Radar, missile defense mulled for Hawaii; Ige allows flower deliveries, one more COVID-19 death, chipping away at unemployment backlog, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 Medium-range ballistic missile target is launched Aug. 29, 2017, from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, Hawaii. PC: Department of Defense

U.S. military in the Pacific: Officials seek to ‘regain the advantage’ against China, Russia. Amid complaints of Pacific neglect, efforts are underway to restore funding for a powerful $1.9 billion defensive radar in Hawaii, potentially add two types of defensive missile capability in the Aloha State for North Korean threats and create an “Indo-Pacific Deterrence Initiative” modeled on a similar European effort. Star-Advertiser.

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Less than one-third of Hawaii’s unemployment claims have been paid since March 1. DLIR has processed 181,846, or 82%, of the unique filings but so far has paid claims for only 65,252 filings. Star-Advertiser.

State makes progress in processing jobless claims; $116.5M already paid out in April. The state is starting to make headway in processing and paying a staggering amount of jobless filings, according to statistics provided by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Tribune-Herald.

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A top state economist is optimistic that some businesses could reopen in a month. Carl Bonham, director of the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, told lawmakers Monday that a survey conducted with the Chamber of Commerce collected data from 623 businesses. Hawaii News Now.

COVID-19 has uneven impact on Hawaii businesses. A survey of Hawaii businesses showed about 220,000 full- and part-time jobs in the state have been lost since January with some industries down more than 80% while others have cut jobs by less than 1%. Star-Advertiser.

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Gov. Ige reverses his decision and allows flower shops to make deliveries for Mother’s Day. After taking some heat on his decision to block flower shops from opening for Mother’s Day deliveries, Gov. David Ige announced Monday that moms in Hawaii will be getting their flowers after all. Star-Advertiser.

Governor changes his mind on flower deliveries, giving florists OK to operate ‘safely’. In a case of political whiplash, the governor on Monday announced that flower deliveries would be allowed after all starting Friday, as long as social distancing was followed. Hawaii News Now.

Florists reopening opens door to Mother’s Day and graduation sales. Governor David Ige announced Monday that florists will be allowed to reopen businesses on May 1st, just in time for Mother’s Day. KHON2.

Governor Ige allows florists to open operations on May 1. This requires compliance with the social distancing requirements. KITV4.

Hawai‘i Florists to Re-Open in Time for Mother’s Day. One narrow corner of Hawai‘i economy will open on May 1, a full 30 days ahead of the current end to Gov. David Ige’s mandatory lockdown period. Big Island Now.

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Hawaii is expected to see $7 billion or more in federal support. Hawaii is in line to receive close to $7 billion in various kinds of federal assistance to help it survive the coronavirus pandemic and to help with what is expected to be a long slog to an economic recovery, according to U.S. Rep. Ed Case. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Nonprofits Want More Say In How State Spends Federal Virus Aid. More than 60 nonprofits want the state to expand its safety net to help immigrants and other marginalized groups. Civil Beat.

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16th patient with COVID-19 dies in Hawaii; number of new cases continues downward trend. A 16th person with COVID-19 has died in Hawaii, authorities confirmed, saying the woman had been hospitalized since early April. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s coronavirus death toll now at 16, as total COVID-19 cases rise by 1 to 607. The Health Department said this afternoon that the latest confirmed coronavirus case in Hawaii today is an employee of the Maui Memorial Medical Center, which has been the site of nearly 60 infections of both hospital workers and patients. Star-Advertiser.

One More COVID-19 Case And One Death. On Monday, another person on Oahu had died because of complications related to the coronavirus called COVID-19. Civil Beat.

One New Case, One New Death. An Oʻahu woman, over 65 years old with underlying health conditions, is the 16th death reported in connection to the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Video News.

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Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders Face Higher Rates of COVID-19 . Anyone can be infected with the coronavirus, but data coming out of several states – including Hawaiʻi – show Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have higher rates of contracting COVID-19. Hawaii Public Radio.

