64% say Hawaii is moving in right direction on COVID-19, lawmakers seek stricter quarantine monitoring, Kauai reopening its beaches, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Gov. David Ige Facebook Live screenshot

Majority believes Hawaii is moving in right direction against COVID-19. 64% of Hawaii residents believe government is moving in the right direction in its handling of the coronavirus crisis, a statewide survey has found. Star-Advertiser.

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Officials suggest COVID-19 testing of air passengers prior to their arrival as condition to restarting tourism. Hawaii’s lieutenant governor and a member of its congressional delegation on Wednesday floated the idea of COVID-19 testing for any arriving air passenger prior to travel as a condition to reopen the tourism industry. Tribune-Herald.

Thermal sensors at airports, mass testing seen as key to safely reopening tourism. Thermal sensors, which have been used in a handful of airports around the world to detect travelers with fevers, are emerging as one of several new tools the state could use to reopen tourism. Hawaii News Now.

Congressman Calls For Testing Hawaii-Bound Travelers. U.S. Rep Ed Case is asking the Federal Aviation Administration to suspend rules around pre-boarding requirements. Civil Beat.

Case Wants FAA to Allow Hawai‘i to Impose COVID-19 Testing as a Condition to Boarding Planes for Hawai‘i. Congressman Ed Case today called on the Federal Aviation Administration to confirm the State of Hawai‘i’s ability to impose and enforce COVID-19 prevention public health conditions on air travel to the islands. Maui Now.

Ed Case pushing FAA to allow stricter travel policies for flights to Hawai'i. Hawaii U.S. Representative Ed Case wrote a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration asking for help from the FAA to test people for COVID-19 before boarding a Hawaii-bound plane. KITV4.

Senators express concerns over enforcement of 14-day quarantine order for travelers. Officials are trying to tighten up the system at the airports. But state lawmakers still have concerns over the enforcement of the 14-day quarantine order for travelers and put those concerns in a letter. KHON2.

Senate Committee Asks Chief Justice to be Tougher on Quarantine Violators. The Hawai‘i State Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 doesn’t think the mandatory travel quarantine is being appropriately implemented. Big Island Now.

Some hotels concerned about quarantine enforcement. Some of the state’s hotels say they need more guidance about how to enforce a 14-day quarantine on travelers, including what to do if guests refuse to comply or how to participate if they still use physical keys instead of cards. Associated Press.

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Hawaii’s economy is reopening, but tourism remains on lockdown. Hawaii’s low COVID-19 infection and mortality rates have increased calls to start reopening the state’s economy — but support to restart tourism is still mixed. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu restaurant, Kauai resort lay off more than 180 employees. A restaurant chain in Honolulu and a Kauai hotel have recently laid off a combined 187 workers, according to Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act notices filed with the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations this week. Pacific Business News.

This Federal Bailout Is Bringing A Lot More Money To Hawaii Than The Last One In 2008. The Great Recession’s federal stimulus program focused on building projects while CARES is putting more money directly into the pockets of residents and business owners. Civil Beat.

Hawaii to get $50M from federal government to fight COVID-19. The Department of Health said it plans to use part of the money to train about 300 contact tracers after being criticized for being slow to expand the public health workforce to deal with a surge in cases. Star-Advertiser.

State announces plans to bolster contact tracing, testing efforts as economy reopens. The governor announced plans Wednesday to ramp up contact tracing efforts in order to prepare for a possible increase in COVID-19 cases as the state’s economy reopens. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii To Get $50M For Ramped Up Contact Tracing, Funds For UH Tracers Training Sought. Hawaii is receiving $50 million in federal funding to ramp up contact tracing, Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz announced today. Hawaii Public Radio.

Islands to receive $50M in federal funding for Covid-19 contact tracing. The Aloha State will be receiving $53 million in new federal funding to bolster Covid-19 contract tracing and testing across the Islands, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Wednesday. Pacific Business News.

Schatz urges state to quickly bolster contact tracing with $50M in federal funding. Hawaii will get $50 million in federal funding to dramatically expand its COVID-19 contact tracing and testing program. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai'i DOH and UH create contact tracing program. To help locate people who may be infected with the coronavirus the Department of Health and University of Hawaii joined forces to create a year-long $2.5 million contact tracing program. KITV4.

Reentry Support Key in Reducing Incarcerated Population. The transition from incarceration back into society has always been a challenge for Hawaiʻiʻs criminal justice system. Over the course of two months, the COVID-19 threat has moved hundreds of inmates back into the community – oftentimes with little to no support in navigating life outside jail or prison. Hawaii Public Radio.

State senator questions whether he had COVID-19. State Sen. Clarence Nishihara, whose positive COVID-19 test led to the March 19 shutdown of the state Capitol, said Wednesday his test may have been a false positive. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

How Honolulu Will Spend $487 Million In Federal Funds. With nearly half a billion dollars in federal aid, Honolulu plans to spend much of it assisting individuals and businesses, supporting first responders and working to prevent and reduce homelessness, city officials told council members on Wednesday. Civil Beat.

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Health officials work to contain cluster of COVID-19 cases in a Kalihi housing project. The state reported three new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, and officials confirm they’re linked to a cluster of patients at Kalihi Valley Homes. Hawaii News Now.

First COVID-19 Cases Reported In Hawaii Public Housing. Seven cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Hawaii public housing, Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson said at a press conference Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s 3 latest coronavirus cases came from cluster in Oahu family. One adult and two minors were infected as part of a cluster of seven cases in one extended family in public housing. Star-Advertiser.

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No food court dining or fitting rooms under new retail reopening rules. Food take-out, drug stores, and food markets have remained open at shopping centers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but on Friday, the rest of the shops can resume business. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Council advances luxury tax measure. A bill creating a structure for a luxury residence tax — with 99% of the targeted property situated in three West Hawaii council districts — easily passed its first hearing Wednesday before the County Council, with one more vote to go before heading to Mayor Harry Kim, who supports it. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island Luxury Homeowners Could Be On The Hook For County Budget Shortfall. Fair or not, owners of high-end homes are being asked to fill a Hawaii County budget hole caused by the coronavirus. Civil Beat.

