Kilauea volcano erupts, residents distrust tourists, Caldwell warns of Oahu lockdown amid COVID-19 surge, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Crowd watches Kilauea erupt Dec. 20, 2020 PC: Janice Wei

Kilauea volcano lava flows inside Halemaumau Crater; Hawaii island officials warn of possible ash fallout. Scientists are monitoring a new lava eruption of Kilauea volcano inside the Halemaumau Crater within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Star-Advertiser.

New eruption at Kilauea Volcano. Hawaii County Civil Defense said the eruption that commenced shortly after 9:30 p.m. Sunday remains confined to the Kilauea Volcano’s summit caldera. West Hawaii Today.

Kilauea Erupts After Earthquakes Shake Hawaiʻi. The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory confirms an eruption began at the summit of Kilauea Sunday evening. Big Island Video News.

Kīlauea Erupts on Sunday Night. Shortly after 9:30 p.m. HST, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected glow within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano. Big Island Now.

Unexpected overnight eruption in Halemaumau Crater leads to new lava lake. Authorities are closely watching an eruption that started Sunday night at Kilauea’s Halemaumau Crater, sending plumes of smoke into the air and prompting concerns about ashfall. Hawaii News Now.

New Kilauea eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu. Halemaumau is erupting again according to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. KHON2.

New eruption at Kilauea inside Halema'uma'u. Sunday night the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park confirmed a new eruption of Kilauea inside Halema'uma'u. KITV4.

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U.S. Sen. Schatz: Hawaii could see at least $1 billion from stimulus agreement. Senator Schatz says Congress is trying to get the bill enacted by Monday night and that the Treasury Department plans to send the stimulus checks out right away. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai'i could receive $1B as Congress agrees on nearly trillion dollar relief package. Both the House and Senate are set to vote on the bill Monday night. KITV4.

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Residents’ sentiment toward tourism has worsened. Even after enduring a collapse of the state’s economy this year, most Hawaii residents aren’t eager for a return to the 2019 tourism numbers. Star-Advertiser.

Lackluster Hawaii tourism widens losses for hotels. Holiday traffic in November — the first full month of the Hawaii Safe Travels pre-arrivals testing program — didn’t help Hawaii hotels much. Star-Advertiser.

Safe Travels Fails To Lure Many Travelers From Japan To Hawaii. An average of 131,000 people came from Japan each month last year. In the first month of Safe Travels, 1,350 came. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii Gov. David Ige: There’s No Money To ‘Sustain Government As It Existed’. The governor, anticipating a slow economic recovery, likely will present lawmakers with a much-reduced conservative spending plan. Civil Beat.

Hawaii teachers union files complaint with labor board over furloughs. The Hawaii State Teachers Association is challenging the governor’s plan to furlough teachers and other school employees by turning to the Hawaii Labor Relations Board. Star-Advertiser.

HSTA Files Complaint With Labor Board After Announcement of Furloughs. The Hawai‘i State Teachers Association is challenging the state’s decision to impose furloughs on its 13,000 union employees. Big Island Now.

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Congress Poised To Restore Medicaid For Micronesians. It’s been more than two decades since citizens of Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia were stripped of Medicaid access. Civil Beat.

Promised Land: The government promised to return ancestral Hawaiian land, then never finished the job. Over the years, the U.S. government has provided about 900 acres as compensation for its unauthorized takings. But none of the land conveyed, almost all of it on Oahu, was suitable for residential use, according to DHHL. And the federal government still owes additional land under the Hawaiian Home Lands Recovery Act. Star-Advertiser.

Pandemic Hits More Than 1,475 Hawaiʻi Inmates This Year. The coronavirus pandemic has reached deep into Hawaiʻi's criminal justice system -- infecting nearly 1,500 inmates and 170 staff. Hawaii Public Radio.

HAWAII VIRUS TRACKER — Dec. 20: 204 New COVID-19 Cases. The new cases included 180 on Oahu, 13 on the Big Island, and 11 on Maui. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu may revert to Tier 1. Oahu reported 180 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell warned that the island could revert to the more restrictive Tier 1 activity and business limits if the trend continues. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Caldwell worries case spikes will force city back to tier 1 by year’s end. In a news conference Sunday afternoon, Mayor Caldwell expressed his worries that Honolulu, on its current case track, is at risk of reverting to tier one of the reopening plan. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell wants to remove inmates from Honolulu’s COVID-19 count. With Oahu’s rising coronavirus cases headed in the direction of another shutdown, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is urgently petitioning the state Department of Health and Gov. David Ige to consider allowing him to remove inmate coronavirus counts from the island’s reopening metrics. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Caldwell urges Gov. Ige to remove inmates from City’s case count. A substantial number of Oahu’s case count on Sunday is connected to the Halawa Correctional Facility, according to Honolulu City and County officials. KHON2.

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Covert Honolulu Police Unit Targeted Former Medical Examiner. Former Honolulu medical examiner Dr. Christopher Happy was tailed by an elite intelligence unit at the request of the mayor’s office. Civil Beat.

Mayor-elect Blangiardi completes interviews for senior cabinet positions. The mayor-elect’s transition team announced it has completed the initial application process to fill executive-level positions with the incoming administration of the City and County of Honolulu. KHON2.

Struggling families still waiting for city grocery cards plagued by delays. A federally funded city program to help feed families devastated by the pandemic has run into major delays. But the city hopes today’s stimulus deal in Congress will help it extend the program. Hawaii News Now.

Chinatown conditions worsen in pandemic. From his second-floor office window at the corner of Maunakea and Pauahi streets, Oren Schlieman has seen his share of problems in a neighborhood he has invested in, including public urination and street brawls. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kierkiewicz on board of company receiving CARES funds. Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz steered taxpayer money to a not-yet nonprofit corporation on whose board she sits, records show. West Hawaii Today.

Seven Democrats Apply To Replace Kahele At Legislature. They include Big Island notables Chris Todd, Wil Okabe and “Fresh” Onishi. Civil Beat.

Many appeal their property assessments. More than twice as many property owners appealed their tax assessments this year than last year, according to the 2020 report of the county Real Property Tax Board of Review. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County lacks hundreds of physicians needed to sustain the population. Hawaii’s physician shortage has loomed large for years but worsened in 2020 — and on the Big Island, the lack of doctors became even more dire. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Economy Is ‘Getting By’ As The Pandemic Persists. While tourism-fueled businesses struggle from tighter travel restrictions, the housing market has remained healthy and aquaculture continues to grow. Civil Beat.

Maui

Some frontline workers look forward to COVID-19 shot. They’re slated to be first on Maui to be vaccinated once doses arrive. Maui News.

