COVID-19 cases edge up as 'vaccine passport' mulled for Hawaii, maskless protesters crowd Oahu park, 17-year-olds may get the vote, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii sunset ©2021 All Hawaii News

Slight COVID rise follows increase in travel, easing of rules. The new counts on Sunday brought the state’s average case count over the past seven days to 70, for a 1.4% positivity rate. Star-Advertiser.

A Hawaii ‘Vaccine Passport’ Could Open Door To Weddings, Concerts And More Tourism. Lt. Gov. Josh Green says Hawaii’s vaccine document may be complete by mid-May, and the state’s passport partner promised an announcement this week. Civil Beat.

An uptick in visitors: Survey finds 44% of those arriving have been vaccinated. There has been an uptick in trans-Pacific travel to the islands in March, likely fueled by a combination of spring break visitors and COVID-19 vaccinations. Tribune-Herald.

=====

University of Hawaii could lose control over decisions on construction, renovation and backlogged repairs across 10-campus system. The University of Hawaii could lose control over decisions on construction, renovation and backlogged repairs across the 10-campus system if the Legislature fails to extend authorization for the UH president to continue acting as its chief procurement officer.  Star-Advertiser.

Bills would allow 17-year-olds in Hawaii to vote in elections. Senate Bill 550 and 551, introduced by Sen. Les Ihara Jr. (D, Moiliili-Kaimuki-­Palolo), would make constitutional amendments that would allow 17-year-olds in to vote in the primary election only if that person’s 18th birthday falls between next year’s primary election on Aug. 13 and general election on Nov. 8. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers work to weed out ‘gentlemen’s farms’. A state effort to stop residential use of agricultural land with little or no farming has gained strong momentum in the Legislature this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii cuts welfare payments for ‘poorest of the poor’. Hawaii’s Department of Human Services began slashing welfare payments to thousands of the state’s most vulnerable this month as emergency reserve funds ran dry amid increasing demand for aid. Star-Advertiser.

Public meeting bill draws concerns. A Senate bill that would give boards the option — in conjunction with in-person meetings — to use videoconferencing for public meetings under the state’s Sunshine Law, without a declared emergency, cleared its first House hurdle. Tribune-Herald.

Rep. Kai Kahele Wants New Missile Defense Radar System On Kauai — Not Oahu. The military is weighing putting a $1.9 billion defense radar on Oahu or Kauai after Hawaii’s congressional delegation thwarted a Pentagon attempt to defund the project last year. Civil Beat.

Match Day Sees Increased Competition, Limited Slots for Soon-To-Be Doctors. It’s Match Day madness at medical schools across the country today as med school seniors find out if – and where – they’ll train to become full-fledged doctors. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

The Pandemic Has Driven Down Hawaii’s Rate Of Childhood Lead Testing. Lead poisoning can have dire consequences for children, which makes detection in the early stages crucial. Civil Beat.

Analysis: Hawaii, other states with slow vaccine rollout perform better than those that sped up process. A surprising new analysis found that states such as South Carolina and Florida that raced ahead of others to offer the vaccine to ever-larger groups of people have vaccinated smaller shares of their population than those that moved more slowly and methodically, such as Hawaii and Connecticut. Hawaii News Now.

Former state Health Director Bruce Anderson still considers Hawaii home. Former state Health Director Bruce Anderson is a long way from home — nearly 5,000 miles away, to be exact. Star-Advertiser.

March 21, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 81 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Sunday, including 42 on O‘ahu, 24 on Maui, five on Hawai‘i Island, one on Moloka‘i, and nine in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Council Hopes Federal Relief Can Reverse Cuts In Blangiardi Budget. The American Rescue Plan funds can be used for a broader spectrum of purposes than the earlier federal stimulus and could make up for revenue the city lost because of the pandemic. Civil Beat.

Despite legislative setback, advocates will continue push to rename an Oahu high school. The racial unrest across the country this past summer has fueled the movement to rename schools honoring historical figures with racist or discriminatory legacies. Hawaii News Now.

Crime rates in Waikiki have plummeted and police and visitor industry leaders want to keep it that way. Fewer people in Waikiki during the pandemic-related drop in travel and government lockdowns caused a dramatic decline in most crimes in 2020, with thefts, robberies and sex assaults down more than half and other assaults dropping by more than 40%. Star-Advertiser.

Rally over COVID rules draws large crowd, strong HPD response to Kapiolani Park. Two people were arrested and two others cited in Waikiki for violating emergency rules Saturday following a large rally at Kapiolani Park. The rally, organized by the Aloha Freedom Coalition, drew hundreds of people to the park to protest the use of masks among other COVID restrictions. Hawaii News Now.

City opening parks to outdoor youth team sports draws excitement. In about three weeks, many empty fields will soon be filled with kids playing organized sports for the first time in nearly a year. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Future uncertain for CDP committees, Kailua Village Design Commission. The county has called a halt to filling citizen boards that advise the government on planning and design because the administration said it wants to take a hard look at how the boards can best be used. West Hawaii Today.

Kona coffee labeling settlements top $13M. Kona coffee farmers will soon be eligible to receive a share of millions of dollars thanks to proposed settlements in a 2019 class action lawsuit against retailers that falsely labeled commodity coffee beans as premium “Kona” coffee. West Hawaii Today.

Veterans home accepting residents for first time since outbreak. Admissions to Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home — halted last year due to a devastating outbreak of COVID-19 within the facility — recently have resumed. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor mulls restrictions for COVID-19 cluster areas. County has seen nearly 40 new cases two days in a row. Maui News. Maui Now.

Maui Group Joins Rally Seeking Freedoms Amid Coronavirus Restrictions. Maui participants in a “Worldwide Rally for Freedom” held signs on Saturday afternoon fronting the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului. Maui Now.

