Illegal social gatherings cause COVID-19 spikes, 11% of those tested are positive, state auditor blocked from gathering data, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hundreds gather July 26 in Hilo for memorial in defiance of social gathering prohibitions From YouTube

Hawaii says 11% of people taking COVID-19 test are positive. More than 10% of people tested for COVID-19 in Hawaii have been found to have the disease in the past 24 hours, new data showed Wednesday, underscoring that coronavirus was becoming more widespread in the community. Associated Press.

Latest COVID-19 positivity rate reported puts Hawaii ‘in the red,’ surgeon general says. The percentage of positive COVID-19 test results reported by the state Health Department on Wednesday was among the highest levels seen in Hawaii so far during the pandemic, a number high enough that it caught the eye of the visiting U.S. surgeon general. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii hospitals urgently seeking nurses, recent nursing school graduates. Hospitals in Hawaii, primarily in Oahu and Maui, are urgently seeking nurses including recently nursing graduates to assist due to the influx of hospitalizations because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Star-Advertiser.

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Even The Auditor Can’t Get Contact Tracing Info From Hawaii DOH. The State Auditor says it got no cooperation when it tried to get to the bottom of the Health Department’s methods for identifying how COVID-19 spreads. Civil Beat.

Auditor met with ‘inexcusable’ lack of cooperation in examining contact tracing program. Some state agencies are being accused of stonewalling auditors who were trying to improve the Department of Health’s contact tracing program. Hawaii News Now.

State auditor releases report on contact tracing efforts. "Instead of cooperation and assistance, we encountered barriers, delays," writes State Auditor Leslie Kondo. KITV4.

AG Won’t Release Information On COVID-19 Outbreak At Hawaii Jail. The attorney general told state lawmakers they cannot repeat what was told to them in a private briefing with public officials. Civil Beat.

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As RIMPAC Blasts Off During Pandemic, Commander Reassures Hawaiʻi. The 27th Rim of the Pacific military exercise, RIMPAC 2020, is now being held at sea around the Hawaiian Islands. Ten nations, 22 ships, 1 submarine, and more than 5,300 personnel are participating in the event from August 17 to August 31. Big Island Video News.

VIRUS TRACKER — Aug. 26: 277 New Cases In Hawaii And 2 Deaths. State officials said the rising number of COVID-19 cases on Maui and the Big Island is concerning. Civil Beat.

Hawaii COVID-19 Updates For August 26: Two New Deaths, 93 Active Cases On Big Island. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health announced 277 newly reported cases of COVID-19 statewide as of noon on Wednesday, and added two more deaths to the coronavirus toll. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

Surgeon general urges patience as free testing overwhelms Oahu sites. Thousands of vehicles and their passengers overwhelmed Kaneohe District Park and Leeward Community College as the first day of two scheduled weeks of free COVID-19 testing on Oahu began on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Thousands Turn Out For Free COVID-19 Tests On Oahu. Anyone on the island can get tested — even if they don’t have symptoms — as part of a new effort to halt the spread of the virus. Civil Beat.

Turnout for city’s mass testing program starts strong, but problems already reported. Turnout on the first day of the city’s new mass COVID-19 testing initiative has been strong, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Wednesday ― but not without some logistical issues that resulted in people being turned away from one testing site. Hawaii News Now.

Nearly 5,000 sign up for COVID-19 'surge testing' on O'ahu, a national record. Starting on Wednesday, the federal government is sponsoring free COVID-19 "surge testing"-- and the goal is to test 60,000 people over the next two weeks. KITV4.

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Honolulu Is Taking Contact Tracing Into Its Own Hands. Mayor Kirk Caldwell says he doesn’t want to wait any longer for the state to hire more contact tracers. Civil Beat.

Hundreds of virus contact tracers to be hired on Oahu. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Tuesday the city plans to hire between 250 and 500 coronavirus contact tracers to work in coordination with the state on a “more aggressive” approach to tracking the path of the virus. Star-Advertiser.

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Oahu lockdown order in place following a bit of drama. Oahu’s 14-day lockdown on business and other activities starts today in a move that aims to slow down the island’s relentless streak of triple-digit daily coronavirus infections. Star-Advertiser.

Stay-at-home order goes into effect for Oahu in bid to control spread of COVID-19. A stay-at-home order for Oahu is in effect Thursday as part of dramatic action to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

Uncertainty and anxiety follow Oahu’s latest stay-at-home mandate. It was a 30-hour roller coaster ride for thousands of Oahu private school students, parents, teachers and administrators this week as they tried to figure out how Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s latest “Stay At Home / Work From Home” emergency order was going to affect them. Star-Advertiser.

‘It’s just crazy’: Customers flock to businesses before two-week shutdown. Non-essential businesses on Oahu like gyms, hair and nail salons, theaters and dine-in at restaurants must close by Thursday, Aug. 27 for at least two weeks. KHON2.

Grief And Desperate Hope As Small Businesses Brace For Second Shutdown. On the last day before many workers lose their jobs — again — they struggle to understand and cope with what the loss will mean this time. Civil Beat.

Oahu vacation rental owners feeling pain of shutdown. Oahu still has the toughest coronavirus-related vacation rental restrictions of any island, but that didn’t stop owners and suppliers from fetching the highest — albeit still low— July occupancy rate statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County to get $30M more for lava recovery. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday announced that it would send the county $30.6 million in federal disaster relief funding, divided between two broad programs. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County To Receive Another $30.6 Million From Feds After Kilauea Eruption. Hawai‘i County will receive $30.6 million in new federal disaster relief funding following the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea volcano. Big Island Video News.

Water Board mulls double-digit rate hike. The Board of Water Supply on Tuesday voted to move forward with a proposed 13% water rate increase as the Department of Water Supply operates in the red. West Hawaii Today.

30 HCCC Pretrial Misdemeanor Inmates to be Released. First Deputy Prosecutor Dale Ross said the Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney is concerned about approximately 11 individuals in this expedited release who are in the process of a mental evaluation. Big Island Now.

Big Island Grapples with Surge in COVID-19 Cases. Hawaiʻi County is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases on the Hilo side of the Big Island. State health authorities say its community spread and that testing and contact tracing are aggressively being pursued. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

289-unit luxury Wailea community planned. Site is located within a mile of two other projects. Maui News.

Prosecutors on deadline to review jail releases. Some MCCC inmates eligible for release amid pandemic. Maui News.

Island Investors Help to Save Koholā Brewery on Maui, Reopening Planned. In a time of shut downs, canceled events and struggling business, there is a bright spot in Lahaina where investors are helping to keep Maui’s Koholā Brewery afloat. Maui News.

Kauai

Kawakami extends COVID-19 emergency. On Tuesday, Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami signed the fourth supplementary emergency proclamation for the County of Kaua‘i, in order to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Kaua‘i from the potential spread of the novel coronavirus. Garden Island.

