HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige joined seven other governors for a discussion on workforce development with President Donald Trump and Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta at the White House today. The conversation focused on how states can prepare our communities for emerging requirements of jobs of the future, including partnering with states on occupation licensing reform, child care, paid family leave, and vocational skills training. “For the first time in our country, we have more job vacancies than we have qualified people to fill them. Hawai‘i is among the states that are working to prepare the workforce for those jobs – expanding paid internships and apprenticeship programs in construction, cybersecurity, IT, healthcare,” said Gov. Ige. The bi-partisan group included Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona, Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee and Gov. Mark Gordon of Wyoming. The governor also met with Rear Admiral Doug Fears on hurricane disaster preparedness and resiliency. Fears serves as a deputy assistant to the president and is Homeland Security and Counterterrorism advisor on the National Security Council staff. Gov. Ige updated Admiral Fears on Hawai‘i’s recovery progress in the wake of Hurricane Lane and other natural disasters in 2018. Earlier in the day, the governor attended a Pentagon meeting with Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gov. Ige returns to Hawai‘i on June 16. #davidige #Governorige #alexacosta #donaldtrump #dougfears #josephlengyel #workforcedevelopment #SecretaryofLabor

Ken Pimlott spent three decades in the fire service, including eight years as Chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). He retired in late 2018, after California experienced one of the worst fire seasons in history. 86 people were killed and nearly 14,000 homes were burned. Chief Pimlott will share his experiences and wisdom during a public presentation and talk about how people’s encroachment into forests, coupled with changing climate conditions are likely to lead to more destructive and potentially deadly fires across the west, including in Hawai‘i. What: The Hawai‘i Dept. of Land and Natural Resources is pleased to welcome Chief Pimlott for this special presentation. What: Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott (ret). – Reflections on 30 Years of Fire Service When: Monday, June 24, 2019 4:00 – 5:45 p.m. Where: Hawai‘i State Capitol Auditorium Who: Chief Ken Pimlott (ret.), California Dept. of Forestry & Fire Protection Resources: Chief Pimlott’s remarks will be aired live by ‘Ōlelo Community Television on Channel 49 or can be viewed live at www.olelo.org/49 #hawaiidepartmentoflandandnaturalresources #kenpimlott #CaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtect #CalFire #CalFire #olelo #olelocommunitytelevision

