14-day out of state quarantine extended to July 31, vacation rentals to begin reopening, facial recognition coming to airports, no audit for Honolulu rail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige June 10, 2020 press conference from video

Gov. David Ige Extends Trans-Pacific Travel Quarantine To July 31. Interisland travel will be opened on June 16. Passengers will be subject to a temperature check and anyone with a fever over 100.4 degrees will not be allowed to board. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige extends trans-Pacific quarantine through July 31, announces temperature checks for interisland flights. Gov. David Ige today extended the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for out-of-state passengers to July 31. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. extends COVID-19 emergency period; quarantine changes made for travel around, into Hawaii. Hawaii Governor David Ige signed a ninth supplementary emergency proclamation that extends the state’s COVID-19 emergency period through July 31. KHON2.

Governor Ige Extends COVID-19 Emergency Period Through July 31. Governor David Ige has signed a Ninth Supplementary Emergency Proclamation, lifting the 14-day quarantine for inter-island travelers on June 16. Big Island Video News.

Ige Extends Out-of-State Travel Quarantine. Hawai‘i has extended its 14-day mandatory travel quarantine for out-of-state arrivals through the end of July, Governor David Ige announced Wednesday. Big Island Now.

Governor Extends Hawai‘i’s 14-Day Quarantine for International and Out-of-State Arrivals to July 31. The extension was announced during a press briefing this afternoon, and is part of the governor’s Ninth Emergency Proclamation relating to COVID-19. Maui Now.

Full text of Gov. Ige's Ninth Supplementary Emergency Proclamation can be found here.

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Temperature testing will be required for interisland travel. Thermal screening will be required at the airport for all interisland passengers starting Tuesday, and anyone with a fever of 100.4 or greater will be denied boarding. Star-Advertiser.

Thermal scanners, facial recognition technology to be installed in Hawaii’s airports. Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors said Wednesday that even though the mandatory 14-day quarantine for interisland passengers will lifted June 16, there will be a “new health-screening process” passengers will have to undergo. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii will utilize facial recognition in airports. Installation will begin as a pilot program next week. KITV4.

Hawaii tourism industry faces more losses from extended visitor quarantine. Hawaii tourism, which essentially collapsed amid COVID-19 fears and lockdowns, won’t get out of the starting block for at least another 51 days. Star-Advertiser.

Pandemic budget crunch leaves Hawaii with unpleasant options. The coronavirus pandemic has pushed Hawaii’s unemployment rate up to 22.3%, generated miles-long food bank lines and led hotel operators to close their doors and board up their windows. Associated Press.

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Vacation rentals could reopen soon. As a group of transient vacation rental owners on four islands threatened a $1 billion lawsuit if they’re not allowed to reopen, Kauai was approved Wednesday for a new rule allowing that county to open the rentals to those not under quarantine and Gov. David Ige said his administration is working with other counties to see if it’s appropriate for them to follow suit. West Hawaii Today.

Vacation rental owners claim discrimination, threaten lawsuit. A group of vacation rental owners and property managers threatens a $1 billion lawsuit, if they are not allowed to re-open. KITV4.

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Governor: I ‘ordered’ director handling unemployment claims to take time off. “I ordered Director (Scott) Murakami to take some time off because as you know he was under tremendous pressure,” Gov. David Ige said, at the tail end of a news conference on inter-island travel. Hawaii News Now.

Ige: I Told Murakami To Take A Break. Scott Murakami, head of the state labor department, went on leave in early June after receiving death threats. Civil Beat.

Here’s how many jobless claims have been paid in Hawaii since March 1. The state said it’s still working to process nearly 18,000 valid unemployment claims. Meanwhile, 130,536 jobless claims are being paid. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii Is Spending $16M In Federal Aid For Summer Learning Programs. The money is part of a broader $43 million the Hawaii Department of Education received from a federal coronavirus relief package. Civil Beat.

Strengthening Hawaii's Community Food Security In A COVID-19 World. Food shortages in communities statewide because of the COVID-19 pandemic helped highlight the vulnerability of Hawaiʻi’s food supply. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii sees slight uptick in homeless population. Oahu’s homeless count increased by 0.7 percent during the nation’s latest annual homeless census, while the neighbor islands saw a similar 1% increase. Hawaii island saw a 16% increase since 2019, compared with a 9% decline on Maui and 4% decrease on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

4 new coronavirus cases on Oahu; Hawaii’s statewide total at 685. All four of today’s new cases are on Oahu, as was the case that was removed. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council leaders quash HART forensic audit. City Councilwoman Heidi Tsuneyoshi is calling out Council Chairman Ikaika Anderson and Vice Chairwoman Ann Koba­yashi for refusing to proceed with contracting for an independent forensic audit of the agency charged with building Honolulu’s troubled, 20-mile rail line. Star-Advertiser.

A city rail audit won’t happen for now as feds continue their investigation. A city forensic audit for the rail project will not move forward. Councilmember Heidi Tsuneyoshi says the council chair and vice chair would not sign off on a Request for Proposals. Hawaii News Now.

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Honolulu City Council moving forward with resolution pressuring state to test visitors before they board a plane to Hawai'i. The Honolulu City Council is moving forward with a resolution putting pressure on the state to energize tourism by testing visitors up to three days before they leave. KITV4.

COVID-19 patient was at Oahu game room hours before being hospitalized. State Health Department officials reported four new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, one of whom is an Oahu woman in her 60s who has been hospitalized. The woman’s doctor says she was admitted to the ER on Tuesday night. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council looks to keep community food distribution with local produce. So far, the city has held 11 community food distribution events, giving out more than 500 thousand pounds in local produce, which has in-turn made Hawaii’s farmers $250,000. KHON2.

Neighbors raise concerns for planned affordable housing project in Kailua. There are currently seven single-family homes on the roughly one-acre parcel at the intersection of Oneawa and Kawainui streets, along the edge of a residential neighborhood. The proposal calls for a three-story building and a four-story building that will have a total of 73 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Hawaii News Now.

Koko Crater safety project now is delayed indefinitely. Bowing to community concerns, city officials on Wednesday agreed to delay a safety improvement project at Koko Crater summit just two days after they announced it was scheduled to start next week. Star-Advertiser.

Koko Crater stairs won’t close for improvements afterall. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hilo Landfill Closure Nearly Complete. The landfill is now covered by green, synthetic turf grass. The capping method is the first to be permitted and constructed in Hawaiʻi. Big Island Video News.

