Hawaii COVID-19 vaccination plan kept secret, every island's rules different as tourists return, Tulsi Gabbard relocates to California, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cruise ship along Kona coast ©2020 All Hawaii News

 No cruise bookings in islands for remainder of 2020; cloudy waters ahead for industry. Although the state welcomed back trans-Pacific travelers without quarantines to island airports on Thursday, provided arriving passengers have tested negative for COVID-19 in the previous 72 hours, the future of the cruise ship industry remains murky. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Is Ready But The State Is Keeping It Under Wraps. Even in the absence of an approved vaccine, Hawaii officials are drafting plans to distribute the first vaccines when they become available. Civil Beat.

State meets deadline to submit COVID-19 vaccination plan to federal government. Health officials confirmed they submitted Hawaii’s COVID vaccination rollout plan which met the Friday deadline. Details on the plan itself however weren’t immediately made available. Hawaii News Now.

Secrecy Shrouds Ige’s New High-Level Coronavirus Panel. A committee set up to help guide Hawaii’s economic recovery holds private meetings with no public agendas or minutes. Civil Beat.

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Some travelers are allowed to enter without tests from approved labs. Some travelers who arrived in Hawaii during the first four days of the reopening of tourism were allowed to skip the 14-day mandatory quarantine even though they did not have COVID-19 tests from the state’s “trusted testing partners.” Star-Advertiser.

Interisland ‘Trusted Partner’ Traveler Test Program Now In Place For Maui, Kauai. Gov. David Ige announced the new program on Saturday allowing interisland travelers to bypass the 14-day quarantine. Civil Beat.

Maui, Big Island explain how different rules are shared with travelers. For the past three days, Hawaii has seen thousand of travelers fly in after quarantine restrictions relaxed. KHON2.

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The state set aside $100 million in federal CARES Act funds to help struggling families with rent or mortgage payments. And so far, just 2% has been distributed. That’s even though tens of thousands of Hawaii residents are in desperate need of help. Hawaii News Now.

Rental assistance program temporarily halts applications. A state program providing rental assistance to tenants struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic is temporarily no longer accepting applicants after reaching its processing capacity. Tribune-Herald.

Survey shows over 80% of Hawaii businesses expect lower revenue this and next year due to COVID-19. Organizers hope the stark data will paint a clearer, data-driven picture so government officials will allocate more federal funding to help businesses. KITV4.

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Officials tweak mail-in voting process. Election officials mailed ballots early, added drop boxes on most islands. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's 2020 Elections: Haven't Gotten Your Ballot? Where To Call. There's a lot about 2020 that makes it a year to leave behind. But at least one important task remains: choosing the next president and filling a host of local offices, all with the power to impact our lives. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Tulsi Gabbard leaves Hawaii Army National Guard after 17 years for California duty. Congresswoman and former presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard has left the Hawaii Army National Guard after 17 years and has a new part-time military assignment: civil affairs officer with a California-based Army Reserve unit. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard’s approval rating lowest at 44% in Hawaii Poll. Oahu voters give Hawaii’s congressional delegation enviable high approval ratings, with the clear exception of U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard — a onetime long-shot candidate to become president who received a dismal 44% approval rating. Star-Advertiser.

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Forecasters predict wetter-than-average rainy season. Most Hawaii locations can expect above average rainfall during the wet season, which officially began Oct. 1 and runs through April. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i’s COVID Total Tops 14,000 Since Pandemic Began. The Hawai‘i Department of Health reported 83 new cases of coronavirus Sunday, bringing the statewide total to 14,031 since the pandemic began. Two new COVID-related fatalities were also reported. Big Island Now.

VIRUS TRACKER — Oct. 18: 83 New COVID-19 Cases And 1 Death In Hawaii. Health officials reported one death on Oahu and 83 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, including 68 cases on Oahu, 14 on Hawaii island and one on Kauai. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Hawaii Poll shows commanding lead for Rick Blangiardi in mayor’s race. Rick Blangiardi holds a solid double-­digit lead over fellow first-time candidate Keith Amemiya in the race for Honolulu mayor, according to the latest Hawaii Poll. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Poll has Steve Alm ahead of Megan Kau in Honolulu prosecutor race. Former Judge, U.S. attorney and Deputy Prosecutor Steve Alm appears to have a solid lead in the race for Honolulu prosecuting attorney two weeks before the general election. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Poll: Oahu voters disapprove of Kirk Caldwell’s coronavirus response. Hawaii Poll participants were solidly critical of Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s overall handling of the novel coronavirus pandemic — although some of the details in the mayor’s COVID-19 plan for controlling the spread of the virus on Oahu earned higher marks. Star-Advertiser.

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Mayor Caldwell calls for special meeting over future of an already costly rail project. The mayor wants to end the so-called P-3 negotiations for a private operator to build the final segment and run the system because the bids came in way over budget. Hawaii News Now.

Chinatown senior affordable-housing plan causes dispute between organization, developer. A local Chinese cultural organization is squaring off against an affordable-housing developer over a long-planned apartment tower for seniors on city land in Chinatown. Star-Advertiser.

Manoa couple fined $40K for allegedly altering stream. The state Health Department said contractors working for John and Linda Hayama filled in parts of the Manoa Stream near the Kahaloa Drive Bridge with nearly 20 dump trucks full of rocks and sand. Hawaii News Now.

Some visitors in Waikiki say they came prepared to follow Hawai'i's COVID-19 restrictions. Many got to enjoy the islands right away, after following the state's COVID 19 pre-travel testing program. KITV4.

Ewa Beach man recovering from COVID has a warning to others: ‘This thing is for real’. 42-year-old Eddie Bisquera spent 48 days in the hospital. He said he didn’t have any underlying health conditions, but during his battle with COVID, he went through a few complications and almost gave up. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County almost halfway through coronavirus relief money. Hawaii County spent almost half of its $80 million federal coronavirus relief money in the first seven months of the program, and with three months to go before the money has to be spent or returned, Mayor Harry Kim is confident returning it won’t be an option. In fact, Kim said Friday, he told Gov. David Ige he may need more. West Hawaii Today.
 

Hawaii’s first N-95 mask factory opens in Kona. The first automated mask factory in the state is expected to start production this week with a staff of 10. Nicholas Garcia will be manufacturing N95 and flat masks, plus “super” versions of both types of mask. West Hawaii Today.

Expansion at NELHA: Big Island Abalone, Blue Ocean Mariculture announce plans for growth. Two of NELHA’s Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park success stories, Blue Ocean Mariculture and Big Island Abalone are poised for additional growth and expansion that’ll result in the creation of dozens of jobs over the next several years at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority’s Hawaii Ocean Science Technology Park. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County Council Race: Strong Political Factions Are Fighting Each Other. The so-called Ohana candidates are in a political battle with the candidates on the Hui O Maui slate, a classic battle of progressives vs. conservatives. Civil Beat.

