It was 122 years ago today: Hawaii Becomes US Territory
HSTA: COVID on Nine Campuses--No Public Announcement
Flashback: Tulsi Gabbard Torches Kamala Harris
DoE Sister Isles Plan: Almost all Schools go Virtual
VIDEO: A Honolulu Woman's Story of COVID Survival
COVID Count: 202 new cases out of 2,726 tests
Tracking expert: ‘1 in 50 Oahu residents may have COVID’
HNN: … It has been 13 consecutive days of triple digit coronavirus cases in Hawaii.
New data shows every infected person in the state is now spreading the virus to 1.6 people. It is the highest rate of contagion in the country.
Medical experts are worried and say residents need to start getting serious.
“I do think people do not understand the severity of what we’re dealing with right now. We are dealing with rapid spread of COVID,” said Dr. Tim Brown, an epidemic tracking expert at the East-West Center.
Hawaii currently has more than 2,000 active cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that is only about 10-percent of actual cases because not everyone is getting tested and several infected people show no symptoms….
"It means that if we see 2,000 cases, there are probably 10 times that, which is to say 20,000 out there," Dr. Brown said.
He estimates about one in 50 Oahu residents may be infected.
"The reality right now is that COVID is out there and if that 10-to-one estimate holds, then one person in 50 on Oahu right now has an active COVID infection. That means if you go into a grocery store and there are 50 people in that grocery store, one of those people almost certainly has COVID," he said….
CB: COVID-19 Data Shows Hawaii Is In A ‘Very Dire Situation’
HNN: Coronavirus forecasting models show worsening outlook for Hawaii
read … Tracking expert: ‘1 in 50 Oahu residents may have COVID’
DLIR’s Convention Center Phone Bank to Host COVID Tracing Call Center
SA … Lt. Gov. Josh Green says changes are in the works to improve contact tracing and testing inadequacies at the Department of Health that might have contributed to about half of Hawaii’s recent surge in COVID-19 deaths.
Green, who was speaking at a Hawaii CCIM and Pacific Asia Travel Association event, said DOH must immediately expand contact tracers from about 18 statewide to between 420 and 564. He said space at the Hawai‘i Convention Center might be utilized to rapidly expand work stations.
“We’re sitting at 15 (Oahu contact tracers) — let’s be honest that’s a joke and that’s just not going to do it. They got overwhelmed and a whistleblower came forward,” Green said. “I take that very seriously not only because I knew the surge was occurring and the impact on our communities and hospitals, but because it’s just not safe. There are now people on it committed to the mission — there’s nothing like a bit of sunshine on a problem to get that to happen.”…
CB: Hawaii’s Contact Tracing Effort Falls Short Of National Standards
read … Hawaii’s surge in COVID-19 deaths related to shortfall in contact tracing, Lt. Gov. Josh Green says
Ige: surge in COVID cases likely means another delay in reopening tourism
KHON: … The surge in daily COVID cases and hospitalizations makes it more likely that reopening tourism will not happen on September 1. The governor says he hasn’t made a decision, but the state is clearly going in the wrong direction.
Part of the problem is travelers not being able to get tested and the results within three days before they leave. The governor says with so many cases still on the mainland, the solution is difficult.
Reopening tourism would also require more hospital beds available here because the move would lead to more cases. And right now, the governor admits it just doesn’t look good….
He says he will announce his decision within a week. He adds that setting up a travel bubble with Japan is still on the table. But with increasing cases there, similar obstacles are in the way….
read … Ige: surge in COVID cases likely means another delay in reopening tourism
Mass testing underway after COVID-19 outbreak at Iwilei homeless shelter
HNN: ... Connie Mitchell, head of the Institute for Human Service, said 10 residents at the men’s facility on Sumner Street have tested positive for the virus since last Wednesday….
Mitchell confirmed all of the positive patients have been taken to the state’s Temporary Quarantine and Isolation Center.
However, some of them have refused to stay.
Hawaii News Now confirmed at least two COVID-19 patients (desperate to find some meth) walked out of the quarantine center over the past two days. Police sources say one of the men came back on his own….
The other was arrested nearly 24 hours later. He was hanging out outside the IHS men’s shelter. Sources say he was not wearing a mask.
HNN cameras captured video of Honolulu police outside the quarantine facility in Iwilei on Monday afternoon after officers arrested Adam Rapozo.
The 56-year-old was arrested a few blocks away for violating the city's emergency rules.
Police sources say state Health Director Bruce Anderson signed a rarely used order forcing Rapozo to isolate until his quarantine is complete.
Despite round-the-clock security provided by a private company, it’s the second time a patient has walked out of the facility that’s managed by the state Department of Health….
Meanwhile: Mayor Victorino asks for safe access to Wailuku pump station
read … Mass testing underway after COVID-19 outbreak at Iwilei homeless shelter
Mass Testing in Hawaii Jail Begins As More OCCC Inmates Positive For COVID-19
CB: … Corrections officials announced Tuesday that three more inmates and four more staff at Oahu Community Correctional Center have tested positive in the COVID-19 outbreak at the state’s largest jail.
Staff at the facility reported that National Guardsmen began mass testing of prisoners Tuesday at a dormitory in the jail complex.
The mass testing at Annex 1 began in the afternoon, and corrections officers who have worked at the annex also gathered there to be tested, according to staff. The staff agreed to discuss the situation on condition that they not be identified….
