Attorney General proposes more power for Health Department, tighter vacation rental laws, unemployment dips slightly, COVID-19 cases spike upon reopening, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Attorney General Clare Connors addresses Senate Special Committee on COVID-19

AG proposes measures aimed at improving state’s response during pandemics. Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors told lawmakers Thursday she’s proposing a set of bills aimed at a smoother transition into emergency mode and better tracking of quarantined individuals during pandemics. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Short Term Vacation Rental Rules Clarified, New Bill Proposed. As state and local officials explain the current rules, the attorney general is bringing forward a new Short Term Vacation Rental related bill for the Legislature to consider. Big Island Video News.

State says greater testing capacity, digital records on visitors needed to restart tourism. Greater testing capacity, thermal screening machines, digital records on tourists. Those are among the requests state Department of Health leaders want ahead of Hawaii welcoming out-of-state visitors without a mandatory quarantine. Hawaii News Now.

Health officials, COVID committee discuss testing, tracking travelers. Hawaii’s health director and state epidemiologist both expressed misgivings Thursday about adopting a COVID-19 testing model for travelers based on the one recently implemented in Alaska. Tribune-Herald.

COVID-19 infections spike will not stall reopening Hawaii, officials say. Hawaii’s daily COVID-19 case count rose to 18 cases Thursday, but officials say the spike was expected and hasn’t reached a threshold that would delay reopening for the state’s local economy or interfere with planning to restart Hawaii tourism. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 testing, temperature checks and quarantine will be imperfect, health director says. Leading state health officials are basically pouring cold water on the hopes of anyone in Hawaii who expects that COVID-19 testing, temperature checks, health questionnaires or quarantine will somehow open a disease-free path to restarting the state’s tourism industry. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii unemployment rate dips slightly to 22.6% in May. Hawaii saw a slight dip in its unemployment rate in May after skyrocketing since March due to business closures brought on by state mandates related to the coronavirus pandemic, officials with the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announced Thursday. Pacific Business News.

Unemployment rate in Hawai'i sees slight decrease. The unemployment rate for Hawaii in May was 22.6%. KITV4.

DLIR Says 90% of Valid Unemployment Claims Now Paid. Hawai‘i has paid out more than $1.5 billion in unemployment insurance claims since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a release from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Thursday. Big Island Now.

Reports: Thousands More Likely To Soon Suffer Severe Financial Hardship In Hawaii. Two recent reports predict tougher times ahead when federal relief money runs out in another few weeks. Civil Beat.

More than half Hawaii households struggle under Covid, Aloha United Way says. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the economic hardships for the Hawaii households that are above the federal poverty line but still barely getting by and has caused their numbers to jump to more than half the state’s population, according to Aloha United Way. Pacific Business News.

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On laggy livestream, mayors say better connectivity needed. During a sputtering and lagging livestream Thursday, all four mayors in Hawaii said they think the COVID-19 crisis is an opportunity to improve internet infrastructure and connectivity throughout the state. Tribune-Herald.

Black Lives Matter movement in Hawaii continues to grow and conjure up vivid memories. Today is Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that all enslaved black people learned they had been freed from bondage. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 Crisis Could Derail — Or Bolster — Conservation Efforts. The virus has left environmental funding uncertain, but local groups hope stimulus dollars can create thousands of green jobs. Civil Beat.

DOE Will Share More School Reopening Plans In July. The school superintendent also shared some preliminary results of a parent survey that went out in early June. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii State Department of Health announces 18 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, June 18. Officials said the surge was expected due to the reopening of the state and the Black Lives Matter protests the first week in June. KHON2.

Hawaii sees spike of 18 new coronavirus cases as statewide total climbs to 762. Star-Advertiser.

18 New Cases, 10 Test Positive At Hale Nani; 2nd Resident Arrested In Quarantine Case. State Epidemiologist Sarah Park said most of the cases are the result of community spread and only a handful have been travel-related. Hawaii Public Radio.

VIRUS TRACKER — JUNE 18: 18 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. All of the new cases were reported on Oahu. Civil Beat.

DOH Reports Largest Daily COVID-19 Spike Since April. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Oahu gyms and fitness centers reopen for those ready to work out. Gyms, yoga studios and fitness clubs on Oahu shuttered since mid-March are allowed to reopen today, along with movie theaters, museums and bars, under Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s latest phase of reopening the economy for business. Star-Advertiser.

The new bar experience on Oahu: No live music. No big groups. And temp checks. Friday night on Oahu will be a little bit more normal than it has been for months now: Bars are getting the green light to open. Hawaii News Now.

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Oahu Nursing Home Will Test All Residents And Staff Weekly For COVID-19. Other long-term care facilities in Hawaii are ramping up their testing. Civil Beat.

Cluster of COVID-19 cases at state’s largest nursing home grows to 11 as testing continues. Health experts are increasingly concerned about a growing cluster of COVID-19 cases linked to the state’s largest skilled nursing facility. Hawaii News Now.

Hale Nani Covid cluster rises to 12, contained in one unit. There are seven new Covid cases at Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, bringing the total to 12, eight residents and four workers. KHON2.

Honolulu Police Chief Hopes Nationwide Reform Movement Skips Hawaii. Chief Susan Ballard also told the Honolulu Police Commission that while more bias training would be helpful, Honolulu officers have a “lot less” implicit bias than on the mainland. Civil Beat.

