Ige ties Hawaii reopening to vaccination rates, extends eviction moratorium; convicted murderer works in Child Welfare Services; new Honolulu radio system shuts out the public, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Gov. David Ige

Gov. Ige to further ease COVID-19 restrictions once Hawaii is 60% vaccinated. Gov. David Ige announced today that the state will ease restrictions on social gatherings and restaurants once 60% of Hawaii residents are fully vaccinated, adding to the growing list of incentives for people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Garden Island. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Gov. David Ige extends ban on evictions in Hawaii for 60 days. Isle residents who are past due on rent and mortgages will have another two months before Gov. David Ige plans to lift the state’s ban on evictions in early August. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Convicted murderer’s hiring in Child Welfare Services exposes background check gaps. Advocates for victims of domestic violence are calling for change in the way the state hires people with access to vulnerable victims after a man who was convicted of and served time for murder in another state is now an employee of Hawaii’s Child Welfare Services. Hawaii News Now.

Officials step up efforts to expand COVID-19 vaccine access to underserved communities. The data, released Monday by DOH, showed that respondents least likely to be vaccinated included Native Hawaiians, Filipinos and those living in lower-income households.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Garden Island. KHON2.

June 7, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 33 Cases. The confirmed cases included: 18 on O‘ahu (-1 probable); three on Hawai‘i Island; 12 Maui; -1 on Kaua‘i; and one in a Hawai‘i resident diagnosed while out of state (-1 probable). Maui Now.

Oahu

Public access to Honolulu police and fire scanners to end. The public’s long-standing access to routine radio communications by Honolulu police and firefighters is coming to an end as the city nears completion of a $15 million system overhaul that will encrypt the frequencies used by nine city departments, preventing objective monitoring of the transmissions. Star-Advertiser.

New special agent in charge steps into role at FBI’s Honolulu field office. Steven B. Merrill, the new special agent in charge of Honolulu’s FBI field office, said he learned early on in his career the incredible value of working with the community. Hawaii News Now.

Activists Hit New Roadblock In Efforts To Reroute Farrington Highway At Makaha Beach. Efforts by community activists to move Farrington Highway mauka of Makaha Beach park — in accordance with a decades-old plan — have hit a roadblock after an Oahu agency decided to halt a feasibility study and redirect the funding to a traffic study in Ala Moana instead. Civil Beat.

Audit calls for more data on domestic violence. Streamlined data collection on domestic violence cases was the center of a report released Monday by the Honolulu Office of the City Auditor. Star-Advertiser.

An Accountant Is The Latest To Be Charged In The Miske Case. The charges filed last week against Tricia Ann Castro were the first to target a professional accused of aiding the Honolulu business owner in concealing his alleged criminal activities. Civil Beat.

Honolulu's Rental Car Crisis Is Sending More Riders To Biki And TheBus. Honolulu also appears to be part of a nationwide trend in which the appetite for Uber and Lyft rides is growing but not enough drivers are returning to meet that demand. Civil Beat.

Median sales price of Oahu single-family homes close in on $1 million. Previously owned single- family houses on the island sold for $978,000 in May, according to a Honolulu Board of Realtors report released Monday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Oversight Commissioner Concerned With Overcrowding as COVID-19 Cases at Hilo Jail Rise to 154. According to the latest data from the state Department of Public Safety, 137 inmates and 17 staff at the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center have tested positive for the coronavirus since the outbreak began on May 24. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Public asked to help prioritize federal transportation spending. The state has organized a survey for people to prioritize which federally funded road projects should be tackled over the next four years as part of the State Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP. West Hawaii Today.

Paauilo brush fire burns 1,400 acres. The fire, which was reported on Friday, took more than a day to be contained, despite occurring on the typically wet Hamakua Coast. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Public opinion weighed as search for Maui’s next police chief begins. Applications are being accepted for the Valley Isle’s next police chief. Island residents say values of honesty and transparency should be key in the search. Hawaii News Now.

Maui holds only in-person graduation in UH system. Class of 2021 endured full school year under pandemic. Maui News.

Two arrested for violating travel rules. A Massachusetts man was arrested for violating travel quarantine rules when he arrived from Los Angeles on Friday without an approved negative pre-travel COVID-19 test and without approved lodging for the mandatory 10-day quarantine, police said. Police also arrested a Virginia woman on Saturday for violating travel quarantine rules. Maui News.

Kauai

The pa‘u rider lives on; museum exhibit on with COVID-19 protocols. Pa‘u riders have always been integral to regal parades such as the King Kamehameha Day celebration, Aloha Week celebration and more. Garden Island.

Hawaii offers vaccination incentives, Waikiki crime surge worries tourism industry, Native Hawaiians get Discovery Harbour house lots, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii grocery store ©2021 All Hawaii News

Hawaii employers eye vaccination mandates. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces workplace discrimination laws, in December said employers can require vaccination against the virus, which has infected 36,535 in Hawaii and resulted in 502 deaths. Star-Advertiser.

No Vaccine, No Tests Required For Travel Within Hawaii Starting June 15. Starting June 15, travelers from the mainland who received at least one vaccine dose in Hawaii will be able to skip COVID-19 testing and quarantine requirements upon arrival in the state, Gov. David Ige announced Friday. He also said restrictions will be lifted entirely for interisland travel on that date. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Trip To Vegas, Pizza For A Year Offered To Boost Hawaiʻi Vaccine Numbers. Governor David Ige announced that June is HI Got Vaccinated month. If and when the state gets to 70%, travel restrictions will drop and the Safe Travels program will end. To get there, there are a few deals to entice the vaccine-hesitant. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4.

State sees impressive response in prize giveaway program aimed at encouraging vaccinations. On Sunday, June 6, the Hawaii Department of Health reported more than 78,000 people have entered the giveaway. KHON2.

Emails show strain on Hawaii administration amid coronavirus pandemic. A review of Hawaii Gov. David Ige’s emails shows the state epidemiologist spent key weeks in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic resisting suggestions and requests from both inside and outside the administration that she boost contact tracing to control the spread of COVID-19. Associated Press.

Southwest Airlines launches service between Hawaii and Las Vegas. The launch Sunday of service between Hawaii and Las Vegas and other new markets brings Southwest Airlines nearly all-in on its Hawaii service, and so far the gamble is paying off. Star-Advertiser.

Visiting ‘Movers and Shakas’ helping rebuild Hawaii’s economy. The first group arrived in late February and March for a minimum 30-day stay. Members ranged in age from 24 to 60-plus and held jobs in a variety of fields such as technology, finance, education and health care. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 Cases Are Declining In Hawaii But Restaurant Clusters Show Continued Danger. The overall picture of who is falling ill has also changed in the islands. Most of the new cases recorded weekly are among the 18-44 year old age group, according to DOH data. Civil Beat.

Hawaii sees 3 new virus-related deaths; health officials correct daily case count to 81 new infections. Today’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 35 on Hawaii Island, 32 new cases on Oahu, 12 on Maui, and two Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Waikiki crime surge risks derailing tourism recovery. Waikiki business owners and residents are calling on the Honolulu Police Department and other officials to address a recent uptick in serious crimes in the state’s top tourist district, where two men were stabbed in separate incidents on the same night last week. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Joins A National Debate: When Should Police Bodycam Footage Be Released? The city prosecutor is asking the public to be patient. But some feel body camera footage should be released right away. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Lack of mass protests after police kill Black man in Honolulu angers some. Lindsay Myeni and her South African husband moved to Hawaii, where she grew up, believing it would be safer to raise their two Black children here than in another U.S. state. Associated Press.

Hawaii Kai Shopping Center getting a repaved parking lot, new roofs and a renovated Safeway. It’s been called a disgrace, a slum and an eyesore. But those harsh descriptions of the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center in recent years are now being replaced by praise. Star-Advertiser.

Endangered Hawaiian damselfly finds new home. Scientists have tried at least five times in the past few decades to establish a second wild Oahu population of the endangered orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly, a smaller relative of the dragonfly. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Outbreaks at Hawaii’s jails and prisons show lack of data on vaccinations. Hawaii’s Department of Public Safety, which oversees the state’s jails and prisons, says it can’t track COVID-19 vaccination rates among correctional officers, even as a growing corona­virus outbreak at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center in Hilo exposes the ongoing risks posed by unvaccinated workers and inmates. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Home Lands Lots Offered In Discovery Harbour. A virtual lot selection meeting was held on Saturday at the Naʻalehu Community Center, as the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands offered 38 residential Vacant Lots in the Discovery Harbour Subdivision in Kaʻū to beneficiaries. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Panaewa Rainforest Zoo set to reopen on July 19. The Hilo zoo, which closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has undergone a $10 million renovation to bring the park in compliance with standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Tribune-Herald.

Fireworks shows returning: Displays in Hilo and Kona will celebrate the 4th. Fireworks are returning to both Hilo and Kona next month, after last year’s Independence Day festivities were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

County seeks public feedback on recovery action plan. The county recovery team has asked Puna residents to provide feedback on an amendment to its recovery action plan in order to receive and additional $23 million in federal funding. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

$843.5 million budget passes out of council. Maui County Council members Friday gave their final approval to an $843.5 million budget for fiscal year 2022, which includes millions for affordable housing and infrastructure work as well as cuts to tourism funding. Maui News.

Maui farm takes requests from acclaimed chefs. Mahi Pono, which in 2018 acquired about 41,000 acres that once were the Hawaiian Commercial &Sugar Co. plantation, announced a project Thursday to grow more than 30 crops requested by five acclaimed chefs overseeing about 20 restaurants statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Broken Promise? Maui County wants Bank of America to live up to a decades-old promise it made to Native Hawaiians when it committed $150 million in loans to help them build and buy homes on lands set aside for them by Congress after the overthrow of the monarchy. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Agricultural dedication petition deadline July 1. The county Department of Finance Real Property Assessment office reminds the public that the deadline for filing new agricultural dedication petitions is July 1. Garden Island.

Ige ponders tourism balance, easing coronavirus restrictions, some ZIP codes reach herd immunity, while others have low vaccination rates, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiians kayaking on Hawaii Island ©2021 All Hawaii News

House Finance Chair: Fewer Tourists Is ‘What People Want’. But the tourism industry opposes a bill on Gov. David Ige’s desk that aims to reduce tourism through higher taxes and fees on visitors. Civil Beat.

Governor expected to loosen coronavirus restrictions as Hawaii nears 60% fully vaccinated. According to the Department of Health (DOH), 52% of Hawaii residents are fully vaccinated while 59% of residents have received at least one dose. KHON2.

Most Hawaii adults fully vaccinated, but survey finds 12% don’t plan to get COVID-19 vaccine. Although nearly 70% of Hawaii adults recently polled are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and an additional 7% are partially vaccinated, there are still 12% who say they don’t intend to get any of the COVID-19 inoculations available to them. Star-Advertiser.

