#hawaiinews

During the holidays, Kamehameha Schools will distribute approximately 10,000 KeikiDesks for haumāna in public schools across O‘ahu—allowing students to have the tools to create a comfortable learning space of their own at home.

A Maui Economic Opportunity program that provides on-the-job training for Maui County seniors and is currently seeking applicants has received a $211,226 federal grant that runs through June 2022.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its vaccine prioritization to include “Traveler Accommodation” under the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Categories of Essential Workers.

According to the NWS, a “wintry mix of snow and freezing rain expected,” with total snow accumulations of up to 6 inches between the 12,500 and 13,000 foot elevation.

Mayor Michael Victorino announced Wednesday the launch of a $1 million Small Business Mortgage & Relief direct payment program to provide a lifeline for businesses struggling to survive COVID-19 impacts.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino announced a produce distribution will take place Wednesday, Oct. 21, to provide produce for families impacted by COVID-19 on the island of Lānaʻi.

The County of Maui Department of Water Supply reminds Upcountry and West Maui water customers that cutbacks of non-essential water use will be mandatory beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020.

A search is underway for a missing spearfished off of Pāʻia, Maui.   Officials say 53-year-old Scot Williams was last seen wearing dark board shorts.   He had gone spearfishing at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2020, but his friends contacted 911 to report he was overdue when he failed to return.  The Coast Guard was alerted to the situation at 10 p.m. on Friday.

There is no tsunami expected following a 4.2 (preliminary magnitude 4.0) earthquake reported in the SW rift zone of the Kīlauea Volcano on Hawaiʻi Island.

US Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led 29 of their colleagues in a letter to Vice President Mike Pence and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Peter Gaynor urging them to take immediate action to provide Personal Protective Equipment and sanitizing supplies for election and poll workers—and voters—ahead of the November 2020 election.

There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among any Hawaiʻi inmates housed at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona; however, 80 Hawaiʻi inmates are in quarantine.

From July 24-31, LINEAGE is open for takeout only from 4 to 8 p.m. Beginning Aug. 1, it will be open for takeout and dine-in services from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday; and from 4 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Limited seating is available to accommodate social distancing measures, so reservations are highly recommended.

The last day for the acceptance of residential greenwaste on Sundays at the Central Maui Landfill will be on Sunday, June 28, the Department of Environmental Management announced.

The committee voted to provide $19 million for Maui Health System operating costs, $21.6 million for Hawai‘i Health System Corporation operating costs, and $750,000 to the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority to maintain the State’s existing rent supplement program.

The snake was identified as a “Corn” snake. Corn snakes are native to the eastern United States but are also found in southern states such as Florida, and subdues its small prey by constriction. The corn snake can get as big as 6 feet.

The study, led by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi, found greater fish populations and the return of ulua, omilu and reef sharks. Researchers say it’s sign of a healthy ecosystem, but say the increases are likely temporary and will probably disappear once visitors return to Molokini.  

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters today hosted a flower drop over the Maui Memorial Medical Center in Kahului in a special gesture, giving thanks to all of the health care heroes, Emergency Medical Service workers and frontline first responders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Air arrivals to Maui totaled 63 on Sunday with four flights arriving from out-of-state. This included 16 crew members, 32 residents and 15 visitors.

In Hawaiʻi, 776 students were enrolled at one of Argosy University’s three Hawaiʻi campuses within weeks of Argosy University’s closure in March 2019. Thirteen Hawaiʻi students were enrolled at DCEH schools online at the time of those schools’ closure. There may be other Hawaiʻi students eligible for closed school discharge if they withdrew from a DCEH school before closure.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu reported that Maui County could still receive 3 to 5 inches of rain with potential for localized flooding beginning late Sunday night and early Monday morning