Honolulu TSA worker tests positive for COVID-19, state mulls inter-island quarantine, some make masks, others buy guns, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu TSA workers ©2020 All Hawaii News

TSA worker in Hawaii tests positive for COVID-19. A Transportation Security Administration worker at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport has tested positive for COVID-19. KITV4.

Hawaii Interisland Travel Restrictions Next. Now that a 14-day self-quarantine is in effect for all arrivals to the State of Hawaiʻi, officials are going ahead with restrictions on interisland travel, too. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Updates: Case Total Now At 175; State Plans Tighter Interisland Travel. The Hawaii emergency management agency says it is planning tighter restrictions on interisland travel after state senators called for quarantine requirements to be applied to travelers who arrive at interisland airports and small boat harbors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii confirmed coronavirus cases rise to 175. Hawaii Department of Health officials said Sunday that the state’s tally of coronavirus cases has risen to 175, up 24 from 151 Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Coronavirus Cases Now At 175. The state reported 24 new cases since Saturday. About 8,100 tests have been conducted to date. Civil Beat.

COVID-19 Cases Climb to 175 in Hawai‘i. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i jumped by 24 overnight, bringing the statewide total of positive test results up to 175. Big Island Now.

Hawaii’s COVID-19 cases total 175; 24 new cases reported. The state reported 24 new cases of coronavirus in Hawaii on Sunday, bringing the statewide total to 175. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii COVID-19 cases now total at 175, 49 have recovered. The State Department of Health announced 24 new COVID-19 cases in Hawaii, bringing the state total to 175 on March 29. KHON2.

Doctors: COVID-19 is spreading in Hawaii communities at a wider scale than being reported. The medical professional community estimate there could be 800 to 1,000 unidentified cases statewide. KITV4.

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Suspension Of Hawaii’s Open Government Laws More Extreme Than Other States. Gov. David Ige has alarmed government watchdogs with his proclamations that shut the public out of public meetings and eliminates the release of public records. Civil Beat.

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Will Feds’ Relief Package Be Enough To Keep Hawaii’s Small Businesses Afloat? The package includes $377 billion for small businesses. Loan money spent on payroll and rent for the next two months doesn’t have to be paid back. Civil Beat.

Senator Schatz Releases Resource Guide For Small Businesses. The U.S. Senator from Hawaiʻi says the guide can help businesses access new funding and programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Video News.

Housing woes escalate. Close to 100,000 Hawaii residents lost work this month, and for many the fear of losing their home has also arisen or may not be far off. Star-Advertiser.

Many homeowners, tenants suffering from COVID fallout are eligible for federal relief. Homeowners with government-guaranteed mortgages who fall behind on their monthly payments because of the coronavirus pandemic can postpone their payments by up to a year, according U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). Star-Advertiser.

Homeowners And Renters Could Benefit From Coronavirus Aid Package. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz released a new resource guide to help residents figure out if they qualify for mortgage deferrals and eviction protection. Civil Beat.

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University of Hawaii researchers identify drug that may help COVID-19 patients. Sleep-inducing drugs may be beneficial in treating patients infecting with COVID-19, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine and colleagues in Wuhan, China. Star-Advertiser.

UH Researchers Need Your Help To Track COVID-19 In Hawaii. They’re looking to trace the spread of the disease in the community. Civil Beat.

Volunteers Step Up To Fill Shortage Of Protective Gear. Multiple health clinics and hospitals have reported they are running short on supplies and the community is responding. Civil Beat.

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While unemployment claims have skyrocketed, some essential businesses are looking to hire. Both Lowe’s and Securitas tell us they’ve been looking to hire workers before the pandemic started and that search continues. Both businesses say they’re looking to fill about 100 positions each. KHON2.

Securitas to hire 200 people amid Coronavirus outbreak. Security company Securitas says it is planning to hire 200 people to meet the increase demands it's getting. KITV4.

Businesses continue changing with growing coronavirus outbreak. As the growing COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend daily living in Hawaii, stores still open for business have also been forced to continue adjusting in response to government orders, the spread of the virus and changing customer habits. Star-Advertiser.

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Entrepreneurs launch website to collect data, provide info on coronvirus in Hawaii. A group of entrepreneurs with Hawaii ties is launching a new website to provide information to the public -- and to gather data on the spread of COVID-19 in the islands. Hawaii News Now.

Entrepreneurs launch website to collect data, provide info on coronvirus in Hawaii. A group of entrepreneurs with Hawaii ties is launching a new website to provide information to the public -- and to gather data on the spread of COVID-19 in the islands. Hawaii News Now.

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Postponement of Hawaii dental appointments recommended during coronavirus outbreak.  Most dentist appointments for regular checkups and cleaning have been postponed during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.


DOE wants to modify graduation criteria. The state Department of Education is seeking approval from the state Board of Education to modify high-school graduation and commencement requirements under Board Policy 102-15 for the class of 2020. Garden Island.

