#governor ige

Hawai’i Gov. David Ige notified lawmakers and the public today of his intent to veto 30 of the 343 bills passed by the 2022 State Legislature, including a renewable energy bill that could jeopardize a solar-to-battery storage system project for Lānaʻi.

“As our state focuses more on destination management over getting more visitors to the islands, we recognize that Japanese visitors are a priority for us because they tend to engage in the community, they’re respectful of the Hawaiian culture and of our environment. We would like to welcome them back to the islands,” said Gov. Ige.

Gov. David Ige has appointed bank vice president Gabriel Lee and non-profit administrator Laurie Tochiki to the University of Hawaiʻi System’s Board of Regents. Both appointments are subject to Senate approval.

Gov. David Ige appointed N. Makana McClellan, Lauren Moriarty and Ken Kuraya to the State of Hawaiʻi Board of Education. The governor also reappointed Damien “Kaimana” Barcarse and Bruce Voss to the board, with all appointments subject to Senate approval.

A roughly 300-acre parcel mauka (upland) of the Hawaiʻi Loa and Niu Valley subdivisions has been officially designated as a new Hawai‘i State Natural Area Reserve. Governor David Ige signed an Executive Order on Feb. 3, creating the Pia Valley NAR. 

For businesses and residents affected by severe storms, flooding and landslides during the “Kona low” weather system that struck Hawai‘i Dec. 5-10, 2021, there are now low-interest disaster loans available from the US Small Business Administration.

57% of Maui Now survey respondents are very concerned about inflation, 36% are somewhat concerned, 5% are not very concerned and 2% are not at all concerned.

Hawaiʻi Gov. David Ige appointed Holly T.M. Shikada to succeed Clare Connors as Attorney General of the State of Hawaiʻi. Her appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

Maui Now is conducting a survey focused on understanding the opinions and attitudes of its readers about inflation, employment, real estate, and coronavirus.

“This is a long-standing issue. The tanks were built in the 1940s and were not made to last forever. Over the years, more than 180,000 gallons of fuel have leaked from the tanks and tests show they are corroding underground. A mere 100 feet below the leaking fuel tanks is the Southern Oʻahu Basal Aquifer – the primary source of drinking water for Oʻahu. This aquifer alone provides drinking water for over 400,000 Hawaiʻi residents and visitors from Hālawa to Hawaiʻi Kai.”

In October 2021, there were 189,950 visitors to Maui, a 31% decrease from pre-pandemic October 2019, and they spent 9.4% less, according to preliminary visitor statistics released by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).

Maui Now is conducting a survey focused on understanding the opinions and attitudes of community members about Maui County’s economy, leadership, and coronavirus response.

The mayor’s request to postpone the start of in-classroom learning has failed to gain the support of Governor David Ige.

MEO’s Emergency Rental Assistance’s function is set up to help low-income households that have been hit hardest financially by the COVID-19 pandemic pay their rent, utility bills or both here in Maui County.

HB 940 HD2 SD1 mandates reporting of suspected financial exploitation of elders and vulnerable adults in relation to securities, provides immunity for good faith reporting, and authorizes the delay of disbursements and transactions in situations of suspected financial exploitation.

Hawaiʻi Legislature took action to repeal an outdated law that allowed for the payment of sub-minimum wage to certain individuals based on their disabilities.

Hawaiʻi Gov. David Ige has appointed Gloria Chang as deputy director of the Department of Budget and Finance, effective July 1. And, Department of Health Director Elizabeth Char has appointed Kathleen Ho as Deputy Director of Environmental Health Administration at DOH (effective July 1) and Marian Tsuji as Deputy Director of Behavioral Health Administration at DOH (effective June 28).

Governor David Ige is recruiting qualified and dedicated people who are interested in serving on the State Board of Land and Natural Resources. Currently, the designated Maui and O‘ahu land district seats are open. Applicants for these seats must be residents of Maui County and Honolulu County.

Facial imaging technology is now in use at five Hawaiʻi airports to complete Phase III of the thermal temperature screening and facial imaging project designed to detect passengers with possible COVID-19 arriving on trans-Pacific flights, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT).

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority appointed three individuals – Dylan Ching, Keith “Keone” Downing and Sigmund “Sig” Zane – to serve on its board of directors. The appointees were nominated by Gov. David Ige and confirmed by the Hawaiʻi State Senate with their terms effective immediately.