Maps Show Hawaii’s COVID-19 Vaccine Disparities By ZIP Code. Hawaii’s COVID-19 vaccine uptake varies widely depending on where people live, new maps from the Hawaii Department of Health show. New heat maps show how the state’s COVID-19 vaccine campaign is going at a granular geographic level. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii’s coronavirus vaccine incentive campaign will launch Friday.  The state is gearing up to launch a major campaign offering Hawaii residents numerous incentives for getting COVID-19 vaccinations as part of its final push toward reaching herd immunity. Star-Advertiser.

One in 10 Hawaii public school classrooms need better ventilation. Hawaii’s public schools plan to reopen fully Aug. 3 for in-person classes with 3-foot spacing among students and teachers in classrooms, although ventilation still needs to be improved in some spots. Star-Advertiser.

Growing Use Of Rapid Testing Provides A ‘Degree Of Safety’ As Hawaii Reopens. COVID-19 tests are likely to remain part of life even as the overall pandemic situation stabilizes in the island state. Civil Beat.

Hawaii records 1 new coronavirus-related death, 45 additional cases. Today’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island included 36 new cases on Oahu, one on Maui, three on Hawaii Island, one on Kauai and four Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Medical records show police shot 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap in back of the head. Eric A. Seitz, who is representing Iremamber Sykap’s grandmother Akiwine Sykap and mother, Yovita Lucio, said hospital records from The Queen’s Medical Center, where Sykap was taken after Emergency Medical Serv­ices personnel transported him from Kalakaua Avenue, show he was shot once in the back of the head, twice in the back of one shoulder and once in the back of his other shoulder. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Rising Waikiki crime puts officials on alert. Waikiki crime dropped dramatically during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has returned as visitors and traffic have come back to the state’s top tourism district. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Department reviewing policies on body-worn cameras. In response to public pleas for more transparency in the investigations into two fatal police shootings, Honolulu police are reviewing their policies on body-worn cameras to develop a rule governing the release of footage from incidents involving officers, alleged suspects and victims. Star-Advertiser.

Partial rides on the rail could begin by the end of the year, but issues linger. The so-called interim opening would be from Kapolei to Aloha Stadium. Within that stretch, the guideway, tracks and stations are already complete. Hawaii News Now.

Council Passes Resolution Supporting Separate Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Department. The Honolulu City Council approved Wednesday a proposal urging Mayor Rick Blangiardi to create a separate department for the City’s Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services personnel. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kahuku gym faces eviction after being caught in legal dispute over a noise complaint. The plight of Ko‘olau Wellness Center appears to be collateral damage from the legal dispute and has divided the community with dueling online petitions to save or shut down the gym, which provides fitness classes, martial arts training, yoga and other programs. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council approves 4.1% budget increase: Parks, Fire, Police, licensing clerks among additions to Roth’s budget. Equipment for firefighters, repairs at parks, beefed up computer systems, more hours of community policing, four additional vehicle registration and licensing clerks and money for council contingency accounts added $1 million to Mayor Mitch Roth’s proposed operating budget, bringing the tally to $610.1 million after final passage Thursday by the Hawaii County Council. West Hawaii Today.

An additional 22 inmates test positive at HCCC. A total of 99 inmates and 13 staff members have now tested positive for the coronavirus since two positive cases were first reported at the Hilo jail on May 24. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Commission approves 5G cell tower off Saddle Road. The Windward Planning Commission gave the go-ahead to construct a cell tower off of Saddle Road 13 miles from Waikoloa Village. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Bill would pause development of visitor lodgings islandwide. As Maui braces for an anticipated influx of visitors next month, residents voiced their support for a newly proposed moratorium on visitor accommodations that would extend to the entire island of Maui. Maui News.

As talk of tourism heats up, some Maui residents cash in on increased spending. Nearly 7,000 visitors arrived in Maui on Wednesday. While some are complaining about the influx of tourists, others are capitalizing on it. Hawaii News Now.

$1.3 Million Hāna Boat Ramp and Wharf Improvement Project to Start in June. The boat ramp will be closed for approximately eight days starting around July 12 (date is subject to change) while new precast panels will be installed at the top of the boat ramp. Maui Now.

Online Tool Can Forecast West Maui Coastal Flooding Six Days In Advance. The Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System has created a high resolution wave runup forecast for residents, businesses and government agencies. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

New DOW deputy manager named. The county Department of Water’s interim Manager and Chief Engineer Mark R. Knoff appointed Judith A. Hayducsko as the DOW deputy manager and engineer, effective June 1. Garden Island.

Three vaccine pop-ups on Saturday.  If you are 21 and older, and get your vaccine — it’s the one-shot Johnson &Johnson or the two-dose Moderna — from Troy’s Place Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m., you will get to sing five free karaoke songs. Garden Island.

Teachers to vote on contract, police commission nominee says no racism in Hawaii, two counties pass annual budgets, studying the sea, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Whale frolics off Hawaii Coast ©2021 All Hawaii News

NOAA Awards UH $210 Million To Host Institute for Marine & Atmospheric Research. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration selected the University of Hawai‘i to host a new Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, with the federal agency providing up to $210 million in funding over five years. Maui Now.

Hawaii Teacher Salaries Won’t Change If New Contract Is Approved. The Hawaii State Teachers Association has reached a preliminary agreement with state officials on a new contract for the next two years, but it still must be approved by members. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Why Is It Still So Hard To Reach Hawaii’s Unemployment Office? The physical office is still closed and the agency is only two months into an 18-month technology overhaul. Civil Beat.

As mainland cities reopen, some question what’s holding Hawaii back. As tourist destinations on the mainland celebrate their reopening, Hawaii’s governor continues to push back against reducing business restrictions in the islands. Hawaii News Now.

Survey finds changing attitudes in Hawaii regarding the pandemic. According to a statewide poll, most people think the coronavirus crisis is getting better and the government’s management of the situation is headed in the right direction. Star-Advertiser.