What Should Hawaii’s Schools Look Like After The Pandemic? Educators see the coronavirus as an opportunity to rewrite the education playbook. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Police Commission to hold second secret meeting. The Honolulu Police Commission on Wednesday will hold its second secret meeting since the Sunshine Law was temporarily waived as part of Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Kahuku wind farm challenge fails; appeal is sought. The state Public Utilities Commission recently rejected a bid to upend a controversial wind farm project in Kahuku. Star-Advertiser.

City’s ambitious COVID-19 testing plan in limbo as state raises new concerns. The Caldwell administration’s plan to ramp up coronavirus testing on Oahu is in limbo. In a new letter, the state health director slams the company that the mayor chose to purchase $2 million worth of test kits from, saying it has a history of problems. Hawaii News Now.

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City’s plan to save Haiku Stairs is accepted. The tremendously popular but illegal staircase up a Windward Oahu mountainside nicknamed the “Stairway to Heaven” has a chance to live on under city ownership. Star-Advertiser.

‘Stairway to Heaven’ to be transferred to the City and County of Honolulu. The Board of Water Supply’s board members voted unanimously Monday to transfer the famous Haiku Stairs, also known as Stairway to Heaven, to the City and County of Honolulu. Hawaii News Now.

Board of Water Supply votes to transfer Haiku Stairs to city. Haiku Stairs, or “Stairway to Heaven”, will not be torn down. KHON2.

Board of Water Supply votes to transfer management of Haiku Stairs to the city. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply has voted to transfer management of Haiku Stairs and surrounding land to the City and County of Honolulu. KITV4.

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City clears homeless on Dillingham Blvd. The city cleared out the homeless along a portion of Dillingham Boulevard Monday morning. The city had paused enforcement for several weeks following guidelines from the CDC. KHON2.

Christopher McLaren identified as target of Punahou alumna’s lawsuit over alleged sexual misconduct. A lawsuit filed confidentially against Punahou School last week was unsealed Monday, revealing that the former teacher and coach accused of sexual misconduct with a student in the late 1970s is Christopher McLaren. Star-Advertiser.

Salons and barbershops are anxious to reopen. Prior to the mandated emergency orders brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, Cosmic Beauty, a full-service salon at the Kapolei Village Center, bustled with dozens of clients a day. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kim pulls papers for Mayor to join a potential 19-person race. There are 19 possible candidates for Hawaii County Mayor–so far.   The latest to pull the candidate filing form is Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim, as noted in the most recent candidate report from Friday, April 24. KWXX.

Mayor Harry Kim to Seek Reelection. Harry Kim will seek a fourth term as Hawai‘i County Mayor. Big Island Now.

Accessibility improvements proposed for Laaloa Beach Park. Hawaii County is proposing a host of accessibility improvements for Laaloa Beach Park, also known as Magic Sands Beach Park, in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Kohala distillery making hand sanitizer to help fight COVID-19. Kuleana Rum Works shifted its focus from making rum to producing hand sanitizer. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Medical provider tests positive. Provider has worked exclusively at Maui Memorial Medical Center since Dec. 31. Maui News.

Maui Health Confirms Positive Test Result for Maui Medical Group Provider. Maui Health today confirmed that a Maui Medical Group provider who provides care to patients at Maui Memorial Medical Center has tested positive for COVID-19. Maui Now.

Mandatory water cutbacks ordered for Central Maui. Four Department of Water Supply wells in Wailuku and Waihee — with the capacity to produce a quarter of Central Maui’s demand — are out of commission, prompting the water director to call for mandatory water cutbacks for users in the area beginning Sunday. Maui News.

Maui Stage 1 Water Shortage Declared, 10% Reduced Usage Ordered for Wailuku, Kahului & Pā‘ia. Because of a water pump failure over the weekend, the department is requiring residents of Wailuku, Kahului and Pāʻia to cut back water usage by at least 10 percent beginning May 3 and until further notice. Maui Now.