New DNA technology helps identify shark species in fatal attack. Researchers believe 14-foot tiger shark attacked Robin Warren. Maui News.

Kauai

County backs nation’s first feminist economic recovery plan. The economic hardship of the novel coronavirus has disproportionately affected women in terms of profession, childcare and household responsibilities, a Kaua‘i County Council resolution states. Garden Island.

Getting food out before the holidays. The urgency of the final weekend before Christmas helped push cars smoothly through the drive-thru, no-contact food distribution Saturday at the Kaua‘i Philippine Cultural Center. Garden Island.

Honolulu bars to stay closed, delays expected in COVID-19 vaccine distribution, rail boss ousted, Aloha Stadium struggling but not planning to close, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikiki at night ©2020 All Hawaii News

 Federal judge denies request to reopen Oahu bars and nightclubs. A federal judge denied a preliminary injunction today that would have reopened bars and nightclubs on Oahu. The suit seeks $50 million in damages. It claims the civil rights of bar owners have been violated, partly because they are forced to be closed while other establishments serving alcohol have been allowed to remain open during the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Report from Hawaii Health Department shows small gatherings can still cause COVID outbreak. Data over the past two weeks shows no clusters on Kauai, one cluster tied to a restaurant on the Big Island, clusters tied to bars, nightclubs, restaurants and social gatherings on Maui, and clusters tied to correctional facilities, schools, restaurants, places of worship, gyms and an athletic competition are to blame on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

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Up to 40% of Hawaii COVID-19 vaccine shipments will be delayed, feds say. The federal government has notified Hawaii that as much as 40% of some vaccine orders will be delayed due to production, but the state is still expecting to receive more than 81,000 doses by year’s end. Star-Advertiser.

As demand ramps up, state likely to experience some delays in COVID vaccine distribution. A state Health Department spokesperson said Thursday that the distribution of its initial vaccine allotment was likely to experience at least partial delays while drug manufacturers worked to deliver doses of the vaccine across the country. Hawaii News Now.

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Renters who needed financial relief inadvertently exposed tax evaders, state says. In all, more than 18,000 people applied for relief ― and many of them inadvertently exposed landlords who didn’t have General Excise Tax licenses and had likely been able to avoid paying taxes on rent revenue. Not only did that discovery disqualify the renters from the assistance, it now has the state’s tax office on alert. Hawaii News Now.

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Hawaii Board of Education members oppose furloughing teachers, school staff. Board of Education members are pushing back against Gov. David Ige’s plan to furlough public school employees, saying the move would be too damaging and federal funds might bridge the budget gap. Star-Advertiser.

Heated testimony, threat of legal action over furloughs dominate BOE meeting. Gov. David Ige’s teacher furlough plan forces teachers to take at least one unpaid day off each month, starting Jan. 4. KHON2.

Public School Principals Grapple with Looming Budget Cuts. Along with much of the rest of the state government, the state Department of Education faces sharp budget cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH system anticipates financial challenges as it navigates pandemic. The 10-campus University of Hawaii system is looking at some rocky financial years ahead due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, university officials told lawmakers Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

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USS Daniel Inouye Begins Sea Trials. The missile destroyer, named for Hawaii’s late senator, set sail Wednesday after production delays. Civil Beat.

HAWAII VIRUS TRACKER — Dec. 17: 142 New COVID-19 Cases And 2 Deaths. Among the cases recorded Thursday were 113 on Oahu, 16 on the Big Island, seven on Maui, one on Kauai and five Hawaii residents diagnosed out of state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Andrew Robbins out as rail boss; interim replacement not identified. Contract negotiations are underway for a new interim CEO and president to take over the city’s beleaguered rail project Jan. 1 after the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors voted Thursday to find new leadership. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Rail Project Is Left Without A Leader As HART Ousts Robbins. Major utility problems on Dillingham Boulevard and a failed P3 effort helped seal the fate of rail’s latest executive director. Civil Beat.

HART board votes to oust CEO, search for as-of-yet unnamed replacement. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board on Thursday voted to replace CEO Andy Robbins ― they just haven’t decided with who yet. Hawaii News Now.

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Corrections Commission Wants To Pause Planning On New Oahu Jail. A panel formed to oversee the state correctional system voted Thursday to ask for a delay in the planning and design of a proposed new $525 million Oahu jail, in part because members said the state needs to reconsider how large the new facility should be. Civil Beat.

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Budget problems and maintenance issues force Aloha Stadium to put a temporary halt on new events. After 45 years, Aloha Stadium — Hawaii’s Rust Palace, which has hosted University of Hawaii Warriors football, NFL Pro Bowls, Major League Baseball, Bruno Mars, the Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson — is shutting down at least three years before a replacement stadium will be built. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha Stadium not quite shut down, will ‘entertain’ new events with added expenses. In somewhat of a reversal, the Aloha Stadium Authority announced late Thursday that it would “entertain events,” but that additional expenses would be put upon licensees who want to use the facility. Hawaii News Now.

Aloha Stadium Won’t Host Events For The Foreseeable Future. The University of Hawaii is already considering alternate sites such as high school stadiums for the 2021 football season. Civil Beat.

Aloha Stadium shutting down indefinitely, leaving UH football without a home field. Aloha Stadium is shutting down. The Stadium Authority announced on Thursday, Dec. 17, that it will be closed indefinitely after all previously scheduled events are honored. KHON2.

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City Releases Housing Numbers for Mayor Caldwell's Second Term. According to the Office of Housing report released Thursday, the total homeless population has decreased ten percent in Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell's second term. KITV4.

Diamond Head State Monument has a quiet reopening day after 9 months’ coronavirus closure. On Thursday morning people reappeared atop the crater known as Leahi, forehead of the tuna, to Native Hawaiians, after the monument reopened to the public at 6 a.m. with new vehicle and pedestrian traffic controls and COVID-19 health and safety protocols, including mandatory mask-wearing and 6-foot physical distancing throughout the state park. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

‘Artisan-scale’ composting popular: Environmental Management Commission considers alternatives to $10.5M composter. This may be one of those cases where bigger isn’t necessarily better, at least when it comes to turning waste into compost. West Hawaii Today.

New facility will provide space for expanded cancer treatment, other services in Hilo. Health care leaders and legislators gathered Thursday morning for a blessing and groundbreaking for a project that will expand the Hawaii Health System Corporation’s East Hawaii Health Clinic on Waianuenue Avenue — formerly known as the Hawaii Pacific Oncology Center. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s first certified arson dog dies at 13. The state’s first certified arson dog, Kaimi retired Dec. 31, 2019, and died Saturday at the home of his handler, Acting Fire Chief Robert Perreira. He was 13. Tribune-Herald.

