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.

Ua Hōʻemi Ka Maʻi Ahulau I Ka Nui O Nā Hōʻike Kēpau ʻAna I Nā Keiki Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

Ua Hōʻemi Ka Maʻi Ahulau I Ka Nui O Nā Hōʻike Kēpau ʻAna I Nā Keiki

He mau hopena ʻino ko ka hoʻomaʻi kēpau no nā keiki, no laila he koʻikoʻi ka hōʻike ʻana ma nā pae hiki mua.

Oahu’s Vaccination Rate Will Be Used In Deciding COVID-19 Rules Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2021

Oahu’s Vaccination Rate Will Be Used In Deciding COVID-19 Rules

As a growing number of people are fully immunized, Mayor Rick Blangiardi wants to include Oahu’s vaccination rate as a method of determining COVID-19 restrictions.

With Vaccines En Route To Hawaii, Health Officials Reassure People They’re Safe Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

With Vaccines En Route To Hawaii, Health Officials Reassure People They’re Safe

As the state’s largest hospital prepares to receive Hawaii’s first vaccine doses, health executives on Friday assured the public that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe — and key to returning to normalcy.

Kaiser Foundation Continues Layoffs During Pandemic Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

Kaiser Foundation Continues Layoffs During Pandemic

The health care organization is eliminating mostly administrative positions.

SLIDESHOW: Helping The Homeless Along River Street Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

SLIDESHOW: Helping The Homeless Along River Street

Maintaining hygiene and preventing skin, wound and respiratory infections are more difficult for the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

This Medical Team Is Working To Reach Those Most At Risk For COVID-19 Eleni Gill/Civil Beat/2020

This Medical Team Is Working To Reach Those Most At Risk For COVID-19

Doctors, nurses and social workers aim to help people affected by the coronavirus as well as educate and refer them to needed social services.

COVID-19 Restrictions Vary Wildly Depending On Where You Live Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

COVID-19 Restrictions Vary Wildly Depending On Where You Live

Hawaii has been aggressive in its COVID-19 policies. Here’s what other states are doing.

Hawaii’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Is Ready But The State Is Keeping It Under Wraps Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hawaii’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan Is Ready But The State Is Keeping It Under Wraps

Even in the absence of an approved vaccine, Hawaii officials are drafting plans to distribute the first vaccines when they become available.

Hospital Workers Are Feeling Pressure As Hawaii Gets Ready To Restart Tourism Cory Lum/Civil Beat

Hospital Workers Are Feeling Pressure As Hawaii Gets Ready To Restart Tourism

Administrators say they can make space for more patients, but health care workers are concerned about intense workloads and staying safe.