Keeping COVID spread at bay on Kaua‘i. While there have not been any new cases reported on Kaua‘i in about a week, yesterday, Mayor Derek Kawakami announced that the most recent case reported on the island had no known travel connection, and has been categorized community spread. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Red Cross in search of new volunteers. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kaua’i branch of the American Red Cross has experienced a shortage of volunteers. Garden Island.

Feds step in to assist, U.S. Surgeon General visits Hawaii as Oahu returns to COVID-19 stay-at-home lockdown, ambulances turned away from overburdened hospitals, Ige applies for $300 weekly unemployment bonus, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams at Aug. 25, 2020, press conference, from Honolulu city video

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams was on Oʻahu Tuesday to explain how the surge testing process will be carried out. As the State of Hawaiʻi prepares for the impacts of the increase in COVID-19 cases on Oʻahu, the federal government – represented by the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, who is now in Honolulu – is stepping in to help. Big Island Video News.

Federal program relaxes rules for free COVID-19 testing, available for 2 weeks. The U.S. Surgeon General said asymptomatic people can get tested over the next two weeks without a doctor's note, symptoms or underlying health conditions. The federal "surge testing program" is a partnership with the state and City and County of Honolulu. KITV4.

Free COVID-19 testing being offered on Oahu. The surge tests will be provided to participants beginning today through the U.S. government’s Coronavirus Task Force. Star-Advertiser.

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Governor issues another sweeping ‘stay-at-home’ order on Oahu for 2 weeks. The governor has approved another sweeping “stay-at-home” order for Oahu starting Thursday in a dramatic bid to rein in a surge of new COVID-19 cases. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Ige approves stay-at-home, work-from-home order. Governor David Ige has approved a stay-at-home, work-from-home order for the island of Oahu. KHON2.

Oahu Goes Back To Stay-At-Home Order While Virus Testing Ramps Up. The federal government is providing up to 5,000 free COVID-19 tests per day for the next two weeks. Civil Beat.

O'ahu issued stay-at-home order for at least two weeks. Exactly five months after issuing a stay-at-home order for the state, Tuesday, a stay-at-home order was issued for O'ahu. KITV4.

Oahu heading back under lockdown as COVID-19 cases continue to mount in Hawaii. After more than four weeks of consistent triple-digit daily coronavirus counts, the hammer finally came down on Oahu as Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced a stay-at-home order starting 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Retailers, gyms, salons will all have to close under city’s new ‘stay-at-home’ order. Retailers, gyms, salons and other “non-essential” businesses on Oahu will be forced to close their doors Thursday for two weeks under a new “stay-at-home” order. The broad mandate is meant to quickly bring down the number of new COVID-19 infections on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

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As hospitalizations soar, ‘unprecedented’ number of ERs are turning ambulances away. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Hawaii has nearly quadrupled since Aug. 1, leaving some Oahu hospitals so overwhelmed they’re turning ambulances away. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii to apply for $300 federal unemployment weekly benefit program. Hawaii will apply for the Lost Wages Assistance Program, a $300 weekly benefit for unemployed workers that will replace the $600-per-week federal assistance that ended in July. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Ige Applies for New Unemployment Bonus Program, Seeks to Offer $300 Per Week to Eligible Applicants.  Hawaiʻi will apply to participate in a new unemployment insurance plus up program called the Lost Wages Assistance or the LWA Program. Maui Now.

As state seeks additional $300 for unemployed, thousands of claims still left unprocessed. Gov. David Ige announced Tuesday that the state will apply for federal aid that provides an extra $300 a week for the unemployed. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi to Apply for New Unemployment Bonus Program. Hawaiʻi will apply to participate in new unemployment insurance plus up program called the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program, state officials announced Tuesday afternoon. Big Island Now.

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Unions Call For Removal Of Hawaii Prison Chief Espinda. United Public Workers, HGEA say the state is not doing enough to get COVID-19 under control at the Oahu Community Correctional Center. Civil Beat.

Union calls for removal of Department of Public Safety director over COVID-19 surge at OCCC. The United Public Workers union has called for the immediate removal for Department of Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda, citing “months of inaction by the State” to stop the spread of COVID-19 at Oahu Community Correctional Center. Star-Advertiser.

Pressure mounts for a change of leadership at the Department of Public Safety. In a hopeful sign Tuesday, the Department of Public Safety said there were no new cases of COVID-19 reported among inmates at the Oahu Community Correctional Center. Hawaii News Now.

Unions demand replacement of director of public safety as five correctional center workers test positive for coronavirus. The Department of Public Safety confirms five new cases of the coronavirus for community correctional center workers. KHON2.

Critics call for changes and firing at Public Safety Dept. The union representing prison guards and workers at OCCC calls for Hawaii's Public Safety Director to be fired. KITV4.

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Hawaii reports 215 new coronavirus cases, pushing statewide total just shy of 7,000. The state saw 215 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, pushing the statewide total for cases since the pandemic began to 6,984. Hawaii News Now.

Coronavirus: 215 new cases brings state total to 6,984. The Department of Health reported 215 new cases of COVID-19 on Aug. 25 for the state: 201 cases are from Honolulu County, 11 cases are from Hawaii County and 3 cases are from Maui County. KHON2.

215 new coronavirus cases as Hawaii’s total tally climbs to 6,984. Hawaii health officials today reported 215 new coronavirus cases in Hawaii, with 52% attributed to community spread, as the statewide total since the start of the pandemic climbed to 6,984. Star-Advertiser.

How An EPA Decision On Trash Could Lead To Cleaner Beaches Across Hawaii. The EPA’s ruling on two beaches overwhelmed by marine debris could eventually force the state to take action elsewhere. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City funds an additional 130 hotel rooms for those seeking COVID-19 quarantine. An additional 130 hotel rooms on Oahu will soon be available to those who need to quarantine away from their families. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki hotels agree to house those under quarantine. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the state Department of Health announced Tuesday that they have retained an entire Waikiki hotel as a COVID-19 quarantine and isolation center — more than doubling the rooms in the district that are available for this purpose. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds of virus contact tracers to be hired on Oahu. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Tuesday the city plans to hire between 250 and 500 coronavirus contact tracers to work in coordination with the state on a “more aggressive” approach to tracking the path of the virus. Star-Advertiser.

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TheBus to implement ‘No Mask, No Ride’ policy starting Sept. 1. Transportation officials say a rider’s nose and mouth must be covered for the entire time while on city buses, and they are no longer granting medical exemptions. Hawaii News Now.

TheBus, Handi-Van to require masks starting Sept. 1. Starting Sept. 1, all riders of TheBus and The Handi-Van will be required to wear a mask or face covering while riding, the City and County of Honolulu announced today. Star-Advertiser.

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HSTA has a gripe over order that deepens divide between public, private schools. The order requires private schools to close their campuses to in-person learning, and students must switch to online distance learning. But at the governor’s request, public schools along with the University of Hawaii will remain open for the limited number of students doing in-person learning. Hawaii News Now.

