Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Post-flight COVID testing to be scaled back

Apr. 02, 2021

Hawaii County is planning to scale back post-flight COVID-19 testing this month.

COVID numbers on the rise; 16 new Big Island cases reported Wednesday by state Health Department

Apr. 01, 2021

The number of daily coronavirus cases in Hawaii County continues to climb.

State exploring ‘vaccine passport’ for interisland travel

Apr. 01, 2021 • Updated 7:01 p.m.

HONOLULU — Officials in Hawaii are looking into vaccine passports, especially for interisland travel.

UH-Hilo chancellor delivers State of the University address

Apr. 01, 2021

Despite the challenges of the past year, University of Hawaii at Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin said the state of the campus is good and she thinks its outlook is bright.

Rental car prices skyrocket as Hawaii sees surge in tourists

Mar. 31, 2021

HONOLULU — A recent surge of tourists has driven up the price of rental cars after fleets were thinned out during the pandemic.

Char says state will get vaccine to everybody who wants it as DOH aims to meet May 1 directive

Mar. 26, 2021

State Health Director Dr. Libby Char is “cautiously optimistic” Hawaii will meet a directive from President Joe Biden to make all adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations no later than May 1, if the state continues to get a steady supply of vaccines.

DOH to extend vaccine eligibility to people 60 and older

Mar. 26, 2021

The state Department of Health announced it will extend COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to people age 60 and older beginning Monday, March 29.

DOH reports seven new COVID-19 cases on Big Island

Mar. 25, 2021 • Updated 7:52 p.m.

The state Department of Health on Wednesday reported seven new cases of COVID-19 on the Big Island, bringing the total number of cases on the island since the start of the pandemic to 2,392.

County sees nearly 44% increase in firearms registration

Mar. 25, 2021 • Updated 7:57 p.m.

The state attorney general’s office on Wednesday released statistics showing a dramatic increase in firearms registration in 2020, the same day federal appeals judges affirmed the state’s strict limit on openly carrying firearms.

Virus relief money plugs hole in proposed Hawaii budget

Mar. 24, 2021

HONOLULU — Financial aid included in the most recent federal coronavirus relief package will allow Hawaii to cover unemployment insurance claims and avoid slashing spending on key social programs such as sexual assault treatment and HIV prevention, lawmakers say.

DOH not expanding vaccine eligibility yet, despite Civil Defense message

Mar. 24, 2021

The state Department of Health will not expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to those 50 and older today, despite a message early Tuesday from Hawaii County Civil Defense that said the department would do so.

Kona Community Hospital pre-registering Phase 2 individuals 50 and older for vaccine

Mar. 24, 2021

Kona Community Hospital has begun pre-registering Phase 2 individuals age 50 and older to receive the Pfizer vaccine at its Thursday mega clinics at Kekuaokalani Gymnasium in Kailua-Kona.

13% of Big Islanders vaccinated against COVID-19

Mar. 23, 2021

Hawaii to date has been awarded 751,170 COVID-19 vaccine doses, of which 654,090 had been received as of Monday, according to the state.

State briefs for March 23

Mar. 23, 2021

2 public health order arrests at Honolulu anti-mask protest

Legislators defer measure relating to Safe Travels program

Mar. 23, 2021 • Updated 6:17 p.m.

A bill that would allow Gov. David Ige to impose a statewide COVID-19 travel restriction plan stalled Monday and is likely dead.

HMC expands eligibility for COVID vaccine; Hospital opens early registration for people who are 50-64 years old

Mar. 23, 2021 • Updated 1:22 p.m.

Hilo Medical Center on Monday opened up early vaccine registration to individuals ages 50-64.

KTA aims to vaccinate 1,000 on Friday

Mar. 23, 2021

KTA Super Stores will offer its own large-scale COVID-19 vaccination clinic from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday at Edith Kanakaole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo.