Spotlight Hawaii

COVID-19 cases continue to stabilize in Hawaii, related hospitalizations remain manageable and vaccination rates are rising, but there are still few guideposts for when residents will be able to resume life as normal, sans masks and gathering limits.

Dr. Libby Char, director of the Hawaii Department of Health said during the Star-Advertiser’s “Spotlight Hawaii” livestream this morning that the state continues to be cautious when it comes to lifting restrictions and fully reopening.

“I look forward to the time when we can all get back to doing what we used to do and socializing and what not,” said Char. “We are being very deliberate to make sure that our case count comes down and is nice and stable.”

Char said that the state is gradually lifting restrictions on outdoor activities which she said were “quite safe,” and then evaluating the effect.

“Indoors, we are trying to do the same thing, but being a lot more cautious because we know that this is much, much higher risk,” said Char.

Char said she expects indoor mask requirements to continue for some time.

In May, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said vaccinated Americans could largely ditch masks, both outdoors and in most indoor settings.

President Joe Biden called it a “great day for America.” Hawaii chose not to follow that advice, and the CDC largely changed course in July as the highly contagious delta variant caused cases to spike throughout the country.

Hawaii is among seven states that require people to wear masks in indoor public places, regardless of their vaccination status, according to a tally by the American Association of Retired Persons.

Char said she didn’t expect COVID-19 cases to be reduced to zero in Hawaii, but that she would be more comfortable if the state was recording, on average, fewer than 100 new cases a day.

Hawaii is currently averaging 115 new COVID-19 cases a day, with 1.8% of tests coming back positive. The number of new cases has remained stable since mid-October.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green joined the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s “Spotlight Hawaii” livestream show today at 10:30 a.m. and answered viewer questions. This series shines a spotlight on issues affecting the Hawaiian Islands.

Infectious disease expert Tim Brown of the East-West Center joined the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s “Spotlight Hawaii” livestream show today to answer viewer questions. The series shines a spotlight on issues affecting the Hawaiian Islands.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Director Jim Ireland joined the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Spotlight Hawaii livestream show today and answered viewer questions. This series shines a spotlight on issues affecting the Hawaiian Islands.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi was optimistic that by next year, large events on Oahu will be able to happen again by January 1st.

Gov. David Ige today urged parents to initially look to their children’s pediatricians when COVID-19 vaccinations are expected to be approved this month for children ages 5 to 11.

Ige told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s “Spotlight Hawaii” livestream program that state officials are notifying isle pediatricians to be prepared to represent the initial wave of anticipated vaccinations.

Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami joined the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Spotlight Hawaii livestream show today and answered viewer questions. This series shines a spotlight on issues affecting the Hawaiian Islands.

Jeff Wagoner of Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, and Mufi Hannemann of Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Authority join the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Spotlight Hawaii livestream show today at 10:30 a.m. to answer viewer questions. This series shines a spotlight on issues affecting the Hawaiian Islands.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green joins the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Spotlight Hawaii livestream once again to answer viewers’ questions.

Maui Health Systems CEO Mike Rembis and Hilo Medical Center CEO Dan Brinkman joined the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Spotlight Hawaii livestream show today to answer viewer questions. This series shines a spotlight on issues affecting the Hawaiian Islands.