Three arrested for violating quarantine: Maryland visitor, Aiea resident and Honolulu resident. Three people have been arrested for violating the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine. KHON2.

Concerned resident alleges BOE ignored public input on Kahuku turbines built near schools. Another battle tied to the controversial Na Pua Makani turbines in Kahuku- one resident has filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education. KITV4.

In effort to stay afloat, Honolulu Cookie Company to lay off over 70 workers. Some 71 employees with the Honolulu Cookie Company are being laid off as a result of financial hardship for the business. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kim: Stay-at-home order not needed; Caldwell announces more restrictions on Oahu. Mayor Harry Kim said the increase in coronavirus cases on Hawaii Island over the past few weeks doesn’t justify what he called a “shutdown” like the one mandated by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell for Oahu. Tribune-Herald.

COVID-19 work stoppage cost $3.4M: Most employees back at work after several months of paid leave. Hawaii County’s first tumultuous months of the COVID-19 lockdown resulted in an estimated 141,850 lost hours of work from county employees, at a cost of $3.4 million in salaries. West Hawaii Today.

Virus strikes vets home; two Hilo medical clinics also have COVID-19 cases. Three employees and seven residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home have tested positive for COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

HCCC to Release Pretrial Misdemeanor Prisoners. Pretrial detainees at Hawai‘i Community Correctional Facility charged with petty misdemeanor or misdemeanor offenses will be released by Wednesday in an effort to avoid a COVID-19 outbreak. Big Island Now.

Quarantines, online classes kick off UH-Hilo school year. The University of Hawaii at Hilo has so far helped 163 students comply with state quarantine requirements by providing space on campus or at the Grand Naniloa Resort. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Schools still face hurdles going online. Internet connections an issue; some lack computers. Maui County public schools rolled into its second week of school Monday with students waiting for laptops and hot spot internet connectivity devices and some schools, especially in rural areas, facing connectivity issues. Maui News.

20 at Roselani Place test positive. Hospital outbreak grows to 31 patients, 35 staff. Eight residents and 12 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at a senior independent and assisted living community that’s largely escaped the pandemic until now. Maui News.

20 COVID-19 Cases Confirmed at Roselani Place, Assisted Living Community on Maui. Roselani Place, an assisted living community on Maui has identified 20 COVID-19 positive cases as of Monday. Maui Now.

Kauai

How the county chose CARES Act grant recipients. Using specialized Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds, the county recently awarded 44 proposals for projects ranging from direct assistance to jobs to getting food out to the community. Garden Island.

There is still time to fill out the 2020 Census. Donald Bendz, a spokesperson of the U.S. Census Bureau, said more households on Kaua‘i have responded to the 2020 Census than in 2010. Garden Island.

Preventing COVID at KCCC. Kaua‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar said the county is taking a conscientious approach to the spread of COVID-19 in local correctional facilities. Garden Island.

Pentagon guards military COVID-19 numbers, visiting vets grounded, coronavirus threatens hospital capacity, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HMAS Stuart, Royal Australian Navy, cruises Hawaii shore Aug. 22, 2020, ©2020 All Hawaii News

Military COVID-19 Rates Are Public in Guam, Japan And Korea. Why Not In Hawaii?. Commanders initially released COVID-19 cases numbers on Hawaii bases until the Pentagon ordered them to stop. The state Department of Health as agreed to keep numbers secret, too. Civil Beat.

Visiting vets grounded as program commemorating end of WWII is slashed due to virus. Coy Pfaff’s graceful 1943 PBY Catalina has been flying for at least the past three days from Honolulu airport to Kaneohe Bay, taking military, VIPs and media out to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the flying boat in conjunction with the upcoming 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Star-Advertiser.

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Lt. Gov. Green repeats call for stronger mandates as Hawaii sees another day with 200-plus cases. Sunday was the fifth straight day that Hawaii saw more than 200 new COVID-19 cases. It’s an alarming situation — and one that Lt. Gov. Josh Green says is unsustainable. Hawaii News Now.

Officials say continuing triple-digit rise in COVID-19 cases will put a strain on hospitals. Hawaii Department of Health officials reported 248 new coronavirus cases Sunday, adding to a surge of COVID-19 cases that health officials warn is putting a strain on the health care system, especially hospitals. Star-Advertiser.

Health officials reveal Oahu hospitals are becoming full. As of Sunday, there were 253 COVID-19 patients in the hospital and healthcare workers and doctors are warning hospitals on Oahu could be at maximum capacity by the end of the week. KHON2.

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IHS worker is the latest fatality as Hawaii’s COVID-19 cases climb by 284. Hawaii’s latest reported death from COVID-19 was a 36-year-old front-line worker at the Institute for Human Services who helped the homeless and others in need. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 cluster at Institute for Human Services hits 66% of those exposed. The COVID-19 outbreak at the Institute for Human Services, which took the life of a staff member on Friday, also has resulted in positive tests for about 66% of the clients who were exposed at the men’s shelter. Star-Advertiser.


Family remembers Willie Reopoamo Talamoa who passed away from coronavirus. Willie Reopoamo Talamoa worked at Institute for Human Services in Iwilei. KHON2.

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$10M in federal relief money to go to nontourism jobs in Hawaii. A section within Senate Bill 126, which breaks down how the relief money will be spent, allocates $10 million for “retraining and workforce development programs” to help Hawaii transition from its tourism-heavy economy. Star-Advertiser.

The Tremendous Cost Of Feeding The Hungry In Hawaii. The Hawaii Foodbank is shutting down expensive large distribution events as costs have climbed from $400,000 in 2019 to $5.1 million so far during the pandemic. Civil Beat.

As public schools move fully online, DOE says some students don’t have needed equipment. Full distance learning will begin for most public schools Monday. But officials admit some students won’t have the equipment they need to connect to online classrooms. Hawaii News Now.

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Governor considers layoffs, program cuts to address budget crisis. Gov. David Ige is asking department heads to plan for budget cuts of up to 20% by identifying programs and employees that can be eliminated. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige declines to address open-records request. Hawaii Gov. David Ige’s office declined to provide copies of communications about the coronavirus that his staff exchanged with the state Department of Health, the tourism industry and other organizations. Associated Press.

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Since April, Hawaii nonprofit has sent 200 quarantine violators home. A local nonprofit says it has helped send more than 200 quarantine violators back home since April. Through the COVID-19 Flight Assistance Program, the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii has arranged flights for people who come to the islands and don’t follow the rules. Hawaii News Now.

Teen vaping on the rise: Nearly half of high schoolers have tried e-cigarettes. Nearly half of Hawaii high school students and a third of middle school students have tried e-cigarettes, data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. West Hawaii Today.

Vaping rises to alarming rates among Hawaii youth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that 48.3% of Hawaii's high school students and 30.6% of middle school students have tried e-cigarettes. KITV4.