First Certified Arson K9 in State Dies. Big Island Now.

Maui

Positive COVID-19 case temporarily closes Lahaina DMV office. An employee at the Lahaina DMV office has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the office to close for the next ten days, a Maui County spokesperson said Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina DMVL Immediate Closure Triggered by Employee Testing Positive for COVID-19. The Department of Finance Lahaina Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing office is closed for 10 days, beginning immediately today, after an employee reported testing positive for COVID-19. Maui Now.

EMS still waiting on budget cut decisions. In July and August, the state Department of Health was in talks with all four county EMS providers in preparation for a potential statewide budget cut of up to 20 percent for the coming budget due to financial deficits caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui News.

Mayor Supports Possible Use of War Memorial Stadium for UH Football Games. Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said he supports the possible use of War Memorial Stadium for University of Hawaiʻi football games or other events in light of the temporary moratorium placed on new events at Aloha Stadium earlier today. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County Council passes bills to avoid budget shortfall. The Kaua‘i County Council passed several bills to cover a budget shortfall caused by suspended tax revenues, retroactive salary increases and COVID-19 operations. Garden Island.

High schools revise 2nd-semester plans. Last week, the state Department of Education Kaua‘i Complex Area superintendent announced in a video that Kaua‘i’s public schools’ distance-learning plans will be revised for the second semester. Garden Island.

New case of COVID-19 is local child. The state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office reported one new case of COVID-19 on Thursday. Thursday’s case is a child resident. Garden Island.

Ige proclamation makes 10-day quarantine official, Kapolei casino plan spurs backlash, Kahele resigns state seat to enter Congress, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kupuna hula in Hawaii ©2020 All Hawaii News

Report: Hula, Other Cultural Programs Can Improve Hawaiian Health. Hula and other culturally based programs should be used to address longstanding health inequities affecting Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders in Hawaii, according to a new report from researchers at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. Civil Beat.

UH Report: Hawaiian Culture is Just What the Doctor Ordered. A new report by the University of Hawaiʻi medical school found structural inequities and historical events are partly to blame for continued health disparities among Native Hawaiians. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Gov. David Ige reduces Hawaii’s travel quarantine to 10 days to match health guidelines. Starting Thursday passengers entering the state of Hawaii and traveling between counties will only have to quarantine for 10 days instead of 14 days if they don’t have an exemption from the state’s travel entry requirements. Star-Advertiser.

State issues new COVID-19 rules, shortening quarantine and extending eviction protections. Governor David Ige issued a new COVID-19 emergency proclamation early Wednesday evening, reducing the length of the state’s mandatory self-quarantine for travelers and extending a moratorium on evictions into next year. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Ige reduces mandatory self-quarantine to 10 days for Hawaii travelers.  Gov. David Ige signed a 17th COVID-19 emergency proclamation on Dec. 16 that reduces the state’s mandatory self-quarantine period for travelers from 14 to 10 days, starting on Thursday, Dec. 17. KHON2.

Governor Ige reduces state's mandatory self-quarantine period for travelers to 10 days. The proclamation specifies the moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent is extended until Feb. 21, 2021. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Travel Quarantine Period Shortened From 14 To 10 Days. Governor Ige issued his 17th COVID-19 emergency proclamation on Wednesday, reducing the quarantine period for travelers into and within Hawai‘i. Big Island Video News.

Self-Quarantine for Inter-Island Travelers Reduced to 10 Days. The state’s mandatory self-quarantine for travelers entering the state and traveling between counties has been reduced from 14 days to 10. Big Island Now.

Gov. Ige Signs 17th COVID-19 Emergency Proclamation, Reducing Quarantine From 14 to 10 Days. Governor David Ige signed a 17th COVID-19 emergency proclamation reducing the state’s mandatory self-quarantine period for travelers entering the state and traveling between counties from 14 to 10 days. Maui Now.

Full text of Gov. David Ige's 17th Emergency Proclamation can be found here.

COVID-19 Vaccine Skepticism Grows In Hawaii. Public health agencies have been slow to launch campaigns to counter vaccine skepticism, a trend in Hawaii that could thwart efforts to achieve herd immunity. Civil Beat.

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As more vaccines arrive, urgency grows to educate the public . According to a survey, health officials say less than half of the general public are willing to take the vaccine. The goal is to get 70% of the population vaccinated to get herd immunity. KHON2.

Elections Officials Want To Tweak Hawaii’s Mail-Voting Law Next Year. The Legislature may consider adjustments to in-person voting sites among other proposals after the state’s first foray into all mail-voting. Civil Beat.

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Kahele Resigns State Senate Seat, Opening Call For Replacement Candidates. Congressman-elect Kai Kahele has formally resigned as State Senator for District 1, allowing Hawaiʻi County Democrats to initiate the process to find three prospective appointees to the fill the seat. Big Island Video News.

Kai Kahele Resigns From Hawaii State Senate. Less than three weeks before he will be sworn in as a U.S. representative, Kai Kahele on Wednesday stepped down from his state Senate seat. Civil Beat.

Kahele resigns from state Senate. U.S. Congressman-elect Kai Kahele has officially resigned from his state Senate seat. Tribune-Herald.

Congressman-elect Kai Kahele announces resignation from Hawaii State Senate. Congressman-elect and State Senator Kaialiʻi Kahele has officially announced his resignation from the Hawaii State Senate. KHON2.

Democratic Party to Begin Process to Fill Kahele’s Senate District 1 Vacancy. Congressman-elect and current State Senator Kaialiʻi Kahele (District 1 – Hilo) officially announced today his resignation from the Hawaiʻi State Senate. Maui Now.

VIRUS TRACKER — Dec. 16: 110 New COVID-19 Cases And 4 Deaths In Hawaii. Among the cases recorded Wednesday were 85 on Oahu, 14 on Maui, five on the Big Island and six Hawaii residents diagnosed out of state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Bar owners ask court to let them open. A federal judge may rule Friday on whether bars on Oahu can reopen after they have been closed all but a few weeks since COVID-19 hit Hawaii in March. Star-Advertiser.

HPD Chief Ballard ‘still on the fence’ about getting COVID vaccine. In a meeting with the Honolulu Police Commission Wednesday, Chief Susan Ballard said she’s among those that will likely pass on getting the shot — at least for now. Hawaii News Now.

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Proposed Home Lands casino would allow golf course, theme parks, sporting events. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands wants a lone exception to Hawaii’s ban on all forms of gambling to create a destination resort in Kapolei that would allow 24/7 gambling, liquor, a golf course and even aquariums, theme parks and sporting events. Star-Advertiser.