Shipments of COVID vaccines to Hawaii slow as demand drastically drops. The state Department of Health turned away more than half of its federal allotment of the Pfizer vaccine this week as demand for the shot continues to drop. Health officials say Neighbor Island hospitals won’t be getting any doses at all. That’s because they’re are having trouble getting rid of what they already have. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii counts 25 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 36,357. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island included 13 new cases on Oahu, 9 on Maui and 4 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council unanimously passes $2.92 billion budget. The budget is about $10 million more than the one submitted to the City Council by Mayor Rick Blangiardi in March, which was $73 million less than the previous year. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Police Commission nominee denies racism exists in Hawaii. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s second attempt to fill the final vacancy on the Honolulu Police Commission was met with near unanimous opposition Wednesday as opponents cited concerns about the nominee’s record as a police officer and his career in private security while the candidate said he does not believe racial discrimination exists in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

HPD says it will not release new information about two controversial fatal shootings. Honolulu's Interim Chief of Police Rade Vanic says HPD will not release new information about two controversial fatal shootings -- and that includes the identities of the officers involved.  KITV4.

HPD Officer At The Center Of A $1 Million Wrongful Death Settlement Has A History Of Complaints. Cpl. Scott Valdez has faced criminal charges, which led to hung juries, two lawsuits that led to settlements and a Honolulu Police Commission complaint. Civil Beat.

In deposition, Louis Kealoha gets tearful when talking about wife’s manipulation. Kealoha also said his estranged wife, Katherine Kealoha, who is serving a 13-year prison term, manipulated him when she cheated on him with a firefighter from the Big Island. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation tax revenue higher than expected. The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization had forecast combined general excise and transit accommodation taxes of $55 million for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation in the first quarter. But the actual amount was $67 million. Star-Advertiser.

HART Asks The City To Borrow Up To $550 Million To Keep Rail Moving. The rail authority has also been borrowing on its own to cover its costs and pay its contractors. Civil Beat.

City Council approves first-ever Oahu climate action plan. Through the plan, the city said it is committing to a path to cut carbon pollution by an estimated 45% by 2025 and 60% by 2035. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Kamehameha Schools receives Kakaako plan extension. Kamehameha Schools has received an extra 10 years to finish redeveloping 29 acres in Kakaako under a master plan amended by a state board Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

The Manoa Neighborhood Board voted Wednesday to support the public acquisition of Paradise Park land that’s up for sale. According to the listing, the 76-acre site is selling for $20 million. Hawaii News Now.

Rent, utility relief on hand to help Oahu residents during pandemic. The City and County of Honolulu will reopen the Rental and Utility Relief Program to another 10,000 applicants Monday evening. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Seeking to steer stimulus: Council wants more say on American Rescue Plan. Hawaii County has received its first installment of a $39 million federal stimulus package and County Council members are brimming with ideas on how to spend it. West Hawaii Today.

Board OKs decommissioning plan for Caltech observatory. The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory is the first of five summit observatories scheduled for decommissioning in exchange for the planned construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope, and ceased operations in 2015. Tribune-Herald.

Public Comment Sought on Proposed Use of Additional Grant Funds for Buyout Program. The County of Hawai‘i is accepting public comment on a draft Substantial Amendment to its Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Action Plan. The public comment period runs June 2 through July 1. Big Island Now.

Healing the bay: Public asked to stay out of Kahaluu Bay for final days of spawning. The park’s closure has largely kept the bay’s waters clear of beachgoers and swimmers. Frustrations have been voiced, however, over the sight of surfers in the water. West Hawaii Today.

‘Love Island’ a boon for island: Largest production since 2008 starts shooting in July. “Love Island,” a dating reality show in which a group of singles gather at a tropical resort and compete to pair up with each other, will film its third season this summer in East Hawaii — and inject millions of dollars into the local economy. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Post Arrival Test to End on June 4. From the start of the program on May 4, through May 31, the program has tested 92,963 travelers.  Maui Now. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Alexander & Baldwin Under Scrutiny in Maui Water Rights Court Case. New information has emerged in a court battle over water on Maui, and it's prompting the state to reevaluate annual water permits issued to Hawaiʻi developer Alexander and Baldwin. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.

United Launches Kahului to New York Nonstop Flight, June 3. This is the airline’s only nonstop flight from Maui to the US mainland’s east coast. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County Council passes $243.3M FY22 operating budget. The budget plans no layoffs, furloughs or additional tax rate increases on residents and primarily focuses on deferred maintenance on bridges and the landfill, adds money toward housing and homeless initiatives and seeks wastewater solutions throughout the island. Garden Island.

Kauai beat COVID-19, but now faces a new challenge: Rebuilding its economy. Homeless people here on Hawaii’s northern island got an unusual invitation last year: Come set up camp at a spectacular beach, with showers, toilets and electricity, and meals delivered by the local food bank. Los Angeles Times.

6 arrested during efforts to close Lydgate camp. Six people were arrested, Wednesday as the county attempted to transition the Lydgate Beach Park out of its Shelter In Place camping permit program. Garden Island.