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VIRUS TRACKER — Aug. 23: 248 New Cases In Hawaii. There have been 6,600 cases confirmed in Hawaii since the start of the pandemic. Civil Beat.

The Latest: 248 New Cases Today; IHS Worker Dies Of COVID-19. The Hawaii Department of Health reported 248 new COVID-19 cases today. That brings the state's total to 6,600 cases. Total deaths remain at 47. Hawaii Public Radio.

DOH Reports 248 New COVID-19 Cases Sunday. The Hawai‘i Department of Health reported 248 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the statewide total to 6,600 since DOH began tracking the pandemic in late February. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Beaches, Parks, Trails Closed? Honolulu Mayor’s COVID-19 Rules Defy Science, Experts Say. Epidemiologists say keeping beaches, parks and hiking trails shut down without justification could backfire, driving people indoors and increasing distrust in government at a critical time. Civil Beat.

2 coronavirus cases reported at UH-Manoa as campus begins fall semester. As the University of Hawaii at Manoa gets ready to start the fall semester Monday, two more coronavirus cases have been reported on campus. Hawaii News Now.

Minor at Kapolei juvenile detention center tests positive for COVID-19. A minor recently admitted to the Hale Hoomalu Juvenile Detention Facility in Kapolei has tested positive for COVID-19, officials said Sunday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kim expresses doubts about ‘bubble’ resorts. While the mayors of Maui and Kauai discussed a “bubble” policy to reduce quarantine requirements, Hawaii County will for now pursue other options. Tribune-Herald.

Leeward Planning Commission gives OK to airport hotel proposal. A new land use designation paving the way for a hotel to be built at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport was passed unanimously Thursday by the Leeward Planning Commission and now makes its way to the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Airport screener: ‘You can kind of tell’ who plans to skirt rules. Quarantine breakers offer telltale signs right off the airplane. Maui News.

Maui Contact Tracing Includes 24 Health Investigators and 20 National Guard Soldiers. Contact tracing on Maui includes 24 health investigators and 20 Hawaiʻi National Guard soldiers, according to a spokesperson with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health. Maui Now.

Maui Council Committee to Consider Improvements to Sunshine Law. The Governance, Ethics and Transparency Committee will consider whether to ask the state Legislature to amend the Sunshine Law to allow for remote meetings.  The committee meeting will take place online on Tuesday at 9 a.m. Maui Now.

Island musicians look for creative ways to survive. Virtual concerts, expanding their music while waiting out the coronavirus. Maui News.

Former plantation communities in Hawaii that pivoted to tourism are once again struggling to cope with economic calamity. The dusty sidewalks of Paia are mostly empty these days and there’s parking galore, an eerie sight in the former plantation town that survived the demise of the sugar industry by transforming into a tourism magnet trading on its rural heritage and charm. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Contact tracers prepare for a surge. State Department of Health Kaua’i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman said her office is hiring a few more University of Hawai‘i-trained contact tracers. Garden Island.

Council holds another session for stakeholders. Stakeholders, including developers and affordable-housing advocates, weighed in on what they like and don’t like about the county’s housing policy, and proposals on improving Ordinance 860. Garden Island.

Luxury Camping At $500 A Night On Kauai? A Glamping Resort Could Be Coming Soon. Three holes at the former Princeville Resort Woods golf course are being eyed by the developer for about 50 tent structures under a proposal quietly being discussed. Civil Beat.

Hawaii contact tracing in the spotlight, state employees' teleworking plan questioned, Maui 'Temptation Island' filming controversial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Dr. Emily Roberson shows off new contact tracing center Aug. 19, Facebook Live

Gov. David Ige defends Hawaii’s contact tracing. Hawaii’s COVID-19 case count rose by triple digits again Wednesday amid mounting concerns over whether the state’s contact tracing and testing program is robust enough to halt a surge in community-spread infections. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Is Ramping Up Its Virus Tracing Program. The Health Director Says It’s Too Late. Official says COVID-19 is now so out of control that contact tracing will no longer do much good to contain the current spike. Civil Beat.

Governor outlines efforts to bolster contact tracing, defends state’s response to surge. In response to a surge in coronavirus cases, as well as cramped conditions at the Department of Health, the state is working to expand its contact tracing efforts. Hawaii News Now.

U.S. House Subcommittee Chair Questions Governor Ige On Contact Tracing. The chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health sent governor Ige a letter seeking answers on or before August 28, 2020. Big Island Video News.

California Congresswoman Wants Answers On Hawaii’s Virus Response Effort. The chairwoman of a congressional subcommittee on health wants to know details about how the state spent $50 million in CARES Act money aimed at testing and tracing. Civil Beat.

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Senate COVID-19 members irritated by lack of oversight. Members of the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 got into testy exchanges with state officials on Wednesday over a wide range of issues, including who’s responsible for monitoring safe hygiene practices in state workplaces, confusion over the state’s color-coded COVID-19 threat levels and a perceived disconnect that stockpiles of personal protective equipment are not getting into the hands of teachers. Star-Advertiser.

Senators: Some state workers aren’t following COVID guidelines. The state senate’s COVID-19 committee says the state government isn’t doing enough to make sure that its workers are following mask and social distancing guidelines while on the job. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii state workers running into issues with teleworking. Hawaii state workers are being told to work from home if they can, but they are running into issues. KHON2.

Lawmakers seek uniformity in telework policy. State Senators alleged Wednesday receiving calls from disgruntled state employees who reported not being allowed to work remotely. KITV4.

National Guard preparing to assist Hawaii hospitals, testing, potential vaccine distribution. In the short-term, there are just 144 intensive care unit beds available, but the state has reserves ready. In the long-term, there are plans to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine should one be approved. KHON2.

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Hawaii Principals Are Left To Trust Their ‘Gut’ On How To Reopen Schools. The responsibility has fallen to local administrators as the Department of Education continues to wait on COVID-19 guidance from the Department of Health. Civil Beat.

Unemployment phone bank dismantled, giving those seeking help with claims few options. The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is hiring. About 80 people are needed to help with unemployment claims. Hawaii News Now.

Corrections oversight panel struggling without staffing. The Hawaii Supreme Court in June tasked the Hawaii Correctional Systems Oversight Commission with helping state officials deal with overcrowding and other issues that plague the Oahu Community Correctional Center and the state’s other jails and prisons. Star-Advertiser.

US defense chief Esper to visit Palau, Guam and Hawaii. It will be only Esper’s second international trip since the coronavirus pandemic hit early this year, forcing him to scale back his 2020 travel plans. KITV4.

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2 people with coronavirus on Oahu die as Hawaii reports 261 new cases. Hawaii health officials reported two additional coronavirus-related fatalities on Oahu and 261 new cases in the islands today, raising the statewide total since the start of the pandemic to 5,609 infection. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Updates For August 19th: 261 New Cases, 2 New Deaths. The number of new cases went up today, compared to the 134 reported the day before. The death count has also increased. Big Island Video News.

