Kauai Mayor to replace tier system with amended rules to keep up with Delta’s spread

LIHUE (HawaiiNewsNow) – Kauai is looking to move away from its tier system.

Mayor Derek Kawakami said Thursday he needed to change county rules to follow the Delta variant.

“The last time we updated our tier system and created Levels 5 and 6, we were planning to remove all restrictions once the state reached a full immunization rate of 70%. However, as we have seen the effects of the delta variant, and as we approach that 70% threshold, we know that continued safety measures will be needed to contain the spread of the disease on our island, ”said Kawakami.

Any changes to Kauai’s current rules would require the approval of Governor David Ige.

Kauai reported 23 cases on Thursday. At the last check-up, 65% of the population was fully vaccinated.

It comes after Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said Oahu was removing its tier system. Any changes to the restrictions would be based on advice from health experts and not on the number of cases or the positivity rate.

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