International and local artists come together to create murals and other forms of art and music during the Long Beach Walls and Art Renzei Festival, Aug. 14 - 19.
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Dina Saadi
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Courtesy of Long Beach Walls
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This week
Scope out an international mural festival in Long Beach. Check out a night of music and performance at Tuesday Night Cafe. Attend one of The Airborne Toxic Event’s hometown shows.
Our picks:
Long Beach Walls and Art Renzei Festival, Various locations in Long Beach-With the theme of “Follow Your Bliss,” this year’s festival brings together a series of experiential outdoor installations, murals and interactive events that encourage self-reflection and an exploration of your passion and joy.
Tuesday Night Cafe’s Fundraising Kickoff Show, Union Center for the Arts + Livestream,120 Judge John Aiso St., Little Tokyo-The Tuesday Night Project presents the next installment of its flagship program, the Tuesday Night Cafe—one of the longest-running free art series in DTLA.
The Airborne Toxic Event, El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire-The band plays four hometown shows in L.A., part of a tour celebrating the 15th anniversary of their self-titled debut album.
Scope out an international mural festival in Long Beach. Check out a night of music and performance at Tuesday Night Cafe. Attend one of The Airborne Toxic Event’s hometown shows. Hear rapper Killer Mike (of Run the Jewels) talk about his life and career.
Events
Monday, Aug. 14 - Saturday, Aug. 20
Long Beach Walls and Art Renzei Festival Various locations in Long Beach With the theme of “Follow Your Bliss,” this year’s festival brings together a series of experiential outdoor installations, murals and interactive events that encourage self-reflection and an exploration of your own passion and joy. The festival includes 24/7 viewing of the murals, bike tours, an exhibition at the Open Gallery, and a closing night party. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
First Draft Human Resources 410 Cottage Home, Chinatown First Draft is an evening of experimental works-in-process for L.A.-based dance and performance artists. The evening serves as a creative laboratory for wide-ranging artistic investigations in movement-based mediums for artists at all stages of their creative development. Curated by Emily Barasch, the venue becomes a performance laboratory for artists whose practices encompass movement-based mediums. Monday’s lineup features Camirin Farmer, Mia Simonović, Cuahtémoc Peranda and Emily Barasch. Tuesday artists include Sam Wentz, Joey Navarrete-Medina, Andrea Soto and Stacy Dawson Stearns. COST: $5 - $20 sliding scale; MORE INFO
Tuesday Night Cafe’s Fundraising Kickoff Show Union Center for the Arts + Livestream 120 Judge John Aiso St., Little Tokyo The Tuesday Night Project presents the next installment of its flagship program, the Tuesday Night Cafe—one of the longest-running free art series in DTLA. Dedicated to highlighting the work of visual and performing artists from the LA and Asian American community, the evening doubles as a fundraising kick-off for the organization. The lineup features beats by DJ Waxstyles and performances by Grace Chikui, Dremagix, Ashley Lanuza, and Super Group (Shin Kawasaki, Priska, Paul Dateh and Goh Nakamura). Plus, an open mic lottery. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Tuesday, Aug. 15; 7:30 p.m.
The Drop: Killer Mike Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown L.A. The museum welcomes Killer Mike (of Run the Jewels fame) for a conversation on his creative process and career, followed by an intimate performance celebrating his newest album, Michael. The album marks his first solo album since 2012’s R.A.P. Music. COST: $30; MORE INFO
BMI Acoustic Sunset Sessions Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles 8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood Listen to a night of live performances at theSkybar, featuring Samyra, T.A. Thomas and Susan Carol. The event is open to the public, but 21+. COST: FREE; MORE INFO
Tuesday, Aug. 15; 7:30 p.m.
Golda Landmark Westwood Theatre 1045 Broxton Ave., #2803, Westwood KCET Cinema Series and host Pete Hammond hold an in-person screening of Golda, followed by a Q&A with Academy Award-winning director Guy Nattiv. The film follows Israel’s leader Golda Meir — known as the "Iron Lady of Israel — during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Helen Mirren stars in the titular role with Camille Cottin as Lou Kaddar, Rami Heuberger as Moshe Dayan, Ohad Knoller as Ariel Sharon and Liev Schreiber as Henry Kissinger. COST: $15; MORE INFO
Wednesday, Aug. 16; 7:30 p.m.