Hawai‘i Voters Asked to Update Signatures. Every registered voter in the state should be on the lookout for a signature capture card in their mailbox. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Council Axes Caldwell Budget Increases As Virus Concerns Grow. Items considered nonessential in the mayor’s budget were nixed and one member is proposing millions in new funding to tackle homelessness. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Hale closed except for essential business starting Monday. Access to Honolulu Hale will be limited to only those city employees and members of the public who are there on official business starting Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Once filled with visitors, Waikiki has turned into a ‘ghost town’. Prior to government crackdowns to stop the spread of COVID-19, Waikiki was the heartbeat of the state’s economy, contributing 6% to the state’s gross domestic product. Star-Advertiser.

Despite statewide restriction on mass gatherings, large groups continue to meet. Some people — both tourists and local — aren’t obeying the statewide order to avoid mass gatherings. And they’re not hiding it either. Hawaii News Now.

About 260 people screened in Waipahu as drive-thru coronavirus testing ramps up. About 260 people were tested Saturday for coronavirus at a drive-thru screening site at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex, one of two pop-up screening events this weekend on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Tourism grinds to halt as virus restrictions tighten. Like many cities across the world, Honolulu came to an eerie standstill this weekend as officials implemented measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic throughout the islands. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

COVID-19 confusion: County parks being evaluated for reopening. West Hawaii Today.

Even in Hilo, demand for guns, ammo soars. As people across the nation stocked up on toilet paper and cleaning supplies in preparation for the coronavirus lockdown, demand for guns and ammunition also spiked in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Testing continues as virus case count rises. A second pop-up drive-through testing clinic for COVID-19 was set up at the Old Kona Airport Park on Saturday as the state’s number of presumptive or positive cases reached 151. West Hawaii Today.

Keep calm and sew on: Community comes together to make masks. Making cloth masks to help compensate for shortages at local hospitals and care homes is a burgeoning occupation for sewing circles and community huis, especially now that the governor issued a stay-at-home order to reduce casualties from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiʻi Working To Gather, Or Make, Needed Supplies. Medical logistics Airmen with Hawaii Air National Guard and PhD students UH Mānoa are working to keep Hawaiʻi healthcare workers supplied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Video News.


Maui

Maui beach, outdoor activities clarified in ‘stay at home, work from home’ order. The County of Maui released Saturday afternoon supplemental guidance to the Public Health Emergency Rules that went into effect last Wednesday, mandating that people stay at home and work from home and shuttering nonessential businesses and activities to protect against coronavirus spread. Maui News.

Maui Ranks #2 in US of Areas by Share of Jobs in Industries at High Risk from COVID-19. A new study by Brookings Institution ranks the metro area of Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina on Maui at number two in the nation by share of jobs in industries at high risk from COVID-19. Maui Now.

Maui COVID-19 drive-through tests Monday; state spikes to 175 cases. Drive-through testing for COVID-19 will take place again Monday at War Memorial Gym parking lot, 700 Halia Nakoa St., Wailuku. People with respiratory symptoms and a history of contact with other ill individuals must call to make an appointment. Maui News.

Kula seamstress threads masks for first responders. More than 400 completed; some go to MPD. Maui News.

Hawaiian Electric proposes ‘self build’ battery storage in Pulehu. Interactive hearing on Akaku April 8. Maui News.

Kauai

Virtual screenings. Kaua‘i nurse practitioner Marghee Maupin is offering COVID-19 screenings to patients with or without insurance, and is conducting virutal exams via online video platforms to consult with her patients. Garden Island.

The Kukui Grove Cinema in the heart of Lihue will close its doors for good. A cinema in the heart of Lihue will soon close its doors for good — an apparent business fatality of the COVID-19 crisis. Hawaii News Now.

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

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.

Hawaii to start quarantining airport arrivals, first legislator tests positive as COVID-19 cases climb to 26, criticism mounts against state, local leaders, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian airlines at Honolulu airport ©2020 All Hawaii News

Hawaii airports planning to mandate 14-day home quarantine for incoming residents and visitors. Hawaii airports will begin mandating a 14-day quarantine for both residents and visitors coming to the islands, according to Lt. Gov. Josh Green. Star-Advertiser.

The State plans to quarantine everyone coming to Hawaii for 14 days. Lieutenant Governor Josh Green wants to implement a 14-day quarantine for both residents and visitors coming into the islands. KHON2.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green adds pressure to secure visitor arrivals. He wants to suspend all non-essential travel to the state through April 30. Hawaii News Now.

Petition fighting for mandatory 14-day quarantine for all visitors to Hawaii gains support. Maui COVID-19 Facts, a group that wants a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all travelers to Hawaii is quickly gaining support. The group sent a petition to Governor Ige on Thursday, showing the number of signatures nearly doubled overnight, with more than 10,000 signatures. KITV4.

MIT Researcher: Honolulu Airport Wasn’t A Virus ‘Super-Spreader’ This Time. The author of a study on Honolulu’s unique potential to spread contagion says we’re lucky the coronavirus moved west out of China, not east toward the islands. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii now has 26 cases of coronavirus. A television star and lawmaker are among the 10 most recent people in Hawaii to contract the coronavirus, which jumped to 26 from two cases in just one week. Star-Advertiser.

New coronavirus cases to the state include lawmaker, actor and medical center employee. The Hawaii Heath Department said all of the coronavirus (COVID-19) cases here in Hawaii are travel related. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Update: 26 Cases Reported Statewide. There remains only one reported confirmed case of COVID-19 on Hawaiʻi Island, health officials say. Big Island Video News.

Hawai‘i Confirms 10 New COVID-19 Cases Thursday. Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson announced 10 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i as of 1:20 p.m. Thursday. Big Island Now.

DOH emphasizes social distancing. Ten more cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Hawaii — eight on Oahu and two on Maui — bringing the total to 26, state health officials said. Tribune-Herald.

DOH Testing in Hawaii For COVID-19 Remains Deliberately Narrow. Lt. Gov. Josh Green slammed the pace of the state Department of Health’s screening program as a “total fail.” Civil Beat.

Why Hawaii Is Not Fully Prepared To Care For Surge In Coronavirus Patients. In less than a week, the number of cases of coronavirus in Hawaii increased from 2 to 16. Are Hawaii’s hospitals fully prepared for the influx of coronavirus patients? Two studies say no. Hawaii Public Radio.

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House Speaker Scott Saiki urges Gov. David Ige to ‘shut down’ the state for 15 days. House Speaker Scott Saiki is describing the handling of the pandemic thus far as “utterly chaotic,” and is urging Gov. David Ige to shut down the state and have residents shelter in place for the next 15 days. Star-Advertiser.

House speaker ‘implores’ governor to institute immediate statewide shutdown for 15 days. House Speaker Scott Saiki is calling on the governor to institute an immediate statewide shutdown for 15 days, requiring people to shelter in their homes or hotel rooms to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus in the islands. Hawaii News Now.

Saiki To Ige: State’s Handling Of COVID-19 ‘Has Been Chaotic’. The Hawaii House speaker urges the governor to order “an immediate statewide shutdown” of the state for the next 15 days. Civil Beat.

House Speaker Says State Response 'Utterly Chaotic,' Wants 15-Day State Shutdown. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii House Speaker Calls For State Shutdown, Shelter In Place. Calling the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic "utterly chaotic" with "mass confusion among the public", House Speaker Scott Saiki called on the Governor to take immediate action. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii’s newly created Special Senate Committee on COVID-19 held its first meeting Thursday, as the state Department of Health confirmed six new cases of COVID-19. Garden Island.

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Sen. Nishihara in quarantine as Legislature closes indefinitely. Just hours after he was notified he tested positive for the new coronavirus, state Sen. Clarence Nishihara found himself confined Thursday to a bedroom in his Waipahu home without even a TV to pass the time. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii State Senator Tests Positive For Coronavirus. Health officials screened as many as 70 lawmakers and staff after Sen. Clarence Nishihara tested positive. Civil Beat.

State Capitol building closes after senator tests positive for coronavirus. The state Capitol building is closed following news that state Sen. Clarence Nishihara tested positive Thursday for coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii’s public schools will start offering grab-and-go meals for kids Monday. Two dozen public schools across the state will begin serving grab-and-go breakfast and lunches Monday to help students who might otherwise miss meals during the extended three-week spring break. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Will Offer Meals Outside Some Cafeterias While Schools Are Closed. Many students depend on school meals to keep from going hungry. Civil Beat.

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University of Hawai‘i cancels graduation. The University of Hawai‘i is canceling the traditional commencement ceremonies, said University of Hawai‘i President David Lassner during a meeting of the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents at the Honolulu Community College via teleconferencing. Garden Island.

University of Hawai‘i Commencement Ceremonies Canceled. Calling it a “difficult decision,” University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner announced the cancellation of all traditional commencement ceremonies at all 10 campuses in the US system, including the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College in Kahului. Maui Now.

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Unemployment online system crashes from onslaught of claims. The overload in unemployment claims, which have been steadily rising as COVID-19 concerns clamp down on Hawaii’s economy, caused a misleading reported drop in Wednesday’s activity. Star-Advertiser.

State Labor Department apologizes, explains solutions for lagging website. Officials say an overload of claims being filed online caused the problem. KHON2.

Hawaii Unemployment Claims Skyrocket As Coronavirus Crisis Continues. Thousands of people are trying to apply for unemployment insurance as Hawaii’s tourism and service industries tumble. Civil Beat.

Hilo, and Now Honolulu, Dodge Influx of Cruise Ship Passengers. Big Island residents are breathing a sigh of relief after state authorities canceled a cruise ship’s emergency plans to unload hundreds of its passengers at Hilo Harbor. State transportation officials say the Holland America Line vessel is now set to arrive in Honolulu Friday, but none of its more than 800 passengers will be allowed off. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

City pulls lifeguards from Oahu beaches. Residents and visitors swam at their own risk at Oahu beaches Thursday after city officials instructed lifeguards not to go to their observation tower stations over concerns that they could be exposed to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Unauthorized vendors fill a gap left by departing city beach concessions. Despite Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s announcement Wednesday that the city’s parks would be closed the next day, there were at least 100 tourists enjoying Kuhio Beach Park on Thursday morning, according to Dave Carvalho of the city concession Pacific Island Beach Boys, who was waiting to hear whether the city Department of Enterprise Serv­ices would order his concession to close that day. Star-Advertiser.

