Green signs emergency proclamation to speed home construction, Tropical Storm Calvin expected to pass Big Island tonight, Kunia Village given OK to drink the water, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green signs Hawaii housing emergency proclamation.  An emergency proclamation signed Monday by Gov. Josh Green kick-starts a one-year revolution in how homes are built across the islands with the ambitious goals of quickly getting 50,000 new units up, cutting prices and keeping Hawaii residents from leaving one of the most expensive states in the country while bringing expats home. Critics question the decision to suspend laws to streamline the approval process for development. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4. 

Full text of governor's emergency proclamation on housing can be found here.

Tropical Storm Calvin churns toward island chain. At 5 a.m. Tuesday, Tropical Storm Calvin had sustained winds of 45 mph with higher gusts and was situated about 395 miles east of Hilo, tracking westward near 22 mph. Calvin is forecast to gradually weaken during the next few days. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.  Star-Advertiser.  KHON2.

Campaign Cash Slows To A Trickle For Hawaii Delegation In The Absence Of Competition. The latest filings with the FEC show Hirono, who is on the ballot in 2024, collected several hundred thousand dollars for her campaign. Civil Beat.

Plea deal eyed for top Public Safety trainer accused of lying on resume to get promoted. A plea deal is in the works for the state Public Safety Department’s top trainer, who is facing felony perjury charges and other counts. Hawaii News Now.

Global defense firm founder on leave due to probe.  Christopher Mailani Dawson, founder of global government contractor Hawaiian Native Corp. and its 11 DAWSON subsidiaries placed himself on administrative leave pending the outcome of a federal investigation into potential financial and tax crimes. Star-Advertiser.
 
Oahu

Kunia Village given OK to drink tap water again.  Hundreds of residents of Kunia Village have finally been given the all-clear to resume drinking their tap water after two wells that supplied their potable water tested positive for chemicals called PFAS earlier this year. Star-Advertiser.

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi shared its stance on the Honolulu rail following Skyline's grand opening.  The  Institute's analysis points to the low ridership numbers. It says for every $3 ride, taxpayers will be subsiding the costs by $51. Hawaii Public Radio.

Four HPD recruits hospitalized after suffering exhaustion from self-defense exercises.  Four Honolulu Police recruits were taken to a hospital Monday after suffering from exhaustion during self-defense exercises at the police training academy on Waipahu Depot Street. This incident comes five days after another HPD recruit was hospitalized in serious condition after accidentally shooting himself. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu Jail Search Turns Up Drugs, Paraphernalia And Illicit Cellphones. The "shakedown" was partly prompted by unconfirmed reports that the beating death of an inmate was recorded on a cellphone, according to staff. Civil Beat.

Oahu’s Waianae Coast most vulnerable to natural disasters. The  Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center  is working on a slew of projects to improve emergency preparedness and overall food security on the Waianae Coast, such as the construction of a resilience hub to shelter displaced residents, and a “food system campus” at the health center that will support agricultural learning, native crop production, a food bank and other food-related endeavors. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Tropical storm warning issued for Hawaii County. Tropical Storm Calvin on Monday was slowly weakening as it headed toward the Big Island, but it was moving rapidly to the west at 22 mph and was expected to hit the island tonight or Wednesday morning. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Two emergency shelters being prepped ahead of Tropical Storm Calvin. Two emergency shelters are being readied in the Ka‘ū District ahead of Tropical Storm Calvin, which is expected to make landfall late Tuesday afternoon. Big Island Now.

Group pulls plug on Hilo bottling plant. A second attempt to build a bottling plant in Hilo has been abandoned after community opposition. The 1893 Beverage and Kanaka Cafe was a proposed facility that would extract and bottle water from an aquifer beneath Hilo, the second such project in five years planned for the same site. Tribune-Herald.

Work on NAS Swimming Pool 50% complete.  Long-delayed court-ordered construction to bring the closed NAS Swimming Pool up to Americans With Disabilities Act standards is going “full steam ahead,” according to Parks and Recreation Director Maurice Messina. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Island Water Use and Development Plan approved by state.  The state has adopted the Maui Island Water Use and Development Plan, providing policies for the protection, management and use of water resources over a 20-year period, Councilmember Shane M. Sinenci announced Monday. Maui Now.

Maui Dept. of Agriculture marks one-year anniversary with open house, July 20. The County of Maui Department of Agriculture is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a public open house from 2 to 6 p.m., July 20 at the department office at 2154 Kaohu St. in Wailuku. The event is weather permitting. Maui Now.

Public talk story session July 20, on the sustainable development of tourism.  The Hulihia Center for Sustainable Systems seeks community input as they launch their new project focused on advancing the sustainable development of the tourism industry across Maui Nui.  Maui Now.

