Welcome to the West Hawaii News update from Hawaii News Digest.
Top Story: State epidemiologist Sarah Park says Hawaii could begin testing for coronavirus as early as next week.
Views expressed in this Hawaii News summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.
Content supplied by “West Hawaii Today.”
Accessed on 28 February 2020, 1520 UTC, Post 20340.
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https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/category/hawaii-news/
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State aims to start coronavirus testing next week
Hawaii could begin testing for COVID-19 as early as next week, state epidemiologist Sarah Park said Thursday during a Facebook Live stream with Gov. David Ige.
Coming together to give back
A growing number of homeless individuals are coming together to give back to the community through the HONOUR program.
Parks fees increases proposed
State Parks officials are proposing increases to parks-related fees, including upping camping and cabin charges for all users and modifying entrance and parking fees for nonresidents, in an effort to bolster revenue.
Hawaii expects to be able to test for new virus next week
HONOLULU Hawaiis epidemiologist said Thursday the state should be ready to begin testing for the coronavirus next week, while a Senate committee approved $10.5 million in emergency spending to respond to the outbreak.
County official in Kauai charged in federal meth probe
HONOLULU Law enforcement officials in Hawaii are charging a Kauai councilman and 11 others with crimes including conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine.
Rescued California sea lions now at Oahu aquatic park
HONOLULU Two sea lions rescued off the coast of California are making their debut at a new home in an Oahu aquatic park.
Measure to protect refs, coaches gains momentum
One of two bills introduced in the state Senate seeking harsher penalties for parents, spectators and athletes who assault or terrorize sports officials such as referees, umpires and coaches cleared its only committee hurdle Tuesday.
E-waste recycling program in jeopardy
Hawaii Countys e-waste program is drastically over budget and may have to be halted if more funding isnt found soon, local contractor Mr. Ks Recycle and Redemption Center told the Environmental Management Commission on Wednesday.
CIP budget includes more than $140M for Big Island projects
Funding for two major Hawaii Island road projects is among more than $4.9 billion in capital improvement projects funds approved Wednesday by the state House Committee on Finance.
PGV restart pushed back to second half of 2020
Ormat Technologies Inc. is continuing its efforts to resume operation of Puna Geothermal Venture, company leaders said Wednesday during a fourth-quarter and 2019 year-end earnings update.
State takes proactive approach with virus
Although there are still no confirmed cases of coronavirus infection in the state, officials believe it is only a matter of time before the epidemic reaches Hawaii.
Ka‘u man sentenced to prison for sex assault
A 36-year-old Kau man indicted by a Kona grand jury for a 2017 sexual assault of a minor while serving an intermittent prison sentence for similar charges back to 2011 was sentenced Monday in Kona Circuit Court.
Mom of missing kids waives extradition; bail stays at $5M
HONOLULU Bail will remain at $5 million for a mother arrested on Kauai over the disappearance of her two Idaho children, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Hawaiian Airlines suspends South Korea flights amid outbreak
HONOLULU Hawaiian Airlines said Wednesday it would suspend flights to South Korea amid a spike in cases of the new coronavirus and declining demand for tickets in the country.
Police seek public’s help locating missing Pahoa man last seen in 2016
Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the publics assistance in locating a 37-year-old Pahoa man who was reported missing.
National audit cites concerns over Hawaii union spending
HONOLULU A national labor union conducted an audit of its organization in Hawaii and found what it said is excessive spending and a lack of transparency by some staff.
Honolulu police department suspends ex chief’s half-brother
HONOLULU The Honolulu Police Department stripped police authority from the half-brother of the departments former chief following his arrest due to an altercation between the two men.
Water managers hold the line on budget
The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply is holding the line on its budget, projecting a 0.5% decrease compared to this year.
Makalei ambulance bill advances
An ambulance for the Makalei area moved one step closer to reality Tuesday after a measure to fund and staff the proposal was passed by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
West Hawaii beach cleanup slated March 7
Jeff Fear and the Big Island Wave Riders Against Drugs have been on a mission to clean up West Hawaii beaches for the past 27 years.