A major Waikiki hotel closes its doors to encourage visitors to return home safely. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the Hale Koa Hotel, but the Waikiki resort — which caters to military families — decided to close its doors Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Twin-tower Keeaumoku project wins Council OK. The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday gave the green light to a twin-tower condominium project that is expected to add nearly 1,000 more residential units to the Keeaumoku Street area. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Inouye in isolation; Big Isle senators react after Nishihara tests positive for COVID-19. State Sen. Lorraine Inouye of Hilo said she was tested Thursday for the COVID-19 coronavirus and will remain in isolation in Honolulu until she receives the test results. Tribune-Herald.

Drive-through COVID-19 testing comes to Kona on Monday. The 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. effort is being undertaken by Lt. Gov. Josh Green’s COVID Task Force with help from the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation and Ironman Foundation. West Hawaii Today.

Feeding the hungry: Food Basket seeks monetary donations, paper bags, volunteers. The Food Basket, Hawaii Island’s food bank, is seeking the community’s help as they face uncertain times providing food for our island’s hungry as the coronavirus pandemic continues. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor Kim’s Plan Poses Serious Health Risks, Scientists Say. Kim’s plan also contrasts starkly with the policies soon to be enacted by mayors on every other major island — as O‘ahu and Maui will mandate social distancing practices for all restaurants, bars and related businesses, and Kaua‘i will enforce a 9 p.m. curfew indefinitely. Big Island Now.

Maui

Mayor Victorino Announces Public Health Emergency Rules for Maui County. Mayor Michael Victorino announced a number of Public Health Emergency Rules effective as of 7:45 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2020, directed toward limiting the gathering of groups of people and curtailing vehicular transportation except for essential activities or operation of essential business or government functions, such as travel to and from work and medical appointments. Maui Now.

Emergency rules take effect Friday. County to require closures of certain businesses; road to Hana for local traffic. Maui News.

Online fees waived for water, trash, property taxes. Credit card and transaction fees for online payments for real property taxes, trash pickup and water bills are being waived, and a Molokai and Lanai COVID-19 update will be livestreamed Friday, Maui County said. Maui News.

Maui Drive-Through Coronavirus Testing Expected to Launch Early Next Week. Preparations are underway to ready the War Memorial Gymnasium parking lot in Wailuku as Maui’s drive-through testing site for COVID-19. Maui Now.

2 new Maui cases are residents who returned from Europe. Two Maui residents who traveled back from Europe together were among the 10 new cases reported in Hawaii on Thursday, according to county and state officials. Maui News.

Kauai

Mail it in or make an appointment. Most county offices are closing to the public due to COVID-19 spread-prevention techniques. Garden Island.

Utility disconnections suspended. Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative and Hawai‘i Gas have both suspended service disconnections for Hawai‘i residents in response to anticipated economic hardships for members and customers. Garden Island.

Few guns at Hawaii airports, Honolulu investigators continue search for victim, suspect in fatal police shootings and fire, Ige to give state of the state speech today, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

TSA at Honolulu International Airport ©2020 All Hawaii News

3 firearms intercepted at Hawaii airports in 2019, TSA says. Three of the more than 4,000 firearms that Transportation Security Administration officers caught at checkpoints nationwide in 2019 were from Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

In State of the State, Ige to focus on proposals aimed at easing Hawaii’s high cost of living. The governor will deliver his annual State of the State address on Tuesday morning. His speech is set to begin at 10 a.m. in the state House chambers. Hawaii News Now.

UH Releases Pay Levels For Hundreds Of Graduate Assistants, Lecturers. Most of them are at the Manoa campus, working up to 20 hours per week and also receiving tuition waivers. Civil Beat.

Ruderman: State lacks commitment to ag industry. The vice chairman of the state Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment said Monday the state “is lacking in a genuine commitment in supporting agriculture.” Tribune-Herald.

Creating More Treatment Options in Hawaii’s Fractured Mental Health System. A key feature of the proposed reforms includes diverting the mentally ill from ERs into outpatient and residential programs more tailored to their needs. Civil Beat.

Aircraft carrier named for Pearl Harbor hero Doris Miller. The Navy on Martin Luther King Jr. Day named an aircraft carrier for the first time for an African American, and for the first time for an enlisted sailor, in bestowing the honor on Ship’s Cook 3rd Class Doris Miller, who overcame segregated roles and seized the initiative to became a hero when he fired back at attacking Japanese planes on Dec. 7, 1941. Star-Advertiser.

