Politics

The State Department of Human Services provides assistance to one in four Hawai’i residents and nearly half of the children.  As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, the department is attempting to improve the lives of vulnerable families.

Medicare recipients in Hawai’i will be receiving their new cards in the mail this month and regulators are warning them to be on the lookout for fraud and scams.

The 2019 construction budget for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project almost got derailed today at the Honolulu City Council.

Honolulu First Responders transport more than 56-thousand patients to hospital emergency rooms each year. But, rarely do their patients have the opportunity to thank them face-to-face. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Three landmark bills to combat climate change were signed into law today. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Hawaiian Airlines launched a new service to the West Coast on the mainland. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The next phase of the long-awaited airport modernization project was launched on O’ahu today. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

A dedicated Army veteran is taking on a new mission to help the families of those he served with 74 years ago. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is scheduled to start construction on the final city center segment through downtown Honolulu next year. But, Honolulu Councilmembers are still grappling with what to do with private property acquisitions. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Hurricane Season in Hawai’i officially starts next month and forecasters are expecting above normal activity. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.     

More than 1,200 military and civilian attendees from 26 countries are in Waikiki this week for a 3-day conference. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

A key Domestic Violence bill failed to pass in the State Legislature this session and supporters want to know why. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

The Hawai’i Venture Capital Association hosted a panel discussion on electronic currency today. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Plans for the construction of a new Hawai’i State Hospital facility were unveiled today. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Honolulu City Council conducted a special budget committee meeting on the executive branch financial plan today. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation – HART – wants to partner with private businesses to complete and sustain the city’s rail system. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The 2018 Point in Time Count released Monday indicated a nearly 10 percent drop in homelessness on O’ahu. But, as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, those who continue to live on the streets are in a very difficult place. 

The Honolulu City Council is considering a measure to regulate ridesharing companies. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The City and County of Honolulu showcased its latest affordable housing purchase today. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The State’s Homeless Point-in-Time Count indicated an overall decrease for a second consecutive year. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.  

The state legislature has only one day left to settle House and Senate differences on all money-related bills for final passage next week. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka is following one measure that has broad-based community support.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments yesterday in Hawai’i’s challenge to President Trump’s latest travel ban. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.  

A new law was signed today that will drive public electric companies in Hawai’i to consider their customers first. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

A bill to create restricted pesticide-free buffer zones around Hawai’i schools is currently stalled at the legislature. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Honolulu City Council is attempting to close loopholes in some of the city’s ordinances. And, they’re targeting sidewalk vendors and golfers. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Local efforts to mandate more timely upgrades for the Navy’s Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility on O’ahu failed in the Legislature this session. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The State Budget is in a joint conference committee this week to work out Senate and House differences.  One state agency has been on the short end of the appropriations stick for decades.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.   

The House Health and Human Services Committee is trying to pass a bill to put illegal care homes out of business. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Hundreds of bills at the State Legislature passed critical floor votes in the House and Senate today.  But the work is far from over as lawmakers head into the last 14 days of the 2018 session. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The “Death with Dignity” legislation was signed into law in Hawai’i today. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.