Clouds forming over Hawaii’s economy

Official in charge of Hawai‘i’s COVID-19 contact tracing resigns
Emily Roberson, an epidemiologist, was hired last year to revamp Hawai‘i’s COVID-19 contact tracing efforts. Department of Health spokeswoman Janice Okubo said that Roberson left her position April 1. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i closer to declaring a ‘climate emergency’
The latest version of Senate Concurrent Resolution 44 would declare a climate emergency and request an “emergency mobilization effort to restore a safe climate.” The resolution was passed by the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i expects to meet Biden’s new goal of offering vaccines to all adults by April 19
The state remains in 1c of its vaccine campaign, restricting shots to people 60 and older and certain essential workers, although those rules are still being applied only on O‘ahu. Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i counties widened the eligibility pool Monday. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

CDC finds spread among youth sports, Hawai‘i pediatrician says play on
While the Rainbow Warriors are regularly tested for COVID-19, youth sports in Hawai‘i are generally not. KHON2.
Entire UH football team heads to quarantine following eight positive tests. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. Honolulu Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

UH grad student becomes first Pacific Islander to reach ocean’s deepest point
Nicole Yamase, who is a PhD candidate with the Marine Biology Graduate Program, dove to the Mariana Trench in the Western Pacific Ocean, in a 224-foot research submersible called “The Challenger Deep.” KHON2.

Here’s how Hawai‘i’s new state budget is shaping up
With just a few weeks left in session, both the House and Senate plan to bail out Hawai‘i employers and pass some tax increases. Civil Beat.

Transition to 10-digit dialing to begin on April 24
April 24 through Oct. 23, 2021 is a permissive dialing period when 10-digit dialing is encouraged but seven-digit calls will still go through. Beginning on Oct. 24, 2021 callers in Hawai‘i must dial 10 digits (area code + telephone number) or local calls will be not be completed. Maui Now.

Public reviews proposed rules for short-term rentals
A public hearing Tuesday on the city’s plan to give permits to about 1,700 O‘ahu homeowners to operate bed-and-breakfast units raised the question of whether the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting can be trusted to distribute the permits fairly. Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Home prices on O‘ahu surge closer to $1 million median
O‘ahu’s housing market had another breakout month in March with a record $950,000 single-family home median sale price and an eye-popping number of condominium sales. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

City starts fixing Kaka‘ako streets owned by state
Two oversize city pothole patching crews descended on perhaps the worst streets in Kaka‘ako on Tuesday to smooth over a problem that has vexed area residents and business owners for several years. Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

State crews clear out more than 30 homeless camps at Diamond Head
DLNR worked with case workers from the Institute for Human Services, the City T.E.A.M. Work Hawaii program and UH social work students to assist in outreach and notification to homeless individuals prior to the clean-up. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

In this interview, they discuss how the architecture, construction, and engineering industry approaches resilience towards climate change… read more.

Plan calls for 6 low-income housing projects to begin this year
The county will spend nearly $6 million in federal funds on six low-income housing projects this year, according to an action plan presented to a County Council committee. Tribune-Herald.

USA Women’s Water Polo Team donates lane course, valued at $5,500, to county
A gift from the USA Women’s Water Polo Team could result in the County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation implementing a youth water polo program on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

Resolution for lava zone insurance study gets lukewarm support
One insurance provider, the Hawaii Property Insurance Association, offers coverage to new clients, which allows HPIA to set its prices high. Puna Councilman Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder said he hopes his resolution can allow Hawai‘i County to explore potential ways to stabilize insurance rates within those lava zones. Tribune-Herald.

West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery slated for expansion
The state budget includes $500,000 in general obligation bonds from the state and $4.4 million in authorized federal funds set aside for a total of $4.9 million over a two year period. West Hawaii Today.

Bills would reserve half of all beach parking for residents, tack on parking fees for visitors
County Council Vice-Chairwoman Keani Rawlins-Fernandez said she envisions a beach parking program where resident vehicles will get stickers or another identification to allow access, or where parking fee machines are added, similar to Ahihi-Kina’u, that scan Hawai‘i driver’s licenses and print tickets for dashboard display. Enforcement would be funded by nonresident parking fees. Maui News.

Moloka‘i librarian goes above and beyond for students
Moloka‘i High School’s Diane Mokuau was one of two librarians nationwide to receive the 2021 School Librarian of the Year Award, which is presented by School Library Journal and sponsored by Scholastic Book Fairs. Maui News.

Timbers embraces community throughout pandemic
Timbers Kaua‘i at Hokuala’s corporate responsibility includes giving back to the local community through ongoing partnerships with Sustainable Coastlines Kaua‘i for continued support to keep beaches and coastlines clean, and the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust to preserve the island’s most special places, including coastal lands, cultural landscapes, watersheds and scenic vistas. Garden Island.

Kōke‘e Nature Trail trampled Easter weekend
On Easter weekend, three unidentified groups hosted egg hunts and other events along the trail. The result was devastating for the native plants, according to Chris Faye, executive director of Hui o Laka, a nonprofit that operates the Koke‘e Museum. Garden Island.