Hawaii's first confirmed COVID-19 death, inter-island quarantine begins, unknown number of idle state employees collect paychecks, may forego raises as economy tanks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii beach scene in happier times ©2020 All Hawaii News

New study makes dire predictions about human toll of coronavirus in Hawaii. A new study is issuing dire predictions about the death toll in the islands from coronavirus, but the governor said the projections don’t take into account Hawaii’s 14-day mandatory quarantine for all visitors and returning residents, which went into effect last week. Hawaii News Now.

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State sees first death. An older Oahu man recently hospitalized with multiple medical issues became Hawaii’s first fatality linked to the new coronavirus as cases in the islands climbed to 224. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Reports First COVID-19 Death. The state coronavirus infection count rose by 20 on Tuesday, and an elderly Oahu man died late Monday evening. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s first coronavirus-related death was older Oahu man with multiple health issues. Following the state’s first coronavirus-related death in Hawaii, government and public health officials pleaded with residents Tuesday to take stay-at-home orders seriously. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 1st death; Green stresses need to protect kupuna; ‘essential’ travel defined. he first COVID-19-related death in Hawaii is that of an elderly Oahu man who tested positive for the coronavirus after being hospitalized, authorities revealed Tuesday during a statewide media conference. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Updates: First Coronavirus-Related Death, Model Projects 374 Deaths, DOH Maps Hot Spots. Hawaii Public Radio.

Elderly O‘ahu Man First COVID-19 Victim in Hawai‘i, DOH Assures Accuracy of Test. The Hawai‘i Department of Health reported the state’s first coronavirus-related fatality Tuesday, saying the victim was an elderly male resident of O‘ahu dealing with several other health complications in addition to the virus. Big Island Now.

Older Oahu man is Hawaii’s 1st coronavirus death; total cases at 224. Gov. David Ige said Hawaii’s first coronavirus death is an older Oahu male who was hospitalized with multiple medical issues. Maui News.

Hawaii's first COVID-19 related death. State Department of Health Director Bruce Anderson said today  Hawaii has recorded its first COVID-19 related death. KITV4.

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Interisland quarantine to stem in-state spread of coronavirus starts Wednesday. A mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for interisland travelers starting Wednesday comes as Hawaii begins to address a shift in COVID-19 cases from mostly out-of-state travel-related to more in-state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Inter-Island Quarantine Order Signed, Detailed. Governor David Ige has officially issued a new emergency order requiring inter-island travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days. Big Island Video News.

Ige to require quarantine for interisland flyers. Questions still linger over how to enforce new 14-day self-quarantine. Maui News.

Here’s how the mandatory quarantine for inter-island travelers will work. The state’s mandatory quarantine for inter-island travelers takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Air scales back service, offers free interisland flights to health care workers. As a new, interisland 14-day mandatory quarantine goes into effect, Hawaiian Airlines is further reducing its flight schedule. Hawaiian says it will provide a total of 16 daily round-trip flights between the neighbor islands, starting Saturday, April 4. Hawaii News Now.

Mandatory quarantine for inter-island travelers to take effect April 1. Starting April 1, a new state mandate ordering inter-island travelers to undergo a 14-day quarantine will go into effect. KHON2.

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Leaders don’t know how many state workers are getting paid to do nothing. One of Hawaii’s biggest employers — state government — is trying to determine how it can have more workers be productive amid prohibitions on less essential work that can’t be done with social distancing. Star-Advertiser.

As economy weakens, state lawmaker says public worker raises could be in jeopardy. Pay increases for government workers, such as public school teachers and first responders, may be in limbo. State House Finance Committee Chair Rep. Sylvia Luke says the pandemic has dramatically cut projected tax revenue by 25 to 30 percent. Hawaii News Now.

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Isle tourism won’t improve until curve flattens. Hawaii’s visitor industry is under siege as COVID-19 containment measures and dropping visitor demand have slowed tourism — the largest contributor to the state’s growth — to a trickle. Star-Advertiser.

Public Defender’s Office Wants Hundreds More Hawaii Inmates Released. The Supreme Court is considering the proposed releases to avoid a coronavirus outbreak in correctional facilities. Civil Beat.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green recommends everyone wear a protective mask when they leave their home. Lieutenant Governor Josh Green is a doctor and the Hawaii COVID-19 Healthcare Liaison. He said not all masks are created equal, but something is still better than nothing. KHON2.

Hawaii’s geography and widespread testing are advantages in the COVID fight. The novel coronavirus has upended life in Hawaii and been an economic disaster, but Hawaii residents do have some unique advantages as public health officials fight to slow the local spread of the disease. Star-Advertiser.

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New State Virus Maps Have Some Geographic Breakdowns. New maps from the Hawaii health department illustrate higher concentrations of confirmed coronavirus cases in some areas. Civil Beat.

DOH releases map of COVID-19 cases by zip code. KITV4.

A closer look at how the state’s coronavirus zip code maps work. An explanation Tuesday on that map released by the department of health showing cases by zip code. Hawaii News Now.

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Meadow Gold Hawai'i to close following Dean Foods' bankruptcy. Meadow Gold Hawai'i, a Dean Foods Company, is set to close according to the company. KITV4.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Cutting Payroll Costs To Weather Pandemic. The question for already-beleaguered media outlets nationwide is when steps such as furloughs and reduced work schedules can be lifted. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Mayor Caldwell and police chief oppose release of jail inmates. Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard raised new objections Tuesday to the proposed release of hundreds of inmates from overcrowded state jails, arguing that releasing prisoners now will trigger an increase in crime at the worst possible time. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor: Prison May Be ‘Safest Place’ To Ride Out COVID-19. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s comments contradict the CDC and the experience of correctional facilities across the country where coronavirus is spreading rapidly. Civil Beat.

Caldwell wants Trump to stop travel to isles. Noting Hawaii’s first COVID-19-related death, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell on Tuesday emphasized the importance of everyone following state and county “stay-at-home” orders during the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s police chief reports numbers on arrests and citations for violations of the emergency proclamation. Police are issuing more warnings than citations for violations of stay-at-home orders. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki doctors to offer blood test that detects exposure to COVID-19. Some in the medical community call the 10 minute test a game changer that can identify people who've had the virus and have built immunity against it. KITV4.

More first responders test positive for COVID-19. The Honolulu Fire Department has confirmed that a second fire fighter from the Kalihi Uka Fire Station has tested positive for COVID-19. KHON2.

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The Queen’s Medical Center employee tests positive for coronavirus. The first employee of the Queen’s Medical Center has tested positive for the coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s Health Systems employee diagnosed with coronavirus. A Queen’s Health Systems employee has been diagnosed with COVID-19 at a facility, a spokesperson confirmed. Hawaii News Now.

Queen’s Medical Center confirms an employee has tested positive for the coronavirus. The Queen’s Medical Center confirms one of its workers has tested positive for COVID-19. KHON2.

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Amid pandemic, 17 homeless people move into state’s first Kauhale village. Many times, the community’s reply to plans for a property for the homeless is not in my backyard. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

West Hawaii leads in positive COVID-19 tests. West Hawaii had the majority of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the island, a state Department of Health map released Monday shows. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Muni closed because of coronavirus. The Hilo Municipal Golf Course is closed until further notice because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county Department of Parks and Recreation announced Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

County Closes Hilo Muni Golf Course. The Hilo Municipal Golf Course will be closed until further notice starting on April 1, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Video News.

Still struggling to recover from 2018 eruption, Pahoa takes another hit from pandemic. A walk through downtown Pahoa is strikingly reminiscent to 2018, when businesses struggled to stay open as many Puna residents lost their homes and visitors stayed away from the area. Tribune-Herald.

Testing demand wanes as people follow stay-at-home order. The Pahoa facility — part a network of clinics in the East Hawaii Region of the Hawaii Health Systems Corp., which also includes Hilo Medical Center, Ka‘u Hospital and Hale Ho‘ola Hamakua — is in its second week of offering COVID-19 screening and testing in the rural East Hawaii district. Tribune-Herald.

Cars Line Up For Computers, Meals At Pāhoa Schools. Families of Pāhoa High and Intermediate students picked up computers for distance learning, and meals, during the statewide school closure. Big Island Video News.

‘Emergency and humanitarian release’ sought for sex assault suspect. Counsel for a 19-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a septuagenarian last summer at a Kawaihae campground is seeking “emergency and humanitarian release” for his client due to the COVID-19 pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Effective Immediately, Maui Health Allows Employees to Wear Their Own Masks. Effective immediately, new hospital protocol for personal protective equipment (PPE) allows Maui Health employees and providers to wear their own masks. Maui Now.

Mayor Victorino Provides Guidance on Interisland Travel for Maui County. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino provided guidance to Maui County residents on the inter-island travel quarantine policy issued by Gov. David Ige. Maui Now.

Kauai

Visitor arrested for violating quarantine. The Kaua‘i Police Department arrested 62-year-old Dwight Anthony Tucker of Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday for violating the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine order. Garden Island.

State officials are holding a virtual town hall meeting for Hawai‘i residents on the Zoom platform on Thursday, April 2, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The list of speakers currently includes Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, House Speaker Scott Saiki and House Finance Committee Chair Sylvia Luke, with more to come according to the announcement. Garden Island.

Farmers need pig feed. Kaua‘i pig farms aren’t getting their usual food scraps from local schools, restaurants and hotels since they’re closed due to COVID-19, and farmers are asking the community to pitch in and help keep the hogs fed. Garden Island.

Hawaii map shows COVID-19 cases by ZIP approximation, inter-island travelers face 14-day quarantine, public defender wants 426 inmates released, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii COVID-19 map, week 1. Hawaii Department of Health

Hawaii Department of Health creates COVID-19 confirmed cases map.

New Island Maps Plot Location Of COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. A new set of maps showing the confirmed coronavirus cases by zip code will be updated once a week, the state health website says. Big Island Video News.

DOH Releases Hawai‘i COVID-19 Virus Map. The Hawai‘i Department of Health on Monday evening released a map of COVID-19 infections across all four major Hawaiian Islands, which tracks where cases are most heavily concentrated. Big Island Now.

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Interisland quarantine starts Wednesday. A mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for interisland travelers starting Wednesday comes as Hawaii begins to address a shift in COVID-19 cases from mostly out-of-state travel-related to more in-state. Star-Advertiser.

Interisland Travelers Ordered To Quarantine; Case Total Now At 204. Hawaii Gov. David Ige is imposing a fourteen-day mandatory quarantine on interisland travelers starting on Wednesday. The emergency order will close a gap in the state safety net aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor expands state’s mandatory quarantine to include inter-island travelers, too. The governor is expanding a mandatory, 14-day quarantine for air travel to include all inter-island passengers as part of a push to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state. Hawaii News Now.

Governor Ige puts 14-day quarantine on inter-island travelers. With 204 cases of COVID-19 in Hawaii, Governor Ige announced Monday that the mandatory two-week quarantine for all incoming passengers will now include those who fly inter-island. KHON2.

Interisland travelers face quarantine. After midnight tonight, anyone taking an interisland flight who is not an essential worker traveling for legitimate work purposes will be subjected to “a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine,” Gov. David Ige said Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Gov Signs New Order, Inter-island Quarantine Starts April 1. Governor David Ige made some COVID-19 related announcements on Monday, while Lt. Gov. Josh Green gave a situational update. Big Island Video News.

