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Hawaii Updates: 2 New Cases; Peaceful Protest Draws Thousands; Beach Weddings Now Permitted Again

Ashley Mizuo/HPR
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter protest in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis gather at the state Capitol on June 7, 2020.

Updated: 6/7/2020, 12:15 p.m.

Hawaii recorded two new coronavirus cases today, both on Oahu.

The state health department now reports the number of cases stands at 675; deaths remain at 17.

The case count for Oahu is at 441, Maui County at 120, Hawaii Island at 81 and Kauai at 21. There are 12 cases diagnosed out of state. Some 617 people have been released from isolation. 

Yesterday's nine cases were the second day running of numbers spiking to that level in recent weeks. Before Friday, the last time the state had six new cases was on April 22. Three of Friday's new cases were tied to two nursing homes, Kalaukaua Gardens in Waikiki and Maunalani Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

On Friday, the state said it won't know the cause for the spike in cases until they are fully investigated. However, Lt. Gov. Josh Green has said he believes they are the result of Memorial Day gatherings.

Yesterday's Hawaii Updates: 9 New Cases; 3 Workers At Senior Facilities Test Positive; Inmate Releases End

The jump in cases do not impact the state and county reopening plans, officials have said. A trigger for retreating from the ongoing easing of restrictions is the hospitals' capacity to care for COVID-19 patients, and that remains high.

Correction: Three cases tied to nursing homes are among the 9 new cases reported Friday, not Saturday as reported in a previous version of this story.

March in show of BLM support draws thousands

Thousands of supporters of the Black Lives Matter protest against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis marched peacefully from Ala Moana to the state Capitol yesterday.

The march was described in media reports as the largest event among a series of local gatherings to show support for the global demonstrations against police brutality.

The crowd was watched by Honolulu police officers, who directed traffic to clear the way for marchers. 

Law enforcement agencies had urged residents the day before not to rely on information in social media posts. Some sites had falsely suggested that out-of-state individuals would be coming to the islands to agitate during the protests and that one hospital was preparing for large numbers of injured protesters. 

"This is false," the Honolulu Police Department said in a tweet. State Attorney General Clare Connors also said: "We encourage readers and viewers to be discerning, to rely only on official sources of information and to avoid getting caught up in the dissemination of rumors and/or gossip online."

A surf paddle out event to honor George Floyd is scheduled tonight at 6 p.m. off Ala Moana Beach Park, volleyball court side. 

State reopens weddings, vow renewals permits

The state's online Wiki Permit system that allows limited commercial activities on state beaches is resuming operations.

Permits for weddings and renewal of vows will be issued with safety measures in place. State beaches remain closed to other types of commercial activities

Among the requirements:
• Groups are limited to 10 people.
• Non-family members must practice social distancing, unless a caregiver is helping a dependent.
• Beach or sand areas can only be used a half hour before sunset to a half hour after sunset.
• All other emergency order rules remain in place.
 

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Editor's note: We’d like to hear how you’re coping with the latest COVID-19 developments and the state's phased reopening. You can call our talkback line at 808-792-8217. Or e-mail us at talkback@hawaiipublicradio.org.

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