Showing posts with label airports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label airports. Show all posts

Monday, March 11, 2024

Green signs into law bill clarifying mandatory recounts, 80 wildfire detection sensors to be deployed statewide, 5 dead in Manoa murder-suicide, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green signs mandatory election recount bill into law. The first bill of the 2024 state Legislature session to be signed into law is intended to clarify the conditions necessary for mandatory recounts in state and county elections. Star-Advertiser.

800 bills still alive at state Legislature’s halfway point. State legislators appear willing to spare the Hawaii Tourism Authority from what had been all-but-certain death last year, but at the midway point of this legislative session have failed to restore HTA’s funding that they eliminated last session. Star-Advertiser.

Push To Increase Auto Insurance Coverage Could Raise Costs For Hawaii Consumers. Two bills being considered by the Legislature would increase the legally required minimum liability coverage, which could boost the cost of premiums. Civil Beat.

New Bill Seeks To Remove Power To Suspend Electronic Media During Emergency. House Bill 2581 (HD 1) has already been passed through the State House and will be heard in the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs on Monday, March 11.  Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi Bill Increases Penalties For Arson During Red Flag Warning
. A bill making its way through the State Legislature will increase criminal penalties for starting a fire during a Red Flag Warning period in Hawaiʻi. Big Island Video News.

Green Names New Director For Human Services Department. Ryan Yamane is a former Hawaii legislator who is deputy director of the Department of Human Resources Development. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Wildfire detection sensors to be deployed on Maui and around Hawaii. Eighty Beta wildfire sensor units will be installed statewide — 20 units each for Maui County, Hawaii County, Kauai County and the City and County of Honolulu — by April 8. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Federal funds help speed up modernization at Hawaii airports. Five major airport runway projects totaling more than $520.7 million are moving forward at Hawaii airports this year due to an increase in federal dollars made possible by new types of grant programs, some of which provide multiple awards for a single project. Star-Advertiser.

Congress Restores Federal Benefits To COFA Migrants As Part Of $7.1 Billion Aid Deal. Migrants from Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia lost access to numerous federal assistance programs in the 1990s under Clinton-era welfare reforms. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Oahu

Federal trial of Keith Kaneshiro, Dennis Mitsunaga set to begin. A trial to determine whether former Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro, prominent political donor Dennis Mitsunaga and others engaged in legal campaign financing or a pay-to-prosecute scheme starts Tuesday in U.S. District Court. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Council urges transparency at city Building Board of Appeals. The Honolulu City Council chair is urging the city Building Board of Appeals to give greater public transparency over its case decisions. Star-Advertiser.

The Miske Trial: A Honolulu Used Car Dealer Gets Roughed Up. Testimony continues in the organized crime and murder trial of Honolulu businessman Mike Miske with government witnesses describing violent behavior by the alleged crime boss. Civil Beat.

Blangiardi relaunches city food drive. Mayor Rick Blangiardi relaunched the City Employees’ Hawaii Foodbank Food and Fund Drive on Wednesday after it paused operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

A&B still weighing options for historic Pali Lanes building.
More than 2-1/2 years since it was vacated, plans for the Pali Lanes building in Kailua remain unknown, with most of the approximately 1.6-acre property fenced off. Star-Advertiser.

5 dead in Manoa murder-suicide. Honolulu police said a Manoa man fatally stabbed his wife and their three children in their home Sunday morning before killing himself in Hawaii’s worst mass homicide since the Xerox shooting in 1999 when seven people were gunned down at a Nimitz Highway business. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Rainbow Drive Renovation, Housing Project Detailed In Draft EA. The 34 Rainbow Drive Draft Environmental Assessment / Anticipated Finding of No Significant Impact details the plans to renovate the existing Old Hilo Memorial Hospital building next to the Wailuku River, as well as the proposal to develop affordable rental housing units and supportive services on the remaining 24.947-acre property.  Big Island Video News. KITV4.

Future Roundabout At Waikōloa Road, Paniolo Ave Examined In Draft EA. A planned roundabout at the entrance of Waikoloa Village is examined in a newly published Draft Environmental Assessment, and the public comment period is now open. Big Island Video News.

Hāmākua farmers switch tomato crop for edible hibiscus. Susan Hamilton and her husband own the Hawaiian B Natural Farms and have been growing tomatoes hydroponically in Hāmākua for the past 16 years. Last fall, they decided to switch gears to grow the edible Roselle Hibiscus after they were unable to bring workers back to help with the tomato crop following the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Now.

Maui


This State Agency Transformed Kakaako. Should It Do The Same For Lahaina? The Hawaii Senate unanimously passed a bill to turn over much of West Maui to the Hawaii Community Development Authority, despite growing opposition to the idea. Civil Beat.

Maui County May Use Eminent Domain To Acquire Land For Final Dump Site Of Lahaina Fire Debris. The property owner and local partners had been working on a private venture to develop the land into a new construction and demolition landfill facility. Civil Beat.

Council Grills Volunteers Before Approving Funding For Central Maui Housing Projects. Support for the two affordable housing projects was approved unanimously after several heated meetings about the selection committee's process. Civil Beat.

Maui Island unemployment at 6.2%, Maui County at 5.9% in January 2024. The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Maui Island was 6.2% in January 2024, compared to 5.8% the previous month, and 3% at the same time in 2023. Maui Now.

People With Limited English Lost Money And Help In Lahaina Response.
Advocates say it took too long for federal agencies to understand Maui's unique language needs after the wildfires, and that the state must be better prepared. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s health industry addresses Maui’s maternal care crisis. For many expecting mothers on Maui, an obstetrician is difficult to find. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Biomass power plant blaze causes $500K in damage on Kaua‘i. A structure at a biomass power plant burst into flames in an industrial area on Friday afternoon causing an estimated $500,000 in damage. Garden Island.

Public input sought on ‘Anini Beach Park improvements.
Kaua‘i County’s Department of Parks and Recreation and its consultant, Community Planning & Engineering, will conduct a public information meeting for proposed improvements to ‘Anini Beach Park boat wash down and trailer parking area. Kauai Now.

Monday, January 24, 2022

Ige to give final state of the state address today, Republicans continue to drop out of Legislature, $230M in bonds sold for airport improvements, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu airport July 31, 2021 My Kailua Community Facebook page

Newly sold bonds will fund $230 million for essential airport projects in Hawaiʻi.  The Airports Division of the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has sold new airports system revenue bonds to fund approximately $230 million of essential projects to modernize and expand air service facilities across the state.  Maui Now.

