#Department of Health
Update/Canceled: High Bacteria Count Advisory at Olowalu Landing, Maui
Update: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 The Water Quality Advisory for Olowalu Shore Front, Maui has been canceled as of Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Water sample testing results show that the enterococci levels no longer exceed the threshold level. Previous post: The public is advised of a water quality exceedance of enterococci at Olowalu Landing, Maui. […]
House Finance Committee approves its draft of the state’s fiscal 2025-26, ’26-27 budgets
Maui County highlights in the House Finance Committee draft budgets for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 include $1.6 million in both fiscal years for Kamehameha III temporary school in Lahaina and $12 million in fiscal 2026 and $6 million in fiscal 2027 for Maui Health System.
Council OKs up to $5M for property acquisition by Lahaina Community Land Trust
Maui County Council members voted unanimously, 9-0, on Friday to approve by resolution the use of up to $5 million from the Managed Retreat Revolving Fund for property acquisition by the Lahaina Community Land Trust.
County Council committee recommends approval of settlement in eminent domain dispute
Members of the Maui County Council’s Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend approving a resolution to authorize a settlement of civil lawsuits involving Komar Maui Properties.
Bills envision return of Kalaupapa to Maui County
Companion House and Senate bills make way for the eventual return of Kalaupapa Settlement on Molokaʻi with the rest of Maui County, but after a transparent and extensive public outreach process.
Update: Senate bill advances to increase air medical services
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services unanimously passed a bill this afternoon to increase air medical services, including in Maui County. The bill was revised to align with fiscal years 2025 to 2027 and making other technical and non-substantive changes for clarity.
House Health Committee votes to ban sales of flavored nicotine products
The House Committee on Health unanimously passed House Bill 756 on Friday to prohibit the sale of flavored nicotine products and the mislabeling of e-liquids as being “nicotine free.”
House bill calls for establishing a classification system for composting operations
A bill encouraging the diversion of food waste from Hawaiʻi landfills has passed first reading in the state House of Representatives and has been referred for review to three committees: Energy & Environmental Protection; Water & Land; and Finance.
New data: Growing numbers of Hawaiʻi students not up to date with immunizations
More Hawaiʻi students are failing to stay up to date with their immunizations, according to new data from the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, which calls it a “concerning development.”
Gov. Green orders protection for caregivers providing medical cannabis to qualified patients
Caregivers who provide medical cannabis to qualified patients will be protected from “undue enforcement” under an executive order signed by Gov. Josh Green.
Thanksgiving food safety tips
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is sharing food safety tips for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands proposes ag lot subdivision on Molokaʻi
Public comments are due Nov. 22 on a draft environmental assessment for a proposed Department of Hawaiian Home Lands agricultural lot subdivision on Molokaʻi.
AG department launches online resource to help with assisted community treatment legal process
The state Department of the Attorney General has launched a webpage for those who seek the department’s help with filing assisted community treatment petitions in family court, to provide treatment for those with serious mental illnesses or substance abuse that can render them dangerous to themselves or others.
Rebuild of homes destroyed in Kula fire runs into costly wastewater upgrades
Upcountry residents have relied for years on cesspools, which are required under state law to be eliminated by 2050.
State and federal agencies to hold Kalaupapa Information Briefing on Oct. 5
A Kalaupapa Informational Briefing will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Kaunakakai Elementary School cafeteria on Molokaʻi.
Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month events on Maui and Molokaʻi
This year is the inaugural designation of September as “Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month” for the state of Hawai‘i. This recent enactment coincides with the globally recognized World Suicide Prevention Day, observed each year on Sept. 10.
DOH reports travel-related dengue virus case on Oʻahu
The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has identified a new travel-related dengue virus case on Oʻahu, bringing the number of total cases to 12 identified in the state in 2024 (one on Kauaʻi, three on Maui, eight on Oʻahu). The affected travelers were exposed in various countries where dengue is common.
$3.9 million grant awarded to improve academic success for Native Hawaiian keiki
A $3.9 million grant aimed to improve the academic success alongside the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of Native Hawaiian keiki has been awarded to a pair of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Education professors.
County sewage service to be available for first time to Fleming Road lots in Lahaina
For the first time, 29 lots on Fleming Road in Lahaina will have the opportunity to access Maui County sewer service, but there are some requirements for property owners, according to an announcement.
Health Department urges vaccinations for mpox high-risk individuals
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is reporting one additional case of the mpox virus in a nonresident diagnosed in Honolulu County. People with mpox, formerly known as the monkeypox virus, often get rashes or scabs.