Different styles, passions for South Maui candidates. Incumbent Kelly Takaya King and political newcomer Tom Cook have the backing of very different groups and are each passionate about their distinct platforms in the race for the South Maui residency seat on the County Council. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai launches post-arrival testing Monday. Under the optional program, Kauai residents who return from out of state travel and receive a negative  pre-travel test through the State's Safe Travels program are eligible for a free COVID-19 test 4-10 days after their return.  KITV4.

Virtual meetings planned to discuss future of island tourism. The Kaua‘i Destination Management Action Plan Community is hosting a virtual meeting for residents living in the south and west portions of Kaua‘i at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, and residents residing in north and east Kaua‘i at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22. Garden Island.

DOH fines two Kaua‘i companies. Garden Island Mortuary Ltd., in Lawa‘i, was cited for late submittals of their semiannual reports and annual fee on their crematory units. ShredCo LLC in Lihu‘e was cited for late submittals of their semiannual and annual emission reports on their portable grinding and screening plant. Garden Island.

Hawaii residents leaving state, Carnival cancels Hawaii cruises for the rest of 2020, BLM infiltrates Kauai Trump rally, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii farmers market, with flowers ©2020 All Hawaii News

 Economists anticipate Hawaii’s shrinking population will decline further due to coronavirus. UH economists recently projected in a report that the state will see a net population loss of 19,000 over the next two years, which means an even bigger number of resident departures since that figure also takes into account the many people expected to move to Hawaii from other states and countries. Star-Advertiser.

With no job prospects on the horizon, some are moving to the mainland. A lack of job opportunities and no communication from the state’s unemployment office is driving some Hawaii residents to pack up their bags and move to the mainland. Hawaii News Now.

Is Hawaii Learning To Live With The Coronavirus? Message fatigue has become a real concern as Hawaii officials gear up public service announcements reminding people they need to wear masks, wash their hands and stay away from each other. Civil Beat.

Carnival cancels most 2020 US cruises, including those to Hawaii. Carnival’s rival Norwegian Cruise Line said it’s holding out hope it’ll be able to restart operations in November — and isn’t shutting down all operations just yet. Hawaii News Now.

Public service campaign inspires the catchy ‘Our Kuleana’. The Our Kuleana campaign — which features well-known island figures donning face masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19 on TV and in print ads, as well as everyday folks taking up the challenge and posting photos of themselves masked up with the hashtag #ourkuleana — inspired Hilo musician Brandon Nakano. Tribune-Herald.

After Hawaii tourism reopens, will there be a flood or trickle of visitors? After seven months of tourism lockdowns, the state is finally ready to reopen the gates. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s arrival testing debate continues, decision expected this week. Several leaders and health officials are now sounding the alarm. They’re saying that more needs to be done or the state will see a surge in cases, and possibly another shut down by the end of the year. KHON2.

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Monday's The Deadline To Register Online To Vote And What Else To Know. There's a lot about 2020 that makes it a year to leave behind. But at least one important task remains: choosing the next president and filling a host of local offices, all with the power to impact our lives. Hawaii Public Radio.

Concerns remain about new Hawaii hemp law. Hawaii will adopt a federal industrial hemp production program at the end of this month, signalling the end of the state’s two-year-long Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. Tribune-Herald.

Navatek CEO Warned Workers Of ‘Draconian Consequences’ If They Slacked Off During Pandemic. Now, Martin Kao faces federal charges of bank fraud and money laundering for allegedly bilking the coronavirus relief program of $12.8 million. Civil Beat.

VIRUS TRACKER — Oct. 4: 70 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Of the cases diagnosed on Sunday, two were in Maui County, 15 were on Hawaii island and 53 were on Oahu. Civil Beat.

State reports 3 additional COVID-19 fatalities, 70 new cases. The state is reporting three additional COVID-19 fatalities on Sunday, pushing the death toll from the virus in the islands to 156. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

2 candidates for Honolulu mayor have spent more than $3M on race so far. Despite the pandemic-depressed economy, the Honolulu mayor’s race is turning out to be a big spending contest. Combined, the two remaining candidates have spent more than $3 million through Sept. 30. Hawaii News Now.

Here’s How Honolulu’s Mayoral Candidates Differ — Or Not — On Police Reform. Both candidates are largely content with the department and the practices that are already in place. Neither would cut police funding. Civil Beat.

Tourism restart may delay Tier 2. Oahu’s reopening metrics are so restrictive that even the return of only a few thousand tourists, might be enough to upset the fragile balance and keep the county from further economic reopening. Star-Advertiser.

The beaches at Ko Olina are opened again. Why aren’t the public parking lots? Public access advocates say the Ko Olina Resort is using the pandemic as an excuse to restrict beach access. Hawaii News Now.

Affordable rentals for Hawaiians to rise in Moiliili. A 23-story apartment tower is slated to rise on the former Stadium Bowl-O-Drome site in Moiliili, providing affordable rentals for 277 Native Hawaiian households. Star-Advertiser.

UH-Manoa plans apartment towers with below-market rents. A few years from now, University of Hawaii students and faculty should have a very different option for living on the school’s flagship Manoa campus. Star-Advertiser.

State nears ownership of Doris Duke’s former boat basin. The state has tentatively agreed to accept the Doris Duke Foundation of Islamic Art’s offer of up to $1 million to underwrite the cost of dismantling a breakwater that protects a popular swimming cove at the late heiress’ former Black Point estate, but it’s unclear whether the controversial project will happen. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Finalists for mayor head down the home stretch. There’s a lot of agreement, but also major differences, between the two candidates running for Hawaii County’s top office. West Hawaii Today.

Fiber optic ring will improve internet speed, stability. Just when COVID-19 has turned many meetings virtual and a faster, more stable communications network is needed most, a project a decade in the making is about to reach completion. West Hawaii Today.

Papaikou Mill Beach Eminent Domain Back On Council Agenda. On Tuesday, a Hawaiʻi County Council committee will discuss a new resolution to authorize proceedings in eminent domain to provide public access to the beach at Pāpaʻikou. Big Island Video News.

‘Very concerning for everybody’: Hawaii Island posts largest single-day jump in new COVID-19 cases. The state Department of Health reported 43 of the new 133 statewide positive cases were on the Big Island in its Saturday noon report. West Hawaii Today.

