The Senate STATE CAPITOL HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I 96813 HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation’s Highways Division plans to improve Volcano Road at the Kipimana Street Intersection that serves the Shipman Industrial Park, near milepost 6. The work includes installation of a temporary traffic signal system using a “Green T-Intersection” design that will control access and egress from Shipman Industrial Park while allowing the northbound traffic traveling toward Hilo to proceed without a stop condition. While the primary purpose is to assist motorists in safely crossing the southbound lanes, improvements at this intersection will also benefit cyclists, pedestrians and marathoners who share the shoulder highway space. “I want to thank the State Highways Division for being proactive and devising a plan to make this intersection safer and more efficient,” Senator Inouye said. “We have seen an increase in activity in the area because of growing community interest in health and fitness. This shows that we can and will design our roadways to benefit the entire community.” The Green T-Intersection involves physically separating the Volcano Road’s northbound turning lanes from the through traffic by use of raised curbs with delineators. The southbound Volcano Road lanes, and traffic entering and exiting Shipman Industrial Park will be subject to traffic signal patterns. Work is expected to begin in November 2019 and last for a period of six months. During construction, motorists may experience delays during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. due to one lane closures and police-controlled intersection movements. Motorists are asked to exercise extreme caution in the area and to be aware of variable message boards that will be used to notify motorists of traffic conditions during construction. Future updates can be found at http://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/. ### #HIDOT #HAWAIIDEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATION #VOLCANOROAD #HawaiiIsland #Hawaiiisland #Milemarker6 #GreenTIntersection #LorraineInouye #HiloSenator #SenatorInouye

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has received notification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a laboratory-confirmed case of angiostrongyliasis, or rat lungworm disease, in an adult visitor to Hawai‘i Island. With the additional case confirmed by CDC, this brings the statewide total to six cases of individuals confirmed with angiostrongyliasis in 2019. This includes three residents and three visitors all of which likely contracted the disease on Hawai‘i Island. The sixth individual was an adult resident of the U.S. mainland and was traveling in West Hawai‘i when they were infected with the parasite causing rat lungworm disease. The individual became ill in early February and was hospitalized on the mainland for a short time for their symptoms. The investigation was not able to identify an exact source of infection. However, they reported eating a lot of fresh fruits and not washing them all before eating them. “Washing fresh fruits and vegetables carefully no matter where they come from is an important step to preventing rat lungworm disease,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist. “Thoroughly inspecting and rinsing produce under clean, running water is the most effective way to remove pests and other contaminants.” DOH provides the following recommendations to prevent rat lungworm disease: • Wash all fruits and vegetables under clean, running water to remove any tiny slugs or snails. Pay close attention to leafy greens. • Control snail, slug, and rat populations around homes, gardens and farms. Get rid of these vectors safely by clearing debris where they might live, and also using traps and baits. Always wear gloves for safety when working outdoors. • Inspect, wash, and store produce in sealed containers, regardless of whether it came from a local retailer, farmer’s market, or backyard garden. For more information about rat lungworm disease and how to prevent its spread, visit: • DOH website: http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/rat-lungwormangiostrongyliasis/ • HDOA website: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/rat-lungworm-information/ • CTAHR website: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/ctahr/farmfoodsafety/rat-lungworm/ • CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/angiostrongylus/index.html Angiostrongyliasis, commonly known as rat lungworm disease, is caused by a parasitic roundworm and can have debilitating effects on an infected person’s brain and spinal cord. In Hawai‘i, most people become ill by accidentally ingesting a snail or slug infected with the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis). Symptoms vary widely between cases, and the most common ones include severe headaches and neck stiffness. The most serious cases experience neurological problems, severe pain and long-term disability. #ratlungworm #angiostrongyliasis #sarahpark #DepartmentofHealth #snail #disease #DOH #CTAHR #CDC #CenterforDiseaseControl #UHManoa #UniversityofHawaii #parasiticroundworm