Kauai

KIFB gets help. Kelvin Moniz of the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank was excited about the free work being done by Teddy Arroyo and the Arroyo Plumbing crew, Monday. Garden Island.

Another dead monk seal. An adult female Hawaiian monk seal has been found dead on Ha‘ena Beach in Kaua‘i, reported to officials Saturday, April 25, the same day the well-known monk seal Honey Girl’s body was removed from a windward beach on O‘ahu. Garden Island.

Another COVID-19 death, Ige's 6th emergency proclamation extends lockdown, takes away county authority, prohibits florist deliveries, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii florist at farmers market ©2020 All Hawaii News

Ige’s reversal halts delivery of Mother’s Day flowers. Hawaii florists are the latest group to be swept into confusion by Gov. David Ige’s administration in response to the new coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Ige rescinds exemption for florists, saying he wasn’t aware permission was given. Days after giving florists the green light to open up for Mother’s Day, the state is backtracking, leaving many confused ahead of Mother’s Day. Hawaii News Now.

Flower shops cannot deliver during quarantine. Much confusion over whether florists can or cannot operate, even on a limited basis, has many frustrated - especially in the lead up to Mother's Day. KITV4.

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Hawaii’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order and traveler quarantines extended to May 31. Ige also said all county mayors must now obtain my approval, or the approval of the director of Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, prior to issuing any emergency order, rule, or proclamation. Star-Advertiser.

Governor extends stay-at-home order, quarantine for travelers through May 31. In a decision that was largely expected but nonetheless will be a major blow to thousands of shuttered Hawaii businesses struggling to stay afloat, the governor has extended the statewide stay-at-home order along with the mandatory quarantine for travelers through May 31. Hawaii News Now.

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Ige limits independent power of county mayors in latest proclamation. Part of Gov. Ige’s sixth supplementary proclamation changes the ability of the counties to independently form emergency response policies going forward. Hawaii News Now.

Counties Now Need Approval of Governor or HIEMA Before Issuing Emergency Rules, Order or Proclamations. As the state and counties issue their own emergency rules, discrepancies have surfaced over the course of the pandemic, resulting in confusion over beach use, temporary curfews and stay-at-home orders to name a few. Maui Now.

Counties will need approval from Governor or HIEMA before implementing new rules. On Saturday, Governor David Ige said his latest supplemental proclamation requires the counties to provide the state copies of future rules and they require his approval. KHON2.

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Ige Extends Stay-At-Home Order, Quarantines To May 31. The governor said some restrictions could be eased earlier in May, depending on factors such as hospital resources. Civil Beat.

Gov Extends Orders To May 31; Cases At 604, Up 3; DOT Arrivals Process Tightens. Hawaii Gov. David Ige today extended his mandatory 14-day quarantine and stay-at-home orders through May 31, saying the state is not out of the woods yet. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Stay-At-Home Order Extended To End Of May. A new proclamation also extends the 14-day quarantine for air travelers, while allowing exercise on state beaches. Big Island Video News.

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Visitors To Hawaii To Undergo New Verification Process. An airport representative "will call their mobile phone number to confirm it rings right in front of them," among other new procedures for visitors. Big Island Video News.

Here’s how the state is beefing up traveler quarantine measures. The state announced new measures it’ll be taking to make sure visitors to Hawaii are abiding by the mandatory 14-day quarantine. One of those measures is enhanced screening to be done when visitors get off the plane at airports. Hawaii News Now.

Read full text of Gov. David Ige's 6th supplementary proclamation HERE.

