Hawai'i State News
Schatz plans statewide town hall telephone meeting
Those who register to participate will receive a call to join the discussion once the town hall begins at noon June 11.
Paging Dr. Duke: Waiākea grad becomes physician, plans Big Island return to practice pediatrics
Duke Escobar’s interest in medicine began in high school while taking a health academy course that introduced him to medical problem-solving through activities such as diagnosing cases from the TV show “House.”
From Vietnam battlefields to Big Island nature, Kona professor shares collection of memories in new book
Dr. Richard Stevens takes readers on a journey through his book, “Storyland,” which weaves personal stories and profound insights to inspire readers to reflect on their own paths.
Lane closure scheduled for portion of Daniel K. Inouye Highway for grading, paving
Crews will mill the highway and install open-graded friction course to increase drainage capability of the pavement and reduce potential for hydroplaning.
Fed suspension of Hawaiʻi Medicaid Fraud Control Unit funding has no impact on benefits, services
Hawaiʻi receives about $3 million per year from the federal government to fund the Hawaiʻi Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which is mandated by federal law to fight Medicaid fraud and protect patients from abuse and neglect; unfortunately, federal officials say the Hawaiʻi unit falls short of expectations and has for many years.
Pacific Summer Transportation Education Program by University of Hawaiʻi now accepting applications
Participating high school students will be introduced to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, skills through the lens of urban and regional planning with a goal of fueling their higher education choices and perhaps interest in transportation-related careers.
Hawaiian Affairs to launch kona low gift card recovery program for Native Hawaiians
ʻĪnaʻi Kōkua program will provide onetime $2,000 Home Depot card to support eligible households still recovering from March storms; only about 200 cards will be available statewide.
5 fatalities on Daniel K. Inouye Highway this year prompt state to declare traffic emergency zone
The Department of Transportation can now accelerate additional safety measures to try to decrease collisions on the main roadway across the Big Island.
Governor’s emergency proclamation authorizes second year of Operation Hoʻopauahi wildfire assistance
Hawaiʻi Department of Defense Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan will use that authorization to keep aircrews and other Hawaiʻi National Guard resources ready to provide assistance to county and state firefighters — when needed — to fight wildfires when they ignite.
Schatz, McMahon agree on $46 million funding extension for Native Hawaiian Education Program
Extension guarantees more than 60 Native Hawaiian Education Program early childhood education grant recipients throughout the state fully funded for at least another year.
Hawaiʻi to expand mental health, substance use treatment services through Medicaid program
Hawaiʻi joins nine other states in a Medicaid-funded program that enhances mental health, substance use disorder treatment and recovery services.
Volcano Watch: ‘Stick Season’ in Hawaiʻi? What happened to the leaves around summit of Kīlauea?
Large eruptive plumes produced by the ongoing episodic summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano, which contain high concentrations of volcanic gases and tephra, and wind direction are the key to this answer.
News briefs for June 4: L&L Texas, free Toyota, provisional licenses, bad cheese bread and food philanthropy
A quick look at news stories from throughout the state and beyond.
Governor pushes back against Hawaiian Homes lawsuit, says state will fight it ‘with everything we have’
Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green said his administration stands firm behind the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands after an Oʻahu man filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and its blood quantum mandate.
Hawaiʻi County Council moves forward on using eminent domain for Puna road project
Resolution 567-26 authorizes the county’s condemnation and acquisition of a long, thin strip of land running along the edge of two separate parcels in the Keonepoko Iki subdivision just north of the Hawaiian Shores neighborhood.
Visitor spending in April increases despite slight decline in Hawai‘i arrivals
Preliminary statistics from Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism show a total of 828,959 visitors arrived in the state during the month, a 0.5% decrease from a year before, but total visitor spending increased 4.8%.
Hawaiian Electric: Be prepared well before a storm strikes
Utility’s year-round resilience work reduces outages, supports faster restoration, but customers are encouraged to get ready before a tropical cyclone ever approaches the islands; Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green, state and county officials reiterate preparedness message.
Three key programs to provide nutritious meals for keiki this summer
SUN Bucks grocery assistance, free eat-on-site keiki meals and Kaukau 4 Keiki can help provide free, healthy meals for children through the summer.
UPDATE: Earthquake that struck off Kona Coast revised back to magnitude-4.6; more than 800 ‘Felt Reports’ received
The quake was initially reported as a magnitude-4.6 and then revised up to a magnitude-5.2 before again being changed back to a magnitude-4.6 with the latest update from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory; moderate shaking reported by community members.
State reminds residents to apply for disaster-related unemployment assistance as deadline approaches
Residents in Hawaiʻi County, City and County of Honolulu, and Maui County impacted by March’s natural disasters can still apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance by June 15.