Bad Behavior Dynasty Typewriter 2511 Wilshire Blvd., Westlake Listen to comedians divulge morally questionable stories and then get judged by a pair of etiquette “experts” — podcast hosts Sterling Mulbry and Blair Peyton — who determine if they exhibited bad behavior and need to be punished. Comics seeking redemption this week are Natasha Leggero, Mary Beth Barone, Dylan Adler and Alyssa Limperis. This event is 18+. COST: $20 - $25; MORE INFO
Wednesday, Aug. 16 - Saturday, Aug. 19
The Airborne Toxic Event El Rey Theatre 5515 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire The band plays four hometown shows in L.A., part of a tour celebrating the 15th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. At the Saturday night show, the band plays the entire album from beginning to end. COST: $49.50; MORE INFO
Popular Kids Club Two-Year Anniversary Show Permanent Records Roadhouse 1906 Cypress Ave., Cypress Park The outdoor comedy show celebrates its second anniversary with a lineup that includes Reggie Watts, Doug Benson, Dana Gould, Aparna Nancherla, Johnny Pemberton, Irene Tu, Andrea Jin and a surprise guest. COST: $8 - $12; MORE INFO
Obitchuary Live! Dynasty Typewriter 2511 Wilshire Blvd., Westlake Spencer Henry and Madison Reyes are friends and co-hosts of the Obitchuary podcast, where they share “the wildest, most absurd, and sometimes scathing obituaries” along with macabre history and funeral facts. VIP tickets include a meet & greet at 6 p.m. and preferred seating. This show is 18+. COST: $35 - $85; MORE INFO
Sizzling Summer Nights The Autry 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park The salsa music and dancing series continues at the Autry on Thursday nights in August. There are free salsa lessons with an instructor, plus the museum’s galleries open for browsing when you need a break. Performing this week is the Colombian Latin Soul Band. COST: $20 - $25; MORE INFO
Culinary Connections - What’s Good In DTLA Food With How To LA takes place at the Crawford Family Forum on Feb. 2.
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Courtesy of LAist
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Thursday, Aug. 17; 7 p.m.
Culinary Connections - Summer Cookout The Crawford Family Forum 474 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena Join LAist’s Brian De Los Santos, host of How To LA, and Gab Chabrán, LAist’s food and culture editor, who explore the role that cookouts play in bringing people together. Guests include SueEllen Mancini, owner of Sad Girl Creamery; Janet Kang and Robin Kloess, co-owners of Pizza Baby; and Gustavo Chavez, owner of Carnitas El Artista. Of course, there will be treats post-discussion, so grab a plate and come hang. COST: FREE - $20; MORE INFO
Viewing Pick
Oldboy Neon celebrates the 20th anniversary of Park Chan Wook’s 2003 thriller Oldboy by rereleasing it in theaters, remastered and in 4K. The mystery follows Oh Dae-Su (Choi Min-sik) who was kidnapped and in prison for 15 years without human contact. When he’s suddenly released without explanation and has five days to track down his captors and exact his revenge. The film screens at the Alamo Drafthouse in downtown L.A. beginning on Aug. 14.
Here are a few dine and drink options to indulge in this week.
For many Italians, the holiday Ferragosto marks the beginning of their summer vacations. This year, Eataly LA holds a Festa di Ferragosto on Thursday, Aug. 17 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Indulge in Ferragosto bites, classic summer spritzes, Italian wines, and live entertainment. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased here.
On Thursday, Aug. 17 at 6 p.m., the Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa presents Women in Wine: Fried Chicken & Champagne. The evening includes summer bubbles and crispy golden bites (chicken or mushroom). Advanced reservations are required. Ages 21+. Tickets: $75.
Pali Wine Co.’s natural wine label and Neighborhood Winery collaborate with hip-hop artist and music producer Jermtown for the release of Loveland — a 2022 natural Sangiovese. The release party takes place on Thursday, Aug. 17 at Pali’s Arts District outpost. The evening features bites from Pali Wine Co.’s kitchen and live music from DJ Vivalatina. Reservations are not required but can be made via Tock. Free.
Gracias Madre West Hollywood offers a $15 ‘Gracias Meal’ to SAG-AFTRA, WGA and IATSE-affiliated members and guests in August. The meal (pictured above) includes the new Gracias Bowl and an agua fresca.
Each Monday in August, Resy releases exclusive reservations to select local restaurants for dining on Wednesday. Those who score a Resy at participating spots can enjoy a free dinner (up to $99 per person, max six diners per party) on Resy. Terms apply. This week’s restaurant partner is Kismet, offering Mediterranean flourishes in Los Feliz on Wednesday, Aug. 16.
