Isle lawmakers hear dire forecasts
The newly created House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness heard a grim assessment Thursday morning of the near-term prospects for the Hawaiʻi economy, and was also warned that unemployment claims are already beginning to increase. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.Hawaii News Now.Hawaii Public Radio.Civil Beat.Big Island Now.
State has tested only 32 for coronavirus
Hawaiʻi health officials have contacted roughly 350 people who have been exposed to the new coronavirus, but only 32 individuals have been tested. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
The visitor industry braces for layoffs and lawmakers rush to help
People with jobs related to tourism are already suffering from the drop in visitor arrivals. KHON2.
The shutdown of a major cruise line in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is salt in the wounds of many struggling tourism-related businesses. Tribune-Herald.
State spends $260K on hand sanitizing dispensers/supply at airports
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is installing 250 hand sanitizing dispensers with more than 12,000 boxes of anti-bacterial solution that will be placed in high passenger volume areas throughout the airports statewide. Maui Now.Big Island Video News.
Coronavirus prompts correctional facilities to suspend inmate visits
All correctional facilities are suspending personal visits starting Friday in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 disease, Department of Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda announced today. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.Maui Now.
Judge finds Kawananakoa unfit to manage financial affairs
A judge ruled Thursday that Campbell Estate heiress Abigail Kawananakoa is mentally unfit to handle her own financial affairs. Following a three-day hearing in 1st Circuit Court, Judge James Ashford issued an order saying a conservator should be appointed to oversee the personal finances of the 93-year-old descendent of Hawaiian royalty. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.Civil Beat.
Minimum wage bill clears first senate hurdle
Several state senators think a $13 an hour minimum wage by 2024 doesn’t go far enough to help residents cope with Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living. Civil Beat.
HAWAII BUSINESS Tackling Hawaiʻi’s Health Challenges
Six local leaders in health care discuss coronavirus, health disparities, tomorrow’s doctors and nurses, and more at Hawaii Business Magazine CHANGE event… read more.
OʻAHU
Coronavirus top of mind as Honolulu Budget Committee begins review of budget plan
A Honolulu City Council committee kicked off a review of Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s multi-billion dollar budget plan on Thursday. Caldwell is proposing a $2.98 billion operating budget and $1.27 billion capital improvements budget for fiscal year 2021. Hawaiʻi Public Radio.
Virus outbreak is no excuse to not to pay property tax
Thousands of Hawaiʻi residents could lose their jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic, but Honolulu property owners are still expected to pay their property taxes as usual. Property owners who don’t pay could lose their homes to foreclosure, the city’s budget director says. Civil Beat.
Amid outbreak, state’s first regional treatment center opens in Kāneʻohe
New safety procedures are now in place at Kāneʻohe’s largest medical office building. Starting Thursday, every person entering Adventist Health Castle Professional Center is screened for signs of the coronavirus. Hawaii News Now.
Queen’s Medical Center turns ‘disaster tents’ into outdoor coronavirus triage center
The Queen’s Medical Center opened two “disaster tents” outside in its ambulance bay today to evaluate and test patients for the novel coronavirus while keeping them separated from Queen’s emergency room patients. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
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.