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Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell scraps Sherwood Forest plan due to protests. The Sherwood Forest project at Waimanalo has come to an end, Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Caldwell Pulls Plug On Sherwood Forest Project. Community members protested the project for several months in 2019. Civil Beat.

Honolulu mayor cancels controversial Waimanalo development. After years of debate, months of protesting and dozens of arrests, the group “Save Our Sherwoods” is declaring victory. Hawaii News Now.

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Amendments to a plan could create 400-foot towers at Ala Moana Center. Ala Moana Center could become home to some of Honolulu’s tallest hotel and housing towers under a proposal endorsed by city planners. Star-Advertiser.

Iconic retailer Watumull’s to close Ala Moana shop. Watumull’s — one of Oahu’s iconic retailers for visitor-oriented aloha attire and one of the original tenants at Ala Moana Center — is scheduled to close June 30 under the uncertainty of the COVID-19 shutdown and what it means for isle tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

UH Regents Talk Mauna Kea, Approve New MKMB Member. Regents put off any discussion on the internal restructuring proposed for Mauna Kea governance, but the board did approve a new Mauna Kea Management Board member. Big Island Video News.

Public Input Sought On Decommissioning Hōkū Keʻa On Maunakea. SSFM International Inc. has been retained to develop a draft Environmental Assessment and Site Decommissioning Plan for the UH-Hilo telescope. Big Island Video News.

Council to take up new construction code. A comprehensive rewrite of the county building code is heading for its first vetting at a County Council committee after more than a year of tinkering by the county Building Division and various stakeholders. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Unemployment Rate at 34% in May. Maui’s unemployment rate remains the highest in the state with the state Department of Labor and Industrial relations reporting a 34.5% unemployment rate for Maui Island in May.  That’s slightly down from the 35.7% (non-seasonally adjusted) rate in April, but drastically different than the 2.4% rate at the same time last year. Maui Now.

Affordable housing project mulled for South Maui. Committee discusses plan, defers action on zoning change. Maui News.

Paia bypass hit by funding, EIS setbacks. Reduction in rental car surcharge revenues an issue. Maui News.

Moss completes construction of Maui affordable rental project. Moss Construction recently completed a 120-unit affordable rental project on Maui called Kaiwahine Village, where the first residents moved in last month. Pacific Business News.

Kauai

A phased reopening. Governor David Ige said Thursday he plans to allow indoor gatherings of up to 50 people and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people on Kaua‘i, and that the whole state could reopen to trans-Pacific travel as early as late July. Garden Island.

Kauai Reports First COVID-19 Case In Nearly 10 Weeks. An adult male resident received a positive test result for COVID-19 on Thursday, according to Kauai health officials. Civil Beat.

Kauai sees its first new COVID-19 case in more than 2 months. The new case is in an adult man who lives on the island, and it wasn’t immediately clear if it was travel-related. Hawaii News Now.

County receives more funds for Pua Loke Affordable Housing.  If all goes according to plan, the Pua Loke Affordable Housing Project will be available for move-in next summer. Garden Island.

COVID-19 clusters at Waikiki restaurant, Honolulu nursing home; Pompeo talks coronavirus with Chinese officials in Hawaii; Legislature to convene Monday despite staff testing positive, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HART video game screengrab

Video game getting $190,000 in Honolulu rail money. It will likely be some time next year when people can first ride the rail in Honolulu, but meanwhile you can play a video game you helped pay for. KHON2.

State House staff member tests positive for coronavirus. House Speaker Scott State House staff member tests positive for coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Some elements of the governor's emergency proclamations could be adopted by state Legislature. The Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 has a meeting scheduled with the attorney general on Thursday to discuss which stipulations should be adopted. KITV4.

Hawai‘i Democrats Elect National Convention Delegates. A 33 member National Delegation has been elected by the Democratic Party of Hawai’i to represent the state at the Democratic National Convention. Maui Now.

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COVID-19 response among topics in meeting between Pompeo, Chinese officials in Hawaii. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged China to reveal all it knows about the coronavirus outbreak in a meeting with a top Chinese official in Hawaii on Wednesday as new revelations about President Donald Trump and China rocked Washington. Associated Press.

Three employees at Doraku Sushi in Waikiki test positive for COVID-19. Three employees at Doraku Sushi in Waikiki have tested positive for COVID-19. KITV4.

Hawaii’s largest nursing home confirms at least 5 new COVID-19 cases. Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has confirmed a small outbreak at the state’s largest nursing home with at least four residents and one staff member now testing positive for the coronavirus. Star-Advertiser.

Growing Covid-19 Cluster at Oahu Nursing Home Sets Off Warning Signs. Nursing homes account for 40% of all virus deaths nationwide, but there have been very few cases in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Nearly 800 tested as COVID-19 cluster at state’s largest nursing home grows. Health experts are growing increasingly concerned about a cluster of COVID-19 cases linked to the state’s largest skilled nursing facility. So far, at least five people connected to the nursing home have tested positive. Hawaii News Now.

Residents and staff at state’s largest nursing home will be re-tested for COVID-19 for two weeks. Hundreds of people are on edge waiting on the first round of test results. KITV4.

