Hawaii sends mixed signals on COVID restrictions, officers in court over 16-year-old's shooting death, missiles tested off Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii luau Aug. 12, 2021 Hawaii Quarantine Kapu Breakers Facebook page

Hawaii Greenlights Large Events Amid Surge In Covid Cases. Crowd size restrictions enacted by Gov. David Ige included exceptions for professionally planned events with more than 50 people, including weddings, concerts, festivals and conventions. Civil Beat.

Officials consider statewide curfew and new restrictions if COVID-19 cases continue to surge. Officials are also thinking about reinstating the safe travels program and implementing new enforcement plans for people who violate COVID-19 related rules. KITV4.

Hawaii Businesses Are Considering Vaccine Requirements For Customers. As the Covid-19 delta variant drives new cases, business groups are discussing whether to support policies requiring customers to be vaccinated. Civil Beat.

Survey of restaurant owners reveals most don’t support an employee vaccine mandate. About 90% of those who responded weren’t in favor, fearing they would lose workers. Hawaii News Now.

Union questions school safety as COVID-19 cases surge throughout the islands. The union representing Hawaii’s public school teachers is pressuring state officials to implement safer school conditions as COVID-19 cases surge throughout the islands and teachers express concerns about the safety of classrooms. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii students face a vaccine mandate or weekly testing. With the pandemic spiking to unprecedented levels, Hawaii’s institutions of higher learning are taking the extra step in an attempt to safeguard their campuses against the highly contagious delta variant, which is driving the surge. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds of COVID cases are reported daily, but it’s the undetected cases that worry scientist. Hundreds of COVID cases are reported in Hawaii daily. But there’s growing concern among scientists about the COVID cases going undetected. Hawaii News Now.

Aug. 17, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 460 New Cases in Hawai‘i. The confirmed cases included: 265 on O‘ahu (+65 probable); 74 on Hawai‘i Island (+10 probable); 19 on Maui (+2 probable); 15 on Kaua‘i; two on Molokaʻi; one on Lāna‘i; and six in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state (+1 probable). Maui Now.

Oahu

Attorneys at odds in recounting Iremamber Sykap shooting. Attorneys dueled Tuesday over the descriptions of the actions taken by three Honolulu police officers during 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap’s final moments as both sides sought to assign responsibility for the deadly showdown April 5 on Kalakaua Avenue. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Emerging Plan Would Pump Hotel Room Tax Revenue Into Rail. HART is looking into helping to cover a $3.6 billion shortfall with a share of a new 3% city hotel tax, but the City Council is noncommittal and the hotel industry is wary. Planners with the Honolulu rail authority are analyzing how much money could be raised to help fund construction of the unfinished transit line if the city imposes its own hotel room tax and gives the project a share of the money. Civil Beat.

Facing New Covid Cases, Waianae School Returns to Distance Learning. Kamaile Academy’s principal informed parents of the move in a letter sent Monday. Civil Beat.

Nonprofit to hold meeting on cesspool solutions. Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations will hold an “Innovations in Sanitation” meeting from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. today at the Pacific Club with presentations by policymakers, engineers, community organizations and wastewater professionals. Star-Advertiser.

Ocean Safety conducts 271 rescues, 2,100 preventative actions in high Oahu surf. In powerful waves with up to 12-foot faces today on Oahu’s South Shore, Honolulu Ocean Safety personnel made 271 rescues, and took over 2,100 preventative rescues, the Honolulu Emergency Services Department reported shortly after 4 p.m. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Clamping down: County could return to beach closures amid coronavirus spike. Closing parks and beaches and canceling the Ironman World Championship are among measures being considered by Mayor Mitch Roth as the administration works to tamp down a surging coronavirus pandemic on the island. West Hawaii Today.

Help Arrives At Kona Community Hospital. Thirty-three critical care nurses and three respiratory therapists were welcomed to Kona Community Hospital by leadership and nursing managers on Monday morning. Big Island Video News.

