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HOUSE PASSES KEY MEASURES ON THIRD READING: Gun violence prevention, women’s rights, Hawaiʻi Promise bills move to Senate

As alleged in the Indictment[1]: From at least June 2019, and continuing to in or about January 2020, Arthur Brun (aka “Ata”), Maluelue Umu (aka “Malu”), Kelvin Kauwila Kai (aka “Kauwila”), Steven Keliikuli, Kaniu Huihui, Sheena Millare, Efren Yanos, Kirsten Makanoe Ayau (aka “Makanoe”), Orlando Manuchei (aka “Ole”), Robby Silva, Haidee Sueyasu and Phrystal Bacio, the defendants, and others known and unknown, co-spired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

We are in the middle of flu season and with growing concerns over the spread of respiratory illnesses, here are a few things that you can do to help prevent the spread of communicable diseases with your own everyday actions.

Presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard (US Rep. Hawaiʻi) issued an update this evening, saying Hawaiʻi will now be able to start testing for COVID-19 next week, and will no longer need to get test kits from Japan. However, she said, there are still “major questions” she has as to why it’s taken so long for the state Department of Health and the CDC to make this possible.

The Hawai‘i Senate Ways and Means Committee today advanced a bill to provide Governor David Ige’s request for an emergency appropriation of $10,568,750 to the Hawai‘i Departments of Health and Defense for prevention and mitigation of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

Japan has ordered all elementary, junior high and high schools nationwide to close from Monday through spring break, which typically ends in early April. Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 in California in a person who reportedly did not have relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient with COVID-19.

Police have lifted the “shelter in place” that was in effect earlier at ʻĪao Intermediate School.  The action was taken at around 12:03 p.m., and lifted at 12:31 p.m.  Police have not yet released details about the reason for the shelter, which is a term used to describe a type of “lockdown” situation.

“The suspects under indictment today were identified as part of a major drug trafficking organization that has been supplying a significant amount of methamphetamine throughout the community,” said Chief of Police Todd G. Raybuck

State health officials are urging the public to prepare now for potential risks associated with COVID-19, also known as the Novel Coronavirus.

Maui motorists are advised of nightly closures on the Hāna Highway (Route 360) between Huelo and Hāna Town beginning Monday, March 9, 2020 for slope stabilization work.

Maui highlights include: $40 million for the widening of Puʻunēnē Avenue from Kamehameha Avenue to Kūihelani Highway; $11 million for Kāʻanapali Beach Restoration and Berm Enhancement; and $4 million for the acquisition of Nā Wai ʻEha as part of the CIP budget for the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) is calling for the suspension of flights from Japan and South Korea to prevent the spread of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus.

Rep. Mizuno said because the COVID-19 illness is such a fluid situation, it is prudent to re-calibrate and focus on Hawaiʻi’s strategy to combat the virus and safeguard Hawaiʻi against the illness.

Plans are currently underway for a multimillion dollar project to build a new budget hotel where the old Maui Palms hotel once stood along Kahului Harbor. Several building permits were filed on Friday for the project which is situated on vacant land between the Maui Beach Hotel and the Maui Seaside Hotel in Kahului.

Hawaiian Airlines today announced its decision to temporarily suspend its five-times-weekly nonstop service between Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Incheon International Airport (ICN), beginning March 2 through April 30, due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in South Korea.

Returning to the MACC for a third year, the Color Festival Hawaiʻi brings back Maui singer-songwriter and musician, Anuhea.  The festival runs from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

Lori Vallow Daybell has no scheduled visits today at the Kauaʻi Community Correctional Center, however her new husband, Chad Daybell was allowed a one-hour visit yesterday afternoon, according to officials with the Department of Public Safety. 

With the recent enforcement and news of a large rental supply, we reached out to the Maui County Department of Planning, Zoning Administration & Enforcement Division to find out if there’s a place where the public can go to find out if rentals are vetted.

An environmental court ruled Monday that the Maui County Department of Public Works violated state law by failing to conduct environmental review for a streetlights project that plaintiffs said “threatens harm to Maui’s imperiled seabirds and sea turtles.”

“My small business has been paying all my employees a minimum wage of $15 since October 2015. It means less money goes to my retirement, but it’s the right thing to do so my employees don’t have to work two or three jobs just to get by,” said Representative Tina Wildberger. “My heart breaks for the families who can’t afford to pay for their kids’ school lunches because the legislature hasn’t found a path to raise the minimum wage to keep up with the cost of living.”