Council OKs $9.8M purchase of Maui News buildings. Some say move could save county rent, others worry about spending in pandemic. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County budget starts at $243M. Mayor Derek Kawakami and his administration proposed a $243 million operating budget and $24.3 million capital improvement projects budget last week that proposes no layoffs or furloughs for county employees and no tax raises for residents. Garden Island.

Median cost of Kaua‘i home nearly $1M. Milo Spindt, a broker-in-charge and in property management at Elite Pacific, said the median sales price for a residential home on Kaua‘i was $975,000 in February, compared to $802,500 the same month last year, an increase of 21.5%. Garden Island.

Koko trail viewing platform to be repaired, not removed; bill advances allowing nurses to perform abortions; Maui grappling with rising COVID-19 infections, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Koko Crater Trail PC:Honolulu Parks & Recreation

Viewing platform atop Koko Crater Trail won’t be torn down. The city announced Thursday that the metal grate platform at the top of the hike will not to removed until a new one is constructed. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Swelling inmate populations prompt new fears about COVID outbreaks. Although pandemic rules to lower the number of inmates eased overcrowding last year, officials worry more prison COVID outbreaks could spread as inmate populations swell again. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Lawmakers Seek Exemption From Political Ad Disclosures. House Bill 144 and House Bill 674 would exempt candidates for office from filing reports on ads with the state.  Civil Beat.

A matter of access: State Senate committees consider bill that would let APRNs perform abortions. Legislation that would allow advanced practice registered nurses to perform abortions passed through the state House and is now before the state Senate. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Senate Committee Passes Resolutions Denouncing Racism Acts against Asian-Americans. District 16 Sen. Bennette E. Misalucha introduced resolutions SCR66 and SR48 that condemn and denounce all forms of anti-Asian sentiment and all acts of racism, xenophobia, intolerance, discrimination, hate crime and hate speech against Asian Americans and Asian individuals in the United States. Maui Now.

Gov. Ige orders flags to fly at half-staff in memory of Atlanta shooting victims. Governor David Ige has ordered that the flags of the United States and State of Hawaii shall be flown at half-staff at all state offices in honor of the eight victims who were killed in three Atlanta-area massage establishments on March 16. KHON2.

House Majority Leader Della Au Bellati to lead investigation of colleague Rep. Sharon Har. House Majority Leader Della Au Belatti will chair a special House Committee tasked with investigating state Rep. Sharon Har following her arrest on suspicion of drunken driving on Feb. 22. Star-Advertiser.

Department of Health refines COVID-19 vaccine priority list for essential workers in Phase 1C. Effective immediately, only essential workers at hotels, restaurants and bars are eligible. It's a drastic cut to the priority list initially deemed eligible under Phase 1C. KITV4.

March 18, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 88 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Thursday, including 38 on O‘ahu, 39 on Maui, two on Molokaʻi, seven on Hawai‘i Island, and two in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

City prosecutor wants COVID-era policy changed so judges can jail misdemeanor offenders. City Prosecutor Steve Alm wants to restore some of the power Oahu judges had taken away during the pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

Possible Transfer Of Oʻahu EMS System Causing Concern At Honolulu Hale. A state proposal would transfer the responsibility and costs of emergency medical services on Oahu from the state Department of Health to the City and County of Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposal to rename McKinley High School and remove statue stalls at Hawaii Legislature. A push to change the name of McKinley High School and remove its towering bronze statue of President William McKinley ran aground Thursday at the Legislature after passionate testimony on both sides. Star-Advertiser.

Wedding industry rally seeks Oahu reopening. Oahu’s wedding industry rallied Thursday at Honolulu Hale to urge Mayor Rick Blangiardi to reopen weddings under the city’s new Tier 3 structured-events mandate. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Larger rail budget packs generous contingency plans. The new $12.449 billion price tag to build the city’s troubled rail project all the way to Ala Moana Center is based on more “conservative” budgeting expectations that include “every foreseen unknowables,” the board of directors of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation was told Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

HART, Hitachi At Odds Over Wheel Defect As Rail Costs Soar. The wheel rims are narrower than the track crossings, causing renewed headaches on what’s now a $12.4 billion transit project. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

CIP projects by district a no-go. One councilman’s request for the others to prioritize the top five capital improvement projects for their districts turned into a discussion Tuesday about whether the nine council members should stay focused on their own districts or take a countywide perspective. West Hawaii Today.

Nearly 21% of Hawaii County’s total population vaccinated as of Thursday. As of Thursday, 63,721 people in the county had been vaccinated with at least one dose, which is 20.9% of the county’s total population. Tribune-Herald.

Bed and breakfast approved on Alii Drive: Leeward Planning Commission allows project despite cesspool concerns. A five-bedroom Alii Drive home a half mile south of Laaloa Beach Park won approval Thursday to become a bed and breakfast establishment, despite concerns about sea level rise and wastewater issues. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island Scales Back Plans For Recycled Water. The lower category of recycled water could still be used on golf courses and for some types of farm irrigation. Civil Beat.

Hilo Seaside Hotel under new ownership. Hospitality company Soul Community Planet, or SCP, on Thursday announced the purchase of the 138-room Hilo Seaside Hotel. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui mayor says uptick in COVID cases shows residents have grown ‘complacent’. Maui Mayor Mike Victorino expressed frustration Thursday following an uptick in COVID cases on the island linked to “complacent” behavior. Maui saw 41 new COVID cases Thursday. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Rickard to serve as acting police chief. Deputy Police Chief Dean Rickard will serve as acting police chief while a search gets underway for a new chief to replace Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu, who is retiring at the end of next month. Maui News. Maui Now.

Nonprofit seeks protected fishing area for Kipahulu. East Maui residents are proposing the creation of a protected fishing area for Kipahulu to help regulate harvesting practices and increased foot traffic and to protect depleting resources that once fully sustained nearby communities. Maui News.

Kauai

Ige assesses North Shore flood, landslide damage. As work continues to repair Kuhio Highway after the landslide last week above the Hanalei Bridge, officials gathered for a blessing of the site early Thursday morning. Garden Island.