26 infected in emerging COVID-19 outbreak at the University of the Nations Kona. The University of the Nations in Kailua-Kona is now up to 26 cases of COVID-19 after 16 cases were reported by the Department of Health on Oct. 3. KHON2.

Singing the blues: Musical gigs almost nonexistent for island musicians. Since COVID-19 changed life as we know it in March, entertainment has generally meant sitting in front of the TV at home or watching videos on a computer or mobile device. Tribune-Herald.

Parker Ranch Plans To Build “Cowboy Housing”. Parker Ranch decided to construct 10 to 12 new homes "based on compelling results generated by ranching operations over the last several years." Big Island Video News.

Parker Ranch to build new homes for working cowboys in 2021-22. Parker Ranch will build new housing for working cowboys in its Livestock Division over the next two years. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Community Budget Meetings for Fiscal Year 2022 Begin This Week. The first in a series of six community budget meetings for Fiscal Year 2022, hosted by Mayor Michael Victorino and his administration, will be held Tuesday, Oct. 6. Maui Now.

Hotels see slight uptick in demand. Government and industry leaders are seeing a slight uptick in hotel demand for Maui ahead of the state’s pre-travel testing program, an effort to revive the state’s visitor-reliant economy. Maui News.

Most schools still distance learning. When public school resumes after fall break, only three Maui County campuses are planning to immediately make changes to involve more face-to-face learning. Maui News.

Kauai

Mason Chock. While serving in the Kaua‘i Fire Department for 12 years as a firefighter, incumbent Kaua‘i County Councilmember Mason Chock, 49, was tested by a pivotal moment. Garden Island.

Pro-Trump rally infiltrated. Black Lives Matter counter-protesters — one dressed in Ku Klux Klan garb and another as a Boogaloo Boi wearing an aloha shirt and mask of President Donald Trump — infiltrated a pro-Trump rally in Kapa‘a Friday afternoon and briefly baffled several hundred people who drove by on Kuhio Highway. Garden Island.

More trees on Kauai afflicted with rapid ohia death disease. State officials have found nine more trees on Kauai afflicted with rapid ohia death, the fungal blight that has decimated hundreds of thousands of native ohia trees in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Molokai

Molokai council candidates back for a Round 3. Stacy Crivello challenges Keani Rawlins-Fernandez for her old seat. Maui News.

Cruise ships plan Nov. 1 return to Hawaii waters, hospitals brace for 3rd wave of COVID-19, University of Hawaii execs take pay cuts, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ah, Hawaii.Cruise ship and umbrella drink ©2020 All Hawaii News

Cruise ships’ return to isles remains in muddy waters. Come Nov. 1, larger cruise ships could return again to Hawaii’s waters — but it’s probably not going to be smooth sailing at first for the floundering cruise ship industry. Star-Advertiser.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green anticipates up to 8K visitors per day to Hawaii with pre-arrivals testing program. Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green announced that Hawaii will only be accepting pre-arrivals COVID-19 from its partners to make it easier to verify the accuracy of the tests. Star-Advertiser.

Green: Hawaii could see up to 8,000 visitors a day after pre-travel testing launch. Hawaii could see 5,000 to 8,000 visitors a day shortly after the mid-October launch of the state’s pre-travel testing program, Lt. Gov. Josh Green said Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Continues To Line Up Pre-Travel Test Options. Hawaii’s COVID-19 liaison, Lt. Gov. Josh Green, said the state will unveil more details next week. Civil Beat.

‘Extra layer of security’: Lt. Gov. Josh Green details pre-travel testing program. In one of his first major public appearances since being released from quarantine, Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green spent Thursday afternoon laying out key details of the state’s pre-travel testing program, scheduled to begin on Oct. 15. West Hawaii Today.

Airlines’ mail-in tests need to be supervised, state says. Mainland tourism is set to reopen on Oct. 15 and to make it more convenient for travelers, airlines are offering COVID tests that can be mailed to you. KHON2.

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Hawaii hospitals bracing for devastating third wave of virus. Hawaii hospitals are predicting a third and potentially more devastating wave of COVID-19 on the horizon as flu season gets underway, schools and tourism reopen and more people gather during the holidays. Star-Advertiser.

Hospital Workers Are Feeling Pressure As Hawaii Gets Ready To Restart Tourism. Administrators say they can make space for more patients, but health care workers are concerned about intense workloads and staying safe. Civil Beat.

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University of Hawaii to slash salaries of 216 executive, managerial employees due to budget shortfall. UH President David Lassner has directed a salary reduction of 9.23% for all executive-managerial employees. Any remaining portion of salaries above $200,000 will be reduced by 11%. Star-Advertiser.

University Of Hawaii Executives To Take Pay Cuts. The cuts will come as the state ponders furloughs for public employees. Civil Beat.

UH president, 200 executives to take pay cuts. UH President David Lassner and 200 executives across the 10-campus system will take pay cuts of 9% to 20% as the university faces a growing budget deficit. Hawaii News Now.

Board of Education approves COVID-19 guidelines. The state Board of Education on Thursday approved a set of guidelines to better enable teachers to conduct their classes while working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii students will likely be back on campuses by the start of 2nd quarter. Board of Education members expressed concern Thursday about the plan for moving to blended learning at Hawaii’s public schools but opted not to derail the plan. Hawaii News Now.

Free Grab-and-Go Meals Program Launching at 203 Public Schools This Fall. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education Grab-and-Go school meals program will be returning for the fall semester at 203 public schools beginning on Monday, Oct. 12, through Friday, Dec. 18, to provide free meals to children ages 18 and younger. Maui Now.

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Gov. David Ige appoints temporary acting director for Department of Public Safety. Gov. David Ige announced today that he has appointed Edmund “Fred” Hyun, chair of the Hawaii Paroling Authority, to serve as temporary acting director for the state Department of Public Safety. Star-Advertiser.

Ige Appoints Fred Hyun As Acting Public Safety Director. Former director Nolan Espinda retired Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Governor appoints temporary Public Safety director as permanent one is sought. Gov. David Ige has appointed Edmund Hyun to serve as the temporary acting director of the Public Safety Department. The appointment runs from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii gov. appoints new acting director of public safety department. Hawaii Governor David Ige appointed Edmund “Fred” Hyun as the temporary acting director of the state’s Department of Public Safety. This comes after former department director Nolan Espinda announced his retirement in September. KHON2.

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Lawmakers expect big push for legalizing recreational marijuana. As Hawaii faces a massive budget shortfall, some lawmakers think this is the year the state might legalize recreational marijuana. Hawaii News Now.