VIRUS TRACKER — Aug. 19: 261 New COVID-19 Cases And 2 Deaths. The latest deaths were a man and woman in Honolulu, both who were older than 60, Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson confirmed Wednesday at a press conference. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Lt. Gov. Green, others say new rules for Oahu gatherings aren’t enough to rein in COVID-19 surge. With a COVID-19 outbreak raging at Hawaii’s largest jail and several of Oahu’s intensive care units nearing capacity, experts are expressing doubt that new restrictions on gatherings that go into effect at midnight will be enough to knock down coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

Written order for Honolulu doesn’t exactly match rules outlined by Mayor Caldwell. There are some new discrepancies coming to light in the latest order from the Mayor’s office. Hawaii News Now.

Almost all social gatherings now banned on Oahu. New restrictions will go into effect on Oahu at midnight and there are some significant differences to the rules from what the Mayor laid out on Tuesday, Aug. 18. KHON2.

City says controversial beach picture is legal. A photo of the Hawaii Democratic Party's set-up for the video roll call in Waikiki is the cause of controversy online. It appears it was shot on a beach and Oahu beaches are currently closed because of Mayor Caldwell's COVID-19 emergency orders. KITV4.

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Lawyers agree on sentencing date in corruption case for Katherine and Louis Kealoha. Sentencing in the state’s biggest corruption investigation could now happen in November after it was postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. Associated Press.

Kealoha Sentencing Could Be Nov. 3. Attorneys have agreed to sentencing dates for the former police chief and others in the corruption case. Civil Beat.

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Electric bills on Oahu set to go up $4.52 a month in October. Hawaiian Electric residential customers on Oahu will pay an extra $4.52 a month on a typical bill starting as early as October after the state Public Utilities Commission’s recent interim order approving an amended fuel supply contract the utility negotiated with Par Hawaii Refining. Star-Advertiser.

Multiple Target store employees on Oahu tested positive for COVID-19. Target officials confirmed two affected locations: Kapolei and Ala Moana. KHON2.

An agribusiness venture on Oahu’s North Shore falls through. The Kalona Brand Company says it’s shutting down operations on Oahu’s North Shore because of a lack of investors. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Denies Threatening Candidate With Quarantine Arrest. The Hawaii attorney general's office denies threatening a Republican state House of Representatives candidate with arrest for violating a traveler quarantine mandated to protect the islands from the spread of the coronavirus. Associated Press.

Honolulu Prosecutor Candidate Has Been On Both Sides Of Alleged Crime Boss. Megan Kau worked to help recover Michael Miske’s boat, the Painkiller, that federal authorities said was used to dispose of the body of Jonathan Fraser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Council urges hiring freeze: Resolution asks Kim to give next administration a chance to evaluate new hires. With the current mayor and a former mayor providing different perspectives, the County Council on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution urging Mayor Harry Kim’s administration to immediately institute a hiring freeze for the remainder of his term. West Hawaii Today.

Five new Hilo cases attributed to community spread. The majority of the seven new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday on Hawaii Island are in Hilo, according to state Health Director Bruce Anderson. Tribune-Herald.

Prosecutors, OPD Review List of HCCC Inmates Eligible for Release. The Hawai‘i Supreme Court has granted the expedited release of certain inmates due to a COVID-19 outbreak at O‘ahu Community Correctional Center. Big Island Now.

Blanket screening: Thermal temperature screening expands to all arrival gates statewide. Work to install thermal temperature screening equipment at all arrival gates at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is expected to wrap up today. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor Confirms Temptation Island Filming on Maui During Pandemic. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino confirmed the planned arrival of cast and crew this weekend for the filming of Temptation Island over the next two months at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. Maui Now.

A major television production is slated for Maui, raising concerns. A reality television show is slated to start filming on Maui soon. It will be the first major film production in Hawaii since the pandemic started — and it’s already causing concerns in the community. Hawaii News Now.

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14 Arrested for Quarantine Violations on Maui Between June 20 and Aug. 19. Six of the individuals were residents of Maui and the rest were from various states across the mainland including California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Georgia and Illinois. Maui Now.

Maui Memorial now dealing with 45 total COVID cases between patients, staff. As of noon Wednesday, hospital officials said there was a cumulative total of 24 positive patient cases and 21 positive health care workers. Hawaii News Now.

Prosecutors await ruling on inmates and virus. The Maui County Prosecuting Attorney’s office opposes a mass release of inmates from Maui Community Correctional Center, saying issues related to a recent outbreak of COVID-19 at state jails and prisons are centered at Oahu facilities, not Maui. Maui News.

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Two WWII Era Munitions Off Molokini to Remain in Place, No Detonation Planned. There are no plans to ‘detonate-in-place,” two WWII era munitions in waters off Molokini Crater in Maui County. The decision, announced today, is based on an assessment from the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board conducted at the State’s request. Maui Now.

State Will Not Detonate UXO Off Molokini Crater. The state of Hawai‘i will maintain a hands-off approach when it comes to unexploded ordnance off the Molokini Crater in Maui County. Big Island Now.

Kauai

Last-minute amendment to anti-styrofoam bill. A bill that would effectively ban the use and sale of polystyrene foam food service containers faced another amendment yesterday, making the proposed law less strict, and bringing some of the language back to what was initially introduced. Garden Island.

Businesses opt for compostable alternatives. From Hanalei to Lihu‘e, restaurant owners are making the switch from styrofoam to paper carryout containers before it becomes law. Garden Island.

County offers small business a boost. The County of Kaua‘i has announced that its Small Business Boost Grant Program will be open for applications starting on Monday, Aug. 24, at 9 a.m. The program is funded by the county’s share of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Garden Island.

Hawaii may prolong travel quarantine as COVID-19 cases surge, Ige shuffles Health Department staff, teachers union threatens lawsuit if schools reopen, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki sunset with airplane ©2020 All Hawaii News

Visitor industry braces for another pre-arrivals testing delay. Some signs of Hawaii’s fledgling tourism recovery are flying away as the state’s visitor industry braces for another delay in the start of a pre-arrivals testing program. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige to revisit stay-at-home order as COVID-19 cases in Hawaii spike.  With a record 355 cases of COVID-19 recorded today, Hawaii Gov. David Ige said he’s looking at the possibility of re-establishing the stay-at-home order and delaying the relaunch of trans-Pacific tourism through a pre-travel testing program, set to begin Sept. 1. Star-Advertiser.

Pre-Travel Program in Peril, as Hawai‘i Mulls Partial Lockdown. A return to lockdown is back on the table after Hawai‘i reported a record 355 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and two coronavirus-related deaths for the third consecutive day. Big Island Now.

The governor acknowledged Thursday that a rapid spread of coronavirus on Oahu may trigger a delay to the state’s plan for rebooting tourism. The state had hoped to launch a pre-testing traveler program on Sept. 1, after delaying it from Aug. 1. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Ige considers bringing back stay-at-home order. Health officials say Oahu hospitals are close to the point of being overwhelmed, and Governor David Ige is considering bringing back more restrictions for Oahu, like the stay-at-home order. KHON2.

