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For another year, these neighbor island fairs were canceled. This time, staffing is the problem

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For another year, these neighbor island fairs were canceled. This time, staffing is the problem


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Thrill rides, games and carnival treats won’t be heading to the neighbor islands this year.

Scott Fernandez, president of EK Fernandez Shows, said the company does not have the staff or enough time to get all the equipment to the neighbor islands, operate it there and then bring it all back.

He said he lost most of his trained staff once the state went on lockdown.

“It’s unique work so not everybody wants to stay up all night and tear down rides and get into the pier for some odd reason so finding those individuals training them to be able to do that job, you know, takes a while,” said Fernandez. “And so, if you can’t put up the asset, you can’t generate the income.”

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“You can’t pay for the freight, shipping freight, which exploded over the last three years.”

President of the Hawaii County Fair Foundation Kelton Chang said the Hilo Fair slated for September has been cancelled due to funding.

But the cancelation on the Big Island is not just a blow to thrill-seekers and families.

It also impacts businesses who rely on the event.

“So to not have it in the community it’s devastating, it’s a blow to the economy,” said Chang. “And all these small businesses that we work with that generate, you know, income for them, they’re losing out too.”

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Chang said organizations use the fair to raise funds that would last them a year.

And it’s not just Hawaii Island.

Organizers announced Thursday afternoon that the Maui Fair is being postponed for another year because of high shipping costs and staff shortages.

Sonny Kekahuna of Maui said his family has been looking forward to the event.

“Knowing that it would not go throughout Hawaii even a little worse,” said Kekahuna.

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“Whatever the reasons may be, I sure hope, I mean, maybe not this year, maybe the future years, it would all come back with something similar because just here on Maui all we have really is Fun Factory.”

E.K. Fernandez Shows is looking to hire ride and game attendants, and food handlers.



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Hawaii

Hawai'i New Year's fireworks toll rises to four with death of toddler

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Hawai'i New Year's fireworks toll rises to four with death of toddler


A three-year-old boy has become the fourth person to die after a massive explosion of fireworks at a home in Honolulu, Hawai’i on New Year’s Eve, according to a US burns doctor.

The blast killed three women and injured more than 20 people, with many suffering from burns to most of their bodies.

The US military flew six of the injured people from Honolulu to Phoenix, Arizona for treatment on Saturday because Hawaii’s lone burns centre doesn’t have the capacity to care for all of the victims.

The incident has since sparked renewed calls from Hawaii’s leaders to crack down on the state’s vast illegal fireworks trade by introducing enhanced enforcement and bigger penalties.

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Hawaiian authorities say the massive explosion was caused by a bundle of aerial fireworks that fell on its side and shot explosives into two crates containing additional explosives.  (AP: Marco Garcia)

Kevin Foster, the director of the Arizona Burn Center, said in a press conference on Monday local time that the six victims flown to Arizona were aged in their 20s or 30s and were suffering from extensive burns.

“The smallest [injury] is about 45 per cent of total body surface area, almost half of the body burned, and the largest is just under 80 per cent of the body surface,” Dr Foster said.

He said many required emergency surgery before they could be flown from Hawai’i.

Browned and burned empty fireworks canisters on piles of debris alongside a yellow police tape

Professional-grade aerial fireworks have been growing in popularity among Hawaiian residents in recent years, even though they are illegal for amateurs to use. (AP:  Marco Garcia)

In addition to the burns, almost all of the victims are suffering “projectile injuries” caused by explosive particles that flew through the air, according to Dr Foster.

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The doctor said all six patients were showing good vital signs, but they may not be able to resume a normal life for up to a year.

At least four of the patients are expected to remain intubated in medically induced comas for months, and some of them could suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the incident.

“There’s something uniquely and particularly horrifying about being burned, especially from this type of injury,” Dr Foster said. 

A woman in a white shirt and dark leggings walking in front of a red car, white house and piles of burnt debris

Debris, burnt wood and furniture are piled up in front of the Honolulu home where the explosion took place. (AP: Marco Garcia)

Hawaii’s diverse population has long celebrated New Year’s with fireworks, but in recent years, professional-grade aerial explosives have been growing in popularity even though they are illegal for amateurs. 

Honolulu authorities say a person attending a party lit a bundle of aerial fireworks, which fell on its side and shot explosives into two crates that contained additional explosive items. 

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Video of the resulting explosion shows a rapid series of blasts shooting fireworks in the air and around the front of a house.

AP



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2 Hawaii Ross stores to close its doors this week

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2 Hawaii Ross stores to close its doors this week


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A popular discount department store will shutter two of its Oahu locations this week.

Ross Dress for Less will close its Fort Street Mall and Keaaumoku stores this Friday.

Flyers were posted on the front doors to announce the closure.

Shoppers said they’re saddened by the news and are worried about what will become of the area.

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“This location has different items that we can’t find in any other stores so I’m saddened by the closing but I’m sure they’re doing what’s best for the company so we don’t lose the other stores,” said Lisa Shandoria Johnson.

“Personally it’s too bad for the area too because the more closed down the area is the harder it’s going to be, just like the houseless people, and it’s just going to be a little more dangerous if things aren’t running,” said Carolyn Kopecky.

It’s unknown why the company decided to close the stores. HNN reached out to company officials for comment and are waiting for a response.

Fifteen Ross locations will remain throughout the state.

To find a store nearest to you, click here.

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Hideki Matsuyama breaks PGA Tour record in Hawaii win

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Hideki Matsuyama breaks PGA Tour record in Hawaii win


Hideki Matsuyama celebrates with the trophy

Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama overcame American Collin Morikawa at The Sentry, making a PGA Tour record to par for 72 holes by closing with an eight under 65.

His score of 35 under for the tournament gave him a three-shot victory over Morikawa on the Plantation course in Kapalua, Hawaii.

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Matsuyama sealed the win with an eight-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole, giving a small fist pump in celebration.

The putt broke Australian golfer Cameron Smith’s 2022 record at Kapalua by one.

Matsuyama’s win in Hawaii marks his 11th PGA Tour title.

England’s Harry Hall was the best of the British contingent, carding a three under 70 on Sunday to finish tied for eighth spot.



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