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Demand for travel could boost Hawaii’s recovery. Hawaii visitor industry members say there’s still time to recapture part of Hawaii’s peak summer travel season if Gov. David Ige makes a definitive announcement soon that he’s willing to ease restrictions in August for travelers with negative COVID-19 tests. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — JUNE 17: 5 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. The total number of cases in Hawaii now stands at 744. Civil Beat.

Hawaii sees 5 new coronavirus cases as statewide total climbs to 744. Hawaii recorded five new coronavirus cases today, as the statewide total infections since the start of the outbreak climb to 744, state Department of Health officials said in their daily midday count. Star-Advertiser.

State still breaking large capacity cesspool ban. It has been 15 years since large capacity cesspools have been banned. But they are still being found on private and public lands and that ends up costing taxpayers. KITV4.

Oahu

City’s $2.9B budget becomes law amid revenue uncertainties. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell allowed to become law a $2.92 billion general operating budget that’s only about $60 million less than the one he submitted to the City Council in March when the state’s economic forecast was much rosier. Star-Advertiser.

Lifeguards among workers approved for pay raises by city council. Oahu lifeguards, sheriffs and conservation officers are up for a decent bump in pay. An arbitrator awarded four-and-half percent raises for this year and last year, which are more than double the pay hikes for other government workers. Hawaii News Now.

Singers say masks are no problem after Honolulu mayor bans live performances. Two days to go until Oahu bars can re-open – but some will be missing their main attraction. Live singing is banned to keep COVID-19 germs from spreading. Hawaii News Now.

Waimanalo bucks COVID-19 trends with no confirmed cases. While Hawaii has had a much lower infection rate of COVID-19 cases than the rest of the country, we're far from immune. KITV4.

Honolulu police chief Susan Ballard backed committee to address HPD issues. Honolulu’s police chief is convening a committee to revise its use-of-force policy, among many changes in store or already underway following weeks of public outcry globally for sweeping police reforms and an end to bias in policing. Star-Advertiser.

City park playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment reopening this Friday. Our phased reopening of park facilities continues with the reopening of city park playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment this Friday. KITV4.

Honolulu playgrounds, exercise equipment, reopen to public on Friday. City officials announced today that playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment — closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic — will reopen for public use this Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Bill would increase Hanauma Bay’s visitor entry price to $10 but free for residents. Out-of-state visitors to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve will need to pay more for entry and parking under a bill moving through the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Body cameras coming for police. The Hawaii Police Department will become the last department in the state to equip its officers with body cameras, following a unanimous County Council vote Wednesday to spend $1.8 million to purchase 340 video cameras. West Hawaii Today.

County Council Approves 5-Year Contract for HPD’s Body Camera Program. On Wednesday, Hawai‘i County Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing HPD to enter into a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc., which allows for the acquisition of body cameras and provides maintenance and cloud-based storage at the price tag of $1.8 million. Big Island Now.

Hawaii County Will Review Its Police Practices In Wake Of Protests. The review will be performed by the department itself and experts such as training instructors. Civil Beat.

Four doctors graduate from HMC’s medical residency program amid pandemic. Four doctors on Friday graduated from Hilo Medical Center’s Hawaii Island Family Residency program, finishing their last months of residency as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on around the world. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island Humane Society Will Not Seek New Animal Control Contract. The Hawaii Island Humane Society’s Board of Directors has decided to not respond to the County of Hawaii’s Request for Proposals for Animal Control Services for Hawaiʻi island. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Haleakalā National Park Restarts Sunrise Reservations. The National Park Service is following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, as it continues to increase recreational access and services. Maui Now.

Expeditions Lāna‘i Ferry Resumes Operations Today. The Expeditions Lānaʻi Ferry has opened for passengers to and from Lānaʻi starting TODAY, Wednesday, June 17, 2020. Maui Now.

HDOT receives $7.8M in federal funds to support Maui Bus system. The Hawaii Department of Transportation has received more than $7.8 million in federal funds from the Federal Transit Administration to support the Maui Bus system amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Pacific Business News.

Three GoAkamai Cameras Added in Central Maui. The GoAkamai camera network is meant to serve as a source for live traffic information for travelers to help them plan their daily commutes and improve their quality of life. Maui Now.

Study: Without crowds, bigger fish back at Molokini. More fish and larger predators, such as ulua, omilu and reef sharks, have returned to the waters off Molokini in the few months that commercial boat traffic has been halted due to COVID-19 emergency orders, said a researcher who was part of a survey team of the preserve. Maui News.

Kauai

Learn about Kaua‘i resiliency. The County of Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency invites the public to join the County’s planning team and Steering Committee as they update the County’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resiliency Plan. Garden Island.

Careful when entering the forest. Researchers have found more diseased ‘ohi‘a trees on Kauai and in several of the other Main Hawaiian Islands since the COVID-19 pandemic curbed forest activity, and experts ask people to take care when reentering the forests as the state reopens. Garden Island.

Interisland travel reopens, Honolulu patches economic stimulus package, mayor says call 911 on shoppers not wearing masks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu airport PC: Hawaii Department of Transportation

Lifting of interisland quarantine brings slight boost to Hawaii’s tourism industry. Local travel demand for Hawaii did pick up slightly with the lifting of the interisland quarantine. However, interisland travel alone won’t be enough to keep Hawaii’s nearly $18 billion industry from falling off a cliff. Star-Advertiser.