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige today signed a bill that aims to breathe new life into Aloha Stadium and surrounding areas. HB1586 (ACT 268) establishes the Stadium Development District and puts the state’s Aloha Stadium lands under the jurisdiction of the Stadium Authority. “Aloha Stadium has served as a vital gathering place for some 40 years now, where residents and visitors come together to enjoy athletic events and concerts. The recent Bruno Mars, Eagles and Guns and Roses concerts, as well as the upcoming L.A. Rams game – make it very clear that Hawai‘i needs to invest in a new stadium to serve our state for generations to come,” said Gov. Ige. The bill appropriates funding for the construction of a new stadium and complementary development of land that will help generate revenue for the state and help offset costs of the project. The funding includes $20 million in capital, $150 million in GO bonds and $180 million in revenue bonds. Gov. Ige also signed HB1547 (ACT 264) – which appropriates $4 million to assist athletics programs at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and Hilo. The funds will go toward student athletes, operations and team travel. In addition, the governor signed the following measures at bill signing ceremonies today: ACT 265 HB654 Relating to Health ACT 266 SB1418 Relating to the University of Hawai‘i ACT 267 SB1394 Relating to Historic Preservation The following bills were signed on July 5: ACT 248 HB89 Relating to Fireworks ACT 249 HB120 Relating to State Bonds ACT 250 HB333 Relating to the State Highway Enforcement Program ACT 251 HB665 Relating to the Electronic Prescription Accountability System ACT 252 HB808 Relating to Shark and Ray Protection ACT 253 HB1163 Relating to Savings Promotion Contests ACT 254 SB522 Relating to Plastic ACT 255 SB535 Relating to Pharmacists Prescribing & Dispensing of Opioid Antagonist ACT 256 SB536 Relating to Prescriptions ACT 257 SB600 Relating to Firearms ACT 258 SB763 Relating to Advertising & Marketing ACT 259 SB947 Relating to Families ACT 260 SB972 Relating to Ship Repair Industry ACT 261 SB1314 Relating to Tax Credits ACT 262 SB1404 Relating to Loan Repayment for Health Care Professionals ACT 263 SB1494 Relating to Health The following bills were signed on July 2: ACT 190 HB32 Relating to Family Leave ACT 191 HB34 Relating to Wages ACT 192 HB61 Relating to Condominiums ACT 193 HB66 Relating to Athlete Agents ACT 194 HB68 Relating to Consumer Protection ACT 195 HB154 Relating to Service Contracts ACT 196 HB157 Relating to Collective Bargaining ACT 197 HB201 Relating to Invasive Species ACT 198 HB214 Relating to Disinterment of Human Bodies ACT 199 HB270 Relating to Rebuilt Vehicles ACT 200 HB273 Relating to Privacy Notice for Insurance ACT 201 HB390 Relating to Workers’ Compensation ACT 202 HB444 Relating to Onsite-Non-Potable Water Reuse Systems ACT 203 HB452 Relating to Preferential Electricity Rates for Protected Ag ACT 204 HB529 Relating to Motor Vehicles ACT 205 HB658 Relating to Health ACT 206 HB699 Relating to the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority ACT 207 HB756 Relating to Transportation ACT 208 HB812 Relating to Low-Speed Electric Bicycles ACT 209 HB845 Relating to Employee Training ACT 210 HB898 Relating to the Board of Health ACT 211 HB913 Relating to the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board ACT 212 HB914 Relating to the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board ACT 213 HB1261 Relating to Judicial Proceedings ACT 214 HB1305 Relating to Mutual Assistance Agreement ACT 215 SB9 Relating to the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority ACT 216 SB19 Relating to Surplus Lines ACT 217 SB759 Relating to Agriculture ACT 218 SB203 Relating to Vaccinations ACT 219 SB292 Relating to Labor ACT 220 SB411 Relating to Transportation ACT 221 SB495 Relating to Taxation ACT 222 SB540 Relating to the Board of Pharmacy ACT 223 SB552 Relating to Condominiums ACT 224 SB592 Relating to the Salary of the State Librarian ACT 225 SB723 Relating to the Uniform Parentage Act ACT 226 SB772 Relating to Liquor Laws ACT 227 SB980 Relating to Education ACT 228 SB989 Relating to the Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism ACT 229 SB991 Relating to Telecommunications ACT 230 SB1486 Relating to Electronic Prescription Accountability System ACT 231 SB1498 Relating to the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board ACT 232 SB1360 Relating to Taxation ACT 233 SB660 Relating to State Identification Cards ACT 234 HB336 Relating to Hawai‘i State & Contracted Correctional Facilities ACT 235 HB252 Relating to Speech Pathology ACT 236 HB314 Relating to Gift Certificates ACT 237 HB437 Relating to Crime Victim Compensation for Mental Health Services ACT 238 HB531 Relating to Enterprise Technology Services ACT 239 SB1442 Relating to the Public Utilities Commission ACT 240 HB673 Relating to Medical Cannabis ACT 241 SB138 Relating to Reports of Candidate Committees ACT 242 SB225 Relating to Ocularists ACT 243 SB272 Relating to Solar Energy Devices ACT 244 SB335 Relating to Public Meetings ACT 245 SB413 Relating to Trespass ACT 246 SB770 Relating to Real Estate Licenses ACT 247 SB1348 Relating to the Small Business Regulatory Review Board Link to photos here Video link to Aloha Stadium (Structure of Government) bill signing ceremony here Video link to University of Hawai‘i bill signing ceremony here Video link to Historic Preservation bill signing ceremony here #HEALTH #BILEDUCT #LIVERCANCER #AlohaStadium #HB1586 #Act268 #HawaiiStadiumAuthority #universityofhawaii #UHHIlo #hawaiisenate #hawaiisenatemajority #donnamercadokim #karlrhoads