Relief arrives at HMC: 11 nurses, respiratory therapist will help ease ‘exhaustion, frustration’. Twelve relief workers showed up Monday at Hilo Medical Center for an eight-week stint to help care for COVID-19 patients. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Hospital Offers Booster Shots to Certain Individuals. Queen’s North Hawai´i Community Hospital announced that as of Tuesday, Aug. 17, it was offering the booster to patients who qualify. It is the first healthcare facility in Hawai´i County to offer the shot publicly. Big Island Now.

Council members hear pitch on Sentinel Landscape designation. Hawaii County might seek a partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies in an attempt to obtain federal conservation funds. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Sato named parks deputy director. Mayor Michael Victorino has appointed Marci Sato as deputy director of the county Department of Parks & Recreation. Maui News.

The VA Is Shopping For Land For A ‘One-Stop Shop’ Clinic In Maui. The VA would own the new facility, which would consolidate medical care, mental health and benefits for veterans on the Valley Isle. Civil Beat.

Lottery Applications Being Taken for Buying Home in New Maui Workforce Complex. Alaula Builders is working through the last steps of the permitting process and is expecting to break ground this summer on Hale Kaiola, 20 affordable workforce duplexes on three acres in North Kīhei. Maui Now.

Median housing prices surpass $1 million for 3 months in a row. Maui County single-family home median sales prices have surpassed $1 million for three months in a row, capping the first half of the year, which shows record or near record-setting medians each month. Maui News.

Kauai

Marines fire Naval Strike Missiles from Kauai. During the two-week Large Scale Exercise 2021, which ended Monday, groups of Hawaii-based artillery Marines came ashore at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai via big hovercraft and MV-22 tilt-rotor Ospreys. Star-Advertiser.

Kauaʻi Mayor Says 'We Need People to Stay Healthy'. Mayor of Kauaʻi Derek Kawakami is urging residents and visitors to heed the directive from State Health Director Libby Char: mask up and get vaccinated. Hawaii Public Radio.

Island health care must attract Kaua‘i talent, administrators say. A long-term-care facility is offering tuition reimbursement for anyone completing the certified nursing assistant course and going to work there. Garden Island.

Project Vision’s mobile shower continues to make the rounds. Project Vision and Hiehie partnered with several groups to anchor a weekly schedule of shower appearances following the close of the county’s Shelter-In-Place sites across the island. Garden Island.

Tourists attacked in Waikiki, Hana road blocked by locals as aloha turns to anger against Hawaii visitors; 14-day quarantine for travelers begins, residents batten down for extended social distancing, more top COVID-19 and other news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pocket park in Waikiki ©2020 All Hawaii News

Visitors who took advantage of cheap airfare attacked in Waikiki amid growing virus fears. A mainland family who took advantage of the cheap airfares to Hawaii found themselves being victimized for it in Waikiki on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Closed? Tourists stuck on road to Hana. With no enforcement, local groups set up road blocks. Haiku resident Ramana Sawyer, who manages the Twin Falls attraction and the farm stand, said that he closed access to the area last Wednesday in response to recent county and state announcements. He still had to turn around more than 300 people Thursday. Maui News.

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Mandatory quarantine for all arrivals start Thursday. Starting tomorrow, the state will start placing everyone arriving at the airports under quarantine. Returning residents will have to stay home, while visitors will be forced to remain in their hotel room for two weeks. KHON2.

State's 14-day mandatory quarantine will apply to all arrivals, residents and non-residents. Governor David Ige issued an order to help stop COVID-19 from spreading and it goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. KITV4.

Southwest joins others in making cuts. Southwest Airlines is among the last of the carriers to announce flight reductions for Hawaii, which relies almost exclusively on airlift to bring visitors to the tourism-dependent state. Star-Advertiser.

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State health officials projecting the effects of COVID-19 in Hawaii could last months. State health officials are projecting the coronavirus will be a serious threat to Hawaii for up to five months with the peak of the outbreak yet to come. Star-Advertiser.

Ige: Staying at home the only way to beat COVID-19. Gov. David Ige on Wednesday recognized the challenges faced by Hawaii residents during the statewide lockdown aimed at slowing the progression of COVID-19, and discussed ongoing efforts to provide relief to those affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Tribune-Herald.

