Hawaii Business Magazine

“DOH awards $40M to fund substance abuse treatment, recovery.”

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigestonline.com).

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6.20.2024

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DOH awards over $40M to fund substance abuse treatment, recovery
The Department of Health recently awarded 30 contracts to provide treatment and recovery for those addicted to alcohol or drugs. About $46.3 million in total will be doled out across the state. Doctors said it is a big deal for underserved populations. KHON2.

COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in Hawaiʻi
The Department of Health reported an average test positivity rate of 16.7%, up from 15.9% the previous week. This is a steep rise from the average positivity of just 4.3% on May 1. In Honolulu, the average positivity was even higher than the statewide average, at 20.1%. Star-Advertiser.

Some local hospitals mask up as COVID-19 cases climb again
Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi is encouraging the use of masks for its patients, members and visitors, starting Monday. Healthcare workers are also required to wear masks in some areas. Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Think you have COVID? Good luck finding a test kit
Some people said finding a COVID test isn’t as easy as it used to be and neither is getting vaccinated. KHON2.

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OʻAHU

The Honolulu City Council fought a bill requiring greater neighborhood density. Now it must carry it out
Council members say that their housing efforts already address the state’s desire to create greater density and do more to encourage locals to stay in Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Extended power outage costly for many Chinatown businesses
For businesses across Chinatown, the latest HECO outage has meant thousands upon thousands of dollars in lost revenue, with many restaurants and other food establishments being forced to throw away spoiled products. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Construction starts on Blaisdell Center parking garage solar project
The City and County of Honolulu broke ground on the $11 million project that will see the installation of 4,500 photovoltaic panels on the entire upper deck of the parking structure. Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

There will be more recyclable items to add to your green cart in Honolulu
Honolulu’s recycling program will be expanding next year. In addition to grass clippings, leaves and branches, Hawaiian Earth will start accepting food waste and other compostable items. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Gas' synthetic natural gas plant on Oʻahu blends hydrogen and RNG in its utility fuel mix. | Photo: courtesy of Hawaiʻi Gas

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Hawaiʻi Gas sets its sights on new renewable energy projects on Oʻahu

The company will partner with Eurus Energy America on an upcoming renewable hydrogen project and Hawaiʻi-based Bana Pacific for a renewable natural gas project… read more.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND

Council approves new regulations for bike tours
Bill 125 was enacted in January as a specific restriction upon bicycle tour operators from using Kohala Mountain Road and a roughly eight-mile stretch of Akoni Pule Highway for their businesses, but evolved over several meetings into a more comprehensive set of islandwide regulations on the whole bike tour industry. Tribune-Herald.

HPD’s DUI arrests questioned; county auditor forwards complaint to Police Commission
When the Hawaiʻi County Police Commission meets Friday, the agenda includes an unofficial complaint alleging the department’s officers automatically arrest and charge motorists with driving under the influence of intoxicants when drug paraphernalia is found. Tribune-Herald.

Council approves the use of eminent domain to get land for Pohoiki Road
A land dispute involving two Puna land parcels, which Hawaiʻi County requires access to in order to reopen Pohoiki Road, appears unlikely to reach an amicable resolution. Tribune-Herald.

Benioffs donate additional 158 acres In Waimea
The donation brings the total amount of Waimea land donated by Marc and Lynne Benioff for affordable housing up to 440 acres. Big Island Video News.

Maunakea considered for the National Register of Historic Places
The National Park Service is seeking public input about the potential inclusion of Maunakea on the National Register of Historic Places. Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Hawai‘i’s Got Pride 2024: Spotlight on Justice Sabrina McKenna
The Hawai‘i Supreme Court associate justice is one of only a handful of openly gay state supreme court justices in the U.S.. read more.

MAUI COUNTY

Community foundation takes stock with millions in Maui Strong funds still to spend
The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation said it was preparing to release a report on the impact of the funds. Its findings might determine where future dollars go. Civil Beat.

Mixed blessings reported at temporary shelter for post-wildfire homeless people
It’s been a rocky road for Puʻuhonua o Nēnē, a temporary homeless shelter near Kahului Airport that has provided emergency tented shelter for 120 to 130 people nightly since opening last fall within weeks of the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire disaster. Maui Now.

Maui will likely need to keep Lahaina fire debris in temporary landfill much longer than expected
The county is battling a private landowner in an eminent domain case to use the Central Maui property as the permanent site.
Civil Beat.

KAUAʻI

Loop Road in Wailuā on East Side of Kaua‘i to remain temporarily closed
The Wailuā Forest Management Road, commonly known as “Loop Road” in the Līhuʻe-Kōloa Forest Reserve on the East Side of Kaua‘i, will remain closed through the end of the year. Kaua‘i Now.

Disaster declaration for Kaua‘i approved by Biden
A federal disaster declaration from President Joe Biden was hailed by local and federal lawmakers, who said the decision would bring much needed relief to communities on Kaua‘i impacted by severe weather and flooding in April. Garden Island.

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