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Hawaii Economy
After more than a year, the Hawaiian economy is slow to diversify
After more than a year of talks about diversifying Hawaii's tourism-dependent economy, little progress has been made as island tourism thrives again.
"We have learned nothing from our troubled year," said Sen. Glenn Wakai, chair of the…
Can military spending prop up Hawaii’s flagging economy?
As Hawaii looks for ways to rebuild an economy devastated by the global pandemic, military spending takes on a more prominent role as other income streams dry up.
Tourism has collapsed, but defense spending in Hawaii has remained…
Hawaii has a lot of unemployed. But companies still can’t find help
Hawaii's economy is recovering faster than previously expected, according to the latest forecast from University of Hawaii economists, as accumulated savings, pent-up wanderlust and widespread immunizations in Hawaii and the US…
Here’s why transforming Hawaii’s tourism industry is so difficult
As recently as early 2020, before COVID-19 wrecked the state's economy, Hawaii was grappling with a problem very different from today's economic challenges. The question arose as to what to do against the ever-increasing masses of…
We need targeted legislation to support the local economy
If you were expecting dramatic results in the 2021 legislature, you may be a little disappointed because the session largely failed to address the critical economic issues facing our state, particularly diversifying our economy and…
Gov. David Ige is calling for the economy to turn to technology
Gov. David Ige wants Hawaii to develop a more resilient digital economy -- "a linchpin for Hawaii 2.0" that would expand broadband connectivity to rural communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has choked tourism.
COVID-19…
David Y Ige | OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR PRESS RELEASE: HAWAII VACCINATED INTER-COUNTY TRAVELERS CAN…
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR PRESS RELEASE: HAWAII VACCINATED INTER-COUNTY TRAVELERS CAN BYPASS PRE-TRAVEL TESTING, QUARANTINE STARTING MAY 11
Posted on April 20, 2021 in COVID-19, COVID-19 News Releases, Latest Department News, Newsroom,…
The lack of a clear plan to replace tourism leaves Hawaii’s economic future in doubt
The Hawaiian economy needs a restart, and COVID-19 has provided the opportunity to do so.
Almost everyone agrees that the state needs to diversify and be less dependent on tourism. There's also a growing sense that tourism is out of…
Ige assumes that public schools can be fully reopened for in-person learning by the fall
Gov. David Ige said Tuesday he expects public schools to fully reopen for in-person learning this fall.
"That's definitely the goal, and I don't see any situation where we can't achieve that," Ige said during a multi-issue phone interview…
Rising visitor numbers during spring break are a sign that the tourism industry is on the mend
HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) -- Hawaii has seen a significant increase in visitor numbers over the past two weekends. They're not pre-pandemic tourism numbers, but experts say they bode well."You can see when you go to Waikiki, you can…
Hawaii wants you to work from home during pandemic – on Oahu | Best conditions
Remote work has become the new reality for many in the US, but some work-from-home environments are more desirable than others. As the winter months creep in, Hawaii offers a new opportunity to escape the cold weather for telecommuters…
Hawaii’s economy faces a ‘long, slow way back’
When Hawaii finally opens up to tourism, it will likely be years before the visitor base is anywhere near what it was before the COVID-19 crisis shut down the state's travel industry, experts in the business say.
Meanwhile,…
Hawaii welcomes Japanese visitors in November with pre-trip testing
HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Japanese visitors will be able to take advantage of Hawaii's pre-trip testing program starting next month, the governor announced Tuesday.Officials said they don't expect an "avalanche" of Japanese…
New UH report shows 25,000 jobs could return in Hawaii this year
HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Experts say Hawaii's economy is doing better than expected.The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization's latest report, released Friday, estimates there will be thousands more visitors and tens…
Hawaii’s visitor industry urges the governor to ease travel restrictions under the latest CDC…
HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Following the Centers for Disease Control's announcement, there was a quick and resounding response from Hawaii's visitor industry, urging the governor to open travel.
Hawaiian Airlines even says it will help…
REITs hold a valuable place in Hawaii’s economy
Public discussions on important issues should always be based on facts. It is therefore disappointing that misleading information and innuendos about real estate mutual funds in Hawaii continue to be disseminated.
A recent…
A Hawaii vaccination card could open doors to weddings, concerts and more tourism
New York state has used electronic COVID-19 "vaccination cards" to open New York Rangers games to fans at Madison Square Garden.