State Takes Steps to Help Hawai‘i Residents amid COVID-19 Pandemic. With the first day of the statewide stay-at-home order in the books, Gov. David Ige emphasized the importance of compliance in combating the coronavirus pandemic. Big Island Now.

5 New Cases of COVID-19: Hawaii State Total 95. As of noon on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the state total count of positive coronavirus cases was 95, including 4 new cases on Oʻahu; and one new case each on Maui and Kauaʻi.  Maui’s island count is now 13. Maui Now.

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Hawaii jobless rate tops 10% with 58,000 out of work. Estimated unemployment in Hawaii surged past 10% Wednesday, but extra financial relief for workers laid off or furloughed could be arriving relatively soon. Star-Advertiser.

As Hawaii’s economy falters, construction is a rare bright spot. While so much of Hawaii’s economy is grinding to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hawaii’s construction industry is ramping up. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Visitor Arrivals Down 87% to 4,131 on Tuesday from 32,330 on the Same Day in 2019. Maui Now.

State offering financial help. State officials on Wednesday announced a host of efforts intended to ease the financial blow from the new coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

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

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Ige, Green Smooth Over Differences On COVID-19 Response. Hawaii’s lieutenant governor said he and the governor talked about working more closely together on the coronavirus crisis. Civil Beat.

Green briefs County Council: Lt. Gov. pushes for stricter coronavirus protections. Lt. Gov. Josh Green vowed Wednesday to continue his message of greater social distancing, more coronavirus testing and stricter laws to cut off the deadly disease before it overtakes the islands — regardless of what’s been going on in state Capitol corridors. West Hawaii Today.

Lt Gov Green Gets Into The Nitty Gritty On COVID-19 Readiness. Big Island Video News.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green Addresses Alleged COVID-19 Response Exclusion. Green clarified his role in the statewide effort to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and said that if his recommendations aren't being received adequately, he will "tell the entire planet." Big Island Video News.

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Chief justice wants jail populations reduced to limit COVID-19 infections. Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald has directed some top Hawaii judges to work with police and prosecutors to identify jail inmates who can be quickly released to reduce the inmate population in Hawaii’s packed jails to try to prevent the spread of coronavirus among the prisoners and staff. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Prison Plan For COVID-19 Emphasizes Hygiene Over Inmate Releases. The state says that, despite overcrowding, there will be room to isolate sick inmates. Civil Beat.

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From South America to Hawaii Without A Single Health Check. As the coronavirus pandemic spread across the globe, Americans returning to the U.S. were entering the country without any health screening. Hawaii Public Radio.

Boat Harbor Restrooms Reopen To Ensure Availability for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness. Effective now, all DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation restrooms statewide at small boat harbors and boat ramps across the state will reopen, to observe CDC guidance for ensuring availability of toilets and hand washing facilities for people experiencing homelessness during this COVID-19 emergency. Maui Now.

EPA blocks unregistered disinfectant from entering Hawaii ports. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today said it has stopped several shipments of an illegal health product – Virus Shut Out — from entering U.S. Pacific ports due to violations of federal pesticide laws. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Will Increase Meals To Meet High Demand. DOE officials acknowledge meal shortages at some sites. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Homes Loan Payments Deferred For 6 Months. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Hawaiian Homes Commission has approved an emergency postponement of mortgage payments for DHHL direct loans. Big Island Video News.

Visitor industry is ready to help with crisis. The industry has offered support to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency from employee resources to hotel repurposing. HI-EMA is also evaluating the Hawai‘i Convention Center for medical overflow options if needed. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Said It Would Reopen Public Bathrooms. It Hasn’t. The CDC says park bathrooms should be open 24 hours a day. Honolulu still isn’t following those guidelines. Civil Beat.

City works to reopen park comfort stations . Officials say that they have been working to open these facilities and that they will be locked during the evening park closure hours, which has been done before. KHON2.

