Data Dive: Farmworkers Earn Well Over Minimum Wage but Not Enough for Hawai‘i
Hawaiʻi ranch and farmworkers earn an average hourly wage of $21.98—13.1% higher than the national average. That’s still less than the ‘survival wage’ that nonprofit groups consider to be the minimum needed to meet basic needs in Hawaiʻi, one of the most expensive states in the U.S. And it’s far below the average Hawaiʻi resident’s salary of $36.86 an hour.
Hawaiʻi Tax Director Accused of Creating ‘Hostile’ Work Environment
Six state Tax Department employees — including the department’s human resources officer — allege that Tax Director Gary Suganuma has created an abusive and hostile work environment over issues that have nothing to do with assisting island taxpayers or ensuring that the state collects what it’s due.
Kaiser Strike Ends, Kapiʻolani Medical Center Worker Strike Continues
Over 30,000 Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers in Hawaiʻi and California just wrapped a five-day strike for better pay and safer staffing. As the Kaiser strike comes to an end, hundreds of healthcare workers at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children are now on strike, accusing hospital management of bad faith bargaining and unfair labor practices.
Record Crowds Rally Across Hawaiʻi for ‘No Dictators’ Demonstrations
Local organizers of Saturday’s rally said a record number of demonstrators across the state joined the millions nationwide to demand a better government in Washington, D.C.
Hawaiʻi continues to rank among the nation’s healthiest states, but progress on obesity and related health disparities remains uneven, according to recent national data.
‘Complete Failure’: Honolulu Permit Workers Say Tech Upgrade Is A Bust
In an anonymous survey of more than 150 Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting employees, respondents delivered almost universally negative feedback of the department’s new permitting software, with many suggesting the entire transition to the new system was a mistake. The complaints are causing the city’s software contractors to scramble to establish workarounds and fix bugs.
Over 500 O‘ahu Teachers Participate in ‘Take an Educator to Work Day’
The “Take an Educator to Work Day” is part of an initiative by the nonprofit ClimbHI. The daylong event on Friday connected teachers with over two dozen businesses to help them understand the evolving needs of local workplaces.
Hawaiʻi County is planning a housing project on almost 61 acres it owns near Hilo. A bill that would allow residential development in industrial-commercial mixed-use zoning districts will go before the full County Council on Wednesday.
Lava fountains at the summit of Kīlauea volcano reached record heights Friday night. The south vent fountain reached nearly 1,500 feet while the north vent got up to 1,100 feet. Episode 35 ended abruptly at 3:32 a.m. Saturday morning, lasting 7.5 hours in duration.
Sewer Force Main Replacement Project Underway in Kailua-Kona
A sewer force main replacement project underway in Kailua-Kona, which began Oct. 15, is causing temporary traffic adjustments on and near Hualālai Road.
State Bringing Pesticide Disposal Program Back to Big Isle for Farms, Commercial Users
The Pesticides Branch of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity continues its second annual statewide Pesticide Disposal Program on Hawai‘i Island. Farms and other commercial users of pesticides can safely dispose of canceled, suspended, unwanted or unlabeled pesticides through the program’s collection events.
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that a magnitude-4.2 earthquake rattled the Big Island and beyond at 8:26 a.m. Sunday morning. It struck 11 miles northwest of Kalaʻoa at a depth of 27 miles, offshore and near Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport.
Featured Session: Leading Through Disruption – The Nonprofit Landscape
Hawai‘i’s nonprofits are led by women executive directors who are fostering a culture of excellence within their organizations and are committed to driving meaningful change in our community.
Maui Business, Nonprofits Hit Hard by PGA Golf Tournament’s Cancellation
Critical questions remain unanswered following the PGA Tournament’s cancellation of January’s Sentry Golf Tournament on Maui — with it the loss of an estimated influx of $50 million to Hawaiʻi’s economy, including the impact on Maui-based nonprofit organizations and businesses that have come to rely on the tournament’s annual financial boost.
Lahaina’s Affordable Front Street Apartments Will Be Rebuilt With More Units
Plans to rebuild the housing complex destroyed by the 2023 wildfire now call for an increase of 98 units, but with a four-year timeline, residents whose FEMA housing will end in February are left in limbo.
Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative Launches New Opportunity to Strengthen Community Mental Health and Healing
The Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative announces a new funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations that seek to increase access to mental health resources for individuals directly affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires. MRFC has launched a new Request for Proposals and invites eligible organizations to apply for grant funds of up to $100,000 on its website.
Amazon Plans to Build a 42,000-Square-Foot Warehouse on Kauaʻi
The development is expected to generate 169 full- and part-time jobs, including 62 on-site employees, 25 delivery van drivers and up to 82 additional flex drivers who will use personal vehicles to deliver packages. But many are concerned that a faster Amazon delivery service on Kauaʻi will further shift shopping patterns in a way that pushes out local entrepreneurs.
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kh6jrm@gmail.com
I am the retired news director of Pacific Radio Group stations on the Island of Hawaii. I am a retired Lt. Col., USAF Reserve. I am a FCC-licensed Amateur Radio Operator, holding the Amateur Extra Class License. I am a substitute teacher for the state of Hawaii Department of Education.
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