First Day After Inter-Island Quarantine Lifted. State officials say things went smoothly on Tuesday, the first day of inter-island travel without a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Big Island Video News.

First day of quarantine-free travel between islands begins. Tuesday was the first day you could travel between the islands without having to quarantine. KHON2.

Kaua'i, Maui, and Hawai'i Island reopen vacation rentals as interisland travel quarantine is lifted. With interisland travel reopening on Tuesday, many have been eager to hop on flights to see friends and family, or explore a neighbor island. KITV4.

Along with the reopening of the state Tuesday to quarantine-free interisland travel, comes the reopening of short term vacation rentals to those not under quarantine. Mayor Harry Kim on Friday joined two other county mayors allowing STVRs to reopen, but he clarified Tuesday it applies only to renters not under the mandatory 14-day quarantine. West Hawaii Today.

Vacation rental owners, managers say they're suffering from COVID-19 changes. The state's latest data from the Hawaii Vacation Rental Performance Report shows vacation rentals had just five percent occupancy in April. In comparison, Hawaii’s hotels were 8.9 percent occupied in April 2020. KITV4.

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June 16, 2020 marks the first of two days Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is spending in the islands. His office confirmed that Tuesday but did not detail why he’s here. KHON2.

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A financial lifeline for local businesses is running out. Thousands of Hawaii businesses have been helped financially by the federal government’s Payroll Protection Plan, but those funds will soon dry up. KITV4.

State seeks to crack down on fraudulent jobless claims.  The longtime unemployment administrator who is now running the state Labor Department while her boss is on leave says staff shortages and fraud continue to impact delivery of unemployment payments. Hawaii News Now.

Women In Hawaii Hit Harder By Job Loss Than Men. Women in Hawaii are more likely to have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 recession than male residents, despite equal representation in the workforce. Hawaii Public Radio.

What’s Happened To Hawaii’s Police Shootings Review Board? The panel has stopped looking into officer-related deaths and can’t say when it will resume its work despite deep public interest in law enforcement’s use of force. Civil Beat.

VIRUS TRACKER — JUNE 16: 4 New COVID-19 Cases On Oahu. The total number of cases in Hawaii now stands at 740. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Mayor: If a customer gets confrontational over wearing a mask, call 911. Mayor Kirk Caldwell addressed growing concerns Tuesday about some people forgetting or refusing to wear a mask in stores and other public venues, saying that mask wearing is vital to pretending the spread of COVID-19. Hawaii News Now.

Shoddy Record Keeping By HPD Skews Public Picture Of Police Killings. A Civil Beat review found that Honolulu police officers killed at least 29 people in the past decade, at least 11 more cases than are listed in HPD’s use of force reports. Civil Beat.

Former Lt Gov. Doug Chin’s nomination to Honolulu’s police panel opposed. Honolulu City Council members have received more than 100 emails this past week voicing opposition to former Lt Gov. Doug Chin’s nomination to the closely scrutinized city Police Commission. Star-Advertiser.

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Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell adds $25M to small-business grant program. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is adding another $25 million to a grant program developed by the city to help small businesses financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

From 'concern to desperation’: City adds $25M to program aimed at helping small businesses. The city has added $25 million in federal stimulus funds to a small business recovery program after the first $25 million was nearly depleted in less than a month. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Caldwell discusses updates to the City’s Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund. With 4 new cases of COVID-19 reported and the state’s mandatory 14-day travel quarantine for all inter-island flights now lifted, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell held a news conference to discuss updates to the City and County’s Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund. KHON2.

Honolulu Expands Small Business Relief Program. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for a wider range of businesses. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii’s agricultural industry is hoping to play a bigger role in a diversified economy. A working group is planning new investments to make Hawaii farmers stronger. But the group is seeking millions in aid from the city and state. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Police lieutenant: Missing child reports have decreased. Police representatives reassured the County Council on Tuesday that there is not an increasing trend of child abductions on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Testifiers Express Urgency to Address Child Sex Trafficking on Hawai‘i Island. The pervasiveness of child sex trafficking dominated public testimony during Hawai‘i County Council’s Public Safety Committee meeting Tuesday morning. Big Island Now.

Sex trafficking and drug dangers lurk for missing and runaway youth. There’s a growing concern on the Big Island about the number of missing children, and while most are runaways, that doesn’t mean they’re not in danger. KHON2.

A growing number of missing children on the Big Island is causing concern. At least 15 cases have been reported over the past two months. KITV4.

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County announces more road restorations for lower Puna. The Hawaii County Kilauea Recovery Task Force confirmed Tuesday that it will restore several more roads in lower Puna that were buried by lava during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i County has announced road restoration plans in order to facilitate long-term recovery and resilience in Puna following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Big Island Now.

More cult members leave Hawaii Island to return to the mainland. After allegedly violating quarantine, and being arrested, more members of a cult have left Hawaii Island. New video Tuesday night showed 18 members being escorted to the gate at the Hilo Airport. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Interisland Travel Resumes; Rental Companies Begin Sending Cars Back to Mainland. Transportation workers at Kahului Airport were met with about 150 people already waiting in line at 6 a.m., as interisland travel resumed today without the previously required 14-day quarantine. Maui Now.