Kauai

A ‘Complete Rebuild’ Is Underway For Kauai’s Hobbled Water Utility. The county water department has fallen woefully behind while shuffling through six managers in eight years. Civil Beat.

New Kilauea preschool opens in August.  A new public preschool classroom at Kilauea School is one of 10 others across the state set to open next month, as part of a more than $200 million plan to expand preschool and child care options in Hawai‘i. Garden Island.

Hawaii hits 16.7% COVID positivity rate, Ige postpones public meeting requirement, Maui requires booster for indoor dining, bars, gyms, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Fewer hospitalizations expected during Omicron surge, but experts remain concerned. Hospitalizations are rising again and are expected to peak in late January but not at levels seen during the Delta surge. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii sees 3,178 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 118,820. The state’s 7-day average positivity rate is 16.7% The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 2,495 new cases on Oahu, 238 on Hawaii Island, 225 on Maui, 129 on Kauai, 16 on Molokai, 14 on Lanai, and 61 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Not ready yet: Public participation in meetings to continue remotely. A new law setting stricter rules for governmental bodies holding remote meetings, including a requirement to provide a physical location for the public to testify, is supposed to go into effect Saturday, but Gov. David Ige has delayed that part of the new law in an emergency proclamation effective through Feb. 28. West Hawaii Today. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now.

Decision by Hawaii Supreme Court leads to dismissal of dozens of cases. A recent Hawaii Supreme Court ruling asserting that criminal complaints may be dismissed if they do not follow a procedural law requiring a signed affidavit or official declaration from the complaining party is resulting in the dismissal of dozens of misdemeanor cases. Star-Advertiser.

Minimum wage increase in Hawaii gaining momentum. State House Speaker Scott Saiki said he plans to introduce a bill to boost Hawaii’s minimum wage from $10.10 an hour to eventually $18 an hour. Star-Advertiser.

It Is Now Illegal To Kill Or Capture Sharks In Hawaiʻi. As of January 1, it is illegal to knowingly capture, entangle, or kill any species of shark in State marine waters. Big Island Video News.

Climate change plays factor in fewer humpback whale sightings in Hawaii, scientists find. As Hawaii’s 2021-2022 humpback whale season gets underway, scientists say they hope to see population numbers continue to recover after an estimated 50% plunge in 2015-2016. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Councilman Augie Tulba’s role in TV commercial raises questions for elected officials participating in advertisements. Honolulu Councilman Augie Tulba’s starring role in a commercial for a rental car company is raising questions about the rules for elected officials in advertisements. Star-Advertiser.

Planning Costs Climb For New Oahu Jail As Debate Drags On Over Its Scope. If lawmakers agree, the total sum committed to planning may be $35 million for a lockup the governor believes might eventually cost $1 billion. Civil Beat.

Wages For Many On Oahu Fail To Keep Pace With Soaring Prices. Costs for volatile items like food and gas are expected to level off or decrease, but not for a while, leaving many to struggle. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Marines, law enforcement to drill on raids. Marines and local law enforcement personnel begin training today at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for raiding operations on both land and sea. The exercise is scheduled to last until Jan. 13. Star-Advertiser.

The first class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of residents affected by Navy’s tainted water crisis. Attorneys Terry Revere and Michael Green filed the suit on behalf of all residents of military housing affected by the petroleum contamination — that affected 93,000 people on the Pearl Harbor water system. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Mayor’s Stance On Navy Water Crisis: No Comment. The mayor praised the head of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply but wouldn’t echo his calls to drain the Red Hill fuel tanks. Civil Beat.

Contractors play key role in Red Hill fuel storage operations. As the Navy continues to wrestle with the consequences of the contamination of its water system from its underground Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, the complexity of its fueling operations comes under increasing scrutiny — particularly when it comes to maintenance work at the aging fuel farm. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

‘Just hop on the bus’: Council bill would make bus rides free thanks to grants. Bus rides may be free for the next two years if a bill being discussed by the Hawaii County Council passes. Tribune-Herald.

Another blow for Honua Ola. The state’s Consumer Advocate has filed a document with the Public Utilities Commission saying “due to remaining questions and concerns, it is unable to recommend approval” of Honua Ola Bioenergy, the nearly completed biomass power plant in Pepeekeo. Tribune-Herald.

Taking to the skies: Homeless camps mapped for outreach, Point In Time Count. Flying in a helicopter in the skies over North Kona, Linda Thomas-Vandervoort was able to assess West Hawaii’s homeless population from a different angle. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui County: Covid Booster Will Be Required For Indoor Dining, Bars And Gyms. As omicron spreads, Maui County will require people eligible for booster shots to get them to be considered fully vaccinated. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Boil water advisory remains in effect for residents on Maui. Due to the possible trace of E-coli bacteria in the tap water waterline maintenance continues to flush waterlines in the affected areas. KITV4.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County Council look at infrastructure, housing as policy goals for next year. The next Kaua‘i County Council meeting isn’t until Jan. 12, but councilmembers are continuing to work toward county issues behind the scenes. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Mayor Kawakami sets 2022 goals. Mayor Derek Kawakami is optimistic going into 2022. Garden Island.

Ige's 7th proclamation reopens some malls, shopping centers; Honolulu and Maui mayors disagree; health experts say it's too soon; Young Bros. curtails shipping, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige in May 5, 2020, Facebook live press conference

Read the full text of Gov. David Ige's 7th Supplemental Emergency Proclamation HERE.

Ige loosens restrictions with ‘safer-at-home’ proclamation. More Hawaii businesses will be permitted to reopen Thursday as per a new emergency proclamation from Gov. David Ige. Tribune-Herald.

Gov. Ige announces phase 1 of re-opening businesses across Hawaii. After another day that saw new positive COVID-19 cases in the single digits, Governor David Ige held a news conference to announce his 7th Supplemental Emergency Proclamation, which initiates phase 1 of re-opening Hawaii businesses across the state starting May 7th. KHON2.


Hawaii shopping malls among businesses allowed to reopen. More than two weeks of single-digit daily new cases of coronavirus is allowing Hawaii to take the next step in reopening the state’s economy, Gov. David Ige said Tuesday in announcing more businesses that will be allowed to operate. Associated Press.

First Phase Of Hawaii Reopening Begins May 7. Governor David Ige has signed the 7th Supplemental Emergency Proclamation, announcing Phase 1 of opening businesses and activities. Big Island Video News.


Hawai‘i Economy to Begin Reopening Thursday. People and businesses in Hawai‘i will operate a little more freely starting May 7, as Gov. David Ige on Tuesday announced phase one of the state’s economic reopening. Big Island Now.

State says retailers on Oahu, Maui won’t be allowed to reopen this week as governor announced. In a major communications fumble, the Governor’s Office on Tuesday night said that retailers would not be allowed to reopen on Oahu and Maui this week as the governor said earlier in the day. Hawaii News Now.


Governor Ige delays reopening of retail businesses on O'ahu. Governor Ige signed a 7th supplementary emergency proclamation on Tuesday that authorizes the first group of businesses to re-open since the COVID-19 pandemic. KITV4.

Some Hawaii Businesses Including Malls Will Reopen By Thursday. However, Oahu’s retail and repair establishments won’t reopen until May 15, and malls will remain closed on Maui for now. Civil Beat.

Slowly reopening. Ige’s seventh supplementary emergency proclamation to cope with the threat of the new coronavirus will allow state residents to leave home to shop at the newly reopened “low risk” businesses starting Thursday, but retail sales will not begin on Oahu until May 15. Star-Advertiser.


Governor David Ige Unveils 7th Supplemental Proclamation. Governor David Ige today unveils his 7th Supplemental Emergency Proclamation relating to COVID-19, announcing Phase 1 of opening businesses and activities. Maui Now.

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Health experts say it’s too soon to reopen. Health experts say it is too early for Hawaii to reopen businesses, arguing that the state does not have a sufficient public health workforce to identify new coronavirus cases, trace contacts and ensure those infected are isolated to stop the spread of the disease. Star-Advertiser.

Head of State Emergency Response Says Health Department Dragging Feet On Expanding Contact Tracing. Contact tracing is universally regarded as critical in safely relaxing pandemic-induced lockdowns. But Hawaii officials publicly disagree over how much tracing capacity is needed. Hawaii Public Radio.


Antibody tests for COVID-19 have flooded the market. Some are more reliable than others. The COVID-19 swab test tells you if you’re currently infected with the virus. But antibody tests, now becoming more widely available, can tell you if you’ve already had the infection. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii’s coronavirus cases rise by 4 to a total of 625. Hawaii’s tally of coronavirus cases has risen to 625, up four from Monday, the state Department of Health announced today. Star-Advertiser.


Four New COVID-19 Infections, Including Three On Oahu. Four new infections were confirmed by the Department of Health on Tuesday, including three on Oahu and one Hawaii resident on the mainland. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii, Other States With Few Virus Cases Get Big Share Of Relief Aid. An Associated Press analysis showed Hawaii got about $2 million for each coranavirus case in the state, while hard-hit New York got $24,000 per case. Associated Press.

Study: Hawaii ranked strictest state for COVID-19 rules. Hawaii has one of the lowest infection rates from COVID-19, and our flattening the curve might be in part due to some of the measures put in place to slow the spread of the virus. KITV4.

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PUC approves temporary Young Brothers barge schedule change. The state Public Utilities Commission on Monday approved a request from Young Brothers to temporarily reduce its weekly barge schedules for Hawaii and Maui counties. Tribune-Herald.