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ACLU confused by county’s defense for removal of Hilo homeless camp. The American Civil Liberties Union called Hawaii County’s defense of the April removal of a downtown Hilo homeless camp “confusing.” Tribune-Herald.

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Four Concepts In Volcanoes National Park Disaster Recovery Project. Public input is needed to review various concepts in a disaster recovery project following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and summit collapse. Big Island Video News.

National park seeks input on four proposed designs. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the U.S. Geological Survey are seeking community feedback on a series of proposed recovery projects within the park. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Second Phase of Reopening Maui County Parks Begins Saturday, May 16. Mayor Michael Victorino announced the reopening of additional County parks and beach parks will take place on Saturday, May 16. The reopening of parks facilities includes select tennis and pickleball courts. Maui Now.

Maui nurses describe grueling battle in and outside the hospital. It has been a grueling battle on the front lines of Hawaii’s largest outbreak. It has been 12 days since Maui's main hospital admitted its last coronavirus patient. Hawaii News Now.

County proposes changes to zoning district. Short-term rentals would be removed but B&Bs allowed. The Maui Planning Commission recommended a bill Tuesday that would allow more than one accessory dwelling and remove short-term rentals in a rarely used zoning district. Maui News.

UH-MC to hold most fall classes online. Two-thirds online, one-third in person. University of Hawaii Maui College was ahead of the curve when it came to creating and releasing a fall class schedule that includes safety protocols for COVID-19. Maui News.

Maui retail store employee owed back wages after being denied leave to care for child during crisis. After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, it determined that Mana Foods violated the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act when it denied the employee leave. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i beaches are reopening on Friday, according to a Wednesday announcement by Mayor Derek Kawakami, who has also announced an extension of the mandatory quarantine for incoming travelers through June 30th. Garden Island.

Kauai plans to reopen beaches, while extending passenger quarantine. Kauai will reopen its beaches Friday as part of a two-week pilot program that allows people to use the beach under certain restrictions designed to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai beaches to reopen with restrictions under 2-week pilot program. Kauai beaches will reopen Friday as part of a two-week test involving a new set of restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Kawakami Extends Mandatory Quarantine for Incoming Travelers to Kaua‘i Through End of June. Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami today announced that he has signed Emergency Rule 9, which extends the mandatory quarantine for incoming travelers to the island of Kauaʻi through the month of June. Maui Now.

Nearly 500 cited for breaking COVID-19 rules. The Kaua‘i Police Department has issued 493 citations as of May 11 since March, according to a department spokesperson. Garden Island.

Mayor proposes $33.6 million CIP budget. The CIP budget, which the Kaua‘i County Council will discuss in a meeting Friday, is proposed at $33,642,237, down from $34,410,730, which was submitted in early March, before the county could gauge how long-standing the coronavirus pandemic would affect revenue streams. Garden Island.

Hawaii not ready to reopen yet, residents chafe against beach restrictions, federal payments to hit unemployment checks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hawaii per state Department of Health

Gov. David Ige expects Hawaii stay-home order to be extended beyond April 30. Gov. David Ige said Monday that Hawaii’s stay-at-home order probably will be extended past April 30, but said the state is looking at loosening some local restrictions on specific activities such as delays in elective surgeries. Star-Advertiser.

Despite decline in new cases, Ige says he’s not ready to ease stay-at-home restrictions. Hawaii is reporting just four new COVID-19 cases on Monday ― in more strong evidence that the state’s stay-at-home order is working to stop the spread of the virus. But in a news conference, Gov. David Ige said Hawaii isn’t yet ready to begin re-opening its economy. Hawaii News Now.

Gov not looking to ease restrictions: ‘We are not there yet’. Despite the low number of new cases and high recovery rate, the governor is not poised to loosen the stay at home order which is set to expire at the end of the month. KHON2.

Gradual lifting of Hawaii’s lockdown could start in a month. Certain places in Hawaii closed to curtail COVID-19 could begin to reopen within a month. However, lifting restrictions that have crushed the state economy is expected to be a gradual process that takes place at different times for different parts of the state, establishments and industries. Star-Advertiser.

Plan To Reopen Hawaii Economy Presented. Alan Oshima, the state Economic Recovery and Resiliency Navigator, explained the framework for the plan to reopen the economy following the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Video News.

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

Governor COVID-19 Update: Including Economic Recovery & Resilience Plans. Oshima laid out a three-phase plan for reopening Hawai‘i’s economy. Phase 1 is stabilization – focus on stabilizing the number of COVID-19 cases. Phase 2 consists of reopening and recovery, which begins with gradual, sequenced reopening of normal activities; and Phase 3 is building a resilient economy with strong business and job growth. Maui Now.

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Hawaii sees 2-month low of 4 new coronavirus cases, with none on Oahu. Hawaii has reached an apparent milestone in the coronavirus pandemic with just four new cases — the lowest daily increase in two months — and zero new infections on the most densely populated island, Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Reports 4 New COVID-19 Cases. On Monday, Oahu reported no new coronavirus cases for the first time since the virus appeared in the islands. Civil Beat.

Only 4 new Hawaii COVID-19 cases, including 2 new on Hawaii Island. Meanwhile, Gov. David Ige said Hawaii’s stay-at-home order will probably be extended past April 30 because the islands aren’t yet ready to relax restrictions put in place to control the spread of the coronavirus. West Hawaii Today.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green Gives Hawaii Situation Update. Lieutenant Governor Josh Green shared an encouraging message with the public on Monday concerning the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaiʻi. Big Island Video News.

Beach restrictions prompt pushback from residents and confusion for mayors. Governor David Ige’s move to make beaches off-limits is getting some pushback. People are frustrated and confused, which includes at least two of Hawaii’s mayors. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii’s first $600 extra unemployment payments should go out Wednesday. The state is poised to send out the first of many thousands of weekly $600 “plus-up” unemployment payments to laid-off workers, according to Scott Murakami, director of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Star-Advertiser.

