Showing posts with label U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Hawaii drops case against U.S. Surgeon General, vaccine shortage limits inoculations, budget woes plague Legislature, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams in Honolulu file photo

Honolulu Prosecutor Drops Surgeon General’s COVID Violation Charge. Newly elected Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm is moving to dismiss the criminal cases against U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and his aide after Honolulu police cited the men for allegedly violating pandemic rules in August. Civil Beat.

New prosecutor wants surgeon general’s case dismissed. Honolulu’s new prosecutor, Steve Alm, submitted a motion Tuesday seeking to dismiss charges against U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and his aide for allegedly violating an emergency COVID-19 order at an Oahu beach in August. Star-Advertiser.

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Opening of Hawaii Legislature closed to public but viewable online, on ‘Olelo. The public will not be allowed into the state Capitol today for the opening day of the legislative session — or for the foreseeable future during the session — but can watch today’s limited and subdued proceedings via YouTube and ‘Olelo television. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii State Legislature back in session. The Hawaii State Legislature is back in session. The House and Senate will convene Wednesday for opening day for the 31st session, but unlike years past, there will be no entertainment, speeches or food. KITV4.

In new legislative session, leaders seek changes in penalties for COVID violations. State leaders intend to change the penalty for those who violate COVID emergency orders as a new legislative session begins on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

The Battered State Budget Will Dominate The Next Hawaii Legislature
. Faced with an unprecedented plunge in state tax collections during the pandemic, Gov. David Ige in December crafted a proposed spending plan for the next two years that was packed with painful cuts, including the elimination and reduction of numerous positions. Civil Beat.

Hawaii House Speaker Launches Probe of State Auditor. House Speaker Scott Saiki said late and unfinished reports could be cause for lawmakers to remove state Auditor Les Kondo. Civil Beat.

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DOE To Present Grim Staffing Plan But Says Teacher Layoffs Are A ‘Last Resort’. The Department of Education will present the schools’ proposed reorganization plans to the state Board of Education on Thursday. Civil Beat.

Hawaii teachers union challenges proposed staff cuts, use of federal funds for tutoring services. The Hawaii State Teachers Association said today that budget cuts and layoffs proposed by the governor and school superintendent are actually prohibited by federal rules that come with the use of stimulus funds. Star-Advertiser.

HSTA claims budget cuts violates federal law. The Hawaii State Teachers Association claims Governor David Ige is violating federal law by proposing layoffs and salary cuts in the Department of Education. HSTA President Corey Rosenlee says the governor wants to cut nearly $400 million from the budget. KITV4.

Board of Education To Discuss Massive Teacher Layoffs and Budget Cuts at Virtual Meeting Jan. 21. The Hawaiʻi Board of Education will hold a virtual public meeting Thursday, Jan. 21, to hear testimony regarding the proposed teacher layoffs and budget cuts to the Department of Education due to the statewide economic woes caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Maui Now.

Hawaii Public School Students Saw More Learning Loss During the Pandemic Compared to Other Years. The number of middle and elementary school students who are more than two grade levels behind in math and reading is higher now compared to previous years, according to the State Department of Education. Hawaii Public Radio.

Leaders criticize ‘chronic mismanagement’ of Native Hawaiian burials.
Island burial council leaders are accusing the state of “systemic and chronic mismanagement” of a program developed three decades ago to handle the discovery of Native Hawaiian burials and are calling on the Legislature, which convenes today, to establish a working group to implement reforms. Star-Advertiser.
 

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Gov. Ige appoints Hawaii island educator to fill Kai Kahele’s vacant state Senate seat. Gov. David Ige has appointed Laura Acasio to fill the state senate seat left vacant by Congressman Kai Kahele. Acasio will represent the greater Hilo area. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Selects Acasio To Fill Kahele’s Senate Seat. She is a teacher who has served in Democratic Party leadership roles. Civil Beat.

Ige appoints Hilo educator Acasio to Kahele’s former state Senate seat. Gov. David Ige on Tuesday announced the appointment of longtime educator Laura Clint Acasio to fill the state Senate District 1 seat that became vacant with the election of Kai Kahele to U.S. Congress. Tribune-Herald.

Laura Acasio Appointed To Vacant Hawaii State Senate Seat. Governor David Ige announced the appointment Tuesday, filling the empty State Senate District 1 seat which encompassing the greater Hilo area. Big Island Video News.

Ige Fills Vacant Big Island Senate Seat. Governor David Ige on Tuesday officially appointed Laura Acasio to the Hawai‘i State Senate. Big Island Now.

Gov. Ige Appoints Laura Acasio to Fill Kahele’s District 1 Vacancy. Governor David Ige announced today the appointment of Laura Acasio to fill the vacant Senate District 1 seat left by Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele. State Senate District 1 includes the greater Hilo area. Maui Now.

Hawaii Island educator tapped to fill vacant state senate seat. The state senate seat vacated by Congressman Kai Kahele will be filled by a longtime Hawaii educator. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii vaccine shortage stymies mass rollout. Thousands of COVID-19 vaccination appointments are being canceled or not made at all because of limited supplies in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

State: COVID-19 inoculation efforts still slowed by limited doses of vaccine. State officials said Tuesday that the distribution of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Hawaii was being hamstrung by difficulties in obtaining vials of the vaccine in the first place. Hawaii News Now.

‘Demand far exceeds supply’: Ige, others urge patience about vaccinations. Officials used the terms “ramp up” and “ramping up” several times Tuesday while describing the state’s rollout of coronavirus vaccinations, but cautioned that the operation likely won’t proceed quickly. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii will receive fewer doses of COVID-19 vaccines this week. The state will only receive 32,725 doses this week, compared to about 59,000 last week. KITV4.

Hawai‘i Vaccine Distribution ‘More Efficient’ as Partnerships Increase. Hawai‘i demand for COVID-19 vaccinations continues to outpace supply, as well as the state’s ability to administer the doses already in its possession. Big Island Now.

State pushing vaccine rollout.
The state wants to ramp-up its vaccine rollout effort, but supplies have varied from week to week. Garden Island.

State says inconsistency in vaccine shipment makes planning hard. The State says vaccination efforts have increased but they are constrained by limited supply. Plans are in place to ramp up vaccinations significantly but it has been challenging to plan ahead because they often do not find out until Thursday the number of doses they have for the following week. KHON2.

After backlash, state asks partners to vaccinate only kupuna, not caregivers.
State officials said Tuesday that they had asked their healthcare partners to vaccinate only kupuna at mass inoculation events due to a shortage of available doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Labs On The Lookout For More Contagious COVID-19 Variants. The mutations found in other U.S. states have not appeared yet in the islands but officials say it’s just a matter of time. Civil Beat.

HAWAII VIRUS TRACKER — Jan. 19: 65 New COVID-19 Cases And Two Deaths. Hawaii health officials announced two Oahu deaths and 65 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, including 45 on Oahu, six on the Big Island, nine on Maui, and five Hawaii residents diagnosed out of state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

A Year Later, HPD Still Investigating Shooting Deaths Of 2 Police Officers. The Honolulu Police Department says it is still investigating a Jan. 19, 2020 attack in which two HPD officers and a local homeowner were killed and several homes were burned down in the Diamond Head neighborhood. Civil Beat.

