Cruise ship from Hawaii tested for coronavirus, Hawaii senator asks airlines to pitch in for airport screening, cellphone towers nixed, tour helicopter crash-lands on Big Island, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hula kupuna at Hawaii festival ©2020 All Hawaii News

State: Kupuna should prepare for self-isolation if coronavirus outbreak hits Hawaii. Seniors are particularly at risk when it comes to the coronavirus. That’s why Lt. Gov. Josh Green says he has already reached out to state agencies that deal with the elderly to determine safety measures. Hawaii News Now.

Stuck at sea, cruise ship passengers off San Francisco after Hawaii visit await coronavirus test results. A military helicopter crew lowered test kits Friday onto the 951-foot Grand Princess by rope and later retrieved them for analysis at a lab as the vessel lay at sea off San Francisco, under orders to keep its distance from shore. Princess Cruises said 45 people were selected for testing. Associated Press.

Coronavirus: Cruise Ship In Limbo Off California After A Former Passenger Died. Eleven passengers and 10 crew members were showing symptoms of COVID-19 on the ship en route from Hawaii. Hawaii Public Radio.

Cruise ship en route from Hawaii to San Francisco is held off California coast for coronavirus testing. Scrambling to keep the coronavirus at bay, officials ordered a cruise ship with about 3,500 people aboard to stay back from the California coast today until passengers and crew can be tested, after a traveler from its previous voyage died of the disease and at least two others became infected. Associated Press.

Cruise ship visiting Maui linked to virus. Two on previous voyage test positive; 50 continue to Hawaii. More than 50 passengers aboard a cruise ship that anchored off Lahaina on Friday were possibly exposed to the novel coronavirus on a previous voyage. Maui News.

The Westerdam, which was caught up in coronavirus outbreak, is headed for Honolulu. Another cruise ship that was caught up in the global coronavirus response is headed for Honolulu. Holland America’s Westerdam was denied entry to several ports in Southeast Asia last month after one passenger tested positive for the virus. Hawaii News Now.

Depth Of Hawaii’s Economic Pain Hinges On Length Of Virus Outbreak. How long it takes to get the coronavirus to run its course will make the difference between a short-term hiccup and serious economic woes, says a University of Hawaii economist. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senator wants airlines to offset COVID-19 screening costs. A Hawaii state senator wants to improve airport screening for the new coronavirus and pay for it with increased airport landing fees if necessary. Star-Advertiser.

EPA Releases List of Disinfectants to Use Against COVID-19. Today, the US Environmental Protection Agency released a list of EPA-registered disinfectant products that have qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Maui Now.

View the list of EPA-registered disinfectant products here.

County mayors ask public to reconsider how they greet one another. Hawaii Mayor Harry Kim and Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said they’re taking extra steps to keep public areas clean amid COVID-19 concerns. KHON2.

Some stores limiting items, state recommends buying only what you need. In light of the rush to buy supplies last week, which left behind many empty shelves, some stores like Costco now have a purchasing limit on certain items. KHON2.

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Senate Passes Ban On Side Gigs For Mayors And Governor. House Bill 361 would affect all county mayors and the governor after 2022. Civil Beat.

Potty Parity: Should Women Have More Public Toilets Than Men? The Legislature is considering a bill that would ensure women have double the number of toilets than men do at public venues across Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Researchers say runoff impacts reefs. While the Trump Administration is eyeing new protections for Hawai‘i’s cauliflower coral, researchers with the University of Hawai‘i have uncovered clues as to how land use affects the sea creatures. Garden Island.

Cultural practitioners scramble to save limu as it faces new threats in a warmer world. Limu, a staple on Hawaii tables, is starting to disappear. Conservationists say climate change and improper harvesting are impacting limu supplies. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Vehicle owners will be cited for illegal dumping. A new city ordinance signed into law Thursday will allow the city to cite owners of vehicles if their cars or trucks are involved in illegal dumping. Star-Advertiser.

New illegal dumping law starts July 1. Some new rules are coming to Oahu in an effort to crack down on illegal dumping. Starting July 1, the city will no longer need an employee to see someone dumping to go after them. KHON2.

Coronavirus Is Causing A New Set Of Problems For Honolulu Rail. The outbreak has created trouble for Hitachi’s supply chain. Civil Beat.

State faces more challenges clearing mass dumping ground in Wahiawa. A week ago dozens of law enforcement officers from multiple agencies conducted a sweep of the area off of Kamehameha Highway between Kamanui Road and Whitmore Avenue. KHON2.

Lead-removal project in Kalihi is completed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it has finished its removal of lead-contaminated soil from beneath a part of Factory Street in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood. Star-Advertiser.

Lucky kupuna win lottery for affordable apartments in Kapolei. With a computer keystroke from a Kapolei office building, Brandon Hegland made many Hawaii senior citizens happy Thursday as winners in an affordable- housing lottery. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Cell tower permits denied for AT&T projects in Kurtistown, HPP. Tempers and temperatures ran high at a Windward Planning Commission meeting that ended with two proposed cellphone towers in Puna being denied use permits. Tribune-Herald.

