Asia Minute

Airlines are making plans to increase their flights to Hawaii as pre-travel COVID testing begins next month. Many people are still hesitant to get on an airplane, but in parts of the Asia Pacific, a number of carriers are offering flights that don’t go anywhere.

Anti-government protestors in Thailand are planning their biggest rally to date this weekend. Organizers say they expect as many as a hundred thousand people to show up in the streets of Bangkok. So far, the government is reacting with caution.

For the first time in nearly eight years, Japan has a new Prime Minister. While Shinzo Abe has left the government, his influence remains — including in the cabinet of his successor.

One of the most influential financial groups in the Asia Pacific warns that tens of millions of people in the region may be pushed below the poverty level by the coronavirus. The Asian Development Bank expects improvements next year, but prospects vary from country to country.

The timing of a broad return of tourism to Hawaii remains a question mark.  Some airlines are betting that by next summer demand will increase for mainland routes to the islands. But airlines around the world are struggling—and some in the Asia Pacific are announcing new plans for survival.

One of the world’s largest mining companies is changing some of its top management following the destruction of sites sacred to Indigenous people in Australia. The move comes after months of criticism — including from some of the company’s top shareholders.

Professional sports are back in a big way in the United States, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Football League opened its season yesterday, while playoffs are underway for basketball and hockey. Major League Baseball is approaching the end of its regular season, but in parts of Asia, that season will stretch a bit longer.

As Oahu settles into another two weeks of a stay-at-home order, some other locations around the Pacific are putting new restrictions on movement. And that includes the capital city of the largest economy in Southeast Asia.

The last two journalists based in China representing major media outlets in Australia have returned to their home country — in a hurry.  It’s the latest development in a case that also involve a third Australian citizen now in government custody.

Hawaii’s tourism timetable remains uncertain. Three weeks ago today, Governor David Ige extended the mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers until at least October 1st. In Southeast Asia, plans for another tourist hub to start to re-open on that date are likely to be pushed back.

If you're working from home these days, this may be an unusual Labor Day for you. Not going to a workplace is just one of the changes for many people during this pandemic. But what about changes to the way your mind is working? That's a question that researchers in Australia are tackling.

This has been a rough week in South Korea. The number of COVID-19 patients in critical or serious condition has spiked, while part of the country was hit by a typhoon and another is lingering offshore. 

Free testing for COVID-19 continues this week both on Oahu and around the islands. Testing is increasing in many areas across the country and around the world, but there are some dramatic exceptions—including Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

As surge testing for COVID-19 continues around Oahu, a similar effort is taking place elsewhere in the Pacific, but on an even bigger scale. Hong Kong’s government wants to give a test to every resident who wants one, but so far, the response has been mixed.

Locations around the world continue to adjust their policies to halt the spread of the coronavirus. This week, South Korea has again tightened restrictions on movement — while targeting younger adults.

Chances are it will be some time before a lot of people come to Hawaii on airplanes. But in the next stage of air travel in the age of COVID-19, customers will be looking for some new developments. And a couple of companies in Asia are working on it.

Restaurants on Oahu are now once again reduced to take out service, as part of the latest “Stay at Home” order. But a major city in the Asia Pacific is now letting restaurants stay open a bit longer than before.

The hospitality business is still on hold in Hawaii at least through the end of September, and possibly longer. Elsewhere in the Pacific, some popular tourist locations are taking different approaches when it comes to re-opening.

Honolulu is not the only city in the Asia Pacific that’s reversing some steps of re-opening. South Korea’s capital city is taking some new actions to flatten its curve of new infections — and more may be coming.

Testing is one of the many issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. While the ability to get a test varies in different locations, one city in Asia is about to offer tests to all of its residents who want one.

14-day quarantines will remain in force for passengers arriving to Hawaii at least through the end of September. But in Southeast Asia, one country is starting to make some careful adjustments to its quarantine policy.

This week, police in Thailand arrested the leaders of a pro-democracy movement. Protests have been going on for several weeks — and those demonstrating against the current government are using a particular sign of defiance.

The Rim of the Pacific military exercises are underway this week and next week in the waters around Honolulu. The event known as RIMPAC is scaled back in size and scale from its original plans, but it’s also not the only military exercise going on in the Asia Pacific.

The spread of COVID-19 continues to be uneven in different parts of the world. One location where the number of new cases continues to rise is the Philippines. But despite that trend, restrictions are being eased in the capital.

Political demonstrations are continuing in Thailand. Over the weekend, police estimated more than 10,000 people rallied against the government, and protestors are increasing the pressure.

Taiwan has finalized a deal to spend as much as 62 billion dollars on F-16 fighter jets from the United States.  It’s the latest development that continues to increase tensions between the United States and China.

The spread of COVID-19 has led to many changes in daily life. But in some places, those changes go beyond wearing masks and social distancing.

Many students across the state are preparing to resume classwork next week. But the re-opening of schools remains a major point of controversy — not only in the United States, but also in one of Asia’s largest countries.

New Zealand has been one of the most successful countries in the world in dealing with COVID-19. But for the first time in more than a hundred days, the country has what government officials call “evidence of domestic transmission” of the virus. And the reaction has been swift.

It’s been six weeks since China passed a new security law covering Hong Kong — and one day since a new round of high-profile arrests. One of those arrests underlines how far the practice of journalism is now under threat in the city.