Love’s Bakery auction includes vintage aloha shirts, signs
HONOLULU — Vintage Love’s Bakery aloha shirts, signs, equipment, leftover ingredients and some baked goods are being auctioned off after the closure of the state’s oldest and largest commercial bakery.
Oahu Auctions has opened online bidding for the items. The auction will take place in multiple phases, with the first phase ending on Saturday.
The company, which had been in business for 170 years, told state and federal agencies last month that it would close its doors and lay off more than 230 employees. The company said it was behind on rent, couldn’t secure additional capital and hadn’t qualified for the second round of federal Paycheck Protection Program funds aimed at helping companies struggling during the pandemic.
It also experienced major delays from mainland suppliers for ingredients and parts for the company’s aging equipment.
The auction features several old aloha shirt uniforms, including one with the company’s trademark red gingham pattern and pictures of bread loaves.
Love’s Bakery was started in 1851 by a Scottish baker who specialized in “re-baking” bread delivered from sailing ships.
The baker weathered outbreaks of the bubonic plague in the early 1900s and two world wars.
Maui to begin 2nd virus test for travelers in early May
WAILUKU, Maui — Maui will soon require a second COVID-19 test for trans-Pacific travelers arriving on the island.
Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino said the program is expected to begin the first week of May.
The new measure will require trans-Pacific travelers to take a rapid COVID-19 test when they arrive at Kahului Airport. All travelers are also required to get a pre-travel test before arriving in Hawaii.
Hawaii residents who have been fully vaccinated in the state can skip testing and quarantine requirements for travel between islands beginning May 11, Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced Tuesday. Those people will be exempt from testing at the Maui airport.
Victorino said the county is interested in finding out how many COVID-19 cases are related to travel.
“Maui has to introduce a secondary test to make sure that we are statistically correct that our visitors and travelers are not the ones bringing in a larger number of cases that we had in the past,” Victorino said.
Maui has a seven-day average positivity rate of 2.4% and state health officials have said many cases are linked to a highly transmissible coronavirus variant first found in California.
“It is about a layered approach to the health and well-being of our community, and every layer is important to reduce incoming travelers who may be infected by COVID-19,” Gov. Ige said.
Police won’t release footage from shooting of teen
HONOLULU — The Honolulu Police Department will not release body camera footage worn by the officers who shot and killed a 16-year-old boy because juveniles were involved, a spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday.
The department also won’t release 911 recordings from the incident earlier this month, spokeswoman Sarah Yoro said.
She didn’t immediately respond to questions seeking additional information.
Iremamber Sykap, 16, was driving a stolen car that was linked to a crime spree, police said.
Chief Susan Ballard said previously the department was still reviewing footage from more than 50 officers. Since juveniles were involved, there would be limitations on what could be released, she said. Ballard said the other occupants of the car ranged in age from 14 to 22.
After the shooting, Ballard said officers pursued the car in which Sykap sped west on a highway and freeway, at one point driving into oncoming traffic. Sykap rammed two police cars before crashing into a fence and landing in a canal, she said.
Before the car ended up in the canal, officers fired at it. Some of the occupants later ran from the canal with officers running after them, Ballard said.