Loved ones remember fallen officers 1 year after Diamond Head tragedy. One year after terrible tragedy struck a Diamond Head neighborhood, family and community members continue to mourn the loss of two Honolulu police officers who lost their lives that day. KITV4.

Visitor to Diamond Head tragedy home says she tried to help, but laws prevented agencies from helping. Tuesday marks the tragic anniversary of two slain Honolulu Police Officers at the hand of Jerry Hanel. KHON2.

Survivor who came face to face with Diamond Head killer finds forgiveness 1 year later. There was almost a fifth death on the morning of Jan. 19, 2020 following the deadly rampage near Diamond Head. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu police officers and Hibiscus Drive residents recall a calamity that killed 4. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

UPDATE: Council Planning Committee recommends unfavorable vote on Kern’s nomination. The County Council Planning Committee voted 5-4 Tuesday evening to send the confirmation of Planning Director Zendo Kern to the council later this month with a negative recommendation. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo hospital urges calm as kupuna vaccinations begin. Hilo Medical Center today will begin vaccinating older kupuna against COVID-19, but the hospital urges calm during the registration process. Tribune-Herald.

Kona hospital’s COVID-19 vaccine registration phone line fixed. Kona Community Hospital said Tuesday afternoon technical issues with its COVID-19 vaccine registration phone line have been fixed. West Hawaii Today.

Frequent traffic delays at new light stir call for solutions. A traffic light on Highway 11 near Keaau is causing consternation among residents and lawmakers alike, but there do not appear to be any immediate solutions, county officials say. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Memorial says postponing 5,000 appointments after supply drop a “huge disappointment”. Maui Memorial Medical Center says it had to postpone thousands of vaccine appointments for three weeks because of a drop in supply. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Economic Development Board Awarded $300K to Scale-Up STEMworks Program. The Maui Economic Development Board was named one of seven nationwide winners of the US Department of Commerce’s STEM Talent Challenge. Maui Now.

Maui groups honor MLK. Maui County groups shared speeches, prayers, songs and poems in honor of the late Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential leaders of the civil rights movement who dreamt of equality and peace throughout the United States. Maui News.

Kauai

Menehune Fishpond up for sale. At $3 million, an up-for-sale listing renders the Alekoko “Menehune” Fishpond at about $30,000 per acre for the two-parceled, culturally-historic area that legend says was built in one night by a human chain of the mythical Menehune for an accessible food supply. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Shores gives to local food banks. Kaua‘i Shores hotel General Manager Jennie Waiwaiole-Vega said they don’t know when the hotel in Waipouli will reopen its doors. Garden Island.

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Public schools lose enrollment, predators target girl on school-issued laptop, Schatz pushes Ige for COVID-19 plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

PC: Hawaii Department of Education
Hawaii public school in COVID-19 era PC:Department of Education

Hawaii Public Schools Keep Losing Students Amid Coronavirus Concerns. Latest figures show Hawaii’s public school lost 1,023 more students in the first quarter as overall enrollment plunged nearly 3% compared with last year. Civil Beat.

Oahu mom says online predators connected with her daughter through school-issued laptop. An Oahu mother has a warning for other parents after she says her 13-year-old was being groomed by a pair of suspected online predators who she connected with on her school-issued laptop. The woman says the filter on her daughter’s computer worked only on campus. Hawaii News Now.

DOH Not Publishing Nursing Home Inspection Reports That Families Need. A seniors advocacy group has called on the state department of health to reveal more about nursing home inspections than it presently does. The lack of disclosure involves both the state and federal governments. Hawaii Public Radio.

Has The Hawaii Tourism Industry Lost Its Clout? Amid pandemic, state and local government leaders do not defer to the state’s major industry. Civil Beat.

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U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz worries for state with CARES funds ending. Hawaii’s COVID-19 response, including contact tracing, isolation and quarantine, and the upcoming vaccination campaign, is in jeopardy with federal CARES Act money that pays for the programs set to end Dec. 30. Star-Advertiser.

Schatz to Ige: What’s the plan for testing? U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz on Tuesday urged Gov. David Ige to maintain Hawaii’s expanded COVID-19 contact tracing program as some federal coronavirus relief funding is set to expire. Tribune-Herald.

Sen. Schatz Urges Hawaiʻi to Maintain Expanded COVID-19 Contact Tracing Program. With some federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act set to expire at the end of the year, Schatz urged Ige to utilize other sources of funding to ensure the contact tracing program remains fully operational. Maui Now.

Schatz to Ige: How will the state fund contact tracing after federal money expires? U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz is calling on Gov. Ige to take full advantage of federal funds to expand COVID-19 contact tracing beyond the end of the year. Sen. Schatz recently sent a letter to the governor asking for answers on the state’s plans to continue the contact tracing program, adding he’s encouraged by the growth of the tracing effort, but feels there is still room to improve. Hawaii News Now.

US Senator Schatz wants the state to find other ways to fund its contact tracing program beyond 2020. US Senator Brian Schatz wants the state to find other ways to fund its COVID-19 contact tracing program beyond the end of the year. KITV4.

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Surgeon general, aide shouldn’t be prosecuted, tour guide says. U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and his aide, whom police cited at an Oahu beach park in late August for allegedly violating an emergency order during a shutdown of the island’s beach parks, should not be prosecuted, said an attorney who spoke on behalf of a tour guide who took the men to the park. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — Dec. 1: 44 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Health officials reported 44 new COVID-19 cases statewide on Tuesday, including 32 on Oahu, six on the Big Island and five on Maui. The location of the final case was not specified in the state’s daily case report. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Criminal case finished, the next victims of the Kealoha scandal could be city taxpayers. Now that the criminal case against the Kealohas has been finished, the next victims of the former power couple could be Honolulu city taxpayers ― by way of civil lawsuits. Hawaii News Now.

Ex-Honolulu Police Officers Sentenced In Corruption Case. A judge sentenced a former Honolulu police lieutenant on Tuesday to three-and-a-half years in prison and a former officer to four-and-a-half years for helping a now-retired police chief and his now-estranged ex-prosecutor wife frame a relative as part of a wide-ranging conspiracy aimed at preserving the couple's lavish lifestyle. Associated Press.

Co-conspirators in Kealoha corruption case are headed to federal prison. Two Honolulu Police Department co-conspirators in the Kea­loha conspiracy trial were sentenced Tuesday to 4-1/2 years years and 3-1/2 years, respectively, in federal prison, adding a coda to one of the island’s most notorious cases of law enforcement corruption. Star-Advertiser.

HPD officers convicted in Kealoha scandal get sentenced multiple year prison terms. A federal judge sentenced Derek Hahn to three-and-a-half years in prison while Bobby Nguyen will serve four-and-a-half years. KHON2.

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Honolulu Neighborhood Board Election Period Opens. The volunteer boards hold public meetings and make recommendations to elected leaders. Civil Beat.

City leaders say an ordinance meant to help create more affordable housing on O'ahu is working. Bill 7 provides incentives to smaller local construction firms to develop family-owned lots that are no larger than 20,000 square feet. KITV4.

Developer credits bills with making 5-story walk-up complex feasible. A five-story walk-up affordable rental building is sprouting on a small Liliha lot that until recently was occupied by a deserted and dilapidated single-family house. Star-Advertiser.

First affordable housing walk-up under ‘Bill 7′ now in the works in Liliha. An old home in Liliha is being transformed into a 25-unit walkup rental complex. It’s the city’s first reconstruction project under Bill 7, which provides property tax incentives to developers to encourage more affordable rentals. Hawaii News Now.

$80K settlement reached in student housing discrimination lawsuit. Hawaii Developer Peter Savio and the U.S. Justice Department agreed to an $80,000 settlement after three student complexes owned by Savio were accused of unfairly rejecting applicants with children. The suit alleged that these potential tenants were turned away or steered to other properties because of their family status. Hawaii News Now.

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Two lifeguard towers replaced on Oahu beaches with more upgrades to come. Ahead of a big north swell, lifeguards on Oahu got two brand new towers this week — one of them overlooking the famous Banzai Pipeline. Honolulu Ocean Safety replaced the tower at Ehukai Beach Park on the North Shore on Monday, and the Depots Beach park tower Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Ocean Safety replaces critical lifeguard towers. The City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety Division has replaced two lifeguard towers at critical beaches on Oahu’s West and North shores ahead of a large northwest swell that was predicted to strike Tuesday evening, peaking today at 15 to 25 feet with 20- to 40-foot faces. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Ocean Safety replaces old lifeguard towers on North Shore and Leeward coasts. According to Ocean Safety they are durable, built for safety and maximum visibility. KITV4.

CVS debuts HealthHUBs at 3 Oahu Longs.
The HealthHUB at Longs Drugs is now open and is offering an array of health care services on Oahu in the well-known chain, which has had a presence in Hawaii since 1954. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

New Hawaii County mayor, council to be inaugurated Monday. Like nearly everything else in 2020, Hawaii County’s inauguration ceremonies will look and feel quite different this year as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. West Hawaii Today.

Inauguration Of New County Officials Will Be Virtual Event. The inauguration of the new Mayor, Prosecuting Attorney, and nine Councilmembers will be a virtual event, the County of Hawaiʻi announced on Tuesday, with no public attendance. Big Island Video News.

KCH Clears Hospital of COVID Patients Monday. As of Monday afternoon, Kona Community Hospital reported zero patients currently admitted for coronavirus treatment. Big Island Now.

Visitors Bureau to Launch ‘Shop Big Island’ Website. The Hawai‘i Island Visitors Bureau has announced plans to launch a new website in December dedicated to helping local businesses promote and sell their products, as the county and the state begin the slow climb out of the economic wreckage caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Big Island Now.

Maui

Molokai, Lanai solar projects up for debate. Hawaiian Electric will discuss proposed solar and battery projects for Molokai and Lanai during two virtual meetings on Wednesday and Thursday. Maui News.

Maui Real Estate Report for October Shows Activity Up and Supply Down. Median Sales Price increased 18.5 percent to $867,500 for Single Family homes and 12.7 percent to $587,800 for Condominium homes. Maui Now.

Maui home prices jump nearly 20% in October. The median price of a single-family home in October was 18.5% higher than the median price in October 2019, according to statistics released Tuesday by the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Council, prosecuting attorney sworn in virtually
. There was a bit less fanfare Tuesday than in years past as the 2021-22 Kaua‘i County Council pledged their oaths to the people of Kaua‘i and were sworn in as councilmembers. Garden Island.

A Kauai couple was arrested on Sunday after boarding a flight despite having tested positive for COVID-19. The Wailua couple was arrested for reckless endangerment after boarding a flight traveling from San Francisco to Lihue. Police say the 46-year-old man and 46-year-old woman knew they had tested positive for the virus. KHON2.
 

Kauai’s travel rules bring job and revenue losses. Hotels and visitor industry businesses are curtailing or postponing operations, and many visitors are going elsewhere, as the harsh economic realities of Kauai’s decision to opt out of Safe Travels Hawaii begin to take root. Star-Advertiser.

Quarantine could mean end for businesses. As of today, all travelers coming to Kaua‘i must quarantine for 14 days, as the county is temporarily opting out of the state’s pre-travel-testing program that allowed travelers to bypass the quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival. Garden Island.

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Travel-related coronavirus cases increase, Kauai seeks to opt out of Safe Travels program, Honolulu limits Thanksgiving parties to 5 people, unemployment tax expected to triple, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

PC: state of Hawaii
Travelers get screened at Honolulu airport PC:state of Hawaii

CORRECTION: The headline and first article in this compilation have been changed to reflect corrections of an error in the original article. All Hawaii News strives to promptly correct errors discovered in its source articles.

Percentage of Hawaii travel-related COVID-19 cases up fourfold in November. State health officials said Tuesday that 13% of Hawaii’s COVID-19 cases were travel-related in November, up from 3% in October. Star-Advertiser. Star-Advertiser.

Local Emergency Room Doctor Says Not Tightening Travel Guidelines Could Be Dangerous. Dr. Darragh O'Carroll released a peer-reviewed paper concluding that Hawaii's current pre-travel testing program is allowing more COVID-19-infected travelers into the state than expected. KITV.

Constantly changing travel testing rules is stressing out some Hawaii air travelers. Many travelers including residents say the pre-travel testing rules are changing far too often to keep up with. Some travelers say the reality of trying to get a test and their results back within the 72-hour time frame is just not enough time and adds even more stress to travel plans. Hawaii News Now.

Only 76,613 visitors came to Hawaii in October, widening year-to-date arrivals losses to more than 73%. October was the highest month for visitors since March; however, the start of the state’s pre-arrivals testing program only helped return about 10% of Hawaii’s pre-coronavirus arrivals. Star-Advertiser.

People Are Moving To Hawaii To Escape Virus Hotspots. Will They Stay?. Some see the recent uptick in people moving to Hawaii as an opportunity for the state. Others view the wave of newcomers as a threat. Civil Beat.

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Attorney: Officer who cited US surgeon general under investigation for overtime abuse. An over-zealous police officer could be a major factor in the case against U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams. That’s according to the attorney for Adams, who says he was shocked to hear the officer who cited him for being in a closed park back in August is now among those who are being investigated for overtime abuse. Hawaii News Now.

Unemployment Drops Slightly Amid Concerns Over Changes To Travel Testing Program. At more than 14%, Hawaii’s unemployment rate still leads the nation, but there are encouraging signs of a recovery. Since the resumption of tourism in October, unemployment has declined from a high of more than 15%. Hawaii Public Radio.

Businesses will have to pay three times more in unemployment tax in 2021. The unemployment trust fund, which is used to pay unemployment benefits, is empty. In fact, Hawaii’s unemployment fund is hundreds of millions in the red. Unless legislators act quickly, employers will be forced to pay the maximum in unemployment taxes, which is roughly three times what they paid in 2020. KHON2.

