Government News
Kauaʻi District Health Office announces return of free Tropic Care clinics
LĪHUʻE, HAWAIʻI — The Kaua‘i District Health Office (KDHO), in collaboration with Kaua‘i County, is set to host the sixth Tropic Care event on Kaua‘i, providing free healthcare services to the local community. Tropic Care is a mission under the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program of the armed forces. It aims to enhance troop readiness while simultaneously bolstering communities. The Tropic Care clinics will be returning to Kauaʻi on June 13, 2024 and will operate at various locations until June 20, 2024.
Sun Noodle recalls frozen saimin over undeclared egg allergen
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) has issued a recall alert for Sun Noodle's S&S Cup Saimin frozen saimin products. The company is implementing this voluntary recall due to the presence of an undeclared egg allergen in the product.
Latest News
Senate passes resolution marking May as AANHPI Heritage Month
By Big Island Times | May 17, 2024
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to mark May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The resolution acknowledges the significant contributions that Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have made to this country. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).
Senators call for increased funding for U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
By Big Island Times | May 17, 2024
U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) have called upon the Senate Appropriations Committee to increase funding for the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHS) in FY 2025 by at least $32 million. The senators argue that this additional funding is crucial to ensure that these highly-trained frontline workers are always ready and fully-deployable to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all Americans.
Hawai'i's April unemployment rate holds steady at 3.1 percent
By Big Island Times | May 16, 2024
The Hawai'i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has announced that the state's unemployment rate for April remained steady at 3.1 percent. The department attributes this stability to seasonal fluctuations in employment and unemployment, which reflect hiring and layoff patterns associated with regular events such as the winter holiday season and the summer vacation season.
Senators urge full funding for unemployment insurance to combat fraud
By Big Island Times | May 15, 2024
U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Jack Reed (D-RI) have joined 17 of their colleagues in urging the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies to fully fund Unemployment Insurance (UI) administration based on President Joe Biden’s request in his Fiscal Year 2025 budget.
Senate approves May 18 as National Kids to Parks Day
By Big Island Times | May 15, 2024
The U.S. Senate has approved a bipartisan resolution, introduced by Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and four other colleagues, to designate May 18, 2024 as “National Kids to Parks Day.” The resolution aims to encourage young people and their families to spend time outdoors, promoting healthy recreation.
Senators urge closure of inhumane immigration detention centers
By Big Island Times | May 15, 2024
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) have issued a plea to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They are urging these entities to phase out the use of private detention centers, particularly four facilities known for their inhumane conditions.
Senators urge Biden to reassess disaster recovery funding request
By Big Island Times | May 14, 2024
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has joined forces with 11 of her Senate colleagues from disaster-impacted states to urge President Biden to reassess and resubmit his request for supplemental disaster funding. The appeal, led by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), was also endorsed by Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).
Kauaʻi Self-Help Center Attorney Training equips attorneys for statewide initiative
By Big Island Times | May 14, 2024
On May 14, 2024, more than 20 attorneys participated in the Kauaʻi Self-Help Center Attorney Training. This event, which provided continuing legal education, was designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to contribute to the statewide initiative aimed at enhancing access to justice for Hawaiʻi residents requiring assistance with civil legal matters.
Senators call for $3 billion in humanitarian assistance funding
By Big Island Times | May 14, 2024
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), along with Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and 14 colleagues, has called on the Senate Appropriations Committee leadership to allocate no less than $3 billion in FY 2025 funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Shelter and Services Program (SSP). The proposed funding is intended to support humanitarian assistance efforts, specifically those provided by state, local, and nonprofit service providers assisting the federal government by offering critical services for asylum seekers.
Kids to Parks Day' event celebrates outdoor lifestyle
By Big Island Times | May 14, 2024
On May 14, 2024, families gathered for a day of fun at the 'Kids to Parks Day' event. The day was filled with various activities such as hula hoop contests, a design-your-own-kite activity, nursery tours, and many other environmental education activities provided by a dozen community partner organizations.
DOH approves reopening of Redfish Poke by Foodland after safety violations
By Big Island Times | May 13, 2024
The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch has given Redfish Poke by Foodland the green light to reopen its doors. This decision comes after a follow-up inspection on May 13, 2024, confirmed that all critical food safety violations had been rectified.
New curator chosen for Hawai'i's Royal Mausoleum, Mauna 'Ala
By Big Island Times | May 13, 2024
Mauna ‘Ala, known as the fragrant hills, is the Royal Mausoleum established in 1865. It serves as the final resting place for the ruling monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i and is a revered state monument and culturally significant wahi pana. The remains of the Kamehameha and Kalākaua Dynasties, their families, and close advisors are entombed here.
Senate Democrats respond to new GOP legislation on data collection from pregnant women
By Big Island Times | May 13, 2024
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Laphonza Butler (D-CA) in issuing a statement in response to new legislation introduced by Senate Republicans. The proposed legislation aims to establish a government-run website, pregnancy.gov, which would collect data on pregnant women and direct them towards anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers and other...
Hawai'i DOH approves reopening of Redfish Poke by Foodland
By Big Island Times | May 13, 2024
On May 13, 2024, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch gave Redfish Poke by Foodland a green placard and approved its reopening. This decision came after a follow-up inspection found that all critical food safety violations had been corrected. The establishment, located at 2375 Ala Wai Blvd., had previously received a red placard on May 10, 2024, leading to its immediate closure. However, a subsequent inspection conducted on May 13, 2024 revealed that all violations had been resolved.
New Tenant Screening Fee Regulations Implemented in Hawaii Since May 2024
By Big Island Times | May 13, 2024
As of May 1, 2024, a new law governing tenant screening fees was implemented to protect renters and promote transparency in the rental application process. The law, enacted as Act 200 (SLH 2023) and codified in Hawai‘i Revised Statutes § 521-46, restricts landlords from charging an applicant for a residential dwelling unit a tenant screening fee that exceeds the actual cost to obtain information about the applicant.
Senators urge preservation of Virginia Class submarine program
By Big Island Times | May 13, 2024
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, along with fourteen bipartisan members of the Senate, have sent a letter to the leadership of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. The letter urges them to maintain the procurement cadence of two Virginia Class submarines per year in order to preserve undersea supremacy and prevent destabilization of the industrial base.
Hirono secures key priorities for Hawaii in Senate Agriculture Committee's Farm Bill
By Big Island Times | May 10, 2024
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has successfully incorporated several key priorities for Hawaii in the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024, a multi-year Farm Bill proposal recently released by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
Senator Hirono proposes resolution for AANHPI Mental Health Day
By Big Island Times | May 10, 2024
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has put forth a resolution to designate May 10, 2024 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day. The proposed resolution aims to highlight the significance of mental health for AANHPI families and communities and underscores the need for increased awareness about mental health care.