Health
Local union workers to strike Kaiser Permanente across the state after months of contract negotiations
Union representatives seek to secure a contract that values Hawaiʻi workers with wages that account for the high cost of living and safe staffing numbers for quality patient care.
Kauaʻi Community College ranked top nursing school in Hawaiʻi for 2026 based on passing test scores
Kauaʻi Community College students achieved 100% passing rates for the past six years of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
New online portal securely opens access to immunization records
New online public portal, provides an immediate, free and secure way for families and individuals to manage immunization records for situations in school, work and travel.
Emergency action ensures access to COVID-19 vaccines in Hawaiʻi
Gov. Josh Green has issued an emergency proclamation ensuring continued public access to COVID-19 vaccines for residents aged 3 and older, despite new federal limitations.
Kauaʻi Healthy Living craft fair adds holiday shopping to its wellness celebration
Hosted by the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation Kaua‘i Region, the free event will take place on Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital campus in the lower parking lot in Waimea.
Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital receives $10.6 million for future MRI suite
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust is donating the money to enhance Kauaʻi Veterans Memorial Hospital’s MRI suite, drastically reducing wait times or reducing the need to travel to Oʻahu for diagnostics.
New campaign aims to raise awareness of early psychosis in Hawaiʻi youth
Recognizing the early signs of psychosis in teens and young adults is key to helping them get the care and support they need, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health.
Food safety code updates adopted by Hawaiʻi Department of Health
The code updates — which align with the 2022 U.S. Food and Drug Administration Model Food Code — are aimed at expanding opportunities for homemade food producers, and are part of Act 195 signed into law in 2024 by Gov. Josh Green.
Kauaʻi County Council greenlights use of $361,000 from national opioid settlements
On the Garden Isle, the national opioid settlement funds will assist local organizations such as the Kaua’i Fentanyl Task Force, a multiagency initiative created in 2023 at the urging of Kauaʻi Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like.
Kauaʻi collects 3,000 pounds of food during Saturday drive, but falls short of last year’s donations
Across Kauaʻi, volunteers gathered to collect non-perishable donations to help keep stocked for the remainder of summer and ahead of the holiday season during this year’s Food Drive Day for the Hawaiʻi Foodbank .
UH professor finds new method to improve strength of silicone-based devices
Silicone elastomers are used in items such as artificial muscles and medical implants and need to bend, stretch, and move with the human body without deteriorating over time.
COVID-19 back on the rise again, Department of Health reports
After a period of relative stability, COVID-19 activity again is on the rise in Hawaiʻi, according to the latest data from the Hawaiʻi Department of Health. The data show activity at a medium level, meaning the virus is circulating at higher levels than would be expected based on historic trends.
Kauaʻi health office releases report on 2025 public health, emergency prep survey
This year’s Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response survey collected valuable data from a total of 186 completed interviews about island residents’ basic household demographics, emergency supplies, concerns about climate change impacts, infectious disease awarness and concerns as well as general health and well-being.
Kauaʻi surgeon warns about firework dangers
Orthopedic surgeon Alyssa Carnegie shares information and tips for the Kaua‘i community to help ensure a safe and fun holiday.
While there has been no community spread of measles, an increase in pertussis raises health concerns
While the Hawaiʻi Department of Health confirms no new measles cases, pertussis cases spike alarmingly with 108 reported, underscoring the critical need for vaccinations to curb these preventable diseases.
Public invited to see ‘New Frontiers’ of breast cancer risk modeling, treatment during free event in June
Special event part of 11th International Breast Density and Cancer Risk Assessment Workshop from June 4-6 at Sonesta Kauaʻi Resort in Līhuʻe.
Salmonella outbreak reported among backyard poultry across 6 states
As of today, there have been no reports of outbreaks in Hawai‘i.
Kauaʻi’s first family medicine graduate program aims to create more rural physicians
The UH School of Medicine is addressing the physician shortage on Kauaʻi with a new Family Medicine Residency program starting in 2026, offering aspiring doctors hands-on training directly benefiting the island’s community.
The Department of Health, CDC recommend traveling precautions as dengue becomes more prevalent
With the total of eight cases in Hawaiʻi, travelers are advised to take precautions against dengue in high-risk countries and when returning home.
State confirms second case of measles
The case is an adult member of the household of the child on Oʻahu who was previously confirmed to be infected April 7 after both recently returned to Hawaiʻi from traveling internationally. The adult is no longer contagious and the child has since fully recovered. No new suspected measles cases have been reported as of April 17.