Curfews could be next step against COVID spread as cases surge, hospitals reach capacity, Army and Native Hawaiians mull Oahu’s Makua Valley compromise, vaccine/testing mandates kick in for state workers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Dr. Green at Queen's hospital Aug. 14, 2021 PC: courtesy

Green: Unvaccinated are to blame if new, strict rules, including curfews, needed to curb hospitalizations. Lt. Gov. Josh Green has made his position clear on widespread vaccine mandates. He believes people have the right to choose and no one should force them to get the shot. But he thinks weekly testing and mask wearing is the bare minimum that people can do. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Vaccine deadline looms for Hawaii’s state workers despite lack of guidance. The details of how the program will work don’t seem to be finalized and the state agency that oversees human resources refused to provide the Honolulu Star-Advertiser with a copy of the guidance that does exist. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii DOE Announces Start Date For Weekly COVID-19 Testing. The new requirement applies to all unvaccinated school personnel, including salaried employees, substitutes and volunteers. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii offering free vaccinations for students, employees at 3 campuses. UH said in a news release today that surveys in June showed more than 92% of students and 95% of UH employees of the entire 10-campus system have been vaccinated for COVID-19 or plan to be, after the university added COVID-19 vaccination to its student health clearance requirements on May 17. Star-Advertiser.

More Hawaii private schools act to establish vaccine mandate. Gov. David Ige announced Aug. 5 that all state and county workers would need to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing at their own expense. While that includes teachers and staff members at Hawaii’s 257 public schools, the state’s 163,000 or so students are not currently required to be inoculated unless they are involved in high school athletics. Star-Advertiser.

Former First Lady Vicky Cayetano will file her papers to run for governor. Her campaign manager Lynne Waters confirms Cayetano will do it this week. KITV4.

DLIR Launches Appointments for Complex Unemployment Claims. The state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations announced it will start accepting telephone appointments for complex, disputed unemployment insurance claims beginning on Aug. 16, 2021 to allow claimants to schedule slots beginning on Aug. 23, 2021. Maui Now.

Another 800 join first responders' class action lawsuit against vaccine requirements. The proposed class consists of all current and future first responders on Oahu and Maui subjected to the current COVID-19 vaccine mandate. KITV4.

COVID-19 cases tax neighbor island hospitals. The neighbor islands, with 30% of Hawaii’s population, have accounted for less than 25% of the state’s COVID-19 cases, yet the strain on hospital staff and resources from surging infections is no less acute there than at Honolulu’s much larger medical facilities. Star-Advertiser.

Covid-19 Treatment In Hawaii Is Getting More Expensive For Some Patients. Kaiser stopped covering costs for Covid-19 patients this month, affecting about 260,000 Hawaii residents. Civil Beat.

Hawaii records 4 new coronavirus-related deaths, 845 additional infections. State Department of Health officials Sunday reported four new corona­virus-related deaths and 845 new confirmed and probable infections statewide, bringing the state’s totals since the start of the pandemic to 552 fatalities and 51,200 cases. Sunday’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 543 new cases on Oahu, 85 on Maui, 147 on Hawaii Island, 46 on Kauai, six on Molokai, two on Lanai and 16 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oahu

Plan for low-income housing towers over Waipahu. A developer is seeking to build more than 500 low-income rental homes in Waipahu, though tentative designs for two towers exceeding a city height limit by more than three times has triggered some community opposition. Star-Advertiser.

Four Years After Deadly Fire, Many Honolulu High-Rises Still Lack Sprinklers. Property owners say the cost of retrofitting older buildings with sprinklers and other fire safety improvements could bankrupt them. Civil Beat.

A Shaky Truce: The Army And Native Hawaiians Both Want Oahu’s Makua Valley. As the Army looks to renew leases on Hawaii state lands, a debate rages about both its past and its future. Civil Beat.

‘Innovative’ fish farm off Ewa Beach is proposed. An innovative offshore fish farm designed to “swing” with ocean currents while sustainably scaling up food production could be placed in the water off Ewa Beach, but concerns about its possible environmental impacts persist. Star-Advertiser.

Fish fewer at Hanauma Bay since reopening with new visitor limitations system. A new study has found that population density and biomass of more than half the bay’s most common fish species increased during the closure but decreased after reopening at only 25% of the former visitor load. Star-Advertiser.
 
New App Finds Open Parking Spaces in Honolulu. PARKLINQ, pronounced park link, is a website and app that helps motorists find parking by the hour, day or month. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

County honors homeowner association restrictions: Board of Appeals upholds planning director on vacation-rental issue. Hawaii County government won’t approve short-term vacation rentals where homeowner’s associations prohibit them, the Board of Appeals ruled unanimously Friday in denying an appeal from a Keauhou View Estates property owner. West Hawaii Today.

Mounting frustration: Pretrial defendants freed on lowered bail later arrested for other offenses. The Hawaii County prosecutor said he’s concerned about pretrial felony defendants being freed without cash bail or having their bail reduced because of COVID-19 concerns at Hawaii Community Correctional Center. Tribune-Herald.

Hefty fine levied for damage to archaeological features. A Kailua-Kona woman and an environmental consulting firm were fined $180,000 Friday for unpermitted grading resulting in the damage or destruction of 40 archaeological features on a North Kona property. West Hawaii Today.

Biologist finds TV show Love Island not to blame for distressed ‘a‘o. Earlier this month, biologists from the Department of Land and Natural Resources found an ‘a‘o — a threatened species of puffin also called a Newell’s shearwater — in Umaumau that had been grounded and was unable to return to flight. Tribune-Herald.

Daniel K. Inouye Highway reopens as Big Isle crews clean up after brush fire. Hawaii County police have reopened this afternoon Daniel K. Inouye Highway in both directions from the Old Saddle Road junction to the Highway 190 junction. Star-Advertiser.

