Hawai‘i health director says 3 more weeks needed for next vaccination phase
Dr. Libby Char told lawmakers that mid-March is the soonest people ages 70 and older will be able to get in line for  vaccinations. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

$12 minimum wage hike clears key Senate committees
Hawai‘i’s low-wage workers are closer to seeing the minimum wage rise to $12 after two key Senate committees approved the increase, but the measure’s prospects in the House are less certain. Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Governor expresses concern about unified travel rules, “arbitrary” reopening of schools 
Gov. David Ige says he has reservations about a bill that unifies travel rules across Hawai‘i, while stopping short of saying he would veto it. He also pushed back Monday against proposals to universally reopen public schools after spring break. Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Home Land beneficiaries asked to weigh in on potential transfer of land
The DHHL is seeking input on a potential transfer of land — 80 acres in ‘Ewa Beach where the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center used to reside — that would use millions of dollars in land credit. Hawaii News Now.

Prison oversight commission requests an analysis of inmate deaths
So far, eight Hawaiʻi inmates have died of the coronavirus while in state custody, and their relatives are looking for answers. Hawai‘i Public Radio.

A third of military personnel are opting out of vaccinations
The Defense Department has initiated larger-scale COVID-19 vaccinations on O‘ahu as it struggles with an overall 1-in-3 refusal rate in the ranks. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i hotel occupancy remained flat in January
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority reported yesterday that 23.3% of hotel rooms statewide were occupied last month. Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

‘Iolani will soon begin COVID-19 testing on campus
One of the first to reopen for in-person instruction, ‘Iolani School says more than 90% of its full-time staff has been vaccinated or has an appointment to do so. The private school also recently bought 20,000 rapid antigen test kits, officials said. Civil Beat.

Former HART interim director Krishniah Murthy dies
The longtime transit official was hired in 2016 to help guide O‘ahu’s rail project through an especially rocky period. Civil Beat.

Retailers seek rent relief as pandemic drags on
Many of Hawai‘i’s retail shops and businesses are still clinging to hopes of survival. House Bill 1324 proposes a commercial rent-relief program that would be administered by the state DBEDT using federal funds. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Engineering was the birthplace of a revolutionary wireless communication technology nearly 50 years ago, and the project that started it, ALOHAnet, has received a major international engineering honor… read more.

Nearly 2,000 vaccinated during weekend clinic
Hilo Medical Center’s mass vaccination clinic focused largely on essential workers. Tribune-Herald.

Landing fees waived for passenger flights to Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi
The waiver on commercial passenger flights starts March 1 and extends for a year, and is designed to reduce costs for Maui residents. Maui Now.

South Dakota visitor is arrested on Maui for  breaking travel rules
The visitor was arrested on Feb. 20 after arriving without a negative pre-travel test or approved lodging for completing the mandatory 10-day quarantine. Maui Now.

Lānaʻi deer, sheep hunting applications accepted today
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife announced that online applications for the 2021 season are open to the public today. Maui News.