Hawaii News Now

Tens of thousands of public school students are heading back to class today. But the COVID surge has many parents worried about safety.

Amid a surge in COVID in the islands, Hawaii’s largest healthcare facilities and networks jointly announced plans Monday to institute vaccine requirements for workers.

Officials said the requirements will go into effect on Sept. 30 or Oct. 1, giving unvaccinated employees time to get the shot. There will be limited exemptions, the details of which aren’t yet decided.

Hawaii reported 365 new COVID cases on Monday, pushing the statewide total for confirmed infections over the past 14 days to 3,535.

Of the new cases Monday:

222 were on Oahu

76 on Hawaii Island

S14 on Kauai

44 on Maui

As COVID cases soar across the state, health experts urge everyone to get vaccinated. The Pier 2 clinic is closed, but there's a new location to get the shot.

Have you found yourselves brainstorming about what to do with the kids before they head back to school? Why not take them to the Honolulu Zoo!? With restrictions loosened and new animals added to the lineup, so much has changed since you've probably been there last ... and there's so much to see! Linda Santos, the first female director in the zoo's history, joins us this week on 'Muthaship' to give us an update on the zoo's happenings, the best times to see the animals in action and a rundown of the most popular educational keiki programs.

The state Health Department reported 622 COVID infections on Friday, a startling count that is at least partly blamed on lab reporting delays earlier this week but also represents a continued surge in new coronavirus cases in the islands.

The state Health Department reported 622 COVID infections on Friday, a startling count that is at least partly blamed on lab reporting delays earlier this week but also represents a continued surge in new coronavirus cases in the islands.

There were also three more fatalities, bringing the death toll to 537.

Of the new cases, 359 were on Oahu, 111 were on Hawaii Island, 74 on Maui and eight on Kauai. In addition, there were 70 residents diagnosed out-of-state.

Multiple sources initially confirmed the figure to Hawaii News Now.

Sunrise is "on the road" at Turtle Bay to highlight issues affecting Oahu's North Shore community.

Some 20,000 federal civilian workers in Hawaii along with on-site contractors are impacted by President Biden’s sweeping new vaccine order.

- Jill Biden undergoes procedure after object was lodged in her foot during Hawaii visit

- Hawaii reports 234 new COVID cases; 60% of residents now fully vaccinated

- Tsunami watch for Hawaii canceled following 8.2-magnitude quake off Alaska