Plan to build casino on Hawaiian Home Lands in Kapolei a big gamble, critics say. A proposal to build a stand-alone casino resort on property owned by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is facing heavy opposition from community leaders and lawmakers. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Homes Commission to consider casino proposal. An agenda item for next week’s Hawaiian Homes Commission meeting, the idea of building a casino on Department of Hawaiian Homes trust land in Kapolei, Oahu, is raising eyebrows statewide, especially among trust beneficiaries. Tribune-Herald.

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands pushes proposal for a casino in Kapolei. Could Hawaii get its first casino? If a controversial proposal by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) passes next week, the state would be one step closer to that reality. KHON2.

Honolulu police seize more than a dozen gaming devices in Kapahulu raid. Police arrested a 54-year-old woman on suspicion of promoting gambling and possession of gambling devices. Star-Advertiser.

Conditions at Halawa Correctional Facility unsafe due to outbreak, union says. With the state’s largest prison currently battling an outbreak of COVID-19, the union representing more than 300 employees at Halawa Correctional Facility says the state isn’t doing enough to improve hazardous conditions there. Star-Advertiser.

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Caldwell says last mass food distribution event to take place Friday. The city is offering one more mass distribution of food on Oahu — the last large one for the year — at Aloha Stadium this coming Friday. Star-Advertiser. 

City to hold final food distribution event of the year on Friday. With the economy still flat and the tourism industry still struggling, city officials said Wednesday that it was no secret that food insecurity was still a top-of-mind issue for thousands of Oahu families. Hawaii News Now.

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What Did HPD Do To Prevent Another Kealoha Scandal? Not Much, Chief Says. City Councilman Tommy Waters identified holes that remain in the department’s handling of misconduct, especially when it involves the chief. Civil Beat.

City Council reviews audits on HPD, prosecuting attorney’s office. After reviewing two recently published audits, a Honolulu City Council committee explored options for greater oversight of the Honolulu Police Department while criticizing the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for its utter lack of leadership. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu doctors relieved to get the vaccine. Dr. Melanie Kim, a hospitalist at Straub Medical Center, has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects COVID-19 has had on her patients, some of whom at the end of their lives have had to die alone. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Partnership ensures post-arrival COVID testing will continue through mid-January. Mayor Mitch Roth on Wednesday announced a partnership between Hawaii County and a private philanthropist that will ensure trans-Pacific post-arrival COVID-19 testing for those arriving on the Big Island will continue through Jan. 15. Tribune-Herald.

Green: Vaccine roll out ‘going well’. Kona Community Hospital anticipates it will begin immunizing staff for COVID-19 on Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

Big Isle hospitals prep to receive, administer COVID-19 vaccines. As the highly anticipated COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out in other parts of the state, Big Island hospitals are still waiting to receive their first doses. Tribune-Herald.

Shoppers flock to new Safeway store in Kailua-Kona. Wednesday marked the grand opening of Kailua-Kona’s new Safeway location in the Niumalu Marketplace. The 63,000-square-foot supermarket — 25% larger than the previous location in the Kona Crossroads Shopping Center — is the first shop to open in the marketplace between Lanihau Shopping Center and Henry Street. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

AlohaSafe Alert app officially launches for use in Maui County. The AlohaSafe Alert app officially launched on Wednesday in Maui County, the first County in the State of Hawaii to have this resource available to curb the spread of COVID-19. KITV4.

UH-MC donates freezer to store Pfizer vaccine. Doses expected to arrive on Maui by the end of the week. The University of Hawaii-Maui College has donated a freezer large enough to house thousands of doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is expected to arrive on island by the end of the week, Maui Health CEO Mike Rembis said Monday night. Maui News.

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DOCARE officers cite Maui man for selling undersized ahi. State Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Officers following up on an anonymous tip on Tuesday afternoon cited Crispin B. Santos, 37, of Kahului, after finding him at a roadside stand in possession of 15 ahi weighing between two and two-and-a-half pounds. Star-Advertiser.

Kahului man cited, accused of selling undersized ahi. DOCARE officers cited Crispin Santos Tuesday afternoon after they say he was found with 15 ahi, weighing between two and two and a half pounds. Hawaii News Now.

Kahului man cited for selling undersized ahi. Officers from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) cited a Kahului resident for suspicion of selling undersized ahi on Tuesday, Dec. 15. KHON2.

Kahului Man Cited for Selling Undersized Ahi. A 37-year-old Kahului resident was cited on suspicion of selling undersized ahi. Maui Now.

Kauai

7.6% of CARES Act funds left on Kaua‘i. Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds are set to expire at the end of this month, and the county’s $28 million slice has a remaining balance of $2,190,512, or about 7.6%, to be spent in December. Garden Island.

Kaua'i set to reduce its mandatory quarantine time period to mirror the state. Anyone traveling to Kaua'i must still quarantine regardless of a pre-travel test. KITV4.

KPD honors 93rd Police Recruit Class graduates. The Kaua‘i Police Department held a small, socially distanced ceremony on Tuesday for its 93rd Police Recruit Class graduates. Garden Island.

EPA fines Kauai tour company $45K for illegal cesspool. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has ordered a helicopter tour company on Kauai to close an illegal cesspool and pay $45,000 in fines. Star-Advertiser.

Native Hawaiian agency seeks to build casino on Oahu, first COVID-19 vaccines administered, Diamond Head to reopen Thursday, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Diamond Head State Monument ©2020 All Hawaii News

Diamond Head State Monument to reopen Thursday. The Diamond Head State Monument is slated to reopen to the public Thursday after a nine-month closure with significant changes that include occupancy limits on the popular hiking trail. Star-Advertiser.

Diamond Head Monument To Reopen To Visitors. The popular state attraction has been closed for nine months due to COVID-19. Civil Beat.

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On ‘momentous’ day, state’s first COVID-19 vaccines administered to local healthcare workers. A doctor who’s witnessed firsthand the pain COVID-19 has inflicted on hundreds of Hawaii families was given a dose of hope Tuesday: the first coronavirus vaccine administered in the state. Hawaii News Now.

Health Care Workers Get Hawaii’s First COVID-19 Shots. After months of working with coronavirus patients, health workers at the Queen’s Medical System said they were grateful for what will be a new layer of protection against the infectious respiratory disease. Civil Beat.

COVID-19 unit doctor is first to receive coronavirus vaccine in Hawaii. Five people with the Queen's Medical Center were the first in Hawaii to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday. KITV4.

Queen’s doctor becomes first person in Hawaii to get Pfizer vaccine since approval for emergency use. After months of endless infections, mounting deaths and economic collapse, Hawaii residents may finally see the light at the end of an agonizing tunnel. Star-Advertiser.