Hawaii residents want tourism limits, former Honolulu police chief begins prison, COVID-19 outbreak at Hilo jail, Manoa Falls trail to reopen, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tourists, pre-COVID in Honolulu ©2021 All Hawaii News

  Hawaii residents support limits on tourism, a survey finds. As island tourism continues to rebound heading into summer, a new survey of residents finds support for better regulation of tourism, including more government controls that could lead to limiting numbers at popular destinations across the state and charging higher user fees to offset tourists’ impact across the islands. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Vacation Rentals Continue To See High Demand, But Regulations Create Uncertain Future. Vacation rentals again outperformed hotels in occupancy rate for the month of April. That's according to a recent report from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority tracking the monthly performance vacation rental units in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pentagon again denies funding for $1.9 billion Hawaii radar. Funding for the $1.9 billion Homeland Defense Radar- Hawaii has again been zeroed out in the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s proposed budget — a position that reflects evolving and competing defense priorities and could set up another challenge in Congress. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii is chosen for NOAA research institute. The University of Hawaii will receive up to $210 million over five years to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s new Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, it was announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

New incentives push Hawaiian Electric toward more clean energy. A portfolio of incentives that went into effect today will guide Hawaiian Electric as it operates under a new business model that emphasizes Hawaii’s clean energy goals. Star-Advertiser.

In rare move, lawmakers voted to eliminate job of well-paid university professor. Prof. Carl-Wilhelm Vogel has worked at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center for more than two decades, earning more than $300,000 a year. Hawaii News Now.

June 1, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 56 Cases. The confirmed cases included: 24 on O‘ahu (+6 probable); 19 on Hawai‘i Island; two on Maui (+1 probable); three on Kaua‘i; and two cases in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state (-1 probable). Maui Now.

Oahu

Federal funding leaves Honolulu budget in limbo. The Honolulu City Council is expected to decide on a budget today, although it has not yet been finalized how the $196 million in federal funds Oahu is expected to receive from the American Rescue Plan Act will be spent. Star-Advertiser.

Alternatives To The Last Honolulu Rail Leg? HART Releases A ‘Matrix’ Of Ideas. The FTA says it “will discuss all possible options” amid rail’s latest, massive cost increases and schedule delays. Civil Beat.

Ex-HPD chief begins 7-year prison sentence for crimes he now denies. Louis Kealoha is now a federal prison inmate. The ex-police chief of Honolulu surrendered at a facility in Sheridan, Oregon on Tuesday as ordered by a judge to begin serving a seven-year term. Hawaii News Now.

Assistant Chief Rade Vanic takes over as interim Honolulu police chief. The state’s largest law enforcement agency welcomed an interim leader Tuesday, announced the retirement of its second in command and began looking for qualified candidates to serve as Honolulu’s 12th police chief. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Tier 4 to increase capacity at restaurants but more workers are needed to meet demand. Mayor Rick Blangiardi sent a request to the governor to move into Tier Four, and a decision on that is expected to be announced this week. KHON2.

Oahu Neighborhood Board Election Winners Announced. This year, 495 candidates filed to run, and 402 were elected, the office said. Over 26,000 people voted, mostly online. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Popular Manoa Falls Trail to reopen on Saturday. The popular Manoa Falls Trail is set to reopen this Saturday after being closed for nearly two years for safety improvements, according to state officials. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Board Of Water Supply Keeps Shutoff Suspension Through July 31. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply will not shut off its customers' water if they can’t pay their water and sewer bills through July 31. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Coronavirus cases rise at HCCC: Total of 77 inmates, 9 staff members infected. A COVID-19 outbreak at Hawaii Community Correctional Center has grown to include 77 inmates and nine staff members, the state Department of Public Safety announced Tuesday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Updated COVID-19 Emergency Rules For Hawaii County. Rule No. 15 “opens commercial boating capacity to 100 percent, increases attendance at sporting events to 75 persons outdoors and 25 indoors, and defers all travel policies to the state’s Safe Travels program,” the Office of the Mayor says. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Planning Department outlines plan to fill CDP committees. Many of the citizen boards charged with advising the county on planning issues are getting by with holdover members whose terms have expired, and two don’t have enough members to make quorum, but progress is being made, Planning Department staff told a County Council panel Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

AT&T wants to place 5G tower on Saddle Road. Telecommunications company AT&T is seeking to erect a cell tower on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway about 13 miles from Waikoloa Village. Tribune-Herald.

Committee accepts statue donation, favors new location. After previously rejecting it in March, a Hawaii County Council committee on Tuesday accepted the donation of a statue at Liliuokalani Gardens with the stipulation that it be moved. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County COVID testing program receives award. Maui County was recognized for its community-based COVID-19 testing programs with an achievement award in the health category from the National Association of Counties. Maui News.

Presentation: “Purifying Kīhei’s Wastewater with 
Green Infrastructure as an Alternative to Injection Wells,” June 9. Three new low cost, low energy, pilot green infrastructure systems that will be constructed in Kīhei this summer to purify water coming out of the Kīhei Wastewater Reclamation Facility will be the topic of a free Zoom presentation by Paul Sturm, Executive Director of Ridge to Reefs, on Wednesday, June 9 at 5:30 p.m. Maui Now.

Kauai

An Explosion Of Green Parakeets Is Causing Big Problems On Kauai. Wild rose-ringed parakeets feast on fruit and corn crops, screech noisily and attract rats. Civil Beat.

Corteva Agriscience leases unused greenhouses. A collaborative community network is using 11 shade houses being leased to The Monkey Pod, a Kaua‘i nonprofit that was registered in 2017 to support and grow sustainable communities through agriculture. Garden Island.

