Hawaii News Now

President Trump is suggesting delaying November's presidential election, even though he doesn't have that power. Plus, today marks six months since the World Heath Organization deemed the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency.

Hawaii reported a jaw-dropping 109 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, in a record single-day high that’s prompting the state to consider imposing new restrictions on bars or closing them entirely and limiting the size of gatherings.

Hawaii reported a jaw-dropping 109 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, in a record single-day high that ― while expected because of hurricane-related testing delays ― prompted the Health Department to recommend “strategic actions” to rein in the virus.

It’s the first time Hawaii has recorded a triple-digit increase in new COVID-19 infections, and it comes as Honolulu’s mayor seeks to close bars, limit large gatherings, and strengthen the mask mandate.

“We are very concerned about the spike that we see,” Mayor Kirk Caldwell said, at a news conference Tuesday. “We need to take more action.”

Wednesday’s total follows two days of relatively lower cases due to a drop in laboratory services while Hurricane Douglas neared the state, but officials said the surge was nonetheless worrisome.

It’s the fourth time in the past seven days that Hawaii has set a new single-day record for cases. The previous single-day high of 73 was reported on Saturday.

Honolulu police are searching for three suspects in an armed robbery in Makakilo. Plus, as COVID cases rise in Hawaii, Honolulu's mayor is pushing to expand the mask mandate, close bars and limit crowds.

Mayor Caldwell wants to significantly strengthen the existing mask mandate, requiring face coverings whenever people are outside ― including when you’re walking or jogging, playing team sports or watching them.

Of the 47 new COVID-19 cases reported in Hawaii on Tuesday, all but one were on Oahu. There was a sole case reported on Maui.

The new infections bring the total number of cases in Hawaii to 1,757.

Of those, 1,205 people have been released from isolation and 167 people have been hospitalized.

The death toll from the virus in the islands stands at 26.

It was not immediately known how many tests were conducted Monday.

Officials said the number of new COVID-19 infections reported this week is likely to be “artificially low” because of an anticipated drop in laboratory services while Hurricane Douglas neared the state.

So far in July, Hawaii has reported 850 new coronavirus cases ― the vast majority of which are on Oahu. That compares to just 276 cases in all of June.

Students are set to return to Hawaii's public schools in one week. But a new announcement from leaders could delay the date by two weeks. Plus, coronavirus outbreaks at late-night hotspots could lead to the shut down of all Oahu bars.

Top stories from across Hawaii and around the world, as seen on the 5 p.m. news broadcast from Hawaii News Now.

More parents are considering homeschooling versus sending their kids back to school in the middle of the pandemic... But where do you start?

Can you really pull off the job of a teacher, and how do you know if your child is on track or falling behind? And where do you even get the resources?

On this week's episode of 'Muthaship,' three homeschooling moms have those answers and more for families considering making the switch.

The state is asking anyone who recently patronized two Honolulu bars linked to clusters of COVID-19 to contact their physicians.

The health alert comes amid growing concern from public health officials and others about a surge in new COVID-19 infection in the islands, just as Hawaii prepares to reopen public school campuses.

So far in July, Hawaii has reported more than 800 new coronavirus cases ― the vast majority of which are on Oahu. That compares to 276 cases in all of June.

On Monday, 28 new COVID-19 cases were reported, all on Oahu.

That’s a dramatic drop from recent days, something the state Health Department attributed to an anticipated decrease in testing at private labs due to Hurricane Douglas.

Meanwhile, the state has identified two bars associated with COVID-19 clusters: Brix and Bones on Hopaka Street and Arena 808 on Keeaumoku Street.

At least 12 cases are linked to these bars and associated clusters.