How An Antiquated IT System Failed Thousands Of Hawaii’s Unemployed. The nearly quarter of a million unemployment insurance applications that Hawaii has received during the COVID-19 pandemic are being processed on a government mainframe that was installed in the early 1980s, back when Pac-Man was a cutting-edge video game. Civil Beat.

Attorney general, prosecutors want inmate releases halted. State Attorney General Clare Connors and three of the state’s four county prosecutors want the Hawaii Supreme Court and Special Master Daniel Foley to halt or at least pause a court- mandated push to release inmates from Hawaii’s correctional facilities, an order designed to reduce the potential spread of the new coronavirus at the historically overcrowded jail and prisons. Star-Advertiser.

Prosecutors raise alarms about hundreds of offenders released amid pandemic. In the last two months, state prisons have reduced their populations by nearly 38% — all to socially distance inmates despite there being zero positive cases in any state correctional facility. Hawaii News Now.


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Councilwoman: State should require visitors to prove they’ve tested negative for coronavirus. A Honolulu City Councilwoman is calling on the state to have more safeguards in place before lifting a mandatory quarantine for visitors and restarting the tourism industry. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Councilwoman provides ideas to re-opening Hawaii in a resolution. Councilwoman Heidi Tsuneyoshi looks at 3 areas where she says we need to do a better job in addressing. One of them is restarting the visitor industry. KHON2.

State officials working on new plans to track visitors as Hawaii sees increase in arrivals. Despite Hawaii’s mandatory, 14-day quarantine for all incoming travelers, the state has seen an uptick in visitors over the last few days. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii visitor arrivals climb to highest since start of coronavirus quarantine. More out-of-state passengers came to Hawaii on Monday than any day since the start of March tourism lockdowns. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaiian Airlines reports $144M loss in first quarter, warns more economic pain ahead. Hawaiian Airlines revealed Tuesday how hard the pandemic has hurt their bottom line. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines still bleeding despite CARES Act and says it can’t withstand the severity indefinitely. Tens of millions of dollars in federal government support wasn’t enough to prevent Hawaiian Airlines from suffering a staggering first-quarter loss as COVID-19 fears and containment policies zeroed out travel demand. Star-Advertiser.

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Preschoolers Adjust to Distance Learning But Teachers Worry About Loss of Social Interaction. Hawaii’s public preschoolers have not had in-person classes since mid-March due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Hawaii Public Radio.

Private Schools May Suffer As Cash-Strapped Families Can’t Afford Tuition. Some schools are offering more financial aid to try and help families who are feeling the economic brunt of the coronavirus pandemic. Civil Beat.

Workers are shocked after money Meadow Gold promised to pay is deposited, then withdrawn from their accounts. Former Meadow Gold employees said money the company promised to pay them was deposited in their accounts, then taken back without notice. KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell discusses guidelines for reopening Oahu retail businesses. Mayor Kirk Caldwell said he supports the reopening of retail businesses in the city on Thursday, despite sending a proposal to Gov. David Ige’s office to reopen retail businesses on Oahu on May 15. Star-Advertiser.

Retailers are happy, but many might not open as soon as Thursday. Gov. David Ige gave some retailers the green light to open on Thursday, but don’t be surprised if your favorite store isn’t ready to push open those doors just yet. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Council Can Meet By Video, But Not The Public. Council members can video conference in. Citizens have to put comments in writing or show up in person. Civil Beat.

UH chooses company to provide campus housing. The university has entered into a pre-closing agreement with Greystar Real Estate Partners to provide on-campus housing for graduate students and faculty members. KHON2.

Lifeguards are back on the beach with new strategies in dealing with COVID-19. On Tuesday the broad white sands of Queen’s Beach, stretching from lifeguard Tower 2-E to the Kapahulu Groin, were mostly empty in the midafternoon heat. Star-Advertiser.


Hawaii Island

Kim releases revised $585M budget. Facing an uncertain economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Harry Kim has lopped $40.8 million off the preliminary budget he presented earlier this year. West Hawaii Today.

Roth: Campaign social media pages spoofed. Hawaii County Prosecutor Mitch Roth, who is running for Big Island mayor, said Tuesday his campaign’s Facebook and Instagram accounts have been spoofed. Tribune-Herald.


Maui

Maui Woman Released After Month-Long Battle with COVID-19. A patient on Maui who was diagnosed with COVID-19 over a month ago and had been on a ventilator, was greeted with a celebratory exit from hospital staff who lined the halls upon her departure today. Maui Now.

Coronavirus survivor’s departure celebrated. Talilotu Carlson beat the coronavirus. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai’s curfew expires Wednesday. Kauai’s nightly curfew is set to expire Wednesday. Mayor Derek Kawakami said Tuesday that Kauai has no active cases. KHON2.

