Drive-thru diplomas
Most of the Kaua‘i Class of 2020 graduates will be getting their diplomas at drive-thru-style graduation ceremonies later this month, and all three public high schools are planning convoy parades and other events on Friday, May 22, to highlight and honor their graduates, whose commencement lands in the middle of a global pandemic.
Small businesses slowly readying for reopen
WAIMEA– Slowly businesses are gearing up to open their doors after county and state officials have announced they’re starting to loosen up their restrictions and emergency rules.
Hanama‘ulu Shell back in business
HANAMA‘ULU– On Tuesday, the full service at Shell gas station in Hanama‘ulu next to 7-11 opened its doors back up, with balloons silently signaling that they are back in business.
Stay-at-home order extended
Mixed feelings abound as Kaua‘i residents mull over the newest extension of the statewide stay-at-home order through May 31, handed down by Gov. David Ige last week.
Meatloaf meals to-go
KEKAHA – On Kaua‘i’s West Side, community organizations are coming together to feed area residents and on Saturday more than 200 meatloaf meals were distributed at a grab-and-go site staged in front of Obsessions Cafe in Kekaha.
Kaua‘i filmmaker interviewed on PBS Hawai‘i
Stephanie Castillo, 72, of Wailua Homesteads, is an Emmy-Award-winning documentary filmmaker and a former journalist who returned to Kaua‘i last year after finishing a seven-year film project in New York.
Free delivery service starts for those 65 and older
The nonprofit organization Our Kupuna is now offering a free delivery service for people ages 65 and older on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island and in Maui County.
Kaua‘i gas prices drop slightly
Gas prices on Kaua‘i are still higher than average Mainland prices, but there has been a dip in cost over the past month — particularly due to recent drops in the price of crude oil.
Free food pantry offered in Kapahi
Schools are physically closed, but that isn’t stopping young entrepreneur and fire dancer Emilia Knudsen, 11, from Kanuikapono Public Charter School, on her mission to create a 24/7 free food pantry on Wana‘ao Road for those in need.
Hometown Heroes: Brandi Hori-Moises
Brandi Hori-Moises is the executive director at Waimea Care Center and is a licensed nursing home administrator as well as a registered nurse, who spends her days coordinating care for kupuna on the West Side.
Screen printing company raises money for business
LAWAI – CG Custom Prints hit a snag in their revenue flow when COVID-19-related stay-at-home orders were instated on Kaua‘i, like many small businesses on the island.
Organizing the houseless
Five county parks have been established as permitted sheltering zones for the Kaua‘i houseless community by Mayor Derek Kawakami as part of the effort to contain the novel coronavirus — Lucy Wright, Salt Pond, Lydgate, Anahola and Anini — and many of them are already established campsites with varying levels of community organization.
Senior disappointments
While the state Department of Education considers what to do about the upcoming Class of 2020 graduation, several students voiced disappointment that they won’t be walking the traditional aisle for their commencement.
Some receive stimulus checks
Last week, some Kaua‘i residents started their day with good news.
Gov. Ige proposes pay cuts
HONOLULU– Governor David Ige is considering a 20% pay cut for state workers due to a drop in tax revenue triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, but hasn’t made any decisions on the proposal.
When you’re stuck at home
LIHU‘E – Lori Balisacan has been making more pancakes at her Kapa‘a house lately, now that she and her family are all staying at home, abiding by Mayor Derek Kawakami’s COVID-19-related stay-at-home order.
Unemployment frustrations
LIHUE – Applying for unemployment has been a headache for many Kaua‘i residents who are working to file claims after being furloughed or laid off from their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Koloa Rum making hand sanitizer
Koloa Rum Company’s distillery has expanded production capabilities to produce hand sanitizer in response to the needs of first responders and health-care organizations on the island.
Keeping keiki from vaping
Kodie Kaina, a freshman at Kapa‘a High School doesn’t use electronic cigarettes anymore, but she started vaping as a sixth-grader when she was 11 years old.
Free coffee for the front lines
There are a couple of coffee shops serving free coffee drinks for first responders and health-care workers in appreciation with their work on the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic.