Entries for December 2021

... Blangiardi Administration Cabinet Reshuffle ....

... Whether the committee ultimately steps back from its excursion beyond the bounds of its legally authorized investigation remains to be seen; that will depend on the committee’s final report ....

... Ige has signed an emergency proclamation temporarily suspending an upcoming provision in Hawaiʻi’s Sunshine Law that would have mandated at least one in-person location be held for public meetings ....

... beginning January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022, the interview requirement for new applications and renewals will be waived ....

... “fully vaccinated” to include getting a booster shot ....

... HSTA encourages all of our members to ensure they stay home from work if they have mild symptoms, notify their health care provider, and get tested right away. HSTA members should know they have the right to request quarantine leave benefits ....

... Banned items include plastic disposable food service containers and utensils such forks, spoons and knives, and plates, trays, bowls, cups, hinged (plate lunch) containers and straws ....

... With the continued support and guidance from the state Department of Health, the Department remains committed to full in-person learning during the second semester that begins next week ....

... Isolate for at least 5 days and until symptoms are gone.  Continue to wear a mask for five days after isolation ....

... seven fatalities to date occurred in 2021 among twenty-three major incidents reported unrelated to the COVID-19 Pandemic ....

... life expectancy at birth in Hawaii is 82.3 years, the highest among states and well above the comparable national average of 79.2 years ....

... November 2021 visitor spending was lower compared to the $1.34 billion (-11.5%) reported for November 2019 ....

... only courses that can be “effectively taught online” will be impacted ....

... Personnel at COVID-19 test sites are reporting that many individuals who made appointments are failing to show up as scheduled ....

... score improves from D+ ....

... Goods and services in the state are 19.3% more expensive than they are on average nationwide, and the average 65 year old should plan on spending $1,481,336 throughout retirement, nearly $361,000 more than the national average .... 

... a chance to get in front of lawmakers and argue that we aren’t being taxed enough ....

... If Hawaii follows the same pattern as South Africa, we should experience increasing COVID cases until around New Year’s, followed by a sharp decline .... 

... these are majority opinions in our state ....

... the Aloha State now has the highest tourist taxes in the nation, topping out at 17.75% ....