Ige says state is moving in the ‘wrong direction,’ but opts not to institute new restrictions. On a day that the state saw 355 new COVID-19 infections, the governor on Thursday said Hawaii is “moving in the wrong direction” but he stopped short of instituting any new mandates aimed at reining in the spread of the virus. He did pledge, however, to bring back new mandates if cases remain high. Hawaii News Now.

Ige: ‘We are headed in the wrong direction’. Despite a record-high 355 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday, Gov. David Ige stopped short of delaying a plan to allow out-of-state travelers with a negative COVID-19 test to arrive in Hawaii on Sept. 1 without being subject to a 14-day quarantine. Tribune-Herald.

Record 355 cases; more restrictions possible. “We have some very bad news to report today,” Gov. David Ige said at the start of his Thursday news conference. Garden Island.

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Controversial State Health Official Ousted From Leading Virus Tracing Effort. With cases spiraling out of control, State Epidemiologist Sarah Park has been replaced as head of Hawaii’s contact tracing program. Danette Wong Tomiyasu is taking over. Civil Beat.

Dr. Park replaced as head of contact tracing program. Department of Health recently announced that the new Disease Investigation Branch Chief, Dr. Emily Roberson, would take over contact tracing at DOH. KITV4.

Anderson, Park absent from COVID briefing as governor puts deputy in charge of contact tracing. State Health Director Bruce Anderson and State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park have been the health department’s two most visible faces in the fight against COVID-19. The two were nowhere to be seen at the governor’s press briefing Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

As it struggles to respond to COVID-19, the state is again refusing help for contact tracing. The state Health Department continues to reject offers for funds and workers to help with contact tracing. Hawaii News Now.

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As COVID-19 Cases Rise, Hawaii Hospitals Plan For Day They Exceed Capacity. Some Hawaii hospitals are getting hit harder than others with the surge in COVID-19 cases. But the Healthcare Association of Hawaii that represents hospitals has a plan: it will re-distribute patients if needed so facilities aren’t overrun. Hawaii Public Radio.

Union warns of nurse shortage with rise of coronavirus cases. Hospitals in Hawaii are able to expand their number of intensive care units if the number of COVID-19 patients goes beyond capacity, but now some are worried there will not be enough nurses to care for those sick patients.  KHON2.

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Ige Warns Of Furloughs If Congress Fails To Provide More Aid. While negotiations over additional federal assistance to cities and states remain deadlocked, Hawaii’s chief executive says the state may be forced to furlough workers in the coming months if Congress fails to act. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Hawaii sees 2 more deaths and a record 355 new coronavirus cases. Hawaii Department of Health officials today reported a single-day record of 355 new COVID-19 cases, and the coronavirus-related deaths of two Oahu men, both over 60 years old. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — Aug. 13: 355 New Cases And 2 Deaths. Hawaii has recorded more cases of COVID-19 in the first two weeks of August than all prior months combined. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Updates For August 13th: New Record 355 Cases, Two New Deaths. The 355 new cases includes 86 new diagnosed cases of coronavirus at the O‘ahu Community Correctional Facility, officials say. Big Island Video News.

DOH Reports 355 Cases of Coronavirus, 2 Deaths Thursday. For the first time, Hawai‘i has eclipsed 300 coronavirus cases in a single day. Big Island Now.

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70 more OCCC inmates and 12 staff members test positive for the coronavirus. The number of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 at Oahu Community Correctional Center swelled dramatically on Thursday as inmate advocates rushed to petition the Judiciary to release as many inmates as possible as quickly as possible. Star-Advertiser.

Corrections Staff Describe Jail Conditions That Make Social Distancing Impossible. Staff and inmates alike have been infected as COVID-19 spreads inside Hawaii’s largest jail. Civil Beat.

Surge in COVID-19 cases spurs petition from Office of Public Defender seeking the release of some inmates. The Office of Public Defender on Wednesday petitioned the state Supreme Court, seeking an order to the lower courts, the Department of Public Safety and the Hawaii Paroling Authority to take immediate steps to significantly reduce the population of its … correctional facilities to prevent the massive loss of life and harm that the spread of COVID-19 would cause in such facilities. Tribune-Herald.

California prisons provide Hawaii with lessons in dealing with outbreaks. Hawaii officials dealing with the rapid spread of COVID-19 at the Oahu Community Correctional Center are finding out what many of their mainland counterparts already know: Once the virus has entered a prison, it’s near impossible to contain it without immediate action to ramp up testing and disperse the inmate population. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii teachers union, superintendent spar over schools reopening. The teachers union said Thursday it will file labor complaints against the state to try to stop plans to reopen public schools on Monday that it says could endanger its members. Star-Advertiser.

Union threatens lawsuit over plans for face-to-face meetings with students at start of school year. While public schools will start the fall semester fully online, students are still scheduled to return to campus next week to prepare for online learning. Hawaii News Now.

HSTA seeks legal action to stop public school students from in-person classes. The Hawaii State Teachers Association is taking legal action to stop public school students from returning to campuses on Monday. HSTA president Corey Rosenlee said the Department of Education’s current plan requiring students to report in-person the first week of school is reckless and unsafe. KHON2.


HSTA to launch legal action against State of Hawaii, DOE. Thursday afternoon, the Hawaii State Teachers Association will announce legal action they are taking against the State of Hawaii and the Hawaii State Department of Education. KITV4.

DOE pushes back against union’s criticism of reopening plan. The Hawaii State Teachers Association said it will take legal action over school reopening plans it thinks are unsafe and “reckless” amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and a surge of cases. Tribune-Herald.

Teachers Union Takes Legal Action On School Reopening Plans, DOE Responds. A union official, a family medicine doctor, and an attorney took part in a new conference today to explain their opposition to the planned reopening of schools in the time of COVID. Big Island Video News.

HSTA takes legal action. Corey Rosenlee, president of the Hawai’i State Teachers Association, announced the union’s intention to file a prohibited-practice complaint with the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board and a class grievance against the state Department of Education during a Zoom teleconference Thursday afternoon. Garden Island.

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Hawai‘i State Public Libraries Temporarily Suspend Computer Time Amid COVID-19 Concerns. Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the State, the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System will temporarily suspend Computer Time at all library branches statewide, from Aug. 16–31, 2020. Maui Now.

Rising coronavirus cases suspends library computer use. Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the State, the Hawaii State Public Library System will temporarily suspend Computer Time at all library branches statewide, August 16 – 31, 2020. KITV4.

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20 ships participating in reduced RIMPAC in Hawaii starting Monday. Ten nations, about 20 ships and 5,300 personnel are taking part in Rim of the Pacific maritime exercises starting Monday in Hawaii’s waters. Star-Advertiser.