Pandemic Cloud Lingers As Ige Prepares His Final State Of The State Address. Hawaii was on the upswing for most of Ige’s two terms as governor, but his most recent speeches reflect more troubled times. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Tourism Authority shifting focus to a new type of visitor, aims to educate about the state. Tourism numbers are still below pre-COVID pandemic levels and for the first time, the Hawaii Tourism Authority has to make a budget request to the state legislature. KHON2.

State report: Single adult on Oahu needs to earn $18 an hour to cover basic needs. The Senate Committee on Labor, Culture and the Arts is scheduled to hear SB 2018 on Monday, the same day House leadership is expected to introduce its minimum wage bill. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Caucuses multiply in Hawaii, focusing on specific legislation. Three new caucuses are introducing bills in the 2022 legislative session, which began Wednesday, joining eight other formal caucuses and some informal ones that have been around for many years with like-minded lawmakers trying to get laws enacted by banding together. Star-Advertiser.

Rep. Val Okimoto To Seek Honolulu City Council Seat. Her departure would leave just two Republicans in the House, Rep. Lauren Matsumoto and Rep. Gene Ward. Kurt Fevella is the sole Republican in the Hawaii state Senate. Civil Beat.

Char: Number of state COVID cases ‘very concerning’. The state health director said she thinks “it’s a bit early” to say Hawaii’s surge of COVID-19 cases fueled by the omicron variant has plateaued. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii part of clinical trials for new Omicron-specific vaccine. Volunteers a 50-50 chance of getting the new Omicron vaccine being tested or a 4th dose of the current formula. KITV4.

Hawaii records 4 new coronavirus-related deaths, 3,167 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count includes 2,078 new cases on Oahu, 371 on Hawaii Island, 493 on Maui, 168 on Kauai, 10 on Molokai, 11 on Lanai, and 36 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

State has yet to release new rules cracking down on beach revetments.
Property owners are legally allowed to keep the emergency protections in place only temporarily, but state officials have allowed walls of sandbags to remain in front of some properties for years, and even decades, after issuing repeated approvals or losing track of them, an investigation in December 2020 by the Star-Advertiser and ProPublica found. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Roy Amemiya Wants City Documents To Fight His Conspiracy Indictment. The City Says No. The former Honolulu managing director’s public records request was rejected by city attorneys. Civil Beat.

City can also represent Honolulu officers in teen’s shooting. Honolulu attorneys may represent both the city and three police officers in a civil lawsuit by the family of a 16-year-old boy shot and killed by police, a judge ruled Friday in response to a motion by the teen’s relatives arguing the officers need to have their own lawyers to avoid conflicts of interest. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

West Oahu Reps Plan To Tackle Traffic, Tech And The Cost Of Living. Lawmakers want the public to weigh in this session on the bills that matter most to their communities. Civil Beat.

A deal to sell plots of land to Waialua farmers moves ahead. At a time when some of Hawaii’s most productive farm lands are making way for housing development, developer Peter Savio is acquiring the fee interest on 280-acres of agricultural land from owner Dole Plantation to help preserve agriculture. He’s dividing the land and selling individual lots of one to 10 acres to Dole’s tenants at little profit. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Navy water quality results to be made public faster, according to the Interagency Drinking Water System Team. Drinking water quality test results for the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water system will be made public faster, according to news release today from the the Interagency Drinking Water System Team. Star-Advertiser.

Army breaks ground on new maintenance hangar at Wheeler Airfield.
The Army broke ground last week for a new maintenance facility at Wheeler Army Airfield that’s intended to begin replacing the 90-year-old facilities the service has relied on at the historic base. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

North Kona, South Kohala vacation rental hotspots. North Kona and South Kohala are home to about 80% of short-term vacation rentals on the island and 87% of complaints about STVRs registered countywide with the Planning Department. West Hawaii Today.

‘A quandary’ in Hilo: Frustration mounts for KIA lease holders seeking extensions from the DLNR. Nearly four years later, an attempt to revitalize the heart of Hilo has almost completely halted after sinking into a governmental morass. Tribune-Herald.

Council rejects contractor for Leeward Planning Commission. The County Council last week rejected its second nominee to the Leeward Planning Commission in six months, saying the candidate, Shane Vincent of Waimea, would bring too much of a developer perspective to the board. West Hawaii Today.

Phase of Kalanianā’ole Avenue Reconstruction in Hilo Pushed Back. The state Department of Transportation announced Saturday that the portion of the project from Kamehameha/Railroad Avenue to Kauhane Avenue is now expected to begin in April because of contract and supply availability issues.  Big Island Now.

Maui

Victorino, Bissen Dive In Early To Maui Mayor Race. The county’s voters will elect a mayor in November following the nonpartisan August primary. Civil Beat.

New law impacts some vacation rentals and Grand Wailea expansion. Moratorium pauses new visitor lodgings, but some may still be developed under bill’s exceptions. Under the new law, which went into effect on Jan. 7, new transient accommodations, such as hotels, timeshares, short-term rental homes and transient vacation rental units, are prohibited in all zoning districts on Maui. Maui News.

Maui ranked among top destinations on Expedia and Vrbo 2022 searches.
Maui, Hawaʻi is ranked the #2, 2022 destination based on trip searches on Vrbo and #5 based on trip searches on Expedia. Maui Now.

Hawaii’s Strictest Pandemic Policies Have Created A Lonely Existence For Kalaupapa’s Surviving ‘Outcasts’. Kalaupapa’s last living leprosy patients confront state-mandated social isolation policies that continue to prohibit visits by family and friends. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Tourism officials talk top priorities in 2022. Island tourism officials have a game plan for 2022, one year after the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority debuted county-by-county Destination Management Action Plans to address a changing visitor industry. Garden Island.

Run-up to KIUC board of directors election underway.
Three seats on the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s board of directors are up for grabs this March, and the run-up to the election is just beginning. Garden Island.


Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Hawaii travel restrictions still up in the air, Delta variant spreads, special session mulled to consider vetoes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2021 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Waikiki sunset with airplane © 2021 All Hawaii News

Ige: Hawaii Unlikely To Ease Travel Restrictions Ahead Of July 4 As Vaccinations Slow. Lt. Gov. Josh Green had publicly urged the governor to end the pre-travel testing requirement on July 1. Civil Beat.