Kai Kahele: ‘We Have A Moral Obligation To Humanity’. The state senator who’s now running for Congress is no stranger to war. But he wants to restrict the president’s ability to take military action without the approval of Congress. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Police and fire departments continue shooting, arson investigation. The investigation into Sunday’s fatal shooting of two Honolulu police officers and massive fire continued Monday as shellshocked residents tried to pick up the pieces of their lives in a Diamond Head neighborhood that looked like a bomb had been dropped on it. Star-Advertiser.

Still More Questions Than Answers Surround Honolulu Police Officers’ Deaths. As smoke settled in the fire-ravaged neighborhood Monday, neighbors recalled the terror they’d felt a day earlier. Civil Beat.

Shooting Suspect Believed Dead In Fire Following Killing Of 2 Honolulu Officers. Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard says it may take several days to process the Diamond Head area crime scene where two Honolulu police officers were shot and killed Sunday morning. Hawaii Public Radio.

Suspect’s landlord remains unaccounted for following violent rampage in Diamond Head. One of two women who was unaccounted for following Sunday’s shooting and fires in the Diamond Head area has been found and is safe, police said. But authorities say another woman ― Lois Cain ― is still missing. Hawaii News Now.

HPD locate one woman who was unaccounted for in Diamond Head shooting. Honolulu Police have located one of the two women who were 'unaccounted for' in Sunday's deadly Diamond Head shooting and the massive house fires that followed. KITV4.

1 of 2 missing women in Hibiscus Drive fire has been located alive and well. Two women who intervened in the Diamond Head attack before the shooting started said today that they heard terrible screams for help from inside 3015 Hibiscus Drive Sunday morning and found suspect Jerry “Jarda” Hanel beating another tenant of the house with a three-pronged garden hoe. Star-Advertiser.

Suspect waged six-year TRO battle with neighbor, accused of making bogus 911 calls. The suspect in the deadly rampage was engaged in lengthy legal battles with his neighbors and was being investigated for filing bogus 911 reports against them. Hawaii News Now.

Jerry Hanel's attorney believes his client planned the Diamond Head attack. Jonathan Burge represented Hanel on multiple cases since 2015 and is still trying to process the tragedy that happened on Hibiscus Drive. KITV4.

Landlords should keep distance after eviction, says man who served notice to Diamond Head suspect. The suspect in Sunday’s attack and fire, Jerry Hanel, was in the process of being evicted. KHON2.

2 women who intervened in attack describe chaos before Hibiscus Drive shooting and fire. Two women who intervened in the Diamond Head attack before the shooting started said today that they heard terrible screams for help from inside 3015 Hibiscus Drive Sunday morning and found suspect Jerry “Jarda” Hanel beating another tenant of the house with a three-pronged garden hoe. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Orders Flags to Fly at Half-Staff. Gov. David Ige has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawai‘i state flag be flown at half-staff at the Hawai‘i State Capitol and upon all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai‘i National Guard in the State of Hawai‘i, immediately until sunset on Friday, Jan. 24. Big Island Now.

A legacy of service: 2 officers killed in Diamond Head shooting remembered. Never take a moment for granted. That’s the message a teenager is sharing as she mourns the loss of her mother, one of two Honolulu police officers killed Sunday in a violent rampage in the Diamond Head area. Hawaii News Now.

Total of HPD officers killed on duty now at 50. The deaths by gunfire Sunday of Honolulu police officers Tiffany Enriquez and Kaulike Kalama brought the department’s fallen-heroes count to 50 and increased the percentage of those shot to more than a third of the group. Star-Advertiser.

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Realignment Of Kam Highway At Laniakea Could Be In The Works. Hawaii transportation officials say they finally have the money to fix that North Shore stretch of the highway, a notorious traffic choke point that is eroding from sea level rise. Civil Beat.

EPA Begins Clearing Lead Soil in Kalihi After Years Of Delay. The long-awaited removal of soil with high lead levels on Factory Street in Kalihi is scheduled to start on Monday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Paddlers say homeless ruining bays. Graffiti, drug use, defecation and other illegal activities have reached a point where the Big Island’s paddling community is pushing back. West Hawaii Today.

Volunteers clear Maunakea protest site. About 15 volunteers gathered at the Maunakea Access Road last weekend to clean detritus left behind from the temporarily halted anti-Thirty Meter Telescope demonstrations. Tribune-Herald.

Real estate outlook: Slow and steady in ‘20? The Big Island’s real estate market ended 2019 not far from where it ended 2018, but that doesn’t mean nothing has changed. Tribune-Herald.

Officials keeping eye on Hawaiian monk seal RA20 as pupping season nears. Hawaiian monk seal RA20 has been making her presence in Big Island waters known as of recent, hauling out at a variety of spots in West Hawaii, including in the heart of Kailua Village. West Hawaii Today.

Rapid ʻOhiʻa Death Seed Banking Gets A Boost. A project that will collect and preserve seeds from the native ʻohiʻa trees for future reforestation is getting a big boost from Hawaiʻi’s utility company. Big Island Video News.

Maui

EV charging proposals at county sites sought. Maui County has released a request for proposals to upgrade and expand public electric vehicle charging stations at county properties. Maui County has released a request for proposals to upgrade and expand public electric vehicle charging stations at county properties. Maui News.