People in Israel can circumvent restrictions at businesses like gyms by showing a paper or electronic…
Bill spares Hawaiian companies from UI trust fund replenishment – for now
Like most local businesses, The Pizza Press has had to muddle, adapt and improvise to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pearl City facility drastically reduced hours for its 25 employees and relied on a "skeletal crew"…
The pre-trip testing program is slated to begin October 15, a key step in restarting tourism in…
HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) -- After a months-long delay, a much-vaunted pre-travel testing program will begin on Oct. 15, which authorities say is a key step in restarting the tourism industry, allowing transpacific visitors to forego…
Letters: The restaurant menu won’t help the Hawaiian economy; Don’t let rich, famous…
The state of Hawaii is billions of dollars in debt, so what is the state doing? It sends out $500 credit cards to unemployed people who spend them in restaurants, pretending to boost the economy.
Sure, restaurants might see a small bump in…
Hawaii is welcoming back Japanese visitors as part of a pre-trip testing program
HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) -- Hawaii reopened to Japanese visitors on Friday as part of the state's pre-travel testing program.Out-of-country travelers can now waive a two-week quarantine if they provide evidence of a negative…
Kauai business owners say the expanding resort bubble is a major blow to the economy
HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Kauai has extended its Resort Bubble program through Spring 2021. The Garden Isle currently requires visitors to participate in the state's Safe Travels program and take a pre-test 72 hours before their flight.…
‘What about us?’: Retailers are struggling to find their way through the pandemic
As throngs of tourists have returned to Hawaii and hotel, restaurant and bar workers have been brought to the front row for COVID-19 vaccinations, Tina Yamaki, President of Retail Merchants of Hawaii, heard a common question from…
Hawaii’s pandemic-related rental car shortage – that’s what the data shows
Visitors are increasingly returning to Hawaii as the light beckons at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, but the influx has been met with an unwelcome side effect of the pandemic -- a shortage of rental cars.
If those arriving on the…
The pandemic gave locals a glimpse of a tourist-free Hawaii
HONOLULU (AP) -- Line-Noue Memea Kruse lives on Oahu's famed North Shore, where admiring sea turtles, epic waves and sunsets that turn the sky orange and purple are must-sees for many Hawaii tourists.After the islands required a two-week…
$1.2M for UHERO COVID-19 Economic Recovery Research. 2M for UHERO COVID-19 economic recovery…
Critical University of Hawaii Economic Research Institute (UHERO) research to help Hawaii received $1.2 million in private support on its path to economic recovery.
AH president David Lassner said: “We…
Hawaii is one step closer to exempting travelers from vaccinations
HONOLULU (KHON2) - Fully vaccinated travelers are one step closer to being able to skip quarantine.
Gov. David Ige on Friday, April 9, gave the green light to a vaccination exemption program that could begin as early as May.
on…
The continued clout of Hawaii’s public labor unions
In 2018, the US Supreme Court dealt a deathblow to public worker unions, some have said. However, recent events show that predictions of the unions' demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Last month, after Governor David Ige…
Amid pandemic, Ige looks to expand Hawaii’s digital economy | News, Sports, Jobs
Governor David Ige delivers his State of the State address Monday in the Governor's Ceremony Room. Ige said he is focused on the digital economy to boost Hawaii financially,…
OluKai ramps up support for Hawaii’s economy hit hard by the pandemic
OluKai is supporting The Chef Hui Group in providing meals for Hawaii residents during Covid-19 ... Pandemic.
OluKai
Hawaii's economy relies heavily on tourism. As a result, the state has been hit harder…
Ige: Hawaii is still on track for reopening to tourism on October 15
Hawaii plans to move forward with a plan to reopen to tourists on October 15, Gov. David Ige said Wednesday, ending days of uncertainty over the governor's plan amid a storm of objections from mayors of the neighboring island and…
Tourists are returning to Hawaii, so why aren’t there jobs in tourism?
Signs that tourists are returning to Hawaii are hard to miss: crowded beaches, queues at tourist eateries, increasing foot traffic along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki.
The return is hardly an illusion: Data shows that there were…
With business down 95%, Hawaiian entrepreneur hopes her company and town survive
Due in large part to the state's economy's reliance on tourism, an industry that's been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, Hawaii's unemployment…
Make sure Hawaii’s tax policies are fair
New tax proposals are brought to the legislature every year, and in this session tax policy deserves closer scrutiny than ever before.
In the last 12 months, COVID-19 has transformed work, school, home and our entire economy.…
The Hawaiian Catholic Church made an appearance
Photo: Hale O Meleana Facebook page
LEGISLATION REPORT
What would Jesus do?