Erin Stone
covers climate and environmental issues in Southern California.
Published May 9, 2026 5:00 AM
A house under construction in Altadena last year.
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Myung J. Chun
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that he has requested a yearlong extension of FEMA funding for L.A. fire survivors. Without the extension, the money will run out July 9. Now the decision on FEMA support lies with the federal government.
Why it matters: The funds have allowed many survivors to afford temporary housing and other daily needs.
The backstory: Most survivors have yet to return home — 2 in 3 survivors who were living in Altadena or Pacific Palisades at the time of the fires are still displaced, according to the latest survey of more than 2,100 survivors by the nonprofit Department of Angels.
Read on ... for more on why fire survivors are calling on the feds to extend the funding.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that he has requested a yearlong extension of FEMA funding for L.A. fire survivors. Without the extension, the money will run out July 9.
Now the decision on FEMA support lies with the federal government.
The funds have allowed many survivors to afford temporary housing and other daily needs. Most have yet to return home — 2 in 3 survivors who were living in Altadena or Pacific Palisades at the time of the fires are still displaced, according to the latest survey of more than 2,100 survivors by the nonprofit Department of Angels. Nearly 40% of respondents reported they will either soon run out of temporary housing insurance coverage or have already.
The situation is particularly dire for low-income households: Nearly 80% of respondents making $50,000 or less said they didn’t think they could afford housing for three months once coverage ended.
“The data is clear: This recovery is not over,” said Angela Giacchetti of the Department of Angels at a news conference organized by the Eaton Fire Collaborative in Altadena on Thursday. “If you are a survivor, you know this in your bones. For many families, it has barely begun. People have just begun to stabilize. We need federal support that reflects the scale of this disaster and systems that survivors can actually navigate and access over time.”
FEMA assistance isn’t reaching most survivors
The FEMA Individuals and Households Program can provide funding for survivors of disasters to pay for temporary housing, repair their homes, and respond to other challenges that insurance may not cover. It can also help cover costs if a survivor has no insurance.
Gil Barel has been relying on FEMA funds to pay rent on a small back house for herself and her son for the last year. She said they still haven’t been able to return to their rent-controlled Pasadena apartment because of smoke damage, though she still has to pay the rent for it.
Gil Barel is paying rent on a smoke-damaged apartment in Pasadena while FEMA funds have helped her cut the cost of temporary housing.
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Erin Stone
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LAist
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Barel doesn’t know what they’ll do if the FEMA funding runs out.
“ I'm really stressed out,” she said. “I think I'm just kind of trying to put that thought aside and hope for the best.”
But in the 15 months since the fires, most survivors have not accessed FEMA funding. About 60% have received no FEMA assistance beyond the initial $770 payments dispersed in the immediate aftermath of the fires, according to the Department of Angels survey.
Many have faced denials, according to disaster case manager workers with Catholic Charities of L.A. and lawyers with Legal Aid Foundation of L.A.
That’s the situation for Gayle Nicholls-Ali and her husband, Rasheed, who lost their Altadena home of 15 years in the Eaton Fire. They’ve relied on their insurance to pay for a rental in Montrose, but that’s rapidly running out. And because they have that insurance, FEMA has denied further support.
Gayle Nicholls-Ali and her husband, Rasheed, lost their home in the Eaton Fire. They plan to rebuild, but the cost is a major hurdle.
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“A lot of our ALE [Additional Living Expenses insurance] is going to run out before we even are able to get into a house,” Nicholls-Ali said.
Without FEMA or insurance support, they’ll have to find a way to pay rent on top of a mortgage. They also face a big gap in the cost of their rebuild versus how much their insurance covers. Nicholls-Ali said without the help of FEMA and other sources of funding, recovering feels further out of reach.
Funds for long-term recovery still in limbo
FEMA funding extensions have been routine in past disasters, including the 2023 wildfires in Hawaii and after devastating flooding in North Carolina in 2024.
But the agency has faced significant cuts during the second Trump administration, and there are indications that disaster aid is becoming increasingly political. For example, President Donald Trump has approved aid for just 23% of requests from states with a Democratic governor and two Democratic senators, compared to 89% for states that with Republican governors and senators, according to an analysis by Politico.