Those getting unemployment benefits in Hawaii start seeing extra $600 payments. Those receiving unemployment benefits in Hawaii are starting to see extra $600 payments, which were part of the federal relief package. The increase is a weekly payment from March 29 through the end of July — and it is retroactive. Hawaii News Now.

Volunteers step up to deal with avalanche of unemployment claims in Hawaii. Hundreds of state employees are volunteering to help process Hawaii’s crushing backlog of unemployment claims in hopes of speeding up checks to workers idled by COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

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Amid threats to supply chain, officials say Hawaii’s farmers need help. The executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau told lawmakers Monday both COVID-19 and the upcoming hurricane season present dual threats to the islands’ food supply. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii farmers may shut down due to hardships. Hawaii farmers are running out of money and could wind up shutting down, which would hurt our local food supply. KHON2.

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COVID-19 Crisis Poses Risks For Hawaii’s Renewable Energy Plans. Even the most optimistic solar developer said extended disruptions to projects will have unavoidable consequences. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Airlines to get $650M in federal aid to continue operating. Hawaiian Airlines says it’s getting more than $650 million in federal aid to keep operating. CEO Peter Ingram told a state legislative committee that federal authorities have approved $290 million in grants and loans to cover its payroll, and a low interest loan of $364 million for operations. Hawaii News Now.

Bank of Hawaii sets aside $33.6M for possible loan defaults amid coronavirus shutdown. Bank of Hawaii Corp. revealed Monday the first look at how COVID-19 is affecting local financial institutions. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard Still Has More Than $500,000 In Presidential Cash. Federal Election Commission reports show that the congresswoman still had lots of money left over in her bank account at the end of March. Civil Beat.

Oahu

No walking or running on Oahu beaches. As of Monday, Honolulu Police Department officers had issued approximately 7,700 warnings and 2,800 citations for violations of Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s emergency order of March 18 that closed city beach parks. Star-Advertiser.

Plans for walk-in COVID-19 testing for Oahu homeless scrapped. The city and state Department of Health are directing all coronavirus-related homeless cases to its CARES hotline 832-3100. KITV4.

HPD shifting from warnings to citations for violations of the emergency order. On Oahu, the Honolulu Police Department says it does not compare the number of new tickets issued each day, but there was a shift from warnings to citations about a week ago. As of Monday, officers issued about 7,700 warnings and 28-hundred citations for violations of the emergency order. KHON2.

Honolulu Fire Department acquires land for new Waialua station. After nearly a century the Waialua community will be gaining a new fire station. KITV4.

Kaimuki businesses convince city to postpone renovation of municipal parking lot. A major parking lot renovation in Kaimuki has been rescheduled for January 2021 after business owners — already struggling amid the pandemic — complained. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Cluster of cases associated with Kona fast-food eateries remains at 30. A total of 18 McDonald’s employees and 12 household members have tested positive for the novel coronavirus since the first week of April, said Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson.  West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Victorino wants beach exercise to be allowed. Mayor reaching out to Ige to allow running, walking on beaches. Maui News.

Maui Brewing Co. under investigation by Maui liquor commission for hand sanitizer giveaways. Maui Brewing Co., which has donated more than 1,000 gallons of hand sanitizer to first responders and others since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, is being investigated by the Maui County Liquor Control Commission for giving away the product with purchase to customers. Star-Advertiser.

Liquor control investigating Maui Brewing Company for giving away sanitizer. A Maui company's good deed has led to an investigation. Maui Brewing Company has been making hand sanitizer to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Mayor Asking for Quick Resolution on Liquor Dept. Investigation into Sales with Free Hand Sanitizer. The Maui Liquor Department is reportedly investigating a complaint against the Maui Brewing Company for allegedly using the sales of products, in which patrons were reportedly given free hand sanitizer with purchase, Mayor Victorino said. Maui Now.

Kauai

State rules in question. At 6 p.m. on Monday, a County of Kaua‘i spokesperson said they’ve pursued clarifications on that order and are awaiting response from the Governor’s office. Garden Island.

Hawaii beaches closed, masks mandated, evictions postponed as state's 10th COVID-19 death announced; counties struggle to draft budgets, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ala Moana beach park last year ©2020 All Hawaii News

With new restrictions, Hawaii’s shorelines are empty ... for the most part. With new rules in place further restricting people from gathering on sandy shorelines, beaches were fairly empty for a beautiful Saturday in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Ige's fifth emergency proclamation closes beaches, mandates face masks, places moratorium of evictions. Full text here.

Ige Issues Eviction Moratorium Through April 30. The order won’t prevent landlords from pursuing evictions starting May 1. Civil Beat.

After the state closed all beaches due to COVID-19, Hawaii County issued a list of limited openings for ocean access and restroom usage. Following Friday’s announcement that Govrnor David Ige has signed a fifth emergency supplementary proclamation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic closing all state beaches in Hawaiʻi in order to limit activities outside the home, Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim signed his own new set of rules for the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

Victorino to Ige: Reconsider beach exercise ban. There is more trouble in paradise as new statewide public health emergency rules banning beach exercise were awash with protest and confusion. Maui News.

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Tourists using transient rentals to bypass Hawaii quarantine restrictions prove hard to track. COVID-19 crackdowns on transient vacation rentals, which aren’t considered essential businesses right now, are proving just as hard for the counties to enforce as the laws meant to regulate them. Star-Advertiser.

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Man visiting from Washington becomes Hawaii’s 10th COVID-19 death. Maui County logged one new death Sunday, bringing the statewide death toll into the double digits. The DOH said 10 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported statewide — six on Oahu, four on Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Man hospitalized for COVID-19 at Maui Memorial dies, his death brings state total to 10. The 10th COVID-19-related death reported in the state was a man who was hospitalized at Maui Memorial Center. KHON2.