Easing restrictions. Both Gov. David Ige and Mayor Derek Kawakami announced coming relaxed restrictions on Tuesday, with Kawakami canceling the overnight Kaua‘i curfew and Ige announcing a list of businesses that can reopen on Thursday. Garden Island.

Approaching delivery differently. Personal-shopping and grocery-delivery companies were in business on Kaua‘i years before COVID-19 countermeasures were put in place on the island, but now two of those companies are delivering almost exclusively to Kaua‘i residents in quarantine, or those following stay-at-home orders. Garden Island.

Another COVID-19 death, Ige's 6th emergency proclamation extends lockdown, takes away county authority, prohibits florist deliveries, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii florist at farmers market ©2020 All Hawaii News

Ige’s reversal halts delivery of Mother’s Day flowers. Hawaii florists are the latest group to be swept into confusion by Gov. David Ige’s administration in response to the new coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Ige rescinds exemption for florists, saying he wasn’t aware permission was given. Days after giving florists the green light to open up for Mother’s Day, the state is backtracking, leaving many confused ahead of Mother’s Day. Hawaii News Now.

Flower shops cannot deliver during quarantine. Much confusion over whether florists can or cannot operate, even on a limited basis, has many frustrated - especially in the lead up to Mother's Day. KITV4.

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Hawaii’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order and traveler quarantines extended to May 31. Ige also said all county mayors must now obtain my approval, or the approval of the director of Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, prior to issuing any emergency order, rule, or proclamation. Star-Advertiser.

Governor extends stay-at-home order, quarantine for travelers through May 31. In a decision that was largely expected but nonetheless will be a major blow to thousands of shuttered Hawaii businesses struggling to stay afloat, the governor has extended the statewide stay-at-home order along with the mandatory quarantine for travelers through May 31. Hawaii News Now.

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Ige limits independent power of county mayors in latest proclamation. Part of Gov. Ige’s sixth supplementary proclamation changes the ability of the counties to independently form emergency response policies going forward. Hawaii News Now.

Counties Now Need Approval of Governor or HIEMA Before Issuing Emergency Rules, Order or Proclamations. As the state and counties issue their own emergency rules, discrepancies have surfaced over the course of the pandemic, resulting in confusion over beach use, temporary curfews and stay-at-home orders to name a few. Maui Now.

Counties will need approval from Governor or HIEMA before implementing new rules. On Saturday, Governor David Ige said his latest supplemental proclamation requires the counties to provide the state copies of future rules and they require his approval. KHON2.

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Ige Extends Stay-At-Home Order, Quarantines To May 31. The governor said some restrictions could be eased earlier in May, depending on factors such as hospital resources. Civil Beat.

Gov Extends Orders To May 31; Cases At 604, Up 3; DOT Arrivals Process Tightens. Hawaii Gov. David Ige today extended his mandatory 14-day quarantine and stay-at-home orders through May 31, saying the state is not out of the woods yet. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Stay-At-Home Order Extended To End Of May. A new proclamation also extends the 14-day quarantine for air travelers, while allowing exercise on state beaches. Big Island Video News.

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Visitors To Hawaii To Undergo New Verification Process. An airport representative "will call their mobile phone number to confirm it rings right in front of them," among other new procedures for visitors. Big Island Video News.

Here’s how the state is beefing up traveler quarantine measures. The state announced new measures it’ll be taking to make sure visitors to Hawaii are abiding by the mandatory 14-day quarantine. One of those measures is enhanced screening to be done when visitors get off the plane at airports. Hawaii News Now.

Read full text of Gov. David Ige's 6th supplementary proclamation HERE.

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Oahu man with COVID-19 dies, raising Hawaii’s coronavirus death toll to 15. An Oahu man infected with COVID-19 died Sunday evening, raising Hawaii’s coronavirus death toll to 15, state Department of Health officials announced. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu man hospitalized for COVID-19 dies, bringing death toll from virus in Hawaii to 15. An Oahu man who has been hospitalized since early March after apparently contracting COVID-19 through community spread died Sunday, the state Health Department said. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu man dies Sunday night of COVID-19, state death toll rises to 15. The Hawaii Department of Health reported the 15th death associated with COVID-19 Sunday night, April 26. KHON2.

COVID-19 kills a 15th person in Hawaii, DOH confirms. The 15th death associated with the coronavirus in the state was reported by the Hawai‘i Dept. of Health Sunday night. KITV4.

Hawai‘i Coronavirus Total Now 606: 2 New Cases, Maui Total is 112. As of noon on Sunday, April 26, 2020, there are 606 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 2 new cases, including one additional case each on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island.  Both new cases are minors below the age of 18. Maui Now.

