Hawaii Business Magazine Newsletters

UH report says “Vog hurts Hawaii student test scores.”

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Accessed on 29 December 2022, 2143 UTC.

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Locally Owned, Locally Committed Since 1955

12.29.2022

HAPPY NEW YEAR’S

Please note: The newsletter team is taking off Friday and Monday. Morning and afternoon editions of Today’s Hawai‘i News will publish again on Tuesday, Jan. 3. See you next year!

TOP STORIES

Gov. Green’s agenda faces early resistance from Legislature’s leaders
Despite securing an overwhelming mandate from voters in last month’s general election, Gov. Josh Green is already getting pushback from leaders of the House and Senate on the eve of the upcoming legislative session. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Vog hurts Hawai‘i student test scores, UH study reveals
A study of public school performance from 2015 to 2018 found that poor air quality from Kīlauea eruptions correlated with a small but “statistically significant” decline in average test scores. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i lawmaker looks to introduce bill similar to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law
State Rep. Diamond Garcia, a Republican who represents Kapolei and ‘Ewa, hopes to replicate Florida’s law, which bans discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in the lower grades. KITV4.

Violence Against Women Act amended to support Native Hawaiians
President Joe Biden signed an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act on Wednesday, allowing Native Hawaiians access to resources from organizations supported under the act. Star-Advertiser.

No deal in sight for striking Kaiser Permanente mental health workers
After 122 days on strike, many on the picket lines say they are going into debt and dipping into savings and retirement funds. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i records 1,095 new Covid cases, 3 more deaths
The state’s average positivity rate increased to 7.1% compared to 5.9% the previous week. Star-Advertiser.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Hawaii Business Magazine’s Most Popular Stories of 2022
We choose in-depth stories to report based on how important we think the topics are to our readers – not on how many clicks or likes they will get. But it is gratifying when these important stories get a lot of readers… read more.

OʻAHU

O‘ahu sees a big dip in fireworks permits, but don’t expect a quiet night
It’s the week between Christmas and New Year’s, which means many neighborhoods are already hearing explosions, despite laws that prohibit fireworks outside a few hours during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Star-Advertiser.

HPD chief signs O‘ahu’s first license to carry a concealed firearm
Rules for concealed carry permits were changed following a Supreme Court decision that broadened gun rights. The Honolulu Police Department said 56 applications are pending review. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Red Hill defueling process resumes after remediation of toxic fire suppressant
Defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility resumed this week following a four-week pause, according to the Navy. Hawai‘i Public Radio.

On the North Shore, state celebrates a rare success in battle against illegal seawalls
Homeowner Joshua VanEmmerik had created an unpermitted concrete and rebar berm to support his house, which is threatened by erosion. Facing thousands of dollars in fines, the structure has been removed. Hawaii News Now.

“Steward” of remote West O‘ahu beach to fight charges against him in court
Samson Souza is charged with harassment and terroristic threatening of visitors to Makua Beach. His next court appearance is set for Jan 8. Hawaii News Now.

The fight for video cameras at Hawai‘i’s women’s prison continues
Lawyers for current and former inmates who were sexually assaulted at the Kailua facility are again asking a federal court judge to order the state to install cameras in the control booths, where they say many of the assaults occurred. Civil Beat.

SPONSORED BY KAISER PERMANENTE

No Housing for Health Care Workers

How the high cost of housing worsens the current Hawai‘i health care staffing shortage….. read more.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND

County receives $2 million homelessness grant from state
The Ohana Zone funds will support new and existing programs that connect people experiencing homelessness to services and resources, says Housing Administrator Susan Kunz. West Hawaii Today.

Change of Heart pilot program ends after just $300 diverted from panhandlers
Signs for the pilot program designed to divert spare change from panhandlers to nonprofits cost taxpayers $1,533. West Hawaii Today.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
My Job Is Helping Students Learn to Love Computer Science
Mid-Pacific teacher Danelle Landgraf says coding is like a dance, filled with layers of steps. Her advanced computer science class, which was once populated mostly by boys, now has more girls than boys...... read more.

MAUI COUNTY

New Maui County clerk will earn more than mayor
Moana Lutey is in line for the position, at a salary of nearly $157,000 — $5,000 more than the mayor. County Council Chair Alice Lee said the salary is justified since Lutey is an experienced county attorney. Civil Beat.

Agawa, Aoki and Takamori selected as department directors
Mayor-elect Richard Bissen announced the appointments of Shayne Agawa as director of the Department of Environmental Management, Kathleen Aoki as director of Planning, and Marc Takamori as director of Transportation. Maui Now. Maui News.

KAUAʻI

Kaua‘i utility seeks 9.42% rate increase
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative has asked the state Public Utilities Commission for the increase, which would boost the monthly bill for average residential customers by roughly $19. Star-Advertiser. Kaua‘i Now. Hawaii News Now.

Multiple agencies work to free honu trapped between boulders
Wildlife agencies and the fire department were called to Nawiliwili Harbor to aid the turtle. At high tide on Wednesday, the turtle was finally able to swim away. Hawaii News Now.