Entries for May 2020

...state policymakers seem to believe that the answer to the worst economic crisis in decades is to borrow and spend — and very likely raise taxes....

...the department is launching an independent evaluation of the University of Hawai‘i’s (UH) compliance with the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP)....

...no new deaths, no new hospitalizations--but COVID is back on the Big Isle....

...It's not too late to sign 'Let Hawaii Work' petition....

“...South Pacific island nations are scouring shipping records for vessels with links to North Korea after Fiji said it had identified 20 falsely flagged ships it suspects the isolated regime is using to evade United Nations sanctions....”

...The bill calls for no increases until July 1, 2021....

"...We've arrested people for sitting on our beaches, and today we learned that violent prisoners will be let loose in our communities...."

“I encourage state leaders to move at the speed of the virus and establish a contact tracing program that is fully operational as soon as possible. There’s simply not any time left, but there is plenty of money to get this done,” said Senator Schatz....

...32.2% of Hawaii's workforce has filed an unemployment claim....

...that'll stop the virus....

...starting Friday, May 15, outdoor sport fields and courts will be open for one-on-one sports or exercise with limitations, as well as drive-in services (e.g., spiritual/religious services) that follow specific guidelines....

...out of 866 new tests....

...Keli'i Akina Challenges Lawmakers' Plan to Increase Borrowing and Spending....

...Mālama Meals, a new group formed by Da Spot and other partners, currently provides more than 10,000 meals a day to kupuna and others in need....

...extensive contact tracing is a key component to prevent the spread of the virus while relaxing stay-at-home-orders and restarting Hawai‘i’s economy....

...online registration system available to register new students for fall....

... lax protocols at airport--DoH allowed feverish passenger to go home ....

...He Says Hawai’i Shouldn't Have To Rely On Ineffective Post-Arrival Quarantine....

...“Hunters have asked us to increase open hunting days to help them feed our community,” said Sheri S. Mann, Kaua‘i Branch Manager for DLNR-DOFAW....

... 22.2% of Hawaii State tax receipts come from individual income taxes ....

...it isn’t the kind its leaders were counting on....

...Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund using $25 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding....

...companies indicated difficulty generating sales, and cited customer uncertainty as a primary driver of declining sales volume....

...Hawaii has the lowest share of population diagnosed with COPD....

...Should the parties be accepted to the Appellate Pro Bono Program, plaintiff may renew his motion for retention of oral argument....

...Politician's Trick: Put off future raises rather than cancelling them outright and/or giving back past raises....

...the state deficit for fiscal year 2021 could grow to between $710 million and $1.8 billion....

...Big Island and Kauai are now COVID-free....

...The public will have to wait as long as 30 days to get the details....

"...The Department is still on schedule to prepare 1,300 lots statewide over the next five years, and we hope this rental relief will keep applicant families on track to assume those lots once they are ready....”

"...Thousands of people in Hawaii are calling upon the governor to 'Let Hawaii Work' again...."

...out of 252 tested....

...Grassroot testimony outlines the problem and suggests some reforms....

...Hawaii 5th Highest Median Income Growth for Law Enforcement Officers 2018-2019....

...Hawaii Hospitals Graded for overall performance in keeping patients safe from preventable harm and medical errors....

...significant deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting....

...the DOT superintendent told him that removal of the sand was not permitted....

...Weekly Update From GovTrack.us, May 9, 2020....

... Revised down to one case ....

...Buried on the 19th page of a 68-page the document is a sentence suspending “Section 237D-6.5(b), distribution of the transient accommodations tax.”....

...if Hawaii’s lawmakers wish to save our state economy from its current freefall, they must not be afraid to reduce state spending....

... stopgap measures which could help prevent public employees from feeling the slightest suffering...for now....

...no new deaths, no new hospitalizations....

...OHA’s letter to Ige was timed to coincide with a media campaign designed to make Hawaiians appear as exceptional COVID victims....

...A Visual Guide to Unemployment Benefit Claims....

...In just a week, we’ve gathered more than 5,000 signatures from people who are eager to restart the local economy....

"...This money will directly support the City’s current transit service operations, TheBus and TheHandi-Van...."

...Kahiau Community Assistance Program under CNHA, the grant provides up to $1,500 in one-time emergency assistance to cover mortgage, rent, rent deposit or utility debts of Native Hawaiians facing financial hardship. Yesterday’s board action brings OHA’s total investment in the program to $3.83 million....

...there is no such thing as non-essential business when it comes to generating jobs and taxes for the state....

...7 new hospitalizations, 1 released, no new deaths....