Council moves forward on Ag land use bill. A bill making its way through the Kaua‘i County Council to allow produce stands on adjacent agricultural lands is moving to a final reading next week. Garden Island.

Tsunami warning system restored after almost weeklong outage, NOAA employees claim gag order, House budget relies on federal bailout, state moving to 10-digit dialing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tsunami alert buoy off the Kona coast PC:NOAA

Tsunami warning system is restored. The system of ocean buoys that helps warn Hawaii and the rest of the nation about tsunamis is back working after being knocked out of commission for nearly a week. Star-Advertiser.

Watchdog blames NOAA for lack of transparency on tsunami tracking system outage. There are new allegations that the staff at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center was told to keep quiet about an outage of a key data system that had been down for days. Hawaii News Now.

=====

House Spending Plan Fills State Budget Holes — And Then Some. Money from the $1.6 billion from the American Rescue Plan could be used to continue paying into state employees’ retirements fund, something the governor had suspended. Civil Beat.

Committee to investigate Rep. Sharon Har in DUI case. The state House will consider sanctions against one of its own after House Speaker Scott Saiki on Wednesday ordered the creation of a special committee to investigate state Rep. Sharon Har’s arrest on suspicion of drunken driving last month. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers consider a bill to allow any county employee to cite illegal parking. A new proposal aims to help police with parking enforcement in Hawaii.. House Bill 605 would allow any county employee to cite people for traffic violations along state highways. Hawaii News Now.

Come October, phone calls won’t work unless you dial ′808′ first. A change is coming to all local phone calls starting in October. All phone service providers will be implementing mandatory 10-digit local calling. Hawaii News Now.

Relics Of Sugar’s Past, Hawaii Dams Will Take Years To Fix Or Remove. The majority of Hawaii’s dams trace their roots back to the sugar cane plantation days, but the industry has left the state. And so has the money to maintain them. Civil Beat.

Coffee Leaf Rust ‘Emergency’ Prompts Request For New Fungicide, Threatens Organic Farming. To combat it effectively, the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture on Tuesday filed a request for a specific exemption from the US Environmental Protection Agency. The exemption would allow Hawai`i coffee growers to use a fungicide called Priaxor Xemium to help manage the ever-more prevalent infestations. Big Island Now. Maui Now.

=====

State vaccinations exceed 500,000. Hawaii has reached a significant milestone in the battle against COVID-19, administering more than a half-million vaccines as of Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

March 17, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 69 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Wednesday, including 38 on O‘ahu, 23 on Maui, one on Lānaʻi, four on Hawai‘i Island, and three in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu rail project’s price tag hits $12.4B. The board that oversees the city’s troubled rail project expects to be told today that the cost has now ballooned to $12.449 billion, the projected shortfall stands at $3.577 billion and the completion date has been pushed to March 2031. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council advances measure to incentivize building affordable rental units. The Honolulu City Council advanced a measure that aims to increase affordable rental housing by offering financial grants to private developers. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s Medical Center opening mass COVID-19 vaccination clinic at West Oahu location March 24. The hospital will immunize residents 65 and older, those with high-risk medical conditions and hotel, restaurant and bar workers in phase 1c in the Clinical Service Center Building from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, except on Mondays. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Consider Shifting Police Funds To Social Services, Police Commission Says. Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard agrees with the idea of social services workers handling calls involving homelessness and mental illness. Civil Beat.

113 Oahu homes were impacted by last week’s torrential rains, City says in initial report. The City and County of Honolulu released new numbers on Wednesday, March 17, identifying how badly the community was impacted by last week’s torrential rains. KHON2.

Online Platform Lets Low-Income Shoppers Buy Local Farm Products. Farm Link Hawaii connects food stamp beneficiaries with local farmers. The next step: taking those transactions on line. Civil Beat.

Scenic platform on Koko Crater Trail to remain in place for now. After meeting with city officials over the past week and a half, the group Kokonut Koalition reports the plan is now to rebuild it, instead of removing it. KITV4.

A dozen gambling machines seized in Wai'anae illegal game room raid. The Narcotics/Vice Division with the assistance of the District 8 Crime Reduction Unit and Specialized Services Division executed the search. KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Hanauma Bay remains closed on Thursday as crews continue to troubleshoot sewage pipe failure. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve will remain closed on Thursday as crews continue working on a malfunctioning sewage pump, Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation announced today. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

A shot in the arm: Money, vaccines headed to Hawaii Island. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz on Wednesday described a shot in the arm for Hawaii County, both literally and figuratively. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii County police make history with promotions of 2 women. Hawaii County Police Chief Paul Ferreira made two historic promotions this week, with two female captains becoming majors, the Hawaii County police department announced today. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Parks and Rec plans to reopen additional facilities. The county Department of Parks and Recreation is gradually returning to normal operations after a year of COVID-19 restrictions. Tribune-Herald.

Maunakea telescope to conduct analysis of asteroid. An asteroid wider than the Empire State Building is tall will make a “close” pass by the Earth on Sunday, when astronomers will use a Maunakea telescope to attempt to determine the object’s composition. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New S. Maui affordable apartments moving ahead. A nonprofit housing developer is proposing a new 63-unit affordable rental project in South Maui with monthly rates starting at just over $500. Maui News.

Leilani Farm Sanctuary Seeking Donations to Rebuild Fencing Destroyed by Dam Overflow. Record heavy rainfall on Maui last week caused a dam to overflow and destroy fencing for acres of habitat in the lower reaches of Leilani Farm Sanctuary, an all-volunteer, non-profit facility for rescued animals in Hāʻiku. Maui Now.

TNC Publishes Coral Reef Atlas for West Maui. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has released the Atlas of the Reefs of West Maui, a comprehensive report compiling 20 years of data detailing changes in the abundance and diversity of marine life in West Maui. Garden Island.