New program set to help residents get into housing. Maui County and two local agencies are partnering up to launch a Financial Opportunity Center that will help thousands of residents into housing, Mayor Michael Victorino announced Monday. Maui News.

Kauai

County accepting CARES Act grant proposals. The county is looking for sector projects that include meal-delivery programs to high-risk groups, nonprofit economic-loss support for increased services like childcare and other community services, mental health and domestic violence prevention, agriculture assistance, transforming tourism and economic diversification, and support for new temporary hires in the way of agriculture, information technology and conservation. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Restart: Public Health. Establishing a multi-purpose resilience center, improving and increasing health resources communications and creating high-speed broadband access are a few of the ideas generated by the Kaua‘i Economic Recovery Strategy Team to address Kaua‘i‘s public-health going forward. Garden Island.

Interisland travelers tell all. Tuesday was the first day for residents to travel interisland without being quarantined, and at Lihu‘e Airport three women from O‘ahu took the opportunity to fly over to Kaua‘i and pick up new, furry family members. Garden Island.

Fewer Hawaii residents comply with mask order, Pompeo meets Chinese counterpart in Honolulu today, inter-island travel begins, cult leaves state, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Discarded mask on Hawaii roadside ©2020 All Hawaii News

Hawaii officials notice a worrisome trend: Fewer residents wearing masks. The governor’s emergency order requires face masks at most public settings. Hawaii News Now.

Retailers report resistance to the in-store mask requirement. Gov. David Ige’s Ninth Supplemental Proclamation related to the COVID-19 emergency specifically instructs employees and customers to wear masks and engage in social distancing. Star-Advertiser.

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Quarantine for neighbor island travel ends today. The state is lifting the 14-day interisland travel quarantine for Hawaii residents today, but trans-Pacific travelers won’t likely be welcomed back until August amid the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Interisland quarantine requirement is lifted. Though the two-week quarantine for interisland travelers has been lifted, Gov. David Ige warned Monday that it may be reinstated if the number of COVID-19 cases in the state rises too high. Tribune-Herald.

Planning to fly inter-island? Arrive at the airport early and don’t come if you’re sick. After two and a half months of mostly empty airports in Hawaii, the state is ending the 14-day mandatory quarantine for inter-island travelers on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Governor David Ige’s Update on Travel Requirements for Air Transportation. Maui Now.

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Hawaii Economy Faces ‘A Long Slow Road Back’. A wave of restaurant failures and bankruptcies is expected in the fall. When Hawaii finally opens for tourism, it’s likely to take years to build the visitor base to anything close to what it was before the COVID-19 crisis shut down the state’s travel industry, experts in that business say. Civil Beat.

Expanding Local Agriculture Into Major Economic Industry Poses Challenges. Sales of farm products currently represent just 0.6% of Hawaii gross domestic product. Experts say there are opportunities for it to grow, but substantial challenges as well. Hawaii Public Radio.

With some improvising, state agencies welcome thousands of workers back to the office. Tens of thousands of government employees are returning to the office as their administrators improvise to allow for social distancing. Hawaii News Now.

Lawsuit challenges Gov. David Ige’s emergency powers. Hawaii residents from Kauai and the Big Island have filed a lawsuit challenging Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamations related to the spread of COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

Nonprofits urge lawmakers to quickly commit federal funds to cope with social needs. With the state Legislature poised to meet again in less than a week, Hawaii’s nonprofit social service agencies are urging lawmakers to commit hundreds of millions of dollars in unspent federal funds to health care, housing, mental health services and other support for families that are struggling to survive the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Over 23,000 Hawaii small businesses tap $3 billion in federal aid. Federal financial aid for Hawaii small businesses affected by COVID-19 has grown to just over $3 billion, according to new U.S. Small Business Administration data. Star-Advertiser.

Face Masks, Temperature Checks: The New Reality For Summer School Students. The Department of Education’s in-person, summer learning hubs offer a trial run for how many schools may operate when they reopen in the COVID-19 era. Civil Beat.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet Chinese counterpart in Hawaii on Tuesday. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will travel to Hawaii Tuesday for meetings with his Chinese counterpart, according to two people familiar with the plans, as tensions between the countries run high over trade, coronavirus, the future of Hong Kong and other issues. Bloomberg News.

The new normal: Hawaii National Guard training this year includes social distancing, masks. The Hawaii Air National Guard just completed its first unit training under COVID-19 guidelines. Hawaii News Now.

Over 200 Marshallese Stranded in Hawaiʻi Since March. The Marshall Islands is among only a few countries left in the world that are COVID-19 free. This is due in part to a strict travel ban that has left more than 200 Marshallese citizens stranded since March here in Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

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8 new coronavirus cases raise Hawaii’s statewide total to 736. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Updates For Monday: 8 New Cases. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

In race for mayor, Hanabusa clinches endorsement of ILWU. Honolulu mayoral candidate Colleen Hanabusa has picked up another big endorsement. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142 is backing Hanabusa in her run for Honolulu mayor. Hawaii News Now.