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Taxation (Department) announced today that it has published notice to revoke tax licenses due to abandonment. By law, a tax license is considered abandoned if the license holder has not filed its period and annual returns for a period of five or more years. The Department is providing an additional two-year grace period for a total of seven years of inactivity before revoking tax licenses due to abandonment. The Department is required to post a notice of intent to revoke the licenses by publishing a notice on its website for at least 45 days. The notice, Tax Announcement 2019-07, was posted to the Department’s website on June 28, 2019. As explained in the notice, concerned taxpayers are urged to check on the status of their tax license(s) by visiting the Department’s website at http://tax.hawaii.gov and clicking “Search Tax Licenses.” If a license has a “pending revoke” status and the license holder wishes to retain the tax license, the taxpayer, by September 30, 2019, must (1) file missing returns or (2) submit a petition (letter) to the Director of Taxation explaining why revocation should not occur. If a taxpayer does not need to keep the tax license, no action needs to be taken. The tax license will automatically be revoked after September 30, 2019. “Many businesses close and stop filing tax returns but forget to notify the Department to close their tax licenses,” said Director of Taxation, Linda Chu Takayama. “The Department identified over 400,000 abandoned licenses. Revoking these abandoned licenses is a housekeeping activity that will improve efficiency in tax administration and allow us to focus our efforts on active businesses.” Moving forward, the Department will be revoking abandoned licenses at least annually. The obligation to pay taxes remains regardless of whether a license is revoked due to abandonment or otherwise closed. The status of a tax license has no effect on liability for payment of taxes, fees, penalties or interest accrued or imposed; debts must be paid. Also, license holders are required to file missing returns and are subject to audit review. #taxes #HawaiiDepartmentofTaxation #Lindachutakayama #revokingtaxlicenses #abandonedlicenses

Additional closures scheduled for the Kapolei Interchange project for the week of July 7 HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises Oahu motorists that the H-1 Freeway will be closed in the westbound direction between the Makakilo/Kapolei/Kalaeloa offramp (Exit 2) and the Campbell Industrial Park/Barbers Point Harbor offramp (Exit 1) from 10 p.m. on Thursday night, July 11, 2019, through 5 a.m. on Friday morning, July 12, 2019, for the Kapolei Interchange Complex, Phase 2 project. For the safety of motorists, the westbound H-1 Freeway lanes will be closed as construction crews will be paving the bridge directly above the roadway. Motorists traveling on the westbound H-1 Freeway will be directed to Makakilo Drive via the Makakilo/Kapolei/Kalaeloa offramp (Exit 2) and may continue on Farrington Highway/Kamokila Boulevard, Wakea Street, and the Farrington Highway onramp to return to the westbound H-1 Freeway. To view a detour map, please click here. Additional lane closures for the Kapolei Interchange Project the week of July 7 include: Closure of the Campbell Industrial Park/Barbers Point Harbor offramp (Exit 1A) from the eastbound H-1 Freeway on Sunday night through Friday morning, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., for sign installations. Motorists will be directed to the Makakilo/Kapolei/Kalaeloa offramp (Exit 1B) as an alternate route. Please click here,for a map of the detour. Left lane closure on the H-1 Freeway in both directions between the Makakilo Drive Overpass and the Farrington Highway overpass on Monday, through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for median work. Right lane closure on the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between the Kualakai Parkway onramp and the Makakilo/Kapolei/Kalaeloa offramp (Exit 2) on Friday, July 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for sign work. Two right lane closures on the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between Kapolei/Ewa offramp (Exit 3) and the Makakilo/Kapolei/Kalaeloa offramp (Exit 2) on Sunday night through Thursday morning, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., for sign work. Left lane closure on Farrington Highway in the westbound direction between the Farrington Highway onramp and Waiomea Street on Wednesday night through Thursday morning from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., for sign