Kauai

Sheltered from virus, Kauai plans cautious return to tourism. As the coronavirus ravaged other parts of the U.S., residents of this rural Pacific island watched safely from afar. Associated Press.

Waimea Canyon Middle School playground dedicated. Waimea Canyon Middle School principal was glad the dedication of the school’s covered playcourt could proceed, Wednesday at the school’s far end of its parking lot. Garden Island.

State seeks to end Lawa‘i Stream diversion. After more than a century, baseflow, or fair-weather flow, of the Lawa‘i Stream will now be able to pass continuously without obstruction. Garden Island.

Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, miss out on vaccine; Kakaako Makai condos die; Honolulu trains have defective wheels, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian family man ©2021 All Hawaii News

Only 8.8% of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have received COVID vaccine, DOH says. Three months into Hawaii’s vaccination campaign, only 8.8% of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have received immunizations though they represent more than 40% of COVID-19 cases in the islands. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Bill that would bar suspension of public records requests during emergency advances. A state Senate bill that would bar the governor or county mayors from suspending requests for public records or vital statistics during a declared state of emergency passed its first committee hurdle in the House. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmakers look to claw back felons’ pensions. Former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha is set to begin a seven-year prison sentence next month for felony convictions relating to his use of police officers to help frame his wife’s uncle. But that won’t stop his $9,700 monthly pension payments that come with having served 33 years on the police force. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii police chiefs defend themselves on video, but won’t take reporters’ questions. Communicating with the public is becoming a one-sided, scripted event for three of Hawaii’s police chiefs. They’ve refused multiple media requests for interviews on the challenges facing their departments ― and criticism of them personally ― instead using department-produced video statements to make their case. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i National Guard to Deploy 80 Members to Washington D.C. The Hawaiʻi National Guard is set to deploy about 80 of its members to Washington, D.C. to support US Capitol Police until early May. Maui Now.

Hawaii’s Unemployed Must Clear Up Earlier Benefit Snafus Before Getting Federal Dollars. Minor mistakes that led to overpayments of a few hundred dollars can hold up much more substantial relief for struggling families. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Telcom Brought Fast Broadband to 10,740 Locations in 2020. Last year Hawaiian Telcom enabled broadband service with speeds up to 940 megabits per second download and 300 Mbps upload to more than 10,740 locations in Hawai‘i, according to a news release. Maui Now.

March 16, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 48 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Tuesday, including 30 on O‘ahu, seven on Maui, eight on Hawai‘i Island, one on Kaua‘i, and two in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Proposal for condo towers in Kakaako Makai dies. Kicking off a Save Our Kakaako Coalition rally Tuesday morning on the steps of the state Capitol, state House Speaker Scott Saiki announced the death of a bill seeking to change existing law to allow the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs to build housing in Kakaako Makai. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Proposal to Rename McKinley High School Introduced at Legislature. House Resolution 148 and House Concurrent Resolution 179 seek to acknowledge President William McKinley's role in the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom by returning McKinley High School's name to Honolulu High School. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.

HART: Defective Train Wheels Are A ‘Major’ Problem And Possible Safety Issue. The latest defect, revealed after a tense exchange at a City Council hearing, could delay the system’s interim opening another year. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

As Oahu Karaoke bars struggle during the pandemic, owners ask mayor to modify reopening order. Under Honolulu’s rules, anyone singing needs to be at least 10 feet from any other person and a physical barrier must separate the person singing from others. Hawaii News Now.

Medical teams hit the street to vaccinate Hawaii’s most vulnerable homeless people. The initiative launched a little over a week ago. Hawaii’s Department of Health says since then, more than 500 homeless people have been immunized. Hawaii News Now.

Aloha Stadium replacement plan includes maintenance risk shift. Long-term maintenance expenses for a new stadium on Oahu would be preset under the state’s plan to replace Aloha Stadium using a private partner. Star-Advertiser.

Hanauma Bay will be closed due to a sewage pump failure. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve will be closed Wednesday after the city discovered a sewage pump failure. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Controversial statue will be moved. A statue recently erected in Lili‘uokalani Gardens in Hilo will be moved after the County Council Finance Committee on Tuesday rejected the donation of the sculpture. Tribune-Herald.

Panel votes to repeal ‘non-speculative residential use’ tax exemption program. A County Council committee voted in favor of a bill to abolish a 30-year-old property tax exemption program. Tribune-Herald.

Hundreds get Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Hilo POD. Hundreds of people were vaccinated after waiting in line at the Edith Kanakaole Multi-Purpose Stadium. Tribune-Herald.

A Hele-On hub for Kona. Eleven Kailua-Kona locations are in the running for a centralized Hele-On bus hub, and the county wants to hear which one the public likes best, or if other sites would be better. West Hawaii Today.

County’s 1st hydrogen bus should be on the island within 6 weeks. After long delays, the county’s first hydrogen bus could be driving on Kailua-Kona’s streets by May. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mobile unit brings counseling, medical care to homeless. Homeless residents will be able to seek mental health counseling, noncritical medical care and other services in one location when the Maui Police Department launches its Mobile Medical Educational Unit. Maui News.

Hawaii task force sting nets 7 men suspected of online enticement of minors. A sting operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies in Hawaii has resulted in charges against seven men who are accused of soliciting who they believed to be minors for sex and arranging to meet up with them on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.


Kauai

State commission rules to end diversion of a Kauai stream. A ruling from Commission on Water Resource Management on Tuesday means the Lawai stream can no longer be fully diverted, like it has been for nearly a century. Hawaii News Now.

Emergency lane open on highway near Hanalei. A single lane is now open on Kuhio Highway by above the Hanalei Bridge, and concrete barriers have been placed along the side of the single emergency-only lane. Garden Island.

Council talks path erosion. Coastal erosion has already gone beneath the multi-purpose Ke Ala Hele Makalae coastal path at Wailua Beach, and the county knew that might happen. Garden Island.

