Welcome to the Hawaii State News update from Hawaii News Digest.
Top Story: New virus testing kits should arrive in Hawaii next week, enabling state health officials to test for the new coronavirus.
Views expressed in this Hawaii News summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.
Content supplied by the “Honolulu Star-Advertiser” and the Associated Press.
Accessed on 28 February 2020, 0100 UTC, Post 20337.
Source:
https://www.staradvertiser.com/category/breaking-news/
Please click link or scroll down to read your selections.
TOP NEWS
Hawaii expects to be able to test for new coronavirus next week
State officials has been eager to test for COVID-19 for weeks but haven’t been able to because the CDC sent defective test kits. Read more
Kauai Councilman Arthur Brun and 11 others indicted for drug trafficking
Kauai police worked with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Attorney’s Office; and FBI on the investigation. Read more
Federal health workers responding to coronavirus lacked training and protective gear, whistleblower alleges
Some of the exposed staff federal health workers moved freely around, with at least one person staying in a nearby hotel and leaving California on a commercial flight, the whistleblower says. Read more
Grand jury indicts man on charges of killing his Mililani mother and dog
An Oahu grand jury indicted a 33-year-old man today for allegedly killing his 74-year-old mother and her dog in Mililani. Read more
Downed telephone pole closes Dillingham Boulevard near Mokauea Street
The closure began this morning. Read more
Dow closes down nearly 1,200 points on coronavirus fears
The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank nearly 1,200 points today, deepening a weeklong global market rout caused by worries that the coronavirus outbreak will wreak havoc on the global economy. Read more
Japan moves to close schools nationwide to control spread of coronavirus
The move to shut schools appeared to be an abrupt reversal of the more cautious stance the Abe administration had taken on the virus. Read more
Wind and rain for Hawaiian Islands to ratchet up heading into weekend
As the upper-level low moves overhead, forecacasters expect “very cold temperatures aloft” to bring some brief, heavy showers, and possible thunderstorms to the isles and snow to Big Isle summits. Read more
Report of armed man near Campbell High School prompted lockdown for area schools, police say
Campbell High School, Ilima Intermediate School, Pohakea Elementary School and Kaimiloa Elementary School were briefly put on lockdown this morning. Read more
Former Hawaii man driving for child rideshare in Vegas faces charges
Ranier Salcedo Braga, 50, was not asked to enter a plea to misdemeanor unlawful contact and luring a minor charges stemming from alleged comments to the girl that Justice of the Peace Ann Zimmerman characterized as “disturbing, if true” and “entirely inappropriate.” Read more
Notes raise questions about Loughlin ‘bribe’ in college scandal
Today was an eventful day in a college admissions scandal that has riveted the nation. Read more
Virus outbreak spreads in France with 20 new cases
French authorities have reported twenty new cases of people infected with the new virus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total in the country to 38, including two deaths. Read more
Hawaii tourism had a strong January, but impact of coronavirus seen in Chinese market
Visitor arrivals from China, the country that’s been hit the hardest by the coronavirus, were down by 20% and spending dropped nearly 2%. Read more
New coronavirus case in California may be first in U.S. from unknown origin
California officials said the person is a resident of Solano County, northeast of San Francisco, and is getting medical care in Sacramento County. Read more
Hawaii football team’s 2020 schedule will conclude with back-to-back road games
The University of Hawaii football team will end the 2020 regular season with back-to-back road games, according to the schedule released today by the Mountain West Conference. Read more
Diamond Princess couples from Hawaii free of coronavirus near end of quarantine
Two Hawaii couples who were on the Diamond Princess cruise ship and currently quarantined in a California military base are free of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Read more
Chamorros who suffered 1940s war atrocities on Guam get paid
Payments of $10,000 to $25,000 — federal tax money normally reserved for Guam’s coffers — will be made to those who underwent forced labor or internment, suffered severe injury or rape, or lost loved ones during the U.S. territory’s nearly three-year occupation. A 1951 peace treaty forgave Japan of the responsibility to pay reparations. Read more
Hawaii added nearly 2,500 solar jobs in 2019, ranked 10th in growth, report says
Hawaii ranked 5th for solar jobs per capita, and No. 28 for the number of solar jobs nationwide. Read more
Plácido Domingo revises apology, as Spain drops more shows
Opera star Placido Domingo amended his apology to the multiple women who have accused him of sexual misconduct, adding several caveats to a statement he gave two days earlier. Read more
Congress eyes billions in funding to fight coronavirus
Capitol Hill negotiations on emergency spending to combat the coronavirus outbreak are likely to produce a bill that’s double or even triple the $2.5 billion plan requested by President Donald Trump just days ago. Read more
Maryknoll School President Perry Martin announces resignation
Perry Martin will leave the school to become president of a Catholic school on the mainland. Read more
For the latest Hawaii State, Hawaii Island, West Hawaii, and Hawaii Sports News, please check the blog sidebars and links. These news feeds are updated daily. Thanks for joining us today.
Until next time,
Russ Roberts