Hawaii health officials announce 10th COVID-19 death as statewide coronavirus cases rise to 580. Hawaii Department of Health officials reported the state’s tenth death from COVID-19 today, as the statewide tally of coronavirus cases rose by six to a total of 580. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Confirms 10th Death Related to Coronavirus. Hawai‘i reported only six new cases of COVID-19 overnight, also registering the state’s 10th death as a result of infection. Big Island Now.

Maui sees Hawaii’s 10th death from virus. The Washington state man was in his 40s to 50s with no previous medical conditions and had a history of travel, the state Department of Health said Sunday. He had been in serious condition during a 21-day stay at the Maui Memorial Medical Center, where the state is investigating a cluster of COVID-19 cases at the island’s largest hospital. Star-Advertiser.

Fourth COVID-19 Related Death on Maui is Washington State Man With No Previous Medical Conditions. “The individual was an adult male from Washington state in the 40-59-year age group who had no previous medical conditions and a history of travel,” according to a press release issued by the state’s COVID-19 Joint Information Center. Maui Now.

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Stimulus Checks Won't Cover Even A Month's Expenses in Hawaii. Eligible residents in Hawaii, and around the country, are starting to receive cash stimulus payments from the federal government. But the one-time $1200 checks won’t go far in Hawaii. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tracing the Path Of COVID-19 In Hawaii — 1 Name At A Time. An understaffed health department is looking to hire more investigators to identify and isolate people who have been exposed to COVID-19. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Civil Rights Office Is Still Closed During A Time It’s Needed Most. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission still accepts only paper filings and isn’t set up for remote work. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii researchers urge the state to step up its coronavirus response. A trio of University of Hawaii researchers is urging state officials to accelerate its public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, not only to save lives but to help restart the economy. Star-Advertiser.

Union leaders and state Legislators put out a call for hundreds of state worker volunteers to help tackle the massive backlog of unemployment claims. “The plan is have over a thousand people man that center over the next week-and-a-half," said House Speaker Scott Saiki.  Hawaii News Now.

What will Hawaii's "re-opening" look like? Director of Hawaii's Department of Health Dr. Bruce Anderson told KITV4 he believes Hawaii's re-opening could look like a gradual, "tiered" approach. KITV4.

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Lockdown has gone too far, Hawaii protesters say. A caravan of about 50 vehicles Sunday traveled from the state Capitol to Costco in Kapolei to protest what participants consider governmental overreach in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

‘Open Hawaii’: A small group of protesters feel its time to ease up restrictions. Nearly two dozen people rallied in a rolling caravan Sunday, saying their rights are being violated by government mandates. Hawaii News Now.

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COVID-19 is new pestilence for Hawaii farmers. Phyllis Shimabukuro- Geiser, director of the state Department of Agriculture, said recently that some farmers reported losing 50% to 60% of their market last month largely because of hotel and restaurant shutdowns. Star-Advertiser.

Running For Office During A Pandemic? It’s Tough For Newcomers. Some non-incumbents running for elective office in Hawaii are focused on public health as they also seek to gain political traction. Civil Beat.

Hawaii officials brace for ‘big surge’ of newly homeless from coronavirus shutdowns. Out of approximately 6,500 homeless people across all islands, only one so far has tested positive for the new coronavirus, but officials worry that an even bigger homeless problem could explode out of the financial devastation already hitting the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Inmates Still Packed Into Arizona Prison Despite Virus Concerns. The company that runs Saguaro Correctional Center says proper pandemic protocols are being followed. Civil Beat.

Things Are Not Good Between Hawaii Senators And The Governor. Tempers over the Ige administration’s slow response to the growing pandemic boiled over Friday at a special Senate committee hearing. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council advances bill to defer property tax for pandemic-stricken businesses. A bill that would allow coronavirus-impacted businesses to hold off paying their property taxes passed the Honolulu City Council’s first hurdle last week. Star-Advertiser.

Face mask mandate while in public goes into effect Monday for Honolulu. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s mandate for all Honolulu residents to wear non-medical masks or face coverings while out in the public conducting business, will go into effect Monday, April 20, at midnight. KHON2.

With fewer cars on the roads, officials are pushing projects forward faster. Ed Sniffen, Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director of Highways, tells us they are seeing about 48-percent less traffic on the freeways on Oahu. KHON2.

Rick Blangiardi Is Back On TV, But This Time He’s A Political Candidate. The former Hawaii News Now general manager is making his pitch to be mayor of Honolulu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Property tax base protects county coffers. Hawaii County’s reliance on property taxes for its operations buffers it, at least in the short term, from the drastic tax losses experienced at the state level as it struggles to revive an economy clobbered by the coronavirus, local officials said Friday. West Hawaii Today.

Bright side to outbreak: Arrests are down 33%. It’s said crime doesn’t take a vacation, but because of the statewide emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the daily booking log at the police station is a lot shorter than usual. Tribune-Herald.

Air Travel Arrivals Down Sharply at KOA. Only one flight has touched down at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) over the last two days, according to numbers provided by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Big Island Now.

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Third McDonald’s In Kona Closes Due To COVID-19 Outbreak. The McDonald's restaurant located at 75-5729 Kuakini Highway is now closed, joining the McDonalds at Kona Commons and Walmart in a COVID-19 cluster-related shutdown. Big Island Video News.

Big Island McDonald’s COVID-19 cluster now up to 30 confirmed cases. The Hawaii Department of Health announced that the total number of confirmed cases linked to a cluster of cases among McDonald’s restaurants in Kailua-Kona has gone up. KHON2.

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Fogging out the virus: County deploying disinfectant equipment to health care facilities. Hawaii County is taking charge of getting foggers to health care and county facilities in an effort to quash the spread of COVID-19 on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

New Emergency Shelter Construction Underway In Hilo. 32 shelters are going up at the County’s NAS Pool parking lot and will be ready for occupancy early next week, officials say. Big Island Video News.