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Director of state's Office of Early Learning expects to have all its pre-K schools reopen to in person learning. On Tuesday the Director of the state's office of early learning said it expects to have all of their pre-K schools reopen to in person learning starting next month. KITV4.

Public preschool options in Hawaii vary during pandemic. About 85% of the public preschool classrooms overseen by the Executive Office on Early Learning are offering in-person instruction, but Head Start preschool programs and charter school ones are still largely remote. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers discuss future of child care, early childhood education. Administrators of the state’s early childhood education and subsidized child care programs told lawmakers Tuesday that the coronavirus pandemic has forced them to scale back services for the time being. Tribune-Herald.

Pandemic alters students’ early-learning. On Tuesday, the state House held a virtual meeting to discuss how early-learning programs in Hawai’i have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Garden Island.

Schools Provide A Critical Safety Net For Kids. Can They Do That Via Zoom? Youth advocates and school staff worry students are not getting the proper counseling or basic social services available in a regular school setting. Civil Beat.

Public school educators are fighting to block the state’s furlough plan. The Board of Education has a meeting on Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

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Time Almost Out For Hawaii To Spend Federal Pandemic Relief Funds. Hawaii likely has just a few remaining days to make use of emergency pandemic relief funds awarded to Hawaii by the federal government in March when Congress passed the $2 trillion CARES Act. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH Researchers: Hawaii Renters Will Need Help Throughout 2021. Researchers at the University of Hawaii estimate several thousand more renters will be paying over 30% of their income on rent next year. Civil Beat.

VIRUS TRACKER — Dec. 15: 57 New COVID-19 Cases. Health officials reported 57 new COVID-19 cases statewide on Tuesday, including 35 on Oahu, 10 on the Big Island, eight on Maui, and four Hawaii residents who were diagnosed out of state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

DHHL considers proposal to build casino in Kapolei. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands dropped a bombshell on its website late Tuesday, floating the idea of building a casino on trust land in Kapolei. Star-Advertiser.

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Louis Kealoha ordered to repay $250K settlement, though city unlikely to ever see it. A circuit court judge has ordered former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha to repay the $250,000 the Honolulu Police Commission gave him to retire in 2017, before he was indicted on federal corruption charges. Hawaii News Now.

Louis Kealoha Ordered To Pay Back His $250,000 Retirement Settlement. In addition to restitution, Louis Kealoha will have to pay the city back for his severance. Civil Beat.

Former HPD chief Louis Kealoha ordered to pay back severance. Former Honolulu police chief Louis Kealoha is headed to federal prison next spring, and he has to pay $250,000 to the city. KHON2.

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Rail project faces new leadership Thursday. The city’s troubled rail project is pivoting to an uncertain “Plan B” to complete the final 4.16-mile push to Ala Moana while looking at the possibility of new leadership Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Kahuku football coach Maui Kahalepuna, 43, dies after battling COVID-19. The Kahuku community is mourning the death of an assistant football coach, and beloved community member. KHON2.

Unexpected Delay in Honolulu’s “City Card" Program. The $500 cards are valid from 12/7-12/27 but were not sent out last week due to an "unexpected delay," according to a spokesperson with the City's Office of Economic Revitalization.  KITV4.

Hilton Hawaiian Village reopens as isle tourism slowly recovers. The reopening of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, the state’s largest hotel property, and the start of COVID­­-19 vaccinations in Hawaii are major milestones on the still long and winding road to tourism recovery. Star-Advertiser.

These parklets will be taking over some street parking stalls in Kaimuki. There will be a few less spaces to street park in Kaimuki in an effort to help boost business for area shops and restaurants. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Spike in auto thefts, burglaries during pandemic. While some businesses have shuttered and others have suffered downturns during the coronavirus pandemic, the old adage “crime never takes a holiday” is holding true. Tribune-Herald.

‘Heroes and Helpers’; Gift distribution event serves more than 60 keiki. This year’s focus was primarily keiki and youth from the Ka‘u District and was based on COVID-19 affected needs. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Judge dismisses Bank of America suit against county. County mulls legal action over lender’s decades-old $150M home loan promise. A federal judge on Monday dismissed a Bank of America lawsuit against the County of Maui, paving the way for the county to pursue possible claims against the banking giant over a decades-old $150 million home loan promise to Native Hawaiians and others that allegedly went unmet. Maui News.

Business ‘getting better’ for some Paia merchants. Local shops and eateries in Paia town that were shuttered for weeks to months at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic are starting to show some promise, with a few managers staying positive with the recent boost in tourism. Maui News.

Oregon Man Arrested on Maui for Alleged Quarantine Violation. Police say they were investigating a separate incident, when they found the man had left his listed residence, in violation of his quarantine. Maui Now.

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Live Skunk Found and Captured at Kahului Pier on Maui. The skunk was spotted roaming around in the container yard early in the morning and was reported to harbor security by a biologist surveying for stranded sea bird fledglings. Maui Now.

Live skunk found roaming at Kahului pier. A live skunk was found in a maritime container at a Kahului pier today, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture reported. Star-Advertiser.

Live Skunk Found in Maui. A live skunk was found and captured this morning at a maritime container yard at Pier 1 in Kahului, Maui. Big Island Now.

Kauai

Skate park renovations expected done next week. With two weeks to go, Na Lei Wili Area Health Education Center’s executive director and Kaua‘i Skatepark Foundation’s lead advocate are confident that the Kapa‘a skate park’s resurfacing project will be done earlier than the expected deadline. Garden Island.

Kalalau opens to hikers, volunteers work to keep trail clear. The Friends of Kalalau trail, a group of volunteers, made their repairs and maintenance on the first two miles of Kalalau trail, which starts at the Ha‘ena State Park. Garden Island.

Teacher furlough schedule set, vaccines arrive, electors meet, Larry Ellison makes Lanai official residence, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii electors, courtesy Democratic Party of Hawaii

Hawaii electors cast votes for Joe Biden. As the last state to cast its electoral votes, Hawaii put the finishing touch on electing Joe Biden with its four votes. KITV4.

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Senate president Ron Kouchi doubts furlough will begin Jan. 1. Court challenges will likely mean that planned furloughs of thousands of state workers will not happen beginning Jan. 1, state Senate President Ron Kouchi said Monday. Star-Advertiser.

State Senate president talks upcoming legislative session, COVID mitigation efforts at Capitol, budget and economy. State legislators are preparing for a new legislative session that likely will look different from any before. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Legislature Preparing Capitol Building For January Return. Lawmakers have plans to allow the public back to the State Capitol building, but lawmakers are also getting ready to conduct business entirely remotely. Civil Beat.

DOE announces furlough schedule for teachers, employees starting Jan. 4. The Hawaii Department of Education sent an email to public school teachers Monday night with a list of dates the furloughs will take place. Hawaii News Now.

