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End of US testing rule for international travelers draws both applause and concern in Hawaii

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End of US testing rule for international travelers draws both applause and concern in Hawaii


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Summer time journey is choosing up and it’s poised to get busier now that worldwide vacationers now not should present a destructive COVID check earlier than boarding a flight to the U.S.

However some are involved concerning the determination, particularly as Hawaii sees COVID instances climb.

UH Journey Professor Jerry Agrusa stated lifting the check requirement comes at a foul time.

“Most individuals wish to go and journey safely and in the event that they know that it’s safer, particularly with our Japanese vacationers, they’re very averse to any sort of hazard,” Agrusa defined. “And this, this really may harm us.”

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Agrusa stated guests from Japan are an vital a part of Hawaii’s tourism trade.

Based on the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii noticed 1.5 million guests from Japan in 2019.

Mufi Hannemann, president and CEO of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Affiliation, stated they wish to see restrictions lifted throughout the board.

COVID checks are nonetheless required earlier than boarding the aircraft again to Japan so Japanese vacationers might fear about visiting locations with excessive case numbers.

“We wish to make it straightforward for individuals to return right here for us to go to them after which additionally as they return again to their international locations and be capable to not face as many hurdles as they do,” stated Hannemann.

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However Hannemann stated that is no time for the neighborhood to chill out as COVID instances might be an obstacle for individuals wanting to return right here.

“The very last thing that we wish to see is sustained will increase and optimistic check outcomes right here that we’ve labored so exhausting to lower over the previous yr,” stated Hannemann.

Well being consultants say Hawaii has been a COVID hotspot for weeks — with the surge headed into its third month.

The CDC recommends masks indoors and on public transportation.

Epidemiologist DeWolfe Miller stated lifting the check requirement is regarding.

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“We now have loads of instances, we have now lots of people in hospitals,” stated Miller. “We now have lots of people who work within the hospital trade, docs, nurses, and so forth, who’re out sick.”

Though there isn’t a longer a testing requirement to fly into the U.S., the CDC recommends taking a COVID check earlier than and after touring.

“I’m nonetheless hoping everyone might be cautious and take the precautions that we have now accessible,” stated Miller.

Non-U.S. residents will nonetheless have to point out proof of vaccination.

The CDC stated the testing mandate may return if wanted. They are going to reassess the choice in about 90 days.

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Hannah Kobayashi: Father of missing Hawaii woman found dead in Los Angeles

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Hannah Kobayashi: Father of missing Hawaii woman found dead in Los Angeles


This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

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The father of missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi was found dead in Los Angeles on Sunday, according to police.

Ryan Kobayashi, who had traveled to LA to help in the search for his daughter, was found dead in a parking lot near Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said. The 58-year-old’s case is listed as “open,” the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner noted on its website. 

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a call around 4 a.m. reporting a body found in the area.

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Hannah Kobayashi: Missing Hawaii woman’s family continues search in LA

While police have not released information on his cause of death, the Kobayashi family said he died by suicide.

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“The Kobayashi family endured a devastating tragedy today. After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has compounded the family’s suffering immeasurably,” the family said in a statement released through a nonprofit group helping with the search for Hannah Kobayashi.

“Hannah IS still actively missing and is believed to be in imminent danger. It is crucial for everyone to remain vigilant in their efforts to locate Hannah,” the statement read.

Hannah Kobayashi was reported missing by her family on Nov. 12 after she missed a connecting flight from Maui to New York City at LAX days earlier on Nov. 8.

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Since her disappearance, the elder Kobayashi – who said he was estranged from his daughter – had spoken on behalf of his family as they begged the public for help in the search.

“I just wish I could have been there more for her. Trying to find her is everything,” he told FOX 11 during a rally outside Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles last week.

Security footage obtained by Kobayashi’s family shows her leaving the airport on Nov. 8, wearing a black hoodie, tie-dye leggings, and carrying a dark green backpack. 

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According to her family, Kobayashi was seen at The Grove on Nov. 9 and 10.  On the 10th, Kobayashi posted to her Instagram a black-and-white photo from the two-day Nike and LeBron James event she apparently attended at the shopping center located about 14 miles north of the airport.

Family of woman who went missing on cross-country vacation says cryptic texts sent from phone unlike her

Kobayashi returned to LAX on Nov. 11 but did not board a flight, according to the family, who cited airport staffers. Kobayashi’s phone last pinged at LAX on Nov. 11.

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“It’s just very unlike her to disappear,” said sister Sydni Kobayashi.

Concerns grew when family said they received “strange” messages from her cell phone that “didn’t sound like her.”

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“Even in those text messages, it just didn’t seem like her or it seemed like someone else, or maybe someone did something to her to alter her state of mind, because that’s not how she normally speaks,” Sydni said. 