Inter-Island Travelers to Face Mandatory Quarantine, Hawai‘i Gets $4 Billion in Aid. Anyone in Hawai‘i who wants to island-hop during the month of April will have to pay with 14 days of mandatory quarantine — on top of the cost of airfare. Big Island Now.

Gov. Ige Calls for Mandatory 14-Day Quarantine on Interisland Travel for Month of April. During an afternoon press conference, Governor David Ige announced a mandatory self quarantine for inter-island travel beginning on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Maui Now.

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Hawaii COVID-19 Count Exceeds 200. The number of new cases has more than doubled since last Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Child is among 204 cases in Hawaii. At least two people, including a 37-year-old Waikiki bartender, are on life support and ventilators in Hawaii hospitals due to the new coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Ahead of the Curve. Lieutenant Governor Josh Green played a high stakes round of the “on the other hand” game at a press conference Monday — encouraging Hawai‘i residents that the state could see low COVID-19 mortality rates if people follow the rules, but warning that a failure to do so would still lead to a public health catastrophe. Big Island Now.

Hawaii blood samples caught in pandemic’s disruption of air travel. The precipitous drop in airlift to and from Hawaii is having hidden consequences that could affect precious cargo including the supply of blood for patients in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 Is Taking A Big Toll On Other Types Of Health Care. Many hospitals are canceling elective procedures, while dwindling numbers of patients are threatening the bottom line of community and rural clinics. Civil Beat.

Some Hawaii hospitals accept homemade masks as experts urge public to wear them. The coronavirus pandemic is prompting Hawaii’s health care system to change some of its old rules. Some hospitals are now accepting donations of homemade masks as the CDC considers guidelines that would recommend everyone to wear them in public. Hawaii News Now.

More schools will hand out grab-and-go meals, according to the Hawaii Department of Education. 46 public schools statewide will serve breakfast and lunch to children 18 years old or younger by Wednesday, April 1. Prior to this, only 38 campuses were serving meals. Hawaii News Now.

Jail time for crimes increased during emergency proclamation. The state is under an emergency proclamation, so certain crimes committed during this time will carry enhanced penalties. KHON2.

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Public Defender’s Office Wants Hundreds More Hawaii Inmates Released. That includes 137 inmates from the Oahu Community Correctional Center, 44 from Kauai, 45 from Maui, 197 from Hilo, and three from the women’s facility on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Public Defender’s Office Wants Hundreds More Hawaii Inmates Released. Public defender recommends up to 426 inmates be released. The Office of the Public Defender late Monday submitted to the Hawaii Supreme Court a list with the names of 426 inmates that it believes may be released from incarceration to help ease Oahu’s overpopulated jails in the face of the coronavirus outbreak. Star-Advertiser.

Balance COVID Restrictions With Freedoms, ACLU Tells Police. The letter offers guidance on COVID-19-related movement restrictions, and cautions against arrests "due to the risks of COVID-19 exposure for people in custody and people working in jails. Big Island Video News.

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Hawaii’s Economic Downturn Will Be ‘Sharp And Painful’. A new University of Hawaii report paints a grim picture for Hawaii’s economic outlook. Civil Beat.

Economist: Recession in Hawaii will surpass anything we’ve seen ‘in our lifetimes’. Carl Bonham, director of the Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawaii, made the dire economic prediction in a legislative meeting on the coronavirus pandemic Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Economist: Hawaii in recession as virus shuts down tourism. The coronavirus pandemic has plunged the state’s economy into a recession that’s unprecedented for people alive in Hawaii today, a University of Hawaii economist told lawmakers Monday. Associated Press.

State lawmakers, meeting over Zoom, discussed a new UHERO forecast update that addresses the economic impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is taking heavy toll on the economy, and Hawaiʻi is already in a deep recession that will surpass anything that we’ve seen in our lifetimes. Big Island Video News.

“This is a song and dance!” Senators accuse Governor’s office of poor leadership in COVID-19 crisis. Senator Kidani tells Governor’s Chief of Staff, the Senate committee was “dismayed” at information getting “circumvented.”  Strong words flying between state Senators and the Governor’s office on Monday. KITV4.

Hawaii unemployment could soar to 25% before recovery begins. Hawaii’s unemployment rate is projected to soar to 25% later this year in the economic free fall triggered by the coronavirus disaster, but the state is also in line to receive at least $4 billion in federal aid from the new federal relief bill approved Friday, according to testimony before a select state House committee Monday morning. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 Might be an Act of God That Voids Business Contracts. It’s possible that some businesses in Hawai‘i will try to claim that circumstances surrounding COVID-19 absolve them of obligations under a business contract. Hawaii Business.

Hawaii to get at least $4B in federal coronavirus aid. The federal government will send at least $4 billion in coronavirus funding to Hawaii in the form of direct payments to the state and county governments, individuals and businesses, which are also eligible for millions in loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Hiking trails may be open but off-limits in closed parks. When Hawaii Kai resident Lisa Westly checked the Na Ala Hele hiking trails website of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife on Thursday, she was happy to see the Hawaii Loa Ridge trail, a nearby favorite, was open, despite the closure of several city and state parks to counter the coronavirus’ spread. Star-Advertiser.

Giant Tesla batteries proposed for Oahu power. Hawaiian Electric is proposing to plug Oahu’s power grid into an enormous battery pack. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County announces online appointment request form. The County of Hawaii now has an appointment request form available online for those needing access to county services. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the county is no longer taking face-to-face appointments. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Intermediate School to serve ‘grab-and-go’ meals starting April 6. The state Department of Education said Monday that Hilo Union Elementary School on April 6 will become one of the Big Island public schools where parents, guardians or caregivers can pick up a “grab-and-go” meal for all public and charter school students.  Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island Humane Society introduces way to ‘foster to adopt’ animals online. The Hawaii Island Humane Society animal shelters are closed on the Big Island, but adoption and fostering demands remain high during the COVID-19 outbreak. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

MEDB Gets $100K for Local Manufacturing of Ventilators During COVID-19 Response. Mayor Michael Victorino announced today, $100,000 in grant funds to Maui Economic Development Board Inc. for local production of emergency ventilators to treat COVID-19. Maui Now.