Bill would allow county to acquire private roads. A Hawaii County Council committee will discuss this week whether the county should acquire private roads to improve traffic flow throughout the island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Finance director doesn’t support property tax forbearance. County Finance Director Scott Teruya said Friday that while Mayor Michael Victorino’s administration has not talked about forbearance for property taxes due to large-scale unemployment caused by the coronavirus pandemic, he would not recommend it. Maui News.

Checkpoints set up on Maui to limit people heading into Hana. Checkpoints are being set up to limit the number of people traveling into Hana and East Maui. Maui County said the checkpoints will be located after Twin Falls on Hana Highway and at Ulupalakua Ranch on Piilani Highway. Hawaii News Now.

Near ban on plastic disposable utensils OK’d. Measure, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2022, sent to mayor for signature. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai: This Island Has Been Holding Steady Against Coronavirus. What’s Up? County officials say Kauai imposed public restrictions quickly. But some residents think the government’s gone too far.  Civil Beat.

Organizing the houseless. Five county parks have been established as permitted sheltering zones for the Kaua‘i houseless community by Mayor Derek Kawakami as part of the effort to contain the novel coronavirus — Lucy Wright, Salt Pond, Lydgate, Anahola and Anini — and many of them are already established campsites with varying levels of community organization. Garden Island.

Oahu, Maui top U.S. Thanksgiving destinations, Honolulu plastic ban advances, Kahuku wind farm protesters arrested, PUC nixes HELCO rate hike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki beach scene ©2019 All Hawaii News

Oahu, Maui listed among top US Thanksgiving destinations according to AAA. Two Hawaiian Islands have been listed among some of the most coveted Thanksgiving destinations in America, according to a recent report by the American Automobile Association of Hawaii. Pacific Business News.

Oahu, Maui Among Top Thanksgiving Destinations For US Travelers. For those travelers planning an international vacation for Thanksgiving, sandy beaches are their destinations of choice. Maui Now.

Hawaii’s Economic Growth Is The Lowest In The Nation. Record visitor numbers are hiding an alarming trend. Civil Beat.

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Officials urge public to stay away from ocean ordnance prior to removal in 2020. State and federal officials say remedial work of unexploded ordnance off of Oahu’s North Shore and in Molokini is scheduled for spring 2020, after humpback whales have migrated back north and ocean waters are calmer. Star-Advertiser.

Federal and state agencies are issuing warnings to the public advising of the planned removal of unexploded ordnance from Oahu and the Molokini islet off Maui. Maui Now.

More money for protection of coral. Hawaii coral reefs are one step closer to receiving nearly $10 million more in federal funding thanks to the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee approval of the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act. Garden Island.

Bill To Restore And Conserve Hawai‘i’s Coral Reefs Passes Key Committee. A bill that would help to restore Hawai‘i’s coral reefs, was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee.  The measure was introduced by US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), who is a member of the committee. Maui Now.

Oahu

Foodware plastics ban bill advances. Oahu would have the state’s strictest law against single-use, oil-based plastic containers and utensils under a bill approved 3-2 by the Honolulu City Council Public Safety and Welfare Committee Thursday night. Star-Advertiser.

Opponents of the proposed plastic ban want the city council to start over. Those who are against the proposal say the city council is rushing the bill and would prefer that they start over to get things right. KHON2.

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At least 26 arrested as hundreds of wind farm protesters turn out in Kalaeloa. Dozens of arrests were made late Thursday into early Friday as hundreds of protesters of a wind farm project gathered in Kalaeloa to block a transport of heavy equipment. Hawaii News Now.

The first of the latest wind turbines goes up in Kahuku. KITV.

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Honolulu Taxpayers Are Footing The Bill For Defense Lawyers’ Rail Advice. But city officials won’t say how much they’re paying the San Francisco law firm. Civil Beat.

Department of Planning and Permitting schedules public meeting to provide community with update on draft plan. The Department of Planning and Permitting has scheduled a public meeting to provide the community with an update on the East Kapolei Neighborhood Transit-Oriented Development Draft Plan. KITV.

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Taxpayers Spent Nearly $700,000 on Kealohas’ Legal Fees. The court-appointed attorney for Katherine Kealoha received the largest chunk of the fees. Civil Beat.

The federal government has paid out nearly $700,000 in legal expenses for the Kealohas and one of their co-defendants. The fees and costs were detailed in a report from the federal court Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Kealoha fed cases run up $700,000 in taxpayer-funded attorney fees. Taxpayers have footed the bills for nearly $700,000 in attorney fees in the Kealohas’ federal corruption and fraud cases. KHON2.

O'ahu taxpayers spent nearly $700,000 to cover lawyer fees for Kealohas and HPD officer. O'ahu tax payers spent nearly $700,000 to cover lawyer fees for the Kealohas and an HPD officer convicted of corruption. KITV.

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Yep, Hanabusa Is Running For Mayor Of Honolulu. The former congresswoman all but declares her campaign in an email to supporters. Civil Beat.

Waianae community divided over relocation of state’s largest homeless camp. The relocation of the state’s largest homeless camp is facing new resistance from its would-be neighbors. Hawaii News Now.

First kauhale homeless tiny homes going up next month in Kalaeloa. The first 10 tiny homes aimed at housing homeless military veterans are scheduled to go up next month in Kalaeloa as part of a new, wider approach to quickly develop permanent housing communities for homeless adults who have been living the longest on Oahu’s streets. Star-Advertiser.

The Fate Of This Beautiful Honolulu Park Is Now In The Hands Of One Man. Damon estate heir J.P. Damon has ended up the sole owner of Moanalua Gardens, the historic park on sacred land in west Honolulu. Civil Beat.