Malls and beaches empty, stores close and layoffs mount as stay-at-home order sets in. Waikiki, the state’s No. 1 tourist destination, was all but deserted Wednesday. Malls looked like ghost towns with most of their retail shops closed. And popular beaches were empty. Hawaii News Now.

Blood Bank of Hawaii asking Oahu residents to keep donating. The Blood Bank of Hawaii is putting out a desperate call for donations during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Blood Banks Need Your Help To Avert ‘A State Crisis’. Supplies are dropping and hospitals are conserving blood as much as possible. But health officials say it’s still safe to give blood. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

COVID-19: Kiaʻi Leave Maunakea, Observatories Suspend Operations. Activity on Maunakea has come to a halt due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, as Thirty Meter Telescope opponents and existing observatory personnel are staying at home. Big Island Video News.

Coronavirus threat prompts TMT opponents to pull back from Mauna Kea protest camp. After more than eight months of nonviolent protests at the base of the Mauna Kea Access Road, the opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope are pulling out of their camp and telling their supporters to take shelter from the novel coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

TMT Protest Camp Packs Up Due To COVID-19. Camp elders promised to return if construction is planned to resume. Civil Beat.

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Nurse Believes Big Island Hospital’s Policies Could Spread COVID-19. A 20-year veteran of Hilo Medical Center is concerned that a lack of personal protective equipment, coupled with what she described as unsound hospital policy, could turn a facility on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hawai‘i into an epicenter for its spread. Big Island Now.

Few out and about on first day of statewide lockdown. Whether it was because of Gov. David Ige’s order to lock down the state or simply due to inclement weather, few people were out and about on the first day of the state’s five-week stay-at-home order. Tribune-Herald.

North Hawaii Community Hospital seeks masks, other gear. Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea is participating in a statewide drive to collect personal protective equipment, or PPE, for health care workers. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Some call to open county restrooms. Homeless and their advocates call it health issue. Maui News.

Maui Critical Service Providers Seek Public Donations of Protective Equipment. Maui non-profit organizations Aloha House, (including Maui Counseling Group), Mālama Family Recovery Center, and Maui Youth and Family Services, are seeking the public’s help to obtain personal protective equipment, so their staff can help clients with critical substance abuse and mental health treatment needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui Now.

Many Maui Hotels Temporarily Suspend Operations. The list of hotels around Maui and across the state are rolling out plans to address the reduced visitor load and mass cancellations as mandatory quarantines for arriving travelers, and newly implemented stay-at-home orders go into effect. Maui Now.

Kauai

Learning new rules. Mayor Derek Kawakami re-emphasized the bottom line of this Emergency Rule No. 5, which localized Gov. David Ige’s statewide stay-at-home order, a rule that took effect Wednesday just after midnight. Garden Island.

Budget talks to continue. The Kaua‘i County Council convened differently on Wednesday, as Councilmembers Luke Evslin and Mason Chock participated remotely via telecommunications in the meeting to practice social distancing amid the current COVID-19 outbreak. Garden Island.

Residents hopeful on day one of stay at home. Amid a stay-at-home order and travel quarantines for those traveling to Hawai‘i from the mainland or internationally, families on Kaua‘i are finding ways to cope, follow rules and support the community. Garden Island.

KPD looks to restructure salaries. Promotions within the Kaua‘i Police Department have been difficult to fulfill due to pay inversions, and KPD Chief Todd Raybuck believes he’s found a cost-effective solution. Garden Island.

Spring break extended for Hawaii schools, Ala Moana mall cuts back hours, 7th COVID-19 case identified, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii schoolchildren ©2020 All Hawaii News

Hawaii Public Schools Spring Break To Be Extended A Week. The state public schools will extend its spring break an extra week, with students now scheduled to return to classes on March 30, Gov. David Ige announced Sunday. Hawaii Public Radio.

School closures extended. Hawaii public schools will remain closed for an additional week of spring break to allow school administrators and staff time to evaluate and respond to newly emerging recommendations for controlling the spread of COVID-19, Gov. David Ige announced Sunday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Public Schools Extend Spring Break Due To Coronavirus. The state has now confirmed seven cases of COVID-19. Civil Beat.

