Showing posts with label lava recovery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lava recovery. Show all posts

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Ige reassembles COVID-19 team, sets Oct. 15 tourism reopening date; VA 'tiger team' moves in after 15 veteran deaths; Hawaii Island beach closures extended, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Department of Health Director Libby Char

 

Gov. David Ige announces Oct. 15 as the start of the state’s pre-arrivals testing program. Gov. David Ige has set Oct. 15 as the new date to launch a pre-arrivals testing program to reopen tourism in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Ige: Hawaii Will Launch Pre-Travel Testing Program Oct. 15. The long-awaited program to let travelers bypass quarantine is set for next month, but state leaders did not have all the details ironed out on how it will work. Civil Beat.

Pre-travel COVID-19 testing program for trans-Pacific visitors to begin Oct. 15. Ige on Wednesday announced the start of the often-delayed program, which will allow airline passengers to avoid a mandatory 14-day quarantine if they test negative for the coronavirus within 72 hours of arriving in Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Facing mounting economic woes, Hawaii to launch pre-travel testing program Oct. 15. After being delayed for months, a much-touted pre-travel testing program that authorities say is a key step in rebooting the tourism industry will be launched Oct. 15, allowing trans-Pacific visitors to forgo a 14-day quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Ige sets mainland tourism to reopen Oct. 15. Governor David Ige has set a new date for reopening tourism to mainland travelers, pushing it back to Oct. 15. This will be the third time it has been delayed. KHON2.

Pre-Travel Testing Program Scheduled to Start Oct. 15. Hawai‘i’s pre-travel COVID-19 testing program will launch on Oct. 15, Gov. David Ige announced in a press conference this afternoon. Big Island Now.

Hawaii’s Pre-Travel Testing Program to Start Oct. 15.
Governor David Ige this afternoon confirmed that the state’s pre-travel testing program will launch on Oct. 15, enabling travelers to get a COVID-19 test no earlier than 72 hours prior to their flight arrival in Hawai‘i to avoid the 14-day mandatory quarantine if the test comes back negative for the virus. Maui Now.

Ige: Pre-travel testing Oct. 15.
Gov. David Ige has pushed back Hawai‘i’s pre-travel testing program to Oct. 15, and announced a new leadership team to realign the state’s COVID-19 efforts. Garden Island.

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Gov. David Ige assembles new COVID response team. After months of ambiguity in public policy to reopen the economy, Gov. David Ige announced a new leadership team Wednesday with the specific focus on restoring the state’s most important economic engine. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Ige announces new leadership team and realignment of COVID-19 efforts. The Governor hopes the pre-travel testing program can provide a much needed boost to the economy, but people need to be tested before boarding an airplane. KITV4.

New DOH director sets priorities for COVID-19 response.
It was the first day on the job for Dr. Libby Char, the new Director of the Hawaii State Department of Health. KHON2.

Experts: New testing methods could speed up tourism’s reopening. New COVID-19 testing methods and better access to tests could make it safer for tourism to ramp up, experts say. Doctors still call the polymerise chain reaction, or PCR test, the gold standard. That will be the test the state requires under the pre-travel testing program set to launch Oct. 15. Hawaii News Now.

How accurate is the test for the pre-travel testing program and where can you get one? Only  a certain COVID-19 test will be accepted, which is the Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT). KHON2.

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Hawaii Has Spent Only A Small Fraction Of CARES Act Money. The state and neighbor island counties are required to expend nearly $863 million by the end of the year — or they will lose it. Civil Beat.

Senator Hirono calling for more transparency on how CARES Act money is spent. Hawai'i U.S. Senator, Mazie Hirono is calling for more transparency on how federal CARES Act money is being used. KITV4.

Hawaii Supreme Court denies Kokua Council’s request to intervene in DOH contact tracing. The Hawaii Supreme Court on Monday denied Kokua Council for Senior Citizens’ petition to compel the Department of Health to increase the number of COVID-19 contact tracers in Hawaii and to require that the agency improve translation services. Star-Advertiser.

New Directors Named For Hawaii’s Labor Department. Scott Murakami left the pandemic-beleaguered agency earlier this year. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige appoints Anne Perreira-Eustaquio to head the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Gov. David Ige today announced the appointment of Anne E. Perreira-Eustaquio as director of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. She has been serving as acting director since last month. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — Sept. 16: 102 New COVID-19 Cases And 3 Deaths In Hawaii.
On Wednesday, 102 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed by state health officials, along with three COVID-19 associated deaths on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Leaders of the hospitality industry say that hotels will be ready when tourism restarts. Waikiki currently has 5,000 rooms ready to go, with more expected to come online before tourism returns to Hawaii on October 15. KHON2.

Dr. Jim Ireland named new chief of Honolulu Emergency Medical Services. Ireland is no stranger to the city. Back in 2010, he was director of the Emergency Services Department, overseeing both EMS and ocean safety. KITV4.

Honolulu Police Are Issuing An ‘Unprecedented’ Number Of Pandemic Tickets. Many are being dismissed. But the court system is struggling to keep up as thousands of violators are forced to appear before a judge anyway. Civil Beat.

Leahi Hospital Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19.
No residents at the elderly care facility have tested positive for COVID-19 to date. Civil Beat.

Elections officials remind Hawaii voters they don’t need to request ballots. Honolulu elections officials said Wednesday voters don’t need to request ballots to be mailed to them after the U.S. Postal Service sent postcards to residents across the country warning them to ask for mail-in ballots at least 15 days before Election Day. Hawaii News Now.

