki and House Finance Committee Chair Sylvia Luke, with more to come according to the announcement. Garden Island.

Farmers need pig feed. Kaua‘i pig farms aren’t getting their usual food scraps from local schools, restaurants and hotels since they’re closed due to COVID-19, and farmers are asking the community to pitch in and help keep the hogs fed. Garden Island.

Elections officials update legislators on all-mail voting, term limits sought for Honolulu prosecutor, Kauai councilman indicted on felonies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii ballot testing ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii election officials to ask voters to update signatures for vote-by-mail. Election officials will soon invite more than 760,000 registered voters to update their signatures on file with the county clerks as part of the preparations for Hawaii’s new all-mail voting system, lawmakers were told Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

How The Counties Are Preparing For All-Mail Voting. The state will switch to an all-mail voting system for the 2020 elections. Civil Beat.

Election officials iron out changes to voting system. Elections officials say next year’s voting results could take even longer to verify. That’s because it’s the first year nearly all the ballots will be sent by mail. Hawaii News Now.

Lingering concerns as state pushes forward with mail-in voting. Next year’s election will be the first time a statewide election will be done by mail. Lawmakers met with elections officials Wednesday to see how the process is going. KHON2.

Ready for voting by mail? Hawaii County Clerk Jon Henricks told state legislators Wednesday that the county will have a high-speed ballot sorting machine by February, which he said will give Hawaii Island elections workers “plenty of time” to prepare for the new voting-by-mail system that will be in place for the 2020 primary and general elections. Tribune-Herald.

=====

Hawaii state pension fund begins fiscal year with a gain. Hawaii’s largest public pension fund has started off its new fiscal year on a positive note amid the ongoing U.S.-Chinese trade war and global uncertainty. Star-Advertiser.

The strange lights returned to Hawaii skies. The lights are believed to be part of SpaceX’s Starlink Mission which is made up of dozens of mini satellites. The goal of the project is to provide high-speed broadband internet across the globe. Hawaii News Now.

Bankruptcy not expected to affect Meadow Gold. Hawaii’s supply of milk isn’t expected to be affected by Tuesday’s move by the owner of Meadow Gold filing bankruptcy.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii home sales to foreign buyers drop in first half of 2019. The number of homes and condominiums in Hawaii sold to buyers from Japan declined by 15% during the first half of 2019, but the total dollar volume of those sales dropped by 31%, as overall sales volume for foreign buyers fell by 27%, according to data from Title Guaranty. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Resolution seeks to limit years Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney can serve. Right now, there’s no limit, but Honolulu City Council Member Ron Menor wants to change that to two consecutive four-year terms, like the mayor and city council members.  KHON2.

Mo'ili'ili community frustrated over returning homeless camp. It's been 2 weeks since the city of Honolulu did a sweep of a homeless encampment along the Manoa-Palolo Drainage Canal but residents said it has not stopped the homeless from coming back. KITV.

Robbery Suspect Fatally Shot In Fifth Honolulu Officer-Involved Shooting Of The Year. Honolulu police officers shot about 20 rounds at the 30-year-old man as he was driving his car toward them, the Honolulu police chief said. Civil Beat.

Lauren Bruner to be last crew member interred on USS Arizona. More than 900 men who perished when a 1,760-pound Japanese armor-piercing bomb found its mark, igniting a million pounds of gunpowder, were never recovered from the battleship. Star-Advertiser.

USS Boxer group with 4,500 sailors and Marines arrive at Pearl Harbor for port call. The USS Boxer amphibious ready group and more than 4,500 sailors and Marines pulled into Pearl Harbor Wednesday for a port visit following a six-month deployment which included downing an Iranian drone that military officials said was “threatening the safety” of the Boxer in the Strait of Hormuz. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

FEMA deadline expires. While the deadline to apply for a federal program providing individual assistance to Kilauea eruption victims has passed, other programs continue to provide support for those affected by last year’s disaster. Tribune-Herald.

Effort to name Kilauea eruption spot fissure 8 nears completion. A Hawaiian volcano deity whose name means “forest eater” is among 17 public suggestions submitted to a state board to become the official name of the most prominent source of lava during last year’s eruption of Kilauea. Star-Advertiser.

Mauna Kea activists ‘hope for the best and prepare for the worst’. As the protest at Mauna Kea heads into its fifth month, the encampment has become like a small town including everything from decontamination supplies to county crossing guards. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Commission wants affordable housing from hotel developers. Members provide comments on draft EIS for Windward Hotel. Maui News.

Wildfire and Sediment: Addressing Two of the Biggest Threats to Maʻalaea Bay. A unique pilot project on Maui will use oysters to filter water at Maʻalaea Bay in an attempt to improve water quality at the location. Maui Now.

Haleakala looks into electric bike policy. Haleakala National Park is considering a new policy that would allow the use of electric bikes on all roads where traditional bicycles are currently permitted, park spokesperson Jin Prugsawan said Tuesday. Maui News.

Fighting To Save This Rare Maui Forest Bird From Extinction. A team of biologists brought 13 critically endangered Maui parrotbills to the other side of Haleakala to save the species from extinction. But less than a month later, only three birds have survived. Civil Beat.

Avian malaria suspected cause of kiwikiu deaths. Officials hopeful that remaining birds will survive in reserve. Maui News.

Kauai

Councilmember charged. Kauai County Councilmember Arthur Brun was indicted Wednesday on felony charges for allegedly running from police during a traffic stop two weeks ago and hitting an officer with his car in the process. Garden Island.

Kauai Springs back in business. A family-owned water-bottling company in Koloa may have won its 13-year legal battle with the county Planning Commission. Garden Island.