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Inside Hawaii’s Ambitious Mobile Virus-Testing Operation. Dozens of health care workers, many of them volunteers, have been traveling all over the state to test as many people as possible. Next up: homeless camps. Civil Beat.

COVID-19 pause gives Hawaii a chance to restore tourism balance. The COVID-19-related collapse of Hawaii’s tourism could lead to greater public appreciation for an industry that supported more than 200,000 jobs last year. But that’s going to take time. Star-Advertiser.

Mai Hele Mai campaign urges tourists to stay away from Hawaii. More than 1,500 visitors have come to the Aloha state in the last two weeks, according to numbers from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. A new campaign called Mai Hele Mai is urging visitors to stay away from Hawaii to help reduce the spreed of COVID-19. KITV4.

Visitor arrivals near 4,000 since quarantine order in place. As of Saturday, 3,897 trans-Pacific visitors arrived in Hawaii since the quarantine order took effect March 26. That’s an average of 125 visitors arriving in the islands over the past 31 days. Star-Advertiser.

State Discusses ‘Soft Reopening’ as Unemployment Funds Dwindle. Hawai‘i may not begin reopening in May as initially planned, but discussions on what a reopening would look like are well underway. Big Island Now.

Some fear liberties will be lost in Hawaii’s COVID-19 pandemic orders. Government officials appear to be doing a good job of limiting the damage of the coronavirus pandemic in Hawaii, recording among the lowest COVID-19 infection and death rates in the country. But at what price. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Supreme Court order mandates quicker release of non-violent inmates. An order issued late Friday by the Hawaii Supreme Court suggests that justices are unhappy with how lower court judges, prosecutors and the state Department of Public Safety have been carrying out the high court’s edict to release more inmates quickly in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Safety checks for registration renewals waived temporarily. Oahu motorists who renew their annual vehicle registration can now do so electronically without a valid safety check at least through May 31. Star-Advertiser.

Immigrants And Others Struggle Applying For Hawaii Jobless Benefits. Those who don’t speak English, don’t have computers or lack bank accounts hit barriers using the swamped system. Civil Beat.

Losing party in Meadow Gold sale alleges misdeeds.  former owner of Foremost Dairies-Hawaii has emerged as the tentative buyer for a portion of Meadow Gold Hawaii, the state’s largest dairy processor. Star-Advertiser.

2 more Hawaii newspapers announce one less day of traditional print. Both the Hawaii Tribune Herald on Hawaii Island, and the Garden Island Newspaper on Kauai informed their readers that they would only produce digital editions on Saturdays. Regular papers will still be produced throughout the other days of the week. The change begins on May 9. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

The Trash That Fuels Oahu’s Power Plant Is Vanishing As Fast As The Tourists. That could prove costly for the city, which must send tons of trash to the H-Power facility or face financial penalties. Civil Beat.

4 more Punahou alumnae accuse teachers of sex abuse. Punahou School acknowledged the four new sexual misconduct allegations against former teachers and coaches in a mass email distributed Sunday afternoon to the “Punahou community.” Star-Advertiser.

Decision to be made today on fate of ‘Stairway to Heaven’. The future of the Haiku Stairs is expected to be decided by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply today, and the public is being asked to weigh in. Star-Advertiser.

National Heritage designation is proposed for Kaena Point. Hawaii U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Tulsi Gabbard have proposed a study of Kaena Point for potential designation as the state’s first National Heritage Area. Star-Advertiser.

Well-Known Monk Seal Found Dead On Oahu’s Windward Side. COVID-19 restrictions prevented a post-mortem exam to determine the cause of death for R5AY, or Honey Girl. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Despite pandemic, some continue camping on Maunakea. Even with the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down businesses and gatherings worldwide, a few holdouts are still camping alongside the Maunakea Access Road. Tribune-Herald.

UH mulls changes to Maunakea management structure. The University of Hawaii is investigating possible new management structures for governing Maunakea lands in an effort to improve its stewardship of the mountain. Tribune-Herald.

A shot in the arm: Council members push programs to help beleaguered businesses. Two Hawaii County Council members are working on programs to bring fast relief to small businesses and farmers reeling from the economic downturn brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

$61 million slated for Puna roads. The county is receiving $61 million in federal funding to repair lava-inundated roads in lower Puna, but a timeline for when the next road can be restored has yet to be established. Tribune-Herald.

2018 Eruption Caused By Inflation, Not Rain, HVO Says. Was the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea volcano caused by heavy rainfall? Scientists on the island say there was another, more likely cause. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Restaurant: ‘It was a public service to come forward’ after outbreak. Merriman’s had three workers test positive. A well-known Maui restaurant typically at the forefront of fine dining is now leading the way when it comes to public disclosure in the era of coronavirus. Maui News.

Nearly 50-year-old Maui firm is closing. Distributor Tanikai hit by economic impacts of novel coronavirus. Maui News.