Markers would honor birthplace of the bodyboard. Nonprofit Malama Wai‘aha has donated a pair of historical markers to the county with the intention of erecting them at Wai‘aha Beach Park, where the Boogie Board was invented in 1971. Tribune-Herald.


Maui

Maui Charter Commission Vets Record Number Of Reforms On Elections, Police. The Maui Charter Commission will review more than 100 proposed amendments to the county charter that governs daily life on Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Civil Beat.

Maui Police Commission Wants In-Person Interviews, Exams with Five Chief Finalists. The Maui Police Commission on Wednesday agreed to ask the mayor for approval of in-person interviews with the five individuals it has identified as finalists for the job of Maui Police Chief. Maui Now.

Public asked to help capture new invasive parakeets on Maui. A new invasive pest has been captured on the Valley Isle. A rose-ringed parakeet was captured in Kihei in July. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

County mulls tax on Turo providers. State tax officials are interested in the ramifications of car-rental apps like Turo, but agencies aren’t commenting on suspected levels of tax delinquency among the platform’s users. Garden Island.

KIUC named ‘Electric Cooperative of the Year’ by national nonprofit. The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative was one of eight electric utilities recognized as “Power Players of the Year” by the Smart Electric Power Alliance. Garden Island.

Oahu tops 1M people in census, first responders to sue over vaccination mandate, school testing plan still in limbo, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Surfers at Waikiki ©2021 All Hawaii News

2020 Census: Oahu’s Population Tops 1 Million For The First Time. Oahu eclipsed Maui in population growth over the past decade, topping 1 million for the first time, according to 2020 census data published Thursday in a reflection of how Hawaii’s demographics have changed. Civil Beat. West Hawaii Today. Star-Advertiser.

Attorneys: 1,200 first responders will file lawsuit against COVID vaccine mandate. Representatives for Hawaii union members taking legal action against the state’s COVID vaccine mandate held a news conference at attorney Michael Green’s office on Thursday. Approximately 1,200 first responders are part of the class action lawsuit. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii public school coronavirus testing plan still in limbo after start of school year. Hawaii’s public schools do not have a widespread test program in place and only asked vendors to start bidding less than one week before teachers were due back on campus. KHON2.

Uninsured Hawaii residents have until Sunday to sign up for private health plans. Uninsured Hawaii residents have until Sunday to sign up for private health insurance offered through HealthCare.gov and take advantage of major subsidies that can significantly reduce their monthly premiums, an option all the more important now as COVID-19 cases surge throughout the islands, putting residents at greater risk of needing health care. Star-Advertiser.

Troops Can’t Sue The Military For Discrimination. This Hawaii Sailor Wants To Change That. Two national advocacy groups have joined sailor Jon Stremel in lobbying for new anti-discrimination legislation. Civil Beat.

Committee seeks Kamehameha Schools trustee candidates. Applications to replace Micah Kane, whose term ended June 30, are being accepted through Sept. 30. Star-Advertiser.

More Pregnant Women Seeking Treatment for COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi. More pregnant women are seeking treatment for COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi than at any other point in the pandemic as the delta variant causes cases to surge. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii records 1 new coronavirus-related death, 549 additional infections. Thursday's new and confirmed infections include 301 on Oahu, 122 on Hawaii Island, 50 on Kauai, 65 on Maui, five on Molokai and six residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Legal challenges being planned over state’s vaccine mandate as some unions voice their concerns. About 800 city bus workers remain unvaccinated and union leaders say many will still refuse. Hawaii News Now.

Lines at COVID-19 testing sites grow as cases increase. On Thursday morning the line for free COVID-19 testing at the city’s Mobile Lab at the Honolulu airport zigzagged a long way beyond the outside corridor, with some waiting in line for at least an hour and a half. Star-Advertiser.

YMCA of Honolulu to require COVID-19 vaccinations or regular testing for staff, volunteers. YMCA of Honolulu employees and volunteers will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide weekly test results. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

HART Warns That Wandering On The Electrified Rail Line Could Be Deadly. A group of trespassers recently breached a station and wandered onto the elevated track, prompting the warning. Civil Beat. KITV4.

City considers possible takeover of Leahi Avenue as school gridlock ensues. The return of students to classes at Waikiki Elementary School has put a spotlight on what residents say are safety issues on Leahi Avneue, and they want the city to take it over. Hawaii News Now.

These Central Oahu Schools Have Joined Forces To Offer Distance Learning. The virtual program called Pineapple Academy includes students from the Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua complex area. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawai´i on Brink of Healthcare Crisis as Pandemic Booms. Visitor restrictions and hospital lockdowns are back in effect across the Big Island as healthcare facilities near patient capacities, a situation directly linked to the massive increase in coronavirus cases across the county. Big Island Now.

Forging ahead: Parker Ranch outlines historic fire’s impact, future plans. Parker Ranch is forging ahead with plans for a large reforestation project on the slopes of Maunakea and reseeding thousands of acres of pasture destroyed by the largest fire to impact the operation in its 175-year history. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

24 More Positive COVID-19 Cases Among Inmates at Maui Jail. An additional 24 inmates at the Maui Community Correctional Center in Wailuku tested positive for COVID-19 today, bringing the number of active infections to 84 among inmates and staff. The breakdown includes 17 staff and 67 active inmate infections at the Maui jail. Maui Now. Maui News.

$1.8M in repairs proposed for Wailuku River. County points to possible loss of life, extensive property damage if fixes don’t occur. Maui News.

Public Help Sought in Collecting GPS Coordinates on Bench Marks in Maui County. To assist with the project, members of the public can use any device with a GPS receiver (such as a cellphone) to recover, observe and report Bench Marks, also known as survey monuments. Maui Now.

Kauai

New restrictions means canceled events on Kaua‘i. Concerns about spreading COVID-19 reinforced by the announcement of new safety and health guidelines by Gov. David Ige on Aug. 10 have resulted in cancellations and “postponements” of events that were scheduled this weekend. Garden Island.

