Hawai'i State News
WATCH: US Congressman Case of Hawai‘i honored for leadership in ocean policy
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation recently gave its prestigious 2023 Leadership Award to Case, who continues the fight for ocean-based climate solutions, sustainable climate ready fisheries management and international cooperation and coordination in saving the world’s oceans.
NHAAPI women entrepreneurs in Hawaiʻi are driven by values, but need funding
The report is based on applications submitted by 343 women from five different Hawaiian islands in the summers of 2021 and 2022.
Hawaiʻi Gov. Green signs $37.2 billion biennium operating budget; extends family tax credits
On Friday, Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green signed a $37.3 billion biennium state operating budget for fiscal years 24 and 25 and a bill that extends family tax credits for five years.
AARP grants given to 3 Hawai‘i groups, part of program to make communities more livable
Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; diversity, equity and inclusion; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and older.
City, County of Honolulu cited by Department of Health for Kailua Bay wastewater permit violations
Between April 2023 and May 2023, the City and County of Honolulu discharged effluent from the wastewater treatment plant in exceedance of daily National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit limits for enterococci on 13 occasions, including exceeding the monthly permit limit for the month of April.
University of Hawaiʻi president calls Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action ‘beyond disappointing’
University of Hawai’i President David Lassner called the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action in college admissions “beyond disappointing.”
UH Mānoa receives academic, research, sustainability honors
UH’s flagship campus ranked No. 66 among U.S. institutions (out of nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in the country) and No. 386 in the world (out of more than 25,000 worldwide colleges and universities), according to the Quacquarelli Symonds rankings released June 27.
Honolulu couple charged in Waikīkī fentanyl overdose that led to death of Big Island man
Honolulu couple Avery Garrard and Keina Drageset were arrested on June 23, each on a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of Fentanyl, resulting in the deaths of Steven Berengue, 53 of Kailua-Kona, and Joseph Iseke, 44, of Kailua, O‘ahu.
Kiwanis Kūpuna Spelling Bee names preliminary winners; still time to compete
The top three spellers from each of the preliminary competitions will be eligible to compete in the Kiwanis Kupuna Spelling Bee Finals Competition on July 29, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Lanakila Multipurpose Center, Honolulu.
$2.7M reinvested by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority to support natural resource preservation, Hawaiian culture
Since 2010, HTA has provided nearly $13.3 million to support 370 programs that preserve Hawai‘i’s natural resources and more than $12.5 million to support nearly 360 community organizations and programs that focus on perpetuating Hawaiian culture.
124-year-old nonprofit Child & Family Service announces leadership changes
Karen Tan, president and CEO of Child and Family Service is stepping down after 18 years with the organization to move to Texas to support her family. Her last day is Aug. 31.
Sen. Hirono secures priorities for Hawai‘i in committee markup of annual defense bill
Senate Armed Services Committee approval is the first step in the process to establish defense funding levels and set policies for the Department of Defense.
New Hawaiʻi organization launches Fish Pono-Save Our Reefs
A local ʻohana of ocean-lovers, scientists, fishers and watermen and women have formed Fish Pono–Save Our Reefs, an organization with the vision of bringing awareness to the importance of replenishing herbivore fish populations to foster healthy coral reefs.
Big Island athletes earn five medals at Special Olympics World Summer Games
Last week, two Special Olympics Hawaii athletes, Teresa “Tess” Moore and Virginia “Kalei” Lee, represented Hawaii as part of Special Olympics USA at the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany.
Hirono, colleagues reintroduce legislation to protect right of women to cross state lines to seek abortion care
The legislation would also protect health care providers in pro-choice states, like Hawai‘i, from prosecution and lawsuits for serving individuals traveling from other states.
Hawai‘i groups seek government travel bans to 20 states, citing public employee safety
Eleven organizations co-signed a letter to Gov. Josh Green; mayors Kawakami, Blangiardi, Bissen and Roth; State Board of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi; and University of Hawai‘i President David Lassner.
2023 Transpac begins first wave with 16 sailboats racing from California to Hawaiʻi
The 2023 Transpac competition from California to Oʻahu begins on Tuesday with the first wave of 16 sailboats crossing the starting line in the vicinity of Point Fermin in San Pedro.
Senator: Hawai‘i set to receive nearly $150 million to expand high-speed internet access
The new funding from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program will be used to help build and improve broadband infrastructure across Hawai‘i.
Hawai‘i State FCU announces free financial education offerings available from July to September
Financial educators and counselors from Hawaii State FCU will lead attendees through interactive activities while sharing financial wellness tips.
Albatross flock back to Oahu’s Kaʻena Point during 40 years as protected reserve
In 40 years, with a lot of hard work, dedication and passion, Ka‘ena Point has been restored to one of the last wild places on an otherwise mostly urbanized O‘ahu.
