Kaua‘i COVID-19 Q&A
Editor’s Note: Questions about stay-at-home orders can be submitted to tinyurl.com/TFIQ-A and The Garden Island staff will do our best to find you an answer. We will continue to share answers throughout the week. Contact the Hawai‘i Department of Health or your physician for official COVID-19 symptoms and steps to take if you think you have the virus.
Kaua‘i 2020 Census reporting falling behind
LIHU‘E — Only 19.8% of households in Kaua‘i have responded to the 2020 Census since it opened last month. That’s almost two times less than the national average of 38.4%, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Paying rent during COVID-19
LIHU‘E — The $1,300 Racquel Burns pays for her three-bedroom home is seeming harder and harder to get.
When to stay home
LIHU‘E — Yes, you can bring your car to the mechanic, enjoy solo outdoor activities, and yes, you can even sell fish along the side of the road. But, no, you can’t lay out in the sun on the beach, go sightseeing or enjoy a motorcycle joy rides for the time being.
Kauaʻi gun shop sees “sizeable uptick” in sales
LIHU‘E — JGB Arms, which operates in the Harbor Mall, has seen a “sizeable uptick” in firearm sales on the island, said managing member Jason Bryant.
COVID-19 hits county budget
Real estate values on the island are expected to drop, and that could look like $30 million in reduced revenue for the county as just another part of the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
KPD prepping more drone use
Earlier this year, investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board used drone footage to document and analyze a helicopter crash that killed seven passengers in December on Kaua‘i. And now, the Kaua‘i Police Department is equipping its team to be able to do the same.
KPD starts stay-at-home enforcement
Limiting movement is key to keeping community spread of the novel coronavirus at bay.
KPD looks to restructure salaries
Promotions within the Kaua‘i Police Department have been difficult to fulfill due to pay inversions, and KPD Chief Todd Raybuck believes he’s found a cost-effective solution.
Budget talks to continue
The Kaua‘i County Council convened differently on Wednesday, as Councilmembers Luke Evslin and Mason Chock participated remotely via telecommunications in the meeting to practice social distancing amid the current COVID-19 outbreak.