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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COVID-19 Strain That Originated In Brazil Detected On Oahu Cory Lum/Civil Beat

COVID-19 Strain That Originated In Brazil Detected On Oahu

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Other COVID-19 variants are also on the upswing in the islands.

Hawaii Grapples With How To Use Stockpile Of Rapid COVID-19 Tests Wikimedia Commons

Hawaii Grapples With How To Use Stockpile Of Rapid COVID-19 Tests

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The fast COVID tests have certain limitations but still hold potential to assist during future outbreaks.

DOH: Seniors 70 And Older To Get COVID-19 Vaccine ‘Soon’ Cory Lum/Civil Beat

DOH: Seniors 70 And Older To Get COVID-19 Vaccine ‘Soon’

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No official timeline has been set.

Oahu Approaches Fewer COVID Restrictions Even As Vaccines Are Delayed By Bad Weather Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Oahu Approaches Fewer COVID Restrictions Even As Vaccines Are Delayed By Bad Weather

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Cases and hospitalizations are on the wane.

Should Hawaii Nurses Be Allowed To Perform Abortions? Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Should Hawaii Nurses Be Allowed To Perform Abortions?

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Lawmakers are considering a bill that would expand access to abortions by expanding the pool of providers beyond physicians.

HAWAII VIRUS TRACKER — Feb. 18: 67 New COVID-19 Cases And 1 Death Cory Lum/Civil Beat

HAWAII VIRUS TRACKER — Feb. 18: 67 New COVID-19 Cases And 1 Death

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Another fatality was recorded on Oahu.

Hawaii Court’s Massive Fine Against Drug Makers Could Boost State Budget Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Hawaii Court’s Massive Fine Against Drug Makers Could Boost State Budget

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But the companies won’t be forced to pay until appeals are exhausted.

HAWAII VIRUS TRACKER — Feb. 16: Lab Reporting Error Leads To Undercount Cory Lum/Civil Beat

HAWAII VIRUS TRACKER — Feb. 16: Lab Reporting Error Leads To Undercount

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Both COVID-19 case reporting system and vaccine deliveries were interrupted Tuesday.

US Spike In Deaths Surpassed Official COVID-19 Counts, But Not In Hawaii Cory Lum/Civil Beat

US Spike In Deaths Surpassed Official COVID-19 Counts, But Not In Hawaii

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Hawaii’s COVID deaths appear to have been offset by reductions in tourist deaths, traffic and flu fatalities and even suicides.