General News

Updated 7/20/20 at 12:35 p.m.

Hawaii's top health officials are advising residents to not travel to other states unless it’s necessary. There’s been a spike in the number of residents returning to state airports and an increase in those testing positive for COVID-19.

LIHUE, Hawaii — The Kauai Invasive Species Committee and other groups have conducted early detection, rapid response and control work this year on dozens of invasive plant and animal species as other activities and business operations have been restricted during the coronavirus pandemic.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is refusing to publicly commit to accepting the results of the upcoming White House election, recalling a similar threat he made weeks before the 2016 vote, as he scoffs at polls showing him lagging behind Democrat Joe Biden. Trump says it's too early to make such an ironclad guarantee.

Updated: 7/19/2020, 5:12 p.m.

The Hawaii Health Department today reported 28 new COVID-19 cases. The last time the state reported deaths was on Friday with two new deaths, bringing the total to 24. Of today's new cases, 26 are on Oahu, 2 on Hawaii Island.

LIHUE, Hawaii — Businesses on Kauai are offering large discounts to lure back customers after a near complete end to tourist visits to the Hawaiian island since the coronavirus outbreak in the spring.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Dr. Michael Saag spends much of his time treating patients fighting for their lives and working with colleagues who are overwhelmed and exhausted by the relentless battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dozens of Hawaii inmates housed at a private prison in southern Arizona are being monitored for COVID-19 symptoms, including some who had contact with inmates from Nevada who already tested positive.

Updated: 7/18/2020, 12:07 p.m.

The Hawaii Health Department today reported 20 new cases, following yesterday's two new deaths, which brought the state total to 24. Twenty-three new cases of COVID-19 were also reported yesterday. Of today's new cases, 15 are on Oahu, 2 on Hawaii Island and 3 are pending determination of location.

ATLANTA — John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement whose bloody beating by Alabama state troopers in 1965 helped galvanize opposition to racial segregation, and who went on to a long and celebrated career in Congress, died. He was 80.

Three Hawaii medical professionals have tested positive for COVID-19, including two hospital employees and a traveling doctor, officials said.

The Big Island medical workers included two Kona Community Hospital employees and a traveling doctor who worked briefly at Kau Hospital and Rural Health Clinic in Pahala.

Kau Hospital administrator Merilyn Harris said the doctor worked at the facility’s rural health clinic for two days and tested positive July 6 after feeling unwell.

Updated: 7/17/20 at 6:10 p.m.

Where we stand

The Hawai’i Health Department today reported two new deaths, bringing the state total to 24. Twenty-three new cases of COVID-19 were also reported. Twenty were reported on Oahu, 2 on Hawaii Island and 1 was diagnosed out of state.

Scientists planning to build one of the world’s largest telescopes on a Hawaii mountain said Wednesday construction won’t begin until at least next year.

A Honolulu businessman led a violent organized crime ring that committed acts including murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering and chemical weapons attacks, U.S. authorities said Wednesday.

Updated 7/16/20 at 12:10 p.m.

Where we stand

The Hawai’i Health Department reported 19 new cases of COVID-19 today. Sixteen cases are on Oahu, and three cases are pending. The number of deaths remains at 22.

Updated 7/15 at 12:30 p.m.

Does Hawaii have enough contact tracers to chase down COVID-19 cases? State Health Director Bruce Anderson says it depends. On Monday, he said the health department can handle the current case load of infections – including the recent spike in daily cases. However, if Hawaii sees 40 or 50 cases every day, he says that would stress his staff.

Hawaii has delayed its plans to reopen the state to more tourists given the surge in COVID-19 cases on the Mainland and locally. But Gov. David Ige says the state's public schools will reopen as scheduled on Aug. 4, although safety concerns still worry parents and teachers.

A vacation rental association and four homeowners have filed a federal lawsuit against the county of Maui claiming their rights have been violated by restrictions placed on short-term vacation rentals on the Hawaiian island of Molokai.

Updated: 07/14/2020, 1:11 p.m.

Where we stand

The Hawai’i Health Department reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 today. Nineteen cases are reported on Oahu, and three are on Hawaii Island. The number of deaths remains at 22.

Updated: 7/13/2020, 3:45 p.m.

Gov. David Ige said today the state will extend the travel quarantine another month, delaying plans to ease restrictions on visitors if they test negative before taking their flights to the islands. The moratorium on evictions that prevents renters from being forced out of homes for nonpaymet of rent will also be pushed to Sept. 1.

Researchers say a recently discovered species of seaweed is killing large patches of coral on once-pristine reefs and is rapidly spreading across one of the most remote and protected ocean environments on earth.

A company that Hawaii Senate President Ronald Kouchi owns shares in and is employed by received a small business coronavirus relief loan from the U.S. government, according to data released by the Small Business Administration.

NEW YORK — As coronavirus rages out of control in other parts of the U.S., New York is offering an example after taming the nation's deadliest outbreak this spring — while also trying to prepare in case another surge comes.

Updated: 7/12/2020, 12:38 p.m.

Where we stand

Hawaii saw 21 new reported COVID-19 cases today after yesterday's record-setting 42 infections. The high case counts in recent days are further casting a cloud over the state's plan to ease restrictions on tourism starting on Aug. 1.

Hawaii lawmakers on Friday wrapped up a legislative session upended by the coronavirus pandemic that forced weekslong breaks in proceedings, the state Capitol building to close and some meetings to be held via teleconference.