Ewa Makai Middle School dedicated a new classroom wing on Oct. 17 with special guests including First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, students, teachers, government partners and community members. Tours of the new classrooms were given by Ewa Makai Middle students and guests were treated to a variety of refreshments made by culinary students from James Campbell High, Kapolei High and Ewa Makai Middle. The new 24-room, two-story wing is accommodating approximately 450 new sixth-graders from feeder schools Ewa Elementary, Ewa Beach Elementary and Keoneula Elementary to complete the school’s sixth-to-eighth-grade middle school concept. “We are excited to have sixth graders on our campus for the first time this school year with our new classroom wing and we are thrilled to be able to expand our array of elective offerings,” said Principal Kim Sanders. “Mahalo to our students, parents, legislators and our community partners for their support throughout this expansion process.” The new sixth-grade wing adds approximately 54,500 square feet of educational space for the school’s 1,400 students. Construction began in January 2017 and cost approximately $24 million to complete. Also included in the construction were covering for the amphitheatre and a courtyard fronting the new wing. The upstairs classrooms will house three sixth-grade teams in innovative rooms that have the capability to open up into one large room for team-teaching lessons. Hallways designed with student work to promote a positive campus culture will be utilized for interdisciplinary units and project-based learning. The downstairs classrooms will house electives like Spanish, aviation, engineering, coding, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), computer art, 3D design and health and wellness classes. “The new wing was designed as a space for innovative learning to empower both students and teachers,” said Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area Superintendent Sean Tajima. "Collaborative learning environments like these are essential to creating engaging and inspiring educational experiences." #HIDOE #HawaiiDepartmentOfEducationn #EwaMakaiMiddleSchool #EwaElementary #KeoneulaElementary #KimSanders #AdvancementViaIndividualDetermination #AVID

HONOLULU – Attorney General Clare E. Connors joins state charities regulators across the country, the National Association of State Charities Officials (NASCO) and the Federal Trade Commission to announce the second annual International Charity Fraud Awareness Week (ICFAW) from October 21 to 25, 2019. ICFAW is a coordinated international campaign to help charities and consumers avoid charity fraud and promote wise giving. Attorney General Connors and other U.S. partners are joining the Charities Commission for England & Wales, which for many years has hosted its own Charity Fraud Awareness Week. In addition, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, the New Zealand Charities Service, and the Office of the Scottish Regulator are also joining in the international outreach effort.  Key non-governmental participants include Chartered Accountants Worldwide, the UK’s Fraud Advisory Panel, and international charities Oxfam, British Council and Amnesty International. “Our agency is pleased to partner with this international effort,” said Attorney General Connors. “The goal is to provide information to the people of our state so they can make thoughtful choices about the charities they choose to support with donations.  We hope this campaign helps keep their hard-earned money from ending up in the wrong hands.” #CharityFraudOut2019 Charity Fraud Awareness Week features a social media campaign that promotes wise giving tips for consumers.  This year the campaign also features cybersecurity and data security guidance for nonprofits. Tune into the weeklong discussion at #CharityFraudOut2019 and follow Hawaii Attorney General on Twitter  https://twitter.com/AtghIgov for daily tips. Resources for Consumers When you donate, you want your money to go to a charity that really helps make a difference. Many reputable charities are deserving of support. The State of Hawaii provides useful tips at http://ag.hawaii.gov/tax/files/2013/01/540427_11.pdf and you may also utilize the information on www.ftc.gov/charity to help individuals and businesses find reputable organizations and give wisely.  