Rapid ohia death spreads on Oahu. An aerial survey of some 20,000 acres of Oahu forest has yielded the island’s fourth detection of rapid ohia death, the fungal disease that has killed millions of ohia trees on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

Cardax’s quarterly loss widens to $1.4 million. Pharmaceutical company Cardax Inc. saw its loss widen in the third quarter as revenue plunged more than half from the year-earlier period. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Regulators decline to approve increase in Hawaii Electric Light rates. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has issued an interim decision that results in no increase in electric rates at this time for Hawaii Electric Light Company customers, the PUC announced today. West Hawaii Today.

No special tax class for vacation rentals. There will be no special property tax classification for short-term vacation rentals under recommendations proposed by a panel tasked with revamping the county property tax code, but some people currently getting tax breaks for agriculture could take a hit. West Hawaii Today.

40 attend inaugural cleanup aimed to integrate homeless back into community. The basis of HONOUR (Homeless Outreach Nurturing Our Community) is to integrate the homeless back into the community by having them work on projects under positive guidance. West Hawaii Today.

LEAD Homelessness Program Arrives in Kona. The pilot project, which received $650,000 in ʻOhana Zone funding from the State, launched Thursday in Kona. Big Island Now.

A former employee at the Big Island’s largest community health center says she was retaliated against for blowing the whistle on its former CEO and its board. She’s said she’s one of dozens of workers who are alleging a hostile work environment at the Bay Clinic. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Agency considers raising height limits in Wailuku. Meeting to be held Friday but decision not expected till next year. The Maui Redevelopment Agency, which has the power to alter zoning and development rules for downtown Wailuku, will continue to mull whether to hike height limits from four to six stories along certain streets during its Friday meeting, though decision-making likely won’t come until next year, an official said. Maui News.

Hawaii endangered bird program halted after 9 die of illness. The Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project will halt the program after the deaths of nine endangered birds, officials said. Associated Press.

Kauai

House Finance members to visit. Members of the state House Finance Committee, chaired by Rep. Sylvia Luke, will tour sites on Kauai to view firsthand several projects and programs supported by the Legislature. The visits will also allow committee members to learn about other concerns and needs facing Kauai. Garden Island.

One tropical storm down, one to go, Honolulu vacation rental law spurs lawsuits, wildfire scorches 2,500 acres on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tropical Storm Flossie 5 a.m. Aug. 2 NOAA

Tropical Storm Erick passes south of Big Island as Flossie nears Central Pacific. though Tropical Storm Erick continued to weaken overnight on its path south of the islands, it brings with it a plethora of adverse weather conditions. Star-Advertiser.

Flossie maintained strength as a tropical storm and is expected to cross into the Central Pacific on Friday, forecasters say. At 5 a.m. Friday, the National Hurricane Center said Flossie — still packing winds of 70 mph or higher — was about 1,145 miles east of Hilo and moving west-northwest near 17 mph. Hawaii News Now.

Tropical Storm Erick weakens while Tropical Storm Flossie maintains strength. KHON2.

Tropical Storm Flossie moving fast but will slowly weaken as it approaches the islands. Flossie has winds at 70 mph. KITV.

Erick rapidly weakening south of the Big Island. Moisture associated with Erick will spread over portions of the Hawaiian Islands through Saturday. KITV.

Experts say look long term when taking precautions for upcoming storms. That will keep you prepared for the long hurricane season. KHON2.

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‘Success’ bonus sparks criticism about use of taxpayer money. The board of the Hawaii Strategic Development Corp. approved a “success bonus” of at least $52,827 for the government agency’s outgoing President Karl Fooks in June, raising concerns in the Legislature as to whether the unusual payment for a public-sector worker was an appropriate use of government funds. Star-Advertiser.

Head Start Preschool Program In Hawaii Gets Federal Boost. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will award nearly $10 million to three Hawaii nonprofits that operate the Head Start preschool program. Civil Beat.

Thirty Meter Telescope supporters Thursday rallied at the state Capitol for the second week in a row, and like last week, they were greeted by a sizable group of TMT opponents. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City’s new vacation rental law faces at least 2 legal challenges. The city’s new law regulating the vacation rental industry went into effect Thursday and is already facing two legal challenges. Hawaii News Now.

Vacation rental operators file suit against the city. The Hawaii Vacation Rental Owners Association filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court today against the city over its new law prohibiting advertising of unpermitted short-term vacation rentals. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu new law in effect, banning unpermitted short-term vacation rentals. A group of vacation rental owners calls the rule 'unconstitutional' and filed a lawsuit against the city. KITV.

Short-Term Rental Owners Consider Options: Lease, Sell Or Leave It Vacant? Early indications suggest the legislation is working as intended to limit tourists in residential areas and make units available to residents. Civil Beat.

Measuring Tourism Impacts in Windward  Oahu. University of Hawaii researchers are asking how precisely are visitors affecting local neighborhoods – like those in Windward Oahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

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City and state officials missed a Wednesday deadline to reach an agreement that would have given them access to $220 million in federal funding to shore up the Ala Wai Canal and its watershed to protect Waikiki and several other Oahu neighborhoods from flooding. Star-Advertiser.

Moderately priced units in a planned Kakaako condo is attracting many buyers. All the affordable condos — one- and two-bedroom units with 511 to 799 square feet of living space — are reserved for Hawaii residents with moderate incomes and are priced from $312,600 to $657,100. Star-Advertiser.

Hale Nani health care workers to strike Friday. About 200 health care workers at Hale Nani Rehabilitation & Nursing Center are expected to participate in a one-day strike Friday over low wages and understaffing. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

UH regents to discuss Maunakea group. The University of Hawaii Board of Regents is expected to hear a motion this morning to consider the formation of a group that would advise the board on issues related to the university’s governance of Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

University of Hawaii President David Lassner has been one of the Thirty Meter Telescope’s most vocal supporters. But in a recent interview Lassner said he’s struggling with how the project is dividing the university and broader community. Hawaii News Now.

Puna community mulls six possible bus hub sites. More than two dozen people gathered Wednesday night in Pahoa to discuss the merits of six locations identified around the community for a proposed bus hub. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Pukalani Fire Scorches 2,500 Acres, Pulehu Still Closed. Maui Now.