The state has also not received more than $33 billion for long-term recovery, which can help pay for infrastructure upgrades and repairs, as well as help rebuild schools, parks and homes. That money was requested by state and local leaders shortly after the January 2025 fires and hasn’t been appropriated by Congress.
Members of the congregation attend a groundbreaking service at the site of the burned Fountain of Life Nazarene Church to mark the beginning of its rebuilding April 26 in Altadena.
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Damian Dovarganes
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AP
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Topline:
Faith leaders both in the Pacific Palisades and in Altadena and Pasadena — devastated by the pair of fires that tore across Southern California — have relied on interfaith and community partnerships to rally congregants who are picking up the pieces 16 months later.
Why it matters: They’ve had to learn on the fly about insurance coverage and local land use regulations while still trying to keep their scattered flock together and raising money for basic needs. Pastors in Altadena have had to fight to protect the rights of Black people who decades ago found pathways to home ownership in that community despite redlining — but now risk losing their land to outside developers who sense an investment opportunity.
Interfaith relationships: This would have been difficult for faith leaders to handle but for the interfaith relationships that became closer and stronger after the fires, said the Rev. Grace Park, associate pastor at Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, which burned down.
Read on ... for more on how faith leaders in SoCal are uniting after the fires.
Rabbi Amy Bernstein says the wind-whipped fire in January 2025 that scorched much of the Pacific Palisades, destroying her home and damaging her synagogue, “blew everything open” for the community’s faith leaders.
“If our hearts must break, let them break open,” said the rabbi, who leads Kehillat Israel where 300 families out of 900 lost their homes. “This tragedy has really pushed us closer to one another. We’re working to change the things we need changed.”
Faith leaders both in the Pacific Palisades and in Altadena and Pasadena — devastated by the pair of fires that tore across Southern California — have relied on interfaith and community partnerships to rally congregants who are picking up the pieces 16 months later.
They’ve had to learn on the fly about insurance coverage and local land use regulations while still trying to keep their scattered flock together and raising money for basic needs. Pastors in Altadena have had to fight to protect the rights of Black people who decades ago found pathways to home ownership in that community despite redlining — but now risk losing their land to outside developers who sense an investment opportunity.
And throughout this span, faith leaders have had to cater to the emotional and spiritual needs of their communities and think about how they want to rebuild their sanctuaries that were lost or damaged in the fire. More than a dozen houses of worship burned to the ground or were damaged.
Interfaith relationships have become stronger after the fires
This would have been difficult for faith leaders to handle but for the interfaith relationships that became closer and stronger after the fires, said the Rev. Grace Park, associate pastor at Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, which burned down.
Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics, Jews and yogis have not just found common ground in human suffering and loss, but have learned how to lean on one another in a time of dire need, she said.
“It’s a sense of mutual affection and respect, learning from each other and leaning on one another,” Park said. “We’re sharing the joys and the deep valleys of what it means to lead through a time of tragedy.”
Brother Satyananda, a senior monk at the Self Realization Fellowship, lost his living quarters and belongings in the fire. Much of the campus, started by Paramahamsa Yogananda who brought ancient spiritual practices from India to the West, fortunately survived the fire.
Satyananda recalls one day when Bernstein picked up on his sadness and offered him “motherly compassion.”
“We share the same profession where we’re tuned to people in need,” he said. “Now, our relationship has changed because we’re tuning into each other. There’s a greater level of trust.”
Pastor BJ King, who leads LoveLand LifeCenter, worked with the late Rev. Cecil B. Murray to heal communities and build interfaith coalitions after the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
“Back then, there was a choice whether or not to get involved,” he said. “But with these fires, there is no choice. It has affected everybody.”
Pastors have had to acquire new skills
King’s congregation has switched to online services after their leased church building in Altadena suffered smoke damage. Twelve families lost their homes. In addition to helping meet people’s basic needs, King has created a program organizing gatherings to connect therapists with those in need of mental health.
“Many people didn’t even know they needed that,” he said.
One of the most powerful roles faith leaders have played after the fire is to “continue to talk with power, people in charge,” said Pastor Jonathan DeCuir, who leads Victory Bible Church in Pasadena. He and others in the region have continued to meet with local officials and even conferred with Gov. Gavin Newsom to keep things moving for their communities.
DeCuir chairs the board of a nonprofit called Legacy Land Project, which provides financial aid, legal support and guidance on building contractors, as well as medical care to those affected by the fires.
The disaster has brought a level of camaraderie that DeCuir says he has never seen among the region’s clergy.