2 possible COVID-19 cases being looked at in state-run public housing. The state announced eight new cases of COVID-19 Monday, June 15. Officials say three of the new cases are linked to a new income housing facility, but did not say exactly where. KHON2.

Kalihi’s Saint John the Baptist School to close after 60 years. After 60 years in Kalihi, Saint John the Baptist School is closing. In a letter to its school community earlier this month, administrators said the pandemic “significantly worsened” its already troublesome financial situation. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Carbon Nation leader pleads no contest to violating quarantine; group to leave state. A self-professed cult leader pleaded no contest Monday to violating the state’s mandatory 14-day coronavirus quarantine in a deal that would allow him and 20 followers to leave the state. Tribune-Herald.

Reported Cult Leader Sent Back to Mainland. Big Island Now.

Self-professed cult member, 20 followers leave for mainland after quarantine arrests. Hawaii News Now.

Group of travelers charged for violating quarantine order decide to leave Hawai'i. KITV4.

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Mayor explains why public swimming pools remain closed. While most businesses, operations and activities were permitted to reopen June 15 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, public swimming pools were not. The facilities have been closed since March. West Hawaii Today.

Mayor Kim Explains Why Public Swimming Pools Remain Closed. Big Island Video News.

Northbound traffic flow change on Alii Drive starts Wednesday. Northbound traffic on Alii Drive will be shifted to a temporary bridge in the vicinity of the Kona Tiki Hotel starting Wednesday as work progresses to replace a deteriorating culvert on the Waiaha Drainageway. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Launches Financial Opportunity Center to Help Residents Into Housing. Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino today announced a partnership with the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and Hawaiian Community Assets to launch a Financial Opportunity Center to help thousands of residents into housing. Maui Now.

24 Hour Fitness on Maui closes as company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The 24 Hour Fitness chain announced Monday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy relief due to the “disproportionate impact” of the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hotel workers rally for safe reopening, health care. Properties making changes that include more cleanings, shift to keyless entry. Maui News.

Maui hotel workers demonstrate for worker safety, reopening. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

EPA closes 16 Kauai cesspools and issues $55K in fines. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today said it has shut down 16 large-capacity cesspools on Kauai and issued $55,182 in fines to a resort management association. Star-Advertiser.

EPA to close 16 large cesspools on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

CASPER COVID-19 survey results announced. More than half, 57%, of Kaua‘i households have at least one person living in their home who has lost their job as a result of the pandemic, and the resulting economic strain is affecting the mental health of Garden Island residents. Garden Island.

Pompeo to meet Chinese officials in Hawaii, vacation rentals reopening on three islands, state's largest newspaper threatens to lay off half of newsroom, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo official photo

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with Chinese officials in Hawaii as tensions escalate. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is planning a trip to Hawaii this week to meet with Chinese government officials as tensions continue to mount between China and the United States, according to multiple media reports. Star-Advertiser.

Pompeo Plans To Meet In Hawaii With China Officials. Politico and CNN are reporting that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is planning to meet with China officials at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu early this week. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Bankruptcies decline thanks to federal loan program. Federal aid programs appear to be keeping a lid on statewide bankruptcies despite the pandemic, but one of the state’s top economists says that could change after the end of this month when the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program ends. Star-Advertiser.

Ige named in COVID suit. A civil lawsuit against Gov. David Ige alleges his COVID-19-related orders violate state and federal constitutions, and requests the courts declare those rules unconstitutional and void. Garden Island.

Traveling inter-island after June 16? Mandatory forms available online. Hawaii News Now.

DOH: ‘No increased risk’ for travelers as Oahu cases mount. Oahu tallies nearly 50 cases since beginning of June. Maui News.

Vacation rental owners, managers say they're suffering from COVID-19 changes. State says in April 2020, the total monthly supply of statewide vacation rentals was 319,500 unit nights and monthly demand was just 16,000 unit nights. KITV4.

Hawaii’s long-term care homes have lowest COVID-19 rate in the nation. Even as COVID-19 cases rise again in Hawaii, state officials assured residents Friday that the island’s long-term care facilities remain safe. Tribune-Herald.

Recent spike in COVID-19 cases will test Hawaii’s preparations. There were 15 new cases Friday and 17 cases reported Saturday, which were the biggest single-day increases in the islands in nearly two months. Later Sunday the state Department of Health reported five new cases, raising the statewide total of infections to 728.  Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — JUNE 14: 5 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. With a total of 728 cases of the virus reported in the state, Hawaii has one of the lowest per capita rates of infection in the country. Civil Beat.

5 new cases of COVID-19 reported from Oahu, Big Island, total now 728. KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu mayoral candidates talk post-coronavirus sustainability. Half a dozen candidates for Honolulu mayor have promised to make a sustainable and livable Hawaii, but Friday at a forum gave only broad, general statements without going too deep into details on key questions. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell disagrees on extent of Police Commission’s authority. The differences in opinion of the commission’s true authority are coming to light as the call for reform of police departments across the U.S. has heightened following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers on May 25. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii's largest daily newspaper may lay off half its newsroom staff. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser has told about half of its newsroom staff that they will be laid off at the end of the month as Hawaii’s largest newspaper deals with the economic effects of Covid-19, but the newspaper's publisher said he is negotiating with the editorial guild to avoid laying off the 29 editorial workers. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser staffers push back against impending layoffs. Workers, community members and reporters are reacting with shock to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s announcement Thursday it is laying off half of the newsroom. KITV4.

