Showing posts with label social distancing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social distancing. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Ige reinstates gathering restrictions, vows to prosecute forged vaccination records, state to get $2.8B in latest federal bailout, NPR's Neal Conan dies in Hawaii, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige announces new restrictions Aug. 10, 2021

Gov. David Ige reinstates restrictions in response to surge in COVID-19 cases. The new executive order, which took effect immediately, limits social gatherings to no more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Bars, restaurants, gyms, churches and other social establishments also must reduce their capacity by 50%. Patrons must remain seated, with 6 feet of distance maintained between parties, and cannot mingle. Masks are required at all times, except when eating or drinking. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. Garden Island. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

State to prosecute traveler who forged vaccination records, warns others of tough penalties. Forging a vaccine card could land someone behind bars. It’s something officials say they’re seeing as travelers look to skirt the quarantine rules and costly tests. KHON2.

Hospitals Near A Breaking Point As Hawaii’s COVID Case Count Grows. Hawaii hospital resources and staff are more stretched than they’ve been at any other point in the pandemic, prompting Hawaii to bring in more medical staff from the mainland to handle the growing COVID-19 cases and other patients. Civil Beat. KHON2.

During first week, 105 COVID cases were tied to public schools. Parents are frustrated. After more than 100 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Hawaii public schools last week, some parents say they want more control and distancing in classrooms. Hawaii News Now.

Social gatherings limited, but ‘professionally organized’ events can still happen. There’s a caveat to Gov. Ige’s latest restrictions on social gatherings: Professionally organized events can still happen with the proper safeguards in place. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii will get a $2.8 billion chunk of the $1.2 trillion in federal investments, which was made possible by today’s passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Hawaii’s senators announced. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii to receive $2.8B with passage of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Neal Conan, Longtime Host Of NPR's 'Talk Of The Nation,' Dies At 71.
  Neal Conan, who spent 36 years with National Public Radio and 11 years as the host of the network's Talk of the Nation died Tuesday in Hawaii of glioblastoma at the age of 71. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii sees 436 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 47,376. Today’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 292 new cases on Oahu, 33 on Maui, 76 on Hawaii Island, 15 on Kauai, three on Molokai and 17 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Meeting with federal prosecutors could mean public corruption probe nearly finished. Assistant United States Attorneys and an FBI agent paid a visit to the Honolulu Prosecutor’s office last month for a meeting that lasted about an hour, sources said. Hawaii News Now.

‘The tensions are very high’: Latest COVID-19 outbreak forces lockdown at Hawaii’s largest prison. The Halawa Correctional Facility has been on lockdown for the past week due a new COVID-19 outbreak at the prison. A total of 48 Halawa inmates have recently tested positive and another 147 have been placed in quarantine because they are suspected of being in contact with other infected inmates. Hawaii News Now.

City to accept 5,000 new rent relief applications from Honolulu residents. The city will accept 5,000 new applications starting at noon Thursday from renters who need relief and are struggling from the COVID- 19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

TheBus Spent $3M on Sanitization Efforts. The City and County of Honolulu has used $3 million of federal funding to sanitize TheBus during the pandemic. Hawaii Public Radio.

Army shifts scoping meetings on Oahu training ranges to online format after Gov. Ige’s executive order. In light of new COVID-19 restrictions announced today by Gov. David Ige, the U.S. Army is shifting its in-person scoping meetings scheduled for today and Wednesday on its plans to retain leased state-owned land on Oahu for military training to an online-only format. Star-Advertiser.

USS Arizona Memorial superintendent position has high turnover. The USS Arizona Memorial, overseen by the National Park Service at the site of Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and one of the state’s most visited attractions, has its fifth superintendent in less than 1-1/2 years’ time. Star-Advertiser.

Hanauma Bay reopens for visits as usual Wednesday. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve will be open as usual Wednesday following Sunday’s sudden closure due to a water outage caused by a broken water main on Kamehameha Highway. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hilo Medical Center full amid latest COVID-19 surge. Two active and three long-term patients occupied five of the hospital’s 11 ICU beds Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Help is on the way: 50 frontline caregivers from the mainland to arrive on Hawaii Island this weekend. Hawaii’s hospitals are being pushed closer to their breaking point. Triage tents have started popping up at some facilities across the state, while the surge in admissions is leaving frontline caregivers exhausted. Hawaii News Now.