Watch the FTC’s video “Make Your Donations Count” and remember to: Do your research: Search the charity’s name online with words like “complaint” and “scam.”Search for the charity on Hawaii’s registration site at  https://ag.ehawaii.gov/charity/search.htmlCheck out the charity’s ratings with groups like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, and Guidestar.Use the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search to see if your donation is tax-deductible. What about donation requests through social media and crowdfunding sites? Many requests for donations through social media and crowdfunding sites are legitimate, but some are scams. For example, there are people who misuse real pictures and stories to get you to donate, but the money goes into their own pockets. Some fraudsters have even hijacked links to legitimate charities on social media and pocketed donations made via those links. Crowdfunding sites often have little control over who uses them and how donations are spent. Research before you give. Also, if tax deductions are important to you, remember that donations to individuals are not tax-deductible. The safest way to give on social media or through crowdfunding is to donate to people you actually know who contact you about a specific project. Don’t assume that solicitations on social media or crowdfunding sites are legitimate – even when they are shared or liked by your friends. If you want to donate to a charity promoted in social media or on a crowdfunding site, don’t forget that you can always go directly to the charity’s website and donate that way.  Do your own research. Call or contact your friends offline and ask them about the post they shared. More information may be found at https://www.consumerreports.org/crowdfunding/be-careful-about-donating-through-crowdfunding/ Advice for Non-Profit Organizations This year, ICFAW is also emphasizing the importance of non-profit and charitable organizations adopting good cybersecurity practices to protect donor and client information. The FTC has created a guide for small businesses and non-profits about the basics of cybersecurity, and also has a blog post with more information specifically for non-profits. Here are some of the most basic tips non-profits should follow: Update your software – set it to update automatically. Breaches often happen when vulnerabilities exist because companies did not install the latest update or patch. Secure your files – make a back-up offline so that if there’s a ransomware attack, your company can stay up and running Require passwords for all devices Use multi-factor authentication (like a PIN or key). That way if a laptop is lost or stolen, it’s harder for a thief to get into them. Encrypt devices – for another layer of protection of sensitive information Follow This Year’s ICFAW Themes: Monday, Oct. 21: Launch day. Theme – All.Together.Now. Tuesday, Oct. 22: Fundraising Scams Wednesday, Oct. 23: Cybersecurity Thursday, Oct. 24: Internal Fraud Friday, Oct. 25: Keeping Data Safe #InternationalCharityFraudAwarenessWeek #ClareConnors #ICFAW #NationalAssociationofStateCharitiesOfficials #NASCO #AttorneyGeneralHawaii #CharityFraudOut2019 #MakeYourDonationsCount #CyberSecurity #InternalFraud

HONOLULU – In his capacity as acting governor, Lt. Gov. Joshua Green issued a sixth supplementary 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, a second on April 12, 2019, a third supplementary emergency proclamation on June 7, 2019, a fourth supplementary proclamation on Aug. 6, 2019 and the fifth on Aug. 23, 2019. The sixth supplementary proclamation extends the relief period until Dec. 16, 2019. #Homelessness #JoshuaGreen #StateOfHawaii #SupplementaryProclamation #Housing #DisasterEmergencyRelief #Shelter #HousingProjects

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige will be attending Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony and related events in Japan this week. The governor is one of seven Japanese-Americans who have been invited to the enthronement ceremony at the Imperial Palace on Tuesday, Oct. 22 (Japan time). The list of invited Japanese-American guests is as follows: From Washington, D.C. Former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta Ms. Irene Hirano Inouye From California Congressman Mark Takano (D-Riverside) Mr. Thomas Iino (Los Angeles businessman, banker, U.S.-Japan Council) From Seattle, WA Ms. Lori Matsukawa (retired news anchor, U.S.-Japan Council) From Hawaii Gov. David Ige Ms. Christine Kubota While in Japan, Gov. Ige will also attend a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and an event in which Emperor Naruhito receives congratulations from the Japanese-American delegation and 480 guests. Lt. Gov. Josh Green will serve as acting governor until Gov. Ige returns from Japan on Friday, Oct. 25. #DavidIge #ShinzoAbe #Japan #EmperorNaruhito #Hawaiistate #EnthronementCeremony

