Hawaii News Now

A tsunami watch was triggered Wednesday night after a big earthquake off Alaska. The alert has since been canceled.

Never before seen body camera footage from the three officers involved in a deadly April 5 shooting of a teen were presented in court Wednesday.

The Honolulu prosecutor’s office is trying to establish probable cause, saying three HPD officers — Geoffrey Thom, Zackary Ah Nee and Christopher Fredeluces — should go on trial for second degree murder and attempted murder charges.

As vaccinations have slowed in the islands and new infections have surged, some are considering vaccine mandates for state workers.

Gov. David Ige told Hawaii News Now on Tuesday that the state can legally require COVID-19 shots for state workers. But he wants to wait until the FDA gives its full approval to the vaccinations.

They currently have emergency approval. There is no definite timeline for full FDA approval.

Other jurisdictions, including California and New York City, have already moved ahead in mandating the vaccine for government workers and testing for those who refuse.

A two-alarm fire destroyed a home in Waianae overnight.

Testimony in the preliminary hearing Tuesday for three Honolulu police officers charged in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old confirmed for the first time there were two threatening items in the stolen vehicle that was being driven by the teen.

As COVID infections locally and nationally continue to soar, Hawaii’s health centers are discussing the possibility of instituting vaccine mandates for staff members.

Hilton Raethel, the president and CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, said hospitals are having “substantive and serious discussions” about whether vaccines should be required for all health care workers. He added that a climbing positivity rate has many in the industry concerned.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced a vaccine mandate for its medical employees. It’s the first federal agency to require health care workers to get COVID vaccines.

The mandate applies to Tripler Army Medical Center, where 80% of 1,400 health care workers are vaccinated. The remaining 20% have eight weeks to get the shot.

As Hawaii records yet another day of triple-digit cases, health officials are concerned about the growing number of COVID patients in the hospital.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced a vaccine mandate for its medical employees. It’s the first federal agency to require health care workers to get COVID vaccines.

The mandate applies to Tripler Army Medical Center, where 80% of 1,400 health care workers are vaccinated. The remaining 20% have eight weeks to get the shot.

Hawaii reported another triple-digit increase in COVID infections Monday, with 163 new cases statewide.

Of the new cases Monday, 105 were on Oahu, 34 on Hawaii Island, 16 on Maui, and one on Kauai. There were also seven residents diagnosed out-of-state.

The state does not provide details on how many cases were in vaccinated vs. unvaccinated individuals.

There were no additional fatalities. The death toll from the virus in Hawaii stands at 529.

Hawaii's daily cases keep growing, with hundreds reported in just the last two days.