Hawaii House leaders want to raise the state’s minimum wage to $18 an hour.
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Accessed on 20 January 2022, 1256 UTC.
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Hawaii House leaders propose an $18 minimum wage
HONOLULU — Hawaii lawmakers opened a new session of the Legislature on Wednesday with House leaders proposing to raise the state’s minimum wage to $18 an hour and spend $600 million on housing for Native Hawaiians on the waiting list for Hawaiian homelands.
Onishi: This may be the year pay hike passes in Hawaii
After years of false starts and aborted attempts, 2022 may be the year the Legislature finally passes a minimum wage hike, said a state lawmaker from the Big Island.
Wastewater tops Roth’s legislative priority list
A measure privatizing or creating public-private partnerships to handle wastewater projects is Mayor Mitch Roth’s top priority for the 2022 legislative session that started Wednesday.
Kupuna relish return of senior activities
Kamana Senior Center has officially welcomed kupuna back to classes after 21 months of inactivity.
Online University of Hawaii classes continue during surge
HONOLULU — Many University of Hawaii classes continue to be held online because the state is experiencing a surge of COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant.
Trail acquisition dropped; official: ‘County would gain very little’ by fighting to obtain path to Papaikou beach
Mayor Mitch Roth has decided to abandon efforts to acquire a trail to Papaikou Mill Beach, county officials said Tuesday.
Future of $10.5M compost facility still uncertain
Executives for a stalled $10.5 million composting project addressed a County Council panel Tuesday, extolling the virtues of a centralized system, while other island recycling groups pushed for a distributed system of smaller facilities across the island.
Council members get update on Big Island Film Offices; some express frustration over lack of progress
Hawaii County Council members expressed frustration Tuesday that the county has not yet appointed a new film commissioner.
Pigs make a mess inside Alae Cemetery
Feral pigs have been tearing up the ground at Alae Cemetery and some parks on Hawaii Island.
Hawaii County’s finest: Police officer, residents honored for rescue
A Kona police officer and five residents were honored by the County Council Tuesday for heroic efforts that saved the lives of two women caught in high surf last year.
Hilo man charged with habitual DUI for the third time
By JOHN BURNETT
25 inmates test positive at Hilo jail
The state Department of Public Safety on Tuesday reported a high number of new COVID-19 cases in Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Police seek leads on missing Hilo man
Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 58-year-old Hilo man.
Kurtistown man charged with stealing truck
A 38-year-old man faces felony charges for allegedly stealing a Ford truck from a Kurtistown residence Thursday and attempting to flee from police later the same day.
Internet options expanding for Hawaiian homesteaders
HONOLULU — Residents of Hawaiian homelands may soon have more options for connecting to the internet. That’s because the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is lifting a decades-old exclusivity clause allowed only one internet service provider option for Hawaiian homesteaders.
Website to order free COVID tests goes live a day early
Free COVID-19 tests provided by the federal government are now available for order at www.covidtests.gov.
Big Island, state report record number of new COVID-19 infections
The state Department of Health is reporting 834 new COVID-19 cases in Hawaii County today, another record high for new coronavirus infections, shattering the previous one-day new case record of 720, set Saturday.
Green touts ‘boosted or tested’ for Safe Travels
It’s time to require travelers to Hawaii to have a coronavirus booster shot or to be subject to pretravel testing or quarantine upon arrival, according to Lt. Gov. Josh Green.
Tsunami cleanup continues: Civil Defense chief talks response, preparation
The Big Island may have escaped major damage Saturday when a tsunami triggered by a volcanic eruption in Tonga reached Hawaii, but the event should serve as a reminder for newcomers and residents alike to be prepared for natural disasters.
Council hopes to hear Roth’s legislative priorities today
With the legislative session kicking off Wednesday, the County Council has been eager to hear about Mayor Mitch Roth’s priorities for Hawaii Island.
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigest.net).