VIRUS TRACKER — Oct. 1: 108 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. About 6% of tests conducted in the islands in the past 24 hours were positive for COVID-19. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Alm vs. Kau: What Divides Candidates For Honolulu Prosecutor. Honolulu election officials should soon be mailing out ballots to Oʻahu voters. One of the races will decide Honolulu's next prosecutor. Hawaii Public Radio.

Beauty businesses aside from hair and nail salons ask for consideration to reopen indoors. The businesses that were allowed to reopen under the tiered system included hair and nail salons, but other beauty services were only allowed to operate outdoors. KHON2.

Two mainland visitors arrested for violating the state's 14-day quarantine. Wednesday, they were seen going to a hotel to swim with dolphins, followed by dinner at a local steakhouse. KITV4.

Navy Expects Reforms To Follow Pearl Harbor Shooting Investigation. The report will help inform a larger military review of mental health and safety policies. Civil Beat.

Prosecutors allege Oahu man was plotting chemical attack. In a shocking indictment made public Wednesday, prosecutors allege a Honolulu man who called himself “Pyro Pelican” on social media was plotting to attack an apartment complex with a chemical weapon ― and had gone as far as purchasing ingredients. Hawaii News Now.

Feds charge Oahu man for allegedly possessing chemical weapon, planning to destroy apartment building. A Honolulu resident, who was charged Wednesday for possessing a chemical weapon and an “unregistered destructive device,” allegedly planned an explosive and chemical attack on a large apartment building on Oahu, federal authorities say. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Planning Commission OKs HPP cell tower permits. The Windward Planning Commission on Thursday approved permits for a controversial cell tower in Hawaiian Paradise Park after a September court order to reconsider a previous decision to deny the permits. Tribune-Herald.

CARES money still available: Individuals, businesses and nonprofits urged to apply. As the county continues pushing federal coronavirus relief money out to the public, there are still plenty of opportunities for individuals, businesses and nonprofits to apply for help with bills, rent, mortgages and utilities. West Hawaii Today.

Local Farmers, Ranchers Sought For Program To Feed Community. The Hawaii Farm Bureau says locally-raised food purchased through a CARES Act funded ag program will go to the Hawaiʻi Food Basket and other local organizations. Big Island Video News.

Bridging the gap: Food purchase/distribution program supports farmers, helps hungry. A Big Island program is helping to bridge the gap between local agricultural producers and nonprofits serving residents in need. West Hawaii Today.

COVID-19 hits Hilo nursing home, 15 total test positive. There’s a new outbreak of COVID-19 cases at a nursing home on the Big Island. KHON2.

A Dozen COVID-19 Cases Reported at Life Care Center in Hilo. Officials reported on Thursday they had identified a dozen COVID-19 cases among residents at Life Care Center in Hilo. Big Island Now.

Hilo Singing Bridge Repairs To Impact Traffic In October. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is notifying the public of a traffic pattern shift on the Wailuku Stream Bridge in Hilo, also known as the Signing Bridge, on the first two weekends of October. Big Island Video News.

State Fails Again To Record Video Evidence Of ‘Riot’ At Hawaii Jail. A $4.5 million project to upgrade video surveillance at Hawaii Community Correctional Center won’t be complete until next year. Civil Beat.

Maui

Member Poll: Maui Farmers Say No To Proposed County Department of Agriculture. The Maui County Farm Bureau announced the results of a recent member poll to determine how their farmers felt about the proposed charter amendment to establish a County of Maui Department of Agriculture. Maui Now.

Doctors On Call Maui Opens a Rapid COVID Testing Center. Doctors On Call, Maui’s Urgent Care, is opening a Rapid COVID Testing Center in Kahului. Beginning Oct. 5, 2020, Rapid Tests will be offered Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. No appointments will be needed. Maui Now.

4 finalists named in liquor director search. A Maui County attorney and a county liquor control officer are among four finalists for the county liquor department director job, the county Liquor Control Commission announced Wednesday afternoon. Maui News.

Kauai

County has spent over half of CARES Act funds. The County of Kaua‘i reported it has spent or earmarked about 65%, or $18,530,182, of its Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds as Aug. 30. Garden Island.

Hotel reopening adds excitement to distribution. The excitement doubled Thursday for Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach General Manager Chris Machorek during the resort’s food distribution for its employees in Waipouli. Garden Island.

Meet the candidates: Richard Fukushima. A bucket-list dream of his, Richard Fukushima is making his third and final bid to join the Kaua‘i County Council. Garden Island.

After years of complaints, advocates coordinate massive cleanup of Kalalau Valley. Allured by the isolation, squatters have lived deep in Kalalau Valley for years and even decades ― leaving illegal campsites, mounds of debris and even a toilet behind. Garden Island.

Transient vacation rentals shuttered as Hawaii nears 500 COVID-19 cases, Facebook's Zuckerberg gives $1M to Kauai, Legislature mulls budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii state Capitol ©2020 All Hawaii News

Pandemic Is Scrambling State Budget Priorities. The COVID-19 calamity means the Hawaii Legislature’s grand plans for the 2020 session may be just pipe dreams. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Enlists Online Program To Help Enforce Travel Quarantine. The state of Hawaii said Friday it wants travelers to use an online program to provide information about their travel plans to help authorities enforce a 14-day coronavirus quarantine imposed on people arriving in the islands. Associated Press.

State will use app to track travelers. The new service, called the Hawaii Safe Travels System, includes an electronic survey to be answered by all incoming travelers to the state, including details about the travelers’ itineraries and lodging information, said Rona Suzuki, director of the Hawaii Department of Taxation, at a press briefing Friday. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s Not Ready For A Wave Of Evictions Caused By The Pandemic. Housing advocates are calling on Gov. David Ige to act now to stop a housing crisis. The governor has offered mixed messages. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii’s COVID-19 cases near the 500 mark as 13 new cases are reported. There were just 13 new cases of coronavirus reported across Hawaii on Easter Sunday, bringing the state’s total to 499. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s confirmed coronavirus cases rise to 499, up 13. Hawaii Department of Health officials said Sunday that the state’s tally of coronavirus cases has risen to 499, up 13 from Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Now Has 499 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases. Thirteen new cases were reported in the past day, including five on the Big Island and four in Maui County. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Coronavirus Case Tally Nears 500. Hawai‘i confirmed 13 new cases of coronavirus overnight, bringing the statewide total to 499. Big Island Now.

13 new cases of COVID-19 bring state total to 499. The Department of Health reported 13 new cases of COVID-19 today. The state total is now 499. KHON2.

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With less demand, price of gas falls, but not much. The average price per gallon statewide, according to the most recent weekly report from AAA Hawaii, was $3.31 Thursday. That’s 22 cents less than the year-ago price and 20 cents cheaper than the price a few days before a statewide stay-at-home order was announced March 23. Star-Advertiser.