Here’s how big your Thanksgiving gathering can be in each county. The rules are strictest on Oahu, which is seeing an average of nearly 90 new COVID-19 infections daily. Gathering rules are the most lenient on Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

Complaints delay isle vote certification. The certification of Hawaii’s election results is being delayed by three complaints: one from a woman who said she was running for president of the United States, another from a candidate for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and from a slate of candidates under the banner Klean House Hawaii that included a long-shot candidate for Honolulu mayor. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 24: 61 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Health officials recorded 61 new COVID-19 cases statewide on Tuesday, including 45 on Oahu, seven on Hawaii Island, one on Kauai, four on Maui, and four more Hawaii residents were diagnosed outside of the state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu’s mayor proposes additional testing changes for trans-Pacific travelers. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell will ask the governor for a workaround to allow trans-Pacific travelers still awaiting travelers to avoid quarantine. Under Caldwelll’s plan, a traveler without a negative COVID-19 test result would take one immediately after landing at Honolulu’s airport. Hawaii News Now.

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Airbnb and Expedia agree to help Honolulu crack down on illegal vacation rentals. Airbnb and Expedia Group will help the city crack down on illegal short-term vacation rentals under an agreement Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the two online platform giants announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu Short-Term Rental Listings On Airbnb, Expedia Face New Requirements. It’s about to get tougher to advertise illegal transient vacation rentals in Honolulu. Civil Beat.

City teams up with Airbnb, Vrbo to crack down on illegal vacation rentals. The city is teaming up with Airbnb and Expedia, the parent company of Vrbo, to crack down on illegal vacation rentals on Oahu. A new memorandum of agreement is aimed at tracking and regulating Oahu vacation rentals, including by ensuring legal rentals are properly taxed and illegal rentals are shut down. Hawaii News Now.

Illegal short term rentals will be revealed under new agreement. Oahu's vacation rentals will soon be closely tracked and regulated, which may put an end to the island's illegal rentals. KITV4.

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City officials eye delay in start of rail service. Bus revenue has dropped significantly since the onset of the corona­virus pandemic, a situation that’s contributed to what the Caldwell administration estimates will be a $400 million shortfall in next year’s overall city operating budget. Star-Advertiser.

Kahuku Community Association files appeal over Na Pua Makani wind turbines. Keep the North Shore Country and Kahuku Community Association have filed an appeal over the City’s approval of the location of Na Pua Makani wind turbines. KHON2.

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Ex-prosecutor Katherine Kealoha writes of drug addiction in sentencing letter. Katherine Kealoha, the former Honolulu prosecutor convicted of conspiracy in Hawaii’s biggest corruption case that also took down her police chief husband, apologized for her actions in a handwritten letter to the judge today and blamed a prescription drug addiction for clouding her judgment. Associated Press.

Read Katherine Kealoha’s handwritten letter to a judge ahead of her sentencing. In a handwritten letter to a federal judge ahead of her sentencing Monday, Katherine Kealoha asked for “mercy” for her husband ― ex-Police Chief Louis Kealoha ― and two officers also convicted following a massive public corruption trial. Hawaii News Now.

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Magic Island parking lot reopens after $2.5M restoration project. Just in time for beach-goers and park users over the long holiday weekend, the ‘Aina Moana (Magic Island) parking lot at Ala Moana Regional Park has reopened to the public, after having been closed since April 13 for restoration work that is now almost completed, city Department of Parks & Recreation officials announced today. Star-Advertiser.

Work On Magic Island Parking Lot Completed, Finally. Access to the popular park had been limited for months due to reconstruction. Civil Beat.

After 8 months, the Magic Island parking lot is back open. The Magic Island parking lot reopened Tuesday after an 8-month-long closure for renovations. The city says 470-stall parking lot was repaved and re-striped. New gates and benches were also installed, along with a drop off zone. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Going vertical: Construction begins on homes in Laʻi ʻOpua. Vertical construction has commenced for 60 homes within the Villages of La‘i ‘Opua in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Construction Begins On 60 Homes In Laʻi ʻŌpua. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has announced that the construction of 60 homes within the Villages of Laʻi ʻŌpua in Kealakehe is underway. Big Island Video News.

Jury trial set for one of five arrested for virus violations at Kahaluu. Jury trial has been set for one of the five people arrested in August for gathering at Kahaluu Beach Park in violation of Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Officials say golf tourney followed COVID rules. Some questioned Shane Victorino’s charity event in Wailea. Retired Major League Baseball player and Maui boy Shane Victorino said that a golf tournament and dinner benefit he hosted over the weekend followed COVID-19 protocols, as some on social media questioned why the mayor’s son was holding a large event during the pandemic. Maui News.

Maui Police Issue 236 Citations, Make 3 Arrests in Ongoing Click It Or Ticket Campaign. Maui police have already issued 236 traffic citations and made three arrests during the first few days of a seatbelt enforcement campaign that runs through Nov. 29. Maui Now.

Kauai

After string of new COVID-19 cases, Kauai seeks to opt out of pre-travel testing program. In what could prove a major blow to Hawaii’s Safe Travels program, Kauai’s mayor has asked to temporarily opt out of the pre-travel testing program that allows trans-Pacific and inter-island passengers to forgo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Hawaii News Now.

Kawakami requests Safe Travels pause. Mayor Derek Kawakami is asking Gov. David Ige to temporarily opt-out of the state’s Safe Travel program beginning Dec. 1. Garden Island.

Kauai seeks to exit pre-travel testing program. Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami sent a request Tuesday to Gov. David Ige to temporarily pause Kauai’s participation in the state’s Safe Travels pre-travel testing program. If Ige approves, as of Tuesday all incoming Kauai travelers — trans-Pacific and interisland — would be required to quarantine for the full 14 days regardless of testing. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai requests to temporarily opt-out of pre-travel testing program as cases continue to rise. KHON2.

Kauai Seeks To Opt Out Of Pre-Travel Testing Program Amid COVID-19 Fears. If approved, all travelers to the island, including those from other counties, would have to quarantine though some exemptions would remain in place, including for health care workers. Civil Beat.

Kaua‘i Mayor Proposes Rule to Temporarily Opt Out of State’s Pre-Travel Testing Program. Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami has submitted a proposal to Gov. David Ige requesting a temporary pause to the Garden Island’s participation in the state’s Safe Travels pre-travel testing program and require incoming travelers to Kaua‘i to quarantine for the full 14 days regardless of testing. Big Island Now.

Federal funds help low-income renters on Kaua‘i. Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced the Kaua‘i County Housing Agency will receive $352,924 in federal funding to support the Housing Choice Voucher program. Garden Island.


Thursday, October 22, 2020

Surgeon general faces arraignment on charges of Honolulu COVID-19 violation, coronavirus cases surge on Lanai, 5k soldiers face quarantine, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands


U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams to be arraigned for beach park closure violation. U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and an aide are scheduled to be arraigned in an Oahu court next month after police cited the two men in late August for being in a Kaneohe park during a COVID-19 emergency order-­mandated closure of the island’s beach parks. Star-Advertiser.