Baby shark remains inside Lydgate Park large pond. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources is currently working on a plan to capture and relocate the shark back into the open ocean. Garden Island.

State COVID case counting system fails again, churches, protests exempt from social gathering regulations, Honolulu police shoot man wielding machete, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

COVID cases spike in Hawaii

Tech Problems Lead To Undercount In Hawaii COVID Cases. Wednesday’s COVID-19 case total of 472 is a partial count. The electronic laboratory reporting system was interrupted for approximately 20 hours on Monday, Aug. 10 and Tuesday, Aug. 11. As a result of this interruption, there has been a delay in the reporting of an unknown number of cases, according to the DOH. It’s the second time the state’s coronavirus count has been interrupted in two weeks. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Churches are exempt from Hawaii’s new COVID restrictions. When Gov. David Ige announced on Tuesday that he was immediately imposing stiff limits on the number of people that can occupy social establishments, reimposing social distancing requirements and prohibiting mingling in an attempt to rein in soaring COVID-19 case counts, he exempted churches. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

2 mainland travelers arrested in Honolulu for alleged fake vaccine cards, AG says. Authorities from the Hawaii Attorney General’s office arrested two visitors from the mainland for allegedly attempting to skirt the state’s Safe Travels program. The AG’s office said the travelers were arrested Sunday at the Daniel K. Inouye Airport. Investigators found they were allegedly violation of the travel rules for using fake vaccination cards to come to the islands. Falsifying a vaccination statute comes with a fine of up to $5,000 and/or a year in prison. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

New website offers remote work opportunities for Hawaii residents. A new website consolidates programs for Hawaii residents seeking remote work opportunities and employers looking to hire. KHON2. KITV4.

Election Violations Prompt New Vote For Hawaii Hotel Union Leadership. Some members say the Unite Here Local 5 election do-over is still unfair to opposition candidates and members who were out of work during the pandemic. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu police officers fatally shoot machete-wielding man. Honolulu police fatally shot a 41-year-old man after he allegedly severed a man’s pinky finger with a machete and rushed toward a responding police officer with the large knife near an illegal game room in Kalihi early Wednesday,  according to bystanders and police. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press.

HPD’s body camera policy once again raising questions following latest police shooting. When police shot and killed a man wielding a machete in Kalihi Wednesday morning, one of the officers failed to activate his body camera, multiple sources said. Hawaii News Now.

Ann Botticelli Wins Seat On The Honolulu Police Commission. It was Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s third attempt to fill the seventh seat on the oversight commission. Civil Beat.

Narrow Council Vote Propels Anthony Aalto Onto The HART Board. No prior board nominee in HART’s decade-long history received the same public scrutiny over qualifications and potential conflicts as Aalto did, reflecting a growing unease with the project. Civil Beat.

Group opposes Army training and lease extension at Makua. Some in opposition to the Army’s proposed retention of 6,300 acres of state leased land for training on Oahu are taking it to the street as 65-year leases run out in 2029 and are now up for reconsideration. Star-Advertiser.

Groundbreaking begins in Kapolei for state’s largest stand-alone battery system. Crews broke ground in west Oahu on Wednesday on what will be the state’s largest stand-alone battery system. Independent developer, Plus Power, said the Kapolei Energy Storage facility will eventually take over the power load from the AES coal plant, providing a more environmentally friendly source for electricity. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Pacific University to welcome record number of new students. Hawaii Pacific University will welcome a record number of new students in the fall despite a national trend of declining college enrollment amid the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Ex-Soldier Convicted of Teen's 1982 Murder Cannot Get DNA Test. A federal appeals court ruling Tuesday urged Congress to correct a disparity that doesn't allow members of the U.S. military convicted by a court-martial the same avenues as civilian prisoners to seek DNA testing that could exonerate them. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

Rejected Leeward Planning Commission nominee files ethics complaint against council members. A rejected nominee to the Leeward Planning Commission has filed an ethics complaint against four of the five council members who voted not to confirm her, claiming they discriminated against her because she’s a real estate professional. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Muni Golf Course Restaurant Concession Up For Bid. Interested vendors must submit their intent to bid by 2 p.m. on August 26, and final bids must be submitted by 2 p.m. on September 7, 2021. Big Island Video News.

More COVID cases in E. Hawaii long-term care homes. Four employees and 14 residents have tested positive for the novel coronavirus at Life Care Center of Hilo amid a second outbreak in the facility, according to an update posted on the facility’s website Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

South Kohala fire’s cost still being tallied. Hawaii Fire Department Chief Kazuo Todd, however, indicated Wednesday that the bill will be significant for battling the fire that broke out July 30 and scorched 40,000-acre-plus fire, destroying two homes, before containment was reached Friday. Crews continue to douse hotspots and flareups within the burn area. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Mayor Victorino Discusses Critical Issues Facing Maui County Today. In an interview with Maui Now, Mayor Victorino identified that the new Delta variant and Delta plus of the coronavirus as the greatest challenge facing the county. Maui Now.

New state COVID rules already exist for Maui County. Maui County leaders also clarified that they don’t categorize the First Amendment right to assemble and petition as a “social gathering.” Maui News.

Credit Unions Donated $2,500 and 2,300 Pounds of Goods to Maui Food Bank. The coalition includes: Kahului Federal Credit Union, Maui Federal Credit Union, Maui Teachers Federal Credit Union, Valley Isle Community Federal Credit Union and Wailuku Federal Credit Union. Maui Now.

Kauai

$370K granted to Kaua‘i nonprofits. Eleven Kaua‘i organizations have received a combined $370,000 in grants from the Hawai‘i Community Foundation. Garden Island.

