HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - The city won’t bring back any additional COVID restrictions and will remain in Tier 3 for at least the next four weeks, under a plan approved by the governor.“I would like to thank Gov. Ige for his support and allowing the community to stay in Tier 3, which has a profound impact on our businesses, families and community,” Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, in a news release issued about 4 p.m. Wednesday.“We are focused on the broader definition of health and I believe moving back to Tier 2 at this point would have had a tremendous negative impact on the overall...…HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - The city won’t bring back any additional COVID restrictions and will remain in Tier 3 for at least the next four weeks, under a plan approved by the governor.“I would like to thank Gov. Ige for his support and allowing the community to stay in Tier 3, which has a profound impact on our businesses, families and community,” Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, in a news release issued about 4 p.m. Wednesday.“We are focused on the broader definition of health and I believe moving back to Tier 2 at this point would have had a tremendous negative impact on the overall...WW…

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - It’s a story that began with a bad decision. Two of them, actually.“I was just having some problems,” said Travis Sueyoshi. “I ended up taking some stuff.”Surveillance video captured the 33-year-old stealing from a construction site on Koaki Street in Waipahu — and it wasn’t the first time. He hit the same spot twice last month and got away with an estimated $10,000 worth of tools.John Paul Cates, the owner of TSW Fabrication, says he was livid about the theft.“We work hard for our stuff. It’s a family business,” he said. “I was like we’re going to find...…HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - It’s a story that began with a bad decision. Two of them, actually.“I was just having some problems,” said Travis Sueyoshi. “I ended up taking some stuff.”Surveillance video captured the 33-year-old stealing from a construction site on Koaki Street in Waipahu — and it wasn’t the first time. He hit the same spot twice last month and got away with an estimated $10,000 worth of tools.John Paul Cates, the owner of TSW Fabrication, says he was livid about the theft.“We work hard for our stuff. It’s a family business,” he said. “I was like we’re going to find...WW…

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - The teen suspect in a nationwide cell phone hacking scheme was arrested in Aina Haina on Wednesday morning and now faces three felony charges.HPD sources say he’s just 16 years old and in the 11th grade.Tulsa TV meteorologist Sawyer Wells is among those who were victimized.He said by the time he realized he’d been scammed, a hacker had tried to steal $33,000 from his bank account by accessing information on his cell phone.It all started last March, and Wells says the con couldn’t have come at a worse time.“I was going into work,” Wells said. “We had severe...…HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - The teen suspect in a nationwide cell phone hacking scheme was arrested in Aina Haina on Wednesday morning and now faces three felony charges.HPD sources say he’s just 16 years old and in the 11th grade.Tulsa TV meteorologist Sawyer Wells is among those who were victimized.He said by the time he realized he’d been scammed, a hacker had tried to steal $33,000 from his bank account by accessing information on his cell phone.It all started last March, and Wells says the con couldn’t have come at a worse time.“I was going into work,” Wells said. “We had severe...WW…

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - An unidentified flying object spotted in the evening sky over Leeward Oahu prompted witnesses to call 911 on Tuesday.The sighting happened about 8:30 p.m.There are multiple videos of what appears to be a glowing‚ oblong mass — both in the sky and in the water.Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration say there were no aircraft incidents or accidents in this area at the time. But multiple witnesses reported seeing a large blue object fall out of the sky and into the ocean.In a one video a woman can be heard saying, “Something is in the sky. What is...…HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - An unidentified flying object spotted in the evening sky over Leeward Oahu prompted witnesses to call 911 on Tuesday.The sighting happened about 8:30 p.m.There are multiple videos of what appears to be a glowing‚ oblong mass — both in the sky and in the water.Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration say there were no aircraft incidents or accidents in this area at the time. But multiple witnesses reported seeing a large blue object fall out of the sky and into the ocean.In a one video a woman can be heard saying, “Something is in the sky. What is...WW…

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Police Chief Susan Ballard took to social media Tuesday to respond to accusations the department mismanaged millions of dollars of federal CARES funds.The allegations were included an anonymous letter addressed to the Honolulu Police Commission. The author claims to be a ranking officer within the chief’s inner circle.The officer says the letter is written on behalf of a small group of HPD commanders who are “deeply concerned” with the way the department spent the federal COVID-19 relief aid.The writer says it was sent anonymously for fear of...…HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Police Chief Susan Ballard took to social media Tuesday to respond to accusations the department mismanaged millions of dollars of federal CARES funds.The allegations were included an anonymous letter addressed to the Honolulu Police Commission. The author claims to be a ranking officer within the chief’s inner circle.The officer says the letter is written on behalf of a small group of HPD commanders who are “deeply concerned” with the way the department spent the federal COVID-19 relief aid.The writer says it was sent anonymously for fear of...WW…

