Hawaii News Now

The governor is easing some restrictions on restaurants and bars, but said Tuesday that they’ll still have to keep social distancing requirements in place when indoors. The news is a blow to the industry, among the hardest hit during the pandemic.

Restaurants had hoped that with the recent drop in new cases and hospitalizations — as well as increases in the vaccination rate — the state would relax the restrictions.

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HNN News Brief for Nov. 3, 2021:

Hawaii is reporting three additional COVID deaths.

Hawaii providers are beginning to administer COVID vaccines to younger keiki.

And the governor is defending his plan to keep social distancing rules in place for indoor dining. 

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Come Nov. 12, the governor will drop all COVID restrictions for outdoor activities at restaurants, bars and gyms. But social distancing rules when indoors will remain in place.

Gov. David Ige made the announcement at a news conference Tuesday, saying outdoor activities remain a safer option. “We do believe that outdoor activities are significantly safer,” he said.

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A very large northwest swell will bring warning-level surf for exposed shores of most of the smaller islands, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters have issued a high surf warning until 6 a.m. Wednesday for the north and west shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai, and the north-facing shores of Maui. Large breaking waves will rise to 22 to 26 feet for north shores, and waves of 15 to 20 feet are expected along west shores.

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The first warning-level northwest swell of winter season could bring waves up to 26 feet.

Hawaii's congressional delegation is calling on the Navy to be more transparent about a fuel leak at its Red Hill facility, which sits above an aquifer that serves much of the urban core.

And the NTSB has recovered the wreckage of a 737 cargo plane that crashed off Oahu in July.

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Hannemann and other tourism officials said the governor’s announcement — along with Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s decision last week to loosen restrictions on mass gatherings and businesses — are raising optimism in an industry devastated for the past two years by the pandemic.

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After Hawaii Gov. David Ige asked tourists to stay home in August, statewide visitor arrivals plunged 30% the following month. Part of it was due to a seasonal slowdown.

But potential tourists were also worried that further restrictions — or even a lockdown — might be implemented during their trips.

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Planning to travel over the holidays? Do your research before booking your flight.

The state is gearing up to begin vaccinating younger kids against COVID.

And the lottery system for this year's Dec. 7 memorial ceremony at Pearl Harbor opens today. 

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