KPD to enforce ‘move-over law’. The Kaua‘i Police Department is urging motorists to drive with aloha and obey all traffic laws, including the “move-over law” (Hawai‘i Revised Statutes 291C-27) that requires drivers to slow down to a reasonable speed that is safe under the circumstances and, if possible, make a lane change in order to leave one lane between the driver and an emergency vehicle or situation. Garden Island.

Ige reinstates gathering restrictions, vows to prosecute forged vaccination records, state to get $2.8B in latest federal bailout, NPR's Neal Conan dies in Hawaii, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige announces new restrictions Aug. 10, 2021

Gov. David Ige reinstates restrictions in response to surge in COVID-19 cases. The new executive order, which took effect immediately, limits social gatherings to no more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. Bars, restaurants, gyms, churches and other social establishments also must reduce their capacity by 50%. Patrons must remain seated, with 6 feet of distance maintained between parties, and cannot mingle. Masks are required at all times, except when eating or drinking. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. Garden Island. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

State to prosecute traveler who forged vaccination records, warns others of tough penalties. Forging a vaccine card could land someone behind bars. It’s something officials say they’re seeing as travelers look to skirt the quarantine rules and costly tests. KHON2.

Hospitals Near A Breaking Point As Hawaii’s COVID Case Count Grows. Hawaii hospital resources and staff are more stretched than they’ve been at any other point in the pandemic, prompting Hawaii to bring in more medical staff from the mainland to handle the growing COVID-19 cases and other patients. Civil Beat. KHON2.

During first week, 105 COVID cases were tied to public schools. Parents are frustrated. After more than 100 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Hawaii public schools last week, some parents say they want more control and distancing in classrooms. Hawaii News Now.

Social gatherings limited, but ‘professionally organized’ events can still happen. There’s a caveat to Gov. Ige’s latest restrictions on social gatherings: Professionally organized events can still happen with the proper safeguards in place. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii will get a $2.8 billion chunk of the $1.2 trillion in federal investments, which was made possible by today’s passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Hawaii’s senators announced. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii to receive $2.8B with passage of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Neal Conan, Longtime Host Of NPR's 'Talk Of The Nation,' Dies At 71.  Neal Conan, who spent 36 years with National Public Radio and 11 years as the host of the network's Talk of the Nation died Tuesday in Hawaii of glioblastoma at the age of 71. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii sees 436 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 47,376. Today’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 292 new cases on Oahu, 33 on Maui, 76 on Hawaii Island, 15 on Kauai, three on Molokai and 17 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Meeting with federal prosecutors could mean public corruption probe nearly finished. Assistant United States Attorneys and an FBI agent paid a visit to the Honolulu Prosecutor’s office last month for a meeting that lasted about an hour, sources said. Hawaii News Now.

‘The tensions are very high’: Latest COVID-19 outbreak forces lockdown at Hawaii’s largest prison. The Halawa Correctional Facility has been on lockdown for the past week due a new COVID-19 outbreak at the prison. A total of 48 Halawa inmates have recently tested positive and another 147 have been placed in quarantine because they are suspected of being in contact with other infected inmates. Hawaii News Now.

City to accept 5,000 new rent relief applications from Honolulu residents. The city will accept 5,000 new applications starting at noon Thursday from renters who need relief and are struggling from the COVID- 19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

TheBus Spent $3M on Sanitization Efforts. The City and County of Honolulu has used $3 million of federal funding to sanitize TheBus during the pandemic. Hawaii Public Radio.

Army shifts scoping meetings on Oahu training ranges to online format after Gov. Ige’s executive order. In light of new COVID-19 restrictions announced today by Gov. David Ige, the U.S. Army is shifting its in-person scoping meetings scheduled for today and Wednesday on its plans to retain leased state-owned land on Oahu for military training to an online-only format. Star-Advertiser.

USS Arizona Memorial superintendent position has high turnover. The USS Arizona Memorial, overseen by the National Park Service at the site of Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and one of the state’s most visited attractions, has its fifth superintendent in less than 1-1/2 years’ time. Star-Advertiser.

Hanauma Bay reopens for visits as usual Wednesday. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve will be open as usual Wednesday following Sunday’s sudden closure due to a water outage caused by a broken water main on Kamehameha Highway. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hilo Medical Center full amid latest COVID-19 surge. Two active and three long-term patients occupied five of the hospital’s 11 ICU beds Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Help is on the way: 50 frontline caregivers from the mainland to arrive on Hawaii Island this weekend. Hawaii’s hospitals are being pushed closer to their breaking point. Triage tents have started popping up at some facilities across the state, while the surge in admissions is leaving frontline caregivers exhausted. Hawaii News Now.

No COVID cases at HCCC — for now. Hawaii Community Correctional Center is free of active COVID-19 cases for now, according to a statement Tuesday by the state Department of Public Safety. Tribune-Herald.

DLNR eyes ‘Love Island’ for impact on wildlife. Department of Land and Natural Resources investigators will observe the set of “Love Island” this week to determine if the production is having a negative effect on local wildlife. Tribune-Herald.

Groups irked by agricultural theft. Farmers and law enforcement officials expressed their frustrations Monday evening in a community meeting about agricultural theft in Honomu. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Meetings for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Now Virtual on Aug. 11 and 12. This week’s two meetings of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs scheduled to be in person in Kahului now will be hosted virtually for safety reasons due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Hawaiʻi. Maui Now.

DOE: Shots avoid virtual, canceled athletics season. In the wake of Maui and Oahu rallies against state and county vaccination mandates, state Department of Education officials on Monday afternoon said that requiring vaccinations for student athletes is the best way to avoid a virtual or canceled season. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Jail Latest Facility With COVID Outbreak. Widespread testing reveals 31 Kauai Community Correctional Center inmates have the coronavirus. Civil Beat. Garden Island.

State releases $3.18M for sports facilities on Kaua‘i. Over $3 million in state capital improvement project funds has been released to upgrade three sports facilities on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Triple certification for nation’s largest coffee farm. The Kaua‘i Coffee Company, the nation’s largest coffee farm, has earned three certifications guaranteeing increased worker and environmental protections. Garden Island.

COVID cases climb, Ige taps McCullen for appellate judge, reinstates open government laws, state highways need work, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Roadwork in Hawaii ©2021 All Hawaii News

Hawaii highways need protection from natural hazards. Nearly 60% of Hawaii’s roads and over 75% of its bridges are threatened by possible landslides, coastal erosion, sea level rise, storm surges, tsunamis, wildfires or other natural hazards, according to a state Department of Transportation report that identifies vulnerable areas along state highways and recommends actions to make them more resilient to climate-related effects. Star-Advertiser.

Here’s How Hawaii Schools Plan To Spend $412 Million In New Aid. The Hawaii Department of Education plans to offer individual tutoring, academic coaching and summer school counseling to help struggling students amid the coronavirus crisis with the latest round of federal funding received through the American Rescue Plan. Civil Beat.

Ige Appoints Honolulu Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sonja McCullen To Intermediate Court Of Appeals. The new appointment comes a week after the governor’s last pick, Dan Gluck, was rejected by the Senate. Civil Beat.

Hawaii bankruptcies continue decreasing. Statewide bankruptcies remained near historic lows as they plunged 30.7% in July to their lowest point for that month in 15 years.  Star-Advertiser.

Ige Lifts Suspension Of Hawaii’s Open Government Laws. Gov. David Ige’s latest emergency proclamation takes a major step toward reopening the doors to government transparency, more than 16 months after the governor used his emergency powers to suspend open government laws at the start of the pandemic. Civil Beat.

Ige: Federal Eviction Freeze Applies To All Major Hawaii Counties. There had initially been confusion over who in Hawaii might qualify for the 60-day federal extension of protection from eviction. Hawaii’s eviction moratorium expires on Friday, but state leaders said tenants in nearly every county across the state who are behind on their rent due to pandemic-related financial strife now qualify for protection under a new federal freeze on evictions. Civil Beat.

Return of cruise ships still up in the air. Exactly 33,400 trans-Pacific passengers arrived Thursday by air at Hawaii’s major airports, but the question of when the Aloha State will once again welcome cruise ship passengers at its ports remains unanswered. Tribune-Herald.

DOE reports 105 COVID-19 cases in first week of in-person learning. In the first week since public school students and teachers returned to full in-person learning, the Hawaii Department of Education reports 105 new COVID-19 cases. Confirmed cases are reported every Friday. KITV4.

Hawaii Logs 4th Straight Day Of More Than 600 New COVID-19 Cases. Hawaii reported 643 new COVID-19 cases Sunday, marking the fourth consecutive day of cases over 600. Of the new cases Sunday, 431 were on Oahu, 118 on Hawaii Island,  22 on Kauai, 54 on Maui and 7 on Molokai. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu still deciding how to spend $386 million in federal funds. The city’s first federal deadline to disclose its plans for the $386 million it was awarded through the American Rescue Plan Act is approaching at the end of the month. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mulls Bill To Get Communities And Developers ‘On The Same Page’. Neighborhood frustrations over not getting advance notice about past projects prompted the measure. Developers may soon need to present project proposals to neighborhood boards in Honolulu before submitting a permit application for coastline development following frustration from North Shore residents and others seeking more public input in the process. Civil Beat.

For Cost Overruns, Honolulu Rail Is In A League Of Its Own, New Data Shows. A former FTA planning director says it’s time to pause and study the best path forward for the troubled transit project. Civil Beat.

Ward Village developer sells out third condominium tower. It took nearly eight years, but the final unit in the Anaha luxury condominium tower at Ward Village in Kakaako has been sold. Star-Advertiser.

New Kapolei facility opens to train millwrights, others. A local construction industry organization has built itself a new facility to train more workers amid a Hawaii building boom that has been going for several years. Star-Advertiser.

Bringing attention to ‘honu harassment,’ dozens rallied in Laniakea. Dozens of North Shore residents and community activists turned out for a rally at Laniakea Beach Sunday, protesting tourists harassment of honu. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

5 from ‘Love Island’ TV program test positive for virus. Five positive cases of COVID-­19 were reported among members of the production of “Love Island U.S.A.,” a CBS reality TV show currently filming in Hilo. Star-Advertiser.

Four Found Not Guilty Of Obstructing Mauna Kea Access Road. Four Native Hawaiians accused of obstructing the Mauna Kea Access Road in opposition to the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope were found not guilty in court on Friday. Hilo District Judge Kanani Laubach ruled in favor of Marie Alohalani Brown, Maxine Kahaulelio, Ranette Robinson and Keliʻi W. Ioane; the first of 38 to go to trial in over the arrests that occurred back in July 2019. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii County to receive $8 million to replace buses. The Hawaii County Council approved a resolution on Wednesday allowing the funds to be used to continue operations and to purchase additional buses. West Hawaii Today.

284 have applied for lava buyouts, but some remain frustrated by the process. Nearly everyone who was eligible to have their eruption-damaged homes bought out by Hawaii County has applied for the program. Tribune-Herald.

Residents demonstrate against youth vaccination requirements. The sign-waving events held in Waimea and Kailua-Kona, with another planned today in Hilo, follow the state Department of Education mandating vaccinations for student-athletes, and Parker School announcing it will require all eligible students and staff on campus be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by Oct. 1. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Council lets hotel moratorium veto stand. Override fails to get enough votes on bill aimed at mitigating high visitor volumes. Two Maui County Council members dramatically switched stances on a hotly contested measure to temporarily halt visitor accommodation growth in West and South Maui, ultimately allowing Mayor Michael Victorino’s veto of the bill to stand. Maui News.

MEO Outreach Schedule Features Rental, Mortgage, and Utility Help. Renters and mortgage holders facing difficulties making their payments may qualify for assistance – including with back rent – and could receive information and help in applying for relief at Maui Economic Opportunity in-person outreach events and offices. Maui Now.

