China to Honolulu flights suspended

New bill would limit ‘revolving door’ for lobbyists
A bill that would limit the ability of state lawmakers and top state officials to leave their government jobs and then quickly go to work lobbying the state Legislature is advancing in the state Senate. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Firearms incidents decline on public school campuses
The number of students caught carrying any kind of “firearm,” including paintball guns, or even slingshots, has dropped to its lowest level in 10 years at Hawaiʻi’s public school campuses. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Multiple jobs. Doubling up. Hawaiʻi adults say they’re doing it all and still struggling
Seven in 10 Hawaiʻi adults are struggling with their financial health and more than half say their spending equals or exceeds their income, according to a new survey that underscores just how broadly the state’s high cost of living is affecting families. Hawaii News Now.

Legislation seeks to continue flying isle homeless back home
Since 2014, private and public Hawaiʻi funds have paid for half of the airfare to send 744 homeless people back to their families on the mainland and to the Federated States of Micronesia — without any obligation from Hawaiʻi of prearranged jobs or housing support. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Bill proposed to raise legal smoking age from 21 to 25
House Bill 2507 would forbid the sale or furnishing of tobacco and tobacco products to persons under 25 of age. Electronic smoking devices would be included. The bill, introduced by Reps. Richard Creagan and John Mizuno, points to a Duke University study on nicotine that shows “a similarly harmful effect on developing brains as chlorpyrifos.” Civil Beat.

State employee fined for pushing workers to buy cars from friend
The Occupational Health Branch manager for the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division has been ordered to pay a $1,000 penalty for driving two probationary employees on separate occasions to a used car dealership owned by a friend to buy vehicles they were not required to have as part of their jobs. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Scientists say many rat lungworm cases may go unreported
The official rat lungworm disease case count from government authorities is likely an underestimate, and exposure to the parasite is much more common than people may realize, according to a new study led by the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo. Civil Beat.