Russian military vessel spotted off Hawaii, public schools nearing crisis as staff shortage rises, Rep. Har's drunk driving charge dropped, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kahuku High & Intermediate School PC:Hawaii News Now from social media

U.S. military tracking Russian military vessel near Hawaii. The vessel has been in waters just outside of the Hawaii’s exclusive economic zone while commanders have monitored movements since at least Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Public schools improvise as strain of COVID staffing shortages mounts. COVID staffing shortages are hitting public schools hard, forcing many campuses to improvise. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Fourteen lawmakers have formed a group to focus on legislation to help Hawaii’s working families. During the upcoming legislative session, the Working Families Caucus will sponsor five bills. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s Legislature Will Take On Climate Change. The Environmental Legislative Caucus plans to announce a package of climate change measures the first week of the 2022 session. Civil Beat.

Rep. Sharon Har gets drunk driving case dismissed on technicality. State Rep. Sharon Har was acquitted of drunken driving and the case against her was dismissed today after her attorney cited a Dec. 10 Hawaii Supreme Court decision asserting that criminal complaints are defective if they do not follow a procedural law requiring a signed affidavit or official declaration from the complaining party. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

House May Ask AG To Probe Alleged Criminal Conduct By State Auditor. The committee tasked by the Hawaii House of Representatives to examine two state audits is expected to make numerous recommendations next week to the Legislature based on its work over the past eight months. Civil Beat.

Ige mulls change to Safe Travels: To be deemed ‘fully vaccinated,’ booster shot would be needed. Gov. David Ige said Monday he is considering changes to the state’s Safe Travels program to take into account users’ booster status. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Covid-19 Hospitalizations Rise As The Omicron Surge Continues. Hawaii health officials are urging everyone to get vaccinated, and urging people who are vaccinated to get booster shots to avoid overwhelming hospitals. Civil Beat. KHON2.

250 traveling nurses headed to the islands, state sees surge in hospitalizations. Nearly 250 traveling nurses are expected to begin work in Hawaii's hospitals as early as next week. KITV4.

Queen’s West declares emergency amid bed shortage. The Queen’s Health Systems on Monday once again declared an “internal state of emergency” for its West Oahu hospital as the rate of admissions there outpaced the number of available beds amid Hawaii’s omicron surge. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii sees 3,875 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 147,099. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 2,761 new cases on Oahu, 348 on Hawaii Island, 564 on Maui, 134 on Kauai, 11 on Molokai, nine on Lanai and 48 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

LIVE: Congressional hearing underway as Navy complies with order to drain Red Hill tanks. The Navy will comply with the state’s emergency order to drain its Red Hill underground fuel storage tanks, a spokesperson confirmed to Hawaii News Now on Monday night. The news comes ahead of a congressional hearing on the issue Tuesday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

HPD And DOE Sued For Allegedly Handcuffing 10-Year-Old Girl Over Drawing. The civil rights lawsuit was filed Friday and alleges that the girl suffered physical, emotional and physiological injuries in the wake of the incident. Civil Beat.

New laws called for as use of illegal fireworks continues. Battlefield conditions created by illegal fireworks that consume Honolulu every New Year’s Eve have become a nearly year-round affair, prompting lawmakers to call for more enforcement and new laws. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu renewable energy suffers setback. One renewable energy development firm recently terminated an agreement to produce electricity from a proposed 60-megawatt solar farm in Kunia, while the developer of a project twice as big in the same area is on the brink of possibly doing the same. Star-Advertiser.

First cruise ship to Hawaiʻi in 2 years arrives with positive COVID-19 cases in isolation. Department of Transportation spokesperson Jai Cunningham said the cruise line has reported multiple positive COVID-19 cases — although declined to give numbers on passengers or staff. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Higa sentencing delayed: Defense attorney cites pandemic travel reluctance to postpone hearing. Former County Councilman and Na Leo TV CEO Stacy Higa is getting a reprieve from sentencing and possible incarceration for embezzling federal money and bribing a co-conspirator. West Hawaii Today.

Hydrologist: A wet December closed out 2021. After the first two months of the wet season — October and November — got off to a slow start, December “appears to have made up for lost ground,” according to Kevin Kodama, senior hydrologist for the National Weather Service in Honolulu. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Dr. Pang discusses omicron: Stay home “if you’re not perfectly well”. Maui District Health Officer Dr. Lorrin Pang provided some guidance on the latest omicron surge as workplaces deal with shortages, and adjust to updated isolation and quarantine standards. Maui Now.

Maui police face a ‘staffing crisis’ of their own with alarming number of vacancies. There are currently 145 vacant positions within the Maui Police Department. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County rainfall alleviates drought after one of the wettest Decembers in half century. One of the wettest Decembers in the last half century quenched extreme drought in Maui County, which was suffering from the worst conditions in the state. Maui Now.

Kauai

County studies beach parking, considers visitor fees. The county is looking to impose a $10 parking fee for visitors at certain county beach parks. Garden Island.

Local group to look at military impact on climate Jan. 12. The U.S. military is the largest greenhouse-gas emitter in the world, yet it is exempt from climate negotiations, according to Kaua‘i Climate Action Coalition. Garden Island.

South Korea president to attend Hawaii repatriation ceremony today, hospitals resume elective surgeries, Iolani Palace getting roof repairs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Iolani Palace ©2021 All Hawaii News

South Korea president to visit Hawaii to honor service members in repatriation ceremony. South Korean President Moon Jae-In will be visiting the islands on Wednesday to honor America’s military. He will be part of a repatriation ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam as the United States accepts remains of service members killed during the Korean War. Hawaii News Now.

Patriot missiles fired from Hawaii for first time. With little fanfare, the U.S. Army earlier this month fired from Hawaii for the first time two Patriot missiles — the kind used by 15 nations for defense — knocking out two simulated cruise missile threats at a range of about 20 miles. Star-Advertiser.