In this summary report at the conclusion of the Hawaii State Legislature, there are not enough words to describe the impact Hawaii's faith community has had over…
The state is working on a system that will allow vaccinated travelers to skip quarantine
HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) -- In a bid to boost Hawaii's travel industry and ease some restrictions, the state is reportedly moving closer to a system that would allow vaccinated individuals to travel to and within Hawaii without…
California sees COVID-19 baby bust what causes it
California is poised to ditch its mask mandate for a vaccine-filled summer of lust — but when it comes to protection, Angelenos like Jahkara Smith won't rely solely on antibodies. "A lot of my friends have been getting IUDs lately," said…
Hawaii joins list of states allowing some nurses to perform abortions when doctors are in short…
This is an archived article and the information in the article may be out of date. Please check the history timestamp to see when it was last updated.
Gov. David Ige signed legislation Monday that would make Hawaii the…
Monday, May 24, 2021 | Kaiser Health News
India nears 300,000 Covid deaths and battles deadly fungal infections
Mucormycosis, usually rare, is suddenly a growing problem in India.…
The “fetal heartbeat” in US abortion laws speaks to emotions, not science
NASHVILLE-Dr. Michael Cackovic has covered his share of pregnant women. When Republican lawmakers in the US began enacting abortion bans at what they call "the first detectable fetal heartbeat," he was angered.…
EXPLANATION: EVERY law is critical to making abortion access a reality for all
Washington, DC — This week, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) will introduce the Equal Access to Health Insurance Abortion Coverage Act (EACH) in the US House and Senate. Jamille Fields AllsbrookDirector of Women's…
Biden begins reversing Trump-era abortion ban
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Biden administration on Wednesday began reversing a Trump-era ban on clinics referring women for abortions, a policy that pushed Planned Parenthood out of the federal family planning program and…
FDA says patients can receive the abortion pill via telemedicine
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Patients seeking an abortion pill do not need to visit a doctor's office or clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. health officials said Tuesday in the latest reversal in an ongoing lawsuit over…
Arizona governor signs abortion ban over genetic issues
PHOENIX (AP) -- Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a sweeping anti-abortion law Tuesday into law, outlawing the procedure if the woman only wants it because a fetus has a genetic abnormality like Down syndrome.
Doctors who…
New Hawaii law lowers unemployment insurance tax rates | Hawaii News
By AUDREY McAVOY, Associated PressHONOLULU (AP) -- Hawaii Gov. David Ige signed legislation Tuesday temporarily lowering the rate of unemployment insurance that employers must pay for their workers.The surge in the number of unemployed…
Congressman-Elect Kai Kahele Represents an “Awakened Generation” of Native Hawaiians |…
Kai Kahele had one ambition growing up in Hawaii and that was to fly airplanes. He achieved this goal at the age of 19 and was happy working as a military and commercial pilot when a family tragedy propelled him into the world of…
South Carolina imposes tough new restrictions on abortion
Gavin Jackson:
Well, it was definitely a unique day in the Chamber.But first I want to start with how we got here, John. And that was now six weeks into our legislature. This bill was zoomed through the General…
When Will Hawaii’s Tourism Industry Reopen?
A university of Hawaii at Mānoa virtual series for the reopening of Hawaii's Tourism Industry kicked off on September 29 with a discussion attended by five community leaders.
The Goal of the Free Series…
25 years after Beijing: There is still a lot to do
Governments need to take a feminist approach to policy making, resource that agenda, and hold each other accountable.
Tanzania, August 2018. (UN Women / Flickr)
25 years ago, the Beijing Declaration set an example for gender…
RELEASE: New report outlines federal and state policy agenda to protect and expand abortion rights
Washington, DC — In recent years, states have increasingly signed hundreds of abortion bans and restrictions that undermine abortion rights and exacerbate inequalities in access to abortion care. But a new…
Hawaii considers banning polluting sunscreens
Hawaii legislators are considering legislation to ban sunscreens that contain harmful chemicals that harm the environment.
"Effective January 1, 2023, it will be unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or distribute for sale in the state any…
Some GOP-run states are targeting medical abortions
About 40% of all abortions in the US are now performed through drugs — rather than surgery — and this option has become even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Abortion rights advocates say the pandemic has demonstrated the value…
Hawaii is facing the biggest recession in history
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Hawaii, USA (KITV) - More than 3,000 island businesses remain closed due to the flagging economy.