Hilo landfill pau this month. The county Department of Environmental Management is expected to finish a months-long project to permanently shut down the South Hilo landfill this month. Tribune-Herald.

South Hilo Landfill Closure Nears Completion. The South Hilo Sanitary Landfill will soon be closed for good, according to a statement from Hawai‘i County Wednesday. Big Island Now.

Maui

Bars get OK to reopen Monday. A couple weeks after Maui County restaurants were allowed to reopen, bars finally got state and county clearance to resume operations starting Monday. Maui News.

Commission mulls short-term rental cap. Bill would reduce permits on Maui, Lanai from 349 to 278. Maui News.

Maui County’s Share of CIP Funds is More Than $533 Million. More than $533 million was set aside for Capital Improvement Projects on Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi as part of the $5.1 billion CIP budget bill passed by the state legislature on May 21 for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021. Maui Now.

Kauai

Emergency rule 12 reopens bars, TVRs June 16. Bars and short-term rentals will be allowed to reopen on June 16 to people not subject to quarantine. Garden Island.

Council talks proposed CARES Act funds budget. If approved by the state, the county hopes to put over $28 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds toward direct assistance, economic and supply chain resiliency and preparing for a potential next wave of the novel coronavirus. Garden Island.

This Kauai Doctor Is Helping Revolutionize Drug Treatment For Inmates. The state is seeking a $650,000 federal grant to set up a pilot program for using medication-assisted treatment to address drug dependency in corrections facilities statewide. Civil Beat.

Reef health at a Kauai beach shows signs of improvement.  DLNR has been monitoring Anini Reef for the past year. They found that evidence of “black band disease” on rice corals fell by more than 11 percent to normal levels. Hawaii News Now.

Pretesting of inbound Hawaii passengers urged, Maui bars to reopen, Kauai Foodland to close, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu airport ©2020 All Hawaii News

Experts: Test Passengers To Reopen Hawaii Tourism. People traveling to Hawaii could get a COVID-19 test before boarding the plane at a national pharmacy chain under a deal in the works with state officials. Civil Beat.

UH proposal calls for strict preflight screening of out-of-state passengers. The University of Hawaii is proposing a way to allow for the reopening of out-of-state travel to Hawaii while ensuring minimal spread of COVID-19 from tourists. Tribune-Herald.

6 in 10 mainland travelers say they’d be willing to be tested for COVID-19 to visit Hawaii. A new UH study shows the majority of travelers from the mainland would be willing to take a COVID-19 test prior to landing in Hawaii and after arrival. Hawaii News Now.

As air travel slowly returns, thermal screening at HNL to begin.  A pilot passenger thermal screening project is getting ready to takeoff at the Honolulu Airport. Starting Monday, thermal scanners designed to screen incoming passengers at HNL will individually measure people’s temperatures as they come off their planes. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines is hoping to get residents flying again when it starts increased service to the neighbor islands. The airline is offering a 20 percent discount on flights between June 16 – 30. KHON2.

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Hawaii-Based General Confirmed As First Black Air Force Chief Of Staff. Gen. Charles Brown, the current commander of the Pacific Air Forces, accepted the nomination just days after speaking out on institutional racism and the national protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd. Civil Beat.

Hawaii scrambles to prepare for all mail-in voting in primary election. Hawaii elections officials are scrambling to prepare for the state’s first all-mail election: The primary election on Aug. 8. In addition to alerting voters that ballots will be coming in the mail, the COVID-19 crisis means the ballots cannot be counted in the tight confines of the state Capitol. Hawaii News Now.

Bill requiring county police departments to disclose identities of officers suspended, discharged being considered. Hawaii lawmakers will head back into session at the State Capitol on June 22nd. KITV4.

With tourism shut down, sustainable start-ups hope to fuel a new era in Hawaii’s economy. Tourism may be the driving force behind Hawaii’s economy, but a growing number of entrepreneurs and business agree: It doesn’t have to be the only one. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii to receive $30M in federal funding to help homeless during pandemic. Hawaii is set to receive more than $30.8 million in federal funding to help homeless families and individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. Star-Advertiser.

$30M in federal funds headed to Hawaii to support houseless population amid Covid crisis. More than $30 million in federal funds is being sent to the Aloha State to improve shelters, as well as provide mental health support, job assistance and essential services for Hawaii's houseless amid the Covid-19 pandemic, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

State Homeless Coordinator expects to see steady increase in homelessness due to pandemic. While local economists believe the homeless population in Hawaii will increase in the coming months due to COVID-19 we're getting a clearer picture of the situation before the pandemic. KITV4.

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First Hawaii resident charged with violating traveler quarantine. A 48-year-old Waikiki woman has become the first Hawaii resident to be charged with violating the state’s mandatory traveler quarantine. Star-Advertiser.

Teachers, Just Like Other Working Parents, Are In A Bind Over Lack Of Child Care. Many child care centers have shuttered, delayed reopening or increased tuition due to the pandemic. That leaves many teachers who need to return to their classrooms with few options for their kids. Civil Beat.

6 new coronavirus cases on Oahu brings Hawaii’s statewide total to 682. Hawaii Department of Health officials said today that the state’s tally of coronavirus cases has risen to 682, up six from Monday. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — JUNE 9: 6 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. All of the new reported cases were on Oahu, according to the state Department of Health. Civil Beat.

Oahu

In the first mass testing on Oahu, Arcadia nursing home tests about 550 of its health care workers. An estimated 550 health care workers at the Arcadia Family of Cos. were tested this week for the coronavirus in Hawaii’s first mass testing program at nursing homes on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Local farmers in need of restaurant and hotel operation, City Council to discuss CARES funds to help. According to the Hawaii Farm Bureau, most of Hawaii’s farmers rely on hotels, restaurants, and schools to stay in business. Honolulu City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi says that Hawaii needs local farmers for the economy to be sustainable. KHON2.

Abigail Kawananakoa’s wife among 4 seeking conservatorship. The wife of Abigail Kawananakoa is among four individuals being considered for appointment as conservator overseeing the personal finances of the 93-year-old Campbell Estate heiress. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Gets $22.3 Million To Address Housing Impacts Of COVID-19. Another round of federal funds is specifically aimed at meeting people’s housing needs. Civil Beat.

Survey Counts Over 4,400 Homeless People On Oahu Before COVID-19. Hawaii’s rate of homelessness was among the worst in the nation pre-pandemic. It’s likely to get even worse. Civil Beat.