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige signed the following bills on June 7, 2019. Legislative leadership has been notified. BILLS SIGNED on June 7, 2019: ACT 37 HB172 Office of Hawaiian Affairs Budget ACT 38 HB510 Judiciary Package ACT 39 HB809 Chapter 42F - Grants ACT 40 HB1259 Capital Improvement Projects ACT 41 HB1319 Special Purpose Revenue Bond for Electric Public Utilities ACT 42 HB1375 Hawai‘i Museum of Natural and Cultural History ACT 43 HB1413 Special Purpose Revenue Bonds to assist E Ola Mau Na Leo O Kekaha ACT 44 SB494 Emergency & Budget Reserve Fund ACT 45 SB985 Special Purpose Revenue Bonds to assist Pearl Harbor Floating Drydock, LLC ACT 46 SB1002 Special Purpose Revenue Bonds to assist Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, LLC ACT 47 SB1192 Public Employment Cost Items: Collective Bargaining Units 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13 and 14 ACT 48 SB1195 Public Employment Cost Items: Collective Bargaining Unit 5 ACT 49 SB1197 Public Employment Cost Items: Collective Bargaining Units 1, 7, 10; Health Premium Payments ACT 50 SB1201 Public Employment Cost Items: Collective Bargaining Unit 11 ACT 51 SB1204 Hawai‘i Public Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund Definitions ACT 52 SB1440 Special Purpose Revenue Bonds for Trevi Systems, Inc. or its related entity, Kona Coast Water LLC; Special Purpose Revenue Bonds; Appropriation ACT 53 HB981 Employees’ Retirement System (Overpayment, Recovery) ACT 54 HB250 School-Based Health Services ACT 55 HB340 Hawai‘i Technology Development Corp - Appropriation (Relating to HTDC) ACT 56 HB624 Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation - DBEDT; Appropriation (Relating to Structure of Government) ACT 57 HB867 Department of Human Resources Development ACT 58 HB888 Maui Health System Appropriation ACT 59 SB166 State Budget: Elections, Vote Counting System ACT 60 SB281 Department of Health ACT 61 SB316 University of Hawai‘i Community College Promise Program ACT 62 SB471 Homelessness and Housing ACT 63 SB753 Dept. of Agriculture; Aquaculture Development Program; Appropriation ACT 64 HB941 Public Employment: Employee’s Designation of Beneficiary Form ACT 65 HB944 Nonprofit Corporations ACT 66 HB945 Charitable Organizations ACT 67 SB1173 Child Support ACT 68 SB1176 False Claims to the State ACT 69 SB1130 Taxation: Internal Revenue Code ACT 70 SB25 Health Insurance: Updates/improves existing Insurance Code provisions ACT 71 SB1210 Insurance: NAIC ACT 72 SB1212 Insurance: Regulatory Authority of the Insurance Commissioner ACT 73 SB1213 DCCA – Procurement Filing Fee ACT 74 HB988 Transitional Authority in the Mortgage Industry ACT 75 HB989 Mortgage Servicers ACT 76 HB990 Department of Defense Facilities ACT 77 HB991 State Military Forces ACT 78 HB993 Emergency Management ACT 79 SB1221 Hawai‘i Teacher Standards Board ACT 80 SB1223 Hawaiian Home Lands/Affordable Housing ACT 81 HB999 Department of Human Services: Civil Service Exemptions ACT 82 HB1417 Human Services ACT 83 SB1226 Child Care ACT 84 SB1231 Spouse and Child Abuse Special Fund ACT 85 SB1232 Child Safety ACT 86 HB1007 State of Hawai‘i Deferred Compensation Plan – Adding Roth Option ACT 87 SB1236 Parking for Disabled Persons ACT 88 SB1237 Department of Health: State Health Planning & Development Agency, Medicare Part C ACT 89 SB1238 Establishing Executive Office on Aging Administrative Claiming Special Fund ACT 90 HB1013 Involuntary Hospitalization ACT 91 SB1240 Medicaid Waiver ACT 92 SB1241 Energy Data – Greenhouse Gas Data DOH ACT 93 HB1028 Endangered Species Trust Fund ACT 94 HB1033 DLNR/DOBOR Mandatory Vessel Insurance Coverage ACT 95 SB1263 Uniform Controlled Substances Act ACT 96 SB394 Taxation: Amends rules for sourcing sales factor for net income tax ACT 97 SB1271 Tax Refund Offsets ACT 98 HB543 Affordable Housing ACT 99 HB942 Claims Against the State ACT 100 HB901 Government Publications #davidige #billsigning #officeofhawaiianaffairs #judiciary #Chapter42f #CIP #capitalimprovements #SpecialPurposeRevenueBonds #ElectricPublicUtilities #HawaiiMuseumofNaturalandCulturalHistory #EOlaMauNa #EmergencyandBudgetReserveFund #PearlHarbor #CollectiveBargaining #UnionHealthBenefitsTrustFund #HTDC #DBEDT #DepartmentofHumanResourcesDevelopment #MauiHealthSystem