DOE outlines furlough plan to employees. Starting January employees will take furlough days which means there will be no work and no pay for that day. KHON2.

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Vaccines arrive, thousands more on the way. Hawaii received its first delivery of COVID-19 vaccines Monday, in what hopefully will mark a turning point in the state’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has sickened nearly 20,000 people and left 274 dead. Star-Advertiser.

First COVID-19 Vaccine Shipment Arrives In Hawaii. A pharmacy team inspected the thermo-insulated container housing 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine before transferring the doses to an ultra-cold freezer for storage. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s mass vaccination effort set to begin, marking a turning point in the pandemic. The hospital received the state’s first shipment of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine just before 8 a.m. Monday. It came inside a thermo-insulated container packed in dry ice. Hawaii News Now.

COVID Vaccines Arriving In Hawaii. The State says the first to receive the vaccine will be health care workers at high risk of exposure, and residents of long-term care facilities. Big Island Video News.

COVID-19 Vaccine Shipment Arrive at Queen’s Medical Center. On Monday, a shipment of 975 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine arrived at Queen’s Medical Center. Big Island Now.

Initial 975 Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Arrive in Hawai‘i.  State officials say this initial delivery of 975 does of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine marks an important milestone in the ongoing effort to combat COVID-19 and return life to normal. Maui Now.

Amid prison outbreaks, state vaccine plan has inmates in priority. Inmates and correctional facility staff are placed in stage two alongside groups like teachers and critical risk workers. KHON2.

Surveillance Test Study Shows Few COVID-19 Positives During Safe Travels. But visitor education and pre-screening process should be improved, author says. Civil Beat.

Hawaii COVID-19 Hospitalizations Vary Widely By Race And Ethnicity. The state Department of Health posted COVID-19 hospitalization data by race on its website Monday for the first time since the pandemic began. Civil Beat.

Prison Officials Won’t Say If COVID-19 Killed Halawa Inmate Who Died Sunday. So far 169 inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus at the state’s largest prison. Civil Beat.

Hālawa Prison Infections Rise. A COVID-19 outbreak at the Hālawa Correctional Facility has grown to infect more than 160 inmates and nearly 30 staff. The prison is currently in lockdown with all inmate movement including transfer to and from the facility have been suspended for the next two weeks. Hawaii Public Radio.

VIRUS TRACKER — Dec. 14: 190 New COVID-19 Cases. Health officials reported 190 new COVID-19 cases statewide on Monday, including 158 on Oahu, 15 on the Big Island and 15 on Maui. Two Hawaii residents were diagnosed out of state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Caldwell reverses course, moves to keep COVID-infected inmates out of Oahu reopening metrics. Weeks after explaining to the public why COVID-19 cases reported in large prison outbreaks needed to be reported in Honolulu’s daily counts ― potentially preventing the county from moving into the next tier of its recovery framework ― Mayor Caldwell said Monday that he had asked Gov. Ige for permission to begin removing those cases from the county’s daily counts. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu reveals first battery electric bus. The City and County of Honolulu has unveiled a new electric bus, the first of 17 such buses expected to be shipped here over the next year, kicking off what officials hope is a complete transformation of TheBus fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Star-Advertiser.

City unveils first ever electric bus on Monday. According to Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell the city expects to have 17 zero emission buses on island by the end of next year. KITV4.

Honolulu Director Back To Work While Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit Continues. Enterprise Services Director Guy Kaulukukui stepped away from his job in April after he was sued by a Kamehameha Schools graduate who said he groomed her into having sexual relations while he was her teacher. Civil Beat.

In effort to curb Laniakea Beach problems, city to install a fence this week. Mayor Caldwell says the structure will improve traffic and pedestrian safety along the highway. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island hospitals expect to receive first shipments of COVID-19 vaccine next week. Hawaii Island hospitals could begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine as early as next week, officials said Monday afternoon, hours after the arrival of the first doses on Oahu. West Hawaii Today.

Kona Community Hospital plans to get its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine next week. The hospital is unsure how many doses will come in that first batch, however the hospital held what it calls a successful vaccine clinic trial run last week. KITV4.

Uptick in COVID cases follows Thanksgiving holiday. The state and the Big Island have seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the weeks following Thanksgiving. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Courthouse Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19. An employee at the Hale Kaulike Courthouse in Hilo has tested positive for COVID-19, the Hawai‘i State Judiciary announced today. Big Island Now.

Betty Jane Pa, beloved Hawaii Island hula, Tahitian dancer dies at 83. Legendary Big Island dancer Betty Jane Pa has died. Known affectionately as “Aunty BJ,” she was Hilo’s first professional Tahitian dancer learning from Kaui Brandt in the 1950s. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Family Life Center awarded $1.25M grant. Family Life Center, a nonprofit organization serving the homeless population in Maui and Kauai Counties, announced last week that it has been selected to receive a $1.25 million grant from the Day 1 Families Fund. Maui News.

Hospitals and clinics across Maui County eager for arrival of COVID-19 vaccine. Maui Memorial Medical Center is expecting 975 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with shots in arms administered sometime next week. It hopes to inoculate 100 health care workers per day over 2 weeks. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

County awards Small Business Boost Grants. The County of Kaua‘i announced it will provide grant funding to approximately 180 Kaua‘i businesses that remain on its application waitlist for the Small Business Boost Grant Program, which originally opened in August. Garden Island.

Kauai Businesses: ‘We Can’t Survive’ Without Travel. With tourism effectively canceled for the 2020 holiday season, a number of Kauai resorts and businesses are closing again — some for good. Civil Beat.

Lanai

Billionaire Larry Ellison moves his primary residence to Lanai, fleeing California. Oracle Corp. co-founder Larry Ellison said he has moved his primary residence to Hawaii, becoming the latest Silicon Valley executive to depart the state where they built their fortunes. Bloomberg News.

Billionaire Larry Ellison takes up full time residence on Lanai. Reports say Billionaire Larry Ellison has made Hawaii his official residence. Ellison reportedly moved to the island of Lanai recently, informing his employees about the change of primary residence in a letter. Hawaii News Now.

COVID-19 infections spike at Hawaii's largest prison, taxpayers on the hook for convicted ex-Police Chief's legal fees, tourist quarantine hasn't stopped Kauai coronavirus cases, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii prison ©2020 All Hawaii News

Hālawa Correctional Facility COVID-19 Infections Rise to 167 Inmates and 28 Staff. The new results include positive results for 99 inmates and seven staff, according to an update provided by the state Department of Public Safety. Maui Now.

Outbreak at Halawa Correctional Facility grows. The Department of Public Safety reported Sunday an additional 99 inmates and seven staff have tested positive for COVID-19. KITV4.

