... 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....

...116 active cases....

...Hawaii AirBnB occupancy rates are running far below those of other US destinations....

...HB 220 now waits a replacement bill from the State Senate later this week....

...Online registration pilot project complete. Walk-in range usage beginning Wednesday, July 1....

“...Without proper care, these individuals would likely be back on the street without treatment, would resort to going to a hospital emergency department for primary care, or rely on public safety, law enforcement, and the criminal justice systems, which do not have the capability to provide an appropriate level of care....”

...48% of middle and high school teachers report 0-20% of students consistently participated in distance learning....

...Anyone flying to the Aloha State’s golden shores is supposed to remain in self-quarantine for two weeks....

...ineffective, unnecessary, rife for abuse, expensive, potentially unconstitutional, and, in a word, “terrifying”....

...117 active cases....

...hearings June 24 and 25....

...HB2500 SD1 would allow the state to borrow billions of dollars at a time when revenues are falling and expenses are increasing....

...an initial assessment of the economic impacts of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 on the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau....

...The plan provides discretion to the Ige Administration to spend the remaining CARES funds to pay for unanticipated and emerging needs....

...how long can democracy be suspended?....

...Hawaii State Whose Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back Least....

...eight patients released....

...another general excise tax exemption that the State Auditor has put under the microscope....