Regional

Samoa's parliament
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's Parliament is in urgent session as members debate a $US23.6 million stimulus package to deal with the impacts of the global Covid-19 pandemic and to assist the local economy. It is the second supplementary budget in less than three months after the first for the current...
A neighborhood with cars in the driveways
Honolulu, HAWAII — It’s been nearly two weeks since Gov. David Ige issued a mandatory “stay-at-home” order for all Hawaii residents in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. But for some, home is not the safest place. “In these times, unfortunately, domestic violence ticks up,” said Hawaii Lt. Gov...
Tonga's Women & Children Crisis Centre Director, 'Ofa Guttenbeil Likiliki
Nuku'alofa, TONGA — As countries across the Pacific implement measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, women's advocates are concerned what it might mean for vulnerable people in violent relationships. A family advocate in Tonga said the national lockdown and closing of borders had added stress...
Honolulu, HAWAII — Saturday’s COVID-19 numbers reflected a 32 case jump, bringing the state’s total to 351. Health offcials also reported the states 4th apparent COVID-19 related death. The fourth death, according to the Department of Health, was an elderly East Oahu man. Officials clarified...
Hawaii coronavirus bar chart
Honolulu, HAWAII — Hawaii Gov. David Ige activated 250 Hawaii National Guard members Friday to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as the state confirmed its third coronavirus-associated death. As of Friday afternoon, the state was reporting 319 confirmed coronavirus cases. Gov. Ige said...
Art Whistler in Samoa last year
Honolulu, HAWAII — Friends and family identified Hawaii’s third coronavirus-related fatality Friday as a well-known scientist and author who traveled the world to teach people about plants. Arthur Whistler, 75, died Thursday in the hospital, weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. Whistler...
Lagoon at Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.
Honolulu, HAWAII — On Thursday, a second person in Hawaii died due to coronavirus complications, and Molokai announced its first COVID-19 case. “As we come together with expressions of sympathy and support – we must also remember to help each other, to protect your health and the health of loved...
Seabreeze Resort in Samoa
PACIFIC ISLANDS — Pacific economies will suffer a sharp fall as resource prices collapse and tourism numbers plummet to zero, but their remoteness could provide something of a buffer in what a World Bank economist called a 'double-edged sword' effect. In its just-released economic update for East...
testing site at Kakaako with man in background at car and woman foreground
Honolulu, HAWAII — On Tuesday, Hawaii officials announced the first COVID-19 related death in the islands, along with 20 new cases, bringing the state’s total number of confirmed infections to 224. The person who died was an elderly Oahu man, according to the Department of Health. Earlier this...
A man getting coronavirus test in drive through at Kakaako Waterfront Park in Hawaii.
Honolulu, HAWAII — On Monday, 29 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the islands, taking the state total to 204. That’s more that double the number of cases since last Wednesday. “I think the increases we’ve seen reflects in large part the number of tests being done,” Department of Health Director...

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