“Denominational lines have been crossed,” he said. “Even if we have different theological stances or approaches to ministry, we are all now looking at how to care for our people and community. If we don’t come together, Altadena will never ever be the same. The people won’t be there anymore. That, to me, is terrifying.”
While a church is more than a building, physical churches do appear as “beacons of hope” in traumatized communities, said Pastor Mayra Macedo-Nolan, executive director of Clergy Community Coalition in Pasadena. Her group has lobbied for houses of worship to be prioritized on the same footing as businesses in the rebuilding plan.
“When people start seeing churches rebuilding in Altadena, they’re going to feel like it’s going to be OK because the churches are coming back,” she said.
Reimagining a purposeful future
Pastor Jonathan Lewis, fourth from right, holds a groundbreaking service at the site of the burned Fountain of Life Nazarene Church to mark the beginning of its rebuilding in Altadena, Calif., April 26, 2026.
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Damian Dovarganes
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AP Photo
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Members of the congregation join in prayer during the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the burned Fountain of Life Nazarene Church, marking the beginning of its rebuilding, April 26, 2026, in Altadena, Calif.
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Damian Dovarganes
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AP Photo
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Pastor Jonathan Lewis poses for a photo with his congregation during a groundbreaking service at the site of the burned Fountain of Life Nazarene Church, marking the beginning of its rebuilding, April 26, 2026, in Altadena, Calif.
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Damian Dovarganes
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AP Photo
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On April 26, the Altadena Fountain of Life Church broke ground to build a new sanctuary after their house of worship, which had stood for over three decades, was destroyed in the fire. Pastor Jonathan Lewis, who ministers to about 75, hopes the church will be ready in time for Easter next year.
“It’ll be a Resurrection Sunday for our church, too,” he said.
Alexis Duncan, who grew up in Altadena attending that church, came to the groundbreaking with her 6-year-old daughter. She lost both her home and her church building.
“It means everything to me that they’re rebuilding because I want the church to be there for my daughter as she grows up,” she said. “This new beginning gives me and my family hope and the encouragement to come back.”
Some churches like Altadena Community Church, a United Church of Christ congregation, are pausing to rethink their future purpose. The Rev. Michael Lewis, who took over in February after the previous pastor retired, said the congregation is looking into several possibilities for the one-acre lot, including affordable housing.
“We know that a church is not intended to be a landlord and the pastor is no property manager,” he said. “But, we’re also thinking about who is able to return to Altadena? How will this rich, economically diverse community that was scattered by the fire come back?”
The church has been around since the 1940s. A haven for actors, poets and musicians, the former sanctuary also served as a vibrant performance space. Lewis said they hope to incorporate a performance stage into the new facility.
“It’ll look different from what we had before,” he said. “Once we figure out how to build community, we can decide what physical structures will help us support that community.”
As for Kehillat Israel, on May 15, members will carry their Torah scrolls back to their sanctuary, marking one of the first returns by a house of worship to the Palisades since the disaster.
Judaism has had “a long history of starting over,” Bernstein said.
“It’s encoded in our cultural approach to the world, that there are things that can always be taken away from you,” she said. “But what you become can never get taken away.”
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Robert Garrova
explores the weird and secret bits of SoCal that would excite even the most jaded Angelenos. He also covers mental health.
Published May 9, 2026 5:00 AM
The scene at last year's Clockshop Kite Festival.
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Gina Glyne/Gina Clyne Photography
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Courtesy Clockshop
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Topline:
The sky above Los Angeles State Historic Park in Chinatown will be dotted with color on Saturday with the annual Kite Festival.
The background: The festival had its beginnings as a joyful protest in 2021, back when a proposal for a Dodger Stadium gondola included cutting through the airspace above the park.
What to expect: This year’s programming includes a kite-making station where you can build your own flying art for a donation of $5, along with art workshops and the unveiling of a large floating, inflatable sculpture by Guatemalan kite artist Francisco Ramos.
The sky above Los Angeles State Historic Park in Chinatown will be dotted with color Saturday with the annual Kite Festival.
The festival had its beginnings as a joyful protest in 2021, back when a proposal for a Dodger Stadium gondola included cutting through the airspace above the park. Organizers say last year’s Kite Festival drew a crowd of about 7,000.
“The Kite Festival, [for] some people, it’s their favorite day in Los Angeles,” said Sue Bell Yank, executive director of Clockshop, the nonprofit arts org that runs the festival. “It’s the time when they really feel connected to their city. More so than any other time.”
