Hawaii News Now

Hawaii’s daily COVID case counts dipped back into double digits Tuesday as health officials reported 71 new infections statewide. There were no new fatalities.

Hawaii’s total case count stands at 29,581 with 462 fatalities.

Tuesday’s numbers snap a five-day streak of triple-digit new cases statewide. Of the new infections, 45 were on Oahu, 12 on Maui, and six on Hawaii Island and one on Kauai.

In the last 14 days, there have been 1,175.

As of Sunday, the state had administered 604,570 vaccine doses in the islands.

Hawaii residents 60 and up can now get their COVID-19 vaccines.

The man fatally shot in his Aiea garage on Saturday night has been identified as a respected youth counselor who worked for more than two decades to help at-risk youth.

Firefighters are responding to a large blaze in Kalihi that’s sending plumes of black smoke into the air.

The fire was reported about noon at a home on Winant Street.

Several homes may be impacted; flames also appear to have spread to a vehicle.

Authorities have closed several roads in the area as they respond.

Koko Head District Park and the Koko Crater Tramway will be closed for a few days as the city begins safety repairs to the summit of the hike.

In the fifth and final episode in our series of town halls marking the anniversary of the pandemic, we examine what's next and discuss how Hawaii will handle the next year of the pandemic.

The Merrie Monarch is a go ... and that's got hula halau celebrating. But organizers stress there will be a host of safety protocols in place for the event and there won't be an audience.

Hawaii reported 125 new COVID infections on Friday and one additional fatality, pushing the death toll from the virus to 459.

Of the new cases, there were 61 on Oahu, 44 in Maui County and 14 on the Big Island. There were also six residents diagnosed out-of-state.

The figures come a day after state Health Director Dr. Libby Char urged residents to be vigilant.

Char called the increase in cases “a reflection of all the activities going on in the community.”

She added, “So please, please, please don’t let your guard down.”

Since the pandemic began, Hawaii has seen 29,194 cases.

As of Wednesday, the state had administered 568,376 doses.

The unemployment office temporarily shut down one of its call centers due to a positive COVID-19 case. This comes as many residents are still struggling to get answers about their unemployment benefits.

In the fourth of our series of town halls, we discuss how the pandemic has changed Hawaii, how we’ve adapted, what changes will stay with us and how we can thrive despite the virus.