Major Hawaii hospitals resume elective surgeries. Major Hawaii hospitals have begun resuming elective surgeries and procedures amid a decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations and a stabilization of the state’s oxygen supply, a sign that the state has avoided some of the worst-case health care scenarios that were feared as coronavirus cases began to soar in early July. Star-Advertiser.

Two powerful senior advocacy groups want age deleted from state’s triage plan. Two powerful senior advocacy groups are seeking to remedy the state’s health care rationing plan, which uses age as a tiebreaker to deny care under certain conditions. Star-Advertiser.

Experts eye more Hawaii travel testing to contain COVID. Hawaii officials are facing pressure to increase COVID-19 testing for travelers as the islands deal with a record surge of new infections, hospitalization and deaths. The calls come as federal guidelines change to require negative virus tests from both vaccinated and unvaccinated people coming to the U.S. Associated Press.

Hawaii government workers, contractors rushed to get vaccinated as mandates went into effect. The number of state and county employees who got the COVID-19 vaccine jumped in recent weeks after mandates were announced and went into effect. Hawaii News Now.

Tensions continue during investigation of state auditor. There were more tense moments during Tuesday’s House committee investigation of the state auditor and his office over unspecified concerns regarding audits of two agencies that oversee Hawaii land. Star-Advertiser.

Menor-McNamara May Run For Hawaii Lieutenant Governor. The president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii has filed organizational paperwork. Civil Beat.

Hawaii sees 280 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 76,191. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 197 new cases on Oahu, 21 on Maui, 39 on Hawaii Island, 16 on Kauai, one on Molokai and six Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu police officer suspended for declining COVID-19 vaccine back on duty and inoculated. HPD Cpl. Mark Kutsy, who came to Honolulu as a United States Marine and joined HPD two weeks after finishing his USMC commitment, evaluated the risks of serious illness or death resulting from the vaccine, which were low, versus ending his HPD career a year or so shy of when he planned to retire. Star-Advertiser.

Family Of Paralyzed Teen Sues Police, Alleging Injuries Resulted From High-Speed Chase. Dayten Gouveia was left paralyzed after police allegedly ran a car he was in off the road, causing a severe crash. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii DOT restores Dillingham Airfield term end date to 2024. Tenants at Dillingham Airfield can stay for a few more years — the State Department of Transportation restored its term end date with the U.S. Army to July 5, 2024. KHON2.

Two Louisiana men serving jail terms at OCCC after violating emergency orders. Two visitors have been charged for allegedly violating Hawaii’s travel rules after they failed to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result and a location to quarantine upon their arrival in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Leilehua High School to implement ‘zero-tolerance’ mask rule on campus. Principal Jason Nakamoto said in a letter to parents and guardians on Tuesday, Sept. 21, “This is now the eighth week of school and we continue to have students that do not understand the importance of proper mask wearing on campus.” KHON2.

City Council recommends purchase of Waikiki road amid safety hazards. The Honolulu City Council voted Tuesday to recommend the city buy a street in Waikiki where residents say the private owner is putting drivers and children in danger. Hawaii News Now.

ʻIolani Palace Will Receive Nearly $500K to Repair the Roof. The palace’s roof will replace approximately 9,000 square feet of slate roofing and remove rust damage. Roof accessories and skylights also will be repaired. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Lots of money, lots of need: Council gets an update on federal rescue funds. Hawaii County’s $39 million federal American Rescue stimulus package has increased to almost $60 million, all of which must be spent by the end of 2024, members of the County Council Finance Committee learned Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Official: ‘Political will’ needed to fix solid waste problems. Hawaii County should impose new fees for Big island residents to dispose of waste in the future, suggested a county official Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

New Hotels Proposed To Replace Uncle Billy’s, Country Club Apartments. Big changes could be coming to the Banyan Drive area of Hilo, where the Country Club Apartments and the former Uncle Billy’s will be replaced by new hotel accommodations, if the Hawaiʻi land board approves two proposals at a Friday meeting. Big Island Video News.

Deadline nears for HVNP’s air tours plan. That’s 21 years after the Air Tour Management Act of 2000 went into effect and a year after a federal judge ruled in favor of a suit by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and Hawaii Island Coalition Malama Pono, or HICoP, which petitioned the court to compel the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Park Service to enforce the law. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Day 2 of Major Clean-Up Underway at Kanahā Wildlife Sanctuary and Amala Place. Supported by a large team from contractor HTM, clean-up crews moved from the road into the Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Refuge, which state officials say “has been severely impacted by the large presence of people living on Amala Place.” Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Maui Educators Picket for Improved Safety and Well-Being Amid Ongoing Pandemic. Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association members who work on the island of Maui were joined by State Representative Troy Hashimoto for informational picketing at Maui Waena Intermediate School and Maui High School on Tuesday morning. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Molokai Has An Electricity Problem. This Co-Op Wants To Change That. A new co-op plans to reclaim some of its electricity ownership by bidding on a community-based renewable energy project. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i 8.9% jobless rate tops state. According to the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, the jobless rate for the state was 6.6% in August. On Kaua‘i, it was 8.9%. Garden Island.

World Peace Kannon decorated until Sunday in Hanapepe. As the morning swallowed up the remaining notes of the Kaua‘i Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji gongs on Peace Day, Mark Jeffers of The Storybook Theatre of Hawai‘i approached the World Peace Kannon statue Tuesday. Garden Island.

Those over 65 could get less health care in COVID triage plans, Kauai council passes 3% local hotel tax, Ventura tapped as Maui fire chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elders stay active in Hawaii ©2021 All Hawaii News

Hawaii’s Pandemic Crisis Care Plan Raises Legal And Ethical Concerns. Hawaii stood by its decision to use age as a tiebreaker if needed in treatment decisions, according to the latest version of its plan for allocating resources if the pandemic overwhelms the state’s health care system, despite criticism that the plan may discriminate against older patients. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Audit Finds That Young Brothers Failed To Offset Rising Labor Costs. The report calls for no more shipping rate increases until at least 2023 and for a third party observer to help oversee one of Hawaii’s oldest companies. Civil Beat.