No COVID cases at HCCC — for now.
Hawaii Community Correctional Center is free of active COVID-19 cases for now, according to a statement Tuesday by the state Department of Public Safety. Tribune-Herald.

DLNR eyes ‘Love Island’ for impact on wildlife.
Department of Land and Natural Resources investigators will observe the set of “Love Island” this week to determine if the production is having a negative effect on local wildlife. Tribune-Herald.

Groups irked by agricultural theft. Farmers and law enforcement officials expressed their frustrations Monday evening in a community meeting about agricultural theft in Honomu. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Meetings for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Now Virtual on Aug. 11 and 12. This week’s two meetings of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs scheduled to be in person in Kahului now will be hosted virtually for safety reasons due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Hawaiʻi. Maui Now.

DOE: Shots avoid virtual, canceled athletics season. In the wake of Maui and Oahu rallies against state and county vaccination mandates, state Department of Education officials on Monday afternoon said that requiring vaccinations for student athletes is the best way to avoid a virtual or canceled season. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Jail Latest Facility With COVID Outbreak. Widespread testing reveals 31 Kauai Community Correctional Center inmates have the coronavirus. Civil Beat. Garden Island.

State releases $3.18M for sports facilities on Kaua‘i. Over $3 million in state capital improvement project funds has been released to upgrade three sports facilities on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Triple certification for nation’s largest coffee farm. The Kaua‘i Coffee Company, the nation’s largest coffee farm, has earned three certifications guaranteeing increased worker and environmental protections. Garden Island.

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Distance learning discontinued for Hawaii schoolchildren, Maui mayor seeks fewer tourists, Amazon buys Oahu property, harbor tax increase will hit consumers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

from video
Schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto

Limited distance-learning options next fall for public school students. There will be no full distance-learning option for Hawaii public school students when classes begin Aug. 3, although schools may be able to accommodate requests from high-risk families on an individual case basis. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Outgoing DOE Superintendent Plans To Stay In Hawaii. Christina Kishimoto, the outgoing superintendent of Hawaii Department of Education schools, is exploring career avenues outside of educational administration and has no immediate plans to leave the Aloha State after her contract is up July 30, she said Monday. Civil Beat.

Survey: 84% of staff at long-term care facilities in Hawaii are fully vaccinated. There are nearly 50 long-term care facilities across the state, and experts say they’re setting the tone in the fight against COVID-19. Hawaii News Now.

State harbor user fee going up, what does that mean for consumers? The state says the scheduled 3% tariff increase or “user fee” for activities such as port entry and vessel dockage goes into effect on July 1. KHON2.

Hawaii offshore wind farm development in doldrums. Hawaii has long been a national leader in solar energy production, but the state is lagging in a quest to reach a renewable-energy frontier that appeared to be on the horizon several years ago. Star-Advertiser.

Broadband expansion programs advance.
Several programs aimed at improving broadband access statewide are steadily taking shape, a state official said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. government opens comment period for proposed recategorizing of endangered Hawaiian bird. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period for the proposed downlisting of the Hawaiian stilt, or ae‘o, from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Star-Advertiser.

James Campbell Co. retains new CEO, Donald E. Huffner Jr. Huffner, who will start Aug. 1, most recently headed a real estate investment and development firm in Florida. Star-Advertiser.

Some healthcare professionals in Hawaii are concerned about COVID-19 hospitalization numbers.
Healthcare professionals are seeing a disturbing trend in the continued battle against COVID-19. 33 people have been admitted to healthcare facilities so far this month. KITV4.

Hawaii reports 22 new COVID cases; vaccination rate ticks up to 57.6%. Of the new cases, 13 were on Oahu, two on Hawaii Island, and two on Maui. There were also five residents diagnosed out-of-state. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Amazon purchases land on Oahu for Hawaii’s first distribution center. Amazon now owns the 14-acre stretch of land on Auiki Street, and it’s worth more than $76 million. The company says this investment will help with future network needs. KHON2.

HART's Lori Kahikina Talks Rail Progress, Calls Dillingham Utilities a 'Spaghetti Noodle Mess' e Honolulu rail project, planned to stretch from Kapolei to Ala Moana, is moving toward the critical final leg through Honolulu's urban core. Hawaii Public Radio.

City conducts surveys for feedback about Storm Water Master Plan. The City and County of Honolulu is now collecting input from the public as it develops a Storm Water Master Plan, designed to guide management, programs and investments for the next 50 years. Star-Advertiser.