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Tens of thousands of residents in the islands are behind on rent and unsure how they’ll catch up. But a new analysis finds a key state program that set aside $100 million in federal funds for those struggling families is falling well short of what was promised.The state set aside the money from federal COVID-19 relief aid ― and it has to be disbursed by Dec. 15. But millions from the program has been diverted and millions more are poised to go unspent.According to the Hawaii Housing Help website, the state has only paid out $20 million from the assistance...…HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Tens of thousands of residents in the islands are behind on rent and unsure how they’ll catch up. But a new analysis finds a key state program that set aside $100 million in federal funds for those struggling families is falling well short of what was promised.The state set aside the money from federal COVID-19 relief aid ― and it has to be disbursed by Dec. 15. But millions from the program has been diverted and millions more are poised to go unspent.According to the Hawaii Housing Help website, the state has only paid out $20 million from the assistance...WW…

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Honolulu police spent millions in federal funds meant to bolster the city’s response to COVID-19 to purchase dozens of four-wheelers, trucks and trailers.The department says the equipment was needed to respond to the crisis.But the chair of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee called the spending “excessive” and questioned whether it shouldn’t instead have gone to help families and businesses in need.Altogether, the city awarded the Honolulu Police Department $43 million in federal COVID-19 aid.But records show less than $2 million of that was put...…HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Honolulu police spent millions in federal funds meant to bolster the city’s response to COVID-19 to purchase dozens of four-wheelers, trucks and trailers.The department says the equipment was needed to respond to the crisis.But the chair of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee called the spending “excessive” and questioned whether it shouldn’t instead have gone to help families and businesses in need.Altogether, the city awarded the Honolulu Police Department $43 million in federal COVID-19 aid.But records show less than $2 million of that was put...WW…

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii has seen record number of voters this election, primarily conducted by mail, and officials are urging those who haven’t cast a ballot to do so soon.State elections officials said 513,000 Hawaii voters had submitted a ballot as of Monday afternoon. That translates to roughly a 61% turnout. On Oahu, 354,000 voters turned in a ballot, a 64% turnout.The vast majority of those were vote-by-mail.But thousands of voters have opted to vote in person. At Honolulu Hale ― one of two Voter Service Centers on the island ― dozens lined up Monday to cast a...…HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii has seen record number of voters this election, primarily conducted by mail, and officials are urging those who haven’t cast a ballot to do so soon.State elections officials said 513,000 Hawaii voters had submitted a ballot as of Monday afternoon. That translates to roughly a 61% turnout. On Oahu, 354,000 voters turned in a ballot, a 64% turnout.The vast majority of those were vote-by-mail.But thousands of voters have opted to vote in person. At Honolulu Hale ― one of two Voter Service Centers on the island ― dozens lined up Monday to cast a...WW…

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state set aside $100 million in federal CARES Act funds to help struggling families with rent or mortgage payments. And so far, just 2% has been distributed.That’s even though tens of thousands of Hawaii residents are in desperate need of help.Over the past month, more than 20,000 people have applied for the state’s Rent Relief and Housing Assistance Program. The vast majority haven’t gotten a dime.David Moskowitz is among those who sought funding through the program. He lost his job in the hospitality industry in March, and is now strapped for cash as...…HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state set aside $100 million in federal CARES Act funds to help struggling families with rent or mortgage payments. And so far, just 2% has been distributed.That’s even though tens of thousands of Hawaii residents are in desperate need of help.Over the past month, more than 20,000 people have applied for the state’s Rent Relief and Housing Assistance Program. The vast majority haven’t gotten a dime.David Moskowitz is among those who sought funding through the program. He lost his job in the hospitality industry in March, and is now strapped for cash as...WW…

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state Health Department is investigating a cluster of coronavirus cases linked to two fast food eateries in Kona.Officials said seven workers linked to two McDonald’s locations, Kona Commons and the Kailua-Kona Walmart, have tested positive for COVID-19 and five of their family members have also been infected.“As soon as we were notified of the confirmed cases, we immediately closed the restaurant and have conducted a thorough sanitization procedure as well as notify local public health authorities,” said Patrick Lim, McDonald’s owner operator, in an...…HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state Health Department is investigating a cluster of coronavirus cases linked to two fast food eateries in Kona.Officials said seven workers linked to two McDonald’s locations, Kona Commons and the Kailua-Kona Walmart, have tested positive for COVID-19 and five of their family members have also been infected.“As soon as we were notified of the confirmed cases, we immediately closed the restaurant and have conducted a thorough sanitization procedure as well as notify local public health authorities,” said Patrick Lim, McDonald’s owner operator, in an...WW…