US Surgeon General To Plead Not Guilty In Hawaii Virus Case. A lawyer for U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Wednesday that his client, who is charged with illegally entering a Hawaii public park that was closed because of the coronavirus, will plead not guilty. Associated Press.

Surgeon General to plead not guilty for emergency order violation. Vice Admiral Jerome Adams’ first court appearance was held on Oct. 21 via Zoom. KHON2.

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Lt. Gov. Green: State’s secondary surveillance testing hasn’t yet caught any positives. Ten percent of all travelers who tested negative in their pre-travel test are being asked to take a voluntary second coronavirus test four days after arrival. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s tourism reopening off to choppy start. The daily number of transpacific arrivals jumped when Hawaii started a pre-arrivals testing program to welcome travelers back. Now, one week into the state’s tourism reopening, visitor arrivals already have started leveling off. Star-Advertiser.

HTA releases latest number of passenger arrivals by air. On Tuesday a total of 5,105 people arrived in Hawai‘i from out of state. KITV4.

Hotels seek more communication with counties as they work to increase information flow to visitors. The American Hotel and Lodging Association, which represents about 160 hotels, said they have been working to improve the way visitors get information. KHON2.

New Video Informs Hawaiʻi Visitors Of Kuleana In Time Of Pandemic
. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority says the Kuleana video was launched last week in coordination with Hawaii’s new pre-travel testing program, which started on October 15. Big Island Video News.

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Syphilis Cases in Women, Newborns Increasing Annually, DOH Reports. In Hawai‘i, the number of babies born with syphilis — known as congenital syphilis — ranged from zero to two cases per year from 2000 to 2016, three to four cases per year from 2017 to 2019, and 11 probable cases so far in 2020. Big Island Now.

Hawaii has another subpar response to the census, but officials claim 99.9% counted. The U.S. Census wrapped up its field operations last week with Hawaii coming in 37th when it comes to the percent of people who responded on their own. Star-Advertiser.

Democrats Rally To Defend Leeward House Seat In Eli-Garcia Race. The state House race between Democratic freshman Rep. Stacelynn Keahaulani Eli and Republican Diamond Garcia has become one of the hardest fought legislative contests this election as the GOP tries to gain ground in the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines to resume East Coast service in December. Hawaiian Airlines said today it will reinstate its East Coast routes in December with twice-weekly nonstop service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport and thrice-weekly service between Honolulu and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — Oct. 21: 78 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. The COVID-19 cases recorded Wednesday included 65 on Oahu, four on Maui and nine on the Big Island. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Governor Approves Next Stage In Oahu Reopening Plan. Gov. David Ige on Wednesday signed the City and County of Honolulu’s new emergency order that will ease some business restrictions starting at midnight. Civil Beat.

Oahu enters Tier 2 of reopening plan, easing more COVID-19 restrictions. Oahu is moving into Tier 2 of its reopening plan Thursday, easing some COVID-19 restrictions but keeping others in place. The governor signed off on the city’s new emergency order Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu’s Emergency Order implementing Tier 2 approved by Governor Ige. Based on Emergency Order No. 2020-29, starting on Thursday, October 22, the City will operate under Tier 2 of Honolulu’s Reopening Strategy. KITV4.

Mayor Caldwell looks to boost COVID enforcement,
which state auditor finds insufficient. The enforcement of quarantine rules for visitors that don’t have a negative COVID-19 test, or haven’t taken a test, will be difficult. KHON2.

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HART chief says plans to reduce the rail project’s scope are being discussed. Honolulu transit chief Andrew Robbins acknowledged to a City Council committee Wednesday that his staff is now looking seriously at building the financially strapped rail project in phases, a move that may lead to construction halting short of Ala Moana or without 21 stations as has been envisioned for more than a decade. Star-Advertiser.

Councilman calls for release of fire chief’s performance evaluations. Honolulu Fire Chief Manuel Neves' annual evaluations have not been submitted to the City Council in five years, according to Councilman Tommy Waters. Hawaii News Now.

Soldiers Will Be Tested Before Returning To Hawaii But Will Still Quarantine. Five thousand soldiers from the Schofield Barracks-based 25th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade are currently working to renew their certification to deploy at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Civil Beat.

No Rest For The Homeless: Bill Would Ban Sitting Almost Anywhere On Oahu. City and state officials say housing is the answer to homelessness. But criminalization can be more politically expedient. Civil Beat.

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Election, coronavirus pandemic may have led to growing interest in firearms on Oahu. Oahu has experienced a spike in firearm permits issued and firearms registered this year, the Honolulu Police Department has reported. Star-Advertiser.

Federal Bailout Money Is Speeding Up Gun Permits But Help With Rent Still Lags. New data released by Honolulu shows police continue to rack up overtime but a hardship relief fund to help people pay their bills is about to be maxed out. Civil Beat.

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More Oahu motorists can renew licenses via mail. More Oahu motorists will be able to renew their driver licenses by mail under policy changes announced by the city today. Star-Advertiser.

O'ahu residents now have the ability to renew drivers licenses, IDs by mail. Residents on O'ahu can now replace their state identification card and renew certain driver licenses by mail if they meet certain requirements. KITV4.

Mail-in services expanded, reducing need for in-person trips to the DMV. The city is trying to catch up after more than 78,000 DMV appointments were canceled because of the COVID lockdowns. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Closed-door meeting decides development: Council members work with developers to amend controversial bill. Two County Council members are meeting behind closed doors with developers of a controversial Kailua-Kona development, trying to work out a deal after proposed changes to the project received negative recommendations from the county Planning Department and Leeward Planning Commission. West Hawaii Today.

Council members support Mill Beach trail resolution. The Hawaii County Council voted Wednesday in support of a resolution to seize through eminent domain portions of a Papaikou property containing a trail to Mill Beach. Tribune-Herald.

Committee supports plan to reduce fatalities. Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders are three times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident on the Big Island than white drivers, according to a county task force attempting to reduce traffic fatalities. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State lacks testing options for Canadians. While Maui tends to see more Canadian visitors than any other island, the state’s pre-travel testing program lacks options for Canadian visitors to be tested in their country before flying to Hawaii. Maui News.

Pūlehu Solar Unveils Updated Project Design. The proposed 40 MW Pūlehu Solar and Energy Storage project to be located near Pūlehu Road on Maui could provide enough clean energy to power approximately 15,000 Maui island homes. Maui Now.

Kauai


Kouchi calls for more visitor info. State Senate President and Lihu‘e resident Ronald D. Kouchi sent a letter Tuesday to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association requesting information about measures and programs to proactively ensure that visitors are informed of state and Kaua‘i County orders and rules. Garden Island.

County has spent 66% of CARES Act funds. As of the end of September, the County of Kaua‘i has spent about 66% of its state-allocated federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i County Council passes housing bill. The Kaua‘i County Council, almost 10 months and five drafts later, passed Bill No. 2774 on Wednesday, amending the county’s housing policy in an attempt to better address a staggering housing crisis faced by the county. Garden Island.