Maui Health Foundation Coordinating PPE Donations. Maui Health is partnering with the Maui Health Foundation to serve as a community drop-off site for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi gun shop see “sizeable uptick” in sales. Bryant’s store is open six days a week and follows island-wide measures in line with Mayor Derek Kawakami’s curfew. Garden Island.

Virtual screenings. Kaua‘i nurse practitioner Marghee Maupin is offering COVID-19 screenings to patients with or without insurance, and is conducting virutal exams via online video platforms to consult with her patients. Garden Island.

Molokai

Coronavirus-Free Moloka'i Wants To Keep It That Way. A coronavirus outbreak on Molokaʻi could severely strain the island’s health care system with just one hospital - Molokaʻi General Hospital -  serving its more than 7,000 residents. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu TSA worker tests positive for COVID-19, state mulls inter-island quarantine, some make masks, others buy guns, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu TSA workers ©2020 All Hawaii News

TSA worker in Hawaii tests positive for COVID-19. A Transportation Security Administration worker at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport has tested positive for COVID-19. KITV4.

Hawaii Interisland Travel Restrictions Next. Now that a 14-day self-quarantine is in effect for all arrivals to the State of Hawaiʻi, officials are going ahead with restrictions on interisland travel, too. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Updates: Case Total Now At 175; State Plans Tighter Interisland Travel. The Hawaii emergency management agency says it is planning tighter restrictions on interisland travel after state senators called for quarantine requirements to be applied to travelers who arrive at interisland airports and small boat harbors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii confirmed coronavirus cases rise to 175. Hawaii Department of Health officials said Sunday that the state’s tally of coronavirus cases has risen to 175, up 24 from 151 Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Coronavirus Cases Now At 175. The state reported 24 new cases since Saturday. About 8,100 tests have been conducted to date. Civil Beat.

COVID-19 Cases Climb to 175 in Hawai‘i. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i jumped by 24 overnight, bringing the statewide total of positive test results up to 175. Big Island Now.

Hawaii’s COVID-19 cases total 175; 24 new cases reported. The state reported 24 new cases of coronavirus in Hawaii on Sunday, bringing the statewide total to 175. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii COVID-19 cases now total at 175, 49 have recovered. The State Department of Health announced 24 new COVID-19 cases in Hawaii, bringing the state total to 175 on March 29. KHON2.

Doctors: COVID-19 is spreading in Hawaii communities at a wider scale than being reported. The medical professional community estimate there could be 800 to 1,000 unidentified cases statewide. KITV4.

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Suspension Of Hawaii’s Open Government Laws More Extreme Than Other States. Gov. David Ige has alarmed government watchdogs with his proclamations that shut the public out of public meetings and eliminates the release of public records. Civil Beat.

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Will Feds’ Relief Package Be Enough To Keep Hawaii’s Small Businesses Afloat? The package includes $377 billion for small businesses. Loan money spent on payroll and rent for the next two months doesn’t have to be paid back. Civil Beat.

Senator Schatz Releases Resource Guide For Small Businesses. The U.S. Senator from Hawaiʻi says the guide can help businesses access new funding and programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Video News.

Housing woes escalate. Close to 100,000 Hawaii residents lost work this month, and for many the fear of losing their home has also arisen or may not be far off. Star-Advertiser.

Many homeowners, tenants suffering from COVID fallout are eligible for federal relief. Homeowners with government-guaranteed mortgages who fall behind on their monthly payments because of the coronavirus pandemic can postpone their payments by up to a year, according U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). Star-Advertiser.

Homeowners And Renters Could Benefit From Coronavirus Aid Package. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz released a new resource guide to help residents figure out if they qualify for mortgage deferrals and eviction protection. Civil Beat.

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University of Hawaii researchers identify drug that may help COVID-19 patients. Sleep-inducing drugs may be beneficial in treating patients infecting with COVID-19, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine and colleagues in Wuhan, China. Star-Advertiser.

UH Researchers Need Your Help To Track COVID-19 In Hawaii. They’re looking to trace the spread of the disease in the community. Civil Beat.

Volunteers Step Up To Fill Shortage Of Protective Gear. Multiple health clinics and hospitals have reported they are running short on supplies and the community is responding. Civil Beat.

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While unemployment claims have skyrocketed, some essential businesses are looking to hire. Both Lowe’s and Securitas tell us they’ve been looking to hire workers before the pandemic started and that search continues. Both businesses say they’re looking to fill about 100 positions each. KHON2.

Securitas to hire 200 people amid Coronavirus outbreak. Security company Securitas says it is planning to hire 200 people to meet the increase demands it's getting. KITV4.

Businesses continue changing with growing coronavirus outbreak. As the growing COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend daily living in Hawaii, stores still open for business have also been forced to continue adjusting in response to government orders, the spread of the virus and changing customer habits. Star-Advertiser.

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Entrepreneurs launch website to collect data, provide info on coronvirus in Hawaii. A group of entrepreneurs with Hawaii ties is launching a new website to provide information to the public -- and to gather data on the spread of COVID-19 in the islands. Hawaii News Now.

Entrepreneurs launch website to collect data, provide info on coronvirus in Hawaii. A group of entrepreneurs with Hawaii ties is launching a new website to provide information to the public -- and to gather data on the spread of COVID-19 in the islands. Hawaii News Now.

