A new report by University of Hawaii economists predicts the coronavirus scare will cause real visitor spending in Hawaii to fall by more than 10% and reduce the number of payroll jobs in the state by more than one-half of 1%, but acknowledges there are a “wide range of other possible outcomes.” Read more
The panel will be tasked with developing short-term and long-term mitigation plans to try to deal with the economic fallout from the coronavirus scare. Read more
State lawmakers are normally cautious about raising taxes in an election year, but 2020 could be the exception. Read more
Gov. David Ige has appointed Lt. Gov. Josh Green as the administration’s liaison between the state and the health care sector for activities related to the COVID-19 preparedness and response. Read more
The novel coronavirus cast a long shadow over state lawmakers’ big plans Tuesday as the House and Senate approached the midpoint of the legislative session, with some lawmakers worrying the state economy will take a painful hit if would-be travelers cancel their plans to visit Hawaii out of fear of the virus. Read more
A bill that would require publicly traded corporations that are based in Hawaii to include women on their boards of directors is advancing in the state Senate, but is getting pushback from some business advocates. Read more
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The advisory committee will include business, labor and government leaders, and will be tasked with identifying short-term and long-term mitigation plans. Read more
House lawmakers gave approval Thursday to a ban on rifle magazines that can hold more than 10 bullets and to restrictions on who is allowed to buy ammunition in Hawaii. Read more
House lawmakers released a draft construction budget for next year that features an increase in funding for a number of major highway projects as well as for the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Read more
If the virus becomes widespread in Hawaii, “mitigation activities” could include canceling public gatherings, closing schools, remote working, and home isolation, according to the governor’s message. Read more
Two of the proposals that Ballard is backing are being linked to the murders of Honolulu Police Officers Tiffany Enriquez and Kaulike Kalama in a Diamond Head neighborhood on Jan. 19. Read more
A national labor organization has raised red flags over record keeping and spending by some top staff in the United Public Workers union in Hawaii. Read more
A national labor organization has raised red flags over record keeping and spending by some top staff in the UPW union in Hawaii. Read more
The acting tax director seeks to recalculate possible income generated from taxes imposed on Real Estate Investment Trusts. Read more
Critics say the bump in the minimum wage won’t do nearly enough to help the people who need it most. Read more
State lawmakers for the second straight year are proposing to increase the state’s daily car rental tax as a way to fund more highway construction projects that would hopefully reduce traffic congestion. Read more
A Senate committee on Wednesday rejected a bill that would have banned the sale of many types of sunscreens in Hawaii. Read more
The endorsement gives a substantial boost to a campaign that already appeared to be quickly gaining momentum. Read more
House lawmakers approved a rough draft of the new state operating budget Tuesday that cut more than $65 million in funding that Gov. David Ige requested for law enforcement operations to cope with disturbances such as the ongoing protests over the Thirty Meter Telescope, according to House Finance Committee Chairwoman Sylvia Luke. Read more
The Honolulu rail authority has yet to submit a firm design for Dillingham Boulevard utility construction work or formally apply for the permits it needs to restrict traffic flow there to one lane in each direction, raising new doubts about the rail authority’s timeline for some critically important construction work. Read more
The award of what is expected to be the largest public works contract in city history has been delayed in part because the city rail authority hasn’t been able to obtain city permits for work along the rail line, according to a consultant that is overseeing the rail project for the federal government. Read more