City’s summer program for kids free this year, but enrollment to shrink. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Tuesday afternoon announced the city would offer a pared-down version of Summer Fun in July for free. Star-Advertiser.

Vehicles won’t be allowed on Kalakaua Ave. for the next 4 Sunday mornings. Waikiki residents are baffled and upset after they say they weren’t consulted when it came to a plan to shut down Kalakaua Avenue for the next four Sunday mornings. Hawaii News Now.

Ko Olina lagoons reopen but parking lot still closed. For more than 25 years, the four man-made beach lagoons at Ko Olina Resort Community on Oahu’s leeward coast have been a favorite seashore recreation spot. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mayor to Seek Approval from Governor on Larger Gatherings.  Kim said he was working on a proposal to Gov. David Ige that requests a lift from the 10 people or less group size to 50 or less for indoors and 100 or less for outdoors. The mayor hopes to implement the new regulations by next week. Big Island Now.

Vacation rental owners call foul: County rules bar them from renting long-term to locals. County Planning Director Michael Yee said Tuesday the prohibition will continue only while Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation is in effect. West Hawaii Today.

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HPD prohibits use of carotid, neck restraint choke holds. Hawaii County’s police officers have been prohibited for nearly two decades from employing the restraint infamously used by a Minneapolis police officer that led to the death of George Floyd. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island police chief talks George Floyd case, protests. Hawaii County Police Chief Paul Ferreira said the viral video of a white Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the neck of an African-American man, who later died, reflects upon all police officers. Tribune-Herald.

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A retired Hawaii Police Department captain accused of tipping off Hilo arcade owners prior to a 2017 police gambling raid made his initial court appearance Tuesday on refiled charges. Tribune-Herald.

Kim: No July 4 fireworks show. The County of Hawaii canceled all county-sponsored Independence Day festivities because of COVID-19 concerns. Tribune-Herald.

$14.9M released for Kealakehe Elementary School new classroom building. Design work is underway for a new classroom building at Kealakehe Elementary School that’s expected to be ready for school year 2023-24. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Bars can reopen, outdoor sports can resume in Maui County on June 15, Victorino says. A county news release today announced that indoor gatherings can be as large as 50 people, while outdoor gatherings can have up to 100 people, which would allow additional businesses to open. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Bars, Paddling, Some Outdoor Sports Set to Reopen on Monday, June 15. The Governor has granted the County of Maui’s request to reopen more businesses and activities on Monday, June 15, 2020.  The reopening will come a day ahead of the planned resumption of interisland travel on June 16, as the state’s 14-day quarantine on interisland travel is lifted next week Tuesday. Maui Now.

Mayor: Maui in good position as life returns to normal. More reopenings expected to be announced this week. Maui News.

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New Report Shows Maui Residents Must Work 56.6 Hours Per Week to Afford Rent. Hawaiʻi residents must work 59 hours per week to afford rent of a single bedroom dwelling, according to a new report by Self Financial. Maui Now.

Home prices up to $800K in May amid pandemic. A decline in sales and new listings during the pandemic pushed single-family home prices to $800,000 and condo prices to their highest levels in 12 months in May, according to the latest data from the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Foodland to close Kauai store in early August. Foodland Super Market Ltd. today announced it will be closing its store at Waipouli Town Center on Kauai on Aug. 9 after 40 years of business. Star-Advertiser.

End of an era. Pua Pa of Lihu‘e said she is going to miss the poke from the Foodland store in Waipouli Shopping Center. Garden Island.

Foodland to exit A&B's Waipouli Town Center on Kauai. Foodland Super Market Ltd. said Tuesday that it does not plan to renew its lease at the Waipouli Town Center on Kauai with landlord Alexander & Baldwin and will close the store on Aug. 9 after 40 years in business. Pacific Business News.

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Arrests made for quarantine violations. Two men were recently arrested for violating the state’s 14-day quarantine order related to COVID-19. Benjamin McGranahan was arrested at Lihu‘e Airport on June 5 after refusing to abide by the rule that requires all arriving visitors and returning residents to remain at an appropriate quarantine location for two weeks. Garden Island.

Valenciano to rule on Coco Palms foreclosure. A state Circuit Court judge on Tuesday allowed one of the would-be Honolulu redevelopers of the iconic Coco Palms Resort in Wailua to lodge a last-minute objection to a proposed agreement that would send the troubled hotel to the foreclosure auction block. Garden Island.

Hawaii Legislature to take up police misconduct bill, Ige asks participants in Black Lives Matter rallies to self-isolate, military travel restrictions lifted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Police on parade, file photo, ©2020 All Hawaii News

Hawaii House Speaker Says Cop Misconduct Bill Is ‘On Our Radar’. The House and Senate are reviewing a measure requiring more disclosure on the part of police agencies that stalled last year after passing both chambers. Civil Beat.

Gov. Ige asks protesters from weekend Black Lives Matter rallies to voluntarily self-isolate. Gov. David Ige today requested that participants in Black Lives Matter protests over the weekend consider self-isolating a few days in order to protect others from possibly getting the new coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Ige concerned about how gatherings such as recent protests will impact the state’s COVID-19 case counts. Gov. David Ige is asking those who rallied during recent Black Lives Matter protests throughout Hawaii to self-isolate as the state continues its fight against COVID-19. Tribune-Herald.

More push to require a negative COVID test before flying to Hawaii. A group of UH experts is warning the state that opening up to mainland tourism - without required testing before travel - will overwhelm Hawaii's health care system. Hawaii News Now.

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State loosens restrictions and announces reopenings of camping, parks. The state is loosening up restrictions and reopening state parks in conjunction with each county’s specific rules and guidelines, the Department of Land and Natural Resources announced this afternoon, providing updates on the latest changes. Star-Advertiser.

LIST: Hawaii State parks to reopen in phases by July 1. DLNR says most overnight state facilities will reopen by July 1. Hawaii News Now.

DLNR Lessens State Parks Restrictions. The DLNR Division of State Parks is lessening restrictions and reopening park areas in conjunction with various county-specific rules and guidelines. Big Island Now.

Some Hawaii State Parks Still Closed, But Restrictions Lessening. Big Island Video News.

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Pentagon OKs increased travel to Hawaii amid unclear rules. A total of 1,125 military members arrived in the first week of June. Another 1,191 came to Hawaii in the last two weeks of May. The transition of service members to Hawaii is normally much greater during spring and summer, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Travel restrictions lifted for military service members in Hawai'i. The Department of Defense is lifting travel restrictions for military service members in Hawaii because of the low number of COVID-19 cases here. KITV4.