With tourism on furlough, Hawaii’s whales are enjoying some needed rest from constant scrutiny. Hotel occupancy on Maui, the most popular island for whale watching, declined 40% from March 2019. Star-Advertiser.


Kauai

Mayor a national celebrity. Mayor Derek Kawakami earlier this month introduces his latest “Stay Home, Kaua‘i” video aimed at keeping his county informed and entertained after implementing a curfew to help curb the spread of coronavirus. Garden Island.

Hawaii beaches closed, masks mandated, evictions postponed as state's 10th COVID-19 death announced; counties struggle to draft budgets, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ala Moana beach park last year ©2020 All Hawaii News

With new restrictions, Hawaii’s shorelines are empty ... for the most part. With new rules in place further restricting people from gathering on sandy shorelines, beaches were fairly empty for a beautiful Saturday in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Ige's fifth emergency proclamation closes beaches, mandates face masks, places moratorium of evictions. Full text here.

Ige Issues Eviction Moratorium Through April 30. The order won’t prevent landlords from pursuing evictions starting May 1. Civil Beat.

After the state closed all beaches due to COVID-19, Hawaii County issued a list of limited openings for ocean access and restroom usage. Following Friday’s announcement that Govrnor David Ige has signed a fifth emergency supplementary proclamation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic closing all state beaches in Hawaiʻi in order to limit activities outside the home, Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim signed his own new set of rules for the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

Victorino to Ige: Reconsider beach exercise ban. There is more trouble in paradise as new statewide public health emergency rules banning beach exercise were awash with protest and confusion. Maui News.

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Tourists using transient rentals to bypass Hawaii quarantine restrictions prove hard to track. COVID-19 crackdowns on transient vacation rentals, which aren’t considered essential businesses right now, are proving just as hard for the counties to enforce as the laws meant to regulate them. Star-Advertiser.

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Man visiting from Washington becomes Hawaii’s 10th COVID-19 death. Maui County logged one new death Sunday, bringing the statewide death toll into the double digits. The DOH said 10 COVID-19 related deaths have been reported statewide — six on Oahu, four on Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Man hospitalized for COVID-19 at Maui Memorial dies, his death brings state total to 10. The 10th COVID-19-related death reported in the state was a man who was hospitalized at Maui Memorial Center. KHON2.

Hawaii health officials announce 10th COVID-19 death as statewide coronavirus cases rise to 580. Hawaii Department of Health officials reported the state’s tenth death from COVID-19 today, as the statewide tally of coronavirus cases rose by six to a total of 580. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Confirms 10th Death Related to Coronavirus. Hawai‘i reported only six new cases of COVID-19 overnight, also registering the state’s 10th death as a result of infection. Big Island Now.

Maui sees Hawaii’s 10th death from virus. The Washington state man was in his 40s to 50s with no previous medical conditions and had a history of travel, the state Department of Health said Sunday. He had been in serious condition during a 21-day stay at the Maui Memorial Medical Center, where the state is investigating a cluster of COVID-19 cases at the island’s largest hospital. Star-Advertiser.

Fourth COVID-19 Related Death on Maui is Washington State Man With No Previous Medical Conditions. “The individual was an adult male from Washington state in the 40-59-year age group who had no previous medical conditions and a history of travel,” according to a press release issued by the state’s COVID-19 Joint Information Center. Maui Now.

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Stimulus Checks Won't Cover Even A Month's Expenses in Hawaii. Eligible residents in Hawaii, and around the country, are starting to receive cash stimulus payments from the federal government. But the one-time $1200 checks won’t go far in Hawaii. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tracing the Path Of COVID-19 In Hawaii — 1 Name At A Time. An understaffed health department is looking to hire more investigators to identify and isolate people who have been exposed to COVID-19. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Civil Rights Office Is Still Closed During A Time It’s Needed Most. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission still accepts only paper filings and isn’t set up for remote work. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii researchers urge the state to step up its coronavirus response. A trio of University of Hawaii researchers is urging state officials to accelerate its public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, not only to save lives but to help restart the economy. Star-Advertiser.

Union leaders and state Legislators put out a call for hundreds of state worker volunteers to help tackle the massive backlog of unemployment claims. “The plan is have over a thousand people man that center over the next week-and-a-half," said House Speaker Scott Saiki.  Hawaii News Now.

What will Hawaii's "re-opening" look like? Director of Hawaii's Department of Health Dr. Bruce Anderson told KITV4 he believes Hawaii's re-opening could look like a gradual, "tiered" approach. KITV4.

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Lockdown has gone too far, Hawaii protesters say. A caravan of about 50 vehicles Sunday traveled from the state Capitol to Costco in Kapolei to protest what participants consider governmental overreach in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

‘Open Hawaii’: A small group of protesters feel its time to ease up restrictions. Nearly two dozen people rallied in a rolling caravan Sunday, saying their rights are being violated by government mandates. Hawaii News Now.

