Welcome to the West Hawaii News update from Hawaii News Digest.
Top Story: A $103 million bond issue “breezes through” council committee to raise money for road construction.
Views expressed in this Hawaii News summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.
Content supplied by “West Hawaii Today.”
Accessed on 13 March 2020, 1525 UTC, Post 20413.
Source:
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/category/hawaii-news/
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$103M bond issue breezes through council committee
The County Council has nothing but aloha for a $103 million bond measure to raise money for road construction.
Flurry of blows to tourism
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 in Hawaii.
‘I’m just worried’: Continued cruise ship visits have Lt. Gov. concerned about patient surge capacity
While the decision to halt cruise ship visits is out of Lt. Gov. Josh Greens hands, the West Hawaii doctor is worried that neighbor islands may not have the capacity to handle a surge of presumptive positive COVID-19 cases from a vessel making call.
Coronavirus causes cancellations
A Kona kumu hula whose halau was set to compete at the 57th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival said he thinks the cancellation of the festival is the best decision for our people, our culture and the safety of everybody.
Hilo man reported missing
Hawaii Island police are searching for a 44-year-old Hilo man who was reported missing.
Upheaval forecast for Hawaii travel industry amid virus
HONOLULU A University of Hawaii economist on Thursday predicted only about half of Hawaiis hotel rooms will be filled with travelers over the next few months if were lucky as the new coronavirus depresses tourism.
Bill proposes state purchase, conserve Maui watershed land
HONOLULU A bill in the state Senate would earmark $4 million to buy land in a Maui watershed for conservation.
Sanctuary: Hawaii had 9 whale, boat collisions last season
HONOLULU There were at least nine collisions between humpback whales and boats last season, a marine sanctuary said.
Merrie Monarch Festival canceled amid COVID-19 concerns
The 2020 Merrie Monarch Festival has been cancelled due to concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus, according to a post this afternoon on its Facebook page.
Kona Brewers Festival canceled due to coronavirus
The 25th Kona Brewers Festival slated for Saturday has been canceled amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Princess Cruises suspends operations, canceling two Kona visits
Princess Cruises will suspend all cruise operations for two months in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which infected passengers on two of its ships earlier this year.
DOT officials say federal directive would be needed to ban cruise ships
The state has no jurisdiction to determine whether or not to close ports in Hawaii amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, state transportation officials said Wednesday.
Hoarding of cleaning and sanitation products frustrates customers, triggers purchase limits
While there has still been no confirmed case of COVID-19 infection on the Big Island, that hasnt stopped shortages of vital hygiene and cleaning supplies from frustrating shoppers.
Kim creates multi-agency COVID-19 task force
Mayor Harry Kim has named a multi-agency task force to tackle the likely spread of COVID-19 on the island.
Wind advisory posted for Big Island summits
A wind advisory has been posted for the Big Island summits through 6 p.m. Friday.
Kim names multi-agency COVID-19 task force
Mayor Harry Kim has named a multi-agency task force to tackle the likely spread of COVID-19 in the county.
Aviation groups lobby to maintain Oahu commercial airfield
HONOLULU Two national aviation organizations made requests to state and federal authorities to take steps that will extend the lifespan of a commercial airfield in Hawaii.
Kona man indicted in Leap Day stabbing
A 56-year-old Kona man has been indicted on attempted murder and other charges stemming from a reported stabbing Feb. 29 in Kailua Village.
Papaikou man accused of possessing nearly a pound of heroin
A 45-year-old Papaikou man accused of possessing nearly a pound of heroin faces 11 drug- and firearms-related charges, 10 of them felonies, after a federal search warrant was served March 4 on his Government Road home.
Volcano woman charged with two attempted carjackings
A 24-year-old Volcano woman accused of two attempted armed carjackings Friday evening in Hilo is facing 17 criminal charges, 16 of them felonies.