This year’s programming includes a kite-making station where you can build your own flying art for a donation of $5, along with art workshops and the unveiling of a large floating, inflatable sculpture by Guatemalan kite artist Francisco Ramos.
An international team of disease detectives is now racing to connect with the more than two dozen passengers who disembarked the MV Honius cruise ship on the Atlantic island of St. Helena before the hantavirus outbreak was identified.
Where they're looking: These individuals have flown across the world, including to the United States.
Why it matters: The risk of further spread of this virus is low since it requires close and prolonged contact with an infected individual — and those infected seem to transmit the virus for only a brief period of time. But public health officials want to make sure the outbreak is contained.
An international team of disease detectives is now racing to connect with the more than two dozen passengers who disembarked the MV Honius cruise ship on the Atlantic island of St. Helena before the hantavirus outbreak was identified.
These individuals have flown across the world, including to the United States.
The risk of further spread of this virus is low since it requires close and prolonged contact with an infected individual — and those infected seem to transmit the virus for only a brief period of time. But public health officials want to make sure the outbreak is contained.
Here's how authorities are using the practice of contact tracing to contain the outbreak and keep the hantavirus from spreading.
Contact tracing 101
The concept of modern contact tracing dates to the 1930s and was part of an effort to stop the spread of syphilis. It involves locating the close contacts of anyone who may have been infected. "By identifying people who are at risk of infection," says Preeti Malani, an infectious disease physician at the University of Michigan, "you try to get ahead when people don't have symptoms yet with the goal of preventing the infection from continuing to propagate."
This is a well-tested approach for containing an infectious disease. "It's the oldest tool in the epidemiologic toolbox," explains Malani. "We thought about this a lot early in the pandemic with COVID. But we also do contact tracing for sexually transmitted infections, for things like meningitis and even measles."
Malani likens contact tracing to monitoring ripples in a pond, "trying to prevent those outer rings from propagating by isolating individuals and by identifying individuals who might be at risk of infection."
The idea that "there's a time period where people don't have symptoms but could be harboring the virus, that's what contact tracing helps identify," says Malani.
It starts by pinpointing someone with an infection or suspected infection of the disease in question — in this case, hantavirus. Epidemiologists then look to see with whom they've recently had close contact since these individuals are more likely to have been infected.
This hunt for those with the greatest probability of infection is important. "Otherwise, it becomes an impossible web to contain because everyone is connected to everyone," says Boghuma Titanji, an infectious diseases doctor at Emory University. "So you have to stratify by high, intermediate and low-risk contacts."
The next step involves public health agencies ordering precautions for those who are infected or who may be infected but aren't showing symptoms yet. Such measures may include quarantine, so that an individual doesn't come into contact with even more people — who may then become infected.
One challenge that hantavirus presents is that its incubation period can last up to several weeks. In other words, "people take a long time to become symptomatic after they've been exposed," says Titanji. "Some of these primary contacts would have to be monitoring themselves for symptoms for up to 45 days to be at the tail end of that very long incubation period."
Aboard and ashore
The work isn't high-tech but it is painstaking, requiring officials to reconstruct the many interactions someone may have had over days or weeks.
Onboard the cruise ship, "you might have an individual who is a source of an infection," says Titanji, laying out a hypothetical example. "And then they were sitting at a dinner table with one individual who then goes back to their cabin and shares a bed with their partner who has a conversation with someone else on the deck."
Once someone disembarks the ship, the number of potential interactions can grow quite quickly. This is why officials were concerned when a KLM flight attendant fell ill after being aboard a flight with one of the infected cruise ship passengers. Fortunately, the flight attendant ultimately tested negative for hantavirus.
Titanji is heartened by what she's seen playing out so far. "It seems like the international collaborative effort has been really robust and the mechanisms for containment are in place and underway," she says.
Public health officials argue that contact tracing is a powerful approach that will reduce further spread. "We can break this chain of transmission," said Abdi Mahmoud, the director of the World Health Organization's health emergency alert and response efforts, at a press conference on Thursday.
He has good reason to be confident. Contact tracing was vital during the fight against COVID-19 and helped end the Ebola crisis in Liberia, containing the epidemic there more than a decade ago. Some of the contact tracing even involved hours-long hikes through the jungle to a remote village.
Authorities are hoping for similar success with this hantavirus outbreak.
Copyright 2026 NPR