Sea-level rise affects everyone. University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor Charles “Chip” Fletcher of the Department of Earth Sciences in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology believes Hawai‘i and other Polynesian islands are going to be most affected by the glaciers melting and experience more sea-level rise and coastal erosion in the near future. Garden Island.

Spring breakers hit Hawaii beaches, Blangiardi highlights housing, 65k vaccines for 400k people in Phase 1C, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Visitors crowd Waikiki over the weekend PC:Hawaii News Now

Hawaii logs its highest three days of tourist arrivals in a year. Some 21,433 trans-Pacific travelers and 4,968 interisland travelers were screened by Safe Travels Hawaii on Saturday, Hawaii’s highest single day since coronavirus-related fears and government restrictions caused travel to plummet. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii’s Rush To Vaccinate Has Led To A Patchwork System With Little Policing. The state acknowledges that the hospitals and clinics that vaccinate people have sometimes bent the rules to the breaking point, by inoculating someone outside the current phase, for instance, but say they have little recourse. Civil Beat.

Hawaii health officials prioritizing certain people over others in Phase 1C for COVID-19 vaccine. Hawaii health officials decided over the weekend to prioritize hotel, restaurant and bar workers for COVID-19 vaccines, in addition to those with specific high-risk medical conditions and residents 65 and older. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Looking for a COVID vaccine appointment? Persistence (and patience) recommended. The state expanded vaccine eligibility to roughly 400,000 more residents on Monday, but getting an appointment for a jab make take persistence ― and patience. Hawaii News Now.

State House resolution opposes $1.9B Hawaii radar. A resolution introduced in the state Legislature calls for the Missile Defense Agency to “resist” siting a $1.9 billion defensive radar in Hawaii because it is a “prime example of wasteful Pentagon spending” during a time of unprecedented need for public services in health, education and welfare.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Adopts Most Extreme Open Records Limits Amid Pandemic. Hawaii has the lowest COVID-19 infection rate of any state in the nation. It's also a pandemic standout for a more dubious reason: instituting the most extreme restrictions on the public's access to official records. Associated Press.

Education and union leaders agree to bring more kids back to Hawaii public schools. Education, health and union leaders announced today they have signed off on guidelines to bring more students back to campus at Hawaii’s public schools, especially at the elementary level. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Garden Island. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

The economic hardships of the pandemic in Hawaii haven’t been equally distributed. While Hawaii’s economic recovery seems to be beginning, a financial comeback will take much longer for the state’s lower wage and service workers, experts say. Hawaii News Now.

Unemployment call center understaffed, overwhelmed. The state’s understaffed unemployment insurance call center that’s designed to handle 2,000 calls a day at the Hawai‘i Convention Center was getting more than 200,000 calls every day just two weeks ago but is still overwhelmed by 40,000 calls each day. Star-Advertiser.

Federal stimulus act bolsters Hawaii unemployment benefits. Anne Perreira-Eustaquio, director of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, said Monday that the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 signed Thursday by President Joe Biden will extend the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programs for an additional 25 weeks, until Sept. 4 and Sept. 6, respectively. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now.

Bill would expand DA BUX food program. A state Senate bill that would eliminate a daily cap on a dollar-for-dollar match for supplemental nutrition assistance program beneficiaries under DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks program has cleared its first House hurdle. Tribune-Herald.

Isle jobless rate 10.2%, nation’s worst, in January. Hawaii’s unemployment rate climbed back into double digits in January to retain the dubious honor of having the highest figure in the country. Star-Advertiser.

Flags will fly at half-staff across Hawaii on Tuesday to honor the life of the late politician and community servant William Bains-Jordan. Through his career in politics, he served as the first state representative of ʻAiea. Hawaii News Now.

March 15, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 46 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Monday, including 22 on O‘ahu, 15 on Maui, seven on Hawai‘i Island, and two in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi highlights affordable housing, homelessness crisis in State of the City address. The city’s Office of Housing has been changed to reflect that focus, and is now the Office of Housing and Homelessness. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Budget Realities Undermine Blangiardi’s Vision For Honolulu. The mayor presented his agenda in his State of the City address Monday. City Council members have raised concerns about a lack of funding for essential services. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Restaurant Association among other organizations to submit application to City for 2 year extension to plastic ban. The City and County of Honolulu will begin enforcing the ban in two weeks. KHON2.

Kakaako Makai tower opponents to rally again. In 2006 the state Legislature prohibited all housing development there, and in 2012 the state gave 30 acres to the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs in exchange for $200 million in ceded-land back revenue the state owed Native Hawaiians. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Press Club announces annual Torch of Light, Lava Tube awards for 2020. The Big Island Press Club awards its annual meritorious Torch of Light Award for 2020 to James Hustace and the Waimea Community Association and the Lava Tube dishonor award to Hawaii Gov. David Ige. Tribune-Herald.

$500K Releases For Kohala Hospital Improvements. Governor David Ige on Monday released State Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds totaling $500,000 to finance the construction of centralized administrative offices at Kohala Hospital on the Big Island. Big Island Now.

University of the Nations Kona looking to expand: Updated master plan proposes 62-acre addition. The University of the Nations Kona may soon be more than doubling in size. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Inventory hits new low for Maui homes. Meanwhile, median sales prices for single-family homes remained high at $895,000 — a 19.8 percent spike year over year.  Maui News.