Tourists return to Hawaii in force, 'Love Island' moves to Hilo, state sees 500th coronavirus death, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kaneohe sandbar on Memorial Day PC:DLNR Dan Dennison

Big crowds, but few problems reported at popular Kaneohe sandbar over holiday. Hawaii officers issue citations for parking and boating safety violations over Memorial Day weekend. State conservation and resources officers issued more than two dozen citations in and around the Heeia Kea Small Boat Harbor parking lot and boat launch for Kaneohe Bay Sandbar over Memorial Day weekend. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Amid a ‘wave’ of visitor arrivals, Hawaii businesses scramble to expand operations. Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer tourism season. And this year, coinciding with the easing of restrictions nationwide, it’s meant a huge increase in visitors. According to Safe Travels data, more than 114,000 visitors flew into Hawaii from Thursday through Sunday for the Memorial Day weekend. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association CEO hopes Memorial Day momentum continues. Mufi Hannemann, president and CEO of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, estimates hotels across the state reached more than 80% occupancy this weekend. KITV4.

Hotel prices to rise while availability decreases as travel and tourism heats up. Book those staycations now. That’s the advice from experts as pricier hotel rates and less availability are starting to appear. KHON2.

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Most Hawaii inmates refusing to get COVID-19 vaccination. Lt. Gov. Josh Green attributed the latest COVID outbreak among Hawaii’s inmate population to prisoners’ ongoing reluctance to get vaccinated, while warning that unvaccinated correctional officers, as well as health care workers, should be prohibited from working on the front lines. Star-Advertiser.

Veteran Education Administrator Is Nominated To Be Interim DOE Superintendent. If approved by the Board of Education as expected, Waipahu High School principal Keith Hayashi will step into the role after Christina Kishimoto steps down at the end of July. Civil Beat.

Local farmers see rising costs. Some in the industry blame the pandemic for creating a shortage of products due to global manufacturing closures. KITV4.

Extending State Land Leases Could Benefit Businesses, But At What Cost To Taxpayers? Opponents worry that the long-term leases, which may last 100 years or more, amount to a sale of public lands. While businesses say the measure would allow them to secure their interests for years to come, opponents worry that it circumvents a competitive process to select new tenants, and possibly get a better deal for the state. Civil Beat.

National Report Spotlights Hawaii’s Need For Suicide Prevention. Hawaii had more survey participants say they had been thinking about suicide during the pandemic than any other state. Civil Beat.

Hawaii flu season sees only 1 death amid coronavirus precautions. This year’s flu season has been virtually wiped out amid COVID-19 restrictions and safety precautions. While several hundred Hawaii residents typically die every year from the flu, there has only been one death this season. Star-Advertiser.

With 500th COVID death, Hawaii hits a heartbreaking milestone in pandemic. The pandemic hit a grim milestone this Memorial Day weekend with Hawaii recording its 500th death to COVID-19. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii counts 30 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 36,276. Today’s new confirmed and probable infection count by island included 20 new cases on Oahu, six on Maui, one on Kauai, and three Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Bills aim to expand distance between turbines and homes. The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday will take up three measures that aim to increase the distance between wind turbines and neighboring property. Star-Advertiser.

Tax-free bonds approved by lawmakers for ‘mystery’ Hawaii Kai senior-living project. Hawaii lawmakers earlier this year agreed to help arrange up to half a billion dollars in financing for a planned retirement community despite not knowing where exactly the project would be and who is driving it. Star-Advertiser.

After largely disappearing from public view, HPD chief quietly ends 35 years of public service. Monday marked Chief Susan Ballard’s final day with the Honolulu Police Department after more than three decades of service. Hawaii News Now.

HPD’s Use Of Lethal Force Is Near The US Average. But There’s Far More To The Story. A comparison of HPD’s numbers to a national database show big differences, such as a higher percentage of deaths from physical restraint and the race and ethnicity of those who died. Civil Beat.

Aloha Stadium replacement project’s more costly funding plan shifts to private developer. When state officials seek proposals to replace Aloha Stadium perhaps as early as July, they will be asking private developers to front much of the expense in a new twist on the plan that now stands to cost taxpayers more money in the long run. Star-Advertiser.

Ceremony held for $98 million, 120-bed state veterans home named for Daniel K. Akaka. A groundbreaking ceremony and Hawaiian blessing was held in Kapolei on Memorial Day for a $98.4 million, 120-bed veterans home that officials acknowledged was a big challenge to bring to fruition. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Equal representation: Big Island population hike could bring 8th House seat. A decade ago, the Big Island won an additional seat in the state Senate following the 2010 census. This year, it’s poised to win an eighth House seat. West Hawaii Today

BLNR withdraws requests for sale of Honokohau Harbor leases. After a public response over the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ planned request to authorize the sale of leases held by each organization at public auction, both agenda items were withdrawn at Friday morning’s Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting. West Hawaii Today.

On CBS’ “Love Island,” sparks fly ― and that fire is headed to Hawaii Island. The show about matchmaking is moving from Las Vegas to Hilo this summer. State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson confirms the film production booked the entire Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo for the summer. Hawaii News Now. Big Island Video News.

No easy fix for squatters: Communities look for new ways to combat persistent problem. An incident in Volcano has spurred discussions and concerns about people squatting in vacant, abandoned and deteriorated properties. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Judge orders new hearing on Maui water permits. A Circuit Court judge says he’s prepared to revoke Alexander &Baldwin’s annual permit allowing it to divert up to 45 million gallons per day from dozens of streams in East Maui. Judge Jeffrey Crabtree, in a ruling issued Friday, ordered the Board of Land and Natural Resources to hold a contested case hearing about the revocable permit and said he would cancel it June 30 unless he sees a formal request to stay his order. Star-Advertiser.

Preliminary Data: 5,863 Passengers Arriving Daily to Kahului, Maui. May numbers are currently approaching pre-pandemic levels for the same period (May 1-27) in 2018 and 2019. Maui Now.

Youth Swim Meets Set to Restart at County Pools. Maui Age Group Swimming Association youth swim meets will be returning to Maui County pool facilities on a gradual, staggered schedule. Maui Now.

Kauai

Lydgate Beach Park closes to houseless. Monday marked the last day of the county’s Shelter in Place program at this campsite that provided a place with access to running water, electricity and bathrooms for over a year during the coronavirus pandemic. Garden Island.

Money restored for jobless benefits. Kaua‘i legislative delegation: state Senate President Ronald Kouchi and state Reps. Nadine Nakamura, James Tokioka and Dee Morikawa, recently addressed the Lihu‘e Business Association members in a virtual meeting, during which they covered topics like unemployment, public transparency and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Garden Island.

Memorial Day weekend crowds expected, pain at the pump, rental car shortage, more than half of Hawaii fully vaccinated, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Waikiki Trolley ©2021 All Hawaii News

Record-setting crowds expected during Memorial Day weekend in Hawaii. With Hawaii residents and visitors champing at the bit to enjoy the great outdoors maskless, this Memorial Day weekend could prove to be a record-setting one in terms of numbers. Star-Advertiser.

Pain at the Pump: Hawaiʻi Gas Prices Climb to 2014 Levels. Heading into the Memorial Day weekend for travel, gas prices for Hawaiʻi continued to climb, reaching levels not seen since November 2014, according to the AAA Hawaiʻi Weekend Gas Watch. Maui Now. KITV4.

Hawaii car rental shortage likely to continue through summer. Many cars at most major rental companies are booked through August and many rentals are going for hundreds of dollars per day. KHON2.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority’s board has allocated more than $12 million that it would have been forced to return to the state. The money comes from the tourism special fund, which the state legislature voted to end. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii governor weighing whether to decriminalize emergency rule-breaking to a costly ticket. Lawmakers this session passed SB540 to reduce emergency order violations to a suggested $200 infraction, or a price set by the governor and counties, with no threat of a criminal record or going to jail. KHON2.

Hawaiian Airlines pulls plug on ‘Ohana service. Hawaiian Airlines is dismantling ‘Ohana by Hawaiian, including its all-cargo neighbor island service and flights to Molokai, Lanai and Kapalua in West Maui. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hirono Seeks To Restore Federal Benefits For Pacific Islanders From COFA Nations. The U.S. senator said it’s a matter of fairness since migrants from Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia are living in the United States under treaties known as the Compacts of Free Association. Civil Beat.

HPU Study Seeks Origins of Ghost Nets That Haunt Hawaii's Shores. “Ghost nets” from unknown origins drift among the Pacific's currents, threatening sea creatures and littering shorelines with the entangled remains of what they kill. Associated Press.

The Pandemic Has ‘Permanently’ Changed Health Care In Hawaii. Hawaii’s community health centers have found video and audio health appointments are crucial to reach patients, especially in rural areas. Civil Beat.

Hawai´i Hits COVID-19 Vaccine Benchmark. The Hawai´i Department of Health announced that more than half the state’s population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as of Thursday, May 27. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

May 27, 2021 COVID-19 Update: 58 Cases. The confirmed cases included: 39 on O‘ahu (-1 probable); six on Hawai‘i Island; 10 on Maui (-1 probable); and two cases in Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state (+3 probable). Maui Now.

Oahu

Oahu’s Vaccination Rate Will Be Used In Deciding COVID-19 Rules. As a growing number of people are fully immunized, Mayor Rick Blangiardi wants to include Oahu’s vaccination rate as a method of determining COVID-19 restrictions. Civil  Beat.

Civil Beat Law Center Sues Prosecutor For Release Of Sykap Shooting Video. The complaint accuses the city prosecutor of violating the state’s open records law. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Alleged crime boss’s trial may be delayed. The U.S. Department of Justice wants to delay the trial of an Oahu businessman accused of leading a criminal enterprise profiting from drug dealing and participating in murder-for-hire schemes to allow time for the U.S. attorney general to decide whether he should face the death penalty. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu gets vouchers for emergency housing. Honolulu has accepted 312 emergency housing vouchers provided through the American Rescue Plan Act. Star-Advertiser.

23 campsites on Oahu reopen this weekend. Nearly two dozen campsites at 11 campgrounds on Oahu will be reopened for recreational camping as of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation announced today. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

‘Dr. Beach’ Says Hawaii Island's Hapuna Beach Is 2021's Best. Cruising along the west side of the Big Island, the landscape is dominated by ancient volcanic flows and jagged shorelines. Then you get to Hapuna Beach. Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said he thinks it’s safe to have larger gatherings. He's asked Gov. David Ige to increase the size of indoor gatherings on Hawaii Island from 10 to 25 people as long as a host or business can verify that 75% of the attendees have been vaccinated. Hawaii News Now.

Volcano Alert Level For Kilauea Downgraded From Watch To Advisory. Scientists say there are currently no indications suggesting that a resumption of volcanic activity is imminent. Big Island Video News. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Fair hiatus to continue through this year. When the 71st Annual Hawaii County Fair finally happens, hopefully in September 2022, it will be a scaled back version of what it has been in the past, according to the fair’s main organizer. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui tourism recovering more quickly than on Oahu. Maui is the island to watch with higher spending and nearly as many visitors per day as Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Despite taking some heat, South Maui solar project moves forward. A South Maui solar and battery proposal on about 150 acres mauka of the Maui Meadows subdivision moved forward Tuesday as the Maui Planning Commission gave key approvals to the project, which is slated to come online in 2023. Maui News.

Patty Copperfield named MEO Transportation Director. Maui Economic Opportunity has named Patty-Ann Copperfield as the organization’s Transportation director. Maui Now.