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Oahu man with COVID-19 dies, raising Hawaii’s coronavirus death toll to 15. An Oahu man infected with COVID-19 died Sunday evening, raising Hawaii’s coronavirus death toll to 15, state Department of Health officials announced. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu man hospitalized for COVID-19 dies, bringing death toll from virus in Hawaii to 15. An Oahu man who has been hospitalized since early March after apparently contracting COVID-19 through community spread died Sunday, the state Health Department said. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu man dies Sunday night of COVID-19, state death toll rises to 15. The Hawaii Department of Health reported the 15th death associated with COVID-19 Sunday night, April 26. KHON2.

COVID-19 kills a 15th person in Hawaii, DOH confirms. The 15th death associated with the coronavirus in the state was reported by the Hawai‘i Dept. of Health Sunday night. KITV4.

Hawai‘i Coronavirus Total Now 606: 2 New Cases, Maui Total is 112. As of noon on Sunday, April 26, 2020, there are 606 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 2 new cases, including one additional case each on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island.  Both new cases are minors below the age of 18. Maui Now.

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Inside Hawaii’s Ambitious Mobile Virus-Testing Operation. Dozens of health care workers, many of them volunteers, have been traveling all over the state to test as many people as possible. Next up: homeless camps. Civil Beat.

COVID-19 pause gives Hawaii a chance to restore tourism balance. The COVID-19-related collapse of Hawaii’s tourism could lead to greater public appreciation for an industry that supported more than 200,000 jobs last year. But that’s going to take time. Star-Advertiser.

Mai Hele Mai campaign urges tourists to stay away from Hawaii. More than 1,500 visitors have come to the Aloha state in the last two weeks, according to numbers from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. A new campaign called Mai Hele Mai is urging visitors to stay away from Hawaii to help reduce the spreed of COVID-19. KITV4.

Visitor arrivals near 4,000 since quarantine order in place. As of Saturday, 3,897 trans-Pacific visitors arrived in Hawaii since the quarantine order took effect March 26. That’s an average of 125 visitors arriving in the islands over the past 31 days. Star-Advertiser.

State Discusses ‘Soft Reopening’ as Unemployment Funds Dwindle. Hawai‘i may not begin reopening in May as initially planned, but discussions on what a reopening would look like are well underway. Big Island Now.

Some fear liberties will be lost in Hawaii’s COVID-19 pandemic orders. Government officials appear to be doing a good job of limiting the damage of the coronavirus pandemic in Hawaii, recording among the lowest COVID-19 infection and death rates in the country. But at what price. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Supreme Court order mandates quicker release of non-violent inmates. An order issued late Friday by the Hawaii Supreme Court suggests that justices are unhappy with how lower court judges, prosecutors and the state Department of Public Safety have been carrying out the high court’s edict to release more inmates quickly in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Safety checks for registration renewals waived temporarily. Oahu motorists who renew their annual vehicle registration can now do so electronically without a valid safety check at least through May 31. Star-Advertiser.

Immigrants And Others Struggle Applying For Hawaii Jobless Benefits. Those who don’t speak English, don’t have computers or lack bank accounts hit barriers using the swamped system. Civil Beat.

Losing party in Meadow Gold sale alleges misdeeds.  former owner of Foremost Dairies-Hawaii has emerged as the tentative buyer for a portion of Meadow Gold Hawaii, the state’s largest dairy processor. Star-Advertiser.

2 more Hawaii newspapers announce one less day of traditional print. Both the Hawaii Tribune Herald on Hawaii Island, and the Garden Island Newspaper on Kauai informed their readers that they would only produce digital editions on Saturdays. Regular papers will still be produced throughout the other days of the week. The change begins on May 9. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

The Trash That Fuels Oahu’s Power Plant Is Vanishing As Fast As The Tourists. That could prove costly for the city, which must send tons of trash to the H-Power facility or face financial penalties. Civil Beat.

4 more Punahou alumnae accuse teachers of sex abuse. Punahou School acknowledged the four new sexual misconduct allegations against former teachers and coaches in a mass email distributed Sunday afternoon to the “Punahou community.” Star-Advertiser.