(Hilo) – Administrative fines totaling $48,500 have been affirmed by Circuit Judge Greg K. Nakamura in a Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) decision against illegal commercial lava boat tours on Hawai‘i Island; in a ruling issued on September 27, 2019. Those fined are Henry K. Pomroy, Bill A. Fujimoto, and Ho‘okupu Fish Company, LLC. “We are very satisfied with this ruling,” said Edward Underwood, Administrator for the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR).  “The purpose of the commercial use permit rules is to ensure that companies are following all Federal, State, and County laws and conducting their operations with proper regard to public safety and natural resource protection,” Underwood continued. The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement also issued Pomroy a criminal citation for violation of Hawaii Administrative Rules, but the Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office dismissed the criminal citation. DOBOR brought the administrative enforcement action before BLNR at its April 28, 2017 meeting, alleging multiple instances of illegal commercial activity and requesting a total of $140,000 in administrative fines. Steven D. Strauss, then-managing member of Ho‘okupu Fish Company, LLC, as well as attorney for Pomroy and Fujimoto, requested and was granted, a contested case hearing on the enforcement action. According to DOBOR, Pomroy was warned that he was operating illegal commercial lava boat tours because he did not have a valid commercial permit authorizing the tours. Pomroy continued to repeatedly conduct illegal lava tours from the Pohoiki Boat Ramp, then instituted a “membership” scheme with assistance from Strauss, where customers would pay to enter into an agreement for “Conveyance of Membership Interest in Ho‘okupu Fish Company, LLC.”  Pomroy argued that members of Ho‘okupu Fish Company, LLC were taking boat rides as members of the company and therefore were not paying customers. “We recognized this scheme as an attempt to circumvent our commercial permit system and took action to put an end to it. Unpermitted commercial operations not only pose a threat to public safety and natural resource protection but are also unfair to the other commercial operators who comply with permitting requirements,” Underwood stated. The contested case Hearing Officer ruled that there was commercial activity taking place and that the agreement for membership interest did not void the commercial use permit requirement. BLNR voted to impose the fine, including attorney fees and administrative costs at $48,500. Pomroy, Fujimoto, and Ho‘okupu Fish Company, LLC then appealed BLNR’s decision to the Circuit Court. #DLNR #LavaBoat #IllegalLavaBoatTours #BLNR #HenryPomroy #BillFujimoto #HookupuFishCompany #DOBOR #PohoikiBoatRamp #HawaiiState

A team led by a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa chemistry professor and researcher has been able to provide answers to key questions about the surface of Saturnʻs moon Titan. Physical chemist Ralf I. Kaiser and fellow researchers examined remote sensing data regarding NASA’s Cassini–Huygens mission to Titan—the only solar system body besides Earth with a solid surface, lakes and a thick atmosphere with a pressure of about 1.5 atmosphere at surface level. Images and data from Cassini-Huygens exposed the existence of vast longitudinal dunes on Titan’s surface across the equatorial deserts reaching heights of up to 100 meters, close to the size of the Egyptian pyramids of Giza. Whereas Earth’s dunes are made of silicates or the largest class of minerals, imaging studies revealed that Titan’s dunes contain dark organics of until now undetermined origin and chemical composition. The UH Mānoa team, which also consisted of Matthew Abplanalp, former chemistry graduate student at UH’s W.M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, exposed acetylene ice—a chemical that is used on Earth in welding torches and exists at Titan’s equatorial regions—at low temperatures to proxies of high-energy galactic cosmic rays. The researchers exposed a rapid cosmic-ray-driven chemistry which converts simple molecules like acetylene to more complex organic molecules like benzene and naphthalene—a compound which is found in mothballs—on Titan’s surface. These processes also happen in the interstellar medium—the space between stars—on hydrocarbon rich layers of interstellar nanoparticles. This research “Low-temperature synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Titan’s surface ices and on airless bodies” was published in the recent issue of Science Advances. “Titan’s dunes represent the dominating surface sink of carbon in Titan’s organic chemistry,” said Abplanalp, current researcher at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake. “Therefore, unraveling the origin and chemical pathways to form this organic dune material is vital not only to understand Titan’s chemical evolution, but also to grasp how alike the chemistries on Titan and on Earth might have been like before life emerged on Earth 3.5 million years ago.” “These processes eventually furnish the molecular building blocks not only for Titan’s organic dunes, but also for organics on airless bodies in general such as on Kuiper Belt Objects like dwarf planet Makemake,” outlined Kaiser. “The low temperature synthesis of PAHs from acetylene ices represents a fundamental shift from currently accepted perceptions that PAH formation takes place solely in the gas phase at elevated temperatures of a few 1,000 K such as in combustion processes.” Findings impact next Titan mission These findings will have unprecedented implications for the next space mission to Titan. NASA aims to land a flying robot, Dragonfly, on the surface of