Council seeks provisions for Hanauma Bay park’s protection. Two measures — one that’s going through the Honolulu City Council and another that’s already been approved — could promote the recovery of Hanauma Bay’s marine ecosystem even once visitors are allowed back in. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Veteran Affairs infection specialists head to Hilo veterans home. A federal team from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs specializing in infection control and safety will arrive today at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo to put an end to a major COVID-19 outbreak resulting in 15 deaths. Star-Advertiser.

Federal 'Tiger Team' Heads To Hilo Veterans Home As Death Roll Rises To 14. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is sending a larger COVID-19 team to the Big Island Thursday to help contain the coronavirus outbreak at the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home. Hawaii Public Radio.

Team from Veterans Affairs set to arrive today; Another COVID-19 death reported at Hilo vets home. With 15 COVID-19 deaths now associated with Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, a team from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will review “almost everything” about the facility’s management of the outbreak. Tribune-Herald.

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Hawaiʻi Island Beach Parks Closed For Two More Weeks. The closure of all County and State Beach Parks on Hawai‘i island will be extended for two additional weeks, and will reopen at 7 a.m. on October 1. Big Island Video News.

Mayor Kim Extends Big Island Beach Closures Until Oct. 1. All county and state beach parks on the Big Island will remain closed through the end of the month, Hawai‘i County Mayor Harry Kim announced on Wednesday. Big Island Now.

Target Hilo sees “multiple” COVID-19 employee cases. Multiple people have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Target store in Hilo, which is located on Makaala Street. KHON2.

Council endorses voluntary contact tracing apps.
A nonbinding resolution urging the mayor to support a voluntary contact tracing app cleared the County Council by an 8-1 vote Wednesday after it was changed to allow more than one specific vendor. West Hawaii Today.

Nearly $1M in HUD funds earmarked for 4 virus relief projects. A Hawaii County Council committee voted in favor of allocating nearly a million dollars in federal funds to a quartet of COVID-19 recovery projects throughout the county. Tribune-Herald.

$3.7 Million Granted For Various Eruption Recovery Efforts. Money will go toward private road restoration, assisting impacted farms, building affordable homes for displaced residents, and helping Kua O Ka Lā Public Charter School. Big Island Video News.

18 nonprofits receive lava recovery grants.
The Hawaii County Kilauea Recovery Team awarded $3.7 million in grants to 18 nonprofits to assist in eruption recovery efforts in lower Puna. Tribune-Herald.

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Man Charged in ‘Bizarre’ Case of Illegal Aquarium Fishing. Authorities have arrested a man on several charges involving illegal aquarium fishing in West Hawai‘i waters, after what the state Department of Land and Natural Resources described as a “bizarre series of events” that ended with a search and rescue operation for two women apparently abandoned at sea. Big Island Now.

Illegal aquarium fishing arrest prompts search and rescue mission. Another arrest has been made for illegal aquarium fishing in West Hawaii waters. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Some products will soon get pricier with shipping rate increase. Businesses brace for Young Brothers invoices in already challenging times. Residents soon will see prices increase on certain products in the wake of the 46 percent emergency rate hike approved by the state Public Utilities Commission for interisland shipper Young Brothers that took effect this month. Maui News.

Red Placard Issued to Vietnamese Cuisine Restaurant in Kīhei, Maui. According to the DOH, the restaurant’s kitchen was allegedly infested with roaches among many other food safety violations and health hazards. Maui Now.

Ali‘i Kula Lavender Open Two More Weekends Before Temporary Closure. Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm in Kula on Maui announced it will be open for two more weekends before it transitions to a temporary closure starting on Oct. 1, 2020.  Starting next month, the farm will be closed to visitors until further notice. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kupa‘a Kaua‘i food distribution program to begin Sept. 22. The County of Kaua‘i is partnering with the Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i Branch and the Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank to provide food packages to individuals and families who have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Garden Island.

All water sites test high in September water results. The Kaua‘i Chapter of Surfrider’s Blue Water Task Force has completed water quality sampling for September 2020, with a limited set of data due to the pandemic. Garden Island.

Thursday, August 27, 2020

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

Hundreds gather July 26 in Hilo for memorial in defiance of social gathering prohibitions From YouTube
Hawaii says 11% of people taking COVID-19 test are positive. More than 10% of people tested for COVID-19 in Hawaii have been found to have the disease in the past 24 hours, new data showed Wednesday, underscoring that coronavirus was becoming more widespread in the community. Associated Press.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

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

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

Maui


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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

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

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Honolulu grocers hit by COVID-19, Young Brothers threatens to stop interisland shipping without 47% rate hike, Kauai park shut down after bad behavior, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2020 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Coconut climber at Polynesian Cultural Center ©2020 All Hawaii News
COVID-19 leads to layoffs at The Polynesian Cultural Center. Approximately 30% of the 260 full-time employee workforce may be reduced by September 26, 2020. KITV4.

Shipper asks for ruling on rates by Aug. 17. Young Brothers says it may be forced to discontinue interisland services and furlough employees if the state Public Utilities Commission does not approve its emergency request for a 47 percent rate hike by Aug. 17. Maui News.

Gov. Ige weighs in on Hawaii CARES Act spending. Governor Ige is still deciding whether to sign or veto a bill that outlines how lawmakers want the state’s $635 million in CARES Act money to be spent. KHON2.

Economy: The First ‘Cliff’ Is Almost Here And A Second One Is Looming. Billions in federal relief dollars run out this week while community and political leaders work to soften a second possibly worse blow at the end of the year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Has Huge Stake In Negotiations Over Federal COVID-19 Aid. Uncertainty surrounds the $600-per-week unemployment payments, virus testing and even public worker furloughs. Civil Beat.


Green talks tourism as virus cases continue uptick. Lt. Gov. Josh Green said Tuesday there’s “good news, bad news” about the possibility of reopening Hawaii to tourism. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii residents urged to take precautions as clusters of coronavirus cases proliferate. Dozens of COVID-19 patients have been hospitalized following numerous coronavirus outbreaks, including one in Kalihi among Pacific islanders living in large multigenerational households. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric points to financial assistance options as disconnections to resume Sept. 1. Hawaiian Electric is pointing customers to several financial assistance options for those having trouble paying bills during the pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

Workplace Drug Tests Show Less Use of Some Types of Drugs. Workplace drug tests taken in Hawai‘i during the pandemic show a decrease in the use of amphetamines, cocaine and opiates, while marijuana use has been on the rise. Hawaii Business magazine.

Coalition to consider legal action if state does not increase number of polling places. Three voting rights groups have given the state and counties a Friday deadline to commit to increasing the number of voter service centers or face legal action. West Hawaii Today.

Super PAC Spends $188K To Get Kahele To Congress. The nonpartisan With Honor Fund has ties to Jeff Bezos of Amazon and other billionaires. Civil Beat.

Education Spending Drives Races For Hawaii Legislature. The pandemic is spurring candidates to focus on how the Legislature and DOE will use limited funding for safety measures and access to distance learning. Civil Beat.

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Hawaiian Airlines plans to shrink 15% to 25%. Hawaiian Airlines is moving to raise cash and reduce staffing after reporting a significant second-quarter loss that continued the financial harm that emerged earlier this year from COVID-19 fears and containment policies. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines to cut workforce. During the company’s second quarter earnings call, CEO Peter Ingram said the recently completed quarter was incredibly challenging citing the 14-day quarantine as well as the recent cluster within the company. KHON2.

After dismal earnings report, Hawaiian Airlines expected to move ahead with layoffs. The company says it must move forward with layoffs after losing more than $100 million in its 2nd quarter earnings report. Hawaii News Now.

Mysterious unsolicited seed packets from China received by Hawaii residents. If you get an unsolicited packet of seeds from China, don’t open it. That’s the message from agriculture officials after multiple people received the mysterious packages. Hawaii News Now.

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Eight Thai Soldiers Test Positive For COVID-19 After Training In Hawaii. They were participating in the Army’s first large-scale exercise in Hawaii since the pandemic began. Civil Beat.

8 Thai soldiers have virus following training in Hawaii. Asian media reported that eight out of 150 Thai army soldiers tested positive for the new coronavirus days after returning to Thailand from participation in a big Schofield Barracks field training exercise on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii sees 47 new coronavirus-related cases as statewide total grows to 1,757. The new cases included 46 on Oahu and one in Maui County, according to the state Department of Health’s daily tally. Star-Advertiser.

DOH reports 28 new COVID-19 cases, pushing statewide total to 1,711. All of the cases were on Oahu, according to the COVID-19 Joint Information Center. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu

Mayor proposes 3-week shutdown of bars, mandatory mask wearing outside. In a bid to tamp down a worsening surge in new COVID-19 cases on Oahu, Honolulu’s mayor is proposing to shut down all bars on Oahu for three weeks, require mask wearing outdoors at all times, and limit gatherings to 10 or fewer people. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Mayor Wants Bar, Mask Crackdown. A recent rash of COVID-19 cases on Oahu has Mayor Kirk Caldwell asking the governor’s permission to close bars and impose more strict mask requirements. Civil Beat.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell seeks 3-week closure of Oahu bars. Oahu bars would be forced to shut down for three weeks to allow the city time to “recalibrate” and come up with tighter regulations to curb the spread of COVID-19 under a revised guideline that Mayor Kirk Caldwell is seeking from Gov. David Ige. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Caldwell asks DOH to be upfront with COVID-19 cases linked to businesses. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said in a press conference Tuesday morning that he wants the Hawaii Department of Health to be more upfront with COVID-19 cases. KHON2.

Some call mayor’s proposed expansion of mask mandate government overreach. Hawaii News Now.

City employee in Dept. of Design and Construction tests positive for COVID-19.  City officials confirmed Tuesday that an employee who works in the Frank Fasi Municipal Building has tested positive for coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

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3 Hawaii Costco employees contract coronavirus. Three Costco workers have tested positive for the coronavirus — two in Hawaii Kai and one in Iwilei. Star-Advertiser.

3 Costco employees at 2 Oahu locations test positive for COVID-19. Internal memos confirmed that at least three employees tested positive — one in Iwilei and two others in Hawaii Kai. Hawaii News Now.

Another Foodland employee tests positive for coronavirus. Another Foodland employee has tested positive for the coronavirus, this time at Foodland Farms Pearl City. Star-Advertiser.

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Father, son with COVID-19 forced into facility after breaking quarantine. A father and son who have tested positive for COVID-19 were ordered into quarantine at a facility on Tuesday after being detained at a strip mall in McCully. The state Health Department relied on a rarely-used authority to detain the two. Hawaii News Now.

McCully Shopping Center shuts down after father and son with COVID-19 were arrested in the parking lot. A busy shopping center put on lockdown on Tuesday after a father and son with COVID-19 were arrested for violating quarantine. KITV4.

Oahu businesses want $100M in city grants to pay for rent. A Hawaii business coalition is seeking $100 million in federal coronavirus aid from the city to benefit commercial property landlords and tenants. Star-Advertiser.

New Super PACs Pour Money Into Honolulu Races. The independent expenditure committees are taking out ads for mayoral and council candidates as voters cast their mail-in ballots. Civil Beat.