work. The Kapolei Interchange Complex, Phase 2 project is estimated to be completed by late 2019, weather permitting. Full closures will continue to be scheduled on the H-1 Freeway until the new overpass structure is finished. HDOT will notify motorists of major closures happening for the Kapolei Interchange project and updates will be posted to our HDOT website at hidot.hawaii.gov and to our social media websites, Facebook and Twitter. Electronic message boards will be posted to notify motorists of the closures and detour. Special Duty Police Officers will be on-site to assist with traffic control and safety procedures. Emergency vehicles, first responders, and TheBus have been notified of the full closure and will not be allowed through the work zone. Motorists are advised to allow for extra travel time to get to their destinations and to drive with caution on the detour routes. For more information on the Kapolei Interchange project, please view the project website at https://kapolei-interchange.squarespace.com/. All roadwork is weather permitting. #makakilo #traffic #HDOT #HawaiiDepartmentofTransportationHDOT #kapolei #kalaeloa #departmentoftransportation #highwayclosure

Hawaii Attorney General Files Supreme Court Brief to Protect LGBTQ+ Employees from Discrimination HONOLULU – On the heels of Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots that began the modern gay rights movement, a coalition of 22 attorneys general are today filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that federal anti-discrimination laws protect LGBTQ+ employees. The coalition, led by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and New York Attorney General Letitia James, will be filing the brief in three cases pending before the court that involve workers being fired based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The brief is being filed in the Supreme Court cases of Altitude Express v. Zarda; Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia; and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC, which are being considered together by the court. In their brief, the coalition argues that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination against transgender people or on the basis of sexual orientation. “Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal,” said Attorney General Connors. “Hawaii stands in support of the LGBTQ+ community and will continue to safeguard their rights.” Two of the cases, Altitude Express v. Zarda and Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, involve employees who were terminated from their jobs after their employers learned they were gay. The attorneys general argue in their brief that Title VII’s prohibition on discrimination based on sex encompasses discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation. The third case, R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC, involves a transgender woman who was fired by the funeral home where she worked when she asked her employer for permission to dress in accordance with her gender identity. In the brief, the coalition argues that Title VII prohibits discrimination against transgender people based on sex stereotyping or their gender identity. The coalition argues that employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity increases the already high rates of prejudice LGBTQ+ people experience at work. It also contributes to increased harassment of LGBTQ+ employees in the workplace, which ranges from denial of jobs and promotions to physical and sexual assault. In the brief, the attorneys general also argue that discrimination against LGBTQ+ employees impedes States’ ability to promote equality and protect residents’ dignity, economic security and mental health. Furthermore, the coalition argues that discrimination against LGBTQ+ workers has an economic impact on States because when LGBTQ+ residents are denied the ability to support themselves, many are forced to rely on public assistance programs. Discrimination against LGBTQ+ workers also decreases business productivity and increases health costs, which inhibits States’ economic growth. Filing the amicus brief are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. #HawaiiAttorneyGeneral #PrideMonth #Stonewallriots #LGBTQ #ClareConnors #HarrisFuneralHomes #EEOC #HawaiiTourismAuthority #Civilrights

Tested Positive for Less Aggressive Strain (Kahului, Maui) – Ceratocystis huliohia, the less aggressive strain of the fungal disease called Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death was recently detected in a single tree on private property in East Maui. The lone ʻōhiʻa tree, 15-20 feet tall and eight-to-ten inches in diameter is located a few feet from a taro loi. Lance DeSilva, Maui Forest Management Supervisor with the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife said, “This one tree is located away from other ʻōhiʻa trees, so this appears to be an isolated case. It will be treated immediately by torching or burning it.” This is the first positive detection of the disease on Maui. Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death has impacted vast acreages and thousands of trees on Hawai‘i Island. Both strains; the most aggressive, Ceratocystis lukuohia and the less aggressive, Ceratocystis huliohia have been detected there and on Kaua‘i. On Maui, only Ceratocystis huliohia has been detected. Quarterly aerial surveys are conducted on Maui to spot trees that may be suspected of having the disease. Typically, samples are then taken from the ground and sent to a lab in Hilo for further testing to determine positive presence. The next Maui quarterly survey is scheduled to begin on July 15. DOFAW personnel on Maui are planning to reach out to residents of the Kīpahulu and Hana areas to increase awareness in those communities for people to be on the lookout for other potential “backyard” ʻōhiʻa trees that should be monitored. Anyone who has a suspect tree is encouraged to call the DOFAW Maui office at 808-984-8100. For more information on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death please visit: cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rod http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/species/rapid-ohia-death/ #DepartmentofLandandNaturalResources #ohia #rapidohiadeath #Maui #ceratocystishuliohia #fungaldisease #LanceDeSilva #MauiForestManagement #DLNR #DOFAW #Kipahulu #Hana

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state’s tourism agency, has issued a request for information (RFI) as it seeks an established global meetings, conventions and incentives (MCI) sales and marketing organization based in Hawaii. The company would need to provide a full range of comprehensive sales and marketing management services for the Hawaiian Islands in the global MCI market. This RFI is only meant to gauge the available market of qualified applicants in preparation for a prospective request for proposal (RFP). The RFI is available for download at https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/rfps/. The deadline for receipt of responses to this RFI is Friday, July 12, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. Inquiries should be directed to Ronald Rodriguez, HTA procurement officer, at 1801 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815, by telephone at (808) 973-2251, or by email at contracting@gohta.net About the Hawaii Tourism Authority The Hawaii Tourism Authority is the State of Hawaii agency responsible for strategically managing its support of the tourism industry. Established in 1998 to support Hawaii’s leading industry and largest employer, HTA continually strives to help ensure tourism’s sustainability and the benefits it brings to residents and communities statewide. For more information about HTA, please visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org. Follow updates about HTA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@HawaiiHTA) and its YouTube Channel. #HawaiiTourismAuthority #HTA #RonaldRodriguez #tourism #marketing #tourismMCI #Sales #RFP #RequestforInformation

HIDOE and the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board applaud Governor David Ige’s signing of House Bill 1070 into law. Act 116 will provide $600,000 in both fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21 for teacher stipends for the “Grow Our Own Teachers” initiative to cover annual licensing fees for new and untenured teachers. HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) and the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) applaud Governor David Ige’s signing of House Bill 1070 into law. Act 116 will provide $600,000 in both fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21 for teacher stipends for the “Grow Our Own Teachers” initiative. The funds will cover annual licensing fees for new and untenured teachers to help reduce their costs while working towards becoming fully-licensed teachers. “By supporting our prospective educators through initiatives like the “Grow Our Own Teachers” program, we are on a path to developing our teaching corps from within,” said Assistant Superintendent Cynthia Covell, Office of Talent Management. “Hawaii is one of only a small handful of states nationwide to provide such progressive funding aimed at paving the way to education careers and strengthening the depth of our teaching talent pool.” Act 116 will also provide $1.27 million in funding for HTSB in Fiscal Year 2019-2020 for operational costs and six permanent staffing positions. “The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board is grateful to the Governor, Senate, and House Education Committees for their support for this bill which honors the importance and professionalism of Hawaii's teachers as they are prepared and become licensed,” said HTSB Executive Director, Lynn Hammonds. “This is an innovative and well-deserved step in elevation and recognition of the profession of teaching by our state.” The HTSB has served the state as the licensing board for Hawaii teachers, school counselors, and school librarians since its inception in 2003, when it began oversight of approvals of educator preparation programs, licensure, and professional development. All public school teachers, counselors, and librarians must be licensed or permitted through the HTSB. For the full text of Act 116, please click here. #HawaiiTeacherStandardsBoard #HouseBill1070 #HawaiiStateDepartmentofEducation #ACT116 #GrowOurOwnTeacgers #davidige #CynthiaCovell #OfficeofTalentManagement #HTSB #HawaiiTeacherStandarsBoard #LynnHammonds