25th annual Kona Brewers Festival to go on despite virus fears. Despite a spate of canceled events throughout the state as COVID-19 fears escalate, festivities on the Big Island are forging ahead. West Hawaii Today.

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Pilot and passengers survive Big Island helicopter crash. A pilot and his five passengers walked away from the crash of a tour helicopter at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday in a remote area of the Big Island on the edge of a Puna lava field near Leilani Estates. Star-Advertiser.

Tour helicopter makes ‘precautionary landing’ near Leilani Estates. A Blue Hawaiian Helicopters tour aircraft with six aboard made an emergency landing in a lava field in the Leilani Estates area shortly before noon Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Tour Helicopter Goes Down In Puna, Minor Injuries. County officials say a Blue Hawaiian tour helicopter "crashed in a wooded area of Puna" on Thursday, resulting in minor injuries to all aboard. Big Island Video News.

Tour Chopper Found in Tall Grass After Hard Landing in Pahoa. Big Island Now.

Tour chopper makes hard landing on Big Island, sending 6 to hospital. Authorities are investigating after a tour helicopter made a hard landing in Puna on Thursday and rolled over. Hawaii News Now.

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Alii Drive sinkhole repair work to take another month. Crews are making progress in repairing damage to Alii Drive caused by a sinkhole that opened late last year fronting Coconut Grove Marketplace. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Matsuri Cancels Festival for 2020. Maui Matsuri organizers today announced the cancellation of their annual celebration which was set for May 2020. Maui Now.

Maalaea coastal erosion considered above average. Official: Mitigation may take 55 months and a quarter-million dollars. Maalaea Bay’s high shoreline erosion rate is forcing area residents to act soon, but mitigation efforts are often riddled with time, permitting and funding issues, government officials said recently. Maui News.

Three New Businesses Come to Maui’s Azeka Shopping Center. Three new businesses have opened at Azeka Shopping Center in Kīhei, Maui, including: Ekolu Kitchen1279, Studio 151 and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts. Maui Now.

Kauai

Lihu‘e sewer inspections start this Sunday. The county Department of Public Works Wastewater Management Division’s contractor will be performing closed-circuit television inspections on the Lihu‘e sewer system along Kuhio Highway from Ehiku Street to Hardy Street, daily from the evening of Sunday, March 8, through the morning of Friday, March 13. Garden Island.

Infected cruise ship visited 4 Hawaii ports; Ige, all four mayors declare state of emergency over COVID-19; Green named coronavirus liaison, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Passengers disembark cruise ship on a rainy Hilo day ©2020 All Hawaii News

Ige’s state of emergency declaration follows the death of a passenger on a cruise ship that visited four Hawaiian islands. Gov. David Ige declared a state of emergency Wednesday following the disclosure that a cruise ship that carried California’s first coronavirus fatality visited the four main Hawaiian islands last week. Star-Advertiser.

State monitoring cruise ship that had virus cases. State health officials said Wednesday they are monitoring a situation regarding a cruise ship that recently made stops in Hawaii and might have had passengers previously exposed to COVID-19, the recently identified coronavirus that has infected nearly 100,000 people worldwide since it was discovered in late December. Tribune-Herald.

Cruise Ship Headed Back to San Francisco with Quarantined Individual. The Coast Guard informed state officials today that the Grand Princess cruise had two ill passengers onboard a previous cruise, which was not in the islands, who have since tested positive for COVID-19. Maui Now.

Cruise ship linked to new coronavirus death stopped in Hawaii after patient disembarked in CA. A cruise ship that was carrying two passengers later confirmed to have coronavirus stopped in Hawaii after those patients disembarked in California, officials said. Hawaii News Now.

California man on same cruise ship that came to Hawaii has died from COVID-19. The Grand Princess arrived on Oahu on February 27 and was docked at Pier 2. Passengers were allowed to get off here as they did on Kauai, Maui, and in Hilo. KHON2.

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Ige issues emergency proclamation to streamline state’s response to coronavirus. The governor has issued an emergency proclamation aimed at streamlining the state’s response to the coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Ige, counties of Hawaii issue emergency proclamations for COVID-19. Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation on March 3 that will let the State work to prevent, contain and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, and to provide disaster relief if necessary. KHON2.

Gov. Ige issues emergency proclamation for COVID-19. Gov. David Ige today issued an emergency proclamation that allows the state to work quickly and efficiently to prevent, contain and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, and to provide disaster relief if necessary. KITV4.

Coronavirus Prompts Emergency Proclamation From State. Gov. David Ige Wednesday issued an emergency proclamation to facilitate a fast, efficient response to the threat posed by the coronavirus and to provide disaster relief, should that prove necessary. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Declares Emergency To Coordinate Coronavirus Efforts. Hawaii Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation Wednesday in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Governor Issues Emergency Proclamation for COVID-19. Hawaiʻi Governor David Ige today issued an emergency proclamation that allows the state to work quickly and efficiently to prevent, contain and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, and to provide disaster relief if necessary. Maui Now.