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COVID-19 is new pestilence for Hawaii farmers. Phyllis Shimabukuro- Geiser, director of the state Department of Agriculture, said recently that some farmers reported losing 50% to 60% of their market last month largely because of hotel and restaurant shutdowns. Star-Advertiser.

Running For Office During A Pandemic? It’s Tough For Newcomers. Some non-incumbents running for elective office in Hawaii are focused on public health as they also seek to gain political traction. Civil Beat.

Hawaii officials brace for ‘big surge’ of newly homeless from coronavirus shutdowns. Out of approximately 6,500 homeless people across all islands, only one so far has tested positive for the new coronavirus, but officials worry that an even bigger homeless problem could explode out of the financial devastation already hitting the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Inmates Still Packed Into Arizona Prison Despite Virus Concerns. The company that runs Saguaro Correctional Center says proper pandemic protocols are being followed. Civil Beat.

Things Are Not Good Between Hawaii Senators And The Governor. Tempers over the Ige administration’s slow response to the growing pandemic boiled over Friday at a special Senate committee hearing. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council advances bill to defer property tax for pandemic-stricken businesses. A bill that would allow coronavirus-impacted businesses to hold off paying their property taxes passed the Honolulu City Council’s first hurdle last week. Star-Advertiser.

Face mask mandate while in public goes into effect Monday for Honolulu. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s mandate for all Honolulu residents to wear non-medical masks or face coverings while out in the public conducting business, will go into effect Monday, April 20, at midnight. KHON2.

With fewer cars on the roads, officials are pushing projects forward faster. Ed Sniffen, Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director of Highways, tells us they are seeing about 48-percent less traffic on the freeways on Oahu. KHON2.

Rick Blangiardi Is Back On TV, But This Time He’s A Political Candidate. The former Hawaii News Now general manager is making his pitch to be mayor of Honolulu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Property tax base protects county coffers. Hawaii County’s reliance on property taxes for its operations buffers it, at least in the short term, from the drastic tax losses experienced at the state level as it struggles to revive an economy clobbered by the coronavirus, local officials said Friday. West Hawaii Today.

Bright side to outbreak: Arrests are down 33%. It’s said crime doesn’t take a vacation, but because of the statewide emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the daily booking log at the police station is a lot shorter than usual. Tribune-Herald.

Air Travel Arrivals Down Sharply at KOA. Only one flight has touched down at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) over the last two days, according to numbers provided by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Big Island Now.

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Third McDonald’s In Kona Closes Due To COVID-19 Outbreak. The McDonald's restaurant located at 75-5729 Kuakini Highway is now closed, joining the McDonalds at Kona Commons and Walmart in a COVID-19 cluster-related shutdown. Big Island Video News.

Big Island McDonald’s COVID-19 cluster now up to 30 confirmed cases. The Hawaii Department of Health announced that the total number of confirmed cases linked to a cluster of cases among McDonald’s restaurants in Kailua-Kona has gone up. KHON2.

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Fogging out the virus: County deploying disinfectant equipment to health care facilities. Hawaii County is taking charge of getting foggers to health care and county facilities in an effort to quash the spread of COVID-19 on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

New Emergency Shelter Construction Underway In Hilo. 32 shelters are going up at the County’s NAS Pool parking lot and will be ready for occupancy early next week, officials say. Big Island Video News.

Bill would allow county to acquire private roads. A Hawaii County Council committee will discuss this week whether the county should acquire private roads to improve traffic flow throughout the island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Finance director doesn’t support property tax forbearance. County Finance Director Scott Teruya said Friday that while Mayor Michael Victorino’s administration has not talked about forbearance for property taxes due to large-scale unemployment caused by the coronavirus pandemic, he would not recommend it. Maui News.

Checkpoints set up on Maui to limit people heading into Hana. Checkpoints are being set up to limit the number of people traveling into Hana and East Maui. Maui County said the checkpoints will be located after Twin Falls on Hana Highway and at Ulupalakua Ranch on Piilani Highway. Hawaii News Now.

Near ban on plastic disposable utensils OK’d. Measure, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2022, sent to mayor for signature. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai: This Island Has Been Holding Steady Against Coronavirus. What’s Up? County officials say Kauai imposed public restrictions quickly. But some residents think the government’s gone too far.  Civil Beat.

Organizing the houseless. Five county parks have been established as permitted sheltering zones for the Kaua‘i houseless community by Mayor Derek Kawakami as part of the effort to contain the novel coronavirus — Lucy Wright, Salt Pond, Lydgate, Anahola and Anini — and many of them are already established campsites with varying levels of community organization. Garden Island.