Link to photos here HONOLULU – Gov. Ige signed a bill that will dedicate millions of dollars to the state’s effort to create more housing that people can afford. ACT 189 (HB1312) will add $100 million to the Rental Housing Revolving Fund over the next two years. An additional $67 million will be added to the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund via Act 40 for infrastructure and land acquisitions. Video of these bills being signed right here. “These funds will help the state keep the momentum going. The state’s progress would not be possible without support from the Legislature and the private sector. My administration set a goal of 10,000 new units by 2020. We remain committed to building housing that Hawai‘i families can afford,” said Gov. Ige. In the past four years, the state has completed 6,700 units – 60 percent of them affordable. There are 7,700 additional units in the pipeline, with 80 percent of them affordable and the vast majority will be rentals. The governor also signed the following measures in bill signing ceremonies today: Women’s Legislative Caucus Bills: Video of these bills being signed right here. **For more information, please click on the bills below which will take you to our Hawai'i State Legislature Website and that corresponding bill. Mahalo! ACT 175 SB1037 Relating to Domestic Violence ACT 176 SB1039 Relating to Prostitution ACT 177 HB483 Relating to Civil Rights Health Bills: ACT 180 HB330 Relating to Suicide Prevention ACT 181 SB1406 Relating to Health ACT 182 SB804 Relating to Palliative Care ACT 183 HB1272 Relating to Prescription Drugs Fireworks Bills: ACT 184 HB497 Relating to Fireworks ACT 185 HB499 Relating to Fireworks Labeling ACT 186 HB501 Relating to Fireworks Other Bills: ACT 178 HB710 Relating to Employment Practices ACT 179 HB1552 Relating to Public Safety ACT 187 HB1176 Relating to Electric Guns ACT 188 HB601 Relating to Exemption from Registration Fees In addition – Gov. Ige signed the following bills on June 27, 2019: ACT 158 SB1525 Relating to Home Care Agencies ACT 159 SB1091 Relating to the Department of Transportation ACT 160 SB998 Relating to Special Purpose Revenue Bonds for Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.; Maui Electric Co, Ltd. and Hawai‘i Electric Light Company, Inc.ACT 161 SB981 Relating to Hawai‘i Teacher Standards Board Special Fund ACT 162 SB398 Relating to Homelessness ACT 163 HB1449 Relating to the Nursing Facility Sustainability Program ACT 164 HB1455 Relating to the University of Hawai‘i ACT 165 HB1273 Relating to Health ACT 166 HB1068 Relating to Heeia State Park ACT 167 HB820 Relating to Housing ACT 168 HB843 Relating to Hawai‘i Community College ACT 169 HB703 Relating to Intoxicating Liquor ACT 170 HB551 Relating to Cesspools ACT 171 HB420 Relating to Hawaiian Culture ACT 172 HB398 Relating to the University of Hawai‘i ACT 173 HB1270 Relating to the Hospital Sustainability Program ACT 174 SB162 Relating to Taxation (Signed July 1) #billsigning #HB1312 #Housing #rentalhousingrevolvingfund #dwellingunitrevolvingfundact #affprdabejpisomg #dp #domesticviolence #prostitution #civilrights #suicideprevention #health #palliativecare #prescriptiondrugs #fireworks #fireworkslabeling #employmentpractices #publicsafety #electricguns #Registrationfeeexemptions #homecareagencies #departmentoftransportation #HDOT #SpecialPurposeRevenueBonds #Nursingfacilitysustainabilityprogram #universityofhawaii #healthheeiastatepark #HawaiiCommunityCollegePromiseProgram #intoxicatinliquor #cesspools #hawaiianculture #hospitalsustainabilityprogram #taxation

(Lihu’e) — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will open this year’s season for plum harvesting at Kōkeʻe State Park, Kaua‘i on Thursday July 4. This year’s plum crop happens to be poor. Permits to harvest are required and will be available starting July Fourth at the Kōkeʻe Natural History Museum. There is no cost, but forms must be completed and dropped in the box after harvesting. Harvesting is permitted between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. in designated areas. Each person will be allowed to take up to five pounds of plums per day for personal consumption. Other conditions will be specified on the plum harvesting permit. A short pole with a net will make harvesting easier. Plum pickers are reminded to help prevent forest fires and to pick up their litter. For more information, call the State Parks Office in Lihu‘e at 274-3444. #DLNR #KokeePlumSeason #Plums #KokeeNaturalHistoryMuseum #StateParksOffice #Lihue #Kauai #hawaiidepartmentoflandandnaturalresources

