General News

Hawaii Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation Wednesday in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Honolulu officials set up six tents at the Old Stadium Park Monday as part of its mobile homeless outreach program. Nearby residents are optimistic it will address homelessness, but they also have concerns. 

Updated: 3/3/20, 2:50 p.m.

The Honolulu Festival has canceled all events in response to the coronavirus crisis, organizers said in a news release Tuesday. The festival that draws thousands of visitors to the islands had been scheduled to run from March 6 through March 8, but has been halted "to help prevent the potential transmission of the coronavirus in Hawaii," according to the festival's statement. It joins another major festival FESTPAC in changing plans following the outbreak.

A bill that would require publicly traded corporations based in Hawaii to include women on their boards of directors has advanced in the state Senate, but it is facing resistance from business advocates.

KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii County's mayor has made public a $625.9 million budget proposal for the next fiscal year that includes a $7.8 million increase in retirement benefits for county employees.

Bail will remain at $5 million for a mother arrested in Hawaii over the disappearance of her two Idaho children, a judge ruled Wednesday.

HILO — The Puna Geothermal Venture power plant is expected to restart operations in the second half of 2020, later than a previous estimate, according to its owner.

WAILUKU — County officials in Maui are considering a ban on all short-term vacation rentals to combat illegal rental operations on the island.

The speaker of Hawaii’s House of Representatives said Friday he wants to form a committee to examine the potential economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak so lawmakers can be prepared to cut spending if tax revenue drops sharply.

A Northern California health worker who had cared for a patient with coronavirus hopped a plane to visit Hawaii, arriving yesterday. Today, after alerted by federal officials, state health officials tested the woman and found she does not have coronavirus.

Schools across the United States are canceling trips abroad, preparing online lessons and even rethinking “perfect attendance” awards as they brace for the possibility that the new coronavirus could begin spreading in their communities.

Updated: 2/28/20, 4:55 p.m.

Kauaʻi County Council member Arthur Brun pleaded not guilty Friday to 10 felony charges -- two with a maximum punishment of life in prison -- after he was arrested with 11 others by Kauaʻi police and federal agents as part of an islandwide drug sweep.

Updated 2/27/20 5:45 p.m.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has given Hawaii the go-ahead to start preparing for coronavirus testing locally, a process that could begin as early as next week.

Updated: 2/26/20, 12:35 p.m.

Hawaiian Airlines announced Wednesday that it is suspending its flights to South Korea starting March 2 and extending to April 30 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in that country.

A national labor union conducted an audit of its organization in Hawaii and found what it said is excessive spending and a lack of transparency by some staff.

State lawmakers are weighing a measure that would make verbally threatening to harm a sports official a Class C felony instead of a misdemeanor.

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — A bill aimed at raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco and electronic smoking devices has stalled in the state House of Representatives.