HNN: DPS: OCCC cluster grows to 9 inmates, 7 staff members
read … Mass Testing Begins As More OCCC Inmates Positive For COVID-19
Coronavirus relief funds hitting the streets
HTH: … With less than five months left to use it or lose it, Hawaii County has been chipping away at spending $80 million in federal coronavirus relief funds, but the pace is expected to quicken during the coming months as grants are distributed among community organizations and individuals.
In July, the county added $1.4 million to the $2.9 million it spent in the first three months of the COVID-19 emergency, according to its required monthly report to the state. That was primarily used for overtime for Civil Defense and first responders as well as sanitizing materials and personal protective equipment, said Mayor Harry Kim on Tuesday.
The county last week awarded $31.7 million to three financial organizations to distribute to individuals in need. Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union got the bulk, $22 million, to distribute to businesses and nonprofits for economic assistance.
Another $8.5 million went to Hawaiian Community Assets Inc. for a rent and mortgage assistance program. The Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council was awarded $1.5 million to hand out for non-governmental utility assistance programs….
The county on Monday announced $11.3 million in additional awards to community groups providing needed goods and services during the pandemic.
In the food assistance category, Kohala Coast Resort Association and La‘i‘Opua 2020 were the top recipients of 11 applicants, receiving $900,000 each. ‘Aha Punana Leo, partnering with Imiloa, received the highest child care grant at $700,000.
Alii Health Center was granted $1.7 million in the category of community and family resilience and Hawaii Rise Foundation was awarded a total of $1.1 million for community connectivity.
The County Council has also gotten into the act, last week awarding itself $900,000 on a fast-tracked resolution so council members will have $100,000 each to distribute to constituents….
read … Coronavirus relief funds hitting the streets
Instructors For Hire: How The Pandemic Is Fueling A New Side Business
CB: … The pandemic is allowing private instructors to offer small group lessons to parents who are wary of children returning to school campuses — and who can afford it. …
read … Instructors For Hire: How The Pandemic Is Fueling A New Side Business
'Too big, too close': Kahuku residents picket to stop wind turbine project
KITV: … Turbines at Na Pua Makani wind-farm in Kahuku were officially connected to Hawaiian Electric's grid on Tuesday. It’s a milestone for developer AES, and another reason to picket for residents. … About 50 people today waved signs with captions like "Too Big -- Too Close.” …
SA: Controversial Kahuku wind project being connected to electric grid
read … 'Too big, too close': Kahuku residents picket to stop wind turbine project
Accused Crime Boss Michael Miske Will Remain Behind Bars
CB: … A federal prosecutor described Miske as one of the most dangerous defendants he has ever prosecuted….
Miske is charged with orchestrating the abduction and murder of 21-year-old Jonathan Fraser, who was involved in a car accident in 2015 that killed Miske’s son. He’s also charged along with another defendant, his half-brother John Stancil, of trying to murder another man who refused to kill Fraser on his behalf.
Michael Miske faces a series of federal charges, several of which are eligible for the death penalty.
Inciong said there are more victims than just those referenced in the indictment….
Similarly, federal investigators uncovered a series of cases in which Miske disobeyed, threatened or intimidated Honolulu police officers. So far court records have only documented a single incident from 2015 in which Miske warned an officer who had pulled him over to “be careful” and that he could “go to the top of the food chain.”
Inciong detailed other events over the years, including one in which Miske fled the scene of a traffic stop in his vehicle, dragging an officer with him for 20 to 30 feet as he sped away.
On another occasion, Inciong said, Miske tried to intimidate an off-duty police officer by taking pictures of him while he was having dinner….
Meanwhile: Miske Lawyer Behind Campaign to Unseat OHA Trustee Keli’i Akina
read … Accused Crime Boss Michael Miske Will Remain Behind Bars
Election Recounts Don’t Change Outcomes Of 3 Races
CB: … DeCoite, Quilingking remain the winners of their primaries, and the Kauai County Council lineup stays the same….
SA: 3 Hawaii recounts reaffirm victories in House, Kauai County Council races
State Representative, District 13 Recount Results
State Representative, District 30 Recount Results
Councilmember, County of Kauai Recount Results
read … Election Recounts Don’t Change Outcomes Of 3 Races
Happy News: Mufi Hannemann and Colleen Hanabusa may have run last campaigns
SA: … Neither former Mayor Mufi Hannemann (age 66) nor former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (age 69) will rule out seeking future office, but both of their political careers could be over — especially with a record number of voters who overlooked them in last week’s mayoral primary election.
Voters from Honolulu to Hawaii County sent a clear message to longtime politicians including Big Island Mayor Harry Kim, Hannemann and Hanabusa, according to political analyst Jerry Burris:
“Step aside and give someone else a shot,” Burris said. “You’ve tried so many times already.”…
read … Happy News
Gabbard to Run for LG in 2022?
BJ: … Is it possibly the opening not-too-subtle exploration of a Green-Gabbard ticket for the state’s two top executive positions in 2022 when Ige’s time in office expires? It seemed too well timed to be strictly coincidental.
Green was devastatingly critical. “We did not do well enough. That has to be changed. I’m spending quite a lot of energy making sure we get off our you-know-what and get it done.” He did not, however, call for Ige to fire DOH director Bruce Anderson or epidemiologist Sarah Park.
Gabbard did. “This is your [Ige’s] responsibility. Your health director is keeping hundreds of trained contact tracers on the bench because he doesn’t think they’re needed… This is gross negligence.”
You get the feeling somebody’s come up with a one-two punch by Green and Gabbard that might resonate with an unhappy public in the 2022 gubernatorial election….
read … Is This The Start Of “G.G. For Hawaii ’22”?
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