Federal funding for National Guard at Hawaii airports will end in August. The federal government says it will stop paying for the National Guard to screen passengers in Hawaii airports on August 10. Hawaii News Now.

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King Kamehameha celebrations canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic. This year there will be no Kamehameha Statue lei draping or floral parade. All King Kamehameha celebration events have been canceled statewide because of the pandemic. KHON2.

Doctors worry that patients are neglecting their regular visits as well as their health. Despite fears surrounding the new coronavirus, Hawaii health officials are urging the public to go to the doctor for routine checkups, vaccinations and to manage chronic diseases to prevent a spike in other ailments. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii gets 1 new virus case; 667 visitors fly into the state. State Department of Health officials said Monday that the state’s tally of coronavirus cases has risen to 676, up one from Sunday. The lone infection case is on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — JUNE 8: 1 New COVID-19 Case In Hawaii. The case was found on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Department reviewing vascular neck restraint policy in wake of Minneapolis. A submission hold known as a “vascular neck restraint” used by Honolulu police officers was halted pending a review of the department’s use-of-force policy, Police Chief Susan Ballard said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police To Temporarily Halt Use Of Vascular Neck Restraints. George Floyd’s death prompted HPD to review its use of force policy.Civil Beat.

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Mayor Caldwell nominates Michael Broderick and Doug Chin to Honolulu Police Commission. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s two newest nominees to the Honolulu Police Commission say they support some measure of police reform but also stress that they value the work of police officers. Star-Advertiser.

Former Hawaii AG who fought Trump’s travel ban picked for police panel. If confirmed by the Honolulu City Council, Doug Chin will replace one of the two commissioners who recently resigned. Hawaii News Now.

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Iolani Palace reopens June 19. It will start off with self-guided tours on Fridays and Saturdays with more days added in the future. KHON2.

Hawaii teachers union endorses Hanabusa plus Council candidates. The Hawaii State Teachers Association is backing former Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa for mayor, its first endorsement ever in a county-level election. Star-Advertiser.

Teachers Union Endorses Hanabusa For Honolulu Mayor. This marks the first time HSTA has endorsed a candidate for mayor, the union said. Civil Beat.

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Honolulu To Repair Structures Atop Koko Head But Not Tramway. The tramway leading up to the Koko Head summit will be closed from June 15 through the end of July as workers repair “deficient structures” at the top that pose a public safety risk, the city said in a news release on Monday. Civil Beat.

Koko Head to close next week for repairs and improvements. The Koko Crater Stairs in East Oahu will be closed for repairs for about a month and a half. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hilo judges recuse themselves from hearing former cop’s assault, abuse cases. Both Hilo Circuit judges, Henry Nakamoto and Peter Kubota, filed certificates of recusal for a pair of cases in which the defendant is 56-year-old Ian Lee Loy, the husband of County Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy of Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Roth alarmed by release of suspect in violent home invasion. A letter from the Big Island’s prosecutor to a special master appointed by the state Supreme Court to oversee an orderly population reduction in the state’s jails and prisons expressed alarm over the release of a pretrial detainee in a violent home invasion after judges twice reduced the man’s bail. Tribune-Herald.

St. Joseph students, faculty, alums thank community for helping school survive. The 151-year-old school, the Big Island’s only Catholic school, announced on its website that it’s nearing the $500,000 in donations and pledges it needs to remain open. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Hospital Begins Universal Testing, Single Person on Maui with COVID-19 in Home Quarantine.  Maui Memorial Medical Center begins universal testing for COVID-19 on all patients admitted through the Emergency Department and Obstetrics patients. Maui Now.

COVID-19 patient at hospital tests negative. The last confirmed patient with COVID-19 at Maui Memorial Medical Center has tested negative for the virus, a hospital spokeswoman said on Sunday. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Restart: Business. Tax relief, speedy permitting processes and fresh marketing strategies are a few of the ideas for helping local Kaua‘i businesses recover from pandemic protocols that have heavily impacted bottom lines and closed some doors for good. Garden Island.

Online county council candidacy forum Wednesday. Of the 22 candidates running for a council seat, 16 are participating at the forum sponsored by Just Transition Hawai‘i Coalition, Community Coalition of Kaua‘i and 350Kaua‘i Climate Action Coalition. Garden Island.

These Kauai Cops Are Tired Of Racist Police Killings, Too. Kauai’s police chief is encouraging officers to attend protests and have candid conversations with citizens — and each other. Civil Beat.

Officers cite 15 at Kalalau area currently closed due to the pandemic. The state says a team of officers on Sunday issued 15 citations to people who were in a closed-off area of the Kalalau at Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Architect Says Time Is Running Out To Save Kauai’s Coco Palms. The resort is likely headed for the auction block, but the building’s remaining concrete frames could lose their structural integrity before a new owner is in place. Civil Beat.

Unemployment chief goes on leave amid system meltdown that leaves thousands unpaid, Black Lives Matter demonstrations draw peaceful crowds, campaign donor gets big COVID contract, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Scott Murakami (l) with Gov. David Ige in April 22 Facebook live session

The Head Of Hawaii’s Unemployment Office Is On Leave. It’s not clear whether the leave is voluntary, but agency officials say the labor director had been receiving death threats. Civil Beat.

Hawaii unemployment office director on leave, governor’s office confirms. Scott Murakami, the director of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, is currently on leave, putting his deputy in charge, a spokeswoman for Gov. David Ige’s office confirmed Saturday. Murakami told a state House committee last month that his employees were receiving death threats because of the issues filing claims. Star-Advertiser.

Senate COVID-19 committee will not be "investigative". The resolution to make the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 "investigative," giving it the power to subpoena, has been rescinded. KITV4.

How A Major Campaign Donor Got A Million-Dollar Cleaning Contract In Honolulu. The contract, as well as a job on Maui, was approved after Gov. David Ige suspended procurement rules. Civil Beat.

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Thousands of Hawaii protesters rally for Black Lives Matter on Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui and Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Thousands Show Up Across Hawaii To Protest Racial Injustice. The peaceful march Saturday in Honolulu, organized by a youth-led group called Hawaii for Black Lives, drew a crowd estimated at nearly 10,000 protesters. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s weekend Black Lives Matter protests drew thousands statewide. Standing in solidarity with the national Black Lives Matter movement, thousands of Hawaii residents joined in protests across the islands this weekend. Hawaii News Now.


