Green Cuts $1B from Budget--Kills First Responder Campus Scheme
Green Signs Dozens of Bills
Hawaii Worker Productivity Drops Sharply
Hawaii Dept. of Public Safety built Secret Illegal fuel tank at Halawa Prison
KITV: … For more than three decades, the state has been operating an unpermitted, underground storage tank -- right next to Red Hill.
The state health department issued a notice of violation to the state public safety department for the unpermitted underground storage tank, at Halawa Correctional Facility.
The DOH discovered the tank a year ago.
The tank can store a thousand gallons of petroleum or hazardous substances for an emergency generator.
The state says it investigated over the past year, and learned the tank was installed in 1993 without proper notification and permitting requirements. …
DOH: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ISSUES NOTICE OF VIOLATION AND ORDER TO THE HAWAIʻI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK VIOLATIONS
SA: DPS fined $104K for Halawa fuel storage tank violations
SA Editorial: Under-the-radar fuel tank
read … Underground storage tank prompts violation notice and order to Hawaii Dept. of Public Safety
Inflation is stabilizing, but Hawaii food costs high
SA: … The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday that inflation — as measured by the consumer price index — in May rose 2.0% over the past year for Honolulu, continuing a downward trend.
In March, Oahu’s rolling 12-month inflation rate fell to 3.3% compared with the previous rate of 5.2% in January….
In Honolulu, energy prices in May decreased 7.3% compared with a year ago, due mostly to a decline in electricity and gasoline prices.
Prices for electricity declined 3.1%, while prices for all types of gasoline declined 10.7% in May compared with a year ago….
But putting food on the table still comes at a high cost, with food prices rising 5.1% more than a year ago, according to the data.
Broken down by category, food at home increased 1.9%, while food away from home increased 10.0% over the year….
Big Q: Have food prices gotten noticeably higher, compared to last year? -- 94% YES
SA Off The News: Higher food prices hurting neediest
read … Inflation is stabilizing, but Hawaii food costs high
Doctors need more support to work in high-cost Hawaii
SA: … According to Indeed Career Guide, Hawaii is 46th out of 50 states in average physician salaries, before adjusting for cost-of-living differences. We are lower than Mississippi and far lower than Alabama, where life and housing cost far less….
read … Doctors need more support to work in high-cost Hawaii
Honolulu runway work has been impacting Neighbor Island flights for months
MN: … Airline hopes Maui delays will subside ….
HNN: Travelers on Kauai advised to arrive early amid issues with screening equipment
read … Honolulu runway work has been impacting Neighbor Island flights for months
Congress Should Have New COFA Treaties Soon. Now They Just Need To Be Ratified
CB: … Yun, the Special Presidential Envoy for Compact Negotiations, said that Congress will soon receive a legislative package to renew the COFA agreements, which has become increasingly critical to U.S. national security interests in the Pacific as China attempts to make inroads there.
The new agreement will provide $6.5 billion in aid over the next 20 years, he told the gathering.
He said it also calls on Congress to expand health care benefits to veterans living in the COFA nations and provide access to social safety net programs for migrants already living in the U.S.
“I do think it’s a decent value and I look forward to justifying it to members of our Congress,” Yun said. “And with that I think we can secure the compact states as our true partners for many decades to come.” …
read … Congress Should Have New COFA Treaties Soon. Now They Just Need To Be Ratified
Sheriffs arrest Hawaii high school student accused of cyberbullying disabled peer
HNN: … State sheriffs arrested Wednesday a 19-year-old Campbell High senior accused of taking a photo of a freshman with severe disabilities using the school urinal and then posting it on social media.
Officials said Cagen Huddy Esperanza is indicted on two counts of privacy violation….
read … Sheriffs arrest Hawaii high school student accused of cyberbullying disabled peer
Zombie News: Oahu paramedics, EMTs warned after skin-rotting drug additive found at recent overdose scenes
HNN: … First responders at Honolulu EMS are being warned about a powerful horse tranquilizer found at suspected overdose scenes on Oahu.
Xylazine likely contributed to at least one recent death this year.
The two-page memo from the city’s Medical Director Dr. Sean Covant says they have “begun to see overdose cases involving Xylazine in Honolulu.” …
Dr. Jim Ireland, Honolulu EMS director, said Xylazine and fentanyl are being mixed — a dangerous trend, especially because Naloxone or Narcan, the antidote for fentanyl and other opioid overdoses, does not work on Xylazine.
“Narcan won’t wake you up,” Ireland said, adding that other life-saving medications on an ambulance would have to be administered instead….
SA: Man pleads not guilty to selling fentanyl
read … Oahu paramedics, EMTs warned after skin-rotting drug additive found at recent overdose scenes
Waianae McDonalds Closed After Multiple Fights Break Out over Several days
HNN: … Officials said an off-duty officer who intervened received minor injuries.
Police said one of the women was arrested for third-degree assault and harassment and the man was arrested for third-degree assault and contempt warrants.
It is unclear what caused the incident but witnesses tell Hawaii News Now the fight may have stemmed from a couple asking customers for money.
Meanwhile, police arrested another man at the same McDonald’s Wednesday afternoon for a separate incident — allegedly harassing customers.
And just a couple hours before that, we’re told a couple got into a fight inside the eatery.
It’s the latest in a string of disturbances at the Farrington Highway location.
The McDonald’s location remains temporarily closed at this time….
Meanwhile: Six arrested following ‘large affray’ at Hilo beach park
read … 2 people arrested after large brawl breaks out at Waianae McDonald’s
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