State Digital Equity Plan approved
The Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration accepted Hawaii’s 293-page Digital Equity Plan on Tuesday after it underwent federal review. Read more
Latest Stories by Victoria Budiono
$35M in federal funds to help rebuild Maui public housing
The Hawaii Public Housing Authority will receive more than $35 million in federal funding to rebuild low-income, public and senior housing that was destroyed during the Aug. 8 Maui fires. Read more
Merrie Monarch travelers are reminded of ohia rules
The state Department of Agriculture issued a reminder to Merrie Monarch Festival attendees on ohia plant quarantine restrictions from Hawaii island because of rapid ohia death — a fungal plant disease — that threatens native forests. Read more
Advocates rally for increased child care support
Dozens of community members — including mothers, educators and legislators — gathered Friday at the state Capitol to advocate for early childhood care and education. Read more
Advocates rally for stalled ‘clean elections’ bill
More than a dozen advocates from the Clean Elections Hawaii Coalition gathered Monday at the state Capitol rotunda to urge legislators to reconsider implementing a comprehensive public financing program for Hawaii’s political candidates, commonly referred to as “clean elections.” Read more
Alcohol bill’s clout remains in doubt
Proponents of Senate Bill 2384 — which crossed over from the Senate to the House — hope a lower blood alcohol content will force a change in attitude for people who want to have more than one drink and still choose to drive. Read more
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Efforts to lower Hawaii teachers’ housing costs advance
Two bills intended to help retain Hawaii teachers by providing assistance to reduce their housing costs continue to advance through the Legislature. Read more
Owners might face felony charges in dog attacks
Owners of vicious dogs that cause serious injury or death would face felony charges instead of petty misdemeanors under proposed legislation. Read more
Measure calls for homeless triage center
A homeless triage center would be established within the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the state Department of Health under a proposal advancing at the state Legislature. Read more
License plates considered for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans
A renewed call to create special license plates to honor veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars remains alive under Senate Bill 2731, which was carried over from last legislative session. Read more
Bill moving to support University of Hawaii students financially
A bill to extend scholarships to meet student needs at the University of Hawaii’s three four-year campuses remains alive after passing out of the House Finance Committee on Friday. Read more
Task force would detail Hawaii dental needs
Following a 2022 funding victory by Hawaii dentists that restored Medicaid dental coverage for more than 200,000 adults, the Hawaii Dental Hui now wants to create an oral health task force to take a comprehensive look at oral care needs around the state. Read more
Bill requires teachers accused of sexual misconduct to surrender licenses
An amended bill that would require teachers to surrender their licenses during any investigation into student sexual misconduct or abuse before retiring or resigning passed out of the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee on Friday. Read more
Stalled bills would support student inclusivity, identities
Two bills moving through the Legislature would support the use of gender identity preferences for public school students. Read more
Bill would establish ‘Kimchi Day’ in Hawaii
A bill that would dedicate a day to kimchi — the flavorful and beloved Korean side dish — passed out of the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee on Friday. Read more
Bill to eliminate Hawaii’s tip credit is deferred
Senate Bill 2784 was finally deferred Monday during the Senate Labor and Technology Committee hearing after being deferred twice last week. Read more
Legislation to eliminate Hawaii’s tip credits deferred for vote again
Senate Bill 2784 has divided employees and employers over whether to pay tipped employees at least Hawaii’s minimum wage and has been deferred for a second time. Read more
Hawaii bill to ban candidates for insurrection passes first hearing
Senate Bill 2392 — introduced by state Sen. Karl Rhoads — passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, during its initial hearing. It would exclude political candidates who are disqualified by a constitutional or statutory provision. Read more
Lawmakers frustrated by deficiency in handling mentally ill defendants
Some legislators openly expressed their frustrations at state mental health experts for their lack of data and specifics on how to best deal with mentally ill criminal defendants and keep them out of Hawaii’s jails and prisons during a briefing Monday at the state Capitol. Read more
Concerns rising for Hawaii’s homeless kupuna
Marvin Boyd, 67, cried last week when talking about homeless senior citizens like himself living on the streets of Honolulu. Read more
‘Silver alert’ bills seek to safeguard missing kupuna
Bills introduced this legislative session would establish a “silver alert” program to locate and safeguard missing kupuna who have cognitive impairments such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Read more
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