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City buys McCully walk-up for low-income rentals. The city recently purchased a McCully Street apartment building that it will rent out to lower-income families, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Buys 10-Unit Building For Affordable Housing. As of 2019, Oahu needed over 22,000 new housing units by 2025, according to the state. Civil Beat.

City offers affordable housing with McCully Street property. The city unveiled a new affordable housing project on Tuesday. KHON2.

State Legislature sides with Nanakuli landfill opponents. State lawmakers recently passed a highly contested bill that would stop a planned expansion of a landfill in Nanakuli operated by PVT Land Co. Star-Advertiser.


Hawaii Island

Hundreds who lost homes in 2018 eruption could be eligible for up to $230K. Former Puna residents whose homes were destroyed by the 2018 Kilauea eruption can choose to sell their properties to the county through a nearly $80 million recovery program. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Physician Assistant Program Campus Approved. The new Kona campus of the MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program at the University of Washington "will be a game changer" for Hawaiʻi, says Lt. Gov. Josh Green. Big Island Video News.

A whale of a summer: research project continues in Hawaiian waters despite COVID. A unique partnership between marine biologist Dr. Robin Baird at Cascadia Research Collective and Colin Cornforth – the owner of Kona tour company Captain Zodiac – has ensured their summer field project has had a fruitful 21st year. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor is asking residents to limit interisland travel. As COVID-19 cases set daily records on Oahu along with an uptick on Maui, Mayor Michael Victorino is advising Maui County residents to postpone interisland leisure travel at this time and only fly between islands for essential business. Maui News.

Man Dies After Taser Struggle with Maui Police, Cause of Death is Undetermined. A 30 year-old Massachusetts man is dead following a taser struggle with Maui police in which he allegedly disarmed an officer of a Taser and proceeded to use the device on three different officers. Maui Now.

Stolen Oysters on Maui are Unfit for Human Consumption. Oysters that were destined for a research project on Maui were stolen last week and may have subsequently been sold at below-market prices on island. Maui Now.

Kauai

HLRB hears temporary workweek trial. County of Kaua‘i Managing Director Michael Dahilig testified that the temporary four-day, 10-hour work schedule was an operational decision necessary to reduce movement and the spread of coronavirus yesterday in a Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board hearing on merits via Zoom. Garden Island.

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Large gatherings, trucks driving over Hawaiian burial sites, widespread defecation force closure of Polihale State Park on Kauai. The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced it will close Kauai’s Polihale State Park indefinitely, citing bad behavior of residents, with abuse, illegal gatherings and camping. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai State Park Closed Indefinitely. State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell said more state parks could face closure as the agency struggles to enforce park rules during the pandemic. Civil Beat.

State closes Kauai’s Polihate State Park, blaming ‘bad behavior’ of locals. The state is closing Kauai’s famous Polihale State Park indefinitely. Hawaii News Now.

Polihale State Park on Kauai closed due to people’s bad behavior. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources says it’s impossible to enforce park rules because of its size and isolated location. KHON2.

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Getting the vote out. The Voter Service Center was scheduled to open Monday, but that opening was delayed by the passage of Hurricane Douglas close to Kaua‘i late Sunday night, and into the early hours of Monday morning. Tuesday, the VSC opened to the public starting at 8 a.m. Garden Island.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Hawaii House panel named to study COVID-19 economic effects, Nadamoto seeks Honolulu prosecutor job, $82M FEMA agreement for lava-stricken Puna, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2020 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii cruise ship scene ©2020 All Hawaii News
‘Floating germ factories’: Anxiety within cruise ship industry puts spotlight on Hawaii’s ports. As the coronavirus spreads, more government officials want to stop vessels from entering Hawaii's ports. Hawaii News Now.

Grand Princess docks in Oakland with 4 isle residents to be quarantined. Four Hawaii residents were among the 3,500 people aboard the Grand Princess that docked Monday at the Port of Oakland, Calif., but state health officials did not have details on them or where they will be quarantined. Star-Advertiser.

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House Speaker Scott Saiki appoints members of Hawaii coronavirus committee. House Speaker Scott Saiki has appointed 26 members of the Select House Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness, which is scheduled to hold its first meeting this week. Star-Advertiser.

House Speaker Names Business Leaders To Coronavirus Committee. The 26-member committee will have its first public meeting Thursday. Civil Beat.

Hawaii House Speaker names panel on virus’ economic effects. Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki on Monday said he has appointed 25 people plus himself to serve on a committee that will advise House members on the potential financial and economic fallout of the new coronavirus. Associated Press.

Hawaii House Speaker names panel on virus’ economic effects. Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki on Monday said he has appointed 25 people plus himself to serve on a committee that will advise House members on the potential financial and economic fallout of the new coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

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The state is scrambling to get in touch with people who had close contact with an elderly Oahu man who caught the coronavirus on a trip to Washington state. State scrambles to get in touch with those who had contact with patient. Hawaii News Now.

State tourism hit hard as virus reaches Hawaii. COVID-19 has infected Hawaii’s visitor industry, which is starting to see symptoms ranging from travel cancellations and anemic bookings to declining air seats to plummeting hotel occupancies — some as low as 10%. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 testing in Hawaii comes under fire. The state confirmed its first case Friday and a second on Sunday, though doctors have been frustrated at the lack of widespread testing in the community and say the Health Department has denied testing for some patients who physicians suspect might have the disease. Star-Advertiser.

5 Kaiser employees linked to coronavirus care under ‘self-monitoring’ at home. Kaiser Permanente says five of its employees are now self-monitoring at home because they were involved in the care of two people with coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

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Minimum Wage Hikes Have Had Little Long-Lasting Effect On Business. Minimum wage hikes might be tough for some local businesses, but a recent state study of the impacts of the 2014 minimum wage increase shows few effects on the labor market. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers Want To Subsidize Big Rate Increases By Hawaii’s Only Interisland Shipper. But the state Department of Transportation opposes House Bill 2475, saying it unfairly benefits just one company. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Acting prosecutor Nadamoto formally announces run for the position. Honolulu’s acting city prosecutor, Dwight Nadamoto, on Monday formally kicked off his campaign for election to the job. Star-Advertiser.

Acting Prosecutor Dwight Nadamoto Announces Run For The Job. He filed his paperwork back in December but withheld his announcement until now. Civil Beat.

Honolulu’s acting city prosecutor wants the job permanently. Acting city Prosecutor Dwight Nadamoto announced Monday he wants the job permanently. Hawaii News Now.

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In trial for control of her fortune, heiress Abigail Kawananakoa takes the stand. Hawaiian royalty descendant Abigail Kawananakoa took the witness stand for the first time in the two-a-half year legal battle over her fortune. Hawaii News Now.

Kawananakoa takes witness stand in her defense. Abigail Kawananakoa denied she had a stroke, accused her former attorney of lying and disputed the need for independent oversight of her financial affairs during more than an hour of court testimony that was open to the public Monday afternoon. Star-Advertiser.

Coronavirus concerns prompt downtown Honolulu bar to cancel popular St. Patrick’s Day block party. Murphy’s Bar & Grill announced today it is canceling its 32nd annual St. Patrick’s Day block party over concerns of spreading the novel coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu home sales strong in first two months of 2020. Oahu single-family home sales for the first two months of the year were 13% higher than the same period a year ago, while the median price declined slightly, and condominium sales in January and February rose 7% as the median price increased by nearly 4%, according to statistics from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

County reaches agreement with FEMA on lava-covered roads. The agreement under FEMA’s Public Assistance program identifies about $82 million worth of damage to county-owned roads, excluding Highway 132. Tribune-Herald.

Pohoiki Road Restoration Part Of $82 Million FEMA Agreement. The County will cover a quarter of the cost of recovering various county roads covered by lava during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea. Big Island Video News.

FEMA to Provide Tens of Millions in Volcano Recovery Aid. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is sending more than $60 million to Hawai‘i County to help repair public roads devastated by lava during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Big Island Now.

FEMA, Hawaii County reach agreement to replace roads destroyed by Kilauea eruption. FEMA and Hawaii County have reached an agreement on the cost of replacing public roads inundated by lava during 2018’s Kilauea eruption — $82 million. KHON2.

Bill would establish guidelines for distribution of disaster funds. A County Council committee will hear a bill today that will determine how to disburse millions of dollars of Kilauea eruption recovery funds. Tribune-Herald.

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20 nominations considered by PONC: Commission kicks off land-buying program for 2020. Three stretches of Alii Drive oceanfront property are on a list of properties the county will consider purchasing this year under its open space land-buying program. West Hawaii Today.

Kona’s Simmy and Lokelani McMichael made the trip to Hilo on Monday to testify before the Hawaiʻi County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission on behalf of some treasured coastal lands along Aliʻi Drive. Big Island Video News.

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Hospitals button up: HMC, others implement new visitor restrictions, screenings. New visitor restrictions and screenings are now in place at Hilo Medical Center, Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua, Ka‘u Hospital, Extended Care Facility and HMC’s outpatient clinics in response to ongoing developments with COVID-19. Tribune-Herald.

EPA assesses fines, requires closure of 12 large-capacity cesspools. The owners of a dozen large-capacity cesspools in North and South Kona have agreed to pay fines and replace them with compliant systems. West Hawaii Today.

Marzo running for mayor. Ikaika Marzo, a Puna tour operator who became a social media phenomenon during the monthslong 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kilauea volcano, is running for mayor. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Sen. English Announces $204 Million for Projects in 7th Senatorial District. Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English of Maui announced that over $204 million in Capital Improvement Project funds were released by Governor David Ige for the senator’s District 7, which covers Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i and Kaho‘olawe. Maui Now.

Maui Departments Increase Sanitization, Urge Precautions Against COVID-19. While there are no confirmed cases in Maui County, all county departments and personnel have increased sanitization efforts and are taking additional precautions amid statewide concerns relating to COVID-19. Maui Now.

Home sales on Maui rise on mixed prices in February. Home sales on Maui rose in February, compared to a year ago, but the median price for single-family homes declined by 5% even as the median price for condominiums rose by about the same amount, according to statistics from the Realtors Association of Maui. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

Some Brun charges dismissed. Felony charges of assault on a police officer and resisting arrest against County Councilmember Arthur Brun—originally filed by Kauai County authorities—have been dismissed, apparently because they were superseded by Brun’s federal indictment for running an island-wide methamphetamine ring. Garden Island.

How rulebreaking is impacting professional photographers. Many places on Kauai are completely off-limits for professional photography and videography — places like the bottom of Wailua Falls and Waimea Canyon and Koke‘e. Garden Island.

Kauai median condo price soars as sales grow by double digits. Home sales grew by double digits on Kauai last month along with prices, compared to a year ago, with the median price of a condominium rising 89%, according to statistics from Hawaii Information Service on behalf of the Kauai Board of Realtors. Pacific Business News.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Hawaii drops to No. 2 in homelessness, HUD funds to buy out lava victims, Westboro Baptist Church to picket Maui high school, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2020 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Homeless in Honolulu ©2020 All Hawaii News

Hawaii drops to No. 2 in homelessness as trends improve, officials say. Hawaii no longer holds the ignominious title as the country’s leading state in per capita homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Is No Longer No. 1 For Homelessness. New York Is Worse. Civil Beat.