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Postponement of Hawaii dental appointments recommended during coronavirus outbreak.  Most dentist appointments for regular checkups and cleaning have been postponed during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.


DOE wants to modify graduation criteria. The state Department of Education is seeking approval from the state Board of Education to modify high-school graduation and commencement requirements under Board Policy 102-15 for the class of 2020. Garden Island.

Hawai‘i Voters Asked to Update Signatures. Every registered voter in the state should be on the lookout for a signature capture card in their mailbox. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Council Axes Caldwell Budget Increases As Virus Concerns Grow. Items considered nonessential in the mayor’s budget were nixed and one member is proposing millions in new funding to tackle homelessness. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Hale closed except for essential business starting Monday. Access to Honolulu Hale will be limited to only those city employees and members of the public who are there on official business starting Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Once filled with visitors, Waikiki has turned into a ‘ghost town’. Prior to government crackdowns to stop the spread of COVID-19, Waikiki was the heartbeat of the state’s economy, contributing 6% to the state’s gross domestic product. Star-Advertiser.

Despite statewide restriction on mass gatherings, large groups continue to meet. Some people — both tourists and local — aren’t obeying the statewide order to avoid mass gatherings. And they’re not hiding it either. Hawaii News Now.

About 260 people screened in Waipahu as drive-thru coronavirus testing ramps up. About 260 people were tested Saturday for coronavirus at a drive-thru screening site at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex, one of two pop-up screening events this weekend on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Tourism grinds to halt as virus restrictions tighten. Like many cities across the world, Honolulu came to an eerie standstill this weekend as officials implemented measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic throughout the islands. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

COVID-19 confusion: County parks being evaluated for reopening. West Hawaii Today.

Even in Hilo, demand for guns, ammo soars. As people across the nation stocked up on toilet paper and cleaning supplies in preparation for the coronavirus lockdown, demand for guns and ammunition also spiked in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Testing continues as virus case count rises. A second pop-up drive-through testing clinic for COVID-19 was set up at the Old Kona Airport Park on Saturday as the state’s number of presumptive or positive cases reached 151. West Hawaii Today.

Keep calm and sew on: Community comes together to make masks. Making cloth masks to help compensate for shortages at local hospitals and care homes is a burgeoning occupation for sewing circles and community huis, especially now that the governor issued a stay-at-home order to reduce casualties from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiʻi Working To Gather, Or Make, Needed Supplies. Medical logistics Airmen with Hawaii Air National Guard and PhD students UH Mānoa are working to keep Hawaiʻi healthcare workers supplied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Video News.


Maui

Maui beach, outdoor activities clarified in ‘stay at home, work from home’ order. The County of Maui released Saturday afternoon supplemental guidance to the Public Health Emergency Rules that went into effect last Wednesday, mandating that people stay at home and work from home and shuttering nonessential businesses and activities to protect against coronavirus spread. Maui News.

Maui Ranks #2 in US of Areas by Share of Jobs in Industries at High Risk from COVID-19. A new study by Brookings Institution ranks the metro area of Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina on Maui at number two in the nation by share of jobs in industries at high risk from COVID-19. Maui Now.

Maui COVID-19 drive-through tests Monday; state spikes to 175 cases. Drive-through testing for COVID-19 will take place again Monday at War Memorial Gym parking lot, 700 Halia Nakoa St., Wailuku. People with respiratory symptoms and a history of contact with other ill individuals must call to make an appointment. Maui News.

Kula seamstress threads masks for first responders. More than 400 completed; some go to MPD. Maui News.

Hawaiian Electric proposes ‘self build’ battery storage in Pulehu. Interactive hearing on Akaku April 8. Maui News.

Kauai

Virtual screenings. Kaua‘i nurse practitioner Marghee Maupin is offering COVID-19 screenings to patients with or without insurance, and is conducting virutal exams via online video platforms to consult with her patients. Garden Island.

The Kukui Grove Cinema in the heart of Lihue will close its doors for good. A cinema in the heart of Lihue will soon close its doors for good — an apparent business fatality of the COVID-19 crisis. Hawaii News Now.

Airports empty as traveler quarantine begins, COVID-19 cases pass 100, surge hospitals planned, unemployment claims skyrocket, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu International Airport ©2020 All Hawaii News

A noticeably empty airport marks Day 1 of Hawaii’s travel quarantine rules. Thursday marked the first full day of the state’s new rules requiring all travelers on incoming international and mainland flights to Hawaii to go into a 14-day quarantine at hotels or places of residence. Hawaii News Now.

Arriving passengers face 14 days of mandatory quarantine, based on the honor system. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Travelers Quarantine: ‘I Think I Might Go Insane’. Returning residents and visitors who landed at the Honolulu airport say they will abide by the state’s quarantine order, even if they’re not happy about it. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Visitor Counts Plummet As 14-Day Quarantine Enacted. Transportation department spokesperson Tim Sakahara explained the process now in effect for visitors arriving to the islands by air. Big Island Video News.

Hawai‘i Arrivals By Air Drop to 797 on Neighbor Islands. The number of people – both residents and visitors – arriving in Hawaiʻi daily by air has significantly dropped over the past week. Maui Now.

State begins enforcing 14-day quarantine order for arriving travelers. The state’s new policy of quarantining air travelers for two weeks already has reduced visitation rates to a trickle. Tribune-Herald.

As Quarantine Kicks In, Hawai‘i Arrivals Plummet. A 14-day quarantine of all visitors and returning residents to the state of Hawai‘i went into effect Thursday, coinciding with a drastic decline in passengers arriving by plane to the state. Big Island Now.

State: random calls can be made to make sure visitors who just arrived are quarantined in hotel rooms. With this 14-day quarantine for arrivals in place, how are hotels and taxis handling the latest arrivals to Hawaii. KHON2.