$144 million in new federal funding from the American Rescue Plan is coming to the state for various airports. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) said the new funding, signed into law in March, will help support airports that have experienced severe economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Delta variant of coronavirus spreading in Hawaii. The delta variant of the coronavirus, which has quickly become the dominant strain in other countries and can cause more severe illness, is now spreading in Hawaii, prompting state heath officials Tuesday to once again urge Hawaii residents to get vaccinated not just to protect themselves, but the broader community, including young children who aren’t yet eligible for the vaccine. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Garden Island. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Special legislative session still up in air over veto list. It is still not clear whether there will be a special session for the state Legislature to address the 28 measures Gov. David Ige intends to veto, the most he has ever considered since taking office in 2014. Star-Advertiser.

Russia details exercise near Hawaii to destroy a carrier strike group. The Russian Ministry of Defense said in a recap of its naval and air exercise off Hawaii that it practiced “destroying the aircraft carrier strike group of the mock enemy” and delivering a simulated strike with cruise missiles against “critically important” military infrastructure. Star-Advertiser.

Fishing council votes to ban wire leaders. The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council is recommending the prohibition of wire leaders for Hawaii’s deep-set longline fishery to protect the oceanic whitetip shark, and now that the U.S. has made the move to protect the species, advocates hope that it will persuade international agencies to do the same. Star-Advertiser.

Many UH Students Struggled With Hunger And Homelessness Last Year. The university is developing a master plan to help address economic challenges undergraduates are facing. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

June 22, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 20 Cases. The confirmed cases included: four on Hawai‘i Island (+1 probable); 10 on O‘ahu (-1 probable); one on Kaua‘i; and one in a Hawai‘i resident diagnosed while out of state (+1 probable).  Maui Now.

Oahu

State senator Kurt Fevella seeks federal and state investigations into rail project. State Senate Minority Leader Kurt Fevella has asked the FBI, Federal Transit Administration and state Attorney General’s Office to investigate the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation on a variety of alleged violations and “possible criminal acts” committed by HART board Chairman Toby Martyn based on media reports. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Ethics Commission fines former principal for improper cash advances, including to his wife. The state Ethics Commission has fined the former principal of the Ka Waihona o Ka Naauao Public Charter School $4,000 for improper cash payments, including to his wife. Hawaii News Now.

Chinatown medical outreach to expand on Oahu with new van. A team of health care professionals and volunteers that treats the medical needs of Chinatown’s homeless twice a week has now been augmented with a colorfully painted new Nissan van that will deploy next month to Oahu’s North Shore, Leeward Coast and Central Oahu to expand medical aid to even more of the island’s homeless and medically needy. Star-Advertiser.

Halawa Correctional Facility has 9 new cases of COVID-19, all recently transferred inmates from Hilo jail. The Halawa Correctional Facility had nine positive COVID-19 test results out of 20 inmates tested, the Department of Public Safety said in a news release this afternoon. Star-Advertiser.

Residents say it’s impossible to book a spot with City’s new online reservation system for Hanauma Bay. There is growing frustration over the City’s new online reservation system for Hanauma Bay.  KHON2.

Hawaii Island

DOH: 49% of Big Island population vaccinated for COVID-19. More than 216,150 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered on the Big Island, with nearly 6,000 of those shots going into arms since June 16. West Hawaii Today.

Delta virus variant found on the Big Island. A strain of COVID-19 first detected in India and identified in Hawaii earlier this month has been found on the Big Island, the state Department of Health said Tuesday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Keauhou Aquifer plan heads to County Council. Despite population growth, West Hawaii has actually been using less water than was projected in a 2017 plan designed to protect the Keauhou Aquifer. West Hawaii Today.

Road outrage: Councilwomen decries delayed construction ‘nightmare’ on Kalanianaole. Hilo Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy wrote a letter to the news media on behalf of Keaukaha residents urging that the county administration finally complete a “wearisome” and “nightmare” construction on Kalanianaole Avenue that has been ongoing for more than three years. Tribune-Herald.

‘Inhumane’ conditions at HCCC trigger lawsuit as outbreak continues. A former pretrial detainee at Hawaii Community Correctional Center disputes Lt. Gov. Josh Green’s statement that an outbreak of COVID-19 at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in Hilo is because of the reluctance of inmates to be vaccinated. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State Supreme Court upholds ruling invalidating Kahoma Village permit.
The Hawaii State Supreme Court has upheld a decision by a lower court invalidating a permit for Kahoma Village, a workforce housing project already built in Lahaina. Maui News. KITV4.

Maui Social Host Ordinance Aims to Reduce Underage Drinking, Set to Take Effect Sept. 1. The ordinance, which was passed through the Maui County Council in February, holds adults liable for illegal underage drinking on their property. Maui Now.

Amid a tourism boom, Maui considers feasibility of ‘visitor impact fee’. Keanae, an old Hawaiian village in east Maui off the Road to Hana, was once considered a hidden gem. But now it is a must-see stop for countless visitors. Hawaii News Now.

Residents: No parking signs, lack of enforcement amplify Hana Hwy. problems. Sightseers often park illegally along Hana Highway in East Maui, which residents say is causing hazards and headaches for many drivers. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County Airports to Receive $31.8 Million to Support Pandemic Recovery. Maui Now.

Maui County’s Unemployment Rate Falls to 10.4% for May 2021, State’s at 7.5%. Maui County’s unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) for May 2021 fell to 10.4%, a decrease of 0.8% from last month, according to data just released today by the Hawai‘i State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations. Maui Now.

Kauai

Despite drop, Kaua‘i’s jobless rate still highest in the state. As the state Department of Labor &Industrial Relations Tuesday announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May was 8.1% compared to 8.5% in April, Kaua‘i’s unemployment rate has continued to drop also, and was down to 11.3% in May of 2021. Garden Island.

Lawsuit Challenges Kauai’s Termination Of Youth Drug Treatment Contract. Hope Treatment Services says Kauai County prevented it from meeting a deadline to open the inpatient drug treatment center. Civil Beat.

FAA: $14M to Lihu‘e Airport. A cut of federal funding will deliver $14.5 million to the Lihu‘e Airport. Garden Island.

Lanai

Lanai’s Newspaper Is Now Owned By The Company That Owns Lanai.
The sale of Lanai Today to billionaire Larry Ellison is raising concerns about journalistic integrity. But it may have saved Lanai from becoming a news desert. Civil Beat.


Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Facial recognition instituted at Hawaii airports, UH to require vaccinations, schools to fully reopen Aug. 3, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy photo
Honolulu airport screening, courtesy Hawaii DOT

Flying To Hawaii? Prepare For Long Lines At The Airport. Some passengers report waiting an hour and a half to exit the airport even with a negative COVID-19 test. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Completes Phase III Of Airport Thermal Screening Project with facial recognition. The Hawaii Department of Transportation says the facial imaging equipment is now operational at the state's major airports. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. KHON2.

University of Hawaii to require students to get COVID-19 vaccine. Students enrolled in the University of Hawaii System in the fall will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to attend in-person classes or be on any of the system’s 10 campuses, the university announced Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Garden Island. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii public schools will reopen Aug. 3 with clubs, bands and athletics resuming
. Hawaii’s public schools will open for daily, in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year as community infection rates decrease and vaccinations increase. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Ige Says Slew Of Pandemic Rule Changes In The Works.
The governor said state health officials are working on integrating Hawaii’s rate of vaccinations into the tiered reopening system already in use by the counties. Civil Beat.

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Redrawing Of Hawaii’s Political Boundaries Could Stretch Into Early 2022. Advocates have also raised concerns over closed door meetings of the Reapportionment Commission. Civil Beat.

Hawaii GOP Elects New Party Chair, Other Officials. The focus now is on the 2022 elections and getting more Republicans in office. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Meetings, Conventions Will Take Longer To Recover As State Sees Signs Of Tourism Returning. While leisure travel is making a comeback, conferences and meetings will take longer to recover. Hawaii Public Radio.

Business Groups Ask Ige To Veto Bill Cutting Tourism Ad Spending. More than 30 business associations and chambers of commerce have asked the governor to kill a measure cutting the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s budget. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's office space could hit record vacancy rates. As Hawaii's economy recovers from the pandemic, its effects could leave a lasting impact on Hawaii's traditional office space. KITV4.

Military Relaxes Mask Guidelines On Hawaii Bases But Not Outside The Gates. New policy only applies to people who are fully vaccinated. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Despite Hawaii’s high vaccination rate, daily COVID case counts aren’t dropping as expected. Hawaii’s vaccination campaign continues to outperform other states, but the number of people being diagnosed with the virus isn’t on the decline. And that’s causing concern for public health officials. Hawaii News Now.

May 17, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 83 Cases (62 O‘ahu, 8 Maui, 7 Hawai‘i Island, 6 Out-of-State). Maui Now.

Oahu

Rail bond deal has financial ties to HART chair, but ethics body finds no wrongdoing. Ethics watchdogs are raising questions about a rail bond deal involving the firm of the rail authority’s board chairman. Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board Chairman Toby Martyn is also a vice president and Honolulu general manager for Stifel Financial Corp. Hawaii News Now.

Spectators now allowed at Oahu outdoor sporting events. Spectators will once again be allowed on the sidelines to watch their family and friends play outdoor sports, a loosening of COVID-19 restrictions on Oahu that is sure to please parents who have been relegated to their cars as they try to catch glimpses of their kids playing sports like soccer and baseball. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

COVID-19 Cluster at Public Safety Training and Staff Development Section on O‘ahu Totals 20
. The state Department of Public Safety confirmed six more employees currently assigned to the Training and Staff Development section have confirmed positive COVID-19 test results. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu ambulances set to expand service in Ewa Beach and Makiki starting July 4. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services is expanding to include the Makiki and Ewa Beach ambulances in its 24-hour coverage beginning July 4. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.

Hawaii officials ask for bids to dispose of historic Falls of Clyde. State officials have put out a bid for the disposal of the historic Falls of Clyde ship, with an upcoming deadline of Friday, to the objection of supporters still trying to save it. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Contingency plans: Council members seek to increase discretionary funding. County Council members are once again casting around to find money for their individual contingency accounts that were zeroed out in the mayor’s budget. West Hawaii Today.

No temporary night closure of Kailua Pier, yet. The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation continues to assess the proposed closure of the pier from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily, a spokesperson confirmed Friday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui official: Brazil variant cases up. The variant first detected in Brazil is beginning to take the place of California variants that had dominated portions of Hawaii, and Maui County residents should take heed, a Maui-based state Department of Health official said. Maui News.

‘The Situation Is Critical’: Saving This Maui Beach Won’t Be Easy Or Cheap. Government agencies, scientists, property owners and beachgoers have banded together to find a solution to chronic erosion at Maui’s Kahana Bay. Civil Beat.

460 Acres Entitled for 1,900 New Housing Units in Central Maui Hub for Sale. Cushman & Wakefield announced today the firm has been hired to sell two residential and commercial sites totaling approximately 458 acres within the Maui Lani master planned community in Kahului on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Council amends Mayor’s FY22 budget. Wastewater solutions and police department recruitment were the Kaua‘i County Council’s focus of a decision-making session on the fiscal year 2022 budget on Friday. Garden Island.

Friday, October 16, 2020

Smooth opening day for trans-Pacific travel to Hawaii, most Hawaii residents wear masks, Honolulu rail tops $10B, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

fromm KITV4 Facebook

More than 8,000 out-of-state passengers fly into Hawaii on the first day they could test out of a travel quarantine. It was a solid first day for the reopening of Hawaii tourism with 8,000-plus passengers coming through local airports — still only a little more than a third of October 2019’s daily domestic air traffic. Star-Advertiser.

Opening Day For Hawaii Tourism
: It’s Just The Beginning. Lt. Gov. Josh Green laid out several likely next steps as Hawaii reopened to travelers on Thursday with 8,000 arrivals expected. Civil Beat.

Thousands Arrive With Pre-Tests, Bypass Quarantine. Thirty trans-Pacific flights arrived in Hawaii yesterday on the first day of the state’s traveler testing program, carrying an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tourists return to Hawaii amid ever-changing pandemic rules. A new pre-travel testing program allowing visitors in Hawaii who test negative for COVID-19 to come to Hawaii and avoid the two weeks of mandatory quarantine — a measure that’s been in place for all arriving passengers for most of the year. Hawaii Island requires a second, on-arrival rapid antigen test to avoid the 14-day mandatory quarantine. Associated Press.

On first day of traveler testing program, some report issues and confusion over rules. Thousands of visitors and returning residents flew into the state Thursday, on the first day of the much-anticipated traveler testing program. Hawaii News Now.

Visitors face long lines, long wait times at airports on first day of pre-travel testing program. The first day kicked off for Hawaii’s pre-travel testing program, and thousands from the mainland took the opportunity to come to Hawaii. KHON2.

Safe Travels Hawai'i Program officially launches.
Day One of state's pre-travel testing program. KITV4.