DOE extends spring break one week for students in light of coronavirus concerns. Classes for public school students in Hawaii won’t resume until March 30 after Gov. David Ige announced spring break was extended an additional week in light of the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

The state Department of Education extended spring break for public and charter schools through Monday, March 30 on Sunday as the number of presumed positive cases of COVID-19 rose to seven in Hawai‘i. Garden Island.

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COVID-19 Cases Hit 7, Schools Close, Businesses Asked to Allow Work From Home. Gov. David Ige at a press conference Sunday afternoon confirmed two major developments in the COVID-19 global pandemic as it relates specifically to Hawai‘i — that a seventh case has been confirmed and that schools statewide will remain closed through the end of March. Big Island Now.

New travel-related cases of coronavirus on Oahu, Maui bring statewide total to 7. The governor reported three new travel-related cases of coronavirus in Hawaii on Sunday — bringing the statewide total to seven — and said while there’s still no evidence that the virus is spreading in the community, residents should take steps now to prepare for that in the near future. Hawaii News Now.

7th positive COVID-19 case announced in Hawaii, all cases related to travel. Another presumptive positive case for the coronavirus has been announced, bringing up the state total to seven cases on March 15. KHON2.

Seven total COVID-19 cases in Hawaii as of Sunday. Governor says these patients got sick outside of Hawaii. KITV4.

Kamehameha Schools starts spring break early in response to coronavirus situation. Kamehameha Schools Kapalama said today it will begin spring break on Tuesday, earlier than scheduled in response to the developing COVID-19 situation. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 concerns prompts Kamehameha Schools Kapalama to start spring break early. Spring break will now start on Tuesday, March 17. Students are currently scheduled to return to school on April 6. KITV4.

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Hawaiian Airlines Cutting Flights Systemwide Due To Virus. Capacity will be reduced up to 10% in April and up to 20% in May, and a hiring freeze is now in place. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Suspends Service to Australia, New Zealand. Hawaiian Airlines won’t be flying anywhere down under for the immediate future. Big Island Now.

Hawaiian Airlines suspends flights to, from Australia and New Zealand. Hawaiian Airlines announced Sunday that it was suspending all routes to and from Australia and New Zealand in response to new restrictions on entry into those two countries. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii inventor creates COVID-19 app to stop people from touching their face. Just say, JalapeNO! with the app that buzzes every time you touch your face, now available on Fitbit Ionic. KITV4.

Social distancing is crucial, Ige says. State officials emphasized again Sunday that “social distancing” will be key in helping to reduce the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Diana Ross Hawaii concerts canceled over coronavirus concerns. Diana Ross’ Hawaii concert dates have been canceled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, according to Hawaii-based concert promoter, Rick Bartalini Presents. Star-Advertiser.


Hawai‘i Judiciary Limiting Access to Facilities. The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary announced today that beginning Monday, March 16, it will restrict access to anyone who has a fever, cough, or other respiratory symptoms; has traveled outside Hawaiʻi in the past 14 days; or who has had close prolonged contact with a person who has or is suspected to have COVID-19. Maui Now.

Public Safety Department is urged to have plan for prisons and jails during coronavirus pandemic. The Community Alliance on Prisons and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii are urging the state Department of Public Safety and legislators to prepare now for the new coronavirus by having a plan in place for those incarcerated within the state system, including those in Arizona. Star-Advertiser.

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Advocates seek to rid Hawaii of 88,000 cesspools. Two advocates committed to protecting Hawaii’s waters and coral reefs have launched a new nonprofit to help rid the state of cesspools that pose a threat to public health and the marine environment. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers review restricting landfill sites. A heavy load of public testimony has been dumped on Hawaii lawmakers this year over a bill that largely aims to distance residential communities from landfills. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gun Violence Commission Would Leave The Public In The Dark. The Legislature has proposed creating a new group to help tackle violent crimes but exempting it from the Sunshine Law. Civil Beat.

Aloha ʻAina Party Now Official In Hawaii. Pua Ishibashi spoke to media at the foot of the Kamehameha Statue in Hilo on Friday afternoon. Big Island Video News.