Lanai

Cluster of COVID-19 cases growing on Lanai with at least 20 known infections. Just a day after Lanai reported its first COVID-19 cases, the island’s medical facilities said they have recorded 20 positive cases so far. Hawaii News Now.

State Senator says there are at least 23 COVID-19 cases on Lana'i. There are at least 23 COVID-19 cases on Lana'i, according to State Senator Kalani English. KITV4.

Lāna‘i Shutdown Sought as COVID-19 Count Tops 20, Described as “Tip of the Iceberg”. Medical and government leaders are calling for a shutdown of the island of Lāna‘i and mass testing as COVID-19 positive cases on the island had surged to upwards of 20 by Wednesday night. Maui Now.

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Ige says state on track to open Oct. 15 but not all islands are on board, Fauci says wear your mask, Hilo High grad wins Nobel Prize, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Gov. David Ige at Honolulu airport Wednesday

Pre-travel testing program on track. Gov. David Ige announced Wednesday that the state’s pre-travel testing program is on track to start Oct. 15 and will include random COVID-19 testing of 10% of incoming passengers four days after arrival in a move to determine the program’s effectiveness. Star-Advertiser.

Ige: Hawaii Is Still On Track For Oct. 15 Tourism Reopening. Hawaii plans to move forward with a plan to reopen to tourists on Oct. 15, Gov. David Ige said on Wednesday, ending days of uncertainty about the governor’s plan amidst a storm of objections by neighbor island mayors and the Honolulu City councilman who represents Waikiki. Civil Beat.

Ige says traveler testing to launch as scheduled, despite safety concerns. The governor said Wednesday he’s “confident” the state’s much-touted testing plan for trans-Pacific travelers will launch as scheduled Oct. 15, but acknowledged that Neighbor Island mayors still aren’t sold on the safety of the program aimed at rebooting tourism. Hawaii News Now.

Ige says Oct. 15 opening of trans-Pacific travel is essential for state’s economy. Gov. David Ige remained insistent Wednesday that the state is committed to opening up trans-Pacific travel on Oct. 15 without requiring quarantines for arriving passengers who tested negative for COVID-19 by using a “trusted partner” of the state within 72 hours prior to departure. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Reopening Tourism Update. On Wednesday, State officials unveiled the "trusted testing partners" who can help provide visitors to Hawaiʻi with the necessary, pre-travel test. Big Island Video News.

Gov. Ige Provides Update on October 15 Pre-Travel Testing Program. Gov. Ige said the state does not expect an immediate flood of travelers, but is using Oct. 15 as a deadline to bring testing and contact tracing capabilities to the highest levels of readiness and effectiveness achieved so far. Maui Now.

Post-Arrival Surveillance Testing of Tourists Won’t Carry Quarantine Penalties.
One of the major potential pitfalls of the program is that those people who test positive as part of second-wave surveillance testing won’t be subject to quarantine if they return a positive result. Neither will participants be made aware of their test results unless they explicitly ask for them, under the current configuration of the plan. Big Island Now.

State launches second surveillance testing program. With a week left before reopening, the state is committing to a surveillance testing program that will randomly select 10% of travelers to take a state-funded second test. Garden Island.

County mayors in disagreement over the state’s tourism relaunch plan. Just eight days before Hawaii reopens for trans-Pacific travel, the state is still nailing down key details for its pre-travel testing program, including which counties will drop the 14-day quarantine for visitors who get tested. Hawaii News Now.

Maui, Kauai Weighing Whether To Opt Out Of Pre-Test Program Following Big Island. Maui and Kauai haven’t decided whether they will follow the lead of the Big Island and opt out of the state’s pre-travel testing program, leaving the 14-day quarantine in place. Hawaii Public Radio.

State urged to implement second COVID test or postpone its pre-travel testing reopening. The Honolulu City Council unanimously approved Resolution 20-253, which urges the Governor to adopt and implement a two or more test system for COVID-19 for all incoming passengers who intend to bypass Hawaii’s 14-day quarantine. KITV4.

Maui Moving Forward with Pre-Travel Testing Program. Mayor Michael Victorino is requesting support from the Governor, visitor industry and businesses to urge transpacific travelers to voluntarily take a second test after they arrive in Maui County, under the State’s pre-travel testing program. Maui Now.

Hawaii Island mayor stands behind decision to keep 14-day quarantine in effect. Hawaii island Mayor Harry Kim is standing by his decision not to participate in the state’s pre-travel testing program unless the governor approves a two-test option for the island that has seen coronavirus cases surge in recent weeks. Star-Advertiser.

‘Misinterpreted’ Mayor Kim says he has a commitment of 50,000 visitor arrival COVID-19 tests. “When you come through Hawaii Island you will be going through a second test.” KHON2.

Mayor Harry Kim clarifies his position on state's pre-travel testing program. Seemingly more confusion along with more details released on Wednesday about the state's scheduled reopening of Trans-Pacific travel on October 15th. KITV4.

A week to go, officials weigh-in on reopening. The county has not ruled out opting out of the state’s pre-travel testing program, County of Kaua‘i Managing Director Michael Dahilig briefed the Kaua‘i County Council Wednesday. Garden Island.

Inter-island travelers want option to bypass quarantine similar to pre-travel testing program. While the state is preparing for mainland visitors to come in with the pre-travel testing program set to launch on Oct. 15, many are questioning why inter-island travelers don’t have the same option. KHON2.

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Fauci: Hawaii can reopen to tourists, but should do so gradually and carefully. As the state prepares to launch a pre-travel coronavirus testing program next week, it’s inevitable that COVID-infected people will slip through the cracks and into Hawaii, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert said Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Dr. Anthony Fauci says prudent measures needed for Hawaii tourism to recover.  Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health and a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, also said Hawaii can revive its tourism- dependent economy if done prudently and carefully. Star-Advertiser.

Green talks COVID-19, tourism with Fauci. “The reality is, no matter what you do, there are going to be infected people who slip through the cracks,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, about the planned Oct. 15 reopening of Hawaii to tourism. Tribune-Herald.

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Surgeon General Jerome Adams responds to Hawaii emergency order citation. U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams spoke publicly for the first time on Oct. 7 about getting a COVID-19 emergency order citation when he was on Oahu in August. KHON2.

Uncertainty lingers over safety of welcoming back students to in-person learning. With classes resuming for public school students on Monday, the Department of Education has yet to release a clear plan for reopening classrooms to in-person learning. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii House Lawmakers Look To Capture Open Senate Seats. Rep. Chris Lee, a Windward Oahu lawmaker and chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Joy San Buenaventura, who represents Puna and chairs the House Human Services and Homelessness Committee, are both leaving the House for the chance to win seats left open by the departures of Sens. Laura Thielen and Russell Ruderman, who are not seeking reelection. Civil Beat.

New Fees Go Into Effect at State Parks on Friday. Park Visitors will now pay $10 per vehicle and $5 for walk-ins at eight parks on the four major islands. Previously fees were $5 per vehicle and $1 for walk-in visitors. Maui Now.