State to rely on voluntary, post-arrival tests to gauge safety of traveler testing program. Over the next couple days, the state’s first pre-tested travelers will get a notification on their Safe Travels Hawaii app asking if they’d like to volunteer to take a second COVID-19 test. Hawaii News Now.

Are You Wearing A Mask In Public? These Hawaii Researchers Want To Know. Hawaii is one of the first states to conduct a widespread study of how many people are wearing face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The highest rate of mask usage was observed on Oahu at 83%, followed by Hawaii Island at 76%, Maui at 71%, and Kauai at 62%. Civil Beat.

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New record set for Hawaii voter registrations. Following a record-setting primary election turnout, more than 832,000 people across the state already had registered to vote as of Thursday — and many likely already have voted through mail-in ballots for the upcoming Nov. 3 general election, which will decide Honolulu’s next mayor and the next U.S. president. Star-Advertiser.

Civil Beat/HNN Poll: Hawaii Voters Embrace Biden For US President. They also say they are satisfied with voting by mail, especially in a time of coronavirus. Civil Beat.

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New State Laws Have Significant Effects on Employers. The rules have changed on nondisclosure agreements, criminal background checks and family leave, while financial penalties for violating some labor regulations have increased as much as 1,000%. Hawaii Business magazine.

Former UPW Officials Sue Union Over Ousters. Former Hawaii labor union officials ousted over allegations of financial abuse are suing their old union over claims their terminations were not properly handled. Civil Beat.

Courts And Prosecutors Are Keeping Jail Populations Lower During Pandemic. Efforts to divert arrestees to reduce jail populations and limit the spread of COVID-19 have made some headway. Civil Beat.

VIRUS TRACKER — Oct. 15: 91 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. The state identified 13 people with COVID-19 on the Big Island and two on Maui. Two Hawaii residents were diagnosed with the virus out of state. The remaining 74 cases were reported on Oahu, according to the Department of Health. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu mayoral candidates agree it’s time to reopen tourism, despite the risks. The next mayor of Honolulu will start the job just a few months after the relaunch of tourism thanks to a new traveler testing program. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu mayor wants to open mobile COVID-19 testing lab at airport. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says he believes the city is ready to reopen tourism ― and hopes a new mobile lab at Honolulu’s airport will increase testing capacity. He says the lab could process up to 10,000 tests a day, delivering results in under three hours. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu on track to move to Tier 2 of reopening strategy. Oahu is on track to move into the next level of reopening the economy in one week with restrictions on gyms, personal services and other activities being lifted as long as coronavirus cases remain low. Star-Advertiser.

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Honolulu Rail Cost Now at $9.9 Billion But That Estimate Will Likely Grow. The contractor overseeing Honolulu rail for the federal government believes the new, local cost projections released this week showing an $832 million price increase are too low and likely to climb, according to project board members. Civil Beat.

Rail project cost estimate now jacked up above $10 billion. The projected cost of the city’s troubled East Kapolei-to-Ala Moana rail project has now moved above the $10 billion mark. Star-Advertiser.

The latest estimate for Honolulu’s embattled rail project: $10B. The cost for the city’s beleaguered rail project continues to soar ― and now stands at nearly $10 billion. Hawaii News Now.

Ko Olina to open all 4 lagoons to public. The Ko Olina resort, hit by overwhelming opposition to its plan to ban the public from several lagoon beaches, said today it was reversing direction and will open all four of its lagoons to the public with parking beginning Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island


Trans-Pacific Travelers Arrive at Kona Airport. The first trans-Pacific travelers participating in Hawai‘i’s pre-travel coronavirus testing program arrived at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole Thursday afternoon. Big Island Now.

Visitors To Kona Tested On Arrival As Tourists Return To Hawaiʻi. President and Founder of Premier Medical Group Hawaii, Dr. Scott Miscovich, MD, talks about the busy Thursday of passenger testing at Kona Airport. Big Island Video News.

Few hiccups at Hilo airport as trans-Pacific travelers return. The first day of post-flight testing at Hilo International Airport went by largely without incident as a trickle of trans-Pacific travelers returned to the Big Island on Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 cases. Hawaii Island surpassed 1,000 COVID-19 cases Thursday with the addition of 13 new cases, bringing the island’s tally to 1005 since Feb. 28. West Hawaii Today.

Puakea Ranch expansion approved. A special permit to expand the uses of a historical ranch near Hawi was approved Thursday on a 6-0 vote by the Leeward Planning Commission. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor Victorino Declares ‘Rebirth of Our Visitor Industry’ with Launch of Safe Travels Program. At Kahului Airport, just before the Thursday morning arrival of United Airlines Flight 417 from Los Angeles, Maui Mayor Michael Victorino declared: “This is a new day for Maui County. It is a rebirth of our visitor industry.” Maui Now.

Milestone Reached in Hawai‘i’s Tourism Reboot, Leaders Monitor for Adjustments. The state’s Safe Travels Hawai‘i program officially launched on Thursday marking the start of pre-travel COVID-19 testing for trans-Pacific flights arriving in Hawaiʻi. Maui Now.

Many Maui travelers using state’s new pre-travel testing program. Most of the passengers aboard the first trans-Pacific flight to Kahului Airport since the state’s pre-travel testing program began took advantage of the option to bypass Hawaii’s two-week quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test. Maui News.

Protests Arise Over Burial Protections on West Maui Construction Site. Tensions are rising on Maui’s west end over construction that’s begun on known historic burial grounds in Kauaʻula Valley. Lineal descendants of the area have flocked to the site in recent days to halt the project until archeological work can be done to ensure ancestral remains are protected. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pukalani Skate Park social distancing. Signs requiring face masks and social distancing at the Pukalani Skate Park are not being followed earlier this month as groups of skaters gather closely with only a few in the park wearing masks. The facilities were shut down due to COVID-19 in March but reopened on June 1. Maui News.

Kauai

Meet the Candidates: Arryl Kaneshiro. Growing up on Kaua‘i, incumbent Kaua‘i County Council Chair Arryl Kaneshiro said there was always a desire to live up to expectations. Garden Island.

Tracking the spread of ROD on Kaua‘i.
Researchers at the University of Hawai‘i Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit have collaborated with multiple agencies to develop a management tracking system to keep crucial data organized as the Rapid ‘Ohi‘a Death fungus continues to spread to parts of Kaua‘i. Garden Island.