Regulators Approve EV Charging Network Plan. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved Hawaiian Electric’s plan to own and operate four potential EVohana sites on Maui that will offer lower charging rates incentivizing EV drivers to plug in during the day when solar energy is abundant. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hospital gets $2.75M gift for trauma upgrades. Husband and wife Peter Stengaard and Jennifer Gross recently donated $2.75 million toward Wilcox Medical Center’s emergency department and trauma fundraising campaign. Garden Island.

Resident unhappy with county tax refund. A Kapaa resident recently found out she had overpaid on her property taxes by thousands of dollars over the past seven years due to a clerical error at the county finance department, whose officials have admitted they made a mistake but declined to refund about half of the money. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi Composting Serves As Model For Food Waste Diversion. More than 26 percent of the food in Hawaiʻi goes uneaten each year – that’s nearly one billion dollars’ worth of food likely ending up in the landfill. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii airports among the worst, Health Department says stop vaping, Caldwell off to European climate summit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Daniel K. Inouye Honolulu International Airport ©2019 All Hawaii News

Satisfaction study ranks Hawaii airports among the worst. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport nearly tops a list of this year’s worst airports for customer satisfaction, mainly because of construction, which tends to delay passengers and sour their travel experiences. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii Health Department Is Prepared To Ban E-Cigs If Needed. After the second confirmed case of a vaping-related illness in the islands, the state health department is urging the public to stop vaping. Civil Beat.

Second lung patient cited as officials call for halt to vaping in Hawaii. Everyone in Hawaii should stop vaping until more is known about how it is triggering serious lung illnesses, officials announced Monday as they began investigating a second possible case here. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Health Officials Advising All E-Cigarette Users To Stop Vaping. The Hawaii Department of Health is advising all e-cigarette users to immediately stop vaping until more is known about its health impacts. Hawaii Public Radio.

State urges anyone who vapes to stop immediately, but decides against a ban. The state Health Department has issued a broad new advisory urging anyone who vapes to stop immediately until more is known about why people across the country who use vaping devices are getting gravely sick and even dying. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Department of Health issues public health advisory urging everyone to stop vaping. KHON2.

Department of Health: ‘Stop vaping’. The state Department of Health issued what it called a “health advisory” Monday, urging everyone to stop vaping, no matter the substance or source, until current nationwide investigations are complete. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Issues Public Health Advisory Urging Everyone To Stop Vaping. The Department of Health wants everyone to stop vaping until current nationwide investigations into illness are complete. Big Island Video News.

State: Stop vaping. The Hawaii State Department of Health has issued a health advisory urging everyone to stop vaping, no matter the substance or source, until current nationwide investigations are complete. Garden Island.

Health Advisory Urges Public to Stop Vaping. The Department of Health today issued a health advisory urging everyone to stop vaping, no matter the substance or source, until current nationwide investigations are complete. Maui Now.

Lawmakers planning to crack down on underage vaping. In light of the latest vaping-related illnesses, lawmakers are hoping to crack down on underage vaping in the next legislative session by making it harder for them to purchase e-cigarette products. KHON2.

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FBI: Violent crimes in Hawaii fall in recent years despite rise in rapes. A new report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation shows a drop in violence in Hawaii recently. Hawaii News Now.

FBI: Property crimes and thefts on the rise in Hawaii. The latest data from the FBI shows property crimes and thefts are on the rise in Hawaii, especially on Oahu. KHON2.

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The state Public Safety Department’s top trainer appears to be off the hook — for now. The state Labor Board is dropping its request for Marte Martinez’s personnel file after fierce resistance from two other state agencies defending her: Public Safety and the state Attorney General’s Office. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Struggling To Find Out If Full-Face Snorkel Masks Are Dangerous. The counties have been unable to collect enough data on the type of mask worn in drowning incidents to draw any conclusions yet. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Coffee Farmers: State Policy Is Putting Crops At Risk. Growers want Hawaii to adopt a strict federal policy designed to protect Hawaii coffee from invasive species. Civil Beat.

DOE awarded $50M federal grant to boost literacy skills in kids. The state Education Department has been awarded a five-year, $50 million federal grant to boost literacy development at Hawaii public schools. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Land Use Commission again will convene to determine landfill’s fate. The city finally might win its long-running quest to win state approval to extend the life of Oahu’s only municipal landfill, but not if neighbors of the West Oahu facility have anything to do with it. Star-Advertiser.

Proposed Bill could force non-union workers to pay union dues. Bill 37 is up for a vote in Wednesday's City Council meeting. KITV.

Councilmember calls for delay of Kakaako parks transfer to city. Honolulu City Councilmember Kymberly Pine is asking the city administration to delay taking over Kakaako Waterfront Park and other nearby parcels in a handoff from the state slated for this fall. KHON2.

