Civil Beat Staff

Eleni Avendaño

Eleni Avendaño is a public health reporter who covers health disparities and the COVID-19 pandemic in the islands.

Her coverage is funded in part by a grant from Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project.

Previously, she covered health, tourism, nonprofits and the University of Hawaii for Pacific Business News in Honolulu.

Her work has been recognized several times by the the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter, which awarded her for excellence in news and feature writing.

A graduate of American University and the U.C. Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, Eleni has written articles and captured photos for publications including the Associated Press and Honolulu Magazine.

Eleni, who is also a published video journalist and documentarian, was born and raised in Honolulu and graduated from Roosevelt High School.

She welcomes story ideas and anonymous tips at egill@civilbeat.org. You can follow her on Twitter @lorineleni.

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Hawaii Releases More Details On COVID-19 Vaccine Plan Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Hawaii Releases More Details On COVID-19 Vaccine Plan

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The state’s full vaccination plan provides more insight into how officials will roll out a vaccine here.

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 25: 108 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii Ronen Zilberman/Civil Beat

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 25: 108 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii

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Two deaths were reported, including one on Oahu and one previously reported by Kauai officials.

Hawaii National Guard’s Extra Money For COVID-19 Efforts Is About To Run Out Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Hawaii National Guard’s Extra Money For COVID-19 Efforts Is About To Run Out

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The guard has been actively involved in coronavirus testing and screening throughout the community.

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 24: 61 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii, Kauai Reports First Death Ronen Zilberman/Civil Beat

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 24: 61 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii, Kauai Reports First Death

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Roughly 1,300 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Hawaii in the last two weeks.

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 23: 114 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii Ronen Zilberman/Civil Beat

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 23: 114 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii

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No new fatalities were reported.

Hawaii Could Get COVID-19 Vaccine As Early As December Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hawaii Could Get COVID-19 Vaccine As Early As December

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First responders and health care workers will get access to the vaccine first, followed by the elderly and people with chronic health conditions.

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 20: 95 New COVID-19 Cases, 1 Death Cory Lum/Civil Beat

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 20: 95 New COVID-19 Cases, 1 Death

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One Hawaii resident has died out of state.

Here’s Why The Health Department Says It Takes 36 Hours To Post COVID-19 Case Numbers Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Here’s Why The Health Department Says It Takes 36 Hours To Post COVID-19 Case Numbers

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Weekly trends are more important to pay attention to than daily numbers, health officials say.

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 19: 107 New COVID-19 Cases Ronen Zilberman/Civil Beat

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 19: 107 New COVID-19 Cases

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No new fatalities were reported.