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UH to Begin Training COVID-19 Contact Tracers. The University of Hawaiʻi System-Hawaiʻi State Department of Health kicks off its Contact Tracing Training Program on Monday. Big Island Now.

State’s contact tracing training program kicks off Monday, expects to train hundreds by July. A state training program to trace the contacts of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 starts Monday, June 8. KHON2.

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Germ-fighting ‘dry fog’ system used in prisons could also be used in schools and airports. A new disinfecting system that promises to kill everything from mold to the new coronavirus for at least 90 days is being applied in state prisons and has the potential for use in schools, airports and other buildings to help open Hawaii’s economy, state prison officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Pacific Islanders, Filipinos Have Highest COVID-19 Rates In Hawaii. New data on race shows that Native Hawaiians — previously lumped in with other Pacific Islanders — aren’t currently experiencing higher rates of COVID-19. Civil Beat.

Guidelines create incomplete Hawaii virus data, critics say. Coronavirus information from Hawaii health officials presents an incomplete story of the pandemic’s impact on racial and ethnic communities in the state, some critics said. KITV4.


Hawaii is likely to see more COVID-19 infections as reopening continues, health director says. The number of new coronavirus cases in Hawaii has increased slightly, nearly reaching half of all of May’s cases in the first week of this month. Star-Advertiser.

Weekend COVID cases rise as state figures out a plan to welcome visitors back. Lieutenant Governor Josh Green said we’ll find out soon whether or not the two-week quarantine or travelers into the state will be lifted. KHON2.

2 new COVID-19 cases, 1 new hospitalization reported Sunday. On Sunday, just two new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Hawaii. The two new cases came after both Friday and Saturday consecutively revealed nine new cases on each day. Hawaii News Now.

2 new Oahu coronavirus cases, 509 out-of-state new visitor arrivals to Hawaii. Out-of-state visitor arrivals to Hawaii rose to 509 Saturday, the sixth day in a row that incoming arrivals topped 400. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — JUNE 7: 2 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Both new cases were reported on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Another audit reveals problems, this time with city parks. The city auditor Friday blasted inadequate maintenance of Honolulu parks, blaming the lack of management and resources. Hawaii News Now.

The new normal for offices will include staggered shifts, limits, more remote working. Many companies with offices downtown are in no hurry to reopen, with some waiting until the end of the month, others until July and even others, beyond that. Star-Advertiser.

Dentist’s offices are reopening for routine care, with fewer patients at a time. Slowly, but surely, dentist’s offices are reopening for routine cleanings and nonemergency procedures. Star-Advertiser.

Single-family homes and condo sales dropped 51% in May. Sales of single-family homes and condominiums on Oahu tanked in May as owners and buyers elected to practice social distancing. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Young Brothers making changes, barge arrival returning to Mondays. Young Brothers will continue operations under a reduced sailing schedule for the next month, but Monday barge service in Hilo is set to resume soon. West Hawaii Today.

Creagan withdraws candidacy: Bondera selected as heir apparent in Democratic contest for House District 5. State Rep. Richard Creagan dropped out of the House District 5 race after hiring a handpicked, last-minute candidate to manage his legislative office in Honolulu. West Hawaii Today.

HECO selects 3 Big Island projects in quest for renewable energy, energy storage. A pair of solar-plus-storage projects that will generate 120 megawatts of solar power with 480 megawatt-hour storage capacity in South Kohala are moving forward. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo DMV: Make an appointment. While the county’s Department of Motor Vehicles is open again for in-person services, residents are advised to make an appointment or be prepared to wait. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County Council passes austere $823M budget. The Maui County Council on Friday approved on second and final reading an $822.6 million county budget for fiscal 2020-21, which reflects the “new normal” as the county deals with coronavirus impacts. Maui News.

MRA seeks more information from hotel developers. Meeting on review of environmental report stretches over 2 days. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Has A New Plan For Its Vacant Residential Drug Treatment Facility. The director of Hope Treatment Services said the county broke his contract to provide inpatient drug treatment to youth because it couldn’t obtain a license to operate fast enough. Civil Beat.

These Kauai Cops Are Tired Of Racist Police Killings, Too. Kauai’s police chief is encouraging officers to attend protests and have candid conversations with citizens — and each other. Civil Beat.

Restarting Kaua‘i. Broadband infrastructure, cleaning up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and implementing a new model for visitor travel are among the ideas that can leverage Kaua‘i’s future post-coronavirus. Garden Island.

Malama Pono Health Services gets grant, launches mobile-health van. Malama Pono Health Services received $200,000 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus funds for COVID-19 emergency housing and utilities assistance through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Garden Island.

Bickering shuts down meeting on reopening Hawaii economy, Caldwell signs new Honolulu energy code revision, Big Island raises taxes for luxury homes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii state Capitol ©2020 All Hawaii News

DBEDT and Senate committee communication shuts down amid allegations of bullying, harassment. A briefing on how to reopen Hawaii’s economy was canceled today due to an evolving spat between some members of the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 and the head of the state Department of Business Economic Development & Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Bullying Feud Again Thwarts Senate Hearing On Hawaii Economy. Mike McCartney says senators have intimidated his staff. Civil Beat.

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Budget Chief: Deep Cuts Loom For The University of Hawaii. The extent of financial woes won’t be clear for another eight weeks when fall classes start and enrollment numbers are in. Civil Beat.

Parents, teachers weigh in on reopening Hawaii’s public schools. School officials are seeking input from parents, teachers and staff as they make plans to reopen schools for the fall semester, but it’s clear that whatever path they choose will face resistance. Star-Advertiser.

Environmental groups say personal protective equipment winding up in ocean. When PPE is discarded in public, it ends up clogging drains and washing into the ocean, which can affect marine wildlife. KHON2.

Disinfecting Dry Fog Used At Hawaii Correctional Facilities. The Department of Public Safety is sharing video that shows how a "revolutionary dry fog sanitation" is being implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii reports 2 new COVID-19 cases, bringing statewide total to 655. One of the cases is an Oahu resident while the other is a resident diagnosed out of state. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell signs watered-down Energy Code revision, changes to affordable rental law. Builders will need to set aside a certain number of parking stalls to accommodate the charging of electrical vehicles under a bill signed into law Thursday by Mayor Kirk Caldwell that revamps the city Energy Code. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor signs bills aimed at bolstering access to solar, EV charging stations. Bill 25 requires every new home that’s built from now on to be photovoltaic-ready so the homeowner can easily install panels if and when they decide to. Hawaii News Now.