Jail populations drop amid virus pandemic. The number of inmates being housed in the state’s four jails has dropped by 25% in just over a month’s time as various segments of the criminal justice system work to lower populations in the facilities amid fears of widespread coronavirus infection. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Prison Inmates Sew Masks During Pandemic. Inmates in the sewing program at the Waiawa Correctional Facility and Kulani Correctional Facility have begun to sew thousands of cloth face coverings to combat the spread of COVID-19. Big Island Video News.

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Online platform detailing spread of coronavirus in state gains traction. A new online platform that uses crowdsourced data to generate a picture of the new coronavirus’ spread in Hawaii has already received thousands of submissions in one week since going live. Star-Advertiser.

AlohaTrace Tracks Real-Time Data of COVID-19 Spread. AlohaTrace – a community-driven data collection effort — is a new online platform that crowdsources daily information from Hawaiʻi residents to track COVID-19 through general whereabouts and interactions of those with existing symptoms. Maui Now.

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First night of curfew runs smoothly for Oahu and Maui, Mayors urge residents to continue to stay home. Police were out patrolling looking for any nonessential people on the roadways between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. KHON2.

Oahu

Mayor considering making fabric stores ‘essential’ as sales move online. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said the city is looking at options to allow people to continue making cloth masks. And that could lead to fabric merchants being classified as “essential” under the city’s stay-at-home order. Hawaii News Now.

Petition to Mayor Caldwell: 'Fabric stores are essential'. Mayor will reopen fabric stores, but some still complain they need to go inside and touch the material. KITV4.

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Two cruise ships in Honolulu this week; 4 people to disembark. The Pacific Princess does not have enough fuel to reach its final destination in California. KITV4.

Projects advance during Waikiki downturn. The tourism lockdown, which has emptied Waikiki, has created an opportunity for the state’s most economically important district to begin about a half-dozen construction projects, including shoring up its world-famous beaches. Star-Advertiser.

Police continue to patrol Waikiki Beach. In Waikiki, KHON didn’t see many people gathering at the beach. But we did see officers patrolling the area telling some to keep moving. KHON2.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser to do away with one day of traditional print. Changes are coming to Hawaii’s largest daily newspaper. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser has informed its subscribers that the coronavirus crisis — mixed with changes in the way readers consumer news — is placing an extraordinary strain on the newspaper’s financial operations. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kim shuts down vacation rentals: Proclamation signed Friday declares STVRs ‘nonessential.’ Mayor Harry Kim signed an emergency rule Friday shutting down transient vacation rentals for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. West Hawaii Today.

Vacation Rentals, B&Bs Ordered To Cease Operations On Hawaiʻi Island. Mayor Harry Kim on Friday signed the "COVID-19 Emergency Rule No. 1" putting an end to bed and breakfasts, short term vacation rentals, and time shares until the pandemic emergency ends. Big Island Video News.

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Kim: Parks still closed, but access to ocean permitted. After weeks of confusion, Hawaii County officials confirmed this week that county parks will remain closed for the duration of the COVID-19 lockdown. Tribune-Herald.

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Hawaii County seeking virus testing for homeless, providers. Hawaii County is asking the state to test all homeless and homeless program staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Sheltering the homeless: Hawaii County, HOPE Services secure hotel rooms amid stay-at-home order. The Holiday Inn Express in Kailua-Kona has been repurposed into a homeless shelter amid Gov. David Ige’s stay-at-home order. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Holiday Inn Express Now Homeless Shelter In Time Of COVID-19. HOPE Services began moving houseless kupuna into the Holiday Inn Express on Thursday, where they will be able to shelter in place during the pandemic. Big Island Video News.

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Police bust Pohue Bay party: 16 cited for trespassing, violating stay-at-home order. Police were sent to the area shortly after 2 p.m. following a report from a Ka‘u land manager that there were approximately 10 to 15 people trespassing at Pohue Bay, which is located several miles south of the Ocean View Ranchos subdivision. West Hawaii Today.

Hanging on in Honokaa: Former plantation town hit especially hard by pandemic, lockdown order. For Honokaa, Gov. David Ige’s stay-at-home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor shutters B&Bs and short-term rentals. Properties can be used for essential workers. After requiring that bed-and-breakfast and short-term rental homes no longer allow visitors, Mayor Michael Victorino said Friday he is looking at eliminating rental cars for visitors to further deter them from arriving on Maui. Maui News.

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Petition calls for top hospital leaders to resign over COVID-19 allegations. As coronavirus cases linked to Maui Memorial Medical Center continued to rise, an online petition called for the ouster of top officials with the island’s main hospital over allegations that their COVID-19 policies are “dangerous” and “abusive.” Maui News.

Petition calls for leaders of Maui hospital to resign. An online petition calling for the resignation of four Maui Memorial Medical Center executives has garnered more than 3,000 signatures as public outcry over a cluster of COVID-19 cases at Maui’s only hospital intensifies. Star-Advertiser.

Positive cases at Maui Memorial Medical Center increase, some staff feel unsafe. On Sunday, the Hawaii Department of Health confirmed 31 positive cases linked to Maui Memorial Medical Center. KHON2.

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Rural Maui County lawmakers seek National Guard assistance. Maui County has been implementing tougher rules to stop the spread of the coronavirus, even as the number of cases continues to rise on the Valley Isle and amid reports that not everyone is following social distancing rules on Molokai. Hawaii News Now.

Maui legislators ask for Hawaii National Guard's help enforcing lockdown. Sen. English says he'd only need about half dozen National Guardsmembers in East Maui, and would like them to start ASAP. KITV4.

Citations issued in roving roadblocks; sanitation concerns addressed. Vehicles had long waits while Maui Police Department and Hawaii National Guard conducted roving roadblocks around Maui this weekend, as Maui County reported its largest single-day jump of 14 coronavirus cases Saturday. Maui News.

7 Citations Issued at Maui Roadblocks. On Saturday, a total of seven citations were issued during roving roadblocks throughout Maui County. Maui police say no arrests were made. Maui Now.

Kauai

Facebook’s CEO, wife donates $1M to help Kauai battle coronavirus. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have made a hefty donation to help COVID relief efforts on Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

Couple who arrived on Kauai went to Foodland. That got them arrested. A couple who blatantly disregarded the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine has been arrested by Kauai police, the department says. On Friday, police said 36-year-old Adam Schwarze of Aiea, Oahu, and 31-year-old Desiree Marvin of Alexandria, Virginia arrived on Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

Shipping industry still strong. Earl Kashiwagi, general manager of Esaki’s Produce, a produce-distribution center in Kapa’a, has dealt with natural disasters such as hurricanes and tidal waves that have affected the local economic landscape of Kaua‘i in his 50-year tenure with the company. Garden Island.