HONOLULU — With the National Weather Service predicting an above average storm potential for this year’s hurricane season, now is the time for preparation to avoid long lines at gas stations, grocery stores, and ATMs across Hawai’i. “Hurricane season brings the very real threat of high winds, rain, storm surge and potential flooding to the Hawaiian Islands. There could be significant impacts even if a hurricane doesn’t hit us directly. I urge Hawai’i’s residents and businesses to prepare now. Make an emergency plan, talk about it with your families and employees, and gather supplies to ensure that our communities are resilient,” said Governor David Ige. The Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) would like to take this opportunity to remind residents to prepare an “emergency kit” of a minimum of 14 days of food, water, and other supplies. “We advocate for a 14-day recommendation because of Hawai’i’s location in the Pacific during a disaster,” said Thomas Travis, Administrator of HI-EMA. “Everyone who plans ahead and prepares an emergency kit helps not only themselves, but they also help their entire community deal with a disaster.” For homeowners, now is also the time to think about insuring one’s property. “Know what to do pre- and post-event to protect yourself and your family, and minimize significant financial impacts,” advises Insurance Commissioner Colin Hayashida. “With the potential of a more active hurricane season, residents can be more prepared ahead of time by reading their insurance policies and taking an inventory of their home and valuables.” Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Last year’s season brought on the storm named Lane, which, had it maintained its course towards the islands, would have resulted in devastating potential damage to residents and their property. It most likely would also have resulted in catastrophic destruction to our economy due to the isolated location of Hawai’i. With the shutdown of ports, goods and services would have been weeks or even months away. HI-EMA suggests keeping your family’s supplies fresh for the entire season by rotating, consuming, and replenishing them over time. HI-EMA also recommends that residents and visitors take the following actions in preparation for a possible hurricane or tropical cyclone. Talk with family members and develop a clear understanding of what you will do if a hurricane or tropical storm threatens. Prepare an action plan that includes details such as whether your family intends to shelter in place or evacuate. Know if your home is in an inundation zone, flood zone, or susceptible to high winds and other hazards. Know if your home is retrofitted with hurricane resistant clips or straps. Stay tuned to local media and their websites and/or apps regarding weather updates. Sign up for local notification systems (i.e., HNL.Info). Sign up for a community emergency response team. Get to know your neighbors and community so you can help each other. Walk your property and check for potential flood threats. Clear your gutters and other drainage systems. Remove and secure loose items. Keep your car’s gas tank filled. Prepare your pets by checking or purchasing a carrier and other preparedness items. A pet carrier is necessary for your pet’s safety if you plan to evacuate to a pet-friendly shelter. Don’t forget 14 days of food and water for your furry family members. Set aside an emergency supply of any needed medication and keep a copy of your prescriptions in case you run out of medication after a disaster. Secure your important documents in protective containers including copies of your insurance policies, a home inventory of valuables, and your agent’s or insurer’s contact information. Visitors should download the GoHawaii App and read the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Travel Safety Brochure at http://www.travelsmarthawaii.com. Build an emergency kit – now. (Attached is the PDF of our Two Weeks Ready brochure to be printed out double sided and folded.) #HawaiiEmergencyManagementAgency #HIEMA #NationalWeatherService #davidige #thomastravis #colinhayashida #TravelSmartHawaii #GoHawaiiApp #HawaiitourismAuthority #HTA

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige issued a third supplementary emergency proclamation that extends the disaster emergency relief period for homelessness across the state. The purpose of the emergency proclamation is to accelerate the completion of housing projects for individuals and families who are transitioning out of homelessness. It also expands shelter capacity and access to services. The governor signed the initial emergency proclamation for homelessness on Dec. 14, 2018, a supplementary proclamation on Feb. 12, 2019, and a second supplementary proclamation on April 12, 2019. The third supplementary proclamation extends the relief period until Aug. 7, 2019. #Homelessness #davidige #emergencyproclamation #supplementaryproclamation #disasterRelief

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige issued an eighth supplementary emergency proclamation, extending the disaster relief period for the Kaua‘i floods of April 2018. The emergency proclamation applies to Kaua‘i only. It extends the authority to spend state funds as appropriated to protect the health, safety and welfare of Kaua‘i residents. It also supports the state’s efforts to provide efficient relief of suffering, damage and losses caused by the flooding. Gov. Ige signed the initial emergency proclamation on April 15, 2018, followed by these supplementary proclamations: · Supplementary proclamation issued April 18, 2018 · Second supplementary proclamation issued June 17, 2018. · Third supplementary proclamation issued by Acting Gov. Douglas S. Chin on Aug. 16, 2018 · Fourth supplementary proclamation issued Oct. 15, 2018 · Fifth supplementary proclamation issued Dec. 14, 2018 · Sixth supplementary proclamation issued Feb. 12, 2019 · Seventh supplementary proclamation issued April 12, 2019 The current, eighth supplementary emergency proclamation extends the emergency disaster relief period for Kaua‘i until August 7, 2019. Attachment: Eighth Supplementary Emergency Proclamation #KAUAI #GOVERNORIGE #disasteremergencyrelief #emergencyproclamation #hawaii #supplementaryproclamation

(Kailua-Kona) — Celebrate the fourth annual World Oceans Day at Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area on June 8, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free, except for a $5 parking fee at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area for non-Hawai‘i residents. Learn more about Hawai‘i’s incredible ocean resources from over a dozen participating organizations at Hāpuna’s south pavilion. The theme this year is “Together we can protect and restore our ocean.” “Plastic pollution is an issue on the Big Island. While a majority of the marine debris that ends up on the coastline comes from other places, single-use plastic water bottles and plastic straws can end up as trash on beaches and coastline. By reducing the amount of single-use plastic we all use, we can help make our ocean and shorelines safer for marine species,” said Dena Sedar, interpretive program specialist for Hawai‘i State Parks. A recycling station hosted by the County of Hawai‘i will allow visitors an opportunity to learn about recycling items they bring to the park. A hydration station will be part of the event so visitors can refill their water bottles. Participating organizations at World Oceans Day include: Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, National Park Service, Eyes of the Reef, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuaries, Coral Reef Alliance, Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center, West Hawaii Aquatic Entanglement Response Network, DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, Dolphin Quest, Keep Puako Beautiful, Lynker, Liquid Robotics, US Army Corps of Engineers, and Ke Kai Ola The Marine Mammal Center. There will be a beach cleanup from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and there will be 19 informational booths. Keiki can earn a prize for visiting more than six informational booths. Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund will host a marine debris prevention activity station at 10:00 a.m. where people can participate in fun activities and games to learn how to prevent marine debris. # # # #WorldOceansDay #HapunaBeach #HealthyPlanet #Environment #Plasticbottles #plasticstraws #HawaiiWildlifefund #NationalParkService #EyesoftheReef #WaikoloaDryForestInitiative #AlaKahakaiNationalHistoricTrail #HawaiiIslandHumpbackWhaleNationalMarine #coralreefalliance #kahaluubayeducationcenter #westhawaiiaquaticentanglementresponsenetwork #DLNR #DLNRAquaticResources #dolphinquest #keeppuakobeautiful #lynker #liquidrobotics #usarmyhcorpsofengineers #kekaiolathemarinemammalcenter #beachcleanup #hawaiistateparks #kailuakona

From Supt. Christina M. Kishimoto: We wrapped up the majority of our public school graduations this past week and I have thoroughly enjoyed attending ceremonies statewide with my leadership team. Our schools have great personalities! I’d like to congratulate our educators on a successful year. ​We wrapped up the majority of our public school graduations this past week and I have thoroughly enjoyed attending ceremonies statewide with my leadership team. Our schools have great personalities! I’d like to congratulate our educators on a successful year. You should be proud of the achievements of this year’s graduates. All of the pomp and circumstance of graduation – the beaming students walking (or dancing) across the stage, the families cheering them on – is because of the hard work and dedication that you poured into the educational journey of your students. Over the summer, the Department will continue to collect feedback for HIDOE’s 2030 Promise Plan, develop our professionals on topics including Project Based Learning, Quality Special Education Services and Computer Science, and start to shift our focus for school year 2019-20 to quality instructional designs – Ideas That Transform! I look forward to continuing our journey in delivering our core mission of equity, excellence and innovation in the fall. Meanwhile, enjoy your summer! Source: http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/VisionForSuccess/Newsletters/Supts-Corner/Pages/0605.aspx #doe #hawaiidepartmentofeducation #christinakishimoto #Graduation #graduationhawaii #HIDOE #ProjectBasedLearning #QualitySpecialEducationServices #ComputerScience