Hawaii Officials Give COVID-19 Update, Pass Funding Measures. While there are no cases of Coronavirus, or COVID-19, in the State of Hawaiʻi, “the CDC announced it is investigating confirmed cases of COVID-19 linked to the Grand Princess cruise ship which is returning to San Francisco,” the Hawaiʻi Department of Health reported in a Wednesday afternoon update. Big Island Video News.

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Gov. David Ige appoints Josh Green as coronavirus preparedness coordinator. Gov. David Ige has appointed Lt. Gov. Josh Green as the administration’s liaison between the state and the health care sector for activities related to the COVID-19 preparedness and response. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Makes Green Coronavirus Healthcare Liaison. The lieutenant governor, a medical doctor, is “uniquely positioned” for the job, says the governor. Civil Beat.

Lieutenant Governor Josh Green named Hawaii's COVID-19 Healthcare Liaison. Governor David Ige named Lieutenant Governor Josh Green Hawaii's COVID-19 Healthcare Liaison. KITV4.

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Hawaii Preparing For Possible Economic Effects Of Coronavirus. Lawmakers want to work with state officials to make sure Hawaii can weather potential impacts from the virus. Civil Beat.

Economic Warning Signs From Coronavirus Already Appear In Islands. There are still no reported cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Hawaii. But a spate of canceled events and falling visitor numbers from abroad indicate the virus is creating economic headwinds. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii receiving millions in federal funding to support coronavirus response. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced it will provide $2.75 million in initial funding to support Hawaii’s response to the new coronavirus, or COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 emergency money on the way. Two people on Kaua‘i are under the supervision of the state Department of Health, self-monitoring for COVID-19, according to latest updates from DOH, and Gov. David Ige has issued an emergency proclamation regarding the virus. Garden Island.

United, Korean Air reducing Hawaii service as virus worries mount. News that United Airlines, Hawaii’s largest domestic carrier, plans to temporarily cut service to the islands was the latest coronavirus-related blow to the state’s tourism economy. Star-Advertiser.

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Defense secretary notes site delays in stalled $1.9B radar. The Defense Department zeroed out funding in its fiscal 2021 budget request for the Homeland Defense Radar-Hawaii — in spite of three years of congressional appropriations. Star-Advertiser.

Judge Rejects Gabbard’s Lawsuit Against Google. The presidential candidate claimed the company was trying to silence her. Civil Beat.

Oahu

HPD chief hopes to ‘shore up’ beats. The Honolulu Police Department plans to “shore up” parts of the department after Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s proposal for a large bump in positions for officers. Star-Advertiser.

How to save Haiku Stairs? Kualoa Ranch suggests they be moved. With breathtaking views, Kualoa Ranch on Windward Oahu attracts tourists and filmmakers alike. Hawaii News Now.

New DMV self-service kiosk opens at Foodland in Waipahu. Another self-service kiosk to renew motor vehicle registrations is now available inside the Foodland Super Market at Waipio Shopping Center, city officials announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Settlement reached in deadly 2016 fall at Ala Moana Center. The owners of Ala Moana Center have settled a lawsuit over a 2016 railing collapse that led to the death of a young man. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Residents of Kurtistown neighborhood vow to fight cell phone tower project. Members of a small Kurtistown community are fighting for their health and homes against the planned construction of a nearly 200-foot-tall cellphone tower. Tribune-Herald.

$103M bond issue would build roads. A move to leverage the county general excise tax by floating bonds to expedite road projects could mean the payments stretch out past the 2030 expiration of the GET. West Hawaii Today.

Feds reviewing Section 106 comments for Daniel K. Inouye Highway extension. As state lawmakers consider allocating $90 million in capital improvement project funds to extend the cross-island route, known colloquially as Saddle Road, from its current terminus at Mamalahoa Highway to Queen Kaahumanu Highway, federal officials are starting to assess comments on the project’s archaeological inventory survey completed several years ago. West Hawaii Today.

Japan suspends its funding for TMT. Tomonori Usuda, TMT Japan project manager with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, confirmed the budget reduction “due to the stalemate of the construction in Hawaii”. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

One on Maui tests negative for coronavirus. Number of tests likely to go up with arrival of kits, expanded criteria. Maui News.

Maui public libraries launch 'ukulele lending program. Six Maui public libraries will launch a new lending collection of ‘ukulele beginning Saturday, March 14th. KITV4.

Tournahauler takes its place of honor at sugar museum. Its 750-horsepower engine firing up with a guttural rumble and belch of black smoke, the island’s last functioning Tournahauler began what was likely the final run of its kind Monday morning in Puunene. Maui News.

Kauai

Honoring Bill Enoka. Enoka was one of two pilots who died in a recent plane crash at Dillingham airport on O‘ahu and was an active part of the Kaua‘i community, training pilots in the CAP and working on aircraft. Garden Island.