Hawaii’s Largest Prison Hit With A Major COVID-19 Outbreak. Civil Beat.

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Gov. Ige Says He Doesn’t See How State Government Can Avoid Layoffs. He also warns that nonprofits face deep cuts as state tax revenues dwindle due to the pandemic. Civil Beat.

Fears grow of furlough-driven teacher exodus. Public school teachers say they still have not recovered from the “Furlough Fridays” education cuts of 2009 and 2010 — and now worry a new round of furloughs will force some teachers to leave the islands. Star-Advertiser.

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Even Hawaii’s Smallest Businesses Have Been Helped By Federal CARES Act Loans. Despite examples of corporate greed, the Paycheck Protection Program has steered $2.5 billion in relief to 25,000 small businesses in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Here’s What The Defense Spending Bill Means For Hawaii And The Pacific. The National Defense Authorization Act passed by the U.S. Senate on Friday includes more than $300 million in construction projects for military bases in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Rollout of thousands of doses of COVID-19 vaccine vials marks a major milestone in the battle against the virus. Thousands of doses of freezer-packed COVID-19 vaccine vials are slated to arrive in Hawaii today, with the first of the two shot series expected to be given to health care workers as early as Tuesday or Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Traveling fixes urged during economic travails. The state is not likely to make more pre-arrival testing changes to Safe Travels Hawaii until next year, despite urging from Hawaii’s visitor industry and community advocacy groups that recent modifications have had negative economic consequences. Star-Advertiser.

Many students choose in-person classes at Hawaii’s Catholic schools. Hawaii’s Catholic schools were among the first to open their doors to students for in-person classes in August, and the verdict as the semester draws to a close is so far, so good. Star-Advertiser.

How Lending Practices Restrict Hawaiian Homesteaders’ Borrowing Power. Native Hawaiians cannot take out second mortgages or home equity lines of credit on their homesteads — but not everyone understood that was part of the deal. Civil Beat.

VIRUS TRACKER — Dec. 13: 90 New COVID-19 Cases And 3 Deaths In Hawaii. The cases included 58 people on Oahu, eight on Maui, four on Kauai, 10 on Hawaii Island and 10 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside of the state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu must pay Ex-Honolulu police chief, Louis Kealoha, legal fees. A ruling by a state judge earlier this month leaves Honolulu taxpayers on the hook for paying former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha’s legal fees — and possibly millions more. Star-Advertiser.

Legal Battles Loom With Developer Whether Rail Gets Finished Or Not. The complex situation with Howard Hughes is just one issue to deal with in the project’s uncertain future. Civil Beat.

The overall assessed value of Oahu’s taxable properties failed to go up and has gone flat for the first time in more than a decade, according to numbers released by the city’s Real Property Assessment Division. Star-Advertiser.

Pedestrian bridge connecting Wahiawa and Whitmore Village sparks controversy. While a pedestrian bridge in Central Oahu offers another way for people to get to and from Wahiawa and Whitmore Village, the project has been a divisive issue. Hawaii News Now.

DLNR: Illegal Camps on Public Lands Exacting Toll on Resources. Though they had been given notice last week, when clean-up teams arrived at a half dozen illegal camps on Oʻahu Thursday, state officials report that the occupants of three camps strung together seemed surprised they had to move. Maui Now.

Hawaii Island

New mayor meets with business leaders. After taking office last week, newly inaugurated Mayor Mitch Roth has plans to improve the county’s COVID-19 protocols. Tribune-Herald.

County spent 80% of $80 million CARES funds. With just a month remaining to spend it or send it back, Hawaii County government had used about 80% of the $80 million in federal coronavirus relief funds it received in March, according to the November update the county sent to the state Thursday. West Hawaii Today.

Pololū Valley Plans Move Forward. A proposed Parcel Consolidation and Resubdivision could lead to improved parking for the popular Pololū Valley trail. Big Island Video News.

Maui

State’s first 4-lane roundabout to be built. The state of Hawaii’s first four-lane roundabout will be built at the Piilani Highway intersection that services the new Kihei high school in response to a long-running dispute over a safe crossing for future students. Maui News.

State workers, educators brace for furloughs. Government workers, educators and Maui college employees are bracing for an expected round of furloughs Jan. 1 that their unions have heavily criticized with the holidays fast approaching. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai continues to see community spread COVID-19 cases after opt-out. It’s been nearly two weeks since Kauai temporarily opted out of the state’s pre-travel testing program and started requiring all incoming travelers to quarantine upon arrival. KHON2.

West Kaua‘i plan approved. After two years of meetings, discussions and outreaches, the West Kaua‘i Community Plan was passed with several amendments in November and signed into law by Mayor Derek Kawakami earlier this month. Garden Island.

Life at Lydgate Park. Michael Texeira has lived at Lydgate Park, one of the county’s five beach-park houseless encampments, since the beginning of the pandemic, with his disabled wife, whom he takes care of. Garden Island.

Coronavirus vaccine may be in Hawaii next week, Maui closes bars, unions may sue to stop furloughs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

CDC lab worker developing vaccine PC:CDC

 Vaccines offer the key to speed of Hawaii’s economic recovery. The state’s recovery is not expected to pick up in earnest until the middle of next year, according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization’s annual Hawaii forecast due out today. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Economists Predict Slow, Perilous Path To Recovery. Hawaii’s economy is among the hardest hit in the country, a new report confirms. Civil Beat.

Ige: Coronavirus Vaccines May Land In Hawaii As Early As Next Week. Hawaii health officials say they expect to receive more than 81,000 vaccine doses from Pfizer and Moderna during the month of December. Civil Beat.

‘A hopeful moment’: Hawaii preparing to receive first COVID-19 vaccine doses soon. The state’s plan to acquire and distribute a coronavirus vaccine ‘may be the largest immunization campaign in the history of our state,’ Governor David Ige said Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Ige: More than 81K doses of vaccines from two companies slated for Hawaii this month. Gov. David Ige said during a news conference Thursday that the first round of vaccines could arrive as early as next week. Tribune-Herald.

DOH says general population could get vaccinated by summer. Officials say the state is expecting to receive nearly 82,000 doses, and that’s just for the first dose, by the end of the month. These doses will go to people in phase one which is divided into groups: essential healthcare workers, staff and residents in long term care facilities, first responders and essential workers. KHON2.

DOH Director has plan for who will receive COVID-19 vaccine first, Lt. Gov. says he has faith in the vaccine. Director of the Department of Health, Libby Char confirms her top priority will be essential healthcare workers and kupuna in long-term care facilities. KITV4.