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Hawaii COVID-19 Cases Surpass 100. On Thursday, 11 new cases were documented in the islands. The state Department of Health said three of those appeared to be from localized community transmission rather than travel-related. Civil Beat.

Cases Stand At 106; Convention Center, Blaisdell Eyed For Care Sites. Hawaii's coronavirus case count now stands at 106, according to the state health department's latest update. The number represents an increase of 11 cases from yesterday. Oahu has 77 cases, Maui 14, Kauai 5 and the Big Island 5. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Surpasses 100 Cases of Coronavirus. Cases of coronavirus tipped into the triple digits Thursday, as Hawai‘i confirmed 11 new infections over the last 24 hours. Big Island Now.

Hawai‘i Coronavirus Total Now 106, Includes 11 New Positive. As of noon on Thursday, March 26, 2020, the state total count of positive coronavirus cases was 106, including 8 new cases on Oʻahu; one new case on Maui; and two cases of residents of the state of Hawaiʻi who were diagnosed outside of the state.  Maui’s island count is now 14. Maui Now.

In new cases, state finds evidence of coronavirus community transmission. The state says at least three of the 11 new coronavirus cases announced Thursday don’t have a link to recent travel, indicating a widening transmission of the virus in the community. Hawaii News Now.

At least three COVID-19 cases show signs of community transmission. The Department of Health director said more than 80% of the presumptive positive cases for COVID-19 are travel-related, but on Thursday they announced a few cases that could be from community transmission. KHON2.

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

Hawaii officials are preparing for a surge in demand for medical care due to the new coronavirus and are considering converting the Hawai‘i Convention Center and Neal S. Blaisdell Center into health care facilities. Star-Advertiser.

Two passengers from Grand Princess die from COVID-19. Two passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship have died from the coronavirus. That vessel docked at four Hawaiian islands between February 26, 2020 and March 1, 2020. Since docking in Califonia on March 9th more than 100 people have tested positive. KITV4.

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Hawaii unemployment fund will run out, but safety net awaits. The floodgates haven’t opened wide yet, but the pool of state unemployment insurance money is about to start draining at an incredibly fast rate — so fast that the roughly $600 million fund could be dry several months from now. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Jobless Claims Top 80,000 As Coronavirus Sinks The Economy. Nationwide, the federal Department of Labor reported 3 million more unemployment claims last week, dwarfing the previous high from 1982. Civil Beat.

Local Unemployment Surges, Surpassing 2019 In A Single Day. More than 60,000 new unemployment claims have been filed in Hawaii since March 1st. Workers in the restaurant and hotel industries have been some of the hardest hit. Hawaii Public Radio.

Due to flood of new claims, processing for new unemployment checks could take a month. The state is overwhelmed by the massive influx of new claims: 82,963 this month so far and 67,071 just this week alone. Hawaii News Now.

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Supply Chain Continues Uninterrupted, But Why Are Store Shelves Still Empty? Shipping operations are continuing uninterrupted to the state. Yet empty shelves are an increasingly common sight in local grocery stores. Hawaii Public Radio.

State to identify inmates that may be released from prison amid COVID-19 concerns. The Department of the Attorney General said efforts are underway to identify certain inmates that may be released from prison. KHON2.

Hawaii Homeless Shelters Scrambling As Coronavirus Outbreak Expands. Hawaii’s stay-at-home order and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for social distancing are prompting groups serving the homeless to make adjustments as the number of coronavirus cases increase in the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

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State Leaders: We Need To Work Together To Fight The Virus. Medical professionals are aligned with state efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. Civil Beat.

Gov. David Ige, Lt. Gov. Josh Green meet to smooth over coronavirus management issues. After a tense few months, Gov. David Ige and his Lt. Gov. Josh Green are now working together to stop the coronavirus from spreading in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

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Fish prices plummet as coronavirus pandemic cripples industry and idles boats. As the coronavirus pandemic ripples through Hawaii’s economy, the state’s fishing industry is taking a severe hit. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii military deployments upended by coronavirus. The potential for the fast-moving virus to spread in the close quarters of ship-based crews had the Navy send the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt to Guam today to test all 5,000 aboard. Star-Advertiser.

Coronavirus Is Spiking Levels Of Anxiety, Panic And Stress. Mental health professionals are increasing doses or seeing patients more often. People with no history of psychiatric symptoms are also struggling. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu police issue 70 citations as stay-at-home orders are enforced statewide. Honolulu police have issued 70 citations and made two arrests for violating the stay-at-home orders put in place to try to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, with most of those people cited in public parks after ignoring officers’ instructions to leave, according to a police spokeswoman. Star-Advertiser.

Family of young Hawaii coronavirus patient pleads: Heed ‘stay-at-home’ warnings. Coby Torda is in the ICU at Kaiser Moanalua and requires a ventilator to breathe. Earlier this month he was diagnosed with coronavirus and quickly deteriorated. The 37-year old Ewa Beach man was in good health before contracting the virus. Hawaii News Now.

Wahiawa General Hospital employee tests positive for coronavirus. In a memo to employees today, CEO Brian Cunningham said the hospital directed the employee not to return to work and to seek follow-up care. Star-Advertiser.

An employee at Wahiawa General Hospital tests positive for COVID-19. Wahiawa General Hospital has confirmed that one of its employees has tested positive for COVID-19. KITV4.

State allows MS Regatta to refuel at Honolulu Harbor. It does not have any passengers on board, no crew members will disembark, and according to the state there's no cases of the coronavirus on that ship. KITV4.

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City officials team up with farmers to bring produce to you. Oahu residents will be able to purchase fresh produce and meat directly from farmers and ranchers without getting out of their cars under a plan unveiled Thursday by Mayor Kirk Caldwell and agricultural leaders. Star-Advertiser.