Gov. Ige’s request to halt nonessential travel impacts Hawaii hotel bookings, prices. The rebound of tourism over the summer months came to a screeching halt. People in the hotel industry said travel typically slows down during the fall, but rising COVID cases and the governor’s message to tourists to not come magnified the slow season. KHON2.

COVID-19 screening ramps up in Hawaii’s public schools. After a slow start, state officials are ramping up COVID-19 testing throughout Hawaii’s public schools, part of an overall strategy to help contain the spread of the coronavirus at school facilities where close to 3,000 cases have been reported since the start of the school year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 11 new coronavirus-related deaths, 493 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 314 new cases on Oahu, 62 on Maui, 89 on Hawaii island, 19 on Kauai, three on Molokai and six Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Despite complaints and lawsuits, high-ranking ‘bully’ commander at HPD keeps getting promoted. A battle is brewing within the Honolulu Police Department as members of the rank-and-file push back against one of their leaders, Assistant Chief Stephen Gerona, accusing him of retaliation, sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Hawaii News Now.

COVID-19 sidelines 22 Honolulu Police Department officers. Twenty-two Honolulu police officers were isolated or quarantined Wednesday after testing positive or being exposed to the COVID-19 virus, but the absences are not hindering department operations, interim Chief Rade K. Vanic told Honolulu police commissioners. Star-Advertiser.

No violations found of Honolulu’s new vaccination, COVID-19 testing rules. Honolulu police have found no violations while spot checking Oahu restaurants — particularly in Chinatown and Kakaako — for compliance with new COVID-19 vaccination and testing rules for employees and customers that went into effect on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

DOH issues Honolulu restaurant second red ‘closed’ placard; Failed to pay $3k fine. Doner Shack, a local restaurant in Honolulu, received its second red “closed ” placard and a cease-and-desist order from the Hawaii Department of Health Food Safety Branch. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Still no whistle-blower hot-line: Four years later, audit recommendation yet to be implemented. The Human Resources Department has been scrutinizing interview packets before county departments vet candidates for employment, one of several practices instituted after a scathing 2017 audit found favoritism in county hiring. West Hawaii Today.

Decisions Made On Puna Roads, Water Service Following 2018 Kīlauea Eruption. The County of Hawai‘i provided an update on Wednesday regarding restoration of infrastructure in Puna following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Big Island Video News.

Hele-On Announces More Routes, Later Service For Hawaiʻi Island. The Hele-On bus is adding more routes on Hawaiʻi island, and offering later service, according to officials. Big Island Video News.

COVID cases trend downward, but HMC still over capacity. Altogether, there are 49 patients, or 35% of the hospital’s total patient count, affected by the virus, 11 of whom are on ventilators, the hospital said. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Brad Ventura chosen as Maui Fire Department’s new chief. Brad Ventura, 19-year veteran of the Maui Fire Department, will become the department’s new chief starting Oct. 1.  Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Maui Commission Debates Whether To Hire Next Police Chief In Private. The commission’s attorney argued Wednesday that discussions should take place in public. Civil Beat.

Conservation groups notify Maui resort of intent to sue for lights that harm endangered seabirds. Conservation groups today filed a notice of intent to sue the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui for violations of the Endangered Species Act if it does not fix lights that it says are harming and killing endangered seabirds. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required to enter Maui County restaurants, bars, gyms under new rules. Maui County’s new set of Safer Outside emergency rules in response to the COVID-19 surge went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kauai

Council passes county’s own 3% TAT. A 3% transient accommodation tax levied by the county will soon be applied throughout the tourism industry. Garden Island.

Island enters shearwater fallout season. Seabird fallout season, when fledglings risk potentially-fatal disorientation caused by artificial lights, began Sept. 15, and will run through Dec. 15. Garden Island.

Public input sought on new Mauna Kea master plan, judge approves prison lawsuit settlement, hospital rationing could lessen care for those over 65, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tourist view Mauna Kea ©2021 All Hawaii News

University of Hawaii welcomes public comments on new Maunakea Master Plan. There is a draft of the new Maunakea Master Plan that the University of Hawaii would like public input on. KHON2. Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

TMT project manager makes presentation. While construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea has yet to begin, work on the project continues around the world. Tribune-Herald.

A U.S. judge has given preliminary approval to a settlement in a lawsuit by Hawaiʻi inmates who allege state officials mishandled the pandemic and failed to protect them from COVID-19 outbreaks in prisons and jails. Both sides agreed last week to the settlement, which establishes a five-person panel to oversee public health in correctional facilities and other measures to improve sanitation, hygiene and medical monitoring. Associated Press.

Older patients could be denied treatment under Hawaii’s ‘crisis standards of care’ plan if COVID-19 cases continue to surge. Hawaii is not yet rationing health care, but patients 65 and older could be denied medical assistance under certain provisions of the state’s “crisis standards of care” plan if the current COVID-19 surge escalates. Star-Advertiser.

Over Decades, Hawaii Cut Acute Care Hospital Beds. Then Came The Pandemic. Health and government officials argued that advances in medicine and patient preference reduced the need for the beds, but now, there aren’t enough. Civil Beat.

Same as it ever was: Reapportionment Commission holds fast to 2011 allocation of state legislative seats. There will be no canoe districts and all basic island units will keep the same number of state senators and state representatives they have now, the Reapportionment Commission agreed in unanimous votes Thursday. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Kindergarten Enrollment Has Dropped Sharply Since The Pandemic Began. While the latest DOE enrollment report shows a slight increase, the enrollment count for kindergarten is nowhere near pre-pandemic levels. Civil Beat.