Kauai

Waimea 400 plan focuses on housing, ag. How will climate change and sea-level rise affect the 417 acres of the Waimea 400 site? That’s what the county is trying to figure out through an adaptation planning method, said Waimea 400 Project Manager Lea Kai‘aokamalie of the county Planning Department. Garden Island.

New Kukui Grove shop has lines at grand opening. There was a line of people waiting patiently Sunday outside the doors to Rose’s Pinoy Favorites at Kukui Grove Center for the shop’s grand opening. Garden Island.

Ige issues vaccination mandate for state and county workers, mulls lifting vaccine passports for trans-Pacific travel, tightening gathering restrictions, as COVID hits record, clusters linked to church outings, volleyball tournaments, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige announces vaccination mandate

Hawaii state and county workers not vaccinated against COVID-19 must undergo weekly testing. State and county employees will be required to show proof that they are vaccinated against COVID-19 by Aug. 16 or undergo weekly testing under new emergency rules announced Thursday by Gov. David Ige in response to a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Garden Island. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.  

Limits on social gatherings, the lifting of a vaccination exemption for trans-Pacific travelers, and even distance learning for public school students. Those are among the measures that are back on the table as officials battle a resurgence of COVID cases and the delta variant. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

All state House members, staff must be fully vaccinated starting Sept. 30. All state House members and their staffs must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Sept. 30 or provide weekly proof of negative test results. Star-Advertiser.

Union Leaders Speak Out Against Ige’s Vaccine Mandate. Union leaders expressed frustration with Gov. David Ige’s recent use of emergency powers to mandate state and county employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Hawaii extends renewal date for expired driver’s licenses, IDs to October. The State has extended the COVID-19 emergency limit on renewing state IDs and driver’s licenses. Hawaii residents now have until Monday, Oct. 4, to update their documents if they have expired. KHON2.

Cabinet Kala: Who Gets Campaign Cash From Top State Officials. Gov. David Ige has received $103,000 from his current and former cabinet members, who have also donated more than $86,000 to state and county lawmakers. Civil Beat.

Summer volleyball tournaments lead to COVID clusters, including several breakthrough cases. The Hawaii Department of Health’s cluster report today focuses on the spread of the coronavirus among Hawaii residents participating in summer volleyball tournaments on the U.S. mainland. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Maui Jail, Oahu's Halawa Prison Report New COVID-19 Outbreaks. Inmates at Maui Community Correctional Center and Halawa Correctional Facility test positive this week. Civil Beat.

Hospitals starting to be stretched thin. Hilton Raethel, CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, addressed the state Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 on Thursday, saying that the number of coronavirus patients in hospitals is still not as high as earlier in the pandemic, but added that he believes the worst is yet to come. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Hawaii hits record 655 new COVID-19 infections as cases skyrocket. Hawaii’s number of daily new coronavirus cases spiked to a record high of 655 Thursday, this time with no lag time from lab glitches to blame for the surge. Thursday’s daily case count included 428 cases on Oahu, 131 in Hawaii County, 69 cases in Maui County and seven in Kauai County. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu Hasn’t Spent Tens Of Millions In Rent Aid As State Eviction Ban Expires. Starting Friday, Hawaii landlords may start serving eviction notices to tenants at least four months behind on rent. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Fire Commission Stalemates On Hiring New Chief. The mayor’s nominee of a seventh fire commissioner also is on hold at the City Council. Civil Beat.

Accused Honolulu crime boss Mike Miske pleads not guilty. Miske is charged with 17 offenses that include drug trafficking and weapons offenses, armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder for hire. His federal jury trial is set for March 21, 2022. KITV4.

Petition underway against Hawaii public school sports delay. The postponement of fall sports by the public-school Oahu Interscholastic Association on Wednesday due to the surge in COVID-19 cases has student-athletes’ families taking action. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless Frontlines: Getting Off the Street on Oʻahu. HPD opened a second Provisional Outdoor Screening and Triage (POST) facility in Whitmore this past summer in response to requests from the community and area elected officials. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hearing date set for Hilo charter school’s permit request. It will be at least two months until the Windward Planning Commission decides whether to grant Connections New Century Public Charter School a special permit to build a campus on about 70 acres of state-owned agricultural-zoned land in Kaumana. Tribune-Herald.

58 Junk Vehicles Removed From Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. The County of Hawai‘i’s Derelict and Abandoned Vehicle Section held its first Rural Area Junk Vehicle Collection last month in Kaʻū. Big Island Video News.

Parker Ranch works to restore forests following devastating Big Island wildfire. Following the devastating wildfire on Hawaii Island, Parker Ranch in Waimea said they will explore resiliency and sustainability opportunities to protect its pasture lands. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Local leaders aim to move quickly on new county transient accommodations tax. Mayor backs max amount; committee to hear proposal for max surcharge. Maui News.

Final EIS for Proposed A&B Water Lease Withdrawn Citing “Typographical Errors”. Alexander & Baldwin and East Maui Irrigation Company, Limited, withdrew its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed water lease for the Nāhiku, Keʻanae, Honomanū, and Huelo License Areas previously filed with both the DLNR Land Division and the State of Hawai‘i Environmental Review Program.  Maui Now.

County of Maui Successfully prices $84.74 Million in GO Bonds at 1.747% Rate. This is the County’s lowest rate confirmed back to 2005, based on available data.  Maui Now.

Maui Rally Seeks Medical Freedom for Keiki Athletes Amid New Vaccine Requirement. The rally drew more than 100 participants and was staged at the location which houses the district offices for the Department of Education, Maui Complex Areas. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

DOH: Lihu‘e Missionary Church COVID-19 exposure warning. The state’s Department of Health has issued an exposure notice to those who participated in the Lihu‘e Missionary Church youth excursions on July 25 and 31. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Community, law enforcement protect the turtles of Laniakea. After several recent reports of visitors slapping a seal or people touching or harassing turtles, Gov. David Ige declared violators will be fully prosecuted of the law. Garden Island.