Maui firefighters were battling flames and difficult weather conditions Thursday night as they scrambled to bring a large brush fire in Pukalani under control. Hawaii News Now.

Brush fire near Pukalani, more than 2,500 acres burned. Pulehu Road is closed at Hansen Road and at Omaopio Road due to the fire. KITV.

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All 19 West Maui beaches sampled are ‘impaired’. All 19 sampled beaches in West Maui are “impaired” and exceed the state standard for allowable amounts of sediment and potentially harmful runoff nutrients in coastal waters, according to data collected by the Hui O Ka Wai Ola program. Maui News.

County is now taking applications for its first-time homebuyers program. The County of Maui currently is accepting applications for its First-Time Home Buyers Down Payment Assistance Program. Maui News.

Kauai

14 Days Of Emergency Supplies? Who Has That? Health department surveys provide the most detailed assessment yet of how people are responding to new state preparedness recommendations. Civil Beat.

King Tides, black moon. Another set of the year’s highest tides reached the archipelago Wednesday and Thursday, combined with swells from incoming Tropical Storm Erick and the beginning of a “black moon.” Garden Island.

Vacation rentals changing Hawaii economy, empty Kakaako condos, fighting beach erosion, Molokai policeman arrested on drug charges, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki beach ©2019 All Hawaii News

Hawaii allocates $13M to keep Waikiki Beach from disappearing. The economic impact to Hawaii of Waikiki Beach was recently estimated at $2.2 billion a year, but the crumbling Royal Hawaiian groin and other man-made structures are all that is keeping the state’s most visited beach from being swept away. Star-Advertiser.

HTA: Visitors In Vacation Homes Spend Less. Hawaii Tourism Authority data might seem merely to quantify the obvious, but the data could explain a trend that concerns local economists. Civil Beat.

Vacation rental guests contributing less to tourism economy. Guests staying at vacation rentals in Hawaii aren’t exactly big spenders. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Air fixes tech glitch that grounded some flights on Saturday. The airlines says it's a software problem that interrupted reception of the Global Positioning Satellite system. KITV.

Oahu

Vacation rental giants look to temper Council bills. Representatives for two of the world’s largest operators of web platforms that broker vacation rentals voiced disappointment at a Honolulu City Council committee’s decision Friday to advance two bills they said will cause thousands of job cuts in Hawaii and severely hurt the visitor industry. Star-Advertiser.

Kakaako’s Empty Condos: ‘At Night, It’s A Ghost Town Down Here'. Merchants say they leased new space in Ward Village expecting to benefit from the proximity of hordes of condo-dwellers. Now they wonder where they are. Civil Beat.

Kakaako homeless group wants state to provide land for a 'safe place'. A group of homeless residents in Kakaako are working towards finding state land to live on permanently.  KITV.

Honolulu Rail Officials Hand-Deliver Recovery Plan To Feds. The trip to San Francisco was made in hopes that the Federal Transit Administration will start releasing more money for the project. Civil Beat.

Scientists hopeful for endangered orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly. Today only one population of the colorful native aquatic insect remains on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

21 charter amendments heading to 2020 ballot. West Hawaii Today.

DLNR bounces wells application back to PGV. Applications for two new geothermal wells have been reviewed and returned to Puna Geothermal Venture with comments, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources confirmed this week. Tribune-Herald.

Hu Honua Delays Compound While Waiting For Court Judgement. The bioenergy company says the continued employment of its workers are placed at risk as it awaits the Hawaii Supreme Court Judgement that will reopen the PUC docket. Big Island Video News.

New possibilities for Alii corridor. More than a decade after an effort to develop Alii Parkway stalled, a subcommittee under the Kona Community Development Plan action committee is taking a new look at a possible future for the project. West Hawaii Today.

Legacy still on watch list. Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has shown improvement since being named a special focus facility nearly two years ago, according to a list of such facilities provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that was updated in May. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Problems at Baby Beach. Effort to halt erosion, block access to some wrongdoers backfires. Maui News.

Celebrity couple’s request highlights Maui’s housing woes. A celebrity couple’s request to convert their Hawaii home into a short-term rental is landing them in the middle of a housing debate on the island of Maui. Star-Advertiser.

Maui police are reporting that they have arrested one of their long-time police officers on suspicion of multiple drug-related offenses. Star-Advertiser.

MPD officer on Molokai arrested on drug-related charges. Daniel Imakyure is a 10-year veteran of the department. Maui News.

Kauai

Haena, Wainiha communities prepare to welcome visitors after a year of seclusion. Kuhio Highway on Kauai's North Shore has been closed since April 2018 after devastating flooding caused millions of dollars in damage to the Wainiha and Haena area. KHON2.

A Kapaa man is questioning the county’s actions in the delayed reopening of Black Pot Beach Park in Hanalei. Garden Island.

Trespassing bride and groom. Just as the sun was rising on the first day in June, a wedding planner allegedly held a private and pretty ceremony at Hanalei’s Black Pot Beach Park. Garden Island.

Molokai

Maui police are reporting that they have arrested one of their long-time police officers on suspicion of multiple drug-related offenses. Star-Advertiser.

MPD officer on Molokai arrested on drug-related charges. Daniel Imakyure is a 10-year veteran of the department. Maui News.

Waikiki faces floods, beach erosion; lower property taxes for Honolulu homeowners, federal transit funds at stake in grant mismanagement, electric rate hike on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki Beach scene ©2019 All Hawaii News

Ige Assures Caldwell Of Ala Wai Flood Control Financing Plan. The latest letter in the saga over canal flood control informs city leaders that at least some dollars have been committed to the project. Civil Beat.

Waikiki flood concerns spur push for Hawaii shore protection. Predicting Honolulu will start experiencing frequent flooding within the next 15 to 20 years, state lawmakers are trying to pass legislation that would spend millions for a coastline protection program aimed at defending the city from regular tidal inundations. Associated Press.

