Calls are coming in for empty hotels to be used as quarantine facilities for new arrivals.

An additional seven COVID-19 cases were discovered statewide from Wednesday, bringing the total to 442.

The Big Island Coronavirus Response Initiative is asking the community to be as resourceful as the robotics students at WHEA, who created the protective face shield assembly program, and help with the effort.

Hawai‘i County reported no new cases of COVID-19 over the last 24 hours.

All persons in Hawaiʻi may leave their home or place of residence only for essential activities or to engage in the essential businesses and operations. 

During the Hawai’i County Council meeting Wednesday, all council members co-introduced a resolution urging President Donald Trump to issue a ban on all non-essential travel to the Big Island until April 30.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday said heads should roll at the top of Hawai‘i Department of Health. 

Public contact-testing will now be a regular part of Hawai‘i’s approach to curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor tapped longtime business leader Alan Oshima to head an initiative dubbed the Hawaiʻi Economic and Community Recovery & Resiliency Plan.

Hawai‘i County Council continues to move the discussion of state reimbursement forward on costs incurred by the county to handle the protest against construction of the TMT on Maunakea.

Across the country, local and regional news outlets have furloughed or laid off staff. Some newspapers have also made cuts or stopped print editions.

Citations have been issued on the Big Island, O‘ahu and Kaua‘i.

A total of 42 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 infection. DOH said that 113 people have been released from isolation and are considered recovered. 

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.

The resolution notes the governor’s authority under Chapter 127A of Hawai‘i Revised Statutes to suspend certain laws during a state of emergency.

The operation was a County response to complaints about the property that resulted in a similar initiative about a year ago to remove illegal structures and stop development on the lot without permits.

At least one prisoner released from Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center as part of an effort to reduce the jail population during the COVID-19 pandemic has reoffended.

The suspect is known to operate a black Yamaha FJ 1300cc motorcycle with unknown plates.

Now standing at 410 coronavirus infections statewide, O‘ahu has suffered the brunt of the pandemic.

A report of two minors caught in the wake of Wailuku was made at 5:19 p.m. Monday. First responders were on the scene seven minutes later to begin the swift water rescue.