Heiress said her estate won’t go to Hawaiians. Campbell Estate heiress Abigail Kawananakoa told a psychiatrist in January that she changed her mind about leaving the bulk of her estate to the Hawaiian people, a statement that contradicts her testimony in court last week. Star-Advertiser.

Advocates Want More Emphasis On High Quality Pre-K In Early Education Bill. A proposal to provide more preschool programs for Hawaii’s toddlers passed the House last week. But division remains about what those programs should look like. Civil Beat.

Oahu

‘Iolani School suspending operations Monday, parent in coronavirus testing protocol. ‘Iolani School is suspending on-campus academic operations as of Monday due to coronavirus concerns. Head of school Dr. Timothy Cottrell said ‘Iolani is aware of at least one parent in the COVID-19 testing protocol and is awaiting results. Star-Advertiser.

Iolani School temporarily suspends on-campus classes, moves to online distance learning. In a major first step for large Hawaii private schools, Iolani School announced their decision Sunday to switch to online distance learning as the number cases of coronavirus in Hawaii slowly climbs. Hawaii News Now.

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Ala Moana Center to cut hours, open weekdays noon to 7 p.m. Ala Moana Center is cutting back its hours, starting Monday the mall hours will be noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; some restaurants may be open later. Star-Advertiser.

To reduce crowds and contact, Ala Moana Center slashes hours. The world’s largest outdoor mall, Ala Moana Center, is cutting back their hours during the coronavirus pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

State's largest mall cuts hours due to COVID-19. The mall is shortening its operating times by almost five hours a day. KITV4.

COVID-19 won’t delay rail’s scheduled opening this year, says the head of HART. The head of Honolulu’s $9.2 billion rail project said he is fairly confident the repercussions from the worldwide coronavirus outbreak will not negatively affect the project’s scheduled opening for the first segment later this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Drive-through testing coming: Meanwhile, cruises cancelled; Matson pushes back against rumors; first random virus tests negative. Hilo Medical Center on Tuesday will open a COVID-19 drive-through area to collect samples to be sent away for testing. Tribune-Herald.

North Hawaii Community Hospital to be COVID-19 testing site. Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea will be a testing site for COVID-19 starting this week. West Hawaii Today.

YWAM students returning home. Discipleship Training School students at Youth With a Mission in Kona returning from three months abroad will be monitored at the University of the Nations. West Hawaii Today.

Courts, cops, cells and COVID-19: Criminal justice system in Hawaii wrestles with virus threat. As of Feb. 29, Hawaii Community Correctional Center, which has an operating bed capacity of 226 inmates, had a population of 408 inmates — 325 men and 83 women. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian family claims ownership of Kohala shoreline parcel. A Native Hawaiian family claiming ownership of a Kohala shoreline parcel sparked a heated outburst from a sovereignty activist that temporarily shut down a Planning Committee hearing last week, but ended with the parcel moving forward to a rezoning. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Air Canada flight attendant is Maui’s first COVID-19 case. An Air Canada flight attendant who developed symptoms of COVID-19 after arriving on Maui is the island’s first confirmed case of the virus, Gov. David Ige announced Sunday afternoon. Maui News.

Maui Arts & Cultural Center Announces Pause In Programming. In support of current County, State, and Federal governmental and health agency recommendations, and in light of the worldwide efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Maui Arts & Cultural Center has postponed all public programming until further notice. Maui Now.

Maui County COVID-19 cancellations, closures, postponements. The Maui News has compiled a list of countywide cancellations, closures and postponements due to novel coronavirus. Maui News.

Kauai

Silent danger lurks. The Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee’s mission continues to evolve with the ever-changing ecosystem, which the Kapa‘a-based nonprofit organization was built to protect. Garden Island.