Koloa Rum making hand sanitizer. Koloa Rum Company’s distillery has expanded production capabilities to produce hand sanitizer in response to the needs of first responders and health-care organizations on the island. Garden Island.

Hawaii PPE orders canceled, state expanding COVID-19 testing, Gabbard calls for firing of top Health Department staff, lawmakers want tourism stopped, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Masks ©2020 All Hawaii News

Governor: State's PPE Orders Canceled With No Explanation. The federal government has told state officials they are largely on their own when it comes to finding protective gear for their health care and emergency workers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor defends pandemic response as Hawaii reports 6th COVID-19 death. The governor defended the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic Wednesday, saying that Hawaii is outperforming much of the country in its efforts to stop the spread of the virus. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii health officials say stay-at-home order is working . So far more than 15,000 COVID-19 tests have been administered in the state. KHON2.

Hawaii Officials Announce Expanded COVID-19 Testing. Hawaii COVID-19 testing criteria now includes people not showing symptoms who have been in close contact with people who have tested positive, Department of Health officials said Wednesday. Civil Beat.

State expanding on those who can receive COVID-19 testing. Under a new state protocol, people who have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 will be tested, whether they’re showing symptoms or not. KHON2.

Contact Testing of Public Instated in Hawai‘i’. Public contact-testing will now be a regular part of Hawai‘i’s approach to curbing the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Now.

Lieutenant governor disagrees with CDC guideline to only test those with COVID-19 symptoms. Lt. Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday said he has some issues with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines about testing for the COVID-19 coronavirus. Tribune-Herald.

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Tulsi Gabbard To David Ige: Fire Your Top Health Officials Or Resign. The Hawaii congresswoman believes Health Director Bruce Anderson and State Epidemiologist Sarah Park have botched the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Civil Beat.

Gabbard Calls for Firing of Hawai‘i Health Leaders. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday said heads should roll at the top of Hawai‘i Department of Health. Big Island Now.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Calls for LG Green to Take Lead on Coronavirus; Wants Dr. Anderson and Dr. Park Fired. Representative Tulsi Gabbard this afternoon called for Lieutenant Josh Green to lead the state’s coronavirus crisis. Maui Now.

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Military won’t say how many COVID-19 cases in Hawaii. Officials said military COVID-19 case information is funneled through Tripler Army Medical Center to the state Department of Health on a daily basis — and the military cases are captured in the daily state totals that are publicized. Star-Advertiser.

Two Hawaii National Guard personnel have tested positive for COVID-19, the state Department of Defense said today. The individuals were not a part of the COVID-19 Guard activation or in the Joint Task Force supporting various missions around the State. Star-Advertiser.

Two Hawai‘i National Guardsmen test positive for COVID-19. The Guardsmen were not a part of the Guard activation or in the Joint Task Force supporting various missions around the State, according to the Hawaii National Guard. KITV4.

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Hawaii records 6th coronavirus death as cases climb to 435. Hawaii Department of Health officials said today that the state has recorded its sixth death from coronavirus and that cases have risen to 435, up 25 from Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Sixth Person Dies From COVID-19 In Hawaii. There are now 435 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hawaii, with 25 new cases confirmed in the last 24 hours. Civil Beat.

A sixth coronavirus-related death has been reported today on Maui, as the total number of COVID-19 cases statewide has increased by 25. Big Island Video News.

Lawmakers want changes to keep visitors out of Hawaii during the pandemic. State officials are admitting that most visitors aren’t adhering to quarantine rules aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Hawaii. Lawmakers are now demanding a better way to track arrivals. Hawaii News Now.

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Over 700 state workers paid to sit idle; some will be assigned to help process unemployment claims. Senate committee takes state HR director to task for taking too long to respond to calls for more manpower. KITV4.

State to redeploy initial idle workers by Monday. Reinforcements could be headed to process a massive backlog of Hawaii unemployment claims as soon as Friday or Monday from a pool of 706 idle state workers. Star-Advertiser.

More Than 700 State Workers Are Home Awaiting Reassignment. The Senate special COVID-19 committee has been trying to get the workers moved to agencies that need extra help during the coronavirus crisis. Civil Beat.

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State Conservation Officers Cite 34 For COVID-19 Order Violations. Those cited entered closed state parks across the islands. Civil Beat.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green questions plan to release prisoners. Lt. Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday questioned a controversial plan to release low-risk jail inmates to try to block the spread of the new coronavirus in the state’s overcrowded correctional system, telling state senators that if corrections officials have the right personal protective gear, then prison is safer than Costco. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Public Schools Unlikely To Open Again This School Year. State education officials want to see a lengthy period without any new coronavirus cases reported before they’ll feel comfortable bringing kids and teachers back together. Civil Beat.

Oshima to Lead Hawai‘i Economic Recovery Plan. Gov. David Ige has created a new position within his administration to lead Hawai‘i’s economy back from the current recession brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Now.

Native Hawaiian agency pushes for broad moratorium on rental evictions. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs says Native Hawaiians are at greater health and financial risk due to the pandemic and it’s urging Gov. Ige to issue a broad moratorium on rental evictions. Hawaii News Now.

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Irene Hirano Inouye, widow of Sen. Daniel Inouye and leader in U.S.-Japan community, dies at 71. Irene Hirano Inouye, the widow of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, died Tuesday after an extended illness, according to the U.S.-Japan Council. Star-Advertiser.

Irene Hirano Inouye, Widow Of Sen. Dan Inouye, Dies At 71. Her work included historic preservation and membership on major boards and commissions. Civil Beat.

Oahu

6 crew members of Pride of America cruise ship in Honolulu Harbor test positive for coronavirus. Two of the crew members have been hospitalized and four are in isolation on the ship, the Hawaii Department of Transportation said today. Star-Advertiser.

HDOT confirms six COVID-19 cases on Pride of America. The Hawai'i Department of Transportation confirmed that six crewmembers on board the Pride of America cruise ship had tested positive for COVID-19. KITV4.

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City adds more buses to control crowded trips. The union for bus drivers says it’s received concerns about city buses being too crowded. KHON2.

More Oahu Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing Scheduled. More community testing will be offered by a private medical group on Oahu this week. Civil Beat.

Nonprofit Plans To Stock Oahu Public Bathrooms During Pandemic. The city declined to put soap in public restrooms, so one group is launching a collaborative solution. Civil Beat.

