FBI Arrests Kealoha Pal Mike Miske for Murder
UHERO--Recovery may take decade
Federal Lawsuit Challenges Revocation of Molokai TVR Permits
Hawaii: Legislature Adjourns, Mag Ban and Ammo Checks Defeated!
COVID Count: 22 new cases out of 1,487 tests
COFA: United States Holds Second Round of Compact Consultations
Hawaii: Highest Energy Costs, Lowest Energy Consumption
First experimental coronavirus vaccine poised for final testing
AP: … The first COVID-19 vaccine tested in the U.S. revved up people’s immune systems just the way scientists had hoped, researchers reported today — as the shots are poised to begin key final testing.
“No matter how you slice this, this is good news,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease expert, told The Associated Press.
The experimental vaccine, developed by Fauci’s colleagues at the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., will start its most important step around July 27: A 30,000-person study to prove if the shots really are strong enough to protect against the coronavirus….
Big Q: What do you think of the delayed reopening of trans-Pacific tourism until Sept. 1? -- 53% “Likely to be delayed again”
read … First experimental coronavirus vaccine poised for final testing
Governor details how he plans to shore up $2.3B budget shortfall
HNN: … During the pandemic, tele-work has become common place with businesses realizing many employees don’t need to come into an office to do their jobs.
It’s a shift that Ige says has the potential to decrease the state’s dependency on tourism.
Over the next fiscal year, the Council on Revenues projects Hawaii will face a $2.3 billion budget shortfall.
To make up for it, the governor confirms the state will borrow between $750 million and $1 billion from the US Treasury.
“The actual cost to the state is low,” Ige said. “The challenge is the term is very short. We would have to repay the loan in three years.”
The state also plans to substitute bonds for construction projects that were previously funded with cash. “So we’ve identified $300 million of those kinds of projects,” Ige said.
Even with the changes, the state still needs to come up with nearly $1 billion….
The governor says lawmakers plan to make budget cuts to state agencies. He says labor savings would be a last resort ― either through cutting jobs or furloughs….
read … Governor details how he plans to shore up $2.3B budget shortfall
$100M Housing Fund to Provide $600/mo When Federal Benefits Run Out
CB: … It also prompted a subcommittee to get to work early looking at how to prevent people from falling off the economic cliff. Led by James Koshiba of the nonprofit housing advocacy group Hui Aloha, the subcommittee on housing drafted a report showing how a housing fund could help soften the fall for people.
That report became the foundation for a legislative appropriation of $100 million for a housing fund from federal relief money, Saiki said. That will provide up to $500 per month, and unemployed people also can receive another $100 on top of state unemployment payments.
All this won’t make up for the $600 per week in federal money that dries up at the end of July. But it’s something….
read … How This Special Legislative Committee Has Worked To Keep Hawaii’s Economy Afloat
June bankruptcies in Hawaii surged amid COVID crisis
SA: … Bankruptcy cases in June jumped 21.8% to 151 from 124 in the year-ago period to reach their highest monthly total this year and end a decline of four straight months, according to new data released by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Hawaii. The 151 cases were up nearly 35% from May and were the most since there were 162 filings in October last year.
Economists and bankruptcy attorneys had been projecting an increase, but the numbers had been muted due to federal aid programs and unemployment benefits that were keeping individuals and businesses from going under….
read … June bankruptcies in Hawaii surged amid COVID crisis
Maui County: More study needed on short-term rental caps for Maui, Lanai
MN: …The current caps for short-term rental permits in each district and the council’s proposed reductions are as follows: Hana, 30 to 23; Kihei-Makena, 100 (revised cap still to be decided); Makawao-Pukalani-Kula, 40 to 11; Wailuku-Kahului, 36 to 6; West Maui, 88 to 63; and Lanai, no cap to 20. The Paia-Haiku district cap is being proposed to stay at 55 after it was reduced last year from 88.
In February, the council adopted a law eliminating short-term rental permits on Molokai. The island’s 17 existing permits will remain valid through the end of the year. The Maui Vacation Rental Association and four Molokai homeowners have filed a federal lawsuit against the county over the bill.….
Related: Federal Lawsuit Challenges Revocation of Molokai TVR Permits
read … Panel: More study needed on short-term rental caps
70% Hawaii parents say their kids didn’t learn as much with ‘distance education’, survey shows
SA: …About 70% of families report that their children learned “much less” or “somewhat less” when public school campuses were closed last quarter to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, new survey results show.
And a solid majority — 84% — want their kids back in school this fall at least for some days each week.
The figures come from an online survey conducted by Panorama Education for the Hawaii Department of Education that garnered 32,572 responses from parents and guardians through June 30. Families could fill out one survey for each child they had in public school….
Related: HIDOE Distance-Learning Survey Insights and Findings
SA Editorial: Consensus vital to reopen schools
read … Most Hawaii parents want kids in school at least part time, survey shows
6-foot rule means fewer kids in school
HTH: … Ka‘u-Keaau-Pahoa Complex Area Superintendent Chad Keone Farias said the new guidelines have made many principals in his complex area take a second look at their reopening plans.