State announces COVID-19 vaccines coming. The rollout of a vaccine for COVID-19 inches closer, with a possible shipment to the state coming as early as next week. Garden Island.

Gov Holds Press Conference On COVID Vaccine Distribution. With FDA approval of an Emergency Use Authorization for the first COVID-19 vaccine on the horizon, the State of Hawaiʻi is moving forward with a plan to vaccinate 81,000 individuals in December. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii health-care workers could get shots in the arm as early as Tuesday. The state expects 81,000 thousand people to receive COVID-19 vaccinations by the end of the month, including health care workers, staff and patients in long-term care facilities, and first responders. Hawaii News Now.

Health-care workers won’t be required to take vaccine until FDA’s full approval. Health Director Libby Char said the state is expecting 45,825 initial doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 36,000 initial doses of the Moderna product, which federal authorities will consider next week for emergency use authorization. Star-Advertiser.

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Furlough fight likely to wind up in court unless lawmakers step in. With unions set to challenge the governor’s proposal to furlough state workers, experts say it could ultimately be up to the courts to decide. But the legislature can also step in and provide a solution. KHON2.

DOE Reveals Furlough Plan For Teachers, Other Employees. Hawaii’s 13,000 teachers and other Department of Education employees will have to take six to 10 days of unpaid leave next year, the superintendent said Thursday after the governor ordered statewide furloughs in a bid to balance the budget. Civil Beat.

Public Worker Unions Urge Ige To Halt Furlough Plan, Cite Confusion In State Departments. State department heads were given a “very short window” to determine which employees will be furloughed and which will be exempt, and department heads are unsure how the program should be executed, according to the statement from the unions, which included United Public Workers and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly. Civil Beat.

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$22 million left on Hawaii Restaurant Cards need to be spent by Tuesday. Millions of dollars on Hawaii Restaurant Cards need to be used by next week or it will go away. With just days left before the deadline, restaurant owners are begging people to come eat. Hawaii News Now.

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Office of Hawaiian Affairs names Carmen Hulu Lindsey chairwoman. Lindsey, who has represented Maui on the board for eight years, replaces former chair and veteran OHA trustee Colette Machado, who lost her reelection after 23 years on the board. Star-Advertiser.

Carmen Hulu Lindsey To Chair OHA Board Of Trustees. Lindsey is taking over the board’s top leadership position from former chair and OHA trustee Colette Machado, who lost her bid for reelection in November after serving at OHA for more than two decades. Civil Beat.

Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey Voted OHA Chair. The Maui trustee and award-winning recording artist said Thursday marked the dawning of a new era at OHA. Big Island Video News.

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How Hawaii Became A Training Ground For The Indonesian Military. Hawaii politicians and military commanders have pushed for strong defense ties with Jakarta for two decades, but Indonesia’s bloody history in the Pacific casts a shadow. Civil Beat.

VIRUS TRACKER — Dec. 10: 123 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Health officials reported 123 new COVID-19 cases statewide on Thursday, including 79 on Oahu, 24 on the Big Island, 11 on Maui and two on Kauai. Seven Hawaii residents were diagnosed with COVID-19 out of state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Tommy Waters likely to become chairman of Honolulu City Council. Veteran lawmaker Tommy Waters will lead the Honolulu City Council as its chairman when a new lineup meets for the first time Jan. 2, under a resolution made public Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council May Be Headed By Waters, Kiaaina And Tupola. The new council will have several political veterans and a couple of newcomers. Civil Beat.

Mayor Caldwell says City and County of Honolulu won't furlough workers. But he does caution if things don't improve the new mayor could have to consider furloughs as a last resort further down the road. KITV4.

Oahu restaurants get 90-day delay of ban on plastic utensils. Restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets and other businesses that serve prepared food on Oahu are getting an extra three months to use up their plastic or other fossil fuel-based forks, spoons, knives and other utensils. Star-Advertiser.

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Oahu’s move to tier 3 on Christmas unlikely unless numbers decrease. In a press conference Thursday, Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Honolulu could move to tier 3 by Christmas but it will take a lot of hard work. KHON2.

Honolulu mayor hopeful Oahu can move into Tier 3 by Christmas. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said it would be very difficult, but that there is still hope that Oahu could get to Tier 3 by Christmas in about two weeks. Star-Advertiser.

Despite millions in federal funds, HPD’s tent city at Keehi Lagoon sits mostly underutilized. The Honolulu Police Department’s large tent city at Keehi Lagoon Beach Park is a highly-visible symbol of the twin battles being raged against COVID-19 and homelessness. But the rising cost of the emergency shelter is raising red flags amongst members of the Honolulu City Council and within the community. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Replacing Kahele: Local Democrats prepare to fill Hilo Senate seat. The Big Island could be short a state senator when the regular legislative session begins Jan. 20, as the process of filling Sen. Kai Kahele’s greater Hilo District 1 seat can’t begin until he resigns. West Hawaii Today.

The solar photovoltaic system was given Hawaiian Electric approval to operate on September 30, Keck officials say. The W. M. Keck Observatory announced on Thursday that it has successfully installed a solar photovoltaic system on the rooftop of its telescope facility on the summit of Maunakea. Big Island Video News.

Keahuolu Courthouse Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19. An employee at the Keahuolu Courthouse tested positive for COVID-19, the Hawai‘i State Judiciary announced Thursday. Big Island Now.

Kona Judiciary Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19. The employee was last at work on December 8, does not work in a courtroom, and did not have close or frequent contact with coworkers or court users. Big Island Video News.

Maui

APPROVED: Mayor’s Request for Two Week Bar Closure on Maui. Governor David Ige has approved Maui County’s request to close bars and bar areas within restaurants for two weeks from Dec. 12 to 26, 2020. Maui Now.

County seeks to stop bar service for two-week stint. Mayor hopes that temporary closure will stop uptick in cases. Maui County is seeking to close down bars and bar service areas for two weeks to try and stop the uptick in COVID-19 cases that officials say are coming from “bar-like” behavior. Maui News.

PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY RULES, AMENDED DECEMBER8, 2020 can be found here.

Maui’s Family Life Center Receives $1.25 Million Bezos Grant to End Homelessness. Family Life Center, a nonprofit organization serving the homeless in Maui and Kauaʻi Counties, was selected to receive a $1.25 million grant from the Day 1 Families Fund created by Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos. Maui Now.

Maui authorities identify surfer who died following Honolua Bay shark attack. Authorities initially said 56-year-old Robin Warren of Napili was in stable condition when he was hospitalized on Tuesday. He underwent surgery, but his condition quickly deteriorated and he died on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

KPD recruit commencement postponed. The graduation ceremony scheduled to take place on the lawn of KPD was called off in the final minutes leading to the start of the protocol. Garden Island.