Higher state taxes may be coming

LA travel restrictions threaten to hurt Hawai‘i tourism
As hospitalization surges, Los Angeles County is implementing new travel restrictions, including a 10-day quarantine for returning residents. As Hawai‘i’s biggest domestic visitor market, the new restrictions could impact the recovering economy. KHON2.

Stimulus will help Hawaiian Air, other businesses get their workers back
Some involuntarily laid-off or furloughed workers will return to their jobs, thanks to the latest federal relief package. The package provides the Payroll Support Program to the hard-hit airlines, among other needed aid, says the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Economic forecast: Visitor numbers could hit 6M this year
State economists say that travel to the state could nearly return to 2019 levels by the end of this year, but a complete recovery will take more than three years. Tribune-Herald.

Late deliveries, holiday season are blamed for slow vaccine rollout
Health officials say two factors are causing the delay. First, the state expected 81,000 doses in December, but only got about 60,000. And second, immunization clinics were often closed during the holiday season. Lt. Gov. Josh Green says he expects vaccination efforts to ramp up soon. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. KHON2.

State sent out hundreds of ineffective masks in pandemic chaos
The masks with valves were removed from the inventory of the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency but somehow got back in. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Restaurant Card boosted economy, but $5M was never spent
The $500 restaurant debit cards helped people who lost their jobs and the struggling restaurant industry, pumping an estimated $151 million into the economy, say state officials. But nearly $5 million remained on cards that were never activated or had unused balances. KHON2.

Will the Legislature reverse Ige’s suspension of the public records law?
The governor’s order has been in effect since March, but it’s unclear if lawmakers will do anything about it next session despite their opposition to the measure. Civil Beat.

Judge dismisses obstruction case against Kealoha conspiracy victim
Ransen Taito became entangled in the conspiracy involving former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha when he was just 11 years old. A federal judge has granted a motion to drop all charges against him. Hawaii News Now.

Commissioning event eyed for USS Daniel Inouye
The long-delayed guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye is tentatively scheduled to be commissioned at Pearl Harbor in the fall. A big pier-side ceremony is in the works, assuming COVID-19 is under control. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Matson to welcome new vessel to Honolulu
A bigger and faster Matsonia cargo ship is due to arrive in Honolulu Harbor this morning on its maiden commercial voyage. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Got subcontractors? If you use subcontractors, those risks go up exponentially. You could be exposed to liabilities for damages or injuries caused by those subcontractors. Here’s what you need to know about contractual risk transfer… read more.

$77M in bonds will cover old debts, finance new projects
The county sold the general obligation bonds for new capital projects and to retire debt, according to a report from Finance Director Deanna Sako to the County Council. West Hawaii Today.

New management in place at Hilo veterans home
Hawaii Health Systems’ East Hawaii Region has taken over the management of Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home from Avalon Health Care. In the fall, 27 residents died in a devastating COVID-19 outbreak at the facility. Tribune-Herald.

Lawsuit: DOE failed to help Hilo student who was harassed and bullied
The federal lawsuit is directed against the Hawai‘i Department of Education and Board of Education for failing to intervene and stop the nearly yearlong bullying. Civil Beat.

Maui County on the verge of returning to “safer at home” order, mayor says
County officials say they are seeing a significant spike in COVID-19 cases, with nearly 80 reported over the weekend. Among the cases is a growing cluster at the Harbor Lights condominium complex in Kahului, which has risen to 68 infections. Hawaii News Now. Maui Now.

Maui parents blindsided after distance learning is extended an extra month
Students in the Baldwin-Kekaulike-Maui complex were preparing to return to some form of in-person learning on Tuesday. But a letter sent to families on Monday said students will have to learn from home until at least Feb. 1. Hawaii News Now. Maui Now. Maui News.

Hotels see uptick in reservations ahead of changes to travel rules
Gary Moore, manager of Timbers Kaua‘i Ocean Club & Residences, said bookings rose 15% since Gov. David Ige approved new “resort bubble” regulations last week. KITV4. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i students go back to school
Thousands of public school students returned to the classrooms Tuesday following the winter break. Garden Island.