VIRUS TRACKER — Oct. 7: 110 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Of the new cases diagnosed, 18 were on Hawaii island. Two Hawaii residents were diagnosed out of state. The remaining new cases were reported on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City Council passes entrance fee increase at Hanauma Bay. Two Honolulu City Council measures to help restoration efforts at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, including a significant increase in entrance and parking fees for visitors, were passed on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

City Leaders Advance Bill To Withdraw Rail Construction Dollars. The Honolulu City Council took a notable first step Wednesday toward revoking the city’s remaining $144 million that has been committed to help complete rail. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Mayor Candidates Say They’d Finish Rail As Planned But Not How They’d Pay For It. But the situation with the more than $9 billion project is so fluid right now that both Amemiya and Blangiardi struggle to say how they’ll handle it. Civil Beat.

Rick Blangiardi shares ‘90 Day Roadmap to Recovery’ that calls for accountability, new oversight. The plan calls for new job descriptions for city officials, greater accountability and pledges to work cooperatively with state officials, the City Council and other critical officials should he be elected mayor on Nov. 3. Star-Advertiser.

Ko Olina bans public from lagoon beaches. Ko Olina Resort plans to ban the public from using three of its four lagoons starting next month, reserving their use for hotel guests and condominium owners. Star-Advertiser.

More LED lights to be installed at city parks under new energy efficiency initiative. The City and County of Honolulu launched a new initiative on Wednesday designed to ramp up efficiency efforts at parks and facilities across Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Police Chief: Case Closure Stats Are Not As Bad As They Look. HPD’s chief rejects FBI data that shows the department is failing to solve the vast majority of crimes but said she is taking steps to improve the clearance rate anyway. Civil Beat.

Board of Water Supply asks Oahu residents to conserve water due to drought conditions
. For the past five months, officials said rainfall has been less than 50% of the normal average on Oahu, which prevents the adequate recharge of the isle’s aquifers. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 case forces closure of Kapolei Satellite City Hall, but Kapolei Hale remains open. The Satellite City Hall at Kapolei Hale is closed for deep cleaning and the remaining employees are in self-quarantine, city officials said today.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hilo High graduate one of 2 Nobel Prize winners in chemistry. Hilo is all abuzz about one of its own, Jennifer A. Doudna, sharing the Nobel Prize in chemistry with co-researcher Emanuelle Charpentier of France. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo High graduate Jennifer A. Doudna wins Nobel in chemistry. Jennifer A. Doudna, who grew up on the Big Island, became the second female scientist in two days with ties to that island to receive a Nobel Prize. Associated Press.

Jennifer Doudna Wins 2020 Nobel Prize In Chemistry. Doudna, who grew up in Hilo, shares the prize with colleague Emmanuelle Charpentier for their genome editing breakthrough that has revolutionized biomedicine. Big Island Video News.

Challenges remain in response to Life Care Center COVID outbreak.
Although an extensive COVID-19 response plan has been in place at Life Care Center of Hilo since the early days of the pandemic, staff and administrators are still working to contain an outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Panel denies 59-unit Olowalu housing project. An Olowalu housing project awash with debate was voted down by the County Council Affordable Housing Committee in a close 5-4 decision on Monday. Maui News.

Maui planning commissioner at center of debate over alleged shoreline pollution. On Maui, multiple state and county agencies are investigating alleged pollution at Olowalu on the west shore. At the center of the controversy is the chair of the county’s planning commission. Hawaii News Now.

7 more Roselani residents test positive. Seven more residents at Roselani Place have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total case count to 36 residents and 31 staff, Roselani Place management said Tuesday. Maui News.

Ka‘ahumanu Theatres are planning to reopen Friday. The movie theaters at Queen Ka’ahumanu Shopping Center will reopen Friday after Maui County gave cinemas the green light to resume operations. Maui News.

Kauai

Pacific Current purchases Port Allen Solar facility on Kauai from A&B. Pacific Current and its wholly owned subsidiary, Kaieie Waho Company, LLC, acquired the Port Allen Solar facility on Kauai from Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.’s McBryde Sugar Company, LLC. Pacific Business News.

Celebrating late Senator Spark ‘Sparky’ Matsunaga. Celebrate the 104th birthday of former U.S. Senator Spark “Sparky” Matsunaga in a garden made in his honor, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Storybook Theatre of Hawai‘i in Hanapepe. Garden Island.

A Labor of Love at the Friendship House. Friendship House is a Clubhouse Model Psychiatric Rehabilitation program, providing mental health services to adults with mental illness on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.


Wednesday, October 7, 2020

U.S. surgeon general cited for COVID-19 lockdown violation, Fauci meets with Lt. Gov. Green, islands seek to opt out of state tourism reopening, Keck Observatory astronomer wins Nobel Prize, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2020 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Keck Telescopes and others on Mauna Kea ©2020 All Hawaii News

U.S. surgeon general cited for being in closed Oahu park. The U.S. surgeon general was cited for being in a closed Oahu park in August while in the islands helping with surge testing amid a spike in coronavirus cases, according to a criminal complaint filed in court. Associated Press.

Surgeon General among thousands cited for violating emergency orders. Surgeon General Jerome Adams has a court date pending here in Hawaii. Turns out, when he was here helping the city with surge testing, he went to a park while they were off-limits and an officer cited him. KHON2.

U.S. Surgeon General cited for allegedly violating Mayor Caldwell's emergency rules. According to court documents the U.S. Surgeon General was observed in Kualoa Regional Park with two other men standing and taking pictures. KITV4.

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Dr. Anthony Fauci to join Lt. Gov. Josh Green for live talk story session 7 a.m. Wednesday. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, will participate in a live talk story session Wednesday morning with Hawaii’s lieutenant governor, Dr. Josh Green. Hawaii News Now.

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Keck Observatory astronomer wins Nobel Prize in physics. Longtime W.M. Keck Observatory astronomer Andrea Ghez has won the Nobel Prize in physics for research proving the existence of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Tribune-Herald.

Keck Astronomer Andrea Ghez Wins Nobel Prize. Longtime W. M. Keck Observatory astronomer Dr. Andrea Ghez has won the Nobel Prize in Physics 2020 for her research on the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. Big Island Video News.

Winner of Nobel Prize in Physics is longtime user of Hawaii’s Keck Observatory.
U.S. astronomer Andrea Ghez, of the University of California, Los Angeles, has been studying the Galactic Center — the central region of the Milky Way galaxy — at the Keck Observatory on Hawaii island since 1995. Star-Advertiser.

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Neighbor Islands not sold on plan to welcome visitors back; Big Island opts out. Hawaii Island Mayor Harry Kim said he plans to opt out of the state’s pre-travel testing program, and Maui and Kauai appear to be considering a pullout, too. The defection of Neighbor Islands from the program ― seen as a major step in rebooting the tourism industry and the state’s economy ― could be disastrous for its prospects and even trigger a delay. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. says mayors can ‘opt out’ of pre-travel testing program.
Just a day after the governor denied Kauai’s request for a post-arrival test, there is some uncertainty over what happens next for the neighbor islands. KHON2.

