Hawai‘i needs to ‘double down’ on biosecurity, experts say
State lawmakers are asked to find a little more funding now to save a lot more money later in order to protect the islands’ fragile ecosystems and ag lands. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green’s plan focuses on ‘targeted’ taxes, strays from repealing general excise tax
The plans outlined in Green’s tax reforms would be expansive. It would change the state’s income tax by increasing personal exemptions to inflation and increasing the standard deduction to $5,000 for single filers and $10,000 for joint filers.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Bills seek GET exemptions for medical services
Physicians and providers who see Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE patients are subject to the GET, with Hawai‘i being the only state in the nation to tax these patients, which make up roughly 50% of all patients in the state. New bills introduced in the legislature would change that. Tribune-Herald.

Does the Office of Hawaiian Affairs need to be more representative?
Candidates for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees would need to win their island districts rather than run a statewide election under a pair of bills that advanced Thursday with preliminary approval from the Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee. Civil Beat.

Over $1B was appropriated for Native Hawaiians last year. Now it needs to be used
Last year’s legislative session shaped up to be a big year for Native Hawaiian issues at the capitol, with more than $1 billion appropriated to Native Hawaiian projects and initiatives. Hawaii Public Radio.

Women’s Legislative Caucus backs bills for working mothers and survivors of abuse
The Hawaiʻi Women’s Legislative Caucus introduced their bill package Wednesday morning, which includes efforts to combat human trafficking, domestic violence and instill better lactation services across the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH graduate assistants’ fight to unionize reaches high court
A years-long struggle by UH graduate assistants for the right to unionize and collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions has progressed further than ever before, with their case now being considered by the Hawai‘i Supreme Court. Star-Advertiser.

Ex-prison guard charged with sex abuse of 3 female inmates
Mikael Salvador Rivera, 45, of Kapolei pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, held Thursday at Honolulu federal court, on charges of six counts of sexual abuse by threats and 11 counts of sexual abuse of a ward. Star-Advertiser.

Former police union head breaks down on stand in defamation trial
The former head of the state police union broke into tears on the witness stand Thursday when he talked about the false allegations that he padded his overtime. Tenari Maafala said he experienced mental “anguish” as a result of the false accusations involving former HPD chief Susan Ballard. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i ordered an acupuncturist to stop practicing
Mike Hashimoto, an architect of the state’s regulation of acupuncture, asked the state to intervene in a billing dispute last year despite his agreement to not treat patients. Civil Beat.

Construction starts for new healthcare campus
Buildings are being demolished to make room for the Straub Medical Centers’ new, state-of-the-art healthcare campus. KHON2.

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The hunt for unknown male in Ireland case
Hawai‘i County’s police chief and prosecuting attorney issued separate statements late Thursday afternoon saying they will be steadfast in their quest to bring to justice the man who left DNA on several pieces of key evidence in the 1991 rape and murder of Dana Ireland.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hilo car rental company fined for large capacity cesspools
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Truck to resolve a claim of violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Nightly closure of Pi‘ilani Highway for Kīhei roundabout paving, Jan. 30-Feb. 1
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will close Piʻilani Highway nightly in both directions between Kaonoulu Street and Piʻikea Avenue from 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, through 5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1. Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Island Energy Cooperative unveils habitat conservation plan
The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative has released a nearly $265 million Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) entailing a 50-year strategy to minimize its impact on threatened wildlife. Garden Island.

Former Kaua‘i prosecutor sues county for wrongful termination
The former Kaua‘i deputy prosecutor, who was fired after lodging a complaint against a judicial nominee, is suing the County of Kaua‘i for wrongful termination, defamation, and violation of free speech rights. Garden Island.