Entries for June 2020

... In May, a total of 9,116 visitors traveled to Hawaii by air service compared to 841,376 total visitors (by air and cruise ships) during the same period a year ago .... 

...Those seeking to apply, renew, or obtain a duplicate credential can now choose “X” or “Not Specified” in the gender category instead of the binary “M” (Male) or “F” (Female)....

...Club for Growth hits AL-02 hopeful Jeff Coleman for campaign contributions to Hawaii Democrat Neil Abercrombie in new ad....

...This year Hawaii will vote exclusively by mail. Now as many of us know this increases the chances of fraud. Couple that with the checkered history of our Office of Elections, makes it more important as ever that all political parties have representation in our vote counting centers across the State....

...Starting July 15, all passengers have to wear a mask and must take a molecular test 72 hours prior to their arrival and submit the results to officials at the airport.... 

...two new hospitalizations, no new deaths....

...the court scheduled a hearing for Thursday, July 2, 2020....

...The complaint alleges that, for a period of more than five years, the defendants misleadingly marketed JUUL e-cigarettes, intending to hook users on the product in the same manner used by tobacco companies in the marketing of cigarettes....

...Rep Gene Ward today sent a letter to Governor Ige and the Department of Transportation – Airports Division questioning why the State is installing facial recognition cameras at Hawaii's airports....

...we struggled to determine the purposes of the provisions reviewed, and in some cases, were unable to even infer the purposes. Additionally, we had no objective means to assess whether provisions were achieving their purposes....

...no new hospitalizations, no new deaths....

...mandatory TMK field on its listings....

...seeking additional applicants with clinical healthcare backgrounds and an undergraduate degree who are available to be activated by DOH as full-time contact tracers for up to three months in the near future....

...route 9 (Pearl Harbor-Kaimuki); 40 (Makaha-Honolulu); 42 (Ewa Beach-Waikiki); 88A (North Shore Express); and 501 (Mililani Mauka)....

...which states have experienced a positive trend in their residents’ health in the past few weeks....

... Hawaii public schools to reopen with safeguards ....

... 17 cases associated with one Oahu funeral ....

... Can we afford to take the risk of building a new stadium with an entertainment center that may become a financial white elephant like our convention center? ....

...to determine which states have the most racial equality in education....

...The legislature reconvened on June 22, 2020 and will end on July 10, 2020. Here's a snapshot of some of the things that happened this week....

... votes in Congress and bills introduced for week ending June 27, 2020 ....

...and Hawaii's 18th death--the first COVID death since May.... 

...Laughing at your sacrifice: Senate votes 21-3, House votes 45-4....

...and the highest Total Sales & Excise Tax Burden....

...Honolulu lawyers Robert Thomas and Jeff Portnoy address questions that have arisen during the coronavirus shut-down....

...51% of respondents in households with at least one child report their income has declined since the start of COVID-19....

...The letter outlines low participation rates for distance learning, internet connectivity and device access inequities among students, and the lack of a concise plan for how they will spend the federal CARES Act funding they have received....

"...thermal screening cameras and facial imaging tracking system...."

... The number of respondents who view the virus as a “very serious” health concern has fallen from 73% to 54% in less than two months .... 

...With Hawaii facing its greatest financial crisis in generations, the state Legislature is finally taking action on balloon launches, a “climate innovation technology park” and red light cameras....

...no new hospitalizations, no new deaths....

..."Without the intervention of the Hawaii Supreme Court, this case would have continued in the darkness of closed proceedings. We look forward to a formal announcement on how the public may observe the conduct of these proceedings." said attorney Lance D. Collins....

...The measure requires the disclosure of the identity of officers who are suspended or discharged for misconduct in a report to the Legislature, removes the exemption for police from disclosure under Hawaii’s Uniform Information Practices Act, and clarifies additional authorities and powers of the Law Enforcement Standards Board....

...The Kaua‘i Education Technology Pilot Project is reimagining how much HSTA members can get away with in response to the COVID-19 pandemic....

...The court also ordered plaintiffs to respond to the Governor's virus pre-check program....

...a hard look at the most important limitation on government power in an emergency, the statutory requirement that any emergency proclamation automatically terminates no later than sixty days after it is issued....

...5,989 victims have reported Identity theft after receiving a letter about eligibility for PUA benefits....

"...This will allow local shippers and businesses, especially those on the neighbor islands, to conduct business without worrying about a rate increase at this time....”

...132 active cases, 23 currently hospitalized....

...Federal Fishery Managers Weigh-In on Marine National Monument draft plans, COVID-19 Impacts to Fisheries and More....

...the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health will be meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, to consider HB2502, Proposed SD1....

...Ige yesterday asked the court to consolidate the two cases....

...This is a one-hour program, open to the public....

...Transpacific travelers to Hawaiʻi will be able to bypass the 14-day quarantine starting on August 1, if they first show proof that they were tested for COVID-19 with negative results....

...Note DoH has refused our request for a tally of current active cases and current hospitalizations....

...A legislative conference committee today approved a conference draft to Senate Bill 126 that amends the state budget and provides support to critical state services needed during the cononavirus pandemic....

... Results from a national survey of small-business owners released yesterday ....

...Last week saw second highest application total this year....

...Hawaiʻi P-EBT Pandemic School Meals Replacement Benefits to more than 93,000 students receiving free or reduced-price school meals in Hawaiʻi, including almost 48,000 students already receiving SNAP benefits....

...UPDATE ... Judge: Feds Can’t Intervene In Quarantine Challenge....