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Honolulu Zoo receives accreditation after two years of trying. The Honolulu Zoo announced Wednesday it has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission after years of effort. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Zoo achieves esteemed AZA accreditation. The Zoo doesn't want to monkey around when it comes to getting and keeping the AZA accreditation. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Council asks Trump to ban travel to Hawaii. The County Council on Wednesday unanimously threw its support behind three county mayors in asking President Donald Trump to ban all non-essential travel to the state, after Mayor Harry Kim declined to sign the mayors’ joint letter. West Hawaii Today.

Council Asks Trump For Hawaii Travel Ban. The Hawaiʻi County Council voted today to pass a resolution urging the President to issue a ban on all non-essential travel to the State of Hawai‘i. Big Island Video News.

Show us the money, Council says. Schatz explains CARES Act distribution process. Honolulu and Maui get millions for mass transit, and Honolulu gets a direct infusion of $387.18 million of the $1.25 billion the state’s getting from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, known as the CARES Act. What about Hawaii County. West Hawaii Today.

Council resolutions urge Ige to impose moratorium on evictions. The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday passed a pair of last-minute resolutions urging Gov. David Ige to suspend evictions statewide for residents and small business owners alike. Tribune-Herald.

Several variables could be behind differing totals of COVID-19 cases. The number of COVID-19 cases reported daily by the county Civil Defense agency has often differed from the number reported each day by the state Department of Health. Tribune-Herald.

County Council Discussion on Maunakea Reimbursement Moves Forward. Hawai‘i County Council continues to move the discussion of state reimbursement forward on costs incurred by the county to handle the protest against construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Memorial changes policy on masks after 15 healthcare workers test positive for COVID-19. It’s been two weeks since the statewide stay-at-home order went into effect, and on Wednesday, there’s news of a cluster of COVID-19 cases on Maui, and the sixth COVID-19 death, an elderly man on Maui. KHON2.

‘Cluster’ of 15 Maui hospital staff have COVID-19, officials say. Infection results come a week after hospital allows masks to be used. Maui News.

At least 15 employees at a Maui medical center test positive for COVID-19. Hawaii’s first cluster of health care workers infected with the novel coronavirus was discovered on Maui, which also reported its second death within days. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Discusses Maui Cluster of COVID-19 Positive Cases. State Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson said the Maui death involved an unattended death and was confirmed by the medical examiner. Dr. Anderson also said the 15 cluster cases on Maui are not new, contrary to earlier information provided by the Joint Information Center. Maui Now.

COVID-19 Drive Through Testing in KAHULUI on THURSDAY; and in HANA on FRIDAY. The first two hours of the Kahului clinic are reserved for first responders and health care workers.  The news comes on the heels of a confirmed cluster of 15 workers with Maui Health that tested positive for COVID-19. Maui Now.

Maui County unemployment claims nearly 11K. Statewide figures have jobless numbers near 25% of workforce. Maui News.

Kauai

Ticketed for sunbathing. To date, the Kaua‘i Police Department has issued nearly 60 citations for breaking state and local stay-at-home orders. Of these, 15 have been to beachgoers. Garden Island.

34 cited for rule breaking in state parks. On Kaua‘i, DOCARE Officers have cited ten people for violating State Park closures at Kalalau, Polihale, Koke‘e, ‘Opaeka‘a Falls and Wailua River State Parks. Garden Island.

Kealia temporary bridge opens. On Tuesday, the temporary bridge and bypass road opened alongside Kuhio Highway, near Kealia Beach. Garden Island.

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

Honolulu International Airport ©2020 All Hawaii News

A noticeably empty airport marks Day 1 of Hawaii’s travel quarantine rules. Thursday marked the first full day of the state’s new rules requiring all travelers on incoming international and mainland flights to Hawaii to go into a 14-day quarantine at hotels or places of residence. Hawaii News Now.

Arriving passengers face 14 days of mandatory quarantine, based on the honor system. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Travelers Quarantine: ‘I Think I Might Go Insane’. Returning residents and visitors who landed at the Honolulu airport say they will abide by the state’s quarantine order, even if they’re not happy about it. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Visitor Counts Plummet As 14-Day Quarantine Enacted. Transportation department spokesperson Tim Sakahara explained the process now in effect for visitors arriving to the islands by air. Big Island Video News.

Hawai‘i Arrivals By Air Drop to 797 on Neighbor Islands. The number of people – both residents and visitors – arriving in Hawaiʻi daily by air has significantly dropped over the past week. Maui Now.

State begins enforcing 14-day quarantine order for arriving travelers. The state’s new policy of quarantining air travelers for two weeks already has reduced visitation rates to a trickle. Tribune-Herald.

As Quarantine Kicks In, Hawai‘i Arrivals Plummet. A 14-day quarantine of all visitors and returning residents to the state of Hawai‘i went into effect Thursday, coinciding with a drastic decline in passengers arriving by plane to the state. Big Island Now.

State: random calls can be made to make sure visitors who just arrived are quarantined in hotel rooms. With this 14-day quarantine for arrivals in place, how are hotels and taxis handling the latest arrivals to Hawaii. KHON2.

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Hawaii COVID-19 Cases Surpass 100. On Thursday, 11 new cases were documented in the islands. The state Department of Health said three of those appeared to be from localized community transmission rather than travel-related. Civil Beat.

Cases Stand At 106; Convention Center, Blaisdell Eyed For Care Sites. Hawaii's coronavirus case count now stands at 106, according to the state health department's latest update. The number represents an increase of 11 cases from yesterday. Oahu has 77 cases, Maui 14, Kauai 5 and the Big Island 5. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Surpasses 100 Cases of Coronavirus. Cases of coronavirus tipped into the triple digits Thursday, as Hawai‘i confirmed 11 new infections over the last 24 hours. Big Island Now.

Hawai‘i Coronavirus Total Now 106, Includes 11 New Positive. As of noon on Thursday, March 26, 2020, the state total count of positive coronavirus cases was 106, including 8 new cases on Oʻahu; one new case on Maui; and two cases of residents of the state of Hawaiʻi who were diagnosed outside of the state.  Maui’s island count is now 14. Maui Now.

In new cases, state finds evidence of coronavirus community transmission. The state says at least three of the 11 new coronavirus cases announced Thursday don’t have a link to recent travel, indicating a widening transmission of the virus in the community. Hawaii News Now.

At least three COVID-19 cases show signs of community transmission. The Department of Health director said more than 80% of the presumptive positive cases for COVID-19 are travel-related, but on Thursday they announced a few cases that could be from community transmission. KHON2.

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Hawaii Health Workers Are Already Running Low On Protective Gear. Some more rural Hawaii hospitals say their normal vendors are rationing supplies. Civil Beat.