Mayors mull vaccination mandates for county employees, schools open to in-person learning, local celeb chef dies of COVID, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

COVID vaccination PC:Steven Cornfield via Unsplash

All 4 Hawaii mayors are considering vaccine mandates for county workers. Potential policy changes would apply to nearly 13,000 workers statewide. Hawaii News Now.

Health officials look to add contact tracers. After scaling back its contact tracing program at the start of the year, state health officials are increasing the number of staff used to track COVID-19 cases as the highly ­contagious delta variant causes cases to spike to the highest levels seen since the start of the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s public schools open new academic year amid virus concerns. Osa Tui Jr., president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, said members reported that some schools opted to cancel large assemblies in their gymnasiums, but others did not, meaning hundreds of students sat shoulder-to-shoulder in events on different islands. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Rejection Of Ige’s Judicial Nominee Raises Questions Of Diversity In Hawaii Courts. Far fewer than half of the state’s judges are women, and men still far outnumber women in the legal field and in applications for vacancies. Civil Beat.

Beloved local chef, TV star Kawasaki dies while ill with COVID-19. A local family is mourning the loss of 45-year-old local star chef Grant Kawasaki. KHON2.

With COVID already canceling games, sports officials consider testing, mandating vaccines. With three non-leagues games cancelled this weekend, some feel there are better solutions to allowing athletes to suit up. Hawaii News Now.

Aug. 3, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 389 Cases, 1 death. The confirmed cases included: 266 on O‘ahu (+2 probable); 65 on Hawai‘i Island (-1 probable); 34 on Maui (-3 probable); six on Kaua‘i; and 18 in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state (+2 probable). KITV4.

Oahu

In First Six Months In Office, Honolulu Mayor’s Campaign Collected Over $600,000. Of the total donations, $450,000 went to repay Blangiardi for money he loaned his campaign. Civil Beat.

Honolulu rail costs ‘unimaginable,’ retired transit official says. A retired Federal Transit Administration official who had evaluation responsibility for America’s rail projects — including the city’s troubled system — called Honolulu’s spiraling costs and $3 billion deficit “unimaginable” and “far beyond” anything he has seen across the country in 30 years with the FTA. Star-Advertiser.

Mistaken identity lands man in Hawaii mental hospital for over 2 years. Hawaii officials wrongly arrested a homeless man for a crime committed by someone else, locked him up in a state hospital for more than two years, forced him to take psychiatric drugs and then tried to cover up the mistake by quietly setting him free with just 50 cents to his name, the Hawaii Innocence Project said in a court document asking a judge to set the record straight. Associated Press.

Updated Indictment In Miske Case Includes New Defendants And Details Of Alleged Murder. The kingpin’s daughter-in-law was named as a defendant, along with a business associate alleged to have bought a large fish bag to dispose of a body at sea. Civil Beat.

Reusable take-out container pilot project launches on Oahu's North Shore. A new pilot project, known as Full Cycle Takeout, hopes to reduce trash. KITV4.

Amazon has big plans for Kalihi Kai site. Amazon is preparing to change the way it fulfills customer orders in Honolulu with a new facility that could involve company-branded vans and personal vehicles delivering packages. Star-Advertiser.

State received 2 proposals in bid for removal of the Falls of Clyde from Honolulu Harbor. The Hawaii Department of Transportation said it has received two proposals in response to its solicitation for the removal of the historic Falls of Clyde ship from Honolulu Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council members vote to oust Van Pernis. County Council members on Tuesday voted narrowly in favor of removing a commissioner from the Leeward Planning Commission. Tribune-Herald.

Puna land purchase advances. Hawaii County will consider purchasing 165 acres of Puna land under its open space land-buying program. Tribune-Herald.

COVID cases reported at Life Care Center of Hilo. Nearly a dozen COVID-19 cases have been reported at Life Care Center of Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Community Input Sought at Maui Charter Commission Meeting. This is the latest in a series of meetings scheduled over the next several months by the Commission to obtain input and insights from the community related to proposed Charter amendments that will be considered for placement on the ballot in November 2022.  Maui Now.

Keawakapu Home Listed at $38M as Neighboring Property Sells for $45M, Highest on Record. A Balinese and Hawaiʻi-inspired beachfront home in Keawakapu, Maui is on the market, listed at $38 million. It comes up for sale as a separate property down the road, also in Keawakapu sold for a record $45 million. Maui Now.

Kauai

County has enough cash to ‘cure’ rent delinquency. Local nonprofit Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity, Inc. handles all landlord-tenant mediation cases in Kaua‘i County. Garden Island.

West Kaua‘i Energy Project discussion is Aug. 10. Keeping members informed and soliciting community feedback on the West Kaua‘i Energy Project is the intent of a series of monthly community meetings starting Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 4:30 p.m., at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center. Garden Island.

Hawaii's 20k federal civilian workers face Biden's vaccination mandate, COVID delays barge shipment, creates food shortages on Kauai, Jill Biden cuts foot on Oahu beach, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Federal building in Honolulu ©2021 All Hawaii News

President’s tough new vaccination rules impact 20K federal civilian workers in Hawaii. Some 20,000 federal civilian workers in Hawaii along with on-site contractors are impacted by President Biden’s sweeping new vaccine order. Under the new rules, they’ll be required to verify they’re vaccinated or face regular testing. Unvaccinated workers will also face travel restrictions and be required to mask up. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii hits 60% vaccination milestone, but is still behind schedule. Honolulu has about 62% of its population fully vaccinated, followed by Kauai County at 60%, Hawaii County at 56% and Maui County at 54%. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Senate Formally Rejects Gov. David Ige's Court of Appeals Nominee. The state Senate formally rejected Gov. David Ige's appointment of Daniel Gluck to the Hawaiʻi Intermediate Court of Appeals after Gluck expressed his desire to withdraw from the process. Hawaii Public Radio. Associated Press.