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Kobayashi is described as 5’10”, 140 lbs., with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has freckles on her face and a tattoo of a knife on her forearm, according to the LAPD. 

Hannah Kobayashi: Search continues for missing Maui woman

If you see Kobayashi or have any information regarding her whereabouts, contact the LAPD at 1-877-LAPD-24-7. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. 

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The Source: This story was reported with information from the Los Angeles Police Department and interviews with Hannah Kobayashi’s family. FOX 11’s Hailey Winslow contributed.

 





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Father of missing Hawaii photographer Hannah Kobayashi found dead near LAX while searching for daughter

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Father of missing Hawaii photographer Hannah Kobayashi found dead near LAX while searching for daughter


The father of the missing Hawaii woman who vanished while heading to New York City for a vacation was found dead near LAX early Sunday morning.

Ryan Kobayashi, 58, was in Los Angeles to search for his 30-year-old daughter, Hannah Kobayashi, after she missed a connecting flight to New York from Los Angeles International Airport over two weeks ago.

Police confirmed that Kobayashi died after he jumped off from a parking structure near LAX sometime around 4 a.m. on Sunday, according to NBC Los Angeles.

Officers in Los Angeles revealed Ryan Kobayashi’s body was found in a parking lot early on Sunday morning. NBC4

A nonprofit believed to be aiding in the search for Hannah also provided a statement on behalf of the family.

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“The Kobayashi family endured a devastating tragedy today,” wrote the RAD Movement.

“After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has compounded the family’s suffering immeasurably.”

The nonprofit requested privacy for the grieving family and urged the public to focus on the search for Hannah, particularly after the tragic news about her father.

The Post has contacted the Los Angeles Police Department for comment.

Kobayashi, 58, was in Los Angeles to search for his 30-year-old daughter, Hannah Kobayashi, after she missed a connecting flight to New York from Los Angeles International Airport over two weeks ago. NBC4

On Monday, Kobayashi spoke with KTLA while in the Golden State, hoping to reach his daughter.

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“I miss her,” he said. “Just want her to know that, and just want her to reach out – anything.”

Hannah flew from Maui to Los Angeles on Nov. 8, where she was supposed to hop on a connecting flight to New York for a “bucket list” trip and to visit her aunt.

However, she missed that flight 42 minutes later despite surveillance footage indicating she landed at LAX.

Hannah Kobayashi has been reported missing since Nov. 11. Facebook

Her loved ones initially became worried after she sent odd texts to her family and friends before she vanished, including messaging a friend that she “got tricked into pretty much giving away all my funds.”

In another message, she claimed she was supposedly fooled by “someone I thought I loved.”

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“Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f–k since Friday,” another message read.

The family previously said the texts supposedly from Hannah were not like her.

Hannah missed that flight 42 minutes later despite surveillance footage indicating she landed at LAX. Missing People In America/Facebook

“She mentioned feeling scared, and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity,” her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, said.

“Strange, cryptic messages – things about the matrix, it was so unlike her. And then all of a sudden, no more communication.”

Other footage showed Kobayashi at the Grove shopping center in the Fairfax District of LA on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10, as well as video of her returning to LAX but not getting on a flight on Nov. 11 before she was seen near the metro station, USA Today reported.

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Her loved ones initially became worried after she sent odd texts to her family and friends before she vanished, including messaging a friend that she “got tricked into pretty much giving away all my funds.” Larie Ingrum/Facebook

Her phone has been off since Nov. 11, the family said.

The family filed a police report with the LAPD, LAX authorities, and the FBI.

Hannah Kobayashi is 5 feet 10 inches tall and about 140 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and is fair-skinned with freckles.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.

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Hawaii sees more snow than New York City this fall

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Hawaii sees more snow than New York City this fall


MAUNA KEA, HI—An early-season snowstorm blasted the Northeast this week, dropping a foot of snow in some areas. This was the Northeast region’s first snowstorm of the season, but Hawaii has already had a few encounters with fresh powder this fall. 

Winter weather arrived right on time at Hawaii’s Mauna Kea summit, home to astronomy observatory facilities from around the world. According to the Maunakea Visitor Information Station, this year, the first snow of the season fell at the 14,000-foot summit on Oct. 28.

WHICH IS THE SNOWIEST MONTH OF THE YEAR?

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Unlike the tropical climate at lower elevations on the Big Island, Mauna Kea’s elevation means it experiences a different climate, including freezing temperatures and significant snowfall.

Hawaii’s wet season runs from October through April, during which snow is a familiar sight at the summit of Mauna Kea. 

Back on the mainland, a winter storm arrived a week ahead of Thanksgiving and, according to the FOX Forecast Center, dropped more than a foot of snow in parts of Upstate New York and northeastern Pennsylvania. 

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Meanwhile, New York City has yet to see snow. But it’s still early for the Big Apple. The first measurable snow of one inch or more in New York City happens on average around Dec. 13.⁠



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