COVID-19

...Community invited to provide input on Economic and Workforce Development through community engagement survey....

... Residents of Hawaii are most likely to drink at home during working hours, while Arkansans are least likely ....

... on September 13, 2021, the counties of Honolulu and Maui mandated that customers and employees provide proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test ....

... on Oahu 2,107 new cases, +74% change from previous week ....

... bills to sign or veto ....

... these restrictions can easily be reinstated with the stroke of a pen because our state’s emergency-management law has not changed ....

... Hawaii’s GE Tax base has historically exceeded 100 percent of personal income but took a hit as the island’s economic profile changed during the pandemic ....

... According to the State Department of Health, 100.0% of those 65 years and older on O‘ahu have completed their initial series of COVID-19 vaccination ....

... At great cost, isolation from the world delayed the spread until vaccines and treatments were available ....

... employee base permanently reduced by COVID? ....

“The general rule is that amounts received by a business that replace income are subject to GET."

... Workers with a bachelor’s or graduate degree also tended to work remotely (72.2%) versus those without a bachelor’s degree (48.2%)....

... but Masks Still Required Indoors for Hawaii Public School Students ....

... found little health benefit of closing schools or businesses ....

... A bill to limit the governor’s emergency power is nearing the legislative finish line ....

... February 2022 visitor spending was lower than the $1.46 billion (-10.4%) spent in February 2020 ....

... SB3089 SD2 HD1 would amend the state’s emergency-management statute to clarify that the powers granted for emergency purposes should not be inconsistent with the Hawaii Constitution, require justification for the suspension of laws and place limits on such suspensions, and allow the Legislature or county councils to terminate an emergency, in part or in whole, by a two-thirds vote. ...

... it is not possible to turn an economy on and off like a light switch ....

... Only Hawaii, North Dakota and Louisiana have not reached at least a 70 percent recovery of jobs lost as of the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. ....

... Hawaii is home to some 70,410 renters who owe their landlords rent, and an estimated 19.1% of them reported being either somewhat likely or very likely to face eviction in the coming months - the fourth smallest share among states ....

... Senator Kidani Education Committee Chair, announced bill 2125 will be deferred, sighting a "fracturing of relationships between DOE and our special education families and community" ....

... Kanuha Awarded Meritorious Torch of Light Award; San Buenaventura and Others Earn Lava Tube Dishonor ....

... Leader of Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Benefits Scheme Sentenced to Prison and Ordered to Pay More Than $350k in Restitution ....

... The HING JTF has been on orders assisting the state since April 6, 2020 ....

"...We submitted a Recovery Plan to the FTA, proposing to amend the Full Funding Grant Agreement to the following scope: 18.75 miles/19 stations through Downtown, to the Civic Center Station, which is 1.25 miles and 2 stations short of Ala Moana Center...."

... Honolulu ‘ethics’ function--covering up for the big sharks while spearfishing manini to make it look like they are doing something ....

... Case counts and vaccination updates will be published on the DOH COVID-19 dashboard every Wednesday beginning March 16 ....

... Russian bots spread anti-vaccination messages across the social media ....

“We continue to recommend masks be worn in classrooms, at least for the time being. We are no longer recommending quarantine for students who are exposed to COVID-19 at school."

... Optimistic UHERO forecast with Omicron end, expected return of international visitors ....

... one month after the arrest of English and Cullen, all state facilities managed by DAGS will reopen to the general public ....

... Rapid Rehousing provides short-term rental assistance and supportive services to assist people in obtaining housing quickly ....

... Visitor arrivals are projected to increase to 9.7 million in 2023, 10.0 million in 2024, and 10.4 million in 2025 ....

... Incoming passengers will no longer be required to create a Safe Travels account or provide travelers information and trip details ....

... The online survey asked community members to rank eight priorities for the use of the City’s multi-million dollar share of the Fiscal Recovery Fund ....

... The in-person services are available Monday through Friday (except holidays), 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ....

... The decision not to extend the emergency order means the Safe Access O‘ahu program, which required businesses such as restaurants, fitness centers, and events that served food, to verify employees and customers were fully vaccinated or had a negative COVID-19 test, will no longer be a government mandate ....

... Total COVID-19 deaths in Hawaii: 91 per 100,000 people ....

... House Minority Whip Val Okimoto is asking Hawaii Gov. David Ige to rescind the state's mask mandate in light of new guidelines released by the US CDC ....

... In August 2021, nine teachers were absent from their classrooms, but the school could only secure four substitute teachers. So the principal, Thomas Swan, texted academic coaches and other non-classroom teachers to fill the remaining openings ....

... The repeal is only for county rules, the state’s Safe Travels Program and the statewide requirement to wear masks indoors will remain in effect, subject to Gov. David Ige’s proclamation ....

... Former Executive Director of the Hawaii Commission Sentenced To 46 Months in Prison for Embezzling from AmeriCorps And Offering a Bribe in Return for CARES Act Grants ....

... where employers are struggling the most in hiring ....

... analysts looked at the latest information on vaccine hesitancy to find the main reasons why parents don’t want to vaccinate their children ....

... University of Hawaiʻi campuses across the state achieved record highs in important graduation and retention metrics for the academic year 2020–21, the first full academic year impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic ....

... Maui County’s indoor mask requirement must be lifted by the governor ....

... SB2916 would prohibit the governor or mayor from suspending requests for public records or vital statistics during a declared state of emergency ....

... The House is re-opening the State Capitol to the public beginning March 7, 2022. House members, House staff, and the public will be required to adhere to the state vaccination policy to enter the State Capitol ....

... SB3089 would amend the state’s emergency-management statute ....

... booster shots will not be required for “up-to-date” vaccination status for individuals traveling to Hawai‘i ....