COVID-19

... Earlier this week, Gov. David Ige announced his “intent to veto” SB3089, a bill that aims to reform the state’s emergency powers law ....

... the state of Hawaii has released a report explaining why the rail project will fail no matter where it goes or how much it costs ....

... SB3089 would ensure checks and balances during times of emergency ....

... A Map of Regressive Progressives:  School by school data shows anti-vaxxers concentrated in areas known for anti-GMO and anti-Superferry protests ....

... In May, there were notable gains in sectors including leisure and hospitality but Hawaii still lags ....

... almost 1 in 3 adults in Hawai‘i infected with COVID-19 experience Long-COVID ....

... Hawaii and Massachusetts top the 2022 State Scorecard rankings, based on overall performance across 56 measures of health care access and quality, service use and cost, health disparities, and health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 ....

“...In many concentrated insurance markets such as Hawaiʻi, insurers have few incentives to negotiate lower prices. They can easily pass these costs onto premiums without losing market share....”

... Hawaii improved significantly in 2021 after initially being hard hit by the pandemic ....

"...In the largest sector (government), the Hawaii economy added 400 jobs between January 2021 and April 2022...."

... On a per capita basis, the Aloha State reported 88.7 average daily cases per 100,000 people, the most of any state ....

... By 2021, the team relied on the locally tailored model developed by UH Mānoa Professor Monique Chyba ....

... 71 new cases per 100,000 people over the last two weeks ....

... Recovery from Unemployment (2022 April vs 2020 January) -- Hawaii 51st ....

... of the 50 states, Hawaii saw the largest decline in marriage rate, dropping from 14.2-per-1,000 residents in 2019 to 7.4 in 2020 ....

... $937,575 ....

...Community invited to provide input on Economic and Workforce Development through community engagement survey....

... Residents of Hawaii are most likely to drink at home during working hours, while Arkansans are least likely ....

... on September 13, 2021, the counties of Honolulu and Maui mandated that customers and employees provide proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test ....

... on Oahu 2,107 new cases, +74% change from previous week ....

... bills to sign or veto ....

... these restrictions can easily be reinstated with the stroke of a pen because our state’s emergency-management law has not changed ....

... Hawaii’s GE Tax base has historically exceeded 100 percent of personal income but took a hit as the island’s economic profile changed during the pandemic ....

... According to the State Department of Health, 100.0% of those 65 years and older on O‘ahu have completed their initial series of COVID-19 vaccination ....

... At great cost, isolation from the world delayed the spread until vaccines and treatments were available ....

... employee base permanently reduced by COVID? ....

“The general rule is that amounts received by a business that replace income are subject to GET."

... Workers with a bachelor’s or graduate degree also tended to work remotely (72.2%) versus those without a bachelor’s degree (48.2%)....

... but Masks Still Required Indoors for Hawaii Public School Students ....

... found little health benefit of closing schools or businesses ....

... A bill to limit the governor’s emergency power is nearing the legislative finish line ....

... February 2022 visitor spending was lower than the $1.46 billion (-10.4%) spent in February 2020 ....

... SB3089 SD2 HD1 would amend the state’s emergency-management statute to clarify that the powers granted for emergency purposes should not be inconsistent with the Hawaii Constitution, require justification for the suspension of laws and place limits on such suspensions, and allow the Legislature or county councils to terminate an emergency, in part or in whole, by a two-thirds vote. ...

... it is not possible to turn an economy on and off like a light switch ....

... Only Hawaii, North Dakota and Louisiana have not reached at least a 70 percent recovery of jobs lost as of the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. ....

... Hawaii is home to some 70,410 renters who owe their landlords rent, and an estimated 19.1% of them reported being either somewhat likely or very likely to face eviction in the coming months - the fourth smallest share among states ....

... Senator Kidani Education Committee Chair, announced bill 2125 will be deferred, sighting a "fracturing of relationships between DOE and our special education families and community" ....

... Kanuha Awarded Meritorious Torch of Light Award; San Buenaventura and Others Earn Lava Tube Dishonor ....

... Leader of Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Benefits Scheme Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay More Than $350k in Restitution ....

... The HING JTF has been on orders assisting the state since April 6, 2020 ....

"...We submitted a Recovery Plan to the FTA, proposing to amend the Full Funding Grant Agreement to the following scope: 18.75 miles/19 stations through Downtown, to the Civic Center Station, which is 1.25 miles and 2 stations short of Ala Moana Center...."

... Honolulu ‘ethics’ function--covering up for the big sharks while spearfishing manini to make it look like they are doing something ....

... Case counts and vaccination updates will be published on the DOH COVID-19 dashboard every Wednesday beginning March 16 ....

... Russian bots spread anti-vaccination messages across the social media ....

“We continue to recommend masks be worn in classrooms, at least for the time being. We are no longer recommending quarantine for students who are exposed to COVID-19 at school."

... Optimistic UHERO forecast with Omicron end, expected return of international visitors ....

... one month after the arrest of English and Cullen, all state facilities managed by DAGS will reopen to the general public ....

... Rapid Rehousing provides short-term rental assistance and supportive services to assist people in obtaining housing quickly ....

... Visitor arrivals are projected to increase to 9.7 million in 2023, 10.0 million in 2024, and 10.4 million in 2025 ....

... Incoming passengers will no longer be required to create a Safe Travels account or provide travelers information and trip details ....