Proof of vaccine, negative test now required to enter public libraries. Effective today, Monday, Sept. 13, all public libraries and offices for the Hawai‘i State Public Library System will implement and enforce proof-of-vaccination or negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours to enter. Garden Island.

Hawaii records 7 new coronavirus-related deaths, 735 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 484 new cases on Oahu, 111 on Hawaii island, 57 on Maui, 56 on Kauai, five on Molokai, and 22 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Marines eye land for ‘future force’ at former Barbers Point base. A space-crunched Marine Corps is looking for additional locations to house and train its “future force” in Hawaii, and one consideration may be hundreds of acres of undeveloped land on the east side of the former Naval Air Station Barbers Point. Star-Advertiser.

HART Sheds More Staff, Including Its Latest Chief Financial Officer. The changes come amid the HART board’s private discussions on future leadership at the agency. Civil Beat.

Honolulu first responders account for half of city workers seeking COVID-19 vaccine mandate exemptions. In Honolulu as of Tuesday, 255 police officers, 101 firefighters, 80 water safety workers and 23 emergency medical technicians and mobile emergency care specialists claimed that religion or a medical issue prevent them from accepting a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the city Department of Human Resources. Star-Advertiser.

With new COVID mandates on the way, more line up to get vaccinated. Some residents said they weren’t planning on getting the vaccine at all but chose to get the shot to keep their jobs. Hawaii News Now.

City to open new mass testing site at Blaisdell Arena. It is a drive-thru testing site only, which means the participant will need to register in advance online. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

COVID testing sites on Oahu see uptick as new rules set to kick in. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s plan requires most Honolulu-area entertainment, recreational and food service establishments to require that workers and patrons provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu businesses face challenges as new COVID mandate begins. New uncertainty begins today for a long list of Oahu businesses when new COVID-19 vaccination and testing mandates kick in for 60 days with the goal of reducing the spread of the virus. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Stands likely to remain empty as University of Hawaii spectators still not allowed. The University of Hawaii football team is the only one of more than 100 major college programs across the nation that has not been allowed to have spectators at its home games this season. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Former Na Leo TV exec charged with embezzlement and bribery. Former Na Leo TV CEO Stacy Higa is pleading guilty to federal charges of federal programs embezzlement and bribery. Higa, a former Hawaii County councilman and 2020 mayoral candidate, entered into a plea agreement Aug. 19 with the federal government, although no documents have yet been filed, according to his lawyer, William Harrison. Star-Advertiser.

Low-income apartments approved for Kealakehe. A 111-unit subsidized rental apartment project is slated to be constructed on 5.4 acres near the intersection of Kealakaa and Uluaoa streets in Kealakehe, following unanimous approval last week by the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor, police and fire chiefs talk employee vaccinations. A decision by the City and County of Honolulu to fire a 24-year police officer for refusing to be vaccinated could have implications on Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald.

Antibody clinic on way: HMC hopes to have COVID-19 treatment center running this month. The clinic, which will be located on the ground floor of the hospital, will be funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and staffed by FEMA-funded personnel. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Arrivals are Near Pre-Pandemic Levels, but Concerns Rise Over Cancellations. While arrivals on Maui are close to pre-pandemic levels for now, room cancellations for current and upcoming trips are starting to add up. Maui Now.

Maui businesses brace for ‘Safer Outside’ program. As the delta variant continues to spread in Hawaii and the summer travel boom begins to slow, many Maui businesses are on edge. KHON2.

Kauai

Mask rules vary at private schools. In a survey by The Garden Island, most private schools on Kaua‘i met the state’s requirements, while others required stricter masking or went the other direction, not enforcing the mandate at all. Garden Island.

29 new COVID-19 cases in Kaua‘i schools last week. The state Department of Education reported 426 COVID-19 cases between Sept. 3 and Sept. 9. Twenty-nine of those cases were on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Hospitals given liability immunity to ration health care, Maui to implement health pass at restaurants, coronavirus spreading in schools, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Triage tent constructed Aug. 21, 2021, outside Queen's Hospital West PC:Lt. Gov. Josh Green

Hawaii medical facilities given immunity in COVID surge. The strain of surging COVID-19 cases has reached the point where Gov. David Ige has signed an executive order giving health care institutions immunity from liability if they ration care. Star-Advertiser.

Interim Schools Superintendent on Rising COVID Cases on Campus. More than 2,100 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Hawai‘i's public schools since July 1. Hawaii Public Radio.

Federal Bureau of Investigation records 120 hate crimes over past 5 years in Hawaii. There have been more than 100 hate crimes in Hawaii over the past five years, and statistics released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation last week reveal that whites were targeted more than any other group. Star-Advertiser.

Evictions not yet spiking in Hawaii despite moratorium’s end. It’s been nearly two weeks since a federal eviction moratorium protecting renters was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, but the ruling doesn’t appear to have triggered a wave of eviction notices in Hawaii — yet. Star-Advertiser.

CDC data: Overall, Hawaii’s COVID cases, fatalities are lowest in nation. When it comes to COVID cases, the CDC says Hawaii has had the lowest infection rate in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic. But the current trajectory Hawaii is on is concerning to health officials. Hawaii News Now.

Delta variant, lack of restrictions will bring isle hospitals to brink soon, expert says. The Hawaii Department of Health on Monday reported two new coronavirus-related deaths and 756 new infections statewide. The new probable and confirmed cases include 473 on Oahu, 85 on Maui, 119 on Hawaii Island, 65 on Kauai and 14 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

2 Defendants In Miske Case Want The Court To Let Them Out On Bail. Hearings are set this week on motions to reconsider the judge’s prior decision favoring continued detention. Civil Beat.

