#Hawaii Department of Health

A year ago today, nearly 700 gallons of diesel fuel spilled at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex at Haleakalā’s summit. Since then Air Force reports its officials have worked with the Maui community and Native Hawaiian organizations to remediate the site.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health indicated the detection of 2,4-D did not make the water unsafe as the levels of 2,4-D were well below the EPA and State Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 70 parts per billion (ppb), and no 2,4-D has been detected in the bracket samples. 

DOH has currently installed a total of 40 real-time air monitors and air samplers in Lahaina and Olowalu. DOH staff deployed four additional real-time air monitors on Jan. 18 and will continue to augment Maui’s air monitoring network as USACE debris removal work expands and continues.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health Food and Drug Branch is alerting residents to a voluntary recall by Big Island Candies of its 10 oz. Makana Brownie Assortment Box, because it may contain peanut allergens not listed on the label.  Approximately 120 boxes were sold at the Big Island Candies Ala Moana retail store from Dec. 13-21, 2023.

The Department of Health announced today the first influenza-associated death in a Hawaiʻi resident under the age of 18 during this influenza, or flu season. The child was an Oʻahu resident. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, no further information about the child is being released.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health Food and Drug Branch is alerting residents to an expanded voluntary recall alert by the Quaker Oats Company of additional granola bar, cereal, and snack products because of potential Salmonella contamination. These products were sold nationwide, including most retailers and supermarkets in Hawaiʻi.

A Brown Water Advisory has been issued for the Island of Maui by the Department of Health Clean Water Branch.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health issued a voluntary recall warning for select batches of Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic powder infant formula due to potential Cronobacter sakazakii contamination. All recalled products have a UPC Code of either 300871239418 or 300871239456 and all have a “Use By Date” of 1 Jan 2025. Nutramigen liquid formula and other Enfamil products are not affected by this recall.

State and federal responders have completed recovery and removal operations in or adjacent to Lahaina Harbor. The US Army Corps of Engineers will conduct final disposition of fire-damaged vessels and incident-generated debris removed during harbor operations.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, Food and Drug Branch is alerting residents to a voluntary recall alert by the Quaker Oats Company of granola bar and granola cereal products because of potential Salmonella contamination. These products were sold nationwide, including in Hawaiʻi.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health has issued an updated voluntary recall warning for WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree and Apple Sauce Pouches due to elevated lead levels.

Weekly air sampling conducted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health in Kula continues to show good air quality.

The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program program will be available through the end of its current activation period, ending Dec. 16, 2023. Individuals enrolled in the program are urged to fill/renew their prescriptions before the EPAP closes. 

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health released data today showing elevated levels of arsenic, lead, antimony, cobalt, and copper in wildfire ash collected in Lahaina.  The Lahaina data validates that the primary contaminant of concern is arsenic, a heavy metal that adheres to wildfire dust and ash. Department officials say this finding reinforces the need to diligently follow recommendations to reduce potential exposure.

A red “closed” placard was issued on Wednesday to a Wailuku restaurant by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Maui Food Safety Branch.

A community conversation entitled “Molokaʻi Community Session on Suicide Prevention & Mental Health” takes place on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lanikeha Community Center in Hoʻolehua.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Maui Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard to a fast food and catering business in Kahului for “multiple critical food safety violations.”

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health Food and Drug Branch is alerting residents to a voluntary recall by KinderFarms, LLC for KinderMed Infants’ Pain & Fever and KinderMed Kids’ Pain & Fever OTC medication products because of acetaminophen instability.

The first meeting takes place on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at the Kula Elementary School cafeteria. The meetings continue at 6 p.m. every Thursday in November and December as debris cleanup progresses, with the exception of holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Nov. 23, 2023. 

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has issued a formal notice to proceed for Maui Wellness Group, LLC, dba Maui Grown Therapies after it passed its final on-site inspection for its fourth retail facility. Maui Grown Therapies’ new retail site is located at 1215 South Kīhei Road D-2 in Kīhei, and the company expects to begin sales on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.