HART Has Spent Millions On Rail Design Work That May Not Be Used. The issue arose at Thursday’s board meeting as members grappled with the latest round of cost increases. Civil Beat.

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Gyms, theaters and bars among many businesses on Oahu allowed to reopen. Gyms, movie theaters and bars are among the businesses on Oahu that will be allowed to reopen this month per a city order representing a major leap to reopening the city’s economy. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. approves Honolulu Mayor’s request to open almost everything in June, bars included. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says he’s sent a request to the Governor seeking to reopen just about everything else that remains shut down. KHON2.

Oahu restaurants today open tables while following social distancing rules. As Honolulu restaurants reopen today for dining in, those that can may use creative outdoor seating to allow for more customers, and hence more revenue. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu driver licensing centers are open, but by appointment only. Honolulu licensing centers are reopened and welcoming customers back, but one thing that’s not returning: Walking in and waiting. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu’s film, television industry given green light to resume on June 5. Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced that Oahu’s film and television industry will be able reopen for production and for on-location filming on June 5. KHON2.

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Honolulu Zoo opening its doors to the public with limited hours. The Honolulu Zoo reopens today on a smaller scale and with limited hours in order to combat the spread of COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Zoo is reopening with safety measures for the visitors (and the animals). The Honolulu Zoo is set to reopen Friday with new safety measures in place to protect more than just the visitors. Hawaii News Now.

Adjusted visitor experience to be expected as Honolulu Zoo reopens Friday. For parents who are wanting to get their kids out of the house, the Honolulu Zoo reopens Friday, June 5. KHON2.

Honolulu Zoo re-opens Friday after 11-week closure because of COVID-19. The experience will be different though, with new social distancing guidelines. KITV4.

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Mufi Hannemann wins mayoral endorsement of Teamsters 996, 3 other labor unions. Mufi Hannemann today won mayoral endorsements from four unions, including that of the labor organization that represents operators of city-sponsored TheBus and HandiVan operations. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Taxes raised for luxury real estate. Taxes will increase for luxury real estate under a budget passed Thursday evening by the Hawaii County Council. West Hawaii Today.

Kim ‘not surprised’ by unemployment numbers. A total of 31,712 new jobless claims were filed in Hawaii County between March 15 and May 30, according to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Tribune-Herald.

Planning commission approves permit for contentious cell tower. One of two contentious cell towers in Puna is back on the table after a meeting of the Windward Planning Commission. Tribune-Herald.

County Council Approves Additional Funding for Food Distribution Efforts. Hawai‘i County Council approved funding to support the continued food distribution efforts to keiki islandwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Now.

High enterococci levels prompt advisory for waters near Niumalu Beach. The advisory was issued due to high levels of enterococci found in a sampling of ocean water from the Niumalu Beach area, the Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch reported. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Commercial watersports can resume only at state facilities. DLNR gives green light with restrictions. Maui News.

War Memorial parking lot work shows progress. It is scheduled to be completed Aug. 1 and to have 807 stalls, 40 more than it formerly had. Maui News.

Kauai

County hoping for $28 million in CARES Act funds. The county is poised to receive $28,715,551 as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds as a sub-recipient of the $862,823,979 received by the state. Garden Island.

Patroling public restrooms. Kaua’i County modified its sanitation standards for its public restrooms, hoping to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Wallace G. Rezentes Jr. said. Garden Island.

Boating restrictions eased, Maui unemployment rate highest in nation at 35%, George Floyd protests continue, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sailboat off Keaukaha ©2020 All Hawaii News

Boating and water sports restrictions relaxed statewide. Boating and other water sports got the green light to expand activities with some restrictions Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii eases restrictions on number of people allowed on commercial, recreational boats. State officials said that up to 10 people may now be on a commercial or recreational boat at a time, effective immediately, due to the easing of emergency restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Boating Rules Relaxed and Commercial Water Sports Allowed To Reopen. Effective immediately, emergency restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic for commercial and recreational boating and ocean recreation are being relaxed statewide. Maui Now.

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Hawaii considering randomly testing passengers for COVID-19. One in every 20 passengers to Hawaii might be asked to take a random COVID-19 test if state leaders accept a plan being pushed by Lt. Gov. Josh Green. Star-Advertiser.

Governor declines to set a date for reopening Hawaii tourism. Gov. David Ige declined to offer any specific timeline Wednesday for when tourism would be rebooted in Hawaii but said he has a plan to do it safely. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Ige talks rebuilding Hawaii. Governor David Ige says he is working with industry leaders to reboot our local economy. KHON2.

Governor Ige answers questions relating to the state's mandatory quarantine order for arrivals to Hawaii. Governor David Ige addressed a number of issues on Wednesday including removing restrictions. KITV4.

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Hawaii Tourism Authority searches for new chief amid tourism collapse. HTA President and CEO Chris Tatum has given the agency notice that he will retire on Aug. 31 after 40 years in the hospitality industry. Star-Advertiser.

HTA President And CEO Chris Tatum Stepping Down. The development comes as Hawaii is in the middle of a tourism catastrophe. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii’s Jobless Grow Desperate As Unemployment Approvals Lag. The state’s labor department is still trying to determine how many claims are left — and how long it will take to process them all. Civil Beat.

Statewide reopening strategy outlined online. Anyone interested in getting more detail on the State’s Beyond Recovery: Reopening Strategy, can now view the entire detailed strategy online. Garden Island.

Schools Chief Hopes To See Hawaii Elementary Schools Open By August. DOE also offered guidance on classroom safety protocols, including keeping students with the same staff all day and requiring masks outside the classroom. Civil Beat.

New sponsors sought as free meals for Hawaii kids drop for summer. Only 51 public schools statewide will offer free Grab-and-Go meals over the summer to children, far fewer than during the spring semester that was cut short by the COVID-19 crisis or even last summer. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii consumers, retailers favor cashless transactions to avoid infection. As more Hawaii businesses reopen, there is less cash being exchanged as consumers and retailers find ways to remain “contactless” amid the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

An airline merger will result in a new direct inter-island flight. Among the hardest hit industries in light of the pandemic here in Hawaii is the travel are aviation businesses. As a result, two small local airlines are joining forces. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii protest organizers: Racism ‘isn’t just a mainland problem’. Dozens of people rallied at the state Capitol on Wednesday in a show of solidarity with other Black Lives Matter demonstrations happening around the world. Hawaii News Now.