City pans Kahuku affordable-housing plan. A planned affordable- housing project on agricultural land in Kahuku has run into opposition from city planners and a majority of Honolulu City Council members. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu County Planning Commission hearing on vacation rental rules Wednesday. Changes could be coming to Oahu’s vacation rental rules. The Honolulu County Planning Commission is weighing whether to limit permits to just a handful of resort areas, and to change the definition of short-term rental from under 30 days to under 180 days. KHON2.

How Do You Build A Community From Scratch? This Homeless Advocate Is Trying. The homeless community that has long occupied space next to the Waianae Boat Harbor has big plans to move to permanent homes at a new site. Civil Beat.

Navy fortifies Red Hill fuel safety plan. The Navy has reinforced a proposal to reduce the risk of its massive World War II-era Red Hill underground fuel storage complex polluting Oahu’s drinking water aquifer after safety regulators rejected the plan almost a year ago. Star-Advertiser.

Restaurant owners brace for vaccine requirement. Among all of the economic concerns confronting the islands, Oahu restaurants face extra uncertainty over how their employees will react when they are required to get at least one COVID-19 vaccination or provide weekly proof of negative tests starting Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Acute care module set up outside Queen’s West Oahu as Hawaii’s hospitals brace for surge. According to the Healthcare Association of Hawaii the acute care module is slated to open Tuesday and will be used to expand the hospital’s emergency room capabilities. Hawaii News Now.

Union says COVID surge, nurse shortage forcing Queen's ICU to compromise safety. Managers are required to exhaust all alternatives like offering overtime to staff and bringing in nurses from the mainland, before changing staffing and the nurse to patient ratio. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Advocates concerned inmates’ rights are being violated under current virus mandates. Hawaii Community Correctional Center is in its fourth month of a COVID-19 lockdown which includes a halt to transportation of inmates for court hearings. Tribune-Herald.

First hydrogen vehicle lands on the Big Island. The 2017 Toyota Mirai arrived recently at the Puu Waawaa energy ranch, an off-grid laboratory devoted to testing and developing renewable energy systems. West Hawaii Today.

Board to vote on design of new teaching telescope. The board of the Office of Maunakea Management will decide today whether to approve a design for a new teaching telescope to be installed at Halepohaku. Tribune-Herald.

Police towing fewer cars under ‘Aliyah’s Law’: Author of 2012 ordinance questions implementation; mayor wants law ‘applied more’ for DUIs. The author of Aliyah’s Law, a Hawaii County ordinance enacted in 2012 that allows police to order a vehicle towed at the driver’s expense, is questioning the implementation of the law named after Aliyah Braden, a 17-month-old toddler killed in fatal 2009 drunken driving crash. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui to Implement Health Pass on Sept. 15. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said a modified health pass will be implemented at Maui County restaurants beginning on Sept. 15, that is similar to, but less restrictive than the Safe Access O‘ahu program that begins in just 10 days.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Nisei veterans center breaks ground on new pavilion. Facility will help expand visitor space, capacity for research. Maui News.

Kauai

County’s homebuyer program list expands with Kapa‘a property. The county’s Homebuyer Program is looking to add more inventory with a purchase of property in Kapa‘a. With the Molo Street buy, the county will effectively be adding to the dwindling affordable housing market. Garden Island.

Recent film activity on Kaua‘i includes ‘Red Notice’. The movies are returning to Kaua‘i after the island’s film industry was cut in half this past fiscal year. Garden Island.

Hospital beds, oxygen, nurses in short supply, hotels start feeling the hit of governor's stay-away request, state and county workers vaccine mandate stands for now, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Photo by Javier Matheu on Unsplash

Medical facilities struggling to find beds and enough staff to care for new COVID-19 patients. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 jumped to 437 on Tuesday, a nearly 5% increase from the previous day, further straining the resources of Hawaii’s hospitals, which have had to set up overflow tents and bring in nurses and other medical staff from the mainland to help care for the influx of patients. This week, hospitals also have had to begin conserving oxygen supplies. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii hotels are beginning to see mounting cancellations as COVID surge continues. About a week after Gov. David Ige asked tourists to stay home, and as COVID cases continue to surge in the islands, Hawaii hotels are seeing an increase in cancellations. Hawaii News Now.

Judge delays hearing on suit against vaccine mandate for state and county workers. A federal judge has delayed indefinitely a hearing on a lawsuit against the vaccinate-or-test mandate for state and county workers. The hearing on whether to block the requirements was scheduled for Sept. 8. Hawaii News Now.

State Worker Salaries Have Climbed In The Past Decade. The number of state employees has stayed remarkably consistent since 2011, but their salaries kept going up. Civil Beat.

Expired driver’s license, permit or ID? You’ll want to renew it by Oct. 4. The governor’s waiver for the expired documents ends on Oct. 4. After that date, if your license has been expired for more than a year, you won’t be able to renew it. Instead you’ll have to re-take and pass the written exam and road tests. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii traffic-related fatalities continue to surpass those from 2020. The state has tallied 60 traffic-related fatalities in the first eight months of this year, surpassing numbers from the same time in 2020 as an upward trend continues. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii sees 553 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 63,502. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 430 new cases on Oahu, 37 on Maui, 65 on Hawaii island, 13 on Kauai and eight Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Here’s How Honolulu Plans To Spend $386 Million In Federal Covid Relief Funds. The blueprint includes $15 million for expanded coronavirus testing and other services and $10 million for vaccine incentives. Civil Beat.

Council members urge officals to use more resources to stop COVID-19 spread, including reinstating pre-travel testing. Members of the Honolulu City Council are pushing for more city resources to combat the spread of COVID-19, including more testing sites, isolation facilities and reinstating the pre-traveling testing program. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Tourism Authority tourism plan for Oahu focuses on reducing visitors. The Destination Management Action Pla also focuses on several other key actions that the community, visitor industry and other sectors deem necessary over a three-year period. Establishing a regenerative tourism fee, creating reservation systems for natural and cultural sites, managing visitors’ use of cars and expanding and supporting “Buy Local” programs also were key actions. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

‘Moderna’ misspelled on Illinois visitor’s alleged fake vaccination card. State investigators said they received a tip that 24-year-old Chloe Mrozak of Oak Lawn, Illinois may have uploaded the false documents under the state’s Safe Travels Program to bypass traveler quarantine rules. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Developers propose timeshares for Waikoloa Kings’ Course. The popularity of the game of golf is waning, leading a Waikoloa developer to request permission to repurpose half of one of its two golf courses into single-family home lots and timeshare units. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiʻi Solid Waste Facilities Announce Closures Due to COVID-19. Closures will affect solid waste facilities in Hilo, Keaʻau, Pāhoa, Hāwī and Keauhou. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Ventura, Lonokailua-Hewett in running for fire chief. Deputy Fire Chief Brad Ventura and retired Battalion Chief Amos Lonokailua-Hewett are vying for the position of fire chief. Maui News.

Maui Hospital Prepares Now to Mitigate Oxygen Needs, Potential Rise in COVID Care. Maui Health administrators say research has shown that about 10% of positive cases will likely need hospitalization within 10-14 days of virus onset.  That could translate to 46 additional hospitalizations within the next two weeks. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Police Chief Sued By Cop Who Complained Of Discrimination. A Kauai police captain is suing Kauai Police Chief Todd Raybuck alleging he was passed over for a promotion because of his race and then retaliated against for filing a discrimination complaint last year. Civil Beat.

State safeguarding native birds, plants in Honopu watershed. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife is building a fence enclosing nearly 240-acres in the Honopu Valley to protect native flora and fauna from invasive species. Garden Island.

Honolulu mayor requires vaccine passes, governor mulls Labor Day crowd restrictions, hospitals run low on oxygen, morgue overflows, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki trolley ©2021 All Hawaii News

Coronavirus-free proof to be required for Oahu establishments. People on Oahu will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the past 48 hours to enter restaurants, bars, indoor gym facilities, entertainment and recreational settings beginning Sept. 13. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Daily visitor spending may be up, but economists say overall revenue is still down. Hawaii visitors are spending more per day now than in days before the pandemic, according to new data from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Hawaii News Now.

Matson releases statement regarding service rumors. Matson issued a statement on Sunday in response to persistent unfounded rumors circulating in Hawaii about service disruption All Matson operations continue uninterrupted. KITV4.

Quarantine largely unchecked, COVID surge rages, as 1 in 10 local resident travelers opt not to show vax card or do pre-test. Almost 83,000 people just since June 1 had to quarantine when arriving in Hawaii, not providing a vaccine card nor getting a valid pre-travel negative COVID test. KHON2.

Vicky Cayetano launches Democratic gubernatorial campaign. Former first lady Vicky Cayetano, a business executive, entrepreneur and first-time candidate for any office, kicked off her campaign for governor Monday while launching her campaign website, vickyfor governor.com. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Public defender seeks release of certain inmates to curb COVID-19. The outbreak of COVID-19 infections in Hawaii prompted the Public Defender’s Office to again call for the release of certain classifications of inmates to alleviate overcrowded correctional facilities where short-staffed teams of workers are doing what they can to stop outbreaks inside the facility from spreading to the community. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

COVID-19 delays drunken driving trial of state Rep. Sharon Har. Six months after her arrest on a drunken driving charge, state Rep. Sharon Har’s trial that had been scheduled to start Monday has been rescheduled for October because of COVID- 19 court restrictions — two days before Har likely will challenge a separate preliminary ruling to suspend her driver’s license for two years. Star-Advertiser.

State mulls Labor Day weekend mandates. The state will decide whether to prohibit large gatherings over Labor Day weekend by Wednesday, said Lt. Gov. Josh Green Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii app that warns of COVID exposure experiences spike in activations. The app uses bluetooth technology to anonymously alert users if they have been exposed to the coronavirus to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii hospitals face possible oxygen shortage amid rise in COVID-19 patients. Top health care officials are scrambling to bring in oxygen from the mainland after realizing that Hawaii’s hospitals could run short amid a surge in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Health Care System 'Really Being Stretched' as COVID-19 Cases Increase. With a record number of COVID-19 cases reported over the weekend, health officials are trying to manage the growing number of hospitalized patients while preparing to scale up facilities to address an overflow situation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii sees 720 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 62,949. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 468 new cases on Oahu, 73 on Maui, 139 on Hawaii island, 34 on Kauai and six Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu morgue is over capacity, using an emergency trailer parked outdoors for overflow. Honolulu’s morgue is over capacity due to the coronavirus pandemic, and is now using one of three trailers reserved for emergencies. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Airbnbs Shut Down When The Pandemic Began. The Mayor Wants To Keep It That Way. The mayor sees the crackdown on vacation rentals as a tourism control measure. Civil Beat.

Oahu school requires COVID-19 vaccine or testing for parents entering campus. Jarrett Middle School Principal Reid Kuba is trying to keep COVID-19 out of his small school in Palolo at all costs. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County test positivity highest in state. As of Monday, Hawaii County boasted the highest test positivity rate in the state at 9.4%, compared to an 8% positivity rate statewide. Tribune-Herald.

‘We cannot divert patients’: Hilo Medical Center operating over capacity. Hilo Medical Center is operating well beyond capacity as the number of COVID-19 patients there continues a steady climb upward. Tribune-Herald.

DHHL Breaks Ground On New Panaʻewa Subsistence Ag Lots. The $2.49 million capital improvement project will subdivide an existing 10-acre lot into 16 half-acre Subsistence Agricultural lots. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Pahoa man accused of trying to steal airplane. A 24-year-old Pahoa man is accused of a brazen daylight attempt to steal an air ambulance from the Hilo International Airport. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Maui

Kaiser Permanente Postponing Elective Procedures and Surgeries on Maui. Kaiser Permanente is making changes at Moanalua Medical Center and on Maui to ensure there are enough resources needed to take care of COVID-19 patients. Maui Now.