Titan, the top target in the search for alien life and its molecular precursors. The car-sized quadcopter, equipped with instruments capable of identifying large organic molecules, is slated to launch on a rocket in 2026, arrive at its destination in 2034 and then fly to multiple locations hundreds of miles apart. Dragonfly will land near Titan’s equator close to the organic dunes thus providing an in situ glimpse of potentially biorelevant organics at a frozen stage—boldly going where no one has gone before. “Overall, this study advances our understanding of the complex organics and fundamental chemical processing of simple molecules in deep space and provides a scientifically sound and proven mechanism of formation of aromatic structures in extreme environments in low temperature ices,” Kaiser concluded. “Since Titan is nitrogen-rich, the incorporation of nitrogen in these PAHs may also lead to carbon-nitrogen moieties (parts of a molecule) prevailing in contemporary biochemistry such as in DNA and RNA-based nitrogen-bases.” Source: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2019/10/17/team-unravels-titans-dunes-origins/ #UniversityOfHawaii #UHHawaii #Titan #Saturn #Moon #RalfKaiser #NASA #Dragonfly #CassiniHuygen #MatthewAbplanalp #KeckResearchLaboratory #TitanMission #DNA #RNA #Nitrogen #KuiperBeltObjects #chinaLake #ScienceAdvances #HawaiiState

Kualapuʻu, Hawaiʻi – Hawai‘i’s first lady Dawn Amano-Ige, together with state and non-profit partners, has launched the ʻOhana Readers program on Molokaʻi. ʻOhana Readers is a literacy program that focuses on reading with family. The program will offer high-quality, age-appropriate Imagination Library books each month to children on Moloka‘i who are four years old and younger. Children who register for the program will receive one book each month via the U.S. Postal Service beginning approximately eight to ten weeks after their registration form has been submitted. The program operates through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and is free of charge. The program is made possible through a collaborative partnership between the Office of the Governor, the State Department of Human Services (DHS), the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, Rep. Lynn DeCoite, and nonprofit partners The Dollywood Foundation, Friends of the Library, Learning to Grow and Read to Me International. The Hawai‘i State Public Library System is encouraging families to register for the ‘Ohana Readers program. The Moloka‘i Public Library will also offer programs that complement the books the children receive, and will provide other activities to promote literacy and reading. “Research shows that children are ready to learn in their earliest years, and this program provides no-cost opportunities for learning from birth through age four. ʻOhana Readers encourages family read-aloud time, an activity that increases the vocabulary and language skills of our children and contributes to their growing knowledge of the world,” said Amano-Ige. “This program encourages the youngest members of our community to develop a love of reading that will be important throughout their entire lives. The Hawai‘i  State Public Library System is very excited to partner with the ʻOhana Readers program by being a place for families to sign up their little ones for story times at the Molokai Public Library to complement the books being mailed out,” said State Librarian Stacey Aldrich. “It truly takes an ‘ohana for children to thrive. This collaboration is aligned with our foundational vision; that the people of Hawai‘i are thriving. We know that early literacy builds a strong foundation for life-long learning. Family bonding and the ability to explore new worlds and ideas through literature is something all families should be afforded. DHS is proud to be a partner in this community driven effort,” said DHS Director Pankaj Bhanot. “Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i is pleased to be part of a program that helps build a life-long love of reading at home with family,” said Nainoa Mau, executive director of Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i. “Reading with our keiki is one of the best things we can do with them, and it’s something the whole family can be a part of. I am so happy that we are able to bring ‘Ohana Readers to Moloka‘i so our community can showcase this program to the rest of the state,” said Rep. Lynn DeCoite. Amano-Ige said Molokaʻi serves as the pilot program for ʻOhana Readers and she hopes to further expand this program to other communities throughout the state. The Molokaʻi program is funded through Windward Community College’s Learning to Grow (LTG) project in partnership with the Hawai‘i State Department of Human Services through monies from the Federal Child Care and Development Block Grant. For more information about the ʻOhana Readers program contact Caroline Adolpho, Moloka‘i administrator at (808) 567-9050  during office hours or email caroline.adolpho@hawaii.edu. Link to photos here. Link to video here. #HawaiiState #OhanaReaders #Literacy #Molokai #DollyParton #DamnAmanoIge #DollywoodFoundation #StaceyAldrich #PankajBhanot #FriendsOfTheLibrary #LynnDecoite #FederalChildCareAndDvelopmentBlockGrant #CarolineAdolpho

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health’s (DOH) annual Stop Flu at School program began this week and will continue in 185 public schools statewide through Nov. 27, 2019. The voluntary program administers free flu shots to students in kindergarten through eighth grade who are enrolled at participating schools. Approximately 31,500 students are expected to be vaccinated through the program this year. “We are glad schools and parents continue to appreciate and find value in this program,” said Health Director Bruce Anderson. “The number of students signed up to receive their flu shots through the Stop Flu at School program has been increasing in recent years.” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu vaccination for everyone ages six months and older. Since 2010, CDC estimates that between 130 and 1,200 children (younger than 18 years) have died from flu each year. “Vaccination is our best defense against the flu. It can help prevent illness, but more importantly, it decreases the risk of severe illness, which can result in hospitalizations and death,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist. “While there were no influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported in Hawai‘i during the 2018-2019 season, children, even healthy children, are hospitalized or die from the flu every year in the U.S.” Since flu can cause severe illness in people of all ages, DOH encourages everyone to talk to their healthcare provider about the vaccine and consider getting vaccinated. For those unable to be vaccinated through the Stop Flu at School program, flu vaccine is available through healthcare provider offices and clinics as well as pharmacies, for those older than age 11 years. For a list of vaccinating pharmacies statewide, visit the DOH Vaccine Locator online at http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/vaccines-immunizations/vaccine-locators/. Some locations require a prescription from the patient’s medical provider. Please contact the pharmacy or clinic to confirm vaccine availability and restrictions that may apply. DOH also recommends other flu prevention strategies, including staying home and away from other people in the house when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing hands frequently. For more information about the flu, visit http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/influenza-flu/. To learn more about the Stop Flu at School program, go to http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/about-us/programs/stop-flu-at-school/ or call the Aloha United Way’s information and referral line at   2-1-1. About Stop Flu at School Stop Flu at School, Hawai‘i’s school-located vaccination program, is an innovative partnership between the State of Hawai‘i Departments of Health and Education. This program is endorsed by the Hawai‘i Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Hawai‘i Association of Family Practitioners and is paid for by federal funds and contributions from health insurers. PDF: Annual Stop Flu at School vaccination clinics begin statewide #FightTheFlu #StopTheFlu #AlohaUnitedWay #HawaiiDepartmentofHealth #flushot #t #SarahPark #CentersforDiseaseControlPrevention #CDC #HawaiiHealth #fluseason #influenza #pharmacist #health #getyourflushot #flu #vaccine #vacinateyourkids #d #vaccinessaveslives #vaccination #fluclinics

HONOLULU – Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined a multistate coalition, led by California and Massachusetts, in opposition to the Trump Administration’s rule illegally limiting access to the asylum process. Under the rule, individuals entering the United States at the southern border, except in limited circumstances, are no longer able to seek asylum unless they applied for and were denied protection in at least one country they transited through prior to their arrival. In an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union in East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Barr, the attorneys general urge the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to uphold the district court’s ruling on the preliminary injunction. “The rule was issued in violation of existing laws and harms those lawfully seeking refuge,” said Attorney General Connors. “Hawaii’s history and culture is tied to immigration, and these rules would disproportionately harm children, women, and LGBTQ asylum applicants.” In the brief, the coalition maintains that the rule significantly departs from core values enshrined in federal law and harms asylum-seekers and the states that welcome them. The rule forces asylum-seekers to go through what could amount to a fruitless asylum process in a potentially dangerous third country to even have a chance of being eligible for asylum in the