Protests in Hawaii over the killing of George Floyd continue. Hundreds in Honolulu protested again Wednesday in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Star-Advertiser.

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VIRUS TRACKER — JUNE 3: 1 New COVID-19 Case On Oahu. The latest coronavirus case confirmed Wednesday was on Oahu. Civil Beat.

DOH Reports 1 New COVID-19 Case Statewide. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Police panel gives chief high marks, chides her on budget. The Honolulu Police Commission gave some high marks to Police Chief Susan Ballard in its 2019 performance evaluation released Wednesday in the areas of leadership, management, and communication and community relations. Star-Advertiser.

Federal Funds Cushion Blow Of Honolulu Budget Cuts. Honolulu City Council members approved a city operating budget on Wednesday that cut millions of dollars from the proposal Mayor Kirk Caldwell submitted before COVID-19 devastated the island’s economy. The City and County of Honolulu is in a solid financial position for now, according to the council budget chair. Civil Beat.

Plan for affordable housing in Kailua draws controversy. A plan to build a largely 4-story low-income rental apartment complex on the edge of a single-family neighborhood in Kailua is drawing community opposition. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Is On The Brink Of A New Political Era. “The whole nature of city politics will be transformed after November,” says political analyst Colin Moore. Civil Beat.

Study to test COVID-19 presence in city’s sewage system likely to be discontinued. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced the program last month as an added measure to detect an increase of infection. KHON2.

University of Hawaii ditching restrictions on Kalaeloa hangar to seek profit. The University of Hawaii, facing pressure to monetize some of its properties to offset its budget, plans to pay the U.S Department of Education $11.2 million to escape a requirement that it use the 105,000-square-foot Hangar 111 at Kalaeloa Airport for educational and research purposes only. Star-Advertiser.

Care Home Operators Deny DOH Allegations. Four people were issued an order by the health department to cease operations of two care homes in Kaneohe and fined $379,000. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Larger gatherings could be allowed by July. Managing Director Roy Takemoto appeared at Wednesday’s meeting of the County Council Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development to discuss upcoming plans and projects from the mayor’s office. Tribune-Herald.

$9.5M for new buses, operations heading to county. The federal government is giving Hawaii County money for 10 new buses, plus an extra $4.5 million for operations. West Hawaii Today.

Kilauea Ave to get face-lift. Hawaii County opened contractor bidding for a project to improve a nearly 3-mile stretch of Kilauea Avenue in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Return to normalcy: Lifting of interisland quarantine brings optimism for Hawaii businesses. For months, Hawaii residents have been eagerly awaiting the reopening of the kamaaina economy; with the mandatory 14-day quarantine for interisland travelers scheduled to be lifted on June 16, local businesses are preparing for a boost. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo customer says he was surprised by service charge added to his dine-in restaurant bill. As restaurants reopen this week on Kauai, Maui and the Big Island, one in Hilo caught one of its first customers off guard when they saw their bill.  KITV4.

Maui

Hāna Highway Checkpoint Extension OK’d, East Maui Traffic Management Plan Discussed. Traffic management plans into and out of East Maui were discussed during an evening Zoom meeting hosted by state Senator J. Kalani English on Tuesday night. Maui Now.

Mayor: E. Maui isolation to remain until people feel safe. Roadblock down temporarily but will go up again. Maui News.

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Unemployment rate in Maui metro area highest in the nation at 35%. The unemployment rate in the population centers that include Kahului, Wailuku and Lahaina was 35% in April, the highest for any metropolitan area in the nation, according to a newly-released analysis from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hawaii News Now.

More muted candidate filing deadline passes. High-profile rematches in council, state Legislature set. Maui News.

Pared height urged for Hotel Wailuku. Members of the Maui County Urban Design Review Board on Tuesday made recommendations on the proposed Hotel Wailuku, including scaling back the hotel from six to four stories and revisiting traffic flow and the parking location. Maui News.

Maui Crime Over 10 Years: Violent Crime Up 52%; Property Crime Down 20%. The state’s Uniform Crime Report for 2019 has been released, showing a double digit decrease in index crimes in Maui County over the past decade. Maui Now.

Kauai

Council passes upcoming year’s budget. About a month after Mayor Derek Kawakami submitted a supplemental fiscal year 2020-2021 budget, the Kaua‘i County Council accepted a $250,745,757 Operating Budget and a Capital Improvement Project Budget of $33,642,237 on Wednesday. But it wasn’t without a lengthy discussion regarding feral cat control. Garden Island.

Peaceful in Lihu‘e. More than a hundred people gathered Wednesday afternoon at the Department of Motor Vehicles in the Lihu‘e Civic Center to advocate for Black Lives Matter. Garden Island.

Broken cable causes internet outages. Many Kaua‘i residents were without internet Wednesday as Spectrum responded to a broken land-based fiber-optic cable, according to a company spokesman. Garden Island.

Military not quarantined, primary ballots set as filing deadline passes, Chinatown homeless center plans dropped, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pohakuloa Training Area ©2020 All Hawaii News

No quarantine for arriving military, but ‘restriction of movement’ required. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the Department of Homeland Security exempted military members traveling on official orders to Hawaii from the state’s quarantine, but the command instituted its own “restriction of movement” — which means service members are prohibited from going out for 14 days except for “essential” trips such as to the grocery store, doctor or pharmacy. Star-Advertiser.

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State health officials build up team of public health workers as Hawaii reopens its economy. State health officials, building up a team of public health workers, plan to train 320 contact tracers by mid-July in anticipation of a surge in coronavirus cases as Hawaii reopens its economy. Star-Advertiser.

More volunteers sought for state’s new contact tracing program. On Monday, the first group of prospective contact tracers in Hawaii ― approximately 300 of them ― will begin training. Hawaii News Now.

Lack of Uniform Guidelines on Data Reporting Presents Incomplete COVID-19 Story. Hawai’i health officials say additional demographic data on COVID-19’s impact in Hawaii is on its way. The state Health Department began providing data a month ago, but critics say the information is incomplete and tells an inaccurate story of the pandemic’s impact on various communities. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Report On Bullying By State Senator Surfaces As Tension Mounts Over Hawaii Recovery Plan. The state’s economic recovery plan appears to be falling victim to bad blood between Sen. Glenn Wakai and top tourism officials. Civil Beat.

