The executive director of the state Ethics Commission plans to again push for two bills in the next legislative session designed to provide greater transparency about relationships between lawmakers and lobbyists. Read more
Legislators have allocated $400,000 annually to the state Department of Accounting and General Services to equip public buildings with menstrual products. Read more
Of the initial 3,071 households that were displaced, 80.3% have been able to get into long-term housing, according to Green. Read more
Ahryanna McGuirk of Kalaheo High School, Maile-Lei Ji of Kealakehe High and Michael Kostecki of ‘Iolani School have been named U.S. Department of Education Presidential Scholars — one of the most prestigious accolades for high school students nationwide. Read more
If Gov. Green doesn’t sign the bill, the current $240,000 salary of Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi will revert to its former limit of $150,000 annually. Read more
Green also signed six “good governance bills” into law designed to promote public trust and citizen participation and enhance openness in decision-making processes across the state. Read more
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House and Senate conference committees plan to forward a host of education-related bills this week to the full House and Senate for final approval, including a statewide registry that would document and share all school staff misdeeds, along with other bills to ease qualifications for teacher licenses in Hawaii and provide more funding for Hawaiian immersion education. Read more
The Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program was launched in September to offer debt relief for educational loans incurred by licensed and certified healthcare professionals in Hawaii. Read more
Blangiardi said 60% of Hawaii families live paycheck-to-paycheck, which puts them at financial risk of becoming homeless. Read more
Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday pledged to sign a bill into law that would give each county clear authority over vacation rentals — including the possibility of banning them — if it arrives on his desk, as expected. Read more
Voter notification cards have been mailed by the state Office of Elections. Read more
A bill before legislators would give counties the power to adopt labor standards. Read more
The state House on Thursday passed a bill that would increase legal penalties for people who repeatedly drive without a license or with a suspended license. Read more
Gov. Josh Green has signed seven bills into law with three weeks left in the legislative session, with 25 more awaiting his signature to become law. Read more
John Arruda was sent to the isolated Kalaupapa Peninsula in 1945 following his Hansen’s disease diagnosis and Friday celebrated his 100th birthday in the Kalaupapa Settlement, where only eight Hansen’s Disease patients remain — furthering discussions about who should have a say in the future of the historic settlement. Read more
Waipahu High School inaugurated its Academic Health Center — a first-of-its-kind school-based health clinic in the nation — on Wednesday. Read more
Rory Inouye, a 35-year-old Waiakea High School class of 2007 alumnus and math teacher, was awarded a $25,000 Milken Educator Award in Hilo on Tuesday. Read more
The state Senate on Tuesday passed dozens of bills on mandatory third reading, a key step before becoming law, but senators rejected one contested measure that aimed to combat an increase in animal cruelty cases in Hawaii. Read more
A House bill to increase funding for autism services by requiring the state Department of Human Services to seek additional funding sources and maximize federal matching funds continues to move through the Legislature. Read more
Jade Pham, a 27-year-old teacher at Prince David Kawananakoa Middle School, was surprised with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award at a schoolwide assembly on Monday. Read more
Some Chinatown community members around Fort Street Mall — including Jasmine Mancos, a co-owner of Proof Social Club — worry that House Bill 2328 may not create affordable housing as intended and could end up replacing local businesses that cater to marginalized people. Read more