Pacific Whale Foundation Retrieves Ghost Nets in Maui Waters. Ghost nets — fishing nets or gear that have been abandoned, lost or discarded by fishing vessels — are an increasingly serious threat to whales and dolphins around the globe. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kawakami gives State of the County address. Mayor Derek Kawakami, reflecting on over a year of the pandemic, highlighted the county’s efforts to embrace adversity, Monday, in his third State of the County address. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

‘My Words Have Caused People Pain’: Kauai Police Chief Apologizes For Anti-Asian Remarks. Chief Todd Raybuck has done a good job by most accounts and some local leaders say losing him would be a setback for the island. But others including the police union see it differently. Civil Beat. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Crowds expected for Coronavirus vaccination plan Phase 1C, Blangiardi's first state of the city address today, beleaguered Maui police chief Faaumu to retire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Double rainbow over Kauai ©2021 All Hawaii News

UH scientist makes a case for why Hawaii is the rainbow capital of the world. Rainbows are a common phenomenon in Hawaii, but have you ever wondered why? In a new publication by an University of Hawaii scientist and professor, Steven Businger laid out all the reasons why Hawaii is the best place on Earth to experience the wonder of rainbows. Hawaii News Now.

State to enter Phase 1C of vaccination plan, expanding eligibility to those 65 and over. Starting Monday, the state will enter Phase 1C of its COVID vaccination plan, expanding eligibility those those 65 and over, residents who have some high-risk medical conditions and remaining essential workers. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Vaccines could lead to lifting of travel restrictions. The state might loosen interisland travel restrictions as early as next month, with similar adjustments under consideration for trans-­Pacific travel, if vaccine distribution supports the plan. Star-Advertiser.

The Hike In State Income Taxes On Top Earners Is As Good As Dead. The federal COVID-19 bailout and strong objections from constituents are helping to sink the bill. Civil Beat.

Funding Fight Slows Action On Police, Prison Reform. The fate of two state boards tasked with standardizing police practices and reforming the jail system depends on agreement between the Legislature and Gov. David Ige. Civil Beat.

State BOE to begin search for new superintendent. The state’s Board of Education is scheduled to hold a special meeting on Thursday, marking the start of a search for the Hawaii’s new superintendent. KHON2.

Hawaii women earn 85 cents to a man’s dollar. Women in Hawaii earned 85.1% of what a man made in 2019; however, they fared better than the national average. Star-Advertiser.

‘Fake Farms’ Are Squeezing Out Serious Agriculture Potential In Hawaii. Some developers have turned acreage earmarked for farming into high-end luxury homes with high prices and restrictions on what the land can be used for. Civil Beat.

Survey: Nearly Half of Hawaii Businesses Did Not Pay Full Rent Last Year. Despite federal aid and grant programs, the number of local businesses that have missed rent continues to climb, according to the Third Hawaii Commercial Rent Survey from Island Business Management. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tens of thousands of Hawaii residents live in areas vulnerable to dam failure. With climate change threatening to bring more extreme rainfall events, such evacuations could become more common in the coming years, especially con­sidering the state’s aging network of dams, which are in need of hundreds of millions of dollars in repairs and upgrades. Star-Advertiser.

Public-private partnerships have a troubled history in Hawaii. Many state leaders view so-called P3 arrangements as attractive for having the private sector bear the risk and expense of major real estate projects with public purposes in return for rights to develop public land for an expected profit. Star-Advertiser.

Legislation Proposed to Protect Hawaiʻi's Cultural Icons From Being Exploited After Passing. What the bill does is recognize this thing called post-mortem rights to publicity and there’s technological language that has to be used to make it clear that it is the legislature’s intent that the bill apply to people who died prior to the Act. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill would repeal state tobacco prevention fund. A measure that would repeal the Hawaii tobacco prevention and control trust fund has passed through the state House and is now before the state Senate for consideration. Tribune-Herald.

Three Hawaii Residents Contract COVID-19 Despite Getting Vaccinations. Health officials stressed that a few “breakthrough” cases are expected because the vaccines, though potent, are not 100% effective. Civil Beat. KITV4.

March 14, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 51 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Sunday, including 28 on O‘ahu, 18 on Maui, four on Hawai‘i Island, and one in a Hawai‘i resident diagnosed out of state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Here’s how to watch Mayor Blangiardi’s first State of the City address. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi will present his first State of the City address on Monday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

HART to seek another bailout for financially troubled rail system. Despite the financial toll of the pandemic on Hawaii taxpayers and the state budget, the rail authority said it will likely seek another bail out from the state Legislature. Hawaii News Now.

Bars busy in first reopening since 2020. Hundreds of people hit the bars this weekend for the first time since 2020. KHON2.

Illegal campsites creating problems at Diamond Head Beach Park. City Council Chairman Tommy Waters has sponsored a resolution shortening the parks’ opening hours — currently 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The measure will be considered for adoption by the full Council on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

To Get Leftover Vaccines In Hawaii, It Helps To Be Related To A Hospital Employee. In the absence of official guidance on how to distribute extra COVID-19 vaccines, two Hawaii hospitals are prioritizing employees’ families. Civil Beat.

‘It’s definitely a relief’: Around 4,000 inoculated at mass vaccination event. With help from more than 200 volunteers, Hilo Medical Center hosted its second mass vaccination clinic — a closed POD, or point of dispensing — which serviced 4,000 people from Hawaii County who qualified for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Tribune-Herald.

Approval isn’t automatic when department misses deadline: Board of Appeals rejects argument in short term vacation rental case. County code that allows automatic approval of certain permits if the Planning Department misses its deadline garnered a lot of opposition at the County Council earlier this month. West Hawaii Today.

Big Island auto sales suppressed by pandemic. Sales of new automobiles were down nearly 18% on the Big Island in 2020 compared to the year prior. Tribune-Herald.

Road to the Sea talk story sessions set for Saturday. Ocean View residents are being asked to weigh in on the future of the Road to the Sea at a series of community meetings later this week. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui police chief set to retire in May. Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu said he will retire May 1, ending a police career of more than 35 years in a decision he said was unrelated to a minor motor vehicle collision in November. Maui News.

Tourism plan focuses on quality, not quantity. A recently released plan says that it’s not possible to control the number of visitors, focusing instead on how to manage tourism before and after the visitors arrive.  Maui News.