District courts across Hawai'i temporarily reopening. District courts across the state are temporarily opening on June 15th for non-jury cases and on June 3rd for jury cases. KITV4.

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What will school look like next fall? The DOE is figuring it out. The Department of Education is using the summer break to formalize the plan for next school year. The DOE says they expect to have a better idea in the coming week of what measures will be taken to protect students from COVID-19. Hawaii News Now.

HDOE still finalizing plans for fall but says distance learning will continue for some. Students are scheduled to return to school August 4. KHON2.

Study Estimates 30% to 50% Learning Loss for Students By Fall. When Hawaii students return to classes in the fall after completing the last months of the school year through distance learning, many may have lost the earlier progress they made for lack of in-person instruction. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Food demands increase as unemployment insurance complaints continue. There's a growing demand for food across the islands while some furloughed and laid-off workers still cannot get unemployment insurance, are appealing their denials or just recently got approved after months of frustration. Star-Advertiser.

New Party Hopes To Give Hawaii Legislative Incumbents A Run For Their Money. The lineup for more than 100 elective offices is shaping up as the 2020 election season gets underway. Civil Beat.

Survey Launched to Assess Local Views on Future of Hawai‘i’s Economy. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Liliʻuokalani Trust and Kamehameha Schools launched a new survey today to better understand what Native Hawaiians and non-Native Hawaiians think the state’s economy should look like after the pandemic. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Electric Details Proposed Projects. Hawaiian Electric on Wednesday posted details of 16 solar-plus-storage or stand-alone storage projects selected in the latest phase of the clean energy transition for Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island. Civil Beat.

Dentists struggle amid shortage of medical masks, mounting costs of doing business. Many independent dentists are worried about a shortage of medical masks and say time could be running out for their practices because of escalating costs. After being shut down for more than two months, they’re reopening with new risks. Hawaii News Now.

Young Brothers lays out dwindling-cash predicament. Hawaii interisland shipping lifeline Young Brothers LLC expects to run out of cash by the end of July if it can’t get $25 million from the state or other financing. Star-Advertiser.

Young Brothers Shipping Uncertainties Update. Governor Ige says he is working with the county mayors on the issue, and House Speaker Saiki urged the Hawaiʻi PUC to act immediately upon the company's $25 million funding request. Big Island Video News.

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Queen's to ease visitor restrictions at its hospitals. The Queen's Health Systems will be easing visitor restrictions at all four of its hospitals starting Wednesday, officials with the medical health system announced Tuesday. Pacific Business News.

Queen's Health System easing visitor restrictions in its hospitals across the state. The "Queen's Health System" is easing visitor restrictions at all four of its hospitals across the state starting on Wednesday. KITV4.

One new coronavirus case on Oahu brings Hawaii’s statewide total to 653. Hawaii Department of Health officials said today that the state’s tally of coronavirus cases has risen to 653, up one new case from Monday. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — JUNE 2: 1 New COVID-19 Case In Hawaii. The latest coronavirus case confirmed Tuesday was on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Updates: One New Case; Interisland Travel Quarantine Lifts June 16, Out-Of-State Up Next. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu mayoral race is set with 15 candidates. The election battles for Honolulu mayor have at times been dramatic over the last few decades, but none come close to the uncertainty and unpredictability of this year’s contest. Star-Advertiser.

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Institute for Human Services drops proposal for homeless facility. In response to vast opposition from area residents and businesses, the Institute for Human Services has canceled its plans to develop a proposed triage and comfort station for the homeless at a building in Chinatown. Star-Advertiser.

City scraps plan to put homeless triage in Chinatown; Plan B still upsets community. KITV4.

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City creates recovery office with federal funds. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and his team unveiled plans Tuesday to use $19 million, or 5%, of the $378 million federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding received by the city to meet short- and long-term economic recovery goals. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu establishes Covid economic recovery office. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Tuesday said the city will reorganize its economic development office into an Office of Economic Revitalization to focus on the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Pacific Business News.

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For first time in months, dining-in will be an option at Oahu restaurants Friday. Oahu restaurants are getting ready to allow customers to sit down and enjoy their meal instead of getting takeout. There will be many changes, however, once dine-in service is permitted to resume on June 5. Hawaii News Now.

EPA Cracks Down On Cesspools In Kailua. The Hawaii Department of Health and Human Services is being fined $128,000 for two cesspools at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Lowen, David, Kierkiewicz unopposed as filing period ends. Victory is all but assured for three Hawaii Island incumbents, despite what seems a renewed interest in politics, with lots of candidates competing for office this election. West Hawaii Today.

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Judge issues fines to fish poacher. An environmental court judge on Tuesday issued $200 in fines to one of two people charged for allegedly illegally collecting 550 aquarium fish earlier this year off South Kohala. West Hawaii Today.

DLNR ‘disappointed’ over no-contest plea, low fine for fishing violation. A fisherman found with illegal aquarium fish has avoided the most severe penalties. Hawaii News Now.

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Kamehameha Schools sues operators of Volcano golf course. A manager of Volcano Golf and Country Club allegedly vowed to bulldoze the entire property rather than return it to its lessor, Kamehameha Schools. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County Will Hold Summer Fun This Year, With Changes. The County of Hawai‘i announced it will be holding a 2020 Summer Fun Program starting on Monday, June 15 and tentatively ending on Friday, July 17. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Not all Maui dine-in eateries open Monday. Even as restaurants were allowed to reopen for dine-in services Monday, not all chose to do so, citing issues with complying with social distancing orders, scheduling and feasibility as reasons to stay shuttered for a little while longer. Maui News.

Blow-drying allowed; more golf opportunities. Blow-drying of hair is now being allowed at salons while the driving range and pro shop at the Waiehu Golf Course reopened Wednesday, county officials said Monday. Maui News.

Kauai

22 in the running for 2021 council seat. Twenty-two candidates have officially filed to run for Kaua‘i County Council seats by Tuesday’s filing deadline, alongside the incumbent county prosecuting attorney, candidates for the state House and Senate and some Office of Hawaiian Affairs candidates. Garden Island.

Sidewalk sprouting at Kilauea School. Tuesday marked the second day of the week-long project where the club will build and finish a 300-foot-by-four-foot sidewalk around key areas entering the Kilauea School. Garden Island.

Keeping Kaua‘i kupuna safe. Keeping kupuna safe during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a moving target for care-center managers, as staff members adjust to the strict sanitation and screening guidelines from Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, state Department of Health and directives from the County of Kaua‘i. Garden Island.