HONOLULU: Attorney General Clare E. Connors today filed lawsuits against opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma, its related entities, and certain key executives, as well as against other opioid manufacturers and distributors Malinkrodt PLC, Endo Health Solutions, Inc., Actavis PLC, McKesson Corporation, AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation, and their related entities seeking damages and penalties for alleged violations of Hawaii’s Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices Law. The opioid problem has affected the entire nation, and the State of Hawaii has not been spared. In Hawaii, opioid deaths, hospitalizations, and treatment services have risen significantly over the last several years. These lawsuits, in addition to the important work of the opioid task force, are a necessary part of the State’s reaction to the problem. “The opioid epidemic is a national tragedy, and those who caused this problem should be held accountable,” said Attorney General Connors. “We will aggressively litigate this case to ensure that Hawaii’s taxpayers are not alone in shouldering this burden.” The first complaint alleges that Purdue Pharma, its related entities, and certain members of the Sackler family who owned, controlled, and individually acted on behalf of Purdue misrepresented and deceptively marketed Oxycontin and other opioids manufactured by Purdue. The second complaint alleges that a number of manufacturers and distributors sold and distributed far larger quantities of opioids than they knew could be legitimately prescribed and did so without timely notification to authorities as required by state and federal laws, materially contributing to the opioid crisis in Hawaii. Both suits allege that the defendants sought to profit by creating a market for opioids, by overstating the benefits of opioid use for chronic pain while failing to disclose the risks of dependence and abuse. The suits allege that these acts constituted unfair and deceptive acts, which under Hawaii State law can yield civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. The State also seeks punitive damages. The State is being represented by the Honolulu law firm of Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, and the Dallas law firm of Baron & Budd, who have been retained to act as special deputy attorneys general in the matter. In addition to the lawsuits filed by the State of Hawaii, Attorney General Karl Racine of the District of Columbia, Attorney General Xavier Becerra of the State of California, and Attorney General Aaron Frey of the State of Maine each filed individual suits against Purdue Pharma today. These states join more than 40 others, and about 2,000 local and tribal governments, that have filed lawsuits against Purdue for its role in fueling the opioid epidemic. # # # #opiod #clareconnors #opioidabuse #malinkrodt #PLC #EndoHealthSolutions #purduepharma #McKesson #AmerisourceBergen #Hawaiistatelegislature #HawaiiAttorneyGeneral

HONOLULU – Isaac Maeda, DVM, has been appointed as the Administrator of the Animal Industry Division, which also includes the title of State Veterinarian of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA). Dr. Maeda oversees the Animal Industry Division, which includes the Animal Disease Control Branch, Animal (Rabies) Quarantine Branch, Aquaculture and Livestock Support Services Branch and the Veterinary Laboratory Services Section. His appointment is effective today. “Dr. Maeda has a proven track record in managing animal disease prevention programs,” said Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “I am confident that his knowledge and management skills in handling veterinary issues and concerns will make the division stronger.” Dr. Maeda has been acting administrator of the division since January 2019. Prior to that, he was the program manager of the Animal Quarantine Branch since 2001. Over the years, Dr. Maeda has directed the development of the 5-day-or-less rabies quarantine program, which allows for direct release of dogs and cats at the airport if their owners complete a series of pre-arrival requirements. Prior to heading the rabies quarantine program, Dr. Maeda was a staff veterinarian at the Animal Clinic in Waimalu. “Hawaii maintains disease-free status for many serious animal diseases that are circulating around the world,” said Dr. Maeda. “It is a challenge and our priority to keep these diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans, from entering our state.” Besides the day-to-day management of the division, some of the duties of the administrator include implementing and coordinating national disease control, eradication and surveillance programs; collaborating with federal and other state animal health officials to discuss and monitor emerging disease situations and to formulate disease mitigation and response plans; overseeing federal cooperative agreements and funding for disease surveillance programs; and developing strategic plans for the division. #HDOA #hawaiidepartmentofagriculture #isaacmaeda #DVM #StateVeterinarian #AnimalQuarantineBranch #Rabies #AnimalClinicWaimalu