Some Maui schools report worsening teacher shortage due to COVID19 testing mandate. Staff claim a lack of testing is exacerbating a substitute teacher shortage and leaving some classrooms of students unsupervised. KITV4.

Visitor Arrested for Alleged Quarantine Violation, Assault Against a Maui Police Officer. A 22-year-old California man was arrested on Maui on Thursday for alleged violation of rules and orders relating to the state’s travel quarantine. Maui Now.

‘That Is Not Aloha’: Dr. Lorrin Pang Is Pushing Back Against His Critics. The Maui state health officer explains why he believes it’s important for doctors to explore all possible treatments for the rapidly spreading Covid-19. Civil Beat.

Maui Ordnance to Prevent Underage Drinking Goes Into Effect Sept. 1.  The Social Host Liability Ordinance holds adults on the island of Maui accountable for illegal underage drinking on their property. Maui Now.

Kauai

KDHO: 19 new infections Monday. In the last week, the county has confirmed 263 new COVID-19 infections, Lauren Guest of the Kaua‘i District Health Office reported Monday. Garden Island.

Hawaii governor tells tourists to stay away as coronavirus surges, Honolulu mayor limits crowds, unvaccinated lead hospital overcrowding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige tells visitors to stay away from Hawaii. Tourists should stay away from Hawaii, and residents should restrict travel to essential business only at least through the end of October, Gov. David Ige said Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Garden Island. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now, KHON2. KITV4.

FDA’s approval of Pfizer shot is expected to boost Hawaii COVID vaccinations. Hawaii health officials said the Food and Drug Administration’s full approval Monday of Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine will likely help boost vaccination rates in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Limit gatherings but don’t curb tourists, Hawaii visitor industry execs say. The summer surge in visitors that revved up Hawaii’s tourism industry rebound was already slowing due to fall seasonality and growing uncertainty about the safety of travel as COVID-19 cases surge across the country. Star-Advertiser.

Fewer mainland nurses arrive than were expected as Hawaii’s hospital crisis worsens. The number of people sick with the coronavirus who are showing up at Hawaii emergency rooms is climbing at an alarming rate. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees 571 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 56,670. Today’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 359 new cases on Oahu, 79 on Maui, 107 on Hawaii island, 23 on Kauai, two on Lanai, and one Hawaii resident diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Oahu to suspend large gatherings. As Oahu hospitals reach capacity, Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced that large gatherings will be canceled for four weeks beginning Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

More than 600 Honolulu County workers remain unvaccinated as deadline passes. The deadline for city employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, apply for an exemption or face possible termination passed Monday with police, firefighters and emergency medical services workers among the more than 640 county employees who have not been inoculated. Star-Advertiser.

UH Mānoa: About 97% of Students Living in Residence Halls Are Vaccinated. According to the school's health and wellness team, around 97% of students living in residence halls are vaccinated, and the remaining students who have exemptions are required to undergo weekly testing. Hawaii Public Radio.

City Council Leaders Urge Honolulu’s Mayor To Find More Quarantine Rooms. Despite high demand, the city hasn’t expanded isolation rooms for Covid patients, citing tourists filling up hotels and transmissibility of the delta variant. Civil Beat.

EMS stretched thin amid coronavirus surge. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services says they’re extremely busy across the board, but especially paramedics. KHON2.

Queen’s Health welcomes nurses from out-of-state to help with COVID-19. Queen’s Health welcomes nurses from out-of-state to help with COVID-19. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

City explores new rules for future vacation rental properties. The city’s pitching a new plan to stop illegal vacation rentals in neighborhoods all across Oahu  Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steven Alm stands by failed attempts to prosecute 3 officers. Prosecuting Attorney Steven S. Alm hasn’t decided whether to campaign for a second term, but he doesn’t believe two failed attempts to put three Honolulu police officers on trial for murder and attempted murder for the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old crime spree suspect will impact his political fortunes. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

TMT backup site in Canary Islands in jeopardy; court voids agreement to use public lands. The Thirty Meter Telescope lost a potential backup location after a court in the Canary Islands, Spain, revoked an agreement to use public lands as a site for the contentious observatory. Tribune-Herald.

Plaque stolen from North Kohala heiau. A plaque denoting Mo‘okini Heiau as a registered national historic landmark was recently cut or pried loose from a boulder and stolen from the centuries-old North Kohala temple. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

California Man Arrested on Maui for Alleged Quarantine Violation. Police say 64-year-old Hugo Monterroso did not have a negative pre-travel COVID-19 test from an approved facility and did not have approved lodging in which to complete the state’s mandatory 10-day travel quarantine. Maui Now.

Occupancy at 81.7% for Maui County Hotels in July 2021. Maui County hotels occupancy was 81.7% for July, with revenue per available room (RevPAR) at $505, up 41.1% from pre-pandemic July 2019, according to the July 2021 Hawaiʻi Hotel Performance Report published by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

 Kauai

Kauai Bus riders may have been exposed to COVID-19. The district health officer reported people who rode The Kaua'i Bus -- route 100 or 200 -- from Kekaha to Lihu'e between August 10 and 12 may have been exposed to COVID-19. KITV4.

Kaua‘i Community College campus opens amidst COVID-19. The population census that normally accompanies the opening of the semester was absent due to late registrations taking place. Garden Island.

Upgrades to state-run nurseries growing plants facing extinction. Plant nurseries dedicated to the propagation of native species are set to receive upgrades, using $150,000 acquired from the state. Garden Island.

