Stories by Jessica Else

More cesspools targeted for closure

LIHU‘E — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set closure dates and doled out fines for three more cesspools in Hawai‘i, a continuation of a campaign to replace all of the state’s cesspools by 2050.

Hurricane Lane brought fire, rain to Hawai‘i

LIHU‘E — A recent study led by University of Hawai‘i researchers analyzed the impacts of August 2018 Hurricane Lane, detailing both fire and rain produced as a result of the storm, and how those complications affected emergency response.

Native species uprooted at museum

Chucky Boy Chock used to take the curious patrons at Kaua‘i Museum out to the native garden to show them the pili grass Native Hawaiians used to make thatch houses with.

Schools reopening face opposition

LIHU‘E — Hawaii State Teachers Association voiced concerns on Tuesday about bringing students back to classrooms, citing a lack of preparation and insufficient pandemic training.

Report: Plastic most common beach pollutant

The first annual Beach Cleanup Report has been issued by the Surfrider Foundation, analyzing results from all of the coastal cleanups done nationwide by the organization in 2019.

Report shows increase in flooding nationwide

LIHU‘E — Experts say sea-level rise flooding across U.S. coastlines is increasing, and if the trend continues, the water levels seen during high-tide flooding, also known as king tides, could become the new high-tide mark.

First seabird returns to Nihoku

The first of 87 birds translocated as chicks and fledged from the protected seacliffs of Nihoku at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge has returned after several years at sea.

DOH to issue color-coded placards

LIHU‘E — Restaurants could be shut down by the state if they don’t enforce social distancing or other pandemic guidelines, and the Hawaii Health Department issued a press release Thursday reminding food establishments of the “serious consequences” should they fail to follow the emergency rules.

Breakthrough could boost yellow tang

Scientists in Hawai‘i have made breakthroughs in studies of the popular yellow tang aquarium fish that could lead to a shift to aquaculture for procurement instead of wild catching.

Federal money for Kaua‘i Bus

LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Bus has received just over $4 million in federal money as part of a virus-related relief initiative aimed at rural transit operations and maintenance expenses.

2 new virus cases reported

The state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office Sunday reported two additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s total number of active cases to 16, and the cumulative total of cases to date to 37.

Hook likely cause of seal death

Wildlife officials almost made it to the beach in time on June 22, when a citizen reported a Hawaiian monk seal in distress near the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands near Kekaha.

Study: Residents shirking rules

Kaua‘i now has 13 active cases of COVID-19 on the island, the County of Kaua‘i said Friday. Total cumulative cases to date are now 34 on the island.

Reef camp starts soon

LIHU‘E — Explorers ages 8 to 13 are diving into Coral Reef Kids Camp this summer, starting July 29, where they’ll learn about the underwater environment around Kaua‘i and its plants and animals.

Study: Marine-management areas can restore state’s depleted fisheries

A recent comprehensive study has found Hawai‘i’s nearshore waters need more effective management, and that a diverse, integrated system of marine-management areas can help restore the state’s declining coral-reef fisheries and boost the resilience of coral reefs in a changing climate.

Household cluster confirmed

Seven additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified on Kaua‘i among the quarantined contacts of the man who was confirmed positive with the virus on June 18, and health officials are busy tracing contacts of those individuals.

Gather carefully

Kaua‘i is now allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people and indoor gatherings of up to 50 people, with the Gov. David Ige’s approval.

A phased reopening

LIHU‘E — Governor David Ige said Thursday he plans to allow indoor gatherings of up to 50 people and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people on Kaua‘i, and that the whole state could reopen to trans-Pacific travel as early as late July.

UH seeks people for COVID-19 study

LIHU‘E — When it comes to those who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa researchers are at the forefront of exploring how differences in immune health might explain why some individuals recover without serious medical complications while others do not.