Get Ready For An Economic Slowdown, State Economist Says. It’s not a recession yet but government should consider picking up some of the private sector’s slack as the construction industry wanes. Civil Beat.

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Rep. Chris Lee to seek Windward Senate seat. State Rep. Chris Lee has become the first prominent politician to announce plans to run for the soon-to-be- vacated state Senate seat held by Laura Thielen (D, Hawaii Kai-Waimanalo- Kailua), creating a fourth vacancy on the Windward side. Star-Advertiser.

Chris Lee Leaving House Seat For State Senate Run. The lawmaker is seeking the Kailua to Hawaii Kai seat being vacated by Laura Thielen. Civil Beat.

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Fighters and other aircraft will train over Hawaii for the Hawaii Air National Guard’s exercises. A dozen or more fighter jets are expected to roar off the reef runway at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport twice a day for the latest iteration of the Hawaii Air National Guard’s “Sentry Aloha” fighter exercise. Star-Advertiser.

OHA Returned $2M Of Ceded Land Revenue In 2019. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has previously pushed to have a cap on their ceded land revenues raised. Civil Beat.

Pushing to halt all aquarium fishing. Some conservation groups and Native Hawaiians are concerned the state isn’t following court orders for the environmental review of aquarium fishing and permit issuance in Hawaii. Garden Island.

Medicare Trims Payments To 8 Hawaii Hospitals. Medicare docks hospitals on an annual basis for too many patients returning to the hospital within a month. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Medical Service Association, the state’s largest health insurance company, has agreed to pay $180,000 and provide injunctive relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency announced Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Assistant Superintendent Retires From DOE. Another assistant superintendent in the Hawaii Department of Education has left, marking the third departure from the core leadership team within a span of six months. Civil Beat.

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Hawaiian Telcom announced Tuesday that its chief of staff, and former broadcast journalist, Su Shin has been promoted to president and general manager effective Feb. 10. She replaces John Komeiji, who resigned as president and general manager. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Telcom names new president and general manager. Hawaiian Telcom today announced that Su Shin, its Chief of Staff, has been promoted to President and General Manager effective February 10, 2020. KHON2.

Oahu

Audit: Honolulu Can’t Meet Building Industry Demands For Permits. Low pay, insufficient training and high turnover contribute to a permitting department that can’t keep up, the auditor found. Civil Beat.

City officials say new audit findings show help is needed at the Department of Planning and Permitting. A new audit found the department isn't keeping up with the demands of the building industry. KITV4.

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Oahu Grapples With Where To Place Its Next Landfill As It Confronts Its Waste Dilemma. About 30 trucks roll down Farrington Highway on the west side of Oahu every day to dump waste at the City and County of Honolulu's only municipal landfill, Waimanalo Gulch. Hawaii Public Radio.

Auditor: Handi-Van Software – And Perhaps Its Operator – Need An Overhaul. The Honolulu auditor’s latest update on Handi-Van performance finds some progress, but the busy paratransit service still needs a lot of improvement. Civil Beat.

City issues 260 citations for illegal short term vacation rentals across the island. Despite the crackdown, hundreds of short term vacation rentals are still operating on the Windward side of O'ahu. KITV4.

Vacation Rentals Are Still Thriving In Kailua. Critics warned that a bill to crack down on illegal vacation rentals would doom Kailua’s economy. But months later, the town still bustles with tourists and hundreds of vacation rentals. Civil Beat.

1 year later, city touts success of Punawai Rest Stop for homeless. One year after it first opened its doors, city officials say the Punawai Rest Stop for homeless on Kuwili Street is a big success. Hawaii News Now.

Punawai Rest Stop homeless program recognizes one year anniversary. The city’s Punawai Rest Stop is a homeless program that is working. KHON2.

Hawaii Island


Property buyouts mulled: County will use HUD funds to purchase land from those wanting to leave areas impacted by eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Contract awarded for road and trail repairs in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park announced Tuesday that it has awarded a $3.3 million contract to a construction company to repair roads and trails that were damaged during the 2018 eruption of Kilauea. Tribune-Herald.

Eruption-Damaged Road Repairs In HVNP Set To Begin. Repairs to roads and paved trails in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park that were damaged during Kilauea Volcano’s 2018 eruption and summit collapse are set to begin in February. Big Island Video News.

Making housing affordable: Council panel advances resolution to reach solution. Government officials agree Hawaii County needs to construct more affordable housing, and there’s also agreement on the steps that can be taken to do it. But how to pay for it is open to debate. West Hawaii Today.

Audit sought for subdivision, zoning statutes. A Hawaii County Council committee voted in support of an audit that would be the first step in rewriting two chapters of the county code. Tribune-Herald.

Council members give thumbs down to Kim nominee. A Hawaii County Council committee voted against recommending a nominee to the Leeward Planning Commission Tuesday after a vetting process failed to discover a disciplinary complaint against him. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

In election year, search for new county clerk underway. New Maui County Council Chairwoman Alice Lee hopes to have candidates lined up for the Maui County clerk and deputy clerk positions — the county’s top two elections officials — in about two weeks. Maui News.

Westboro Baptist Church plans to picket at Maui High on Friday. Maui Baptist churches are denouncing and disassociating themselves from the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, a widely recognized hate group that has announced plans to protest at Maui High School on Friday. Maui News.