VIDEO: Oahu’s Disappearing Beaches. Touring the south shore in the Civil Beat van, climate experts Chip Fletcher and Sam Lemmo talk with us about sea level rise and beach erosion. Civil Beat.

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Big shifts hit Hawaii’s farm landscape. Hawaii lost its last sugar cane plantation in 2016, but the amount of land in farming and number of farms grew during the most recent five-year statewide census of agriculture. Star-Advertiser.

Biomass Included In Renewable Energy Bill Changes. A House Bill that aims to broaden the definition of “renewable energy” as used in the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission law will have to go through a state legislative conference committee if it is to become law, after being amended in the State Senate. Big Island Video News.

Employers wary of bill protecting medical pot cardholders. A bill to prohibit employers from discriminating against workers with prescriptions for medical marijuana who test positive for using cannabis has resurfaced in the final weeks of the legislative session, and was unanimously approved by the state Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Budget battle: Nonprofit seeks financial data on Hawaii public schools. The Education Institute of Hawaii wants to take a deep dive into the finances of the state’s public schools and let everyone know precisely where the money is going, campus by campus. Star-Advertiser.

Charter Schools Have By Far The Highest Rates Of Unvaccinated Kids. The statewide percentage of students exempted by their parents from being immunized is 8.1% at charter schools, 2.7% at private schools and 1.4% at traditional public schools. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu officials have approved a bill that would lower property taxes by about $70 for most Oahu homeowners. The measure would raise the standard home exemption from $80,000 to $100,000, marking the first increase of this exemption since 2006. The bill also would increase the standard senior home exemption from $120,000 to $140,000. Associated Press.

The state wants to redevelop the Ala Wai Boat Harbor. That’s got boaters worried. Tuesday is the deadline for private developers to submit notices of intent to develop more than 11 acres at the Ala Wai Boat Harbor. Hawaii News Now.

DLNR seizes suspected illegal lay nets filled with undersized fish, coral. Suspected illegal lay net nearly 1,000 feet long was confiscated Friday on Sand Island by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Star-Advertiser.

A city proposal to give people more options to get around could mean losing some parking. The measure will be heard by the council budget committee on Wednesday. KITV.

Kahana homeowners defaulting on state loans. Some families who have gone years without performing cultural activities in lieu of monthly rent at a state-owned Kahana Valley “living park” also are way behind on loan payments to the state. Star-Advertiser.

Committee to vet agreement for park plans. The City Council delays formalizing the public-private partnership to build Centennial Park in a first and final vote and instead schedules a public hearing for Tuesday to allow the public to provide feedback to the city’s parks committee. Star-Advertiser.

A plan to develop a Waimanalo beach park once had widespread support ... until now. An expensive beach park makeover is running into resistance now that the project is finally starting. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Mass Transit mismanagement could hurt entire state’s federal funding. Millions of dollars in federal funding could be in jeopardy because the county Mass Transit Agency didn’t submit its required paperwork for three of the past six years. West Hawaii Today.

Another delay for building permits. New software that is supposed to expedite the building permit process ran into some glitches, and won’t be ready until the end of the year. West Hawaii Today.

Two Kona residents pushing back against a proposed five-story, 11-unit condominium on the makai side of Alii Drive had their petitions granted for contested case hearings Thursday by the Leeward Planning Commission. West Hawaii Today.

Sunscreen Ban May Come Too Late For Popular Snorkeling Spot. Tests detect high levels of oxybenzone, which is toxic to coral, at Kahaluu Beach Park. A ban on the chemical starts in 2021. Civil Beat.

Bill would give couple $3M for injuries. A joint state House-Senate conference committee recommended on Thursday the passage, with amendments, of a bill that would appropriate $3 million for an Ocean View couple seriously injured when a rockfall crushed their car a dozen years ago on Highway 11 in Ka'u. Tribune-Herald.

Funding Rolls In For Milolii Community Center. A $74,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is in addition to the $200,000 in construction funds recently released by the governor. Big Island Video News.

Kalani retreat put up for sale. Kalani Oceanside Retreat in lower Puna, which has remained closed following the eruption of Kilauea volcano last May, is for sale — and at least one creditor is crying foul. Tribune-Herald.

Home sales down in first quarter. Home sales on the Big Island are down while home prices are up after the first quarter of 2019. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

PUC Approves First Maui Electric Rate Increase in 6 Years. Maui Electric filed tariffs and rate schedules for a final increase of 3.7% – about $12.1 million in annual revenue – which helps pay for operational improvements, including system upgrades to increase reliability, improve customer service and to integrate more renewable energy. Maui Now.

State’s First Forest Carbon Offset Project Underway on Maui. Over the past three years, partners have planted 250,000 native trees and shrubs on the Leeward slopes of Haleakala. The state is now converting the carbon collected in those trees into offset credits for the state’s first-ever forest carbon sequestration program. Maui Now.

Open house set for S. Maui park plan. An updated version of the South Maui Community Park Master Plan will be available to the public at an open house on May 8, the county Department of Parks and Recreation announced. Maui News.

As stream water returns, efforts move to taro patches. After years of overgrowth, stream diversion and watershed mismanagement, taro patches in Honomanu Valley are on a path toward restoration, according to a group of East Maui residents working to clear the area and replant taro. Maui News.

Kauai

Mayor’s request: $229,964,627 for 2020. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami submitted his requested budget for the fiscal year 2020 (July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020) to the county council on March 15. Garden Island.

New Plan Aims to Limit Human Impact on Na Pali Coast. On May 1st, a stretch of Kuhio Highway on Kauai’s North Shore will reopen to the general public for the first time in more than a year. Hawaii Public Radio.

An ocean-access debate rages again in Princeville, with a committee of concerned residents and the Princeville at Hanalei Community Association uniting to find a safe solution for iconic Queen’s Bath. Garden Island.

North Shore highway, shuttle to open. Officials are finalizing the registration and shuttle system for getting to Haena State Park and other places on the North Shore. Garden Island.