To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/217772126 (Honolulu) – Don’t let last week’s heavy rains fool you and create a sense of complacency. All signs point to a busy time for wildland firefighters across the state, fueled by higher than normal temperatures, drought conditions, and abundant vegetation created by two successive rainy winter seasons. Michael Walker, State Fire Forester for the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), repeated a common refrain, “Like everywhere else in the west, Hawai‘i does not have a specific fire season. It used to be we geared up for battling wildland fires in late summer and early fall, as those times historically were the most common times for big fires. Driven by our changing, warming climate, fire season here in the islands, like in all western states on the mainland, is now year around.” The retired chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) confirmed this during a presentation in Honolulu last week. Ken Pimlott recounted the 2018 fire season as the most destructive and deadly in California history, with more than 1.8 million acres burned, 22,000 structures destroyed, and 100 lives lost. While Hawai‘i‘s wildland fire statistics are unlikely to ever reach California’s levels, as a percentage of land mass impacted by wildfire annually, Hawai‘i is no different than much larger states. More evidence of a year-around fire season was provided by a 2,150 acre fire that burned on Agribusiness Development Corporation land on west Kaua‘i in mid-June between the two highways leading to Waimea Canyon and Koke‘e State Parks. Sheri S. Mann, DOFAW Kaua‘i Branch Chief said, “This fire burned in the exact same area as a wildland fire in May this year and May of 2017; it basically burns there almost every year. It suggests that as land and fire managers we need to consider shifting our thinking towards changing forest and grassland management regimes.” Mann suggests that rather than putting out fires in the same places year after year, management needs to transition into identifying areas that burn repeatedly and then take steps to reduce the fuel types, loads and human activities to mitigate fire potential in advance. Clay Trauernicht, a Wildland Fire Specialist with the University of Hawai‘i’s Cooperative Extension Service traces how the potential for wildland fire has steadily grown over the years. He explained, “”Agriculture and ranching declines have left us with about one million acres of non-native grasses and shrubs statewide. This vegetation is incredibly prone to burning during drought. Clearing and cleaning up the brush on your property is critical for the safety of your family, home, and our firefighters. On top of this, we have some of the highest frequencies of fire starts in the US. About 75% of those ignitions are accidental, which means they can be prevented. So take care with campfires, BBQs, using machinery and running cars over and around dry grass. We also see big spikes in wildfires around the holidays so please follow the laws and be especially safe around fireworks this upcoming Independence Day.” While last week’s rains may have provided some temporary relief from drought conditions in certain areas across the state, meteorologists predict a possible steady worsening of extraordinarily dry weather caused by moderate El Niño weather patterns. The United States Drought Monitor (June 27, 2019) shows extreme drought already impacting the southernmost part of Hawai‘i Island with moderate to severe drought conditions evident in certain areas on all of the main Hawaiian Islands. The Drought Monitor reports, “On June 25, an unusual low pressure system for this time of year brought heavy rainfall to the western Hawaiian Islands, including a daily record of 4.20 inches at Honolulu. The effects of this heavy rainfall on the drought status in Hawaii will be reassessed later this week.” Derek Wroe, a meteorologist at NOAA’s National Weather Service Honolulu Forecast Office explained, “People should not be lulled into thinking that recent rainfall over some islands will eliminate drought conditions over the entire state. With our hotter and drier months still ahead, current drought conditions have the potential to become more pronounced over portions of the state.” Elizabeth Pickett, the head of the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) said what’s most important is what happens before a wildfire sparks. She explained, “Firefighting is the last line of defense when it comes to wildfire. It is up to everyone, residents and visitors alike, to prevent wildfire by eliminating any chance for heat or sparks to come in contact with dry vegetation. There is also a lot that can be done around your home and community to reduce wildfire’s ability to spread and cause widespread damage. It can be as simple as keeping your grass short, removing dead branches and leaves, and clearing your rain gutters of debris. Finally, make and practice your emergency plan with your family, and with any neighbors who might need help preparing for or evacuating from a wildfire.” HWMO hosts a website with information on what home and property owners can do to “harden” their properties against the threat of wildfire. Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization: http://www.hawaiiwildfire.org/lookout #WildfireandDroughtLookOUt #Fire #fire #Firedepartment #ambulance #StateFireForester #DLNR #MichaelWalker #claytrauernicht #NOAA #SheriMann #WaimeaCanyon #ElizabethPickett #HawaiiWildfireManagementOrganization #HWMO