Updated: 5/1/2020, 12:42 p.m.
Where Hawaii stands
Health officials reported one new case of the coronavirus today, continuing a trend of single-digit increases in recent days that is spurring efforts to reopen the state. Hawaii's case count is at 619. Deaths stand at 16.
Oahu's count is now at 400, Maui County stands at 116, Hawaii County at 73, and Kauai at 21.
Newlyweds arrested in quarantine violation case
State attorney general's special agents arrested a California couple yesterday for violating the mandatory 14-day quarantine order, according to the state COVID-19 Joint Information Center.
The two -- Borice Lepovskiy, 20, and Yuliia Andreichenko, 26, of Citrus Heights, California -- arrived in Hawaii on their honeymoon and went to their Waikiki hotel on Wednesday evening.
Authorities say both were raised in the Ukraine and that Andreichenko is a Ukranian national.
The couple was notified of the quarantine order by the hotel and they indicated that it contradicted what airport screeners told them. They said they planned to visit friends, go to the parks and beaches and that screeners told them it would be alright, the release said.
The pair left to buy pizza and when they checked in, refused to sign the acknowledgememt of the quarantine. The next day, the hotel general manager was informed that the couple had left their room. When they returned, they were told again that they were in violation of the quarantine. They insisted that their activities were permitted.
The attorney general's investigators were called and the couple was arrested. They face charges of unsworn falsification of authority and violation of the quarantine.
"It is important that everyone flying into Hawai‘i at this time, abide by our mandatory rules," Attorney General Clare Connors said.
The couple was arraigned this morning in Honolulu, a JIC spokesman said by email, but the outcome of the hearing wasn't immediately known.
5/4/2020 Correction: A previous spelling for Borice Lepovskiy's name provided by the state has been revised based on booking documents.
Further releases sought to relieve prison overcrowding
More than 800 inmates have been released from Hawai?i’s jails and prisons since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the islands. But the state’s correctional facilities are still overcrowded, and in need of space to isolate or quarantine potential coronavirus cases.
The state Public Safety Department needs to release another 225 detainees in order to make enough room in Hawai’i’s correctional facilities to deal with a potential coronavirus outbreak.
That’s according to a progress report filed yesterday by Special Master Daniel Foley, a retired judge who’s been appointed to oversee expedited efforts to alleviate prison crowding during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his report, Foley says the reduction may not have been “sweeping and immediate” as some may have expected but he say the releases are being made in a deliberate manner and have led to a significant decrease in the inmate population.
Another report by Special Master Foley is expected in the next two weeks.
--HPR's Ku?uwehi Hiraishi
Visitor arrivals, spending down more than 50 percent
According to preliminary research by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, visitor arrivals fell by 53.7 percent and spending declined by 52.2 percent in March compared to the same month a year ago.
China flights were canceled in February but a majority of flights to the state were suspended in March.
Yesterday's Hawaii Updates: Cases Up 5; RIMPAC Shortened; Oahu Companies Cleared To Open; Antibody Tests Offered
On Wednesday, another 187 visitors came to the islands despite a mandatory 14-day quarantine. They were among 590 arrivals, including 220 residents, 99 crew members, 64 intended residents, and 20 transiting travelers.
Expiration of state driver's licenses, IDs waived
The state Department of Transportation is granting a 90-day waiver for Hawaii driver's licenses, instructional permits and ID cards expiring between March 15 and May 31.
Commercial driver's licenses are also receiving a waiver for 90 days if expiring between March 16 and May 31 but the 90 days cannot go beyond June 30.
Safety check certificates or stickers expiring on or before May 31 will remain valid through Aug. 31. All other safety checks will remain in effect for another three months after their expiration dates.
The state is granting the waivers and extensions while COVID-19 emergency orders are in place and state and county offices are closed.
Motor vehicle registration fees and late fees are still due as usual. Renewals can be processed by mail, online or available kiosks such as those in some grocery stores. More information is available from county websites:
• City and County of Honolulu – Renewals by mail, by DMV NOW kiosks, and online.
• County of Maui– Renewals by mail and online.
• County of Hawaii – Renewals by mail, kiosks, and online.
• County of Kauai – Renewals by mail and online.
CIty golf courses taking reservations starting today
Advance tee time reservations at municipal golf courses opens at 6 a.m. today with golf play to begin Tuesday. The driving range at the Ala Wai Golf Course opens on Tuesday.
Walk-in and standby play are not allowed and the reopening dates for golf concessions have not yet been determined.
Public and private golf courses are among the non-essential businesses that have been cleared to reopen under Mayor Kirk Caldwell's latest emergency order. The golf courses must abide with social distancing and sanitation guidelines issued by the Professional Golfers’ Association Aloha Section.
Food distributions planned
Today and on select days through May, the Pacific Gateway Center's N? K?puna Makamae Center, Aloha Harvest and Help Is On The Way are holding a distribution of free food.
The distribution runs from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 653 Ala Moana Boulevard at the corner of Keawe Street and Ala Moana Boulevard.
Other dates for the food distribution include May 8, May 15, May 22 and May 29.
Seniors can call for free delivery. For more information, call (808) 773-7047 or email carmenlee@pacificgatewaycenter.org.
Screenings scheduled on Oahu, Hawaii Island
Drive-through coronavirus screenings will be held today on Hawaii Island at the Honoka'a Sports Complex from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Access the sports complex lower entrance through the Akia Street.
Tomorrow, drive-through screenings will be held at Kamehameha Park in Kapa'au from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
People visiting the free clinic must first undergo a screening to determine if they are eligible for the COVID-19 tests. Bring a photo I.D., pen, and any health insurance cards, although insurance is not required.
For more information, call the Hawaii County Civil Defense at 935-0031.
On Oahu, drive-through testing will be offered at the following dates and places:
• Saturday, May 2, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Kalihi Kai Urgent Care at Ala Moana Center. Enter Pi'ikoi Street, head up the ramp to the second floor parking lot.
• Tuesday, May 5, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Premier Medical Group Hawaii will conduct testing in the Kalihi Union Church parking lot. Enter from King Street.
• Friday, May 8, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Kalihi Kai Urgent Care will conduct testing at 'Ewa Beach Community Park. Follow the posted signs to the test area.
For more information on the Kalihi Kai Urgent Care teting, call 841-2273. For information on testing by the Premier Medical Group Hawaii, call 304-8816 or 367-6020.
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 developments in dealing with the spread of the coronavirus. You can call our talkback line at 808-792-8217. Or e-mail us at talkback@hawaiipublicradio.org.
