Efforts renewed to regulate flavored tobacco
State lawmakers have renewed the push to clamp down on flavored tobacco, or vaping, following legislation in 2022 that ended up being vetoed. Read more
Latest Stories by Tori DeJournett
Illegal fireworks spark PTSD combat alarm for some veterans
Illegal fireworks not only affect children, pets and people with breathing problems, but also combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder like Will Brown, who served as a Navy corpsman in Vietnam. Read more
Bills would allow restraining orders for out-of-state victims
Two bills would allow nonresidents such as Nazeehah Khan — formerly of Ewa Beach — to apply for temporary restraining orders in Hawaii cases of sexual assault or domestic abuse to offer them a legal layer of protection while in the islands. Read more
Hawaii lawmakers weigh bills for stepped-up transparency
A variety of bills designed to make lawmakers and state boards more transparent are moving through the Legislature, drawing general applause from advocates for open government. Read more
Bills call for rehiring state workers who defied vaccine mandate
Two bills introduced by Republican legislators would require state agencies to rehire and give back pay to employees who resigned or were terminated for refusing to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing for COVID-19. Read more
Assortment of Hawaii bills aim to curb illegal fireworks
Nearly two dozen bills have been introduced this legislative session in an effort to crack down on illegal fireworks, with proposals to create task forces, increase fines and boost inspections of shipping containers. Read more
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Bills both protecting, prohibiting abortions in Hawaii introduced
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision not to guarantee a women’s right to an abortion, 11 abortion-related bills have been introduced this Legislative session that would both expand abortion protections and prohibit them. Read more
Attorney general nominee faces the heat from Hawaii senators
Attorney general nominee Anne Lopez took a grilling Tuesday about how to best educate the public on abductions and sex trafficking. Read more
Hold onto those celebratory balloons, or face $500 fine
Event planners, schools and various organizations on Oahu are advising people who want to celebrate by releasing balloons into the air to instead hang onto them or face a $500 fine. Read more
Darker window tint might be allowed on Hawaii vehicles
Hawaii’s vehicle tinting businesses could see a boom if a bill becomes law allowing vehicle owners to have darker window tinting. Read more
Keiki Caucus names flavored tobacco, sex trafficking as key issues
The Keiki Caucus plans to push training to help teachers recognize sex trafficking, ban flavored tobacco products and expand public preschools, among other issues, during the 2023 legislative session. Read more
Hawaii’s cost of living is top issue of GOP caucus
Hawaii’s Republican caucus wants the state Legislature to focus on improving the cost of living, increasing homeownership, personal rights, government reform, crime and rehabilitation. Read more
Feeding feral chickens could bring $500 fine
A bill that would fine anyone $500 for feeding feral chickens is the latest attempt to lower the count of chicken complaints across the state. Read more
Planned bill would ban TikTok app on state-issued devices
State Rep. Gene Ward plans to introduce a bill in the upcoming legislative session to prohibit the wildly popular TikTok app from state-issued devices, part of a national push intended to prevent breaches of sensitive information to China. Read more
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green pledges $100M to fight climate change
Gov. Josh Green kicked off Hawaii’s Climate Action Week on Monday pledging to dedicate $100 million of the state’s $1.9 billion budget surplus to address climate change. Read more
Capitol gradually reopens with ‘hybrid environment’
The state Capitol continues to reopen to the public, a move applauded by the League of Women Voters of Hawaii, which wants even greater access. Read more
$10M allotted for education, preservation of internment sites
President Joe Biden has signed a new law calling for $10 million in federal funding to educate a new generation about the World War II-era internment of 120,000 Japanese American citizens, including Dennis Ogawa, 79, who was born in a concentration camp in Manzanar, Calif. Read more
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