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Hawaii News 

Hawaiian Airlines brings 2 million needed face-masks from China to the Aloha State

Juergen Steinmetz
Hawaiian Airlines, in partnership with the grassroots community group Every1ne Hawai‘i, today chartered a cargo flight to bring 2 million face masks to Hawai‘i from China. After a company-wide effort over several days to coordinate flight logistics and international approvals for the humanitarian mission, four Hawaiian pilots, two mechanics and two airport operations employees departed Honolulu (HNL) just before 1 p.m. HST today aboard an Airbus A330 aircraft headed to Incheon... Read More
Hawaii News 

21 News Cases of COVID-19 Reported in Hawaii: Update by Hawaii COVID-19 Joint Information Center

Juergen Steinmetz
21 new positive cases of COVID-19 were reported by DOH Saturday. Most of those cases were from Hawai‘i County - where there was a cluster of COVID-19 cases among the McDonald’s restaurants in Kailua-Kona (see update below). There are also new cases on O‘ahu and Maui.  LABORATORY* TESTING DATA Total Number of Individuals Tested by Clinical and State Laboratories Positive Negative 23,215 572 22,609 *Electronic Laboratory Reporting 34 test results were... Read More

Hawaii Passenger Arrivals By Air

Juergen Steinmetz
Yesterday, 486 people arrived in Hawaii including 98 visitors and 184 residents. During this same time last year, nearly 30,000 passengers arrived in Hawaii daily, including residents and visitors. The state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine started on March 26th for all passengers arriving in Hawaii from out of state. The quarantine order was expanded on April 1st to include interisland travelers. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from... Read More
Hawaii News 

McDonald’s COVID-19 Cluster Investigation in Kona

Juergen Steinmetz
A cluster of COVID-19 cases involving 7 lab-confirmed employees at McDonald’s locations at both Kona Commons and Walmart in Kailua-Kona has been recently identified and that number may change as the investigation into the primary case and their contacts continues by DOH. Once confirmed the establishment closed its operations at both locations and is currently performing enhanced cleaning. All employees who have tested positive are in isolation and potentially exposed employees... Read More
Hawaii News 

Mandatory to wear a mask on Oahu as of Monday: Some exceptions

Juergen Steinmetz
Today Mayor Caldwell in Honolulu issued an order for anyone interacting with the public and at places doing essential business a mask is required. It will be a misdemeanor not to wear a mask. The order will take effect Monday. It includes riding the bus, in a taxi, rideshare. It's important to still stay 6 feet away.  It's required in stores and any place where some interaction with the public. Exceptions are... Read More
Hawaii News News for Visitors 

Official Update: State of Hawaii COVID-19 report for Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Juergen Steinmetz
The State of Hawaii is successful so far keeping COVID-19 under control. Numbers are going up slower compared to almost any State in the Nation.  There had been 13 more cases in Hawaii in the last 24 hours. The balance between active and recovered cases is narrowing, which is a good sign, but there are many issues, including 661 people still arrived in the Aloha State, which includes 164 visitors. At... Read More
Hawaii News kamaainas 

Honolulu Mayor deems fabric sellers and suppliers as “Essential Business”

Juergen Steinmetz
Mayor Kirk Caldwell today signed Emergency Order No. 2020-06 making fabric sellers and suppliers on Oʻahu an “Essential Business” as defined in Section II of his Stay at Home Order under the following conditions: ·         The business is primarily engaged in selling fabric and related supplies; ·         Only two customers are allowed in the Fabric Store at a time, and the Fabric Store has implemented effective procedures to prevent any line... Read More

Oahu ends island-wide nighttime curfew

Juergen Steinmetz
The City’s island-wide nighttime curfew went into effect this past Easter weekend. Overall, the public complied with the curfew on a holiday weekend, which is normally a time for gatherings with family and friends. Over the three nights, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) handed out 92 citations. These violations were not connected to violating the Curfew Order, rather for traffic violations and other crimes. The City has no plans to continue... Read More
Hawaii News Hawaii Tourism News News for Visitors 

Hair Stylists and Tourism: What Honolulu Mayor Caldwell is planning?

Juergen Steinmetz
How can the City and County of Honolulu make it more difficult for visitors to still arrive at Honolulu International Airport? Honolulu Mayor Caldwell agreed with eTurboNews suggesting to have arriving passengers, locals, and visitors to be housed in approved accommodation away from Waikiki. The mayor, however, was not sure about the legality to force a person to stay somewhere for 14 days that s/he didn't plan to stay. Japan has... Read More
Hawaii News kamaainas 

Easter Weekend Parties on Oahu considered Blatant Disrespect and resulted in more restrictions

Juergen Steinmetz
“Blatant disrespect,” by some people over the Easter Weekend three-day holiday has led to the immediate closing of all Hawai‘i Offshore Islets, which are all State Wildlife Sanctuaries. This includes the popular Mokulua Islets off of Kailua and Lanikai beaches.  In addition, the Ahu o Laka (Kaneohe sandbar), is also closing immediately. DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Officers (DOCARE) report blatant disregard for stay-at-home mandates and physical distancing measures over... Read More
Hawaii News Hawaii Tourism News 

Hawaii should learn from Japan to discourage tourism to continue

Juergen Steinmetz
Visitors are still arriving in Hawaii on a daily basis. Governor Ige and Honolulu Mayor Caldwell were unable to seal this inbound flow of airline passengers. Residents had plenty of time to return home, the requirements for visitors to stay in their hotel rooms for 2 weeks is not aggressively enforced and not a guarantee to keep COVID-19 out. By the time visitors arrive in their hotel, taxi drivers, front desk... Read More
Hawaii News 

Hawaii Covid Statistics for Sunday, April 12

Juergen Steinmetz
Thirteen New Cases of COVID-19 Reported All 13 of the new positive cases reported today are adult Hawai‘i residents bringing the total number of cases since Feb. 28, 2020 to 499 statewide. Overall travel-related cases have decreased markedly, with continued slight increases in community-associated cases. The 9th death was reported yesterday as a female, O‘ahu resident, 65-years of age or older, who had been hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions. Hawaiicovid19.com ... Read More

Still 89 visitors arrived in Hawaii yesterday

Juergen Steinmetz
According to a press release by the Hawaii Tourism Authority,  404 people arrived in Hawaii yesterday including 89 visitors and 147 residents. In comparison, during this same time last year, nearly 30,000 passengers arrived in Hawaii daily, including residents and visitors. The state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine started on March 26th for all passengers arriving in Hawaii from out of state. The quarantine order was expanded on April 1st to include interisland... Read More

African Tourism Recovery has plan and Hawaii is part of it

Juergen Steinmetz
ICTP, a Hawaii based organization is part of plan HOPE. Under the leadership by Dr. Taleb Rifai who was the former UNWTO Secretary-General. Dr. Rifai a tourism recovery plan was announced, Rifai is chairing the new African Tourism Board COVID-19 Task Force. Co- chair is Alain St. Ange, former minister of Tourism for Seychelles. The task force group has been attended by known tourism leaders like Najib Balala, Secretary of Tourism... Read More

Could Honolulu Mayor Caldwell learn from New York Mayor de Blasio?

Juergen Steinmetz
Being homeless should not mean a death sentence for those packed in crowded shelters or surroundings. About 6,000 homeless New Yorkers who are suffering from coronavirus or are at risk of getting the disease are going to taken out of shelters and put into hotels, Mayor de Blasio announced Saturday.  The mayor said during a press conference from City Hall. “We will use those hotels aggressively as a tool to support... Read More