Biden campaign flips COVID-19 threat into new Trump contrast
WILMINGTON, Del. — Confronted with its first known coronavirus scare, Joe Biden’s presidential campaign turned the threat into another contrast with President Donald Trump in the closing weeks of a general election battle dominated by how the Republican incumbent has handled the pandemic and his own COVID-19 diagnosis.
Europe, US reel as virus infections surge at record pace
Coronavirus cases around the world have climbed to all-time highs of more than 330,000 per day as the scourge comes storming back throughout Europe and spreads with renewed speed in the U.S., forcing many places to reimpose tough restrictions eased just months ago.
‘This is going to be huge’; Hawaii Restaurant Card program looks to boost eateries
Hawaii residents who filed an initial unemployment claim since March 1 and received benefits during the month of September have started to receive the Hawaii Restaurant Card in their mailboxes — if their job loss is because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Few hiccups at Hilo airport as trans-Pacific travelers return
The first day of post-flight testing at Hilo International Airport went by largely without incident as a trickle of trans-Pacific travelers returned to the Big Island on Thursday.
A horrifying COVID chart still frightens months later
In late June, I highlighted what I deemed a “horrifying” chart showing massive growth in new coronavirus infections in the U.S. relative to the European Union.
DOH reports 91 new COVID-19 cases statewide; Big Island cases now top 1,000
The Department of Health said that, as of noon Thursday, there are 91 new cases of COVID-19 reported statewide and one new coronavirus-related death.
Pandemic leaves American Samoa residents stranded, homesick
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — Makerita Iosefo Vaʻa hasn’t been home for nearly eight months — the longest she’s ever been away from American Samoa.
Extra safety scrutiny planned as virus vaccine worries grow
Facing public skepticism about rushed COVID-19 vaccines, U.S. health officials are planning extra scrutiny of the first people vaccinated when shots become available — an added safety layer experts call vital.
Stocks fall on Wall Street as hopes fade for stimulus deal
Stocks gave up early gains and closed lower Wednesday, adding to Wall Street’s losses from a day earlier.
Green light for travelers from Japan
The executive director of the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau said the organization Hawaii Tourism Japan “has already got an initial marketing campaign set” for attracting Japanese visitors back to the islands.
HVNP ready for influx; Improvements to park made during pandemic
With the state loosening travel restrictions for trans-Pacific travelers today, the Big Island’s most popular tourist destination is preparing for an increase of visitors.
A reluctant Mayor Kim opens the island to trans-Pacific travelers
Mayor Harry Kim prefers not to open up the island at all today to trans-Pacific travelers without quarantine, but since he has no choice, he implemented the two-test procedure to reduce the coronavirus infection risk to residents and visitors.
How post-arrival testing will be conducted at Hilo airport
Trans-Pacific travelers to Hilo should expect a relatively smooth arrival as the county implements post-flight COVID-19 tests at Hilo International Airport.
Third suit filed in fatal veterans home COVID-19 outbreak
A third wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in connection with a COVID-19 outbreak at Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo that has killed 27 residents.
Thousands served during Hilo food giveaway
Hundreds of people lined up in their cars outside the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium for The Food Basket’s Ohana Food Drop event in Hilo on Wednesday morning.
Council calls emergency meeting to get travel testing update from Kim
County Council Chairman Aaron Chung called an emergency council meeting for 1 p.m. today to get a briefing from Mayor Harry Kim about how interisland and trans-Pacific travel will work come Thursday.
Another death reported at Life Care Center, its fourth, and DOH reports 18 new COVID-19 cases on Big Island
The Department of Health said that, as of noon Tuesday, there are 101 new cases of COVID-19 reported statewide and 10 additional reported coronavirus-related deaths.
Life Care Center reports additional COVID cases
Life Care Center of Hilo reported Tuesday that the total number of residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 has risen to 51.
Hawaii’s 17 ‘trusted testing partners’
Beginning Thursday, those who do not want to be subject to the state’s 14-day mandatory travelers quarantine must take an approved COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to departure from the final leg of travel (children younger than 5 will not be required to take a test).
Post-arrival antigen tests for out-of-state travelers to be available at all 3 of the island’s commercial airports
Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim said Tuesday that out-of-state travelers to the Big Island who’ve tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure to Hawaii will be able to take a rapid-response antigen test at any of the Big Island’s three commercial airports to avoid a 14-day quarantine.