Kauai

‘Fact-finding’ a way forward. Governor David Ige spoke at the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce’s virtual 23rd annual Governor’s Luncheon on Thursday, and answered questions regarding vaccination, unemployment, rental cars and tourism. Garden Island.

Vaccinations offered to homebound. The state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office is offering mobile vaccination services for homebound individuals. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Missile test postponed as Russian spy ship lingers off Hawaii coast, Maui council panel advances hotel construction moratorium, variants account for 90% of new coronavirus cases, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Russian ship Kareliya PC: U.S. Navy

Russian spy ship off Kauai results in postponed missile test. A Russian spy ship loitering in international waters off Kauai for several days has delayed a Missile Defense Agency missile test, officials said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Pride of America to resume isle cruises in November. Norwegian Cruise Line announced Wednesday that it plans to relaunch its seven­-day Hawaii cruises aboard the Honolulu-based Pride of America starting Nov. 6. Star-Advertiser.
 
Hawaii economic recovery seen picking up speed. Hawaii’s economy is improving at an accelerated pace and the state is now forecast to grow 3.5% this year as domestic visitor arrivals reach full recovery by the end of 2021. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Vacation rental occupancy exceeding stays in hotels. Vacation rental occupancy statewide topped Hawaii hotels again in April, continuing a seven-month trend that emerged in October after Safe Travels Hawaii allowed some visitors to bypass the state’s COVID-­19-related travel quarantine. Star-Advertiser.

Some Hawaii Farms Want To Keep Feeding Locals — Even As Tourism Returns. As the threat of COVID-19 subsides, some local food growers say they will continue to prioritize local families that kept them afloat during the pandemic over the tourism industry. Civil Beat.

Ige issues proclamation on period poverty as women, girls lack resources to sanitary products. Gov. David Ige issued a proclamation Wednesday to bring awareness to period poverty in Hawaii. The proclamation was made as women and girls face difficulty in acquiring access to sanitary products due to the financial constraints of the pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

While officials say the ‘end of the pandemic’ is near, health experts say it’s difficult to predict. Officials are beginning to say it out loud: the pandemic in Hawaii may soon be over. But, epidemiologists are keeping a close eye on variants and outbreaks in other countries. Hawaii News Now.

Most Of Hawaii’s Recent COVID-19 Cases Are From ‘Variants Of Concern’. The vaccines currently on the market are still effective in protecting against more contagious variants, officials say. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. KHON2.

Hawaii sees 50 new coronavirus cases as the statewide tally climbs to 35,974. The state’s official coronavirus-related death toll includes 384 fatalities on Oahu, 54 on Maui, 53 on Hawaii Island, two on Kauai, and three Hawaii residents who died outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Mayor Rick Blangiardi working on modifications to Tier 4. Oahu could be moving to Tier 4 of its reopening plan in a few days, pending Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s submission of a proposal for Gov. David Ige’s approval. Star-Advertiser.

'It's Disappointing.' Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi Wants Answers from HPD. Mayor Rick Blangiardi addressed the rift between him and Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard Wednesday. KITV4.

Judge orders release of full body camera footage for Nuuanu shooting. A judge is ordering HPD to turn over unedited police body cam footage in connection with the shooting that left 29-year-old Lindani Myeni dead in Nuuanu in April. KITV4.

Honolulu police shoot felon wanted on warrants. Honolulu police shot and critically wounded on Tuesday a 27-year-old felon who pulled out a handgun and pointed it at officers who were trying to arrest him in connection with two outstanding warrants, police said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Effort to protect key Oahu farmland paused for legal review. The state Land Use Commission has paused a highly contentious effort to potentially preserve 41,407 acres of privately owned farmland on Oahu as important agricultural land. Star-Advertiser.

New $160 million state hospital facility set to accept patients in August. A long-awaited 144-bed psychiatric facility at the Hawaii State Hospital, which for decades has been plagued by overcrowding and assaults on staff by patients, is set to begin housing its first patients in August. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea Volcano Stops Erupting After Months of Lava. Kilauea, which had been erupting at its summit crater since December, has “paused” producing new lava, the USGS said. The latest eruption had produced a new lava lake at the summit. Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Perreira appeals fire chief selection, says process wasn’t ‘fair and transparent’. The acting fire chief who was passed over for the permanent position is appealing the Fire Commission’s selection process. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island Paddlesports Association, Kona Sailing Club leases in question. On the agenda for Friday’s Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting includes a request to authorize the sale of the leases held by each organization at public auction. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Bill to pause hotel permits advances. A Maui County Council committee on Tuesday voted to recommend approval for a bill that would place a moratorium on building permits for visitor accommodations. Passed out of the Climate Action, Resilience and Environment Committee with a 4-2 vote, the measure would pause visitor accommodation development in West and in South Maui until community plans are updated or in two years, whichever is sooner. The proposal now heads to full council. Maui News.

Country Market at Waikapū to Open at Former Maui Tropical Plantation Store. The business, located at the former Maui Tropical Plantation Store, is made possible through a collaboration between Kumu Farms and Maui ʻOma Coffee Roasting Co. Maui Now.

Officials investigate suspicious death of 2 monk seals on Molokai. Both of the seals — a 4-year-old male, RJ08, and 3-year-old female, RK92 — were found dead on April 27 on the west side of Molokai, according to officials. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Council hears FY22 budget concerns. Residents, Wednesday, again expressed concerns for the county’s upcoming fiscal year 2022 Capital Improvement Projects budget lacking more avenues for waste diversion. Garden Island.

COVID-19 restrictions remain in parks. Polihale State Park remains open for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, but the state Department of Land and Natural Resources reminds locals and visitors to follow the rules in state parks over the weekend. Garden Island.