Hawaii's state economist believes it will be years before the negative financial…
Hawaii offers free round-trip airfare to telecommuters
Since the coronavirus hit the US, about 40% of US employees are now working from home. If you're one of them, you might dream of swapping your boring apartment walls and humble desk for tropical air and sandy beaches. A new program…
Video: Natalie Gochnour by Kem C. Gardner on Utah’s post-pandemic economy – State of…
Natalie Gochnour, executive director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, was one of the speakers on the afternoon keynote at the 2021 Health Policy Conference in the state of Utah last week. The veteran economist…
At the start of the G7, Johnson made a promise to vaccinate the world’s poorest countries
TThe UK will start donating vaccines to countries in need within weeks, with at least 100 million surplus doses being distributed over the next year, Boris Johnson announced as G7 leaders gathered in Cornwall.The group of seven leading…
Hawaii governor extends moratorium on evictions by 2 months | Hawaii News
HONOLULU (AP) -- Hawaii's statewide moratorium on home evictions is expected to be extended by another two months in a coronavirus emergency declaration the state's governor plans to issue.Democratic Gov. David Ige also said the federal…
Federal judge rules women can get the abortion pill without visiting a doctor
SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) -- A federal judge Monday agreed to stay a rule that requires women to visit a hospital, clinic or doctor's office to receive an abortion pill during the COVID-19 pandemic.
U.S. District Judge…
Fathers in Utah have to pay half of the pregnancy costs
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Biological fathers in Utah will be required by law to pay half of a woman's pregnancy expenses out of pocket, under a new law unique to the state that critics say isn't enough does to adequately…
Doctors are suing to block FDA rule on abortion pill during pandemic
SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) - Requiring patients to go to a hospital, clinic or doctor's office to obtain an abortion pill unnecessarily risks their health during the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of doctors alleges in a…
In Poland there are further protests against a strict abortion law
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Crowds of protesters across Poland vented their anger on Friday at a ruling by a top court that ruled abortion of fetuses with congenital defects unconstitutional, effectively curtailing one of…
Can Hawaii open up to tourists without letting the coronavirus in? | Hawaii
Thanks to its geographic isolation, a stay-at-home order and a mandatory 14-day quarantine on all arrivals, Hawaii has had some of the lowest Covid-19 rates in the US.But the quarantine has essentially halted tourism in Hawaii, which…
Poland’s abortion ban condemns women to torture, official says
WARSAW — Poland's top human rights official on Thursday condemned a top court ruling that amounts to a near-total ban on abortion, saying it severely restricts women's rights and "condemns them to torture".The ruling by the Constitutional…
How America’s great economic challenge suddenly turned 180 degrees
Container ships stretch far out into the Pacific, waiting for days for their turn to unload goods in California ports. Automakers shut down production because they can't get enough of the computer chips that make a modern car run.…
California continues to struggle with economic inequality | Best States
Nine months after the coronavirus pandemic seriously hit the US, California is facing a new order and shutdown similar to the first, threatening to shut down businesses like bars and personal care services that may have only recently…
These are all states with anti-abortion laws signed into law in 2019 – Quartz
For America, this appears to be a year of reckoning on the abortion issue.In recent months, a number of states have enacted restrictive abortion laws with the express intention of having them challenged in the Supreme Court. With Neil…
The number of abortions in the US falls to its lowest level since 1973
NEW YORK (AP) - The number and rate of abortion in the United States has fallen to its lowest level since the procedure became legal nationwide in 1973, according to new figures released Wednesday.
The report by the…
The Polish protest leader says demonstrations against tough abortion law continue despite PM’s…
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Poland's prime minister on Monday called for talks with leaders of massive protests sparked by last month's tightening of the country's tough abortion law, which are continuing despite a resurgence…
Supreme Court strikes down Louisiana’s abortion law | The Abortion Divide | FRONT LINE |…
The Supreme Court today ruled unconstitutional a Louisiana law that would give doctors performing abortions access to nearby…
The Poles continue the nationwide protest against the abortion sentence
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - People across Poland stayed away from work and crowds gathered in street protests for the seventh straight day on Wednesday to express anger at a Supreme Court ruling banning abortions for fetal…
Clinics drop Marie Stope’s name for eugenics support
This is an archived article and the information in the article may be out of date. Please check the history timestamp to see when it was last updated.
