#Hawaiʻi Department of Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Hawai‘i State Department of Health is highlighting the growing connection between nicotine use and mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and lowered self-confidence, noting that nicotine use can contribute to or intensify these symptoms over time.

Protecting your Medicare number has never been more important. Every year, scammers target our kūpuna, using stolen Medicare information to file false claims that drain an estimated $60 billion annually.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is warning residents about the growing availability of the substance 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly known as “7-OH,” a potent opioid-like substance.

PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been detected in water samples collected at the Haleakalā Park Rain Shed Chlorinator of the Haleakalā National Park water system (Public Water System HI0000222), which serves areas of Haleakalā National Park on Maui.

A follow-up round of environmental sampling in areas impacted by the Kona Low storms shows a general decrease in concentrations of environmental pathogens associated with the event. Overall, downward trends from initial measurements suggest the environment is recovering and naturally reducing the presence of storm-related pathogens.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health announced that its Emergency Medical Services Branch has been named the 2026 National State EMS Office / Agency of the Year by the National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health recently launched a new public service announcement campaign to encourage adults to get screened for colorectal cancer starting at age 45. Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in people younger than 50, but is highly treatable if caught in early stages. 

A partnership including the Hawaiʻi Department of Health and nonprofit providers will bring coordinated mobile medical care and social services to the North Shore of Oʻahu, where residents are recovering from damage caused by massive flooding from kona low storms over the past two weekends.

The Department recommends staying out of the water for 48-72 hours after the rain has stopped and after the beach has received full sunshine.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Healthis reporting that a wastewater sample from Kauaʻi County has tested positive for measles virus. The sample was collected on Feb. 25, 2026, at a site in East Kauaʻi County and the DOH was notified of the result on March 16, 2026. The DOH continues to monitor measles statewide, including on Kauaʻi. Healthcare providers have been notified and reminded to remain alert for patients who may present with symptoms consistent with measles.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch is alerting residents to a recall issued by Costco Wholesale for its Meatloaf with Mashed Yukon Potatoes and Glaze, Item #30783. The recall was issued after ingredient supplier Griffith Foods Inc. announced a recall of an ingredient used in the product due to potential Salmonella contamination.

The public is advised of a water quality exceedance of enterococci at Hanakaʻōʻō, Maui. Levels of 1298 per 100 mL have been detected during routine beach monitoring.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is reporting the expansion of a community outbreak of chickenpox (varicella) on the island of Kauaʻi to 10 cases, linked to four schools, raising concerns that the highly contagious disease will continue to spread. The DOH Disease Investigation Branch urges families and schools to take proactive steps to limit the spread of chickenpox on Kauaʻi.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health Food and Drug Branch is alerting residents statewide to a recall of Costco Mini Beignets Filled with Caramel because the product contains undeclared hazelnuts and filberts. The label for the product does not indicate the presence of these allergens. The recalled beignets were distributed to Costco locations throughout Hawaiʻi. The […]

The report, prepared by Cannabis Public Policy Consulting, shows that Hawaiʻi’s regulated medical cannabis system captures approximately 86-87 percent of all cannabis spending by registered patients and that monthly medical cannabis sales total about $5.3 million.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of chickenpox (varicella) at Kīlauea Elementary School on the island of Kauaʻi. Five cases have been reported in the outbreak to date, including four students at the school and one household member. All five cases were not vaccinated against chickenpox.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health has identified a travel-related case of Zika virus and a separate travel-related case of dengue virus. Although both are on Oʻahu, these are unrelated cases. The affected individuals were exposed to the respective virus while traveling in regions where Zika or dengue virus is known to circulate. The two cases are not connected to each other or to prior cases reported in Hawai‘i.

A case of avian influenza has now been confirmed in a Koloa Maoli (Hawaiian duck) found sick on Nov. 26 at the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Hanalei Wildlife Refuge in Hanalei, Kauaʻi. The bird which died within 24 hours of being found was recently confirmed positive by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health Food and Drug Branch is alerting residents to a recall issued by Danone US for its So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert pints. The recall was issued because of the potential presence of foreign materials, such as small stones and other hard objects, within the cashew inclusions.

Hawaiʻi’s first detection of H5N1 occurred in November 2024 in a backyard flock on Oʻahu, followed by a hybrid duck found on Oʻahu’s North Shore. This year, two additional cases have been confirmed in migratory Koloa Māpu ducks—one on Oʻahu and one on Maui. This Kauaʻi detection is the first potential case in a native bird, likely introduced through infected migratory waterfowl.