Harsher penalties wanted for landlords, renters who house illegal gambling rooms. HPD says it's monitoring anywhere between 60 to 80 active game rooms, but the actual number is believed to be much higher. KITV4.

How Hawaii Schools Are Weaving Connections With Pacific Islander Students. A new arts pilot program at two Honolulu-area middle schools demonstrates how cultural programming can foster better ties. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island


Search to begin for new HR chief. Hawaii County is in search of a new Human Resources director after the resignation of Bill Brilhante, who leaves his post Thursday to work in his family’s business. West Hawaii Today.

VA audit finds upkeep at Hilo’s veterans cemeteries lacking, seeks review of all in state. In Hawaii County, Hilo’s two veterans cemeteries and West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery are maintained by the county Department of Parks and Recreation. Tribune-Herald.

Manao sought on mooring plans for manta viewing sites. Public comment is being sought by the state on plans to install day-use mooring bouys at two popular manta ray diving sites off the Kona Coast. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui mayor’s appeal to airlines: At least for now, please bring us fewer visitors. To combat overtourism and congestion at the airports, Maui Mayor Michael Victorino is asking airline officials to reduce passenger capacity to the island. Hawaii News Now.

In historic decision, commission fundamentally changes water distribution system in West Maui. In a historic decision and ruling over water rights in West Maui, the distribution system that was controlled by sugar plantations for decades is finally changing. The Hawaii Commission on Water Resources Management came up with the plan to manage the Waihe’e River, Waiehu Stream, Wailuku River and Waikapu Stream. Hawaii News Now.

Retired Judge Rhonda Loo Installs MEO Board of Directors for 2021-22. At the first in-person, socially distanced board meeting since the pandemic began in late March 2020, the slate of officers was approved by the 21-member board. The officers for the upcoming fiscal year are: Bard Peterson, president; Carol Reimann, vice president; Adele Rugg, secretary; and Cliff Alakai, treasurer. Maui Now.

Supreme Court Decision Came Too Late For Maui Residents Fighting Housing Development. The ruling could have statewide implications, as it narrows the limits of what planning and zoning exemptions are permissible for a fast-track affordable housing development. Civil Beat.

County Joins Police in Removing 41 Vehicles Abandoned Near Kanahā in Kahului, Maui. The Maui Police Department and Maui County’s Department of Environmental Management’s Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division have joined forces to remove 41 abandoned vehicles from Amala Place roadsides near Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary and the County’s Wailuku-Kahului Wastewater Reclamation Facility in Kahului. Maui Now. KHON2.

Kauai

DOH investigates 2 clusters. In the last two weeks, the state Department of Health has identified two active COVID-19 clusters on Kaua‘i, one associated with a restaurant and another a place of worship. Garden Island.

Hui to assume management of Ha‘ena State Park. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources approved a one-year, revocable permit for the nonprofit Hui Maka‘ainana o Makana to oversee and manage a park-reservation system, including collecting both parking and entry fees as well as an integrated shuttle system that will reduce the number of cars that enter the park each day. Garden Island.

Friday, March 27, 2020

Airports empty as traveler quarantine begins, COVID-19 cases pass 100, surge hospitals planned, unemployment claims skyrocket, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2020 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Honolulu International Airport ©2020 All Hawaii News
A noticeably empty airport marks Day 1 of Hawaii’s travel quarantine rules. Thursday marked the first full day of the state’s new rules requiring all travelers on incoming international and mainland flights to Hawaii to go into a 14-day quarantine at hotels or places of residence. Hawaii News Now.

Arriving passengers face 14 days of mandatory quarantine, based on the honor system. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Travelers Quarantine: ‘I Think I Might Go Insane’. Returning residents and visitors who landed at the Honolulu airport say they will abide by the state’s quarantine order, even if they’re not happy about it. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Visitor Counts Plummet As 14-Day Quarantine Enacted. Transportation department spokesperson Tim Sakahara explained the process now in effect for visitors arriving to the islands by air. Big Island Video News.

Hawai‘i Arrivals By Air Drop to 797 on Neighbor Islands. The number of people – both residents and visitors – arriving in Hawaiʻi daily by air has significantly dropped over the past week. Maui Now.

State begins enforcing 14-day quarantine order for arriving travelers. The state’s new policy of quarantining air travelers for two weeks already has reduced visitation rates to a trickle. Tribune-Herald.

