Nearly 6,000 small, deep earthquakes recorded near Pahala since August 2019
Nearly 6,000 earthquakes have been recorded in the past eight months beneath Kilauea’s lower Southeast Rift Zone near Pahala in Ka‘u.
Irene Hirano Inouye, widow of US senator from Hawaii, dies
HONOLULU — Irene Hirano Inouye, the widow of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii and the founding CEO of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, has died. She was 71.
Maui County reports coronavirus cluster among hospital staff; statewide case count reaches 435
HONOLULU — Health officials said Wednesday they have identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases at Maui island’s only hospital as it disclosed 15 employees of the facility have tested positive.
Jobless claims report Thursday could hit 7 million or higher
WASHINGTON — The government is set to report another shocking level of unemployment claims Thursday even after nearly 10 million people applied for benefits in the previous two weeks because of business shutdowns from the coronavirus. The number will likely keep increasing, in part because many states are still clearing out backlogs of applications for unemployment aid. And with more companies running through their cash cushions as the virus-related shutdowns persist, they are resorting to layoffs to save money.
Girl who inspired Charlotte’s Web marijuana oil dies
DENVER — A girl with a rare form of epilepsy whose recovery inspired the name of a medical marijuana oil that drew families of children with similar health problems to Colorado for treatment has died after being hospitalized and treated as a likely coronavirus patient, her mother said Wednesday. Charlotte Figi was 13.
Congress in standoff on virus aid, but first checks coming
WASHINGTON — Congress is rushing headlong into a conflict over the next coronavirus aid package as the White House wants to pump $250 billion into a small business fund but opposes Democrats’ proposal to tack on billions for protective gear, food stamps and support to state and local governments.
HHS: Federal stocks of protective equipment nearly depleted
WASHINGTON — The Strategic National Stockpile is nearly out of the N95 respirators, surgical masks, face, shields, gowns and other medical supplies desperately needed to protect front-line medical workers treating coronavirus patients.
How to keep your coronavirus face mask clean
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a growing number of state officials are now recommending that people wear face coverings or masks when out doing essential tasks such as grocery shopping and going to medical appointments.
Some doctors moving away from ventilators for virus patients
NEW YORK — As health officials around the world push to get more ventilators to treat coronavirus patients, some doctors are moving away from using the breathing machines when they can.
Sanders drops 2020 bid, leaving Biden as likely nominee
WASHINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders, who saw his once strong lead in the Democratic primary evaporate as the party’s establishment lined swiftly up behind rival Joe Biden, ended his presidential bid on Wednesday, acknowledging the former vice president is too far ahead for him to have any reasonable hope of catching up.
Even as virus deaths mount, governments eye exit strategies
NEW YORK — Even as coronavirus deaths continue to mount across Europe, New York and other hot spots, the U.S. and other governments are slowly beginning to envision an exit strategy and contemplating a staggered and carefully calibrated relaxation of the restrictions designed to curb the scourge.
Protective masks, gloves worth $250K stolen from Oahu firm
HONOLULU — A Honolulu health care company was the victim of a theft of personal protective equipment valued at $250,000, the firm’s president said.
Kauai mayor: Florida man flouting quarantine was ‘Covidiot’
HONOLULU — Kauai’s mayor is calling a Florida man accused of trying to flout Hawaii’s traveler quarantine a “covidiot.”
Hawaiian monk seal dies during treatment at mammal center
HONOLULU (AP) — A Hawaiian monk seal has died from a parasitic disease while in treatment at a marine center, an official said.
Pandemic deals blow to plastic bag bans, plastic reduction
PORTLAND, Ore. — Just weeks ago, cities and even states across the U.S. were busy banning straws, limiting takeout containers and mandating that shoppers bring reusable bags or pay a small fee as the movement to eliminate single-use plastics took hold in mainstream America.
Hawaii County to restrict some services at transfer stations
Starting next week, Hawaii County transfer stations will have reduced functionality until the end of the month in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Letters to the Editor: April 8, 2020
A safer idea for grocery stores
Dan Rodricks: Put Peace Corps volunteers to work on US soil to fight COVID-19
Because of coronavirus, the Peace Corps called more than 7,300 volunteers home from 60 countries and left them stranded in our collapsed economy with no jobs, no unemployment benefits and, after a couple of months, no health insurance.
Kanealii-Kleinfelder pulls papers for mayoral race: Puna Councilman still to decide his political future
If you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself. Or perhaps it’s just a shot over the bow that Puna Councilman Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder made by pulling nomination papers to run for mayor.