Thursday, August 6, 2020

County mayors seek return of inter-island quarantine as Oahu COVID-19 cases spike, Green warns ICU could be overrun, airports install thermal screening, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Thermal screening at Honolulu airport PC:Screen grab from HDOT video
New thermal cameras now helping scan passengers in Hawaii’s airports. New thermal screening cameras have been installed at Hawaii airports that welcome trans-Pacific travelers to detect anyone who may have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher. Hawaii News Now.

Thermal Screening Now In Use At Hawaii Airports. The Hawaii Department of Transportation Airports Division announced on Wednesday that thermal temperature screening equipment is now in use to help detect passengers with a temperature of 100.4 degrees and above. Big Island Video News.

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Pressure builds to impose COVID-19 restrictions. The number of COVID-19 cases climbed to another triple-digit record on Oahu Wednesday, placing further pressure on Gov. David Ige and other top officials to impose tighter restrictions to prevent the spread of the disease. Star-Advertiser.

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Neighbor Island Mayors Want Ige To Reinstate Interisland Quarantine. The mayors also asked the governor to keep schools closed until September. Civil Beat.

Mayors call for further restrictions on neighbor island travel. County mayors in Hawaii are taking action to slow down the spread of the virus within their communities, at least two mayors have requested for the governor to reimpose the two-week quarantine for all arrivals. KHON2.

Inter-island quarantine requested. Mayor Derek Kawakami, along with Mayors Harry Kim and Mike Victorino, are requesting Governor David Ige reinstate the 14-day quarantine for inter-island travel after the state reported 900 new cases of COVID-19 over the past week. Garden Island.

Neighbor Island mayors to governor: Reinstate inter-island quarantine, keep schools closed. Hawaii’s three Neighbor Island mayors are urging the governor to reinstate a mandatory quarantine for inter-island travel and keep public schools closed. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Mayor Renews Push for Interisland Quarantine. Citing concern over ongoing triple digit daily COVID-19 counts on the island of Oʻahu, Maui Mayor Michael Victorino is renewing his request to reinstate the interisland travel quarantine. This comes after an initial request made nearly two weeks ago on Friday July 24, amid record increases in cases statewide. Maui Now.

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In ‘sobering’ warning, Lt. Gov. Green says Hawaii ICUs could be full by the end of the month. Hospitals in the islands could soon be on the verge of running out of intensive care space as COVID-19 infections surge on Oahu, public health officials warn. Hawaii News Now.

Green warns of COVID-19 hospital surge. An additional 173 new cases of COVID-19 were announced Wednesday, pushing the state’s total case count to 2,389 as Lt. Gov. Josh Green warned of an impending hospital surge. West Hawaii Today.

Expect COVID-19 hospitalization spike in 1-2 weeks, says health experts. Officials say they are concerned that the consistently high COVID-19 numbers on Oahu may lead to more hospitalizations, and that this could overburden the hospital system. KHON2.

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Hawaii leaders are pleading with residents to help prevent COVID-19 spread. With yet another triple-digit increase in COVID-19 cases, calls to bring back the stay-at-home order are growing. KHON2.

Health expert says a potential second lockdown is not Hawaii's only option to turning things around. Hawaii is again bracing for a possible shutdown. KITV4.

Crucial Public Information Missing To Create A Local COVID-19 Model. As Hawaii’s COVID-19 cases surge, there is still no direction from Gov. David Ige on what should trigger the restrictions to help stop the virus, and when things can ease again. Hawaii Public Radio.

State To Publish New COVID-19 Prevention And Testing Data. New metrics will include face mask compliance and turnaround times for lab tests. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmaker, union looking into California law regarding COVID-19 reporting. Hawaii House of Representatives Labor Chair Aaron Johanson thinks that Hawaii’s ability to contact trace could be dwindling, prompting him to consider legislation like California. KHON2.

Widespread, Frequent COVID-19 Testing ‘Can Wipe This Off The Planet’. Amid surging cases and widespread dissatisfaction with Gov. David Ige’s plans for schools and tourism, doctors and economists want ramped-up testing. Civil Beat.

Thousands of emergency order citations, many given to homeless, are being dismissed. Prosecutors in Honolulu and Maui county have begun dismissing thousands of citations issued by police for violations of emergency stay-at-home orders. Hawaii News Now.

Petition urging Governor Ige to demand RIMPAC cancellation receives more than 12,000 signatures. Though it will be scaled-back, the world's largest maritime warfare exercise is scheduled to take place in Hawaii's waters this month. KITV4.

Economist Paul Brewbaker of TZ Economics joined Spotlight Hawaii today to talk about the state’s economic outlook in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Brewbaker argued that containing the virus and bringing the case count back down is the only way to ultimately revive the economy, even if that means a temporary shutdown of activity and more economic pain in the short run. Star-Advertiser.

Surge in virus cases highlights disparities for Pacific Islanders. Pacific Islanders make up just 4% of Hawaii’s population but represent 27% of the islands’ latest COVID-19 cases, far more than any ethnic group. Star-Advertiser.

Jury trials postponed to Oct. 2 after ‘concerning spike’ in Hawaii COVID-19 cases. All jury trials have been postponed until after Oct. 2 after a “concerning spike” in COVID-19 cases, Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald ordered today. Star-Advertiser.

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Supreme Court Hears Challenge To Lawmakers’ Gut-And-Replace Tactics. Advocates for greater transparency say the process leaves the public in the dark. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Supreme Court hears arguments about lawmakers’ use of controversial gut-and-replace tactic. The state Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday about the Legislature’s practice of stripping a bill of its original content and substituting entirely different content, a process known as gut-and-replace. Tribune-Herald.

Court eyes ‘gut-and-replace’ gambit. The state Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case involving what is known as a “gut-and-replace bill” that passed the state Legislature in 2018 and was enacted as Act 84. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii top court hears arguments over ‘gut and replace’ laws. Attorneys argued before the Hawaii Supreme Court on Wednesday over how much lawmakers should allow the public to weigh in on legislation as laws are being drafted and voted on. Associated Press.

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Case, Kahele Raised $1.4 Million Despite A Lack Of Competition. They received hundreds of thousands of dollars from special interest groups and those with strong ties to the business community. Civil Beat.

Iwamoto Challenges Speaker Saiki For Hawaii House Seat. It’s the first time in eight years that the race has been contested in the Democratic primary. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Democrats Select Lobbyist as New Party Chair. Tyler Dos Santos-Tam succeeds Kate Stanley for a new two-year term. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Homeless Voters Face Hurdles With All-Mail System. In Hawaii and other states, homeless people and the service providers who help them face hurdles when it comes to voting. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Community Foundation disburses $721K to local nonprofits. Hawaii Community Foundation is distributing $721,000 in aid to 39 nonprofits across the Islands, using funds from the the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, that will support food security efforts in Native Hawaiian communities statewide. Pacific Business News.