Many school plans were based on students being distanced 6 feet apart side-to-side, but possibly 3 feet apart front to back….
read … Teachers union, DOE agree to keep students farther apart this fall
Aiea Kama'aina Kids program temporarily closed after 6-year-old tests positive for COVID-19
KITV: …According to Kama'aina Kids CEO Ray Sanborn, the case was diagnosed in a six-year-old on the elementary side, which is separated from the preschool. Both sides were shut down for cleaning Tuesday.
The mother of the infected child is involved in another cluster, and tested positive last Thursday. The student found out they tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.
Kama'aina Kids working with the Department of Health (DOH) on contact tracing. The school will remain closed….
HNN: Funding cut for pre-K program leaves families scrambling for care
KITV: Hawaii Attorney General joins coalition urging increased childcare funding
read … Aiea Kama'aina Kids program temporarily closed after 6-year-old tests positive for COVID-19
Soft on Crime Crowd Exultant! Finally, a Hawaii Prisoner Tests Positive For COVID-19!!!
CB: … A female prisoner who spent two days at the Federal Detention Center near the Honolulu airport last week has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting federal officials to issue a warning to staff who might have had contact with the inmate.
That is the first known case of a prisoner in Hawaii who tested positive for the new coronavirus, which has spread rapidly through some correctional systems on the mainland….
A source who is familiar with the case said the Federal Detention Center has a policy of holding newly admitted inmates in isolation cells in the Special Holding Unit on the upper floors of the Federal Detention Center to try to prevent the spread of the virus within the facility.
The female inmate was released, reported to the pretrial services office, and then tested positive later, according to the source. It’s unknown if the released prisoner may have had contact with anyone on the Prince Kuhio Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, where the pretrial services office is located….
(There Can Only Be One Solution: Immediately release all convicts starting with rapists, pimps, and child molesters.)
NI: Nevada Department of Corrections officials confirmed Saturday evening that 69 of the 99 inmates in the Saguaro Correctional Center had tested positive.
LVRJ: 69 Nevada inmates in Arizona prison test positive for coronavirus
read … Hawaii Prisoner Tests Positive For COVID-19
Governor says his mother is quarantined at nursing home grappling with COVID-19 cluster
HNN: … The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting extremely close to home for Hawaii’s first family.
Gov. David Ige confirmed Tuesday that his mother is living at an Oahu nursing home where several residents and staff have been infected with the virus.
For the family’s privacy, HNN is not naming the facility….
Doctors are reviewing the results of a mass testing effort at the nursing home as residents remain in quarantine and visitors aren’t allowed in.
The governor didn’t want to share too much on the situation, but said his mother is doing well and that staff is working to keep everyone healthy….
read … Governor says his mother is quarantined at nursing home grappling with COVID-19 cluster
Kailua NIMBYville
CB: … The Kawainui Street Apartments was the subject of a recent Kailua Neighborhood Board meeting. Housing advocates living in various communities throughout Oahu spoke in support of the project. However, many more Kailua residents expressed concerns and opposed the project.
Similar concerns were raised in the past to oppose several affordable housing projects proposed for Kailua. None of these projects were approved. The last affordable housing project was built in Kailua in 1992.
Kailua is representative of many communities throughout the state that have rejected affordable housing proposals…..
read … Kailua Project Illustrates Affordable Housing Dilemma
HPD Sex Harassment Complaints Begin in Training Academy
CB: … four female police officers last year filed complaints of sexual harassment, sexual assault and terroristic threatening against two individual male police officers.
In 2018, five female officers filed complaints of sexual harassment against male officers.
In 2016 and 2017, two female officers made allegations of terroristic threatening against the same male officer.
The male officers named in the complaints in 2019 were instructors at HPD’s training academy where the alleged crimes began when the women were recruits….
HPD says one of the female officers who filed a complaint last year has since dropped her charge of sexual assault by her instructor but the complaints from three other women officers remain active.
Two of the women officers who filed complaints with HPD in 2019 had willing sexual relations with a police academy instructor, according to one of the women as well as the attorney representing the instructor. But now one accuses him of sexual assault and the other woman officer claims the instructor physically abused her and threatened her by pointing a loaded gun at her….
read … HPD Deals With Sex Abuse Within Its Own Ranks
HB2097: Hawaii Could Soon Allow The Sale Of Medical Cannabis Edibles to Keep People Doped up
HT: … It’s always been a point of contention in Hawaii that edibles aren’t part of the state’s medical offerings, despite the fact that the state has an established medical market. But, as of last Friday, the state legislature has officially passed a bill that allows edibles to be sold at licensed, medical dispensaries within the state. As long as Governor David Ige signs it into law, the state will open up to the edible market.
“Passage of HB 2097 is a victory for the state’s 30,798 registered medical cannabis patients,” Randy Gonce, Hawai’i Cannabis Industry Association program director, said in a press release regarding the new bill. “Coronavirus has prompted more patients to seek ingestible forms of cannabis to….
HG: Hawai‘i Legislature Passes Industrial Hemp Bill
read … Hawaii Could Soon Allow The Sale Of Medical Cannabis Edibles
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