Washed-out roads trap residents. Residents living off Awalau Road have been stuck for four days on the other side of a streambed that washed out a portion of the street during flash flooding in Haiku on Monday. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai tourism set to reopen despite vast flooding. Before last week’s flooding, Kauai was preparing to reopen to tourism on April 5 — a step that would aid the continued recovery of the state’s economy. Star-Advertiser.

Medical flights land on North Shore. Hawai‘i Life Flight and American Medical Response have placed into service a medical helicopter, now stationed at Lihu‘e Airport. Garden Island.

North Shore residents band together for ferry system. As of Saturday, the state Department of Transportation reported new findings of a large mass of unstable material on Kuhio Highway, and a newly-discovered fissure. Garden Island.

Vaccinations to begin for 65+, Honolulu bars to reopen, Ige cancels furloughs after federal stimulus, mudslide isolates Kauai's north shore, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

COVID vaccination PC: Steven Cornfield on Unsplash

Hawaii residents 65 and older, those in 1C category can get COVID-19 vaccine starting next week. The state is opening coronavirus vaccine eligibility to Hawaii residents 65 and older and those in the phase 1C category starting Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Maui News. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Gov. Ige says furloughs, layoffs of state workers no longer needed thanks to federal stimulus funds. Gov. David Ige said Thursday that furloughs and layoffs of state workers are no longer necessary now that President Joe Biden has signed the American Rescue Plan, which includes $1.6 billion in assistance for Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Garden Island.

House is asked to investigate state Rep. Sharon Har’s DUI ‘incident’. The state House will consider a request to investigate last month’s arrest of state Rep. Sharon Har on suspicion of drunken driving and citations for driving in the wrong direction on one-way South Beretania Street and for driving without insurance shortly after 10 on a Monday night. Star-Advertiser.

Unemployment aid coalition targets Hawai‘i Convention Center. The Hawai‘i Convention Center attracted a small but resolved group of demonstrators Thursday advocating for faster fixes to the state’s chronically backlogged unemployment system. Star-Advertiser.

DOH identifies case of COVID-19 in a fully vaccinated healthcare worker. Results were received after the travelers arrived back in Hawai’i; both individuals tested positive. KITV4.

March 11, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 60 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Thursday, including 30 on O‘ahu, 18 on Maui, eight on Hawai‘i Island, and four in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed outside of the state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Modifications to Oahu Tier 3 allows bars to reopen. Bars will be allowed to reopen under the same conditions as restaurants, funerals will no longer have restrictions on the number of attendees and businesses will be allowed to serve alcohol until midnight. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

3 visitors to Hawaii arrested for quarantine violations. A couple from Ohio and a man from Montana were arrested for allegedly COVID-19 quarantine violations last week, the state Department of the Attorney General reported Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

=====

HART to spend $1M for lobbyist and local government consultant. A time when it is slashing its budget and laying off longtime employees, the rail authority is looking to award lucrative lobbying and consultant contracts. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

HART: Expect Honolulu’s Full Rail Line To Be Done In 2031. That’s a couple of years earlier than a recent city estimate but also several years later than a recent HART estimate. Civil Beat.

Rail boss offers apology for not telling board of $3B deficit. The rail project’s interim boss apologized to several board members Thursday for not alerting them that the $11 billion project’s deficit has ballooned to $3 billion, but promised more details ahead of next week’s full board meeting. Star-Advertiser.

=====

Some Hauula residents say illegal dumping contributed to severe flooding. Residents along a stretch of Kamehameha Highway between Kahikole and Ahinalu places say that illegal stockpiles of asphalt and construction material elevated the land beneath a construction baseyard across the street, causing stormwater to flow over the highway onto their properties. Hawaii News Now.

Pali Lanes Bowling Alley Closing For Good June 30. In a joint announcement Thursday from Pali Lanes and Alexander & Baldwin, the two said bowling operations at the beloved Kailua bowling alley will cease June 30. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Schatz to brief County Council on federal aid: County to get $36M in direct American Rescue Plan Act funds. Hawaii County will get $36 million to prop up a budget diminished by the coronavirus pandemic, and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz is scheduled Wednesday to brief the County Council about how it can be spent. West Hawaii Today.

Bill would end ‘non-speculative residential use’ property tax exemption program. A handful of Big Island homeowners could face higher property taxes under a county bill that will repeal a 30-year-old county tax ordinance. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Police Chief Retiring While Under Commission Scrutiny For Hit-And-Run. No one was injured in the accident, but questions have been raised about whether the chief was held accountable for fleeing the scene. Civil Beat.

Baldwin seniors back on campus. Baldwin High School Principal Keoni Wilhelm was “flying high” Thursday as he welcomed more of the school’s senior class back to campus, including some who have not attended since last year. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai’s north shore cut off by mudslide. A massive landslide in Hanalei, blocking the only access for vehicular traffic in and out of Kauai’s north shore, topped the myriad problems resulting from thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and flooding that have stretched across the islands. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Boats shuttling supplies to Hanalei after landslide. Milk was one of the last items to arrive Tuesday morning before the closure of the Hanalei Bridge and subsequent landslides that have occurred, closing Kuhio Highway cutting off Hanalei and beyond from the rest of the island by car. Garden Island.

SHOPO calls for Raybuck resignation. The State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers is calling for the immediate resignation of Kaua‘i Police Department Chief Todd Raybuck following The Garden Island’s report citing an investigation led by the Kaua‘i Police Commission sustaining allegations of violating policies against discrimination and creating a hostile work environment for an officer based on race. Garden Island.

KIUC board election ends on Saturday. Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s 2021 board of directors’ election deadline is this Saturday at noon, and there are three nominated candidates, all incumbents, on the ballot for the three available seats. Garden Island.