Matson finds profit in China amid Hawaii’s economic downturn. The Honolulu-based company said it earned $32.8 million in the period, up from $18.4 million in the same three months last year, while revenue slipped to $524 million from $558 million. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii counts 173 new coronavirus cases, all on Oahu. The state Department of Health reported 173 new coronavirus cases today, all on Oahu, bringing the statewide total since the outbreak began to 2,763. Star-Advertiser.

The Latest: 173 New Cases. The state Department of Health reported 173 new COVID-19 cases today. All are on Oahu and reflects another triple-digit day of new infections. Hawaii Public Radio.


Oahu

Majority of Honolulu Council Seats Open, Election Could Set City's Future Direction. Five of the nine Honolulu City Council seats are up for grabs and the city’s next four years hinges on this election. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘A few’ employees at Manoa McDonalds have COVID-19, company confirms. Multiple employees at the Manoa McDonalds have tested positive for COVID-19. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii sheriff tests positive for COVID-19. A deputy sheriff for the Hawaii Department of Public Safety has tested positive for COVID-19, representing the first department employee confirmed to have the virus. Star-Advertiser.

Deputy Sheriff Tests Positive for COVID-19 on O‘ahu. A deputy sheriff with Hawai‘i Department of Safety has tested positive for COVID-19, officials announced Wednesday. Big Island Now.

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52 WWII vets expected for end-of-war commemoration on Oahu as virus worries mount. With a Japanese helicopter destroyer, the battleship Missouri and USS Arizona Memorial behind them, officials announced Wednesday that 52 World War II veterans plan to attend events on Oahu marking the 75th anniversary of the end of the deadliest conflict in human history. Star-Advertiser.

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Ship returns from Great Pacific Garbage Patch with 67 tons of plastic trash. In the fierce midday sun at Kewalo Basin Harbor Wednesday, elephantine mounds of algae-wrapped, tar-stained, red and yellow cordage, poison-green fishing nets and bleached consumer plastics in various stages of decay were being unloaded from the weatherbeaten hull of the tall-masted cargo ship KWAI, which had returned to Honolulu that morning with its hold bearing 67 tons of marine trash collected from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch during 35 days at sea. Star-Advertiser.

67 more tons of marine debris has been removed from the Pacific. Environmentalists chipping away at the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” returned to land Wednesday after 35 days at sea. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council passes construction code: New framework makes one permit for building, electric, plumbing and energy codes. Factory-built housing will continue to be allowed in Hawaii County’s new construction code, but with extra restrictions following a unanimous vote Wednesday by the County Council after a protracted discussion. West Hawaii Today.

Council approves conservation tax incentive measure. The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill to provide tax incentives for property owners to set aside land for conservation purposes. Tribune-Herald.

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Five Hawaii Fire Department personnel sidelined after battalion chief tests positive for COVID-19. The battalion chief was headquartered at the Waikoloa Fire Station and asymptomatic at the time of testing. West Hawaii Today.

HFD Battalion Chief Tests Positive for COVID-19. A Hawai‘i Fire Department Battalion Chief assigned to the 2nd Battalion headquartered at the Waikoloa Fire Station has tested positive for COVID-19. Big Island Now.

Traveling Physician, Nurse Meant For KCH Test Positive For Coronavirus. Two traveling healthcare professionals meant for employment at Kona Community Hospital have tested positive for coronavirus. Big Island Now.

Maui

South Maui affordable housing project heading to full council. Kilohana Makai plans 28 single-family homes near Keawakapu Beach in Kihei. Maui News.

Maui Police Officer Death Investigation Underway. An investigation is underway into the death of a 44-year-old male officer with the Maui Police Department. Maui Now.

Maui-built bio lab prepares for second launch in 2021. Mobile SpaceLab was launched in February and returned in April. A mobile space lab designed and largely fabricated in Central Maui successfully returned from orbit in April, and now the team of engineers and biologists are preparing for its second mission to continue conducting experiments on the International Space Station. Maui News.


Kauai

COVID quarantine violation in Wainiha. Kaua‘i police arrested 64-year-old Michael Rowan of Wainiha on Tuesday for violating Hawai‘i’s 14-day quarantine emergency rules pertaining to COVID-19. Garden Island.

Finding solutions for eroded path. The county is considering four possible courses of action to address erosion on the multi-use Ke Ala Hele Makalae path for a section at Lydgate Park. Garden Island.

Lanai

Oahu workers who went to Lanai positive for virus. Pulama Lana‘i employees who may have been exposed now in quarantine Maui News.

Friday, July 17, 2020

Attorney general defends quarantine enforcement, airport thermal screening to be installed, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations expected to continue rising, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

from Facebook Live
Paul Jones, Deputy Chief for the Department of the Attorney General Investigations Division, left, with Attorney General Clare Connors and Gov. David Ige discuss quarantine enforcement, July 16, 2020
Attorney general fine with compliance from quarantined. State Attorney General Clare Connors, Gov. David Ige and Paul Jones, deputy chief special agent for the Department of the Attorney General Investigations Division, appear pleased with the level of compliance with Ige’s COVID-19 travel quarantine. Star-Advertiser.

State Officials Discuss Quarantine Compliance, Enforcement. State officials are conducting compliance checks on individuals entering the state who are subject to the 14-day quarantine mandate due to COVID-19. Big Island Now.

After Sep. 1, Hawaii may set up hotels for visitors to quarantine in. Once more visitors come, some are asking how the state will keep track of the people who choose not to pre-test and quarantine instead. KHON2.

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Thermal Temperature Screening Equipment to be Installed Immediately at Five Hawai‘i Airports. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has selected NEC Corporation, NEC Corporation of America and their partner, Infrared Cameras Inc., to provide thermal temperature screening and facial imaging technology at Hawaiʻi’s public airports. Maui Now.

Contract awarded for thermal screening, facial recognition at airports. The state Department of Transportation on Thursday announced that a contract to install thermal temperature screening of arriving passengers and facial recognition technology at Hawaii’s public airports will cost taxpayers $37.5 million throughout 10 years. Tribune-Herald.

NEC Corporation Named Hawaiʻi Airport Screening Technology Provider. The State has selected NEC Corporation and their partner, Infrared Cameras Inc., to provide thermal temperature screening and facial imaging technology at Hawaii’s public airports. Big Island Video News.