As Quarantine Kicks In, Hawai‘i Arrivals Plummet. A 14-day quarantine of all visitors and returning residents to the state of Hawai‘i went into effect Thursday, coinciding with a drastic decline in passengers arriving by plane to the state. Big Island Now.

State: random calls can be made to make sure visitors who just arrived are quarantined in hotel rooms. With this 14-day quarantine for arrivals in place, how are hotels and taxis handling the latest arrivals to Hawaii. KHON2.

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Hawaii COVID-19 Cases Surpass 100. On Thursday, 11 new cases were documented in the islands. The state Department of Health said three of those appeared to be from localized community transmission rather than travel-related. Civil Beat.

Cases Stand At 106; Convention Center, Blaisdell Eyed For Care Sites. Hawaii's coronavirus case count now stands at 106, according to the state health department's latest update. The number represents an increase of 11 cases from yesterday. Oahu has 77 cases, Maui 14, Kauai 5 and the Big Island 5. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Surpasses 100 Cases of Coronavirus. Cases of coronavirus tipped into the triple digits Thursday, as Hawai‘i confirmed 11 new infections over the last 24 hours. Big Island Now.

Hawai‘i Coronavirus Total Now 106, Includes 11 New Positive. As of noon on Thursday, March 26, 2020, the state total count of positive coronavirus cases was 106, including 8 new cases on Oʻahu; one new case on Maui; and two cases of residents of the state of Hawaiʻi who were diagnosed outside of the state.  Maui’s island count is now 14. Maui Now.

In new cases, state finds evidence of coronavirus community transmission. The state says at least three of the 11 new coronavirus cases announced Thursday don’t have a link to recent travel, indicating a widening transmission of the virus in the community. Hawaii News Now.

At least three COVID-19 cases show signs of community transmission. The Department of Health director said more than 80% of the presumptive positive cases for COVID-19 are travel-related, but on Thursday they announced a few cases that could be from community transmission. KHON2.

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Hawaii Health Workers Are Already Running Low On Protective Gear. Some more rural Hawaii hospitals say their normal vendors are rationing supplies. Civil Beat.

Hawaii officials are preparing for a surge in demand for medical care due to the new coronavirus and are considering converting the Hawai‘i Convention Center and Neal S. Blaisdell Center into health care facilities. Star-Advertiser.

Two passengers from Grand Princess die from COVID-19. Two passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship have died from the coronavirus. That vessel docked at four Hawaiian islands between February 26, 2020 and March 1, 2020. Since docking in Califonia on March 9th more than 100 people have tested positive. KITV4.

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Hawaii unemployment fund will run out, but safety net awaits. The floodgates haven’t opened wide yet, but the pool of state unemployment insurance money is about to start draining at an incredibly fast rate — so fast that the roughly $600 million fund could be dry several months from now. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Jobless Claims Top 80,000 As Coronavirus Sinks The Economy. Nationwide, the federal Department of Labor reported 3 million more unemployment claims last week, dwarfing the previous high from 1982. Civil Beat.

Local Unemployment Surges, Surpassing 2019 In A Single Day. More than 60,000 new unemployment claims have been filed in Hawaii since March 1st. Workers in the restaurant and hotel industries have been some of the hardest hit. Hawaii Public Radio.

Due to flood of new claims, processing for new unemployment checks could take a month. The state is overwhelmed by the massive influx of new claims: 82,963 this month so far and 67,071 just this week alone. Hawaii News Now.

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Supply Chain Continues Uninterrupted, But Why Are Store Shelves Still Empty? Shipping operations are continuing uninterrupted to the state. Yet empty shelves are an increasingly common sight in local grocery stores. Hawaii Public Radio.

State to identify inmates that may be released from prison amid COVID-19 concerns. The Department of the Attorney General said efforts are underway to identify certain inmates that may be released from prison. KHON2.

Hawaii Homeless Shelters Scrambling As Coronavirus Outbreak Expands. Hawaii’s stay-at-home order and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for social distancing are prompting groups serving the homeless to make adjustments as the number of coronavirus cases increase in the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

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State Leaders: We Need To Work Together To Fight The Virus. Medical professionals are aligned with state efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige, Lt. Gov. Josh Green meet to smooth over coronavirus management issues. After a tense few months, Gov. David Ige and his Lt. Gov. Josh Green are now working together to stop the coronavirus from spreading in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

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Fish prices plummet as coronavirus pandemic cripples industry and idles boats. As the coronavirus pandemic ripples through Hawaii’s economy, the state’s fishing industry is taking a severe hit. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii military deployments upended by coronavirus. The potential for the fast-moving virus to spread in the close quarters of ship-based crews had the Navy send the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt to Guam today to test all 5,000 aboard. Star-Advertiser.