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City Council resolution seeks to condemn derelict Waikiki building for affordable housing. A Honolulu City Council member wants the city to condemn a derelict Waikiki apartment building sandwiched between the Watermark, one of Oahu’s toniest condominiums, and freshly renovated walk-up apartments. Star-Advertiser.

Shuttered Meadow Gold plant in Honolulu goes on sale. The Texas-based owner of the Meadow Gold Hawaii dairy processing plant in Honolulu is seeking to sell the property for $25 million after shutting down the facility in April. Star-Advertiser.

Bill could impact Aloha Stadium demolition, landfill operator says. The company that operates the only public construction and demolition landfill and recycling facility on Oahu said a proposal that would require a buffer zone around the construction or expansion of disposal facilities “would be a disaster for the construction industry” and “drive up costs for construction projects of all sizes, including the new Aloha Stadium development.” Star-Advertiser.

Makiki nursing home employee tests positive for coronavirus. A staff member at a Makiki nursing home has tested positive for the coronavirus, the fourth case of the virus at a long-term care facility in a week on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

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Hundreds rally in Honolulu for Breonna Taylor. From the classic “No Justice, No Peace” to the more contemporary “Wrong Generation to (expletive) With,” the mostly homemade signs and placards borne by nearly 500 people who participated in Sunday’s Justice for Breonna Taylor Women’s March attested both to the diversity of the crowd and the singularity of their purpose. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds participate in Oahu march for Breonna Taylor. Protests nationally and here in Hawaii continued this weekend with more people bringing attention to racial inequality. Hawaii News Now.

First open street event on Kalakaua Ave. draws hundreds. Hundreds, if not thousands, filled Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki Sunday morning. A portion of the road was closed to cars so people could exercise and support businesses in the area that hasn’t seen activity because of COVID-19. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County Fire Department and volunteers erect homeless shelters. The access road behind Old Kona Airport Park became the newest homeless shelter as 18 tiny houses were constructed Saturday morning. West Hawaii Today.

Volunteers Construct 19 Emergency Homeless Units in Single Day. Na Lamakū will serve as an emergency shelter living space, complete with wraparound services, for up to 30 adult homeless individuals looking to take the first step toward self-sufficiency. Big Island Now.

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New ‘primary airport’ classification sought for KOA. The state Department of Transportation wants a 150-room hotel and conference center at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport and is seeking new zoning for that airport as well as Hilo International Airport for a variety of travel-related uses. West Hawaii Today.

Safety improvements eyed for Highway 130. The state Department of Transportation wants to further improve safety and mobility along Highway 130 between Keaau and Pahoa by using capital improvement funding recently allocated by lawmakers. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Fire Department Scrambles To Plug A Budget Hole. The state’s economic crash hit the department hard. But leaders are confident they can find money to keep lifeguards at popular Hapuna Beach on the job. Civil Beat.

New Kona Brewing Co. brewery eyes summer launch. Originally slated for an opening in early 2019, Kona Brewing’s construction — one with a thorough focus on sustainability — has been hit by a handful of delays along the way. Kona’s remote location presented difficulties procuring the right equipment and materials for the brewery’s sustainability projects. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Vacation rentals allowed to reopen. Reservations can be taken now for stays beginning Tuesday for guests who are not under quarantine. Maui News.

Maui TVRs Allowed to Restart on June 16, But Can Only Accommodate Individuals Not Subject to Quarantine. Maui Now.

Hawai‘i Nature Center at ‘Īao Valley Readies for Return of Maui Keiki. A team of volunteers and staff is readying the Hawai‘i Nature Center campus at ʻĪao Valley on Maui for the return of children next week. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Restart: Agriculture. The Kaua‘i Economic Recovery Strategy Team dedicated to the agriculture sector will attempt to revitalize agriculture businesses that experienced financial loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. Garden Island.

Hawaii missile radar back in budget, cult leader 'Nature Boy' Bishop, 20 others arrested on charges of violating quarantine, Kaiser Permanente allows hospital visits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Medium-range ballistic missile target launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Aug. 29, 2017. PC: Latonja Martin; Department of Defense

U.S. Senate Approves Funding for Hawaii Missile Radar System. The $162 million authorization for the system reverses the Trump Administration’s decision to slash the program’s funding. Civil Beat.

$1.9B Hawaii radar part of defense policy measure. The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2021 also puts the formerly sidelined $1.9 billion Homeland Defense Radar-Hawaii back on track with $162 million in funding. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii regulators question Young Brothers on viability. Prices for interisland shipping might need to rise 25% next year to keep tug-and-barge operator Young Brothers LLC solvent even if the company receives a $25 million state bailout. Star-Advertiser.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green’s group recommends screening travelers for the coronavirus. A hui led by Lt. Gov. Josh Green is trying to organize a plan to reopen Hawaii tourism this summer with a test-based travel policy that gives incoming passengers an alternative to the state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii opens first COVID-19 clinical trials to treat patients. Researchers at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine are seeking 40 adults with active COVID-19 to participate in the state’s first outpatient clinical trial to find an effective treatment for the virus that has sickened more than 2 million and killed more than 100,000 in the United States. Star-Advertiser.