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Caldwell On Business Trip To Denmark, Germany And France. The Honolulu mayor is attending a climate conference, among other things. Civil Beat.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell left Oahu Monday morning for a two-week business trip to Europe. Caldwell will visit Denmark, Germany and France during his trip, with his first stop in Copenhagen to attend the C40 World Mayors Summit to provide an “island perspective.” Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Invited To Climate Summit With World's Largest Cities. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is off to Denmark this week for a global gathering of big city mayors. Their goal is to tackle the major challenges of climate change. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Two young monk seals found dead on Oahu’s North Shore, NOAA says. On Monday, Hawaii Marine Animal Response officials revealed the deaths of two young Hawaiian monk seals in recent months. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki doctor pleads guilty to filing nearly $1M in false medical claims. Dr. Sung Yang admitted to filing fraudulent claims amounting to nearly $1 million to government and private insurance agencies. Hawaii News Now.

'Golf ball' radar leaves Pearl Harbor after $24M upgrade. The towering Sea-Based X-Band Radar is back at sea after nearly four months in Pearl Harbor, during which $24 million in repairs and upgrades were made, the Missile Defense Agency said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Why Dismantling of Mauna Kea Telescopes Raises Questions. The state’s commitment to remove five existing telescopes on Mauna Kea to build the Thirty-Meter Telescope remains part of the effort to resolve the protest on the mountain. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kupuna meet with Kim, reject proposal for TMT. A group of kupuna, or elders, from the movement opposed to the Thirty Meter Telescope being built on Mauna Kea met with Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim on Monday to discuss Kim’s plan for resolving the dispute, which proposed that the TMT would be the last telescope built on the mountain. Star-Advertiser.

A bill banning the county’s use of toxic herbicides has resurfaced at the County Council. Bill 101, sponsored by Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas, will be heard Oct. 15 by the council sitting as the Agriculture, Water, Energy and Environmental Management Committee. West Hawaii Today.

Court order calls for property owners to clear homeless camp. A Hilo judge signed an order last week that would compel two Big Island property owners to clear a homeless camp from downtown Hilo, but they can still appeal the court’s decision. Tribune-Herald.

Legacy Hilo files for bankruptcy; Nursing facility also being sold. Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation and Nursing Center filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and entered into a contract to sell the facility to Hilo SNF. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Comments on East Maui Water Lease, Draft EIS Due by Nov. 7. Alexander & Baldwin Inc. and its East Maui Irrigation Company, Limited subsidiary have filed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed lease of water in the East Maui areas of Nāhiku, Keʻanae, Honomanū, and Huelo. Maui Now.

Opening of new Kihei High School could be delayed 3 to 4 years. Andrew Beerer’s two children were just starting elementary school when he joined the campaign to build a public high school for their fast-growing Kihei community. Star-Advertiser.

NOAA Needs Help Counting Hawaiian Monk Seals. NOAA Fisheries is calling on marine life enthusiasts to help survey Mauiʻs shores for endangered Hawaiian monk seals. Maui Now.

Maui Brush Fire Fully Contained But Public Asked To Avoid Burn Area. A fire that burned in the Maalaea Mauka area and forced evacuations and road closures has been 100% contained as of Monday morning, Maui Fire Department said. Hawaii Public Radio.


Kauai

Take a number. The County’s Drivers License Division is piloting a take-a-number system that started Monday to make acquiring licenses and permits for drivers of motor vehicles and customers seeking Hawaii Identification Cards more efficient and comfortable. Garden Island.

No answers in duck deaths. Near the end of September, Kilauea resident and avid golfer Barbara Trombley visited Wailua Golf Course to feed some domestic ducks dumped in the area. Garden Island.

Molokai

Original Hawaiian Homes Leases Near 99-Year Mark. The first leases awarded through the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act are approaching their 99-year limit. According to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in a press release sent out today, beneficiaries in Kalamaʻula and Hoʻolehua on the island of Molokaʻi can submit requests to extend their leases for an additional 100 years. Maui Now.

UN honors Molokai group for fishery conservation. Hui Malama o Mo‘omomi receives its prize in NYC. Maui News.

Homelessness down slightly, former lawmaker Tam dies, $5.1M for Maui jail riot repairs, GOP retains state Chairwoman Ostrov, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeless in Chinatown, Honolulu ©2019 All Hawaii News

Count shows homelessness down, but number of unsheltered homeless swells. The figures from the count, conducted on a single night in January, were released Wednesday and show slight declines in the overall homeless population. Hawaii News Now.

Airbnb says it would have hauled in $64M in taxes for Hawaii last year. If the vacation rental platform Airbnb had been authorized to collect taxes on behalf of the state last year, it would have hauled in $64 million in Hawaii hotel room and excise tax revenues, the company says. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii health care takes top spot in nationwide survey. Hawaii was No. 24 overall in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual 2019 Best States rankings but took the top spot for health care. Star-Advertiser.

Kailua Crash Puts Hawaii’s Copter Tours Under A Microscope. Regulators are updating the one flight manual that governs the state’s air tours, but the public won’t get to participate. Civil Beat.

Gun Group Sues FBI For Records On State Fingerprint Program. The Hawaii Firearms Coalition says it’s trying to find out why the state is retaining registered gun owners’ fingerprints. Civil Beat.

