News briefs for July 4: Corpse flower blooms, false claims recovered, out-of-state cancer care and more

Corpse flower on Lānaʻi finally blooms

A rare natural spectacle is finally in bloom at Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort. Guests and community members will have the chance to experience the extraordinary blooming corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum), an endangered plant known for its massive bloom and infamous scent.

The flower will be in bloom for just 2 to 3 days this weekend.

The bloom, on loan from Lānaʻi Nursery, offers a unique opportunity to see one of the world’s rarest flowering plants set against the resort’s 24-acre botanical gardens, home to nearly 1,000 plant species, world-class outdoor sculptures and a wellness-focused guest experience. It’s an experience blending conservation, luxury travel and one of nature’s most fascinating phenomena.

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More than $617K in CVS Pharmacy false claims recovered by state

Haswai‘i Attorney General Anne Lopez announced that Hawai‘i joined the United States, District of Columbia and 35 other states in a coordinated settlement with CVS Pharmacy to resolve allegations from 2010 through 2020 that the company knowingly submitted or caused to be submitted false claims to the Medicaid program related to dispensing of insulin pens.

The $36.5 million total settlement — of which $617,160 is Hawai‘i’s share — is the result of a collaborative effort among state Medicaid fraud control units, U.S. Department of Justice and federal partners to protect Medicaid beneficiaries and recover taxpayer dollars.

The investigation was conducted by a National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units team in close coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and federal law enforcement partners.

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Study finds Hawai‘i patients spent more than $230M on out-of-state cancer care from 2021-23

A new study led by researchers at University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center found that at least $230 million was spent between 2021 and 2023 on cancer care delivered outside Hawaiʻi, highlighting the significant financial impact of geographic isolation on patients and the health care system.

“Quantifying financial toxicity from cancer care travel in a geographically isolated U.S. health system” analyzed de-identified data from commercial insurance claims filed through Hawai‘i Medical Service Association by Hawaiʻi residents. Researchers found out-of-state cancer care expenditures totaled about $58 million in 2021, rose to $94 million in 2022 and reached nearly $79 million in 2023, with breast cancer accounting for the largest total amount at $59.5 million because of its high prevalence, followed by leukemia ($46.4 million), lymphoma ($21.5 million), prostate cancer ($14.9 million) and pulmonary cancer ($14 million).

The findings point to opportunities to strengthen local cancer care capacity and reduce the need for patients to travel thousands of miles for treatment. And while Hawai‘i’s isolation is unique among states, similar challenges affect rural and underserved communities throughout the nation, where specialized cancer services could be limited.

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University of Hawaiʻi regents elect new leadership, welcome 5 new board members

University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents by a 7-4 vote elected Lauren Akitake — who was appointed to the board in 2023 and represents Maui County — as chairperson for the 2026-27 academic year and welcomed five new members during a special July 2 meeting.

The board also elected former chairperson Gabriel Lee as first vice chairperson and newly appointed regent Keith Amemiya as second vice chairperson, with each serving 1-year terms during the 2026–27 academic year.

Joining the 11-member board are Keith Amemiya, Marie Laderta, Makai Freitas, Keola Robert Whittaker and student Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee. Together, the new regents bring expertise in higher education, business, finance, law, labor, public service and student leadership.

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Record J-1 visa teacher cohort helps close teacher vacancy gaps, bridge cultures

Hawaiʻi Department of Education’s latest J-1 Visa Teacher Program cohort represents the largest group yet, with about 365 J-1 visa teachers ready to start the new school year in classrooms throughout the state, teaching a variety of subjects in elementary and secondary schools.

The initiative helped stem Hawaiʻi’s teacher vacancies since it began during the 2020-21 school year. State Education Department officials in the past worked to recruit and fill more than 1,000 open teacher positions throughout the state; however, for the past 2 school years, there have been fewer than 100 openings at the start of the year.

J-1 visa teachers do not replace local teachers, but rather fill hard-to-find vacancies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects and rural schools. These experienced, dedicated and highly trained teachers ensure classes can be sustained and programs expanded. Retention rate during the past 5 years for teachers staying in the islands for the minimum 3 years is 90%.

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Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi welcomes Sheppard as director of product and retail

Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi named Sarah Sheppard — a senior retail and nonprofit leader with 15-plus years of experience leading large sales programs — as its new director of product and retail, a role in which she will oversee the organization’s Entrepreneurship Program, including cookie and other merchandise sales.

Sheppard most recently served as a special education teacher at Hawaiʻi Department of Education and founded the nonprofit Kākou Club. Sheppard also had leadership positions at Saks Off 5th, Victoria’s Secret, TJX Companies, Serta Simmons Bedding and the Hawaiʻi Autism Foundation.

She has a bachelor of business administration degree from Boston University Questrom School of Management, with a focus in finance and operations management. Sheppard also is an active community member, volunteering with Special Olympics of Hawaiʻi and Kauluakalana, as well as teaching yoga to adults with and without disabilities.