Having farmers market withdrawals? You can now get the same goods online. The city unveiled a more convenient way for Oahu residents to get their fresh produce during the stay-at-home, work-from-home order. Hawaii News Now.

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Mother and baby murder could be just the start of more domestic abuse cases during stay-at-home order. KHON2.

Advocates fear for domestic violence victims who must shelter in place following double homicide in Ewa Beach. Advocates say they fear for domestic violence victims as Hawaii’s mandated stay-at-home order continues through April 30. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii  Island

3 face enhanced charges due to COVID-19 emergency declarations. The COVID-19 emergencies declared by Gov. David Ige and Mayor Harry Kim allow for enhanced charges for certain crimes. Tribune-Herald.

Ali‘i Health to Host COVID-19 Pop-Up Clinics Every Saturday. Ali‘i Health Center will host a COVID-19 pop-up clinic at Old Kona Airport this coming Saturday, March 28, 2020. Big Island Now.

Books for kids: Kona Stories working to get educational materials to out-of-school at-risk students. With schools shut down, a local book store is spearheading an effort to get educational materials to at-risk students forced to stay home due to the coronavirus pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

COVID-19 funding, tax cuts in mayor’s budget. $869.8M proposal reduces homeowner taxes, keeps utility rates same. A new county budget forged in the middle of a public health and financial crisis calls for funding to fight the coronavirus and trims homeowner taxes to help struggling residents. Maui News.

Army Corps to Scope Out Potential Conversion Facility For Overflow Medical Care on Maui. The US Army Corps of Engineers in Hawaiʻi is moving forward with a FEMA mission to look at buildings across the state that could be quickly converted to alternate care facilities if medical needs outpace the current facilities available, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui Now.

Companies respond to hand sanitizer shortage. Two Maui-based companies that normally produce alcoholic beverages are now also making hand sanitizer, a product that’s been in high demand and hard to get in Maui stores due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui News.

MPD: ‘The ocean is not closed’. Beachgoers question new rules and coastal access. Social distancing is possible — even when there’s surf, county officials said Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai

KPD starts stay-at-home enforcement. The Kaua‘i Police Department has set up checkpoints around the island to ensure residents and tourists are adhering to rules set in place by Mayor Derek Kawakami and Gov. David Ige. Garden Island.

KPD prepping more drone use. The department’s small Unmanned Aircraft System arm has been given the go-ahead to procure a software license for mapping software by the Kaua‘i County Council at its meeting on Mar. 25. Garden Island.

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

Pocket park in Waikiki ©2020 All Hawaii News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

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

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

Politics forces Lt. Gov. Green off coronavirus response team, first COVID-19 death announcement was in error, tourism plummets, schools stay closed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii farmers market ©2020 All Hawaii News

Farmers Markets Face Challenge In The Time Of The Coronavirus. As people learn new habits in response to concerns about the novel coronavirus, where and how people get good food is high on the list of new challenges. Hawaii Public Radio.

Website launched to help keep Hawaii’s restaurants afloat. A new website developed by the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation hopes to support restaurants statewide by providing an updated list of locally owned businesses that offer takeout or delivery services. Tribune-Herald.

Major hotels close across the state; job losses mount to more than 40,000 since mid-February. Hawaii is counting down to an almost full collapse of the state’s visitor industry. On Sunday the state’s daily airline passenger counts, which in peak times average about 50,000 passengers a day, had fallen to about 7,000, and of those only about 3,000 were likely visitors. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green Banned From State’s Virus Response Effort. After recently naming him as the state’s liaison, Gov. David Ige has now essentially fired Green, a medical doctor, from participating in the coronavirus effort. Civil Beat.

Legislator calls for Lt. Gov. Josh Green to take over COVID-19 response. Rep. Cynthia Thielen is calling for the state Legislature to appoint Lt. Gov. Josh Green as Hawaii’s COVID-19 emergency director. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Doctors Battle State Health Department Over COVID-19 Testing. Lt. Gov. Josh Green and doctors call for more tests to stem a wave of patients while the state health department advocates conserving testing capacity. Civil Beat.

‘We are worried,’ medical professionals and hospitals seeking help with supplies. More hospitals are asking for help. Those who work in health care say they need more personal protective gear. KHON2.

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Hawaii COVID-19 cases rise, death reclassified. A Maui health care worker was among 14 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Hawaii on Tuesday, and the state’s largest health system called for community donations of masks and other protective gear designed to help safeguard those on the front lines of the crisis. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s COVID-19 Cases Hit 90. On Tuesday, 14 new cases were confirmed in the islands. Civil Beat.

90 Confirmed Coronavirus Cases in Hawai‘i: 14 New Cases. This includes 12 new cases on Oʻahu, bringing that island total to 64; and one new case each on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, bringing their island totals to 12 and 5 respectively. Maui Now.

Re-Test of Death Case Is Negative; Cases Now 90; Oahu Stay-At-Home Order In Effect. Hawaii Public Radio.

State backtracks on first COVID-19 death, says test results were ‘misread’.  In an embarrassing blunder, the state Department of Health acknowledged Tuesday that test results which led to Hawaii announcing its first coronavirus-related death had been misread ― and the individual did not die of the illness. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii health officials backtrack on state’s 1st coronavirus death; retest is negative for virus. The Hawaii Department of Health today reclassified a death formerly attributed to the coronavirus as negative for COVID-19, blaming the confusion on a report being misread. Star-Advertiser.

State Retracts COVID-19 Death Report, Tested Negative. The first reported death from COIVD-19 was erroneous, health officials said today, after test results were misread. A second test came back negative. Big Island Video News.