Hawaii GOP Keeps Ostrov As Party Chair. The minority party boasts of unity in a Democratic-controlled state. Civil Beat.

Nonprofit Group Says DOE Is Withholding Key Financial Data. The Education Institute of Hawaii is trying to pressure the state into providing information for a financial database to shed light on school funding practices. Civil Beat.

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Former Hawaii lawmaker Rod Tam dies from leukemia. Tam spent three decades in office between the House, Senate, and Honolulu city council. His political career however was overshadowed by a run-in with the law and brief time spent behind bars. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii politician Rod Tam dies due to complications from leukemia. Colorful and controversial political figure Rod Tam died this afternoon due to complications from leukemia, a family spokesman said. Star-Advertiser.

Former Hawaii politician Rod Tam has died at age 65. Former Hawaii politician Rod Tam has died due to complications from leukemia. KITV.

Oahu

Oahu saw only a 1% drop in homelessness in January — not the 4% decline reported in February, according to data released Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

How Honolulu Property Tax Decisions Could Affect Owners. The Honolulu City Council on Tuesday overrode Mayor Kirk Caldwell's veto of a bill that increases the standard home exemption on property taxes while advancing his proposal to hike the tax rate on hotels and resorts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council member seeks to revive proposal after 17-year-old was hit in a mid-block crosswalk. Councilman Ron Last year, Menor had proposed a bill that would allow cars to turn on their hazard lights at mid-block crosswalks to alert other drivers that someone is crossing. KHON2.

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Pool of potential jurors for Kealoha trial shrinks. The pool of prospective jurors for the federal conspiracy trial of retired Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha; his wife Katherine, a former deputy prosecutor; and three former members of the Honolulu Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit is down to 249. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly 200 prospective jurors already eliminated for Kealoha ‘mailbox trial’.  Despite incredible amounts of publicity, lawyers in the Kealoha trial say they are confident they will have an impartial jury -- perhaps faster than expected. Hawaii News Now.

TV Reporter No Longer Sought As Witness In Corruption Trial. Hawaii News Now reporter Lynn Kawano had said the move to call her to the stand was retaliation for her prior coverage. Civil Beat.

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Pali Highway Repair Pegged At $20 Million To Date. Emergency work continues to install a rockfall mitigation system. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Lieutenant governor visits East Hawaii as part of state’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness. Lt. Gov. Josh Green visited several sites where homeless people congregate in East Hawaii, including a homeless camp nestled in the woods off Railroad Avenue and the homeless congregation around the Mooheau Park Bandstand in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

‘Action plan’ necessary for county to access federal disaster recovery grant. A $66.9 million federal grant heading to the state for disaster recovery was welcomed news for Hawaii County officials. Tribune-Herald.

Noise From Helicopter Tours Leaves Residents With Frayed Nerves. It’s been a hot-button issue on the island for decades, but many say the problem has grown worse as more tourists are drawn to the site of the lava eruptions. Civil Beat.

State expects report about feasibility of restoring access to Pohoiki boat ramp by early June. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources hired consultant Sea Engineering to determine the feasibility of restoring access to the ramp. Tribune-Herald.

OSHA violations settled with Mass Transit. The Federal Transit Administration isn’t the only U.S. agency finding problems at the county’s beleaguered Mass Transit Agency. West Hawaii Today.

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Chief, mayor react to charges on retired officers; Fukui, Miller turn selves in. Former police officers indicted on charges ranging from drug offenses to conspiracy and tampering are scheduled to make their first appearances today in Hilo Circuit Court. West Hawaii Today.

Two Former Hawaii County Police Officers Indicted. Hawaii County Police Chief Paul Ferreira says the investigation began with cocaine and hashish missing from police custody. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Council budget up for first reading. $823.6M budget is about $43 million, or 5.5 percent, higher than mayor’s proposal. Maui News.

Mayor Victorino to Visit Japan and Korea in a Goodwill, Business Trip. Maui Now.

Ige Signs Bill To Cover $5.1 Million In Repairs After Maui Jail Riot. The measure also includes $2 million to temporarily house 248 additional Hawaii inmates at a private prison in Arizona. Civil Beat.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is seeking the community’s input for the development of the agency’s new strategic plan through an online survey and a series of statewide meetings, with the first one on Maui on Monday. Maui News.

$340M rental car facility opens at Kahului Airport. CONRAC relied solely on rental car funds; ‘no taxpayer dollars were involved’. Maui News.

Kauai

Can $13 Million Save Lihue? A federal grant to reconfigure roads in the core of this island’s county seat could spur enough private investment to bring back the good times. Civil Beat.

Group protests 5G, doesn’t want it on Kauai. In a national day of protest against the fifth generation of cellular network technology, 5G Action Kauai rallied on Kapule Highway and Ahukini Road Wednesday afternoon. Garden Island.

Lanai

Lanai Airport gets $10M in federal money for runway improvements. The U.S. Department of Transportation grant is part of $779 million dollars in funding for more than 100 airports, nationwide and in Puerto Rico. Hawaii News Now.