All publications of Stephen . Honolulu , United States of Ame

Free food distribution to West Ohau families; also an opportunity for food waste in the agricultural industry

Over a thousand boxes of food were offered out to families deprived at Waianae Mall on Saturday. The free food dissemination is likewise assisting with disposing of waste as coordinators state the shutdown of the travel industry and restaurants has prompted a more noteworthy open door for food squander in the farming business. They also mention that the number of families experiencing an absence of fundamental necessities and food uncertainty has ascended by half, in the course of these few months. The circumstance led the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program, which is interfacing nearby ranchers and farmers to food banks and different non-profits who may require those provisions.

Rich Bettini, CEO of Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, sponsored the event and said that few out of every odd network had encountered the infection similarly. In a lower salary network, they have lost their jobs. Some fundamental needs should be dealt with, and in Waianae, they are dealing with on their own.

Ham Produce and Seafood is one of the Hawaii-based organizations to get financing through the program. At present, it's working with nearby ranchers, for example, Aloun Farms, and Dole Food. Co. Hawaii to orchestrate almost 100,000 boxes of food and convey them to neighbourhood non-profits, who can help distribute them across the islands.

They'll be disseminated through June 30th.

Visitors in Hawaii continuously increase

The count of tourists has consistently increased in the state. Hawaii has reopened its parks, beaches, trails and other outside spaces, but the authorities urge the public to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend safely. Everyone should wear masks, maintain social distancing and wash hands frequently. Gov. David Ige appeals to the people saying that as everybody remembers the sacrifices of the service officials, one must ensure the social distancing norms and connect with people keeping up with safe practices. As per Hawaii Tourism Authority, around 363 outsiders visited the state on Thursday and made up to 30% of 1203 total tourists. The count included 72% of 262 passengers who came to visit family or friends, 6% for vacation and 11% for business reasons. 332 residents, 140 airline crew members, 75 military personnel, 111 relocating to Hawaii, 151 transit passengers were also among the incoming passengers. Officers are urging people to follow the emergency orders, including gatherings of not more than ten people and six feet distance unless of the same family.

Colorado visitor who broke quarantine elects to return home

As indicated by MPD, Ashley Ruth Degraaf, who was in search by Maui Police for not following the quarantine, has been in touch with the Maui Police Department and has consented to meet with officials. Degraaf demonstrated she saw the online life post concerning her abusing the 14-day travel isolate. Degraaf gave his statement and is helping out specialists. Degraaf has intentionally chosen to get back to Colorado.

The case is being sent to the Prosecutor's Officer for the survey. A guest from Colorado needed by police for defying isolate guidelines stays on Maui and still can't seem to hand herself over.

The lady giving ABC News a selective meeting shared her side of the story.

It's the side one does not regularly hear, and she's guaranteeing miscommunication.

Ashley Degraaf says she's been travelling on Maui with her sister.

She showed up from Colorado last Friday, and the two ladies have been remaining with a companion.

On Monday police gave a notification saying Degraaf had dropped her lodging reservations and they haven't had the option to get in touch with her since.

In the meeting, Degraaf conceded she didn't give specialists the location she's remaining at because her companion is awkward, revealing where he lives.

Degraaf proceeded to state her telephone quit working which prompted miscommunication that she's been dodging calls from police.

Those under the compulsory 14-day isolation must check in every day on an application or call.

Degraaf's sister says they've been enduring an onslaught from people in general with contrary messages towards them and she feels police should direct their concentration toward others.

Consumers of Hawaii turn toward produce grown locally 

There has been a significant increase in the buying of produce grown locally, all due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, an increase in the demand for produce pickup as well as delivery services is also witnessed.

Throughout the state, the farmers are the most hurt because of the shutting down of the hotels and the restaurants. However, a few operations have witnessed a huge increase in direct sales to consumers. This demand is so high that services can’t keep up.

Mainz along with her mother run 808 Organics, a 4-year-old company where locally grown fruits, vegetables and eggs are packed in produce boxes and then made available to be delivered or picked up as per the need. According to her, the order has now grown to two to five times because of the new coronavirus that hit Hawaii recently.

She also says that she does personal shopping for customers. Every week, it is her routine to pick up hundreds of pounds of produce from the which is grown on neighbour islands.

Currently, the waiting list is as high as 100 people. As of now, only one of her pickup locations —remains open - at Coffee Talk in Kaimuki.

The support will wane, she says, after the re-opening of the economy. However, she thinks that people will still seek out locally sourced produce.

All the things you should know about Coronavirus on Sunday, May 17

As most of the cases had recovered and the virus mostly contained, China had started reopening. Life is returning to normal, and lockdowns are being loosened, and many schools and factories have opened.

Dr. Zhong Nanshan, one of the top medical advisers in the country, says that they fear a second wave of COVID-19 because it is not determined whether people develop immunity for the virus after contracting it.

One more reason for the worry, as recently eight sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt had been tested positive for the virus second time.