Hawaii mops up after storms, only 11% of state vaccinated, 16 year olds get military vaccinations, Legislature welcomes federal bailout, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii lifeguards ©2021 All Hawaii News

Some Hawaii Beaches May Lose Lifeguards As State Runs Short Of Cash. Beachgoers at five state beach parks in Hawaii could be swimming at their own risk more often this summer as the pandemic’s financial toll on the Division of State Parks has left the agency unable to cover the costs of lifeguards. Civil Beat.

=====

New Federal Relief Bill Will Help Hawaii. But It’s Still Not Enough For A Full Recovery. At the end of the day, vaccinations are what will help get tourists back to the islands, economists say, although it will likely take several years before the economy looks like it did before the pandemic. Civil Beat.

State expected to receive at least $6.1B as part of relief package. Hawaii is expected to receive at least $6.1 billion in federal funding as part of a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package passed Wednesday by Congress. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Money Chairs Share Their Thoughts On Taxes And The Budget. An estimated $1.6 billion federal relief package may not be enough to cover all of Hawaii’s financial obligations due in the next several years. Civil Beat.

=====

Senate passes bill lowering DUI threshold to 0.05. A measure that would make Hawaii the second state in nation to lower its blood-alcohol threshold for drunken driving to 0.05 is headed to the state House for consideration. West Hawaii Today. Tribune-Herald.

=====

Military in Hawaii starts to vaccinate 16 and up. The military in Hawaii has started to vaccinate all eligible defense personnel 16 and up and created a drive-thru vaccination center at Wheeler Army Airfield. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 Is Airborne. So Why Doesn’t Hawaii Have Pandemic Air Quality Standards? Public health agencies haven’t adequately warned the public about the dangers of sharing air during the pandemic, experts say. Civil Beat.

Critics Say More Data Needed To Avoid Racial Inequity in Hawaii’s Vaccine Rollout. Hawaii is one of only nine states that still hasn’t shared any data about how many people have been vaccinated by race and ethnicity, raising city council members’ concerns that communities with high rates of COVID-19 aren’t getting adequate access to the shots. Civil Beat.

Younger kupuna frustrated about inability to get vaccine, AARP survey finds. A new AARP Hawaii survey showed significant concern among at-risk seniors who are still waiting for the state to open vaccinations to them. Star-Advertiser.

About 68 percent of Hawaii's seniors age 75+ received at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine. The American Association of Retired Persons or AARP lists convenience as one of the top reasons seniors are more open to receiving a shot. KITV4.

March 10, 2021 COVID-19 Update: The state Department of Health reports that there were 48 additional COVID-19 cases reported in Hawai‘i on Wednesday, including 29 on O‘ahu, nine on Maui, five on Hawai‘i Island, and five in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed outside of the state. Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu rail project faces $3 billion budget shortfall. The city’s $11 billion rail project has a budget shortfall of $3 billion and the new interim CEO sees no clear path to plugging the deficit. Star-Advertiser.

HART: Expect Honolulu’s Full Rail Line To Be Done In 2031. That’s a couple of years earlier than a recent city estimate but also several years later than a recent HART estimate. Civil Beat.

=====

City assesses damages from the flood to qualify for federal relief. Star Advertiser. KHON2.

Oahu businesses, residents clean up from flood as the downpour continues. The day after heavy flooding on Oahu’s North Shore, residents and businesses began cleaning the caked-on mud and debris from their properties, while trying to salvage their belongings — all before rain struck the island again. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

City makes online form available to report flooding damage. The purpose of this form is to collect information that will help local officials understand the damage that occurred and impacts on the community. Hawaii News Now.

=====

Driver in fatal Kakaako crash will receive 30-year sentence. The pickup truck driver who killed three pedestrians and injured four others in 2019 in Kakaako while fleeing from police took a plea deal Wednesday that ensures he will be sentenced to 30 years in prison. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Over 8% of Big Island fully vaccinated for COVID-19. An estimated 17.6% of the state’s population has received at least one dose and 11% have received two doses. On the Big Island, 16.5% of the population has received at least one dose and 8.4% two doses, according to the Department of Health. West Hawaii Today.

Johnson & Johnson vaccine available to Big Island kupuna March 16. On the Big Island, the single-dose inoculation will be offered to kupuna 70 and older Tuesday, March 16, at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo, the state Department of Health announced Wednesday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

DOT proposing roundabout for Waimea intersection. The state Department of Transportation is moving forward with plans to improve safety and relieve congestion within Waimea. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Mayor: ‘People are our greatest strength’ in pandemic. Calling the people of Maui County “our greatest strength” over a year of health and economic challenges, Mayor Michael Victorino highlighted the organizations who stepped up to help and the community leaders definining the “new normal” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maui News.

Director hopes more inmates take vaccine amid MCCC outbreak. 83 inmates have tested positive; overcrowding is not helping. Maui News.

Amid Heavy Rains, Maui County Gets Federal Aid For Drought. Federal officials have approved Hawaii Gov. David Ige's request to declare a disaster for Maui County amid drought conditions that have persisted for two years. Associated Press.

Officials visit Kaupakalua Dam. DLNR Chair Suzanne Case and DLNR Dam Safety officials conducted a site survey at the Kaupakalua Dam and Reservoir Tuesday afternoon, immediately after Monday’s flooding. Garden Island.

Hawaiian Airlines Launches Long Beach-Maui Service. Hawaiian Airlines Wednesday began nonstop service between Long Beach and Kahului, Maui, welcoming Southern California travelers onboard with the convenience of a second daily flight to Hawai‘i. Maui Now.

Kauai

KPD quiet on allegations against Chief. The Kaua‘i Police Department and the Kaua‘i Police Commission remained mum Wednesday after sustained allegations of Chief Todd Raybuck violating the county’s discrimination codes from a commission-led investigation were made public. Garden Island.

County setting up mobile labs funded by Chan-Zuckerberg fund. With over $300,000 in funds derived from a Hawai‘i Community Foundation fund seeded by Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, the county will be getting three mobile labs capable of expanding the county’s COVID-19 vaccination and testing programs. Garden Island.