Loosening up the rules
LIHU‘E — County of Kauai has loosened restrictions for construction and landscaping and for realtors starting today, cracking open the stay-at-home mandate and allowing some local residents to get back to work.
Masks now mandated
LIHU‘E — Mayor Derek Kawakami announced more rules for Kaua‘i on Monday that further closed county parks, require mask-wearing for everyone in public, and outline sheltering procedures for Kaua‘i’s homeless population — all effective at 5 a.m. today.
Community spread on Kaua‘i
Officials announced community spread of COVID-19 on Kaua‘i Friday, after the state Department of Health announced results of an investigation into one active case on Kaua‘i.
More COVID-19 closures
LIHU‘E — Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami announced three new COVID-19-related rules Wednesday, alongside the state’s announcement that Hawaii is now starting contact testing for the virus.
Mayor asks for masks
Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami is urging the public to wear face masks in public, but hasn’t yet made the recommendation mandatory and is instead asking for voluntary compliance.
Plastic Is pollution
Hawai‘i now has until the end of May to evaluate the impact of plastic pollution on the state’s water bodies, including any threats to wildlife and people.
No new cases on Kaua‘i
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i officials confirmed Wednesday that no new COVID-19 cases have been reported since March 29 on the island, though the number of cases statewide continues to climb.
Officials hold virtual town hall Thursday
LIHU‘E — State officials are holding a virtual town hall meeting for Hawai‘i residents on the Zoom platform on Thursday, April 2, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Looking at lockdown
LIHU‘E — Mayor Derek Kawakami announced the Kaua‘i Stay At Home order on Monday, promising more information for the public today and confirming the fourth case of COVID-19 on the island.
Curfew coming
LIHU‘E — Mayor Derek Kawakami told travelers to give Kaua‘i a break on Wednesday, asking that all air travel to and from the island be limited to “essential needs only” and alerting the community of an islandwide curfew set to start tomorrow.
Retailers rearrange businesses
PUHI — Box stores across the country are adjusting hours or closing their doors temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic including a temporary closure of the Macy’s and a slight hours of operation adjustment at the Walmart in Lihu‘e.
Bars closed, restaurants dine-out only
LIHUE — Governor David Ige closed churches, clubs, theaters and bars statewide on Tuesday, limited restaurants to drive-through, take-out, pick-up or delivery only and limited social gatherings to 10 people or less to follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19.
More ‘ohi‘a disease found
LIHUE The Kauai Rapid Ohia Death Working Group has announced two new sites where the fungal disease has killed ohia, the most prevalent tree in Hawaiis native forests and a tree critical for the preservation of Hawaiis watersheds.
Spring break extended
The state Department of Education extended spring break for public and charter schools through Monday, March 30 on Sunday as the number of presumed positive cases of COVID-19 rose to seven in Hawai‘i.
Light Up gives back
For years, Allison Jacobson has made the drive from Anahola to the Hawaii Food Bank Kauai Branch in Puhi to donate healthy food.
‘East Meets West’ oil painting on display Thursday
LIHUE — An oil painting set to be unveiled Thursday is the product two years and countless hours of collaboration between two painters: one on O’ahu and one on Kaua‘i.
1-person cars create congestion
The answer to traffic congestion lies in bolstering alternatives to single-person vehicle transportation, according to a recent report out of the advocacy organization Transportation for America.
COVID-19 confirmed on O‘ahu
Hawai‘i has confirmed its first case of COVID-19 in an O‘ahu man who had been on a cruise ship from California to Mexico.
Researchers say runoff impacts reefs
LIHU‘E — While the Trump Administration is eyeing new protections for Hawai‘i’s cauliflower coral, researchers with the University of Hawai‘i have uncovered clues as to how land use affects the sea creatures.
COVID-19 emergency money on the way
LIHUE — Two people on Kaua‘i are under the supervision of the state Department of Health, self-monitoring for COVID-19, according to latest updates from DOH, and Gov. David Ige has issued an emergency proclamation regarding the virus.