Zhong also told that Wuhan suppressed the first reports and the magnitude of the initial outbreak. "At the very beginning, they kept silent, and then I said probably we have (a larger) number of people being infected," he said.

New clusters of cases had emerged in China. More than 8,000 people were quarantined in Shulan on Friday.

Some cases for the second wave had also been observed from South Korea. The number of confirmed cases related to Seoul's nightclub cluster had reached 168.

Many leaders fear the second wave as they reopen the country for their economies. Still, people are getting impatient, and many protests were seen this weekend in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Hawaii struggling with quarantine enforcement to be followed by Travellers or tourists

A 23-year old New York boy, Tarique Peters, was arrested after heading to Hawaii when he did not follow the local quarantine regulations. This man posted his beach pictures on Instagram at a time when he is supposed to stay in isolation to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Hawaii governor’s office made a statement that the man was taken into custody as he defied the mandatory 14-day quarantine rule of Hawaii and also for “unsworn falsification to authority”.

According to reports, the state has a total of 638 cases, and 17 have died. Also, few tourists have been arrested for violation of the quarantine rules.

As per the news discharge from the Hawaii Covid-19 Joint Information Center, Peters, 23-year old from Bronx borough of New York City, arrived in Honolulu. The release also informed that reportedly, he left the suite room on the day he arrived, and used public transport to travel to various places. The citizens who saw his Instagram posts- sunbathing, on the beach with the surfboard, strolling at night around Waikiki

During the isolation period, tourists or travellers are barred from leaving the hotel room or residence; they do not get any housekeeping facilities and food to be delivered needs to be arranged.

Authorities are striving to upgrade the enforcement quarantine as there are still various people entering the state. Hawaii Tourism Authority informed that recently, 252 visitors and 318 residents stepped in Hawaii. The state attorney General Clare also appreciated the support of the local people in reporting to the right authorities about people who are violating the emergency rules on social media.

Tattoo business to remain closed in the next phase of reopening said Mayor

Many businesses are opening in this new phase of reopening, but one business still has to wait and continue its struggle. The niche body art industry and the artists who work in it have only the City and County of Honolulu's new Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund as a lifeline.

Anthony and Carey Hunter are in the tattoo business for more than 20 years and work for both local and tourist clients at Electric Paradise and Victorian Tattoo in Waikiki, West Coast Ink in Kapolei and Hula Girl Tattoo on Maui.

Like other businesses, they also pay taxes and need to have close contact with customers, but they all wonder why they had not received any help from the government.

Hunters work with dozens of independent artists, so have a plan to apply for the City of Honolulu's grant program, which gives needy businesses $10,000 for different expenses.

During the conference this week, by Mayor Calwell, the tattoo parlor would not be a part of the next reopening phase.

Mayor Caldwell said that the tattoo parlor leaves the customers at high risk and did not provide any timeline for them nut state lieutenant governor Josh Green said that beauty salon and spas might get reopened by the end of May.

Missing teen’s body recuperated off Yokohama Bay

A missing teenage boy's body was discovered near Yokohama Bay on Wednesday morning, 13 May. Twelve officers were staffed in five units by The Honolulu Fire Department, responding to a diver’s missing report, off-shore of Yokohama Bay on Tuesday night, May 12; around 5:32 p.m. Reports say that the diver was a 15-year old boy, last spotted at 10 a.m.

Authorities attempted to locate the missing young person via air, by land, and underwater, however couldn't find him. Tasks were briefly suspended for the night at 7:49 p.m. and furthermore, continued on Wednesday morning from the start light, which was around 4:49 a.m. After over 12 hours of search, around 7:20 a.m., the body of the missing kid was recuperated 100 yards seaward. He was taken back to the land where he was recognized by his family.

Hawaii gets funds from CBDG

Hawaii will be receiving more than $5 million to utilise for preventing, preparing and responding

to the virus.

The funds will be coming from Community Development Block Grants.

The money will be spent for the welfare of public health, housing and economic disruption

needs, testing, diagnosis, and treatment facilities.

Also to support new businesses or business expansion thus creating jobs and expanding

microenterprises.

“The pandemic has exposed the deep divisions and inequality that are present in our nation. This

funding will help our state with flexible resources so each county can appropriately address the

needs of particularly vulnerable populations" said U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono.

Walgreens to remain closed until June 1st

Walgreens company located on Keeaumoku Street and Kapiolani Blvd announced they will be

close until June 1 and gave the following statement "Walgreens has been operated our store

at 1488 Kapiolani Blvd for about 5 years and the decision to close was not easy. Please be as

that the community will remain well served by Walgreens. Prescription files will automatically

transfer to our store at 1121 S. Beretania St. Customers need to take no action; the transfer is

automatic and out teams at those stores look forward to serving them. We will continue to be

the strong community supporter Honolulu has known to be. Pharmacy patients will receive a

letter in the mail providing more information about their prescription records."