Decision to be made today on fate of ‘Stairway to Heaven’. The future of the Haiku Stairs is expected to be decided by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply today, and the public is being asked to weigh in. Star-Advertiser.

National Heritage designation is proposed for Kaena Point. Hawaii U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Tulsi Gabbard have proposed a study of Kaena Point for potential designation as the state’s first National Heritage Area. Star-Advertiser.

Well-Known Monk Seal Found Dead On Oahu’s Windward Side. COVID-19 restrictions prevented a post-mortem exam to determine the cause of death for R5AY, or Honey Girl. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Despite pandemic, some continue camping on Maunakea. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down businesses and gatherings worldwide, a few holdouts are still camping alongside the Maunakea Access Road. Tribune-Herald.

UH mulls changes to Maunakea management structure. The University of Hawaii is investigating possible new management structures for governing Maunakea lands in an effort to improve its stewardship of the mountain. Tribune-Herald.

A shot in the arm: Council members push programs to help beleaguered businesses. Two Hawaii County Council members are working on programs to bring fast relief to small businesses and farmers reeling from the economic downturn brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

$61 million slated for Puna roads. The county is receiving $61 million in federal funding to repair lava-inundated roads in lower Puna, but a timeline for when the next road can be restored has yet to be established. Tribune-Herald.

2018 Eruption Caused By Inflation, Not Rain, HVO Says. Was the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea volcano caused by heavy rainfall? Scientists on the island say there was another, more likely cause. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Restaurant: ‘It was a public service to come forward’ after outbreak. Merriman’s had three workers test positive. A well-known Maui restaurant typically at the forefront of fine dining is now leading the way when it comes to public disclosure in the era of coronavirus. Maui News.

Nearly 50-year-old Maui firm is closing. Distributor Tanikai hit by economic impacts of novel coronavirus. Maui News.

With tourism on furlough, Hawaii’s whales are enjoying some needed rest from constant scrutiny. Hotel occupancy on Maui, the most popular island for whale watching, declined 40% from March 2019. Star-Advertiser.


Kauai

Mayor a national celebrity. Mayor Derek Kawakami earlier this month introduces his latest “Stay Home, Kaua‘i” video aimed at keeping his county informed and entertained after implementing a curfew to help curb the spread of coronavirus. Garden Island.

It's a good week to be a florist

HONOLULU -- The economy might be in the toilet, but at least it’s a good week for florists.

The halls of the state Capitol are awash in bright colors and sweet scents today, as cartfuls of floral arrangements, potted plants, Kona coffee, cookies and gift baskets began arriving for lawmakers, who hold the opening day of the 25th Legislative Session tomorrow.

It’s a 60-day session in Hawaii, but with breaks and mandatory recesses, it stretches from the third Wednesday in January – Jan. 21 this year -- until May 7.

Family, friends and fans of the 72 elected lawmakers like to say it with flowers, but many add sweet treats to the mix. It's not unusual to see the more popular -- read powerful -- lawmakers receive a dozen or more arrangements, but they're allowed to choose only two to put on their desks in the chambers, so as not to look untoward.

Not counting the stacks of lei that will be brought in tomorrow, floral arrangements and such will easily exceed four figures and probably move into serious money. Lobbyists, for example, report spending about $5 million a year to influence legislation.

Not that any lawmaker would accept a gift if he or she thought it was given to influence legislation. That’s just against the law.

According to and the state Code of Ethics:

“No legislator or employee shall solicit, accept, or receive, directly or indirectly, any gift, whether in the form of money, service, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing, or promise, or in any other form, under circumstances in which it can reasonably be inferred that the gift is intended to influence the legislator or employee in the performance of the legislator's or employee's official duties or is intended as a reward for any official action on the legislator's or employee's part.”

The code goes on to explain the forms used to report gifts. Hawaii law allows legislators to accept an unlimited number of gifts, as long as they report each gift alone or ijn the aggregate from a single source valued at more than $200.