Department of Health says COVID-19 retest associated with death comes back negative. The Department of Health says an internal communication of a COVID-19 test at the Dept. of Health resulted in a report being misread and initiated a retest of samples today from an Oahu adult, who died on March 20th. Tuesday evening the second test came back negative for COVID-19. KHON2.

DOH Reevaluates Test Results of Fatal COVID-19 Case. Health officials are reevaluating the test of an adult who tested positive posthumously for COVID-19. Big Island Now.

Reevaluation of Hawai‘i’s First Reported COVID-19 Death Comes Back Negative. Maui Now.

Task force doctor defends COVID-19 screening of senators. Dr. Scott Miscovich, a private physician on Oahu who is a senior adviser on Lt. Gov. Josh Green’s COVID-19 Task Force, said Tuesday he conducted the testing of several asymptomatic senators at the state capitol on Thursday after Sen. Clarence Nishihara tested positive. Tribune-Herald.

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Superintendent: Hawaii Schools To Remain Closed Through April 30. Despite the continuing school closures, the DOE school system, on a whole, remains open and operational, said the superintendent. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Schools To Stay Closed Until April 30, At Least. The Hawaii State Department of Education announced today school facilities will remain closed to students through April 30, based on the latest guidance and information from health officials and elected leaders. Big Island Video News.

DOE schools closed until April 30. The Hawai‘i State Department of Education announced Tuesday that school facilities will remain closed to students through April 30 based on the latest guidance and information from health officials and elected leaders that includes the Stay-at-Home, Work-at-Home Order signed by Gov. David Ige. Garden Island.

DOE extends school closure until April 30. The Hawai'i Department of Education is extending the closure of public schools until April 30th. KITV4.

Hawaii public school campuses to remain closed through April 30. Public school facilities will remain closed through at least April 30 as authorities urge broad swaths of the population to stay home to stop the spread of coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.

DOE schools to remain closed through April 30. The Department of Education announced on Tuesday that schools will remain closed through April 30. KHON2.

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‘Campus is dead,’ UH president says. Monday represented the first day of full online instruction for 50,000 University of Hawaii students and 10,000 employees around the system, UH President David Lassner told the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawai’i Office of Public Defenders has petitioned the Hawai’i Supreme Court to release inmates convicted of misdemeanors or of parole technicalities through the use of grants, pardons and reprieves to lower facility population and potentially prevent a community spread of COVID-19. Garden Island.

As popular hiking trails close, several remain open. DLNR has been tracking popular locations where people continue to ignore closures, said DLNR communications specialist AJ McWhorter in an email, and Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers are patrolling closed state parks and other shuttered DLNR facilities. Star-Advertiser.

In Coronavirus Era, Hawaiians Reconsider Cultural Traditions. Coronavirus-related guidelines for personal space are challenging Native Hawaiians and other Polynesians, who grew up in close-knit societies where hugs, kisses and a practice called honi are cultural norms. U.S. News & World Report.

Oahu

Honolulu to reopen park restrooms while parks remain closed in response to coronavirus. The City and County of Honolulu has reversed its decision to close its more than 300 park restrooms around the island while the parks are closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu To Reopen Public Bathrooms, State Keeps Theirs Closed. Bathrooms at state parks and harbors, which homeless people rely on, are closed. Civil Beat.

More cruise ships coming to Honolulu for food, fuel. At least three more cruise ships are expected to dock in Honolulu Harbor for fuel and provisions — but no disembarkations — with dozens of such ships stranded at sea worldwide and diverted from ports with and without passengers due to the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

As access to coronavirus testing improves, results are lagging. High demand for coronavirus testing forced the state’s first regional treatment center in Kaneohe to move to a new building with a bigger clinic. The new site is across the street at 45-1141 Kamehameha Highway next to the Aloha gas station. Hawaii News Now.

New city plan allows restaurants to temporarily take over metered parking stalls. With the city's help, parking problems are much less of a concern for eateries because customers can wait in their vehicles.  KITV4.

Community Groups Offer Free Lunch To Kids. The grab-and-go meals at a handful of sites around Oahu supplement the DOE’s own meal service which began this week while schools are closed. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Kim administration studying stay-at-home proclamation for possible exemptions. Hawaii County’s legal department is combing through a stay-at-home emergency proclamation Gov. David Ige signed Monday, looking for interpretations that best fit the Big Island, Mayor Harry Kim said Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor Issues New COVID Proclamation Cancelling Meetings, Permit Deadlines. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim issued a second supplementary emergency proclamation on Tuesday, hours before the state was set to begin its “stay at home” mandate at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday morning. Big Island Video News.

COVID-19 mass screening draws more than 1,600; nearly 300 tested Monday. The line of automobiles extended over a half-mile as residents descended upon Old Kona Airport Park for West Hawaii’s first drive-up COVID-19 testing Monday morning. West Hawaii Today.

HMC prepped to conduct about 100 COVID-19 screenings per day, if needed; seeks donations of protective equipment. More than 200 people have been tested for COVID-19 at Hilo Medical Center’s drive-through testing site since it launched a week ago. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Considers Designating Maui Quarantine Hotel for Arriving Residents. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino provided an update as the County transitions to a stay-at-home order, in an attempt to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and prevent an overburdened hospital system. Maui Now.

Maui Health System employee contracts COVID-19. No visitor policy starts this Wednesday. Maui News.

Drive-thru testing center up and running at War Memorial. Officials test 75 for coronavirus on first day. Maui News.

Maui Leads State in Vacation Rental Supply. Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply of all four counties in February with over 230,000 unit nights, an 39 percent increase from a year ago, according to a report from the Hawai’i Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

Kauai

Lockdown begins today. Today is the first day of the Kaua‘i stay-at-home order, which went into effect just after midnight Tuesday, residents were stocking up to hunker down as Mayor Derek Kawakami released the details of the Kaua‘i stay-at-home plan. Garden Island.