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The state Department of Health reports 277 new COVID-19 cases today, with 23 of them on Hawaii Island. Another two deaths are reported, both Oahu men, bringing the coronavirus-related death toll statewide to 59. According to DOH, one victim was in his 50s, the other in his 60s, and both had underlying health conditions. The…

Three employees and seven residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home have tested positive for COVID-19. The new cases come a day after it was reported that two employees at the facility had tested positive for the virus. According to an update posted online, two residents are being cared for at Hilo Medical Center and…

Three employees and seven residents at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home have tested positive for COVID-19, a spokeswoman confirmed this afternoon. On Monday, it was reported that two employees had tested positive for the virus. The spokeswoman said this afternoon that a testing plan is still being worked out, but it likely will include testing…

Gov. David Ige announced today that Hawaii will apply to participate in a new unemployment insurance “plus up” program called the Lost Wages Assistance Program. The program, under to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was created by President Trump via a memorandum earlier this month in response to the July expiration of the $600 weekly…

The state Department of Health reported 215 new cases of COVID-19 statewide today. That brings the statewide number of coronavirus cases in Hawaii since the pandemic began to 6,984. According to DOH, 11 of the new cases are on the Big Island, bringing Hawaii County’s total to 220 cases. The City and County of Honolulu…

Two employees of the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo have tested positive for COVID-19. Dan Brinkman, East Hawaii Regional CEO, Hawaii Health Systems Corp., confirmed the cases and said this afternoon that the entire staff and all residents were tested Sunday and today. Results are pending. The veterans home is a HHSC facility…

The county Department of Public Works said that starting Tuesday, a one-way traffic pattern along a portion of Waianuenue Avenue will be suspended for the foreseeable future during the scheduled “distance learning” period of area schools. Waianuenue Avenue will remain a two-way traffic pattern 24 hours a day until further notice until face-to-face instruction is…

The state Department of Health reported fewer than 200 new COVID-19 cases for the first time in several days, with 169 new cases, but also report two new deaths. There are now 6,769 cases reported statewide. Of those cases, nine are in Hawaii County, bringing the total number of Big Island cases since the pandemic…

A new land use designation paving the way for a hotel to be built at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport was passed unanimously Thursday by the Leeward Planning Commission and now makes its way to the County Council. The commission granted approval after hearing from state airport staff, testifiers opposing the plan and a developer…

Graduate student Darrian Muraoka wiped her eyes Friday morning after squinting through a COVID-19 test at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Muraoka and her friend, Nahi Pilago, decided to participate in free coronavirus testing at Vulcan Gym to make sure they are virus free before starting school. “I was happy to see that the…

A small but passionate group of individuals were met with honking horns as they waved signs on Mamalahoa Highway Saturday in Waimea in support of postal workers. “We have to speak out against the crazy things that are happening and hold (Postmaster General Louis) DeJoy accountable,” said demonstrator Vivienne Aronowitz. “Why are they locking mailboxes…

There are 12 new COVID-19 cases on the Big Island, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense. That brings the total number of active cases to 37. Four people are hospitalized. Most of the recent cases were transmitted within the community, and the Department of Health reports the majority of these cases are Hilo-based. A review…

HONOLULU (AP) — The National Science Foundation has launched an informal outreach to Hawaii about possible funding efforts for the stalled Thirty Meter Telescope project. The effort by the nation’s top funder of basic research could lead to a huge influx of cash for the astronomy project on Maunakea with an estimated cost of $2.4…

A new series of restrictions intended to limit the spread of COVID-19 on the Big Island went into effect Friday. A day after being proposed by Mayor Harry Kim, the county implemented Emergency Rule 11, which reduces social gathering group sizes, both indoors and outdoors, to no more than 10 people. The rule also limits…

A Hilo restaurant has closed temporarily after an employee was found to be COVID-positive Thursday. Leung’s Chop Suey House on East Lanikaula Street announced today via social media that it will close until further notice after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. According to the social media post, the staff member, whose last day…

A Hilo charter school has confirmed eight COVID-19 cases involving school employees since Monday. A spokesperson for Ka ‘Umeke Ka‘eo Public Charter School reported Friday that the school has been made aware of eight confirmed COVID-19 cases this week, with the first positive case reported on Monday. According to the statement, the school called the…

The state Board of Education will have metrics in place next week to determine whether in-person schooling is safe to resume. During a lengthy meeting Thursday afternoon, board members discussed with state Department of Education officials their concerns with the department’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more than four hours, board members grilled state…

The state Department of Health reported 236 new COVID-19 cases today, and the 44th and 45th coronavirus-related deaths. There are now 5,609 statewide cases reported since the pandemic began. Today’s new cases include 231 on Oahu, five on Hawaii Island and one on Maui, according to DOH. No immediate information on the deaths were provided.…

Hilo Medical Center and W.H. Shipman officials gathered Wednesday in front of the longtime W.H. Shipman headquarters for a groundbreaking for the newest East Hawaii Health Clinic in Keaau. Plans call for converting the office building into clinic space and adding a parking lot. Construction will begin in September, with renovations ending by mid-2021. “We…

According to police, a man in his 40s whose body was found Monday morning on a remote unpaved road in Eden Roc subdivision was the victim of foul play. “The autopsy ruled that it was a homicide, and we’re chasing leads,” said Lt. Rio Amon-Wilkins of the Hilo Criminal Investigations Section on Wednesday. According to…

The state Department of Health reported 261 new COVID-19 cases today, and the 42nd and 43rd coronavirus-related death. There are now 5,609 statewide cases reported since the pandemic began. Today’s new cases include 234 on Oahu, seven on Hawaii Island and 20 on Maui, according to DOH. The death was on Oahu, but no other…

The county said in a release Monday, customers picking up mulch at East Hawaii organic facilities can proceed directly to the facility and bypass the scale, with mulch available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. All mulch loads must be covered prior to leaving the facility and all customers must adhere to Centers…