Honolulu police officers cleared in shooting of 16-year-old, 500 health-care workers deployed to Hawaii, teachers union seeks safer classrooms, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu police officers in court Civil Beat pool photo

3 Honolulu Police officers cleared in fatal shooting of 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap. Three Honolulu police officers who opened fire on a 16-year-old crime spree suspect and his crew after he ignored their orders to surrender and led them on a daredevil chase at rush hour are free of criminal charges after an Oahu District Court judge dismissed the argument that the trio committed murder and attempted murder. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Labor Department scraps plan to reopen state unemployment offices, citing COVID-19 spread. Hawaii labor officials on Wednesday canceled a planned Sept. 7 reopening of unemployment offices statewide for in-person service, citing drastically elevated COVID-19 infection risks. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. West Hawaii Today. Maui Now.

Hawaii teachers’ union formally demands to enter into negotiations with DOE over working conditions. The union representing more than 13,000 teachers across Hawaii today formally demanded to enter into negotiations with the state Department of Education in regard to working conditions and the safety of employees and students amid the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Garden Island. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

State mulls changes to Safe Travels program to keep out breakthrough COVID cases. State leaders are discussing the possibility of bringing back the pretravel COVID testing requirement for trans-Pacific passengers as a way to help keep out positive cases, which can be asymptomatic. KITV4.

State explores health pass to verify vaccination. As some lawmakers discuss the possibility of vaccine mandates to enter certain businesses the state is working on a way to verify people are vaccinated. KITV4.

More than 500 mainland staff will be deployed to Hawaii hospitals to help COVID-19 patients. The Hawaii Department of Health today announced that more than 500 experienced health care professionals from out of state will be deployed to 19 hospitals statewide in coming weeks to help with the ongoing coronavirus surge. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Most Hawaii Hospitals Delay Non-Emergency Procedures As Pandemic Worsens. Non-Covid patients are casualties of swelling coronavirus hospitalizations. Civil Beat.

Straub intensive care facilities full; child hospitalizations increasing in Hawaii. The intensive care facilities at Straub Hospital in downtown Honolulu are operating beyond their capacity as COVID-19 cases surge, requiring staff for the first time to execute disaster plans put in place early in the pandemic in order to handle all of the patients. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 2 new coronavirus-related deaths, 647 additional infections. Today’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 431 new cases on Oahu, 96 on Maui, 87 on Hawaii island, 26 on Kauai, one on Molokai, and six Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

COMMENTARY: Here's How Hawaii's Top 2022 Political Races Are Shaking Out. The Democratic field for governor appears to be settling while the race for lieutenant governor remains wide open. And who knows what's up with the Republicans. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Former Honolulu City Councilwoman Kym Pine is target of ethics complaint. An ethics investigation, a charge of discrimination from the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and a financial dispute all center around former Honolulu City Councilwoman Kym Pine, alleging that she used city resources for her 2018 unsuccessful bid for mayor, disclosed personal medical history of a former employee and did not properly pay that same staffer. Star-Advertiser.

4 charged with using fake vaccination cards. State prosecutors recently charged two visiting families, one from California and the other from Florida, for allegedly using falsified COVID-19 vaccination cards to travel to Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Settlement reached over a Kapolei company’s alleged hazardous waste violations. Under the settlement, IES Downstream, LLC agreed to pay over $708,000 in civil fines. They are also obligated to send some 289,000 pounds of hazardous waste to a permitted waste treatment, storage and disposal facility on the mainland. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Roth asks Ige to reinstate trans-Pacific pretravel testing, even for those who are vaccinated. Mayor Mitch Roth has urged Gov. David Ige to immediately reinstate pretravel testing requirements for all trans-Pacific passengers, regardless of residency or vaccination status, as the county struggles amid an ongoing surge of COVID-19. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Fire chief appeal sent to state Labor Relations Board. The county Merit Appeals Board voted Monday to send a complaint over the selection of the fire chief to the state Labor Relations Board to determine if the county board has jurisdiction. West Hawaii Today.

Big changes for Hele-on: Bus routes will be added, altered under ‘hub-and-spoke model’. Early next month, the county will begin a broad restructuring of the island’s bus system in an effort to make mass transit easier to use. Tribune-Herald.

Settlement in ‘lava bomb’ lawsuit. A settlement has been reached in a federal lawsuit regarding a “lava bomb” that tore through the roof of a lava tour boat and injured numerous passengers near Kapoho on July 16, 2018. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Larger homes would be net-zero energy under new bill. Knowing that housing development and construction operations are among the biggest contributors to climate change, Maui County officials are proposing to require that new one- or two-family residential buildings over 5,000 square feet be zero net energy homes. Maui News.

Maui Charter Commission Seeks Community Input at Aug. 19 Meeting. At its Aug. 19 meeting, the Maui Charter Commission is seeking community input and insights regarding proposed Charter amendments that will be considered for placement on the ballot in November 2022.  Maui Now.

Maui hospital feels weight of record COVID-19 cases. Maui Memorial Medical Center, the island’s only acute-care facility, was treating 40 COVID-19 patients on Sunday, 39 COVID-19 patients on Monday and 31 COVID-19 patients on Tuesday, according to a hospital spokeswoman. Maui News.

Kauai

Council authorizes steps to take over Kilauea property for affordable housing. The Kaua‘i County Council has authorized the first steps in condemnation by eminent domain of a 23.5-acre lot in Kilauea for an affordable housing project. Garden Island.

State has funds for Ke‘e Beach lifeguards. The County Council will discuss renewed state funding of the Ke‘e Beach lifeguard tower at today’s meeting. Garden Island.

Fast-moving Hawaii Marines coordinate strikes on target ship off Kauai. A group of Hawaii-based artillery Marines working under camouflage netting at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai as part of an “expeditionary advanced base” exercise sensed, located, identified and struck a target ship 60 nautical miles off the coast Sunday using two Naval Strike Missiles. Star-Advertiser.