HDOT selects providers for airport thermal screening equipment. The Hawaii Department of Transportation has selected NEC Corporation and their partner Infrared Cameras Inc. to provide thermal temperature screening and facial imaging technology at Hawaii’s public airports. KHON2.

State selects temperature screening provider for Hawaii airports. The state has officially picked a company to install thermal temperature screening equipment at Hawaii's airports. KITV4.

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As public schools prepare to reopen, lawmakers and teachers remain on edge. Public schools are set to reopen on Aug. 4. But some lawmakers say that’s too soon, citing concerns they’ve received from teachers who feel unsafe and unprepared. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Health Officials Back Superintendent’s Plan To Reopen Schools. State health officials say kids can be in the classroom as long as precautions are taken. But they expect to see an increase in coronavirus cases, too. Civil Beat.

When it comes to reopening Hawaii's public schools next month, the head of the Department of Education says its plan is complex and it's going to be a challenge.  That's what Superintendent Christina Kishimoto told state senators Thursday. KITV4.

Reopening schools discussion ongoing. Thursday, concerns about reopening schools too early were discussed between the Department of Education, Department of Health, and the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 at the State Capitol. Garden Island.

Officials defend school reopening plan. Health Director Bruce Anderson said that the timing seems right for Hawaii’s public schools to reopen as planned on Aug. 4, but authorities will keep tabs on the coronavirus situation and shift gears as needed. Star-Advertiser.

Teaching Today Requires Transformation and Innovation. Interview with Robert Landau, Founder and Strategist, Two Roads Education. Hawaii Business magazine.

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Election ballots going out earlier than expected. Voters statewide began seeing their primary election ballots show up in their mailboxes Wednesday, ahead of the July 21 date that elections officials had been stating they should expect to start seeing the distinctive yellow envelopes. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii unemployment rate improves to 13.9% Hawaii’s unemployment rate improved dramatically to 13.9% in June even as the state grapples with a tourism lockdown that has kept tens of thousands of people out of work due to the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Unemployment Rate Unexpectedly Drops. The numbers released today showed the state unemployment rate going from 23.5% in May to just 13.9% in June, a difference of about 40%. KITV4.

Gov. David Ige hopes gloomy unemployment forecast won’t materialize. A report this week that Hawaii’s once-enviable low unemployment rate probably won’t be seen again until 2029 because of the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the pressure on the state to fund social service programs even in the face of a $2.3 billion budget shortfall, Gov. David Ige said. Star-Advertiser.

Substitute Teachers Face More Hurdles To Summer Unemployment Checks. While most subs are now set to receive payments, the DOE has listed hundreds of others as having denied work they may not have been offered. Civil Beat.

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UH Regents Defer Vote On Budget Planning Proposal. The board is expected to take up the resolution in August. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige names Elefante as acting Tax Director. Damien A. Elefante, who last week was confirmed by the state Senate to serve as chairman of the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board, also will now fill in as acting director of the state Tax Department. Star-Advertiser.

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COVID-19 hospitalizations in Hawaii shoot up as new infections also rise. Hawaii is seeing the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 go up, in a worrisome trend public health officials say they’re watching closely. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawai’i Health Department reported 19 new cases of COVID-19 today. Sixteen cases are on Oahu, and three cases are pending. The number of deaths remains at 22. Hawaii Public Radio.

VIRUS TRACKER — JULY 16: 19 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Clusters continue to grow at Pearl City Nursing Home and Kona Community Hospital. Civil Beat.

Hawaii sees 19 new coronavirus cases as statewide tally rises to 1,311. Today’s new cases include 16 on Oahu and three that are pending identification of residency, according to the state Department of Health’s daily COVID-19 tally. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Debate recap: 5 contenders share why they should be the next Honolulu Mayor. Three political veterans and two newcomers with business backgrounds took to the Hawaii Theatre stage on Thursday for a 90-minute debate. KHON2.

O'ahu businesses to remain open despite rising COVID-19 case numbers. As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said that he has no plans of shutting down gyms, bars or any other businesses. KITV4.

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Honolulu Gets Creative In Efforts To Test Sewage For COVID-19. New partnerships are being formed to address unforeseen challenges of COVID-19 testing. Civil Beat.

City completes significant phase in $82M sewer rehab project. The city announced Thursday that it’s nearing completion of the first phase of a major sewer rehabilitation project that’s required crews tearing up major thoroughfares in the area. Hawaii News Now.

City’s sewer consent decree work moving. City officials marked a milestone in the multibillion dollar effort to upgrade Oahu’s sewer system as part of a consent decree that was reached between the Sierra Club and federal, state and city agencies in 2010. Star-Advertiser.

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Accused crime boss Michael Miske Jr. kept alleged target close. Federal prosecutors allege Oahu businessman Michael Miske Jr. provided a 23-year-old man a place to live “so he could keep tabs on him” in the days leading up to the man’s murder. Star-Advertiser.

Prosecutors to argue alleged crime boss poses ‘grave danger’ to community. Alleged organized crime boss Michael Miske pleaded not guilty Thursday to 17 felony charges, including murder-for-hire, as federal prosecutors seek to argue that he poses a “grave danger” to the community and should remain in custody as he awaits trial. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County seeks proposals to spend $80 million: Fast-tracked bid request to get money on the street. Feed the hungry while supporting local farmers, fishers and restaurants is one goal of millions of dollars worth of grants being offered by the county. West Hawaii Today.

‘We needed to test everybody’: Kona hospital testing all employees, providers after 3 test positive for COVID-19. In a swift reaction to the news that three employees at Kona Community Hospital tested positive for COVID-19, the facility’s entire staff was tested for the coronavirus on Thursday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Unemployment Improves to 23% in June, COVID-19-Related Discrepancies Affecting Counts. In Maui County, the non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 22.6% in June, an improvement from the 34% rate reported last month, but still significantly higher than the 3% rate reported at the same time last year. Maui Now.

Hana and Piilani highways reopen to nonresident traffic. Mayor, residents urge masks, social distance when visiting E. Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Property tax deadline extended. To lessen the hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the County of Kaua‘i has extended the deadline to pay property taxes to November 18, 2020. Garden Island.

Farm Bureau award includes hamburger in distribution. The hamburger, provided by the Hawai‘i Foodbank, Kaua‘i Branch, was made possible through a $5,000 award from the Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau done in May to acquire 1,347 pounds of ground beef from Makaweli Meat Co. Garden Island.