Over 900 Late Ballots Won’t Be Counted In Hawaii Primary. Officials warned voters to mail those ballots at least three to five days before Election Day. Civil Beat.

Oahu

More restrictions on the horizon to fight COVID-19 on Oahu. With a record number of COVID-19 cases, a festering outbreak at Hawaii’s largest jail and clusters emerging all across Oahu, Gov. David Ige said Thursday that he’s looking at reestablishing a stay-at-home order and delaying the relaunch of trans-Pacific tourism through a pre-travel testing program, set to begin Sept. 1. Star-Advertiser.

Outbreak forces halt to shelter admissions. As the number of positive COVID-19 cases reached record highs on Thursday, officials announced that the Institute for Human Services has seen 20 cases in its men’s shelter in Iwilei, requiring it to be converted into a temporary isolation and quarantine site. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 Outbreak Prompts Lockdown At Iwilei Homeless Shelter. At least 20 residents at the Institute for Human Services’ men’s facility on Sumner Street have tested positive for COVID-19. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Rail Costs To Climb With Dispute Over Airport Section. Officials are scrambling to speed up construction of stations and the relocation of utilities lines for the future transit line. Civil Beat.

Kualoa Ranch to reduce guest operations to 4-day weeks, furlough more employees. In a letter to employees dated Wednesday, President and CEO John Morgan said the ranch will be open to guests from Thursday through Sunday starting next week. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County can deny STVRs on agricultural land: State Land Use Commission unanimously upholds county vacation rental ban. Short-term vacation rentals do not belong on agricultural land, the state Land Use Commission ruled Thursday in upholding Hawaii County’s authority to deny that use. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor revises terms for reclosing of Maui. South Maui bars test staff, reopen after COVID-19 exposure. Days after warning that Maui County closures may ensue if COVID-19 cases average five to seven a day, Mayor Michael Victorino on Wednesday softened his approach, pointing instead to “double-digit” average daily case counts as a trigger for rollbacks. Maui News.

Maui Threshold for Closures Revised Upward. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino revised his threshold upward for the number of COVID-19 cases Maui would need in order for him to reinstate closures. Maui Now.

Maui COVID-19 Contact Tracers Encounter Guilt, Fear of Being Identified. The District Health Office on Maui is reporting some pushback in their contact tracing efforts from individuals who have expressed fear of being identified on Social Media or in the community. Maui Now.

Maui Health Care Worker and Two Patients Test Positive for Covid-19.  Maui Health has confirmed that it has one health care worker and two patients at Maui Memorial Medical Center who have tested positive for COVID-19. Maui Now.

Stolen oysters not recovered, but ‘volunteers’ have been found. Replacements for ocean biofiltering project will be on the way soon. Maui News.

Kauai

Interference pauses Hanakapi‘ai bridge project. The state has temporarily suspended a bridge-building project over the Hanakapi‘ai Stream on Kaua‘i’s North Shore because people have been undoing the work that’s being done, according to a press release from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Garden Island.

State halts bridge building in Hanakapiai Valley on Kauai to address opposition. The construction of a footbridge across the stream in Hanakapiai Valley, in Kauai’s rugged Napali Coast State Wilderness Park, has been temporarily halted due to interference at the site, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced in a press release today. Star-Advertiser.

Calls for ouster of state health director as coronavirus cases surge, governor may postpone trans-Pacific travel reopening, Hawaii added to New England's quarantine list, contact tracers in short supply, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Health Director Bruce Anderson, Aug. 6 Facebook Live

Hawaii’s rise in COVID-19 infections has landed it on New York’s travel quarantine list. The state of New York, along with Connecticut and New Jersey, on Tuesday placed Hawaii on its tri-state list of states and territories from which travelers are required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 Data Shows Hawaii Is In A ‘Very Dire Situation’. Despite a troubling rise in the number of cases, the public does not seem to have an appropriate sense of urgency, an epidemic tracking expert says. Civil Beat.

Gov. Ige: surge in COVID cases likely means another delay in reopening tourism. The surge in daily COVID cases and hospitalizations makes it more likely that reopening tourism will not happen on September 1. KHON2.

State House Speaker wants more public information from DOH on COVID-19 cases. With the Hawaii Department of Health under fire for its contact tracing capacity, one of the state’s top lawmakers is asking for more information to help the public. KHON2.

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Hawaii sees 2 new COVID-19 deaths and 118 new coronavirus cases as statewide tally climbs to 3,756. Hawaii Department of Health officials late this afternoon reported the deaths of two elderly Oahu men, who will be counted as coronavirus-related fatalities in Wednesday’s COVID-19 tally. Star-Advertiser.

State reports 2 new COVID-19 fatalities, pushing death toll to 36. The deaths come on the heels of three fatalities reported Monday. Hawaii News Now.

State Reports Two New Coronavirus-Related Deaths Tuesday. The coronavirus-related death toll in the state now stands at 36 individuals. A total of 118 new cases of the virus were reported Tuesday. Big Island Now.

118 New COVID-19 Cases in Hawai‘i (112 O‘ahu, 4 Maui, 1 Hawai‘i Island). Twelve of the past 14 days have been in the triple-digits for new cases in the state. Maui Now.

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Hawaii’s surge in COVID-19 deaths related to shortfall in contact tracing, Lt. Gov. Josh Green says. Lt. Gov. Josh Green says changes are in the works to improve contact tracing and testing inadequacies at the Department of Health that might have contributed to about half of Hawaii’s recent surge in COVID-19 deaths. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Contact Tracing Effort Falls Short Of National Standards. The state Department of Health is trying to hire new staff to address a shortage as the virus spreads. Civil Beat.

How Hawaii Botched Contact Tracing And What It Will Take To Fix It. The state Department of Health’s contact tracing has failed to keep up with the burgeoning numbers of COVID-19 cases and key state senators are calling the department’s bluff on officials' claims that they are managing with the workers they have and are hiring. Hawaii Public Radio.

DOH calls senators’ visit ‘showmanship,’ but lawmakers say they’re ready to help. Days after getting a firsthand look at how the Health Department has fallen behind in its contact tracing efforts, a legislative committee reached out to the agency to make clear it is willing to offer any resources available. Hawaii News Now.

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U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard says state health department leaders ‘need to go’. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard today posted a second twitter message calling for a change in leadership at the Hawaii state Department of Health, which has recently come under fire for its contact tracing capacity. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard Calls On Ige To Fire Top Health Officials For ‘Gross Negligence’. The Hawaii congresswoman says that state Health Director Bruce Anderson and Epidemiologist Sarah Park have put the community in danger by being slow to hire more COVID-19 contact tracers. Civil Beat.

Congressional member demands removal of state health department leadership. U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard also looking into what kind of federal oversight and accountability can be created to manage use of federal CARES Act money. KITV4.

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DOE releases plan for neighbor island public schools. With one week left until school starts, the Department of Education announced Tuesday, most neighbor island public schools will follow Oahu and start the school year with four weeks of distance learning. KHON2.