Hawaii Island Mayor stands behind decision to keep 14-day quarantine in effect. Hawaii island Mayor Harry Kim is standing by his decision not to participate in the state’s pre-travel testing program unless the governor approves a two-test option for the island that has seen coronavirus cases surge in recent weeks. Star-Advertiser.

Kim wants more tests; Big Island mayor might opt out of governor’s plan for trans-Pacific travelers. Mayor Harry Kim said Tuesday he thinks the county can provide a second or even a third COVID-19 test to arriving trans-Pacific passengers on the Big Island without draining the state’s “limited amount of test kits.” Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Kim: “We Have To Have A Second Test” For Visitors To Hawaii. Mayor Harry Kim clarified his position after it was reported that he planned to opt out of the State's pre-travel testing program. Big Island Video News.

Mayor Kim Pitching Two-Test System to Reopen Big Island to Tourism. One test simply won’t do. Big Island Now.

Mayor Harry Kim confirms Hawai'i County will not take part in state's pretravel testing program. Mayor Kim said he wants a multi-test system. Until then, people who travel to the Big Island will be required to quarantine for 14 days, even if they have a pre-arrival negative result. KITV4.

Hawaii County Mayor Kim calls for two-test policy for arriving passengers. In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Kim said that he wants travelers to undergo a second round of testing after they arrive in the Islands. Pacific Business News.

Kaua'i Mayor: A decision has not yet been made on whether Kaua'i will opt-out of state's pre-travel testing plan. Kaua'i Mayor Derek Kawakami says he hasn't made a decision yet on whether the Garden Isle will opt-out of the state's plan. KITV4.

Honolulu City Councilmember urges Governor Ige to adopt additional testing for travelers.
With the state slated to reopen next week, a Honolulu City Councilmember is urging Governor David Ige to adopt additional testing for travelers. KITV4.

10 Days to Go: Ironing Out County Options Ahead of Pre-Travel Testing Launch. With just 10 days to go before the state’s Oct. 15 launch of its pre-travel COVID-19 testing program, counties across the state are ironing out how much they will or will not be involved. Maui Now.

As Hawaii prepares to welcome visitors back, input sought on tourism management plans. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is seeking input for new plans aimed at crafting the future of tourism management in the islands. A destination management action plan is being developed for each county. Hawaii News Now.

‘We’re In A Really Tough Place Right Now’: Can Hawaii’s New Health Director Make A Difference? Dr. Libby Char has directed some of the largest emergency agencies in the state. Her supporters say she offers a badly needed collaborative approach to leadership. Civil Beat.

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Ballots going out for Hawaii’s first all-mail general election. The ballots — the first of many more sent to registered voters across the state this week — are being mailed early to ensure timely delivery before the Nov. 3 general election. Star-Advertiser.

Office of Elections begins mailing out general election ballots. While Election Day is still weeks away, ballots will soon be showing up in your mailbox. KHON2.

Health Department urges safe Halloween with household members at home and not trick-or-treating. DOH recommends celebrating with household members at home and avoiding trick-or-treating door to door or wherever treats are handed to children or taken from a shared bucket. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — Oct. 6: 83 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Of the cases diagnosed on Tuesday, two were in Maui County, 14 were on Hawaii island and 67 were on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Oahu


Honolulu Agencies Asked To Identify Potential Budget Cuts Up To 10%. The City Council budget chair says property tax increases may be necessary in a year or two if revenue continues to drop. Civil Beat.

Voters Will Have Their Say On A Proposed Honolulu Youth Commission. If approved by voters this year, the new panel would advise the mayor and Council on issues critical to younger residents such as climate change. Civil Beat.

Delays, Lack of Transparency Among Reasons For City Withdrawal From Critical Rail Partnership. Officials had described the P-3 private-public partnership as a way to ease the financial burden on city taxpayers for the last, and most difficult, part of the rail project -- the stretch into the urban core from Middle Street to Ala Moana. Hawaii Public Radio.

$332K project to rebuild the Maunalua Bay loading dock begins.
Workers will be installing a new loading dock at Maunalua Bay. Hawaii News Now.

2 more of Oahu’s Irish pubs close up shop for good amid pandemic woes. Bar owner Bill Comerford confirmed Tuesday that he’s closing two of his four Irish pubs on Oahu. Irish Rose in Waikiki and Anna O’Brien’s in Moiliili will no longer welcome back customers ― even after Oahu reaches the tier 4 level of reopening. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

In or out? West Hawaii’s businesses await Mayor Kim’s decision on pre-travel testing program. Conflicting messages regarding Hawaii County’s participation in the state’s pre-travel testing program, scheduled to begin Oct. 15, have prompted unease among West Hawaii businesses on Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Questions surround county composting plans.
The future appeared muddy Tuesday for a county compost project, leaving members of a County Council committee frustrated that the long-awaited project may never be completed. West Hawaii Today.

26 UH-Hilo, HCC employees to have salaries reduced. Eighteen University of Hawaii at Hilo and eight Hawaii Community College employees will be among 216 executive-managerial staffers throughout the UH system to have their salaries reduced Nov. 1 as UH braces for budget shortfalls amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribune-Herald.

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University of the Nations Kona confirms 4 new COVID-19 cases as 492 undergo testing. Four new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by the University of the Nations Kona on Tuesday as hundreds of staff members and their families underwent testing for the novel coronavirus. West Hawaii Today.

Testing reveals 4 new COVID cases at the University of the Nations Kona campus. New cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at a faith-based college on Hawaii Island. Hawaii News Now.

Four additional people from University of the Nations Kona, already identified through contact tracing and in quarantine, have tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. KITV4.

Maui

Maui County Voters Weigh In On Top Election Issues, Charter Changes Among Them. Maui County residents will be casting ballots for state representatives, county councilmembers, Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees and seven county charter amendments. Hawaii Public Radio.

"Habitual DUI" Arrests up 500% in Maui County. Despite nearly two million fewer tourists, the Maui Police Department has made nearly the same number of DUI arrests as they did in 2019. KITV4.

New pediatrics clinic opens.
A nonprofit health care center has launched a new pediatrics clinic in hopes of increasing drop-in visits and child immunizations, both of which have declined during the pandemic. Maui News.

Four Seasons Maui Welcomes Guests Back with Specialized Travel Solutions, Nov. 20. General Manager Marc Bromley said the Resort’s new Safe on Maui program is aimed at helping to protect guests and ultimately, employees. Maui Now.


Kauai

Meet the candidates: Billy DeCosta. “I think everyone in that council has a good heart, but at this time it’s not enough,” said Billy DeCosta, a candidate for one of seven available seats. Garden Island.

$5M for Veterans Cemetery upgrades. The Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery is scheduled to receive a grant of over $5 million primarily to fund the construction of 215 pre-placed crypts, 407 in-ground cremains gravesites, 640 columbarium niches and a new memorial wall. Garden Island.

Kauai home prices jump by 32% on fewer sales. Home sales on Kauai declined by single digits last month even as the median price of a single-family home jumped by 32.5% and the median condominium price rose 17%. Pacific Business News.