United States. This unnecessarily subjects asylum-seekers to peril and trauma throughout the process and could encourage people to attempt risky journeys to enter the United States undetected in an effort to flee persecution. Moreover, the rule will have a particularly negative effect on unaccompanied children, LGBTQ applicants, and women asylum-seekers, for whom applying for asylum in a third country is extremely perilous. For example, two-thirds of LGBTQ Central American asylumseekers reportedly suffered sexual violence while transiting through Mexico and, in Guatemala, children are frequently targets of recruitment by criminal gangs. In addition, the rule will cause state agencies and non-profits to divert resources to address the added trauma asylum-seekers will suffer because of precarious conditions in third countries and will force states to lose out on the economic contributions of those who might otherwise have been welcomed to the country. Finally, in promulgating the rule, the Trump Administration failed to provide adequate notice, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. In filing the amicus brief, Attorney General Connors joins the attorneys general of California, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia. A copy of the brief is available here. In a September decision, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed a nationwide preliminary injunction pending subsequent proceedings that are currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. #Asylum #AsylumSeekers #AdministrativeProcedureAct #ClareConnors #HawaiiAttorneyGeneral #LGBTZ

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has appointed Judge Kelsey Kawano to fill the vacancy on the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit (Maui). The judicial office has been vacant since the retirement of Circuit Judge Joseph E. Cardoza in June 2019. Kawano currently serves as deputy chief judge and district judge at the District Court of the Second Circuit. He previously worked as an attorney in private practice. Kawano earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington, School of Law. He also earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Kawano was one of four nominees chosen by the Judicial Selection Commission. The commission submitted the names to Gov. Ige on Sept. 20. The governor conducted interviews and reviewed public comments on the nominees before making his selection. Kawano’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. #KelseyKawano #MauiJudge #HawaiiState #HawaiiJudiciary #DavidIge #HawaiiStateSenate #HawaiiSenate #JudicialNominee

Company is Acting Out of an Abundance of Caution Recall Limited to One Lot of Bottles Produced and Shipped in the U.S. in 2018 NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ, October 18, 2019 – Out of an abundance of caution, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (JJCI) announced that it is initiating a voluntary recall in the United States of a single lot of its Johnson’s Baby Powder in response to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) test indicating the presence of sub-trace levels of chrysotile asbestos contamination (no greater than 0.00002%) in samples from a single bottle purchased from an online retailer. Despite the low levels reported and in full cooperation and collaboration with the FDA, JJCI is initiating this voluntary recall of Lot #22318RB of Johnson’s Baby Powder, from which the tested sample was taken. In parallel, JJCI has immediately initiated a rigorous, thorough investigation into this matter, and is working with the FDA to determine the integrity of the tested sample, and the validity of the test results. At this early stage of the investigation, JJCI: Cannot confirm if cross-contamination of the sample caused a false positive. Cannot confirm whether the sample was taken from a bottle with an intact seal or whether the sample was prepared in a controlled environment. Cannot confirm whether the tested product is authentic or counterfeit. JJCI has a rigorous testing standard in place to ensure its cosmetic talc is safe and years of testing, including the FDA’s own testing on prior occasions--and as recently as last month--found no asbestos. Thousands of tests over the past 40 years repeatedly confirm that our consumer talc products do not contain asbestos. Our talc comes from ore sources confirmed to meet our stringent specifications that exceed industry standards. Not only do we and our suppliers routinely test to ensure our talc does not contain asbestos, our talc has also been tested and confirmed to be asbestos-free by a range of independent laboratories, universities and global health authorities. For 133 years, the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies have been committed to putting the needs and well-being of the people we serve first, and we will continue to do so. If you or someone you provide care for owns a bottle of Johnson’s Baby Powder Lot #22318RB, you are advised to discontinue use of the product. For refund information, contact the Johnson & Johnson Consumer Care Center at www.johnsonsbaby.com or by calling +1 (866) 565-2229. NOTE TO INVESTORS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the voluntary recall of one lot of Johnson’s Baby Powder. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; significant adverse litigation or government action, including related to product liability claims; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; the ability of the company to successfully execute strategic plans; manufacturing difficulties or delays, internally or within the supply chain; changes to applicable laws and regulations; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; and increased scrutiny of the health care industry by government agencies. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," in the company's most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Any forward-looking statement made in this release speaks only as of the date of this release. Neither Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. The Company expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this press release. #JohnsonAndJohnson #BabyPowder #Recall #Asbestos #FDA #PublicSafetyAlert Source: https://www.jnj.com/johnson-johnson-consumer-inc-to-voluntarily-recall-a-single-lot-of-johnsons-baby-powder-in-the-united-states

HONOLULU – Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined a group of 18 state Attorneys General to defend Vermont’s right to ban large-capacity magazines and protect public safety. In a friend-of-the-court brief filed in the Vermont Supreme Court, AG Connors and her counterparts argue that states have the right to enact reasonable firearm restrictions that reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by gun violence. “The Vermont law provides reasonable restrictions and is constitutional,” said Attorney General Connors. “States need to be able to address gun violence on their own terms and in a manner suited to their needs.” The District of Columbia and partner states filed an amicus brief in State of Vermont v. Max B. Misch, a suit in which the Vermont Supreme Court will determine whether Vermont’s prohibition on large-capacity magazines violates the Vermont Constitution’s right to bear arms. In 2018, Vermont prohibited the manufacture, importation, possession, and sale of large-capacity magazines, with some exceptions, including for magazines lawfully possessed before the law went into effect. The law bans magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition for long guns and more than 15 rounds for handguns. Eight other states and the District of Columbia have enacted similar prohibitions. The constitutionality of those laws has been consistently upheld by federal courts of appeals under the Second Amendment, which the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized as “analogous” to Vermont’s right-to-bear-arms provision. In the brief, the states collectively argue that a ban on large-capacity magazines is a reasonable restriction that Vermont has the right to adopt because: • The right to bear arms does not prevent states from enacting commonsense gun safety measures: The brief explains that states are entitled to adopt reasonable restrictions on firearms to address the unique conditions within their borders and protect public safety. Restricting access to large-capacity magazines is a reasonable restriction because it would reduce firearm injuries and deaths while leaving many other options open for individuals who wish to exercise their right to self-defense. • States have a responsibility to prevent gun violence and protect public safety: The brief notes that states have primary responsibility for ensuring public safety. This includes a duty to reduce the likelihood that their citizens will fall victim to preventable firearm violence, and to minimize fatalities and injuries when that violence does occur. The brief notes that because there are local and regional differences that contribute to gun violence, deciding how best to protect the safety of state residents is a question better suited to legislatures than courts. • Regulating large-capacity magazines protects the public: The brief cites evidence that large-capacity magazines are especially attractive to mass shooters and criminals, posing increased risks to innocent civilians and law enforcement. Restricting large-capacity magazines means a mass shooter must reload or switch weapons, giving bystanders more opportunities to flee, take shelter, or intervene. At the same time, there is no proof that large-capacity magazines are necessary—or even commonly used—for self-defense. The brief is available here. The coalition was led by District of Columbia AG Karl Racine and was joined by Attorneys General from California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington. #VermontBan #LargeCapacityMagazines #PreventGunViolence #ClareConnors #MaxMisch #gunSafety #PublicSafety #HawaiiState #HawaiiAttorneyGeneral