Jill Biden treated for puncture on foot after Hawaii visit. First lady Jill Biden underwent a medical procedure Thursday to flush out debris from a puncture wound on her left foot, her spokesperson said. Associated Press.

HTA: Visitor Arrivals, Spending Up in June, But Remains Below Pre-Pandemic Levels. Nearly 800,000 visitors from the continental U.S. arrived in the islands last month, according to the latest report from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority highlighting monthly visitor arrivals and spending. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH COVID-19 forecast model predicts Delta variant could push Oahu to 600 daily infections. The Hawaii Pandemic Applied Modeling Workgroup has come up with forecasts for several COVID-19 scenarios since the pandemic began last year, but the most alarming forecast is where the state could be heading in the next few months. KHON2.

July 29, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 234 Cases, 2 Deaths. The state Department of Health reports that there were 234** additional COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i on Thursday. **An interruption in electronic lab reporting earlier this week resulted in incomplete case counts reported yesterday and today. The confirmed cases included: 137 on O‘ahu (+1 probable); 54 on Hawai‘i Island; 18 on Maui (+13 probable); nine on Kaua‘i; and one in a Hawai‘i resident diagnosed while out of state (+1 probable). Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council weighs how to spend federal COVID funds. The Honolulu City Council is deciding how to spend the first $193 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds that the city received in June to combat the public health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Handi-Van Driver Dies Of COVID-19. A Honolulu paratransit driver is one of the latest victims of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services. The city did not release the person’s name or age, nor their date of death. Civil Beat.

Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center to require all employees to get vaccinated. Of the nearly 700 staff members at the center, 80 percent are already fully vaccinated. KITV4.

City cracks down on peer-to-peer car rentals clogging residential neighborhoods. With the shortage in rental cars, residents have been turning to renting out their cars using peer-to-peer sharing on apps like Turo. But some neighborhoods are seeing a proliferation of vehicles taking up parking on side streets — and the city is cracking down. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Tourism Authority approves plan to reduce Oahu tourists. The Hawaii Tourism Authority on Thursday approved a tourism management plan for Oahu that says the agency will work to “decrease the total number of visitors on the island.” That’s the top anchor action in the Oahu Destination Management Action Plan, which HTA developed in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu and the community over the past five months. Star-Advertiser.

Former managing director Roy Amemiya says he had nothing to do with former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha $250,000 settlement. Honolulu’s former managing director says he had nothing to do with the $250,000 settlement with former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and is still seeking information about the U.S. Department of Justice’s allegations that prompted investigators to subpoena him to testify before a federal grand jury, then make him a formal target of their investigation. Star-Advertiser.

Vice Principal Fired For Affair On Campus Accuses Her Union Of Failing To Defend Her. The vice principal, while accepting responsibility, says that dismissal for the affair with a principal was too harsh. Civil Beat.

How A ‘Perfect Storm’ Led To A Spike In COVID Cases On The Westside. Waianae and Ewa have had the highest number of new COVID-19 cases on Oahu in the past two weeks. Civil Beat.

Blaisdell Center Receives $3M Federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. The Neal S. Blaisdell Center has received just over $3 million from the federal Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program to recoup lost revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

6 residents test positive for COVID at Hilo nursing facility. A long-term care home facility on the Big Island reported Wednesday that six of its residents tested positive for COVID. The Life Care Center of Hilo had conducted facility-wide testing after one of their employees became infected with the virus on July 21. Hawaii News Now.

Homesteaders eye dispute between Fevella, Aila: Senate minority leader seeks probe of DHHL. Keaukaha Community President Patrick Kahawaiolaa said it’s difficult for homesteaders to get loans from commercial lenders because the land is on 99-year leases for $1 a year and title belongs to the DHHL. Tribune-Herald.

24th annual Sayre awards fundraiser canceled due to COVID. The Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation announced the 24th annual Awards and Fund-Raising Dinner honoring the Hawaii Fire Department Meritorious Service Award recipients will not be held on Sept. 4 this year at the Fairmont Orchid due to the continued spread of the coronavirus. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Environmental study for water leases complete. A&B, EMI are seeking 30-year lease to divert water from East Maui. Alexander & Baldwin and its subsidiary East Maui Irrigation Co. have wrapped up a long-awaited environmental study that the companies need in order to seek a long-term lease to divert water from East Maui streams. Maui News.

Hawaiian Electric Collecting Feedback on Shared Solar Program for Moloka‘i. Hawaiian Electric is hosting a virtual stakeholder meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., to collect feedback from Moloka‘i residents and business owners, renewable energy developers, and interested parties regarding Moloka‘i shared solar projects, also known as the Community-Based Renewable Energy program. Maui Now.

$1 Million in New Grants & Matching Funds for Lānaʻi Watershed Conservation Program. The Kuahiwi a Kai: Lānaʻi Watershed Conservation Program has received four new grants worth $471,000 and matching contributions of $547,000, for a total conservation impact of more than $1 million. Maui Now.

Fewer Visitors to Maui in June 2021 than June 2019, But They Spent More. The 260,618 visitors to Maui in June 2021 contributed $503 million to the local economy, which is 5.4% more than the $477 million spent by the 295,926 tourists who came to the island pre-pandemic in June 2019. Maui Now.

Kauai

Barge shipment delay results in no burgers, pet food. Burger King ran out of burgers, and Kentucky Fried Chicken ran out of mashed potatoes. These were just some of the effects of a barge shipment delayed due to crew members contracting COVID-19, setting off a small chain reaction on the island. Garden Island.

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ singer selling North Shore home. Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis is selling his Kaua‘i house for nearly $10 million. Garden Island.