The monthly test of the Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, coordinated with the test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for Monday, June 3, 2019 at 11:45 a.m. During this monthly test, all Statewide Outdoor Warning Sirens will sound a one-minute Attention Alert Signal (Steady Tone). A simultaneous test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System is conducted with the monthly siren sounding, in cooperation with Hawaii’s broadcast industry. There will be no exercise or drill accompanying the test. The Outdoor Siren Warning System for Public Safety is one part of Hawaii’s Statewide Alert & Warning System used to notify the public during emergencies. If you hear this siren tone in circumstances other than a test, follow emergency information and instructions provided by official government channels. This may be in the form of a local radio, television station broadcast, or cellular Wireless Emergency Alert. Wireless Emergency Alert delivers sound-and-text warnings to compatible mobile cellular phones. The Emergency Alert System & Wireless Emergency Alert’s notifications are managed by FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure. Oahu residents in areas surrounding Campbell Industrial Park may also hear a “whooping” tone following the siren test. These areas include portions of Kalaeloa, Makakilo, Nanakuli, Kapolei, and Ewa Beach. The “whooping” tone is a test of the Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) siren warning group that will be activated in the event of an actual HAZMAT incident requiring emergency notification of businesses, schools and residents within the vicinity of Campbell Industrial Park. Contact the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management at (808) 723-8960 for more information on the HAZMAT warning group siren test. Emergency management and disaster preparedness information is located at the front section of telephone directories in all counties. The public may contact emergency management and county civil defense agencies to report siren operation issues: Hawaii County (808) 935-0031 Maui County (808) 270-7285 City and County of Honolulu (808) 723-8960 Kauai County (808) 241-1800 #monthlysirentest #emregencyalertsystem #HIEMA #statewideoutdoorwarningsirens #WirelessEmergencyAlert #HAZMAT #HawaiiState #attentionalertsignal #FEMA

(Hilo) – This week top scientists and managers engaged in the fight against Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death shared knowledge, their latest research findings, and discussed next steps in battling the fungal disease that has killed millions of ʻōhiʻa trees, primarily on Hawai‘i Island, but also on a much more limited scale on Kaua‘i. First-Ever Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Science Symposium Held The first-ever Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Science Symposium at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i on the UH-Hilo campus included two days of scientific presentations followed by a half-day workshop with the goal of identifying the next research questions to hopefully and ultimately identify treatments for the two strains of the disease. So far extensive aerial and ground surveys have not shown it spreading beyond Kaua‘i or Hawai‘i Island. In a keynote address to more than 90 top researchers and land managers working on the disease, DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “Thank you all for the incredibly hard work you’ve been doing these last few years on all fronts; from identifying the causes of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, to mapping its distribution and learning about how it spreads. Experimenting with ways to contain it and all the outreach and education so everyone in Hawai‘i can know how not to spread it further. Your work is necessarily innovative and often ingenious because we’ve never encountered these pathogens, nor their effect on our beloved ʻōhiʻa forest.” Intensive research into exactly how Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death spreads and potential treatments has been underway, nearly since the fungus was first detected as a previously un-described disease in 2014. Scientists have determined that the fungus enters ʻōhiʻa trees and interrupts their vascular systems which means water can’t move from the roots and into higher reaches of the trees. They also know that the disease enters individual trees through wounds that can be caused by wind or hurricane events, by animals, weed-eaters, heavy equipment, pruning and trimming. What’s less clear and is the subject of continuing research is how does the fungus spread from tree to tree and what are the best methods for treating infected trees to try and stop additional infections? While the scientific research being conducted by numerous federal agencies and academic institutions, coupled with management protocols established by state and county agencies has led to an enormous body of knowledge about these emerging diseases, Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death continues to be shrouded in mystery. Where did it first come from? Why does it infect some trees and not others? Does the wind carry fungal spores and if so why did it skip over Maui Nui and O‘ahu before being first detected on Kaua‘i a year ago? The group also looked at the efficacy of current methods to try and stem the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. Do boot cleaning stations at trailheads work? Does felling, tarping, and fungicide application to dead trees stop the fungus in its tracks? Are additional quarantine measures needed to strengthen those already in place to provide an additional layer of protection to uninfected trees? And, what additional outreach and education needs to happen to best inform everyone about Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and how it is devastating hundreds of thousands of acres of ʻōhiʻa forest – ʻōhiʻa is considered Hawaii’s most important native tree species because of its watershed protecting abilities and cultural significance. Following DLNR Chair Case’s opening remarks Kumu Kekuhi Keali’ikanaka’olelohaililani of Hālau ʻŌhiʻa implored the scientists, managers, and everyone who cares for Hawaii to embrace the ʻōhiʻa lehua as a vital component of our natural landscape and cultural heritage. She told the group, “You’ve done your job to create this collaborative, this collective movement. Ritual practices taught me that your imaginings are the experimentation, is the meetings, is the movement, the working together and the innovative approaches.” To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/339638407 #RapidOhiaDeath #mauinui #environment #suzannecase #DLNR #umuKekuhiKealiikanakaolelohaililani #kauai