DOE Announces 13 Cases Of COVID-19 In Schools On Oahu, Kauai. Most neighbor island schools will now start with all distance learning as HSTA pressures the administration. Civil Beat.

Neighbor Island Schools Announce Distance Learning to Start School Year. Complex area superintendents on the neighbor islands today announced the distance learning models that schools will be implementing on Aug.17. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, and Maui Go Full Distance Learning To Start Year. Complex area superintendents announced Tuesday that Neighbor Island schools will change course and adopt distance learning models to start 2020-21 school year. Big Island Video News.

DOE: Distance learning will be used during the first four weeks of the quarter. Big Island public schools, along with most other schools on the neighbor islands, will transition entirely to distance learning for the first four weeks of instruction, the state Department of Education announced Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

HSTA Raises Alarm Over COVID-19 Notifications In Schools, DOE Responds. The teachers union says the community is not being properly notified about confirmed cases of COVID-19 in some public schools, but the DOE says timely notification was made. Big Island Video News.

Seven COVID-19 cases reported so far at Hawaii public schools since teachers returned. Seven school employees have tested positive for COVID-19 since teachers returned to work at public schools July 29, the Department of Education announced Tuesday after being criticized by the teachers union for failing to publicize cases. Star-Advertiser.

Instructors For Hire: How The Pandemic Is Fueling A New Side Business. The pandemic is allowing private instructors to offer small group lessons to parents who are wary of children returning to school campuses — and who can afford it. Civil Beat.

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Election Recounts Don’t Change Outcomes Of 3 Races. DeCoite, Quilingking remain the winners of their primaries, and the Kauai County Council lineup stays the same. Civil Beat.

Flock of warbirds arrives in Hawaii for 75th anniversary of end of WWII. It’s been World War II warbirds meet present-day Pearl Harbor with efforts ongoing to offload 14 vintage aircraft from the amphibious assault ship USS Essex for the 75th commemoration of end-of-war events Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Epidemic tracker: ‘1 in 50 Oahu residents may have COVID’. It has been 13 consecutive days of triple digit coronavirus cases in Hawaii. New data shows every infected person in the state is now spreading the virus to 1.6 people. It is the highest rate of contagion in the country. Hawaii News Now.

Nearly 500 workers tested for COVID-19 at Honolulu Hale. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said his COVID-19 test results were negative after mass testing took place for nearly 500 city and county employees at Honolulu Hale. KHON2.

Plans for a ‘college bubble’ at a Waikiki hotel are scrapped over community concerns. Although U Experience got national attention, the idea of inviting college students to Hawaii during a pandemic raised many concerns locally. Hawaii News Now.

Mass Testing Begins As More OCCC Inmates Positive For COVID-19. Data shows nine inmates and seven staff at the state’s largest jail have tested positive so far in the coronavirus outbreak. Civil Beat.

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Mufi Hannemann and Colleen Hanabusa may have run last campaigns. Neither former Mayor Mufi Hannemann nor former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa will rule out seeking future office, but both of their political careers could be over — especially with a record number of voters who overlooked them in last week’s mayoral primary election. Star-Advertiser.

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Federal judge orders Michael Miske held without bail. A federal judge has ordered to detain Oahu businessman Michael Miske Jr. without bail pending trial on multiple charges involving a years-long organized crime ring investigation. Star-Advertiser.

Accused Crime Boss Michael Miske Will Remain Behind Bars. A federal prosecutor described Miske as one of the most dangerous defendants he has ever prosecuted. Civil Beat.

Bond denied for alleged crime boss Mike Miske as defense team grows. Accused crime boss Michael Miske will remain behind bars without bond. Hawaii News Now.

Federal judge orders Miske be held without bail on Tuesday. A federal judge ordered local businessman Michael Miske held without bail on Tuesday siding with Prosecutors  believing he's a danger to the community and a flight-risk. KITV4.

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Controversial Kahuku wind project being connected to electric grid. Hawaiian Electric crews have started utility work to connect the wind turbines from the controversial Na Pua Makani project in Kahuku to the electric grid. Star-Advertiser.

'Too big, too close': Kahuku residents picket to stop wind turbine project. Turbines at Na Pua Makani wind-farm in Kahuku were officially connected to Hawaiian Electric's grid on Tuesday. KITV4.

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City’s park closure is cutting off gardeners from their plants on public plots. While the city understands the benefits of community gardeners, there are no exceptions to the order, leaving residents with concerns. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu’s community gardens remain closed due to COVID-19 lockdown, but may get some maintenance help. Those with plots in community gardens won’t get a reprieve from Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s decision to close the sites along with other recreational facilities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

CARES money hitting the streets: County awards $43 million of its $80 million coronavirus relief grant. With less than five months left to use it all or lose it, Hawaii County has been just chipping away at spending $80 million in federal coronavirus relief funds, but the pace is expected to quicken over the coming months as grants are distributed among community organizations and individuals. West Hawaii Today.

HSTA reports COVID-19 case at Hilo Intermediate. The Hawaii State Teachers Association said during a news conference Tuesday that cases of COVID-19 had been reported at five schools in Hawaii since Thursday, including Hilo Intermediate School. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Kim Reflects On Primary Election Defeat. Mayor Kim reacts to the Saturday primary election result in which he finished third in the race for mayor, and how he will leave the office in December 2020. Big Island Video News.

Big Island Mayor Harry Kim Thought He Was In Tune With Voters. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim was voted into retirement by Big Island voters in Saturday's 2020 primary election. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Threshold to Revisit Closures: If Maui Averages 5-7 New Cases a Day by Monday. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said he will consider the reinstitution of restrictions and closures in Maui County if the daily average number of cases increases to 5-7 by Monday. Maui Now.

Mayor mulling closure if cases spike. Anticipating a jump in new COVID-19 cases in Maui County, Mayor Michael Victorino said Monday that he will be mulling another potential closure. Maui News.

Kihei bars close after possible exposure to COVID-19 patron. Voluntary move aids cleaning, gathering of further information. Maui News.

Recount of District 13 House Race Confirms Decoite’s Win Over Ritte. A recount of votes cast in the Primary Election race for the District 13 House seat, confirms incumbent Rep. Lynn DeCoite has defeated challenger and long-time Hawaiian Rights advocate Walter Ritte. Maui Now.

Kauai

2 new active cases linked to inter-island travel. Yesterday, Kaua‘i District Health officials announced two new positive cases of COVID-19, both related to inter-island travel. This brings the active case count to four, and the cumulative total to 51. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i public schools opt for distance learning model. Kaua‘i Complex Area will be implementing a 100% distance learning model for at least the first four weeks of school beginning next week. Garden Island.

Status of Coco Palms reviewed. While the Planning Commission received over 115 pieces of written and oral testimony overwhelmingly calling for the reconsideration of plans to redevelop the area of the Coco Palms Resort, there wasn’t much they could do. Garden Island.