Tourism grinds to halt as virus restrictions tighten
HONOLULU — Like many cities across the world, Honolulu came to an eerie standstill this weekend as officials implemented measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic throughout the islands.
Kauai police seek man accused of destroying taro patch
WAINIHA — An unidentified man took a backhoe to a taro patch in northern Kauai, damaging a staple of the traditional Hawaiian diet, a local food supply and an attached water line affecting water service in the region, authorities said.
Testing continues as virus case count rises
A second pop-up drive-through testing clinic for COVID-19 was set up at the Old Kona Airport Park on Saturday as the state’s number of presumptive or positive cases reached 151.
Keep calm and sew on: Community comes together to make masks
Stay calm, and sew on.
Hotels close doors: Majority of Kona, Kohala properties shutter, furlough staff due to COVID-19
A majority of hotels from South Kona to South Kohala will be closed as of today because of the novel coronavirus.
COVID-19 confusion: County parks being evaluated for reopening
All county parks and park facilities are closed. Except for the Hilo Municipal Golf Course.
Two more Big Island cases; drive-through testing Saturday in Kona, Sunday in Hilo
Two more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed on Hawaii Island, state health officials said Friday, bringing the total number of diagnosed cases in the county to seven.
Getting worse
Just about every Big Island industry is struggling under the state’s lockdown of nonessential businesses.
Drive-through virus testing available Sunday in Hilo
Premier Medical Group and Bay Clinic, with the support of Hawaii County COVID-19 Task Force, will offer a drive-through screening and testing clinic.
Summer Fun registration postponed
Registration for the county Summer Fun program has been postponed until May 1, the Hawaii Parks and Recreation Department announced Friday.
Kailua-Kona woman arrested for violating stay-at-home order
Hawaii Island police have arrested an Ocean View man for several offenses in connection with a burglary of an Ocean View restaurant in Kaʻu.
Virus clouds prospects for Hawaii’s mental health reforms
HONOLULU — Among the business Hawaii lawmakers left unfinished when they abruptly suspended the Legislature to help slow the spread of the coronavirus were proposals to improve psychiatric care for the state’s mentally ill.
TMT protesters leave camp due to virus concerns
HONOLULU — Opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope project on Maunakea have pulled out of their camp due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.
Getting a better understanding: Second drive-through COVID-19 testing slated for Kona
A second pop-up drive-through testing clinic for COVID-19 will be set up at the Old Kona Airport Park on Saturday.
Books for kids: Kona Stories working to get educational materials out-of-school at-risk students
With schools shut down, a local book store is spearheading an effort to get educational materials to at-risk students forced to stay home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
State begins enforcing 14-day shelter-in-place order for arriving travelers
Hawaii officials looking at ways to reduce jail population amid virus
The Department of the Attorney General is coordinating a remote-access meeting of county and state prosecutors, public defenders and the judiciary to develop a plan for identifying certain categories of inmates for release from state jails.
Young Brothers to stop taking nonessential cargo
To ensure uninterrupted service to all ports, Young Brothers said it is “required to take further steps to ensure the health and safety of customers and employees.”
Travelers landing in Hawaii find tough quarantine rules
HONOLULU — Travelers landing in Hawaii Thursday found a new requirement that they hole up in hotel rooms or their homes for 14 days to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
Tourism-dependent Hawaii hit by unemployment during pandemic
HONOLULU — Chef Lee Anne Wong had to make a choice: Keep her Hawaii restaurant employees working during the pandemic or close Koko Head Cafe in order to keep paying their health insurance for one more month.