Public Meetings to Discuss Hana Highway Bridge Updates. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will host a series of public meetings to discuss a project to improve six of the historic bridges along the Hāna Highway (Route 360), located between Huelo and Hana town. Maui Now.


Kauai

Cat kills Hawaiian petrel. A cat has been terrorizing Hawaiian petrel burrows in the mountains of the Hono NaPali Natural Area Reserve, and its latest kill was a chick involved in a scientific tracking project. Garden Island.

Molokai

Power slowly being restored to Molokai after island-wide outage. Most on Molokai were without electricity for much of the day Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Court rules state agency can't keep data secret, crossing guards called off Mauna Kea, lawmakers mull home care licensing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2019 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Volunteer Mauna Kea Saddle Road crossing guards in July ©2019 All Hawaii News
As costs mount, Hawaii County pulls highway crossing guards from TMT protest site. With cars traveling at 60 mph along Daniel K. Inouye highway and police reporting near accidents, the private security was hired over the summer to keep motorists and pedestrians safe. Hawaii News Now.

Judge: State Can’t Keep Data Behind Its Budget Estimates Secret. A judge ruled the Hawaii Department of Taxation must make public the information and assumptions it relies on to develop revenue estimates for the Legislature. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Adult Care Home Bait-And-Switch Scheme Concerns Lawmakers. State lawmakers are considering further legislative action to tighten rules and stiffen penalties governing Hawaii’s unruly adult care home industry. Civil Beat.

Airline catering workers picket for better pay and healthcare . Dozens of airline catering workers took to the picket line today at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu Council Chair’s Staffer Announces Bid For Windward Seat. Ikaika Anderson is set to finish his third and last council term next year, and Alan Kekoa Texeira hopes to succeed him. Civil Beat.

City lawmaker pushing to restrict future turbines from being built too close to communities. A City lawmaker wants location restrictions on future turbine construction after one of the biggest issues over the controversial Na Pua Makani Wind Farm in Kahuku. KITV.

Annual survey allows Oahu residents to express opinion on city operations. It's a survey the city auditor hopes will make a difference. KITV.

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A first-of-its-kind ship launches service out of Oahu. After 14 years and $30 million, the Semisub One officially launched its service along Oahu’s coastline. Hawaii News Now.

Semisub tours underway after business’s rough start. After navigating more than a decade of construction problems, regulatory woes and angry investors, Semisub One LLC has finally launched commercial tours in Honolulu with a unique vessel that offers a view of Hawaii’s underwater world. Star-Advertiser.

The world's first SemiSub — a semi-submersible jet-powered catamaran that lets guests experience Hawaii waters without getting wet — officially launched with a blessing ceremony on Tuesday. SemiSub One features three decks, two full bars, an IMAX style theater, a lounge, and services pier-to-pier tours that include a 20 minute underwater viewing session. Pacific Business News.

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Honolulu Museum of Art’s Spalding House to hit market at $15 million. Elite Pacific Properties announced today it is listing the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Spalding House for $15 million. Star-Advertiser.

Retired Honolulu police officer charged with attempted sexual enticement of minor. A retired Honolulu police officer pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday of attempted sexual enticement of a 13-year-old boy. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Highway 132, cut off by lava last year, to reopen today. A 1.6-mile stretch of the upper portion of Highway 132 and a 1.5-mile section of the lower portion of the road were inundated and created a kipuka, or an isolated area cut off by last year’s lava flow. Tribune-Herald.

New Highway 132, Built Over 2018 Lava, Opens Wednesday. County officials announced on Tuesday that Highway 132 will has been restored to its pre-inundation function with two paved travel lanes and shoulders, and will open by at noon on Wednesday. Big Island Video News.

Highway 132 to Reopen Wednesday. Highway 132 in Pahoa, cut off to travel for more than a year by lava from the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea volcano, will reopen Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, at noon. Big Island Now.

Portion of Hawaii Island’s Highway 132 to reopen this week. More than a year after lava consumed a portion of Highway 132 on Hawaii Island, county officials announced the roadway will reopen this week. Hawaii News Now.

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Input sought on proposal to resume commercial aquarium fishing off West Hawaii. After a roughly two-year halt to commercial aquarium fishing off West Hawaii, the industry hopes an environmental review will help to revive their trade. Hawaii News Now.

Proposed Energy Code Changes On The Way. After receiving more than 200 proposed amendments, the Department of Public Works' proposal may go before a Hawaiʻi County Council committee next month for a hearing. Big Island Video News.

Sky is the limit: Friends of Greenwell planning big now that garden is theirs. Plans for a Kealakekua gem are in the works now that the Friends of Amy B. H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden purchased the land from the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Hana resident to launch new tour company. Hana resident Kaiolohia Funes Smith plans to launch a new tour company, Hana Air & Ground Tours, aimed at giving visitors a local’s perspective of the Maui town. Pacific Business News.


Kauai

Thanksgiving meals served today. On Kauai, meals will be served today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kauai War Memorial Convention Center, and 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Salvation Army Hanapepe Corps, 4465 Puolo Road, Hanapepe. Garden Island.

Lanai

 3,000 on Lana‘i Attend Annual Turkey and Rice Giveaway. Jim and Randy Coon, of Coon Brothers Inc, started the tradition back in the early 90’s as a way of bringing the Lānaʻi community together and helping out families who might not have the time or resources to purchase a Turkey from Maui. Maui Now.

Monday, February 11, 2019

Hawaii mops up after winter storm, Senate rejects marijuana edibles, Honolulu public-private rail partnership 4 months behind schedule, Big Island gets half the recovery money, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands


Strong winds are expected to ease on Monday after a potent winter storm pummeled the state just a day prior, toppling trees onto cars, sending waves washing onto roadways and triggering widespread power outages throughout the day. Hawaii News Now.

Although a statewide high wind warning has been canceled, a high surf warning is in effect for all islands along with scattered weather warnings and advisories as the low-pressure system passes north of Hawaii Island this morning. Star-Advertiser.

The bulk of the windy conditions is over for the islands. As a strong area of low pressure will lift northeastward and away from the state over the next couple of days, resulting in diminishing winds. KHON2.

PHOTOS: Wild winds and surf rock the Aloha State. KITV.

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Senate committee rejects sale of marijuana edibles. Star-Advertiser.

Should Hawaii Tax Carbon Emissions To Combat Climate Change? Several measures in the Legislature give the public a chance to weigh in on what could be a sweeping environmental policy reform. Civil Beat.

A bill to create a Hawaii Aerospace Development Corporation appears grounded for this legislative session. Tribune-Herald.

A  Senate panel Friday deferred a decision on whether to advance a controversial bill that would shut down the commercial collection of aquarium fish in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

The gender of Hawaii residents would no longer be included on limited-purpose driver’s licenses under a bill Hawaii lawmakers advanced Wednesday that aims to protect transgender people from discrimination. Star-Advertiser.

Taxpayers Hit With $1.1 Million Tab After State Settles Lawsuits. Civil Beat.

DOE, OIA respond to ACLU's federal lawsuit alleging Title IX violations. An update on the federal lawsuit the ACLU filed against the state Department of Education on December 6, 2018. KITV.

Commentary: As U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard struggles to right her faltering campaign for president, deafening in their silence are fellow Hawaii Democratic politicians who have been slow to back the hometown candidate. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The city’s critically important effort to launch a public-private partnership to complete the Honolulu rail project is running nearly four months behind the schedule mapped out by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation last year, but the head of the rail authority says the effort is still on track. Star-Advertiser.

The city’s two newest tools aimed at curbing homeless activity have unspecified legal problems that are preventing their enforcement, nearly four months after they became law. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless at Oneula Beack Park, also known as "Hau Bush,” say they were warned on Friday to get their vehicles out because the area will now be blocked off by boulders. The announcement comes the day after a sweep and heated town hall meeting, in which Ewa Beach residents complained that the park is overrun with rowdy squatters, dumping, and crime. Hawaii News Now.

Three Oahu areas named 'Worst cities to live in America'. The cities that made the list are said to have high crime rates, poverty, "weak job markets and little in the way of entertainment options or cultural attractions." KITV.

Hawaii lawmakers have reopened a debate over Kakaako building heights by proposing to allow at least two exceptionally tall towers. Star-Advertiser.

Birds escape from zoo enclosure after wind knocks tree onto cage. Two African ground hornbills escaped from their enclosure at the Honolulu Zoo in Waikiki Sunday. Hawaii News Now.

Calls for a shakeup at the Hawaiian Humane Society. Thirty current and former employees are calling for CEO Lisa Fowler's resignation. They formed a group called "People for Animals First." KITV.

East Honolulu school goes green with culture shift in the cafeteria. It’s lunch time at Mary, Star of the Sea School in Kahala. Plastic forks and water bottles are no where sight. Instead the kids use stainless steel trays and utensils. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A bill to provide $60 million in additional disaster aid to Hawaii County cleared four state House committees Friday with some strings attached. Tribune-Herald.

House lawmakers Friday approved a lava and flood disaster aid package for Hawaii County that includes $20 million the county can use as the local match for federal disaster assistance, and another $40 million in loans from the state to the county. Star-Advertiser.

A joint House Committee today voted to amend a bill to provide disaster relief funding for Hawaii County in the amount of $60 million, less than half the amount requested by the County at the beginning of the 2019 legislative session. Big Island Video News.

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Years of neglect led to Hawaii County spending $618,000 to rent last-minute daily substitute buses in December alone, but the Mass Transit Agency is working hard to stop the bleeding, Administrator Brenda Carreira told the County Council last week. West Hawaii Today.

A charter amendment that would have cut the annual open-space preservation set-aside from 2.25 percent of property tax revenues to 1 percent will not be on the 2020 ballot, following a failing vote Friday by the county Charter Commission. West Hawaii Today.

A proposal to put a land fund reduction to a public vote in 2020 failed at the Hawaii County Charter Commission on Friday. Big Island Video News.

Bills take on helicopter noise. Helicopter noise has long been a concern for many Big Island residents. Tribune-Herald.

The Kona Historical Society is moving forward with plans to construct a community gallery at its main campus in Kealakekua. West Hawaii Today.

A federal program could bring new money to parts of Kailua-Kona and Hilo by encouraging investment in low-income communities across the country dubbed Opportunity Zones. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Multiple Parking Violations at Hookipa Amid Mega Surf. Maui Now.

Restoration of forest key to fire control, expert says. Over the past century, there’s been a fourfold increase in the annual amount of acreage burned in Hawaii. Maui News.

A piece of Maui's housing market slumped in January, but median prices for homes sold last month were up modestly, according to industry data. Star-Advertiser.

40 years later, mystery still surrounds the Sarah Joe and its five Hana fishermen who didn’t return. Maui News.

Kauai

A proposed measure in the state House aiming to change the state’s water-use permitting system passed through a committee hearing on Friday, and the hearing’s public testimony threw the spotlight onto Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. Garden Island.

The Kauai Lifeguard Association’s goal is to help save lives. And they do so while trying to further an “Ocean-Minded Community.” Garden Island.

Two abandoned cars have been taking up space in the dirt parking lot by Wailua Beach Park. Garden Island.