Federal judge mulls Hawaii gay marriage ban, state doesn't know results of $1B tech credits, Ethics Commission fines 22 for not filing, Honolulu airport in top three for pandemic fears, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu civil unions protest (c) 2012 All Hawaii News

A federal judge will rule later on Hawaii's ban on same-sex marriage after hearing more than two hours of arguments Tuesday on the legal landscape here and around the country on the controversial topic. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie should remain as a defendant in a lawsuit against the state by two women who want to get married, but he believes a ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, a lawyer representing him said in court Tuesday. Associated Press.

The state auditor says because of a weak law, the state doesn't know the impact of $1 billion spent in tax credits to boost the high-tech industry in Hawaii in areas such as biotechnology, software and alternative energy. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii State Teachers Association President Wil Okabe has accused Gov. Neil Abercrombie of being "infected by the Mainland political strategy of attacking teacher unions" and having better things to spend money on than schools. Civil Beat.

The state Ethics Commission is fining 22 state House and Senate candidates — including several incumbents — $25 each for failing to meet a deadline for filing financial disclosure statements. Hawaii Reporter

The Hawaii state Judicial Council is looking to fill a vacancy on the Hawaii State Ethics Commission created by the departure of Jacqueline Kido. Pacific Business News.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii announcement on Tuesday that she received the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Don Young. Hawaii Reporter.

Economic conditions for Hawaii's children have worsened over the past several years, but there have been gains made in education. Associated Press.

State roundup for July 25. Associated Press.

Oahu
Although he's been out of office for a decade, Ben Cayetano is hardly an unknown commodity in Hawaii politics: 28 years in elected office, the last eight as governor, and all three decades of public service as a card-carrying Democrat. Star-Advertiser.

The last time Ben Cayetano was on a ballot was in 1998. He was running for his second term as Hawaii’s governor. Civil Beat.

Less than six months after problems surfaced at the Next Step homeless shelter in Kakaako, residents and some state officials are worried things may be getting worse. Civil Beat.

By early August, drivers will begin steering along reconfigured onramps and offramps on the H-1 freeway between Punahou Street and the Punchbowl area when the state completes a re-striping project that will add a fourth lane in each direction. Star-Advertiser.

Scientists are set to begin testing for geothermal energy potential on Oahu and other Hawaiian islands. Civil Beat.

The Massachucetts Institute of Technology study points to New York, Los Angeles and Honolulu as the three top airports as the most likely places to spread an infectious diseases in the early days of a pandemic. KITV4.

Among the players in the University of Hawaii’s recent fundraising fiasco are: a recently bankrupted local entertainment promoter whose home is now in foreclosure; a Florida firm that only began business in February; and a commercial painting contractor with a history of bad debts. Hawaii Reporter.

The local promoter at the center of the failed UH Stevie Wonder concert -- canceled two weeks ago -- has encountered serious financial problems in recent years. Hawaii News Now.

A Honolulu City Council Committee passed a resolution today urging the State to tighten rules for pig hunting dogs. Hawaii Public Radio.

The city says a Kalihi apartment building has been releasing sewage into a stream for at least two weeks. KHON2.

Hawaii

Pick five Hawaii County residents out of any supermarket checkout line and chances are good that at least one is buying groceries with food stamps. Tribune-Herald.

In a trend that has worsened over the past years, children in Hawaii are more likely to be living in poverty, have parents lacking secure employment and are living in households with a high housing cost burden, according to a national survey released today. West Hawaii Today.

Democrats will have a choice between a former union leader and a first-term County Council member in the state House District 3 primary. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lifelong residents of rural Olowalu in West Maui say their town wants the proposed improvements and amenities that would come with plans to build some 1,500 housing units in the area. Maui News.

A candidate forum featuring Maui County candidates in contested raced in the Aug. 11 primary election will be televised 6 to 9 tonight on Akaku Channels 52, 53 and 54. Maui News.

Last week, Hui No Ke Ola Pono, a native Hawaiian health care center, installed Lui Hokoana as their board of director’s president along with several new officers at the J. Walter Cameron Center in Wailuku. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced it will be strictly enforcing state parks rules, including those that prohibit dogs on the beach. Garden Island.

Phyllis Kunimura, Koloa Plantation Days Board President, was pleased people were talking Monday night at The Shops at Kukui‘ula. Garden Island.