Hawai‘i News
Pilot project will allow on-the-spot tickets, fines for Hawaiʻi resource violations
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources is putting together a three-month pilot project that will allow state conservation enforcement resource officers to issue on-the-spot tickets and/or fines for rule violations.
Family of missing kayaker sets up GoFundMe for help to continue search off Maui’s shore
The family of 63-year-old Jerry Morgan, who went missing early Thursday morning while kayaking off Tavares Beach on Maui, has set up a GoFundMe to raise funds to continue searching for him.
U.S. Sen. Schatz says Indigenous Peoples’ Day should become federal holiday
US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said in a statement issued today that Indigenous Peoples’ Day should be designated as a federal public holiday.
Bailey replaces Mattson as president & CEO of Castle Hospitality Group
Castle Hospitality Group has selected Matt Bailey to succeed Alan Mattson as President & CEO of the Hawaiʻi-based hotel, condo resort and vacation rental management company.
Three Kaua‘i police officers recognized during Hawai‘i State Law Enforcement Officials Association
The conference, last held in Maui, has been on hold since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
AG Lopez sues major pharmacy benefit managers to protect Hawai‘i consumers
The complaint alleges that the pharmacy benefit managers’ business practices have driven skyrocketing prices for brand-name prescription medications over the past decade. These practices include charging drug manufacturers “rebates,” which are payable directly to the pharmacy benefit managers, in exchange for the favorable placement of drugs on the pharmacy benefit managers’ formularies – a ranked list of prescription medications covered by insurance.
Hirono, colleagues introduce legislation to strengthen program connecting SNAP recipients to fresh, local produce
The GusNIP Improvement Act of 2023 updates the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) to help existing grantees expand participation and spending, while also giving new grantees the opportunity to establish and grow their programs.
Interim rule restricts movement of material that may contain coconut rhinoceros beetles
On Monday afternoon, the Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals recommended approval of an interim rule that restricts the movement of palm plants; decomposing plant material, such as compost, wood or tree chips; mulch; potting soil; and other landscaping products that may harbor CRB, from infested areas to non-infested areas.
State of Hawai‘i applies for $9.9 million in HUD grants for affordable housing
The HUD PRO Housing grant program aims to reduce barriers to affordable housing production by helping local communities address infrastructure challenges and land use and regulatory barriers.
FEMA to conduct emergency system testing over radios, TVs and cellphones
The purpose of the test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level.
‘Tree-covery Project’ in Lāhainā more than famous banyan tree
The banyan is not the only tree receiving attention from a group of volunteer arborists and landscapers who have banded together as the Lāhainā Treescape Restoration Project.
University of Hawai‘i researchers receive funding for projects in wake of Maui wildfires
RAPID funding is used for proposals having a severe urgency with regard to availability of, or access to data, facilities or specialized equipment, including quick-response research on natural disasters.
October is ‘Stop the Ant Month’ in Hawaiʻi
Little fire ants are considered among the world’s worst invasive species. Little fire ants are tiny ants, measuring 1/16 of an inch long, and orange in color. Little fire ants move slowly and stings tend to occur when the ants fall from trees or vegetation onto people, or when infestations become so large that the ants move into yards, homes, and businesses.
Kupu, state launch Nā Manu ʻElele Steward Program – applications open now
The stewards are responsible for educating visitors, enforcing safety measures, and maintaining the increasingly popular Hawai‘i Island trail. The program sees great success by increasing visitors’ awareness of the trail’s hiking conditions and the valley’s history and cultural significance. There’s also been a decrease in hiking accidents, illegal camping and parking infractions.
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa ranked in top 1% for research, teaching
The flagship campus of the 10-campus system placed No. 57 in the U.S. and in the No. 201–250 tier worldwide. That’s out of more than 25,000 colleges and universities in the world (top 250 qualifies as the world’s top 1%).
Hōkūleʻa returning to Hawaiʻi in December before continuing circumnavigation of Pacific
Polynesian Voyaging Society CEO Nainoa Thompson said, “The level of hurt thatʻs happening in our home is something I canʻt comprehend. All I know is that we have to come home because of it.”
New UHERO dashboard highlights areas of Hawaiʻi housing crisis
The University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization, or UHERO, launched a publicly available, interactive housing data dashboard on Sept. 26, that allows users to customize their data reports based on location, with information such as property and rental market, demographics, zoning and housing stock. UHERO designed the dashboard to inform discussions on the way forward for housing in Hawaiʻi.
Hōkūle‘a receives spirited welcome in San Francisco
Joining the crew on board was a member of the Coast Miwok Tribe of what is now known as Marin and southern Sonoma counties, as well as renowned oceanographer, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and Founder of Mission Blue, Sylvia Earle. Members of the Ramaytush Ohlone tribe of the San Francisco area stood on the beach and granted permission for the crew to make their landing and go ashore.
American Academy of Nursing designates Hawai‘i Keiki program as an ‘Edge Runner’
Edge Runners are evidence-based, nurse-designed models that demonstrate significant clinical, financial, community and policy outcomes with proven sustainability and replicability. Each of these programs highlights nurses’ ingenuity and collaboration in developing new methods to provide care and promote health equity.
Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands Mammography Registry aims to improve breast cancer risk assessment
The Hawaiʻi and Pacific Islands Mammography Registry will launch a new questionnaire this month that aims to standardize breast health information collected at mammography clinics around Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands.
