Gov. David Ige on Friday signed a fourth supplementary emergency homeless proclamation that’s designed to help the state more rapidly address homelessness across the islands.
Ige signed his original homeless emergency proclamation Oct. 16, followed by subsequent ones Dec. 24 and Feb. 19. They suspend normal employment and procurements to make it easier for the state to enter into contracts.
Ige’s office said the original proclamation and extensions have reduced the development time for ongoing housing projects by up to a year. They include three city housing projects in Waianae, Makiki and Chinatown that involve more than 52 low-income units, and a 32-unit Hawaii County project in Kona.
Ige’s signature means the “disaster emergency relief period” regarding homelessness will be extended another 60 days from Friday. Any contracts executed during the period will be limited to another year but can be extended an additional six months as long as there are no additional costs.
Ige announces lease agreement for 3 hospitals
Three Maui County hospitals will be operated by a new Kaiser Foundation entity under a lease agreement approved by the Hawaii Health Systems Corp.
The deal covers Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital & Clinic and Lanai Community Hospital.
The agreement follows a Jan. 14 pact with the Maui Regional Board and the HHSC Corporate Board to transfer the operation and management of the three facilities to Maui Health Systems, part of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals LLC.
In announcing the agreement Friday, Gov. David Ige said the goal “is to ensure access to quality healthcare services and improved delivery of those services for the Maui Region.”
He added, “Revenues generated in the Maui facilities will be invested back into providing healthcare services in the Maui Region.”
Maui Health Systems will take over July 1.
Ceremony opens trail’s first mile on the Big Isle
KAILUA-KONA >> Officials have dedicated the first mile of a trail intended to eventually connect all of North Kona.
West Hawaii Today reports the Queen’s Lei project has been in the works for a decade with the goal of creating a 16.75-mile trail.
The nonprofit group Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii celebrated the trail opening Saturday with the county, local groups and community members.
Ironman World Championship Events contributed $35,000 of the $50,000 price tag to complete the trail’s first mile.