LONDON (AP) - One of Britain's leading family planning organizations is…
Small group anti-abortion rallies on Kauai
LIHUE -- In celebration of!-->!-->…
Abortion access now either optional or required, by state – Quartz
Just last month, when the US was still fully operational and the coronavirus crisis had not shut down the Supreme Court, progressive and conservative activists flooded the sidewalks and crowded the court's steps to chant for or against…
Planning a feminist economic recovery
"COVID-19 is deepening fault lines in our economic system and perpetuating pre-existing gender inequalities," Dolan writes. "Now we are at a crossroads: we can go back to the status quo or recover to something more equitable." (World…
The Hawaii legislature passes legislation introducing automatic voter registration
The Hawaii state legislature passed legislation Tuesday to enforce automatic voter registration.
The bill, if signed by Gov. David Ige (D), will require all ID card and driver's license applications to include a voter registration…
Opinion: Small manufacturing companies continue to drive Alaska’s economy
Local manufacturing businesses and jobs have seen a surge in recent years that must continue for the livelihood of our state and connection to the global economy.
Before the pandemic, manufacturing employed 11.6 million workers in the…
The nominee for the Supreme Court served as a mentor in an anti-abortion religious group
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett served as a "handmaid," the term then used for senior female leaders in the "People of Praise" religious community, like an ancient directory of the group's…
What does Tulsi Gabbard think? Where the candidate stands in 7 questions
Tulsi Gabbard is a four-year congresswoman, a soldier who served in Iraq, a former US Senate assistant, and a native Pacific Islander. Her resume is a stack of firsts: she is the youngest person ever elected to the…
Letters: some bus drivers do not wear the mandatory masks; Building TMT is a good way to diversify…
TheBus should hire a graphic artist to create posters for the interior of the bus to inform passengers that wearing a mask on your chin or over your mouth, but not over your nose, is unhelpful and could harm others.
The bus has become…
Jobless claims remain stable as economic fallout from COVID-19 continues
Michigan's employment picture has remained bleak for more than six months since the novel coronavirus began to plague the economy. Last week, 18,040 people in the state filed new jobless claims, up slightly from the revised 17,402 the week…
Colorado Experts on the Economic Impact of 2020 – State of Reform
According to Josh Neff, the loss of vulnerable rural healthcare providers could result in Colorado losing 137,000 community jobs, 99,000 healthcare jobs and 11.7 million patient contacts within a year. Centura's…
Joe Biden’s tax plan will see the highest marginal rates in these 5 states
Joe Biden's proposed tax plan would result in California having the highest combined top state and local tax rates (SALT) in the US, according to a leading free market think tank.An analysis by the Tax Foundation found that the next highest…
Things this election will decide that have nothing to do with Trump or Biden
And if you're tempted to brush them aside as unimportant, know this: Recent history tells us that electoral policies give us a sense of where the country's politics are headed. In 1994, California's Prop 187 foreshadowed a future in which…
Hawaii Republicans are scrambling to bolster their ranks
MILILANI, Hawaii (AP) -- Val Okimoto, a mother of two, may be the Republican Party's best hope in Democratic-dominated Hawaii.The former special education teacher spends long days knocking on doors in the Honolulu suburb of Mililani and…
Abortion clinics: Pandemic increases demand, increases stress
NEW YORK (AP) -- The coronavirus outbreak has fueled attempts in some states to ban abortion, but providers where the procedure is still available report increased demand, often from women concerned about economic stress and health…
Experts Discuss 5-Point Plan for Hawaii’s Economic Recovery – State of Reform
Sydney Curle | 01/18/2021 | Hawaii
Hawaiian economy experts discussed their ideas for a five-point plan to help the Hawaiian economy recover and how vaccine rollout is critical to…
Bankruptcies in Hawaii are falling as the economy recovers from the slowdown
HONOLULU (AP) -- Hawaii bankruptcies fell to their lowest level in May in 15 years as the economy scrapes out of a slowdown caused by a coronavirus pandemic.Data from the US bankruptcy court shows there were 100 cases in May, down 10.7%…
On politics: Don’t rely on the golden goose of tourism, as Hawaii’s economy will take…
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The state's top economists seem to agree: Billions of dollars in federal aid have bailed out Hawaii's economy, and while some…
Kauai defeated COVID-19. Next challenge: rebuilding the economy
HANAPEPE, Hawaii — Homeless people here on Hawaii's North Island received an unusual invitation last year: come and set up camp on a spectacular beach, with showers, toilets and electricity, and meals supplied by the local food bank.The…
Experts expect Hawaii to fully reopen this summer. Is our workforce ready?
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -- Experts say the rapidly improving economy is bringing with it a new challenge: Can Hawaii's workforce keep up with pent-up demand?The head of the University of Hawaii's economic research organization said it was…