The eviction moratorium has been extended through July 31. Then what? The governor’s decision to extend the eviction moratorium for non-payment of rent through July 31 is a relief for tenants. Hawaii News Now.

International Students Facing Daunting Financial Challenges Due To COVID-19. Even before the crisis, college students from abroad were having a tough time making ends meet. Now, some are hanging on by a thread. Hawaii Public Radio.

Unable to fill their dining rooms, several popular restaurants call it quits. Restaurants statewide are now allowed to operate dine-in services, but many kitchens remain closed. Some say making a profit isn’t possible with all the new social distancing and other restrictions. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii marriage registrations down 82% in April 2020. The number of marriages registered with the Hawaii Department of Health dropped significantly during the pandemic. KHON2.

7 new coronavirus cases on Oahu raise Hawaii’s statewide total to 692. Hawaii Department of Health officials said today that the state’s tally of coronavirus cases has risen to 692, up seven from Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii COVID-19 Updates For Thursday, June 11.  There were 7 newly identified cases of COVID-19 on the State of Hawaiʻi reported this Kamehameha Day holiday. All 7 were identified on Oʻahu. Big Island Video News.

DOH Reports 7 New Cases of COVID-19 Thursday. The Hawai‘i Department of Health reported seven new cases of COVID-19 overnight, all of which were identified on O‘ahu. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii easing visitor restrictions at Moanalua Medical Center. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii said today it is easing visitor restrictions at Moanalua Medical Center and will now allow patients to have one visitor each day. Star-Advertiser.

City Finally Finds A Replacement To Join The HART Board. Cost engineer Joseph Uno is poised to replace John Henry Felix. Civil Beat.

City Takes Steps To Fix Affordable Housing Program. In 2019, the Honolulu City Council passed a bill for a pilot program to build affordable housing units in underdeveloped areas of Honolulu. But after nine months, only two developers had applied to the program. Civil Beat.

Waikiki businesses losing nearly $6B in visitor revenues since lockdown. The governor’s announcement to extend the 14-day quarantine to out-of-state travelers is a staggering blow to businesses. KHON2.

How Effective Is Hawaii’s Key Court-Sanctioned Drug Treatment Program? The state agencies that fund Sand Island Treatment Center focus on how many defendants complete an initial phase of treatment. But only about 1/3 complete the full two-year program. Civil Beat.

How This Hawaiian Homestead’s Swift Response To COVID-19 Paid Off. When the virus spread, a nonprofit in Papakolea Hawaiian Homestead quickly shifted gears to ensuring  kupuna got food, supplies and necessary health care. Civil Beat.

‘Unprecedented’ turtle nesting at Bellows Beach closes campground until Sept. 4. Green sea turtles are nesting at Bellows Beach for the first time in documented history — and humans are being asked to tread lightly around them. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Cult leader  Eligio "Nature Boy" Bishop among 21 arrested in Puna for allegedly violating quarantine order. Police have arrested 21 individuals in a pair of sweeps in Puna subdivisions related to Gov. Ige’s COVID-19 emergency proclamation. Tribune-Herald.

Cult leader among 21 people arrested on Hawaii Island for violating emergency orders. It's the largest group of quarantine breakers yet. Hawaii News Now.

Individuals from religious cult arrested for allegedly violating state's quarantine order on the Big Island. The leader of a self-claimed religious cult is among 20 people who were arrested for allegedly violating the state's mandatory 14-day travel quarantine. KITV4.

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Council balks at small cell technology: ATT seeks use of county poles for faster internet speeds. A major telecommunications company wants to rent space on Hawaii County utility poles to attach equipment increasing wireless data speeds and reducing dead zones, but community reception has been less than enthusiastic. West Hawaii Today.

Feds Fund Over $1.1 Million For Laupahoehoe Bridge Damaged By Hurricane Lane. U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that Hawai‘i County will receive $1,195,089.75 in new federal funding to repair the Laupahoehoe Gulch Bridge. Big Island Video News.

Honoring his legacy. Although the COVID-19 pandemic prompted cancellations of the usual lei-draping ceremonies, colorful parades and other events that commemorate King Kamehameha Day, that didn’t stop people from honoring the monarch on Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Coach Spencer Shiraishi Memorial Pool and New Wailuku Pool to Reopen June 15. All county pools are open daily, except Kōkua Pool which remains closed for major renovations. Maui Now.

Kanaha park reopens today. Kanaha Beach Park, one of the last county parks still closed to the public, will reopen starting today, Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino announced Wednesday. Maui News.

Kauai

Forum kicks off race for county council. At the top of Wednesday’s Kaua‘i County Council Forum, candidates were told to keep in mind that when surveyed, young people have said, “Kaua‘i is not for us. It is just for the tourists,” forum host Juno Ann Apalla said. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Restart: Education. Hiring an educational liaison, creating neighborhood hubs, providing more devices and hot-spots for families in need are just some of the ideas to get the education system on Kaua‘i back to recovery. Garden Island.

State monitoring ‘Anini reef. Recently monitoring teams observed signs of recovery since a prolific coral disease was recorded in September-October of 2019. Garden Island.

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.