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Japan’s tough COVID restrictions hindering Hawaii tourism rebound.

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Accessed on 19 May 2022, 2020 UTC.

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5.19.2022

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Governor: Japan’s tough Covid restrictions hindering Hawai‘i tourism rebound
Gov. David Ige recently traveled to Japan and he says many Japanese want to come to Hawai‘i, but returning to Japan is a huge hassle due to Covid. This is because Japan is requiring post-arrival testing, which often causes long wait times for travelers. Hawaii News Now.
Below-average hurricane season predicted for Central Pacific region

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center on Wednesday predicted that the region will see two to four tropical cyclones during the hurricane season that starts June 1. A big reason for the prediction of a below-normal season is the sustained presence of so-called La Niña weather patterns this year in the Pacific. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kaiser Permanente’s Hawaii mental health clinicians strike
Kaiser Permanente’s Hawaii mental health clinicians launched a three-day strike Wednesday amid stalled contract negotiations. Workers are pressing for better compensation packages and say that Kaiser’s current proposal would result in a wage freeze for more than 60% of its mental health workforce, as well as cuts to retirement and health benefits. Star-Advertiser. West Hawaii Today.

New partnership uses technology to prove origins of Hawaiʻi coffee — and stop counterfeits
The Hawaiʻi Coffee Association has signed an agreement with product traceability company Oritain to build a statewide coffee origin database. The association hopes that verifying where coffee comes from will not only help local growers with marketing but also stop counterfeiters. Hawaii Public Radio.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Coloring Books Raise Awareness of Local Animals
Che Frausto launched Advance Wildlife Education as a way to educate young people and others about local animals and how to protect them. He says the company combines his passions for wildlife and art… read more.

OʻAHU

A look at the 4 finalists for Honolulu’s police chief
The four finalists — Scott Ebner, Mike Lambert, Joe Logan and Ben Moszkowicz — are set to answer questions from the public during a televised forum Thursday on PBS Hawai‘i, marking the first time the community will hear from the men still in the running to lead the city’s police force of nearly 2,000 officers. Civil Beat. KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Korean firm bids to buy Makaha Valley resort site
A South Korean conglomerate branching into the resort business has made a bid to buy much of Makaha Valley where development plans linked with golf superstar Tiger Woods fizzled in recent years. Star-Advertiser.

This Honolulu architect admitted to bribery. But he still has his license
Despite pleading guilty to a job-related felony, William Wong was able to renew his license for another two years. The state board that oversees his employment needs a conviction in hand before it can discipline Wong, and it doesn’t consider him convicted until he is sentenced. Civil Beat.

Honolulu mayor says a new mask mandate is a ‘possibility’
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blackgirdi said Wednesday that he might consider implementing a mask mandate after the Covid-19 case count rose for the eighth week in a row. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Jury convicts man who attacked elderly security guard at Covid testing site
An O‘ahu Circuit Court jury on Tuesday found a 28-year-old man, who refused to wear a mask at a Covid-19 testing site, guilty of second-degree assault in the beating of a 71-year-old security guard. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Investigation shows Hawai‘i prison officials tried to cover up errors leading up to an inmate’s death
The internal affairs report claimed staff had been trained in suicide prevention policies, and a guard made the required cell checks. Neither was true, and an inmate died. Civil Beat.

City worker who may have been exposed to radiation hired attorney days before his death
A city maintenance worker who may have been exposed to radiation while fixing a tire on a garbage truck hired a high-profile attorney just 10 days before his death. The development comes as investigations into Charles Kuailani’s cause of death continue. Hawaii News Now.

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Oceania’s Climate Renaissance

Native Hawaiian artist, Solomon Enos creates a dynamic new WaikīkI in the year 2050, a place that has become an amazing model of climate change adaptation… read more.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND

Council approves new housing programs, but not charter amendment to pay for them
A bill adding eligible programs for county housing funds was passed on final reading Wednesday by the County Council, but a companion measure proposing a charter amendment to lock in funding was shot down by a council majority. West Hawaii Today.

DHHL breaks ground on Kaʻu water system improvements
Improvements by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to an existing Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply system in Kaʻu will soon connect pastoral homestead lessees in the Kamaʻoa Homestead to water service. Tribune-Herald.

Sniffing out Covid: Schools take part in pilot program starring Cobra the canine
Three Hawai‘i Island public charter schools have a new tool for detecting Covid-19 on campus — an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois named Cobra. Tribune-Herald.

As Covid cases climb, HMC sees increase in keiki infections
In May, more than 20 children between the ages of 0-5 have been admitted to the Hilo Medical Center Emergency Room for Covid-related illnesses, the highest of any age group. Tribune-Herald.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
5 Steps to Doing More with Less
Lots of companies nationwide have suffered from the Great Resignation, and local businesses are among the hardest hit. Many are forced to do more with less and make the most of the workers they still have. Here is what an employer... read more.

MAUI COUNTY

With funds running dry, temporary Maui homeless shelter to shut down
Wahi Hoomalu O Wailuku off Waiale Road, a temporary homeless shelter in Maui, is out of funds and in danger of shutting down. Family Life Center said they are working with those living in the pallet housing now to get them into permanent homes or treatment centers. Hawaii News Now.

KAUAʻI

‘Save Koloa’ sues county, condo developer
Local nonprofits are suing Kaua‘i County and a mainland property developer, escalating controversy surrounding a planned condominium complex on the island’s South Shore. Garden Island.

MAY 2022 ISSUE