Coronavirus Is Spiking Levels Of Anxiety, Panic And Stress. Mental health professionals are increasing doses or seeing patients more often. People with no history of psychiatric symptoms are also struggling. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu police issue 70 citations as stay-at-home orders are enforced statewide. Honolulu police have issued 70 citations and made two arrests for violating the stay-at-home orders put in place to try to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, with most of those people cited in public parks after ignoring officers’ instructions to leave, according to a police spokeswoman. Star-Advertiser.

Family of young Hawaii coronavirus patient pleads: Heed ‘stay-at-home’ warnings. Coby Torda is in the ICU at Kaiser Moanalua and requires a ventilator to breathe. Earlier this month he was diagnosed with coronavirus and quickly deteriorated. The 37-year old Ewa Beach man was in good health before contracting the virus. Hawaii News Now.

Wahiawa General Hospital employee tests positive for coronavirus. In a memo to employees today, CEO Brian Cunningham said the hospital directed the employee not to return to work and to seek follow-up care. Star-Advertiser.

An employee at Wahiawa General Hospital tests positive for COVID-19. Wahiawa General Hospital has confirmed that one of its employees has tested positive for COVID-19. KITV4.

State allows MS Regatta to refuel at Honolulu Harbor. It does not have any passengers on board, no crew members will disembark, and according to the state there's no cases of the coronavirus on that ship. KITV4.

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City officials team up with farmers to bring produce to you. Oahu residents will be able to purchase fresh produce and meat directly from farmers and ranchers without getting out of their cars under a plan unveiled Thursday by Mayor Kirk Caldwell and agricultural leaders. Star-Advertiser.

Having farmers market withdrawals? You can now get the same goods online. The city unveiled a more convenient way for Oahu residents to get their fresh produce during the stay-at-home, work-from-home order. Hawaii News Now.

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Mother and baby murder could be just the start of more domestic abuse cases during stay-at-home order. KHON2.

Advocates fear for domestic violence victims who must shelter in place following double homicide in Ewa Beach. Advocates say they fear for domestic violence victims as Hawaii’s mandated stay-at-home order continues through April 30. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii  Island

3 face enhanced charges due to COVID-19 emergency declarations. The COVID-19 emergencies declared by Gov. David Ige and Mayor Harry Kim allow for enhanced charges for certain crimes. Tribune-Herald.

Ali‘i Health to Host COVID-19 Pop-Up Clinics Every Saturday. Ali‘i Health Center will host a COVID-19 pop-up clinic at Old Kona Airport this coming Saturday, March 28, 2020. Big Island Now.

Books for kids: Kona Stories working to get educational materials to out-of-school at-risk students. With schools shut down, a local book store is spearheading an effort to get educational materials to at-risk students forced to stay home due to the coronavirus pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

COVID-19 funding, tax cuts in mayor’s budget. $869.8M proposal reduces homeowner taxes, keeps utility rates same. A new county budget forged in the middle of a public health and financial crisis calls for funding to fight the coronavirus and trims homeowner taxes to help struggling residents. Maui News.

Army Corps to Scope Out Potential Conversion Facility For Overflow Medical Care on Maui. The US Army Corps of Engineers in Hawaiʻi is moving forward with a FEMA mission to look at buildings across the state that could be quickly converted to alternate care facilities if medical needs outpace the current facilities available, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui Now.

Companies respond to hand sanitizer shortage. Two Maui-based companies that normally produce alcoholic beverages are now also making hand sanitizer, a product that’s been in high demand and hard to get in Maui stores due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui News.

MPD: ‘The ocean is not closed’. Beachgoers question new rules and coastal access. Social distancing is possible — even when there’s surf, county officials said Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai

KPD starts stay-at-home enforcement. The Kaua‘i Police Department has set up checkpoints around the island to ensure residents and tourists are adhering to rules set in place by Mayor Derek Kawakami and Gov. David Ige. Garden Island.

KPD prepping more drone use. The department’s small Unmanned Aircraft System arm has been given the go-ahead to procure a software license for mapping software by the Kaua‘i County Council at its meeting on Mar. 25. Garden Island.