Hawaii officials are preparing for a surge in demand for medical care due to the new coronavirus and are considering converting the Hawai‘i Convention Center and Neal S. Blaisdell Center into health care facilities. Star-Advertiser.

Two passengers from Grand Princess die from COVID-19. Two passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship have died from the coronavirus. That vessel docked at four Hawaiian islands between February 26, 2020 and March 1, 2020. Since docking in Califonia on March 9th more than 100 people have tested positive. KITV4.

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Hawaii unemployment fund will run out, but safety net awaits. The floodgates haven’t opened wide yet, but the pool of state unemployment insurance money is about to start draining at an incredibly fast rate — so fast that the roughly $600 million fund could be dry several months from now. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Jobless Claims Top 80,000 As Coronavirus Sinks The Economy. Nationwide, the federal Department of Labor reported 3 million more unemployment claims last week, dwarfing the previous high from 1982. Civil Beat.

Local Unemployment Surges, Surpassing 2019 In A Single Day. More than 60,000 new unemployment claims have been filed in Hawaii since March 1st. Workers in the restaurant and hotel industries have been some of the hardest hit. Hawaii Public Radio.

Due to flood of new claims, processing for new unemployment checks could take a month. The state is overwhelmed by the massive influx of new claims: 82,963 this month so far and 67,071 just this week alone. Hawaii News Now.

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Supply Chain Continues Uninterrupted, But Why Are Store Shelves Still Empty? Shipping operations are continuing uninterrupted to the state. Yet empty shelves are an increasingly common sight in local grocery stores. Hawaii Public Radio.

State to identify inmates that may be released from prison amid COVID-19 concerns. The Department of the Attorney General said efforts are underway to identify certain inmates that may be released from prison. KHON2.

Hawaii Homeless Shelters Scrambling As Coronavirus Outbreak Expands. Hawaii’s stay-at-home order and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for social distancing are prompting groups serving the homeless to make adjustments as the number of coronavirus cases increase in the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

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State Leaders: We Need To Work Together To Fight The Virus. Medical professionals are aligned with state efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige, Lt. Gov. Josh Green meet to smooth over coronavirus management issues. After a tense few months, Gov. David Ige and his Lt. Gov. Josh Green are now working together to stop the coronavirus from spreading in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

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Fish prices plummet as coronavirus pandemic cripples industry and idles boats. As the coronavirus pandemic ripples through Hawaii’s economy, the state’s fishing industry is taking a severe hit. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii military deployments upended by coronavirus. The potential for the fast-moving virus to spread in the close quarters of ship-based crews had the Navy send the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt to Guam today to test all 5,000 aboard. Star-Advertiser.

Coronavirus Is Spiking Levels Of Anxiety, Panic And Stress. Mental health professionals are increasing doses or seeing patients more often. People with no history of psychiatric symptoms are also struggling. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu police issue 70 citations as stay-at-home orders are enforced statewide. Honolulu police have issued 70 citations and made two arrests for violating the stay-at-home orders put in place to try to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, with most of those people cited in public parks after ignoring officers’ instructions to leave, according to a police spokeswoman. Star-Advertiser.

Family of young Hawaii coronavirus patient pleads: Heed ‘stay-at-home’ warnings. Coby Torda is in the ICU at Kaiser Moanalua and requires a ventilator to breathe. Earlier this month he was diagnosed with coronavirus and quickly deteriorated. The 37-year old Ewa Beach man was in good health before contracting the virus. Hawaii News Now.

Wahiawa General Hospital employee tests positive for coronavirus. In a memo to employees today, CEO Brian Cunningham said the hospital directed the employee not to return to work and to seek follow-up care. Star-Advertiser.

An employee at Wahiawa General Hospital tests positive for COVID-19. Wahiawa General Hospital has confirmed that one of its employees has tested positive for COVID-19. KITV4.

State allows MS Regatta to refuel at Honolulu Harbor. It does not have any passengers on board, no crew members will disembark, and according to the state there's no cases of the coronavirus on that ship. KITV4.

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City officials team up with farmers to bring produce to you. Oahu residents will be able to purchase fresh produce and meat directly from farmers and ranchers without getting out of their cars under a plan unveiled Thursday by Mayor Kirk Caldwell and agricultural leaders. Star-Advertiser.

Having farmers market withdrawals? You can now get the same goods online. The city unveiled a more convenient way for Oahu residents to get their fresh produce during the stay-at-home, work-from-home order. Hawaii News Now.

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Mother and baby murder could be just the start of more domestic abuse cases during stay-at-home order. KHON2.

Advocates fear for domestic violence victims who must shelter in place following double homicide in Ewa Beach. Advocates say they fear for domestic violence victims as Hawaii’s mandated stay-at-home order continues through April 30. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii  Island

3 face enhanced charges due to COVID-19 emergency declarations. The COVID-19 emergencies declared by Gov. David Ige and Mayor Harry Kim allow for enhanced charges for certain crimes. Tribune-Herald.

Ali‘i Health to Host COVID-19 Pop-Up Clinics Every Saturday. Ali‘i Health Center will host a COVID-19 pop-up clinic at Old Kona Airport this coming Saturday, March 28, 2020. Big Island Now.

Books for kids: Kona Stories working to get educational materials to out-of-school at-risk students. With schools shut down, a local book store is spearheading an effort to get educational materials to at-risk students forced to stay home due to the coronavirus pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

COVID-19 funding, tax cuts in mayor’s budget. $869.8M proposal reduces homeowner taxes, keeps utility rates same. A new county budget forged in the middle of a public health and financial crisis calls for funding to fight the coronavirus and trims homeowner taxes to help struggling residents. Maui News.

Army Corps to Scope Out Potential Conversion Facility For Overflow Medical Care on Maui. The US Army Corps of Engineers in Hawaiʻi is moving forward with a FEMA mission to look at buildings across the state that could be quickly converted to alternate care facilities if medical needs outpace the current facilities available, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui Now.

Companies respond to hand sanitizer shortage. Two Maui-based companies that normally produce alcoholic beverages are now also making hand sanitizer, a product that’s been in high demand and hard to get in Maui stores due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui News.

MPD: ‘The ocean is not closed’. Beachgoers question new rules and coastal access. Social distancing is possible — even when there’s surf, county officials said Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai

KPD starts stay-at-home enforcement. The Kaua‘i Police Department has set up checkpoints around the island to ensure residents and tourists are adhering to rules set in place by Mayor Derek Kawakami and Gov. David Ige. Garden Island.

KPD prepping more drone use. The department’s small Unmanned Aircraft System arm has been given the go-ahead to procure a software license for mapping software by the Kaua‘i County Council at its meeting on Mar. 25. Garden Island.