HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige and first lady Dawn Amano-Ige will be leaving the state to spend time with family on the mainland, departing Honolulu today and returning on Nov. 30. While the governor is traveling, Lt. Gov. Josh Green will serve as acting governor.

Award-winning author and New York University Professor Emerita Marion Nestle visited the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus on November 7 to offer her research findings on the parallels between processed-food profits, big-budget marketing and consumer behavior over the last 50 years. Nestle began with a simple premise for healthy living: eat better, eat less, move more. That’s not what most Americans are doing. The average restaurant meal today is more than four times larger than in the 1950s. The American consumer’s everyday access to calories has almost doubled. The cost of fresh fruits and vegetables in comparison to processed foods has tripled. Held at Kennedy Theatre, “What to Eat: Dietary Advice Meets Food Politics” was sponsored by UH Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), the Hawaiʻi Culinary Education Foundation, and University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu’s Sustainable Community Food Systems Program. Held at Kennedy Theatre, “What to Eat: Dietary Advice Meets Food Politics” was sponsored by UH Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), the Hawaiʻi Culinary Education Foundation, and University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu’s Sustainable Community Food Systems Program. Who is responsible for the rise in obesity in America? Nestle addressed the following questions: Are consumers to blame for the rise in obesity across America? Or has Big Food, the multinational food and beverage industry with huge and concentrated market power, confused our food choices and made the basic principles of healthy eating harder to follow? Where does Hawaiʻi fit into dietary recommendations and environmental sustainability? The role of corporate processors has grown accordingly, yet public perception is that personal lifestyle and social markers—not the food industry—determine one’s eating habits. This isn’t a coincidence, Nestle posits. She goes on to add that Big Food simply took a page from Big Tobacco’s playbook, skewing public opinion by influencing scientists and policymakers. In one example, 26 studies found no link between sugary drinks and obesity or type 2 diabetes. Yet, 25 of those studies were funded by the soft drink industry. Food systems approach “The three most important public health nutrition problems facing the world today are food insecurity, obesity and its consequent chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease–and the effects of food production and consumption on the environment and climate—all of them are due to dysfunctional food systems,” said Nestle. “If we want to address these problems effectively, we have to use a food systems approach, which means thinking about agricultural production whenever we talk about what people eat, and vice versa.” Said Logan Taylor Motas, a CTAHR undergraduate who attended the talk, “I learned about the complexity of food politics, and how I should be doing my own research on the things I’m eating. Marion Nestle was a strong force of goodness that inspired me to be in control of what I put in my body.” Although not an expert on Hawaiʻi’s agriculture or nutrition, Nestle says she is impressed by how this state exemplifies these three food system problems. “Hawaiʻi’s reported low rate of food insecurity may not reflect reality,” she says. To encourage eating more fruits and vegetables by consumers, as well as stabilize income for local growers, she suggests taking a page from Latin America’s playbook. Lawmakers in Chile, responding to public pressure, have limited processed foods and incentivized shopping for minimally processed foods. View the UH News Release here: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2019/11/18/nestle-addresses-growing-health-crisis/ #Nestle #FoodSytstems #CTAHR #Obesity #HealthyEating #UniversityOfHawaii #MarionNestle

HONOLULU –  The Office of the Governor is seeking qualified volunteers for the Boards of Taxation Review across the state. The boards informally hear and decide disputes between taxpayers and tax assessors, as an alternative to filing formal appeals with the Hawai‘i Tax Appeals Court. There are currently three vacancies on the O‘ahu board, five vacancies on the Kaua‘i board, and one each on Maui and Hawai‘i Island. “Right now, there is a backlog of about 200 cases because of vacancies on the boards. Without functional boards, appeals are not being heard and decisions are not being made. Voluntary service boards are critical to providing an independent body that will handle matters such as these tax appeals,” said Department of Taxation Director Rona Suzuki. The Taxation Review boards may hear a wide range of cases with the exception of matters involving the United States Constitution or federal laws. The boards are required to hold at least one public meeting annually. Board members must be current residents of the island on which they serve. For more information or to apply go to boards.hawaii.gov or contact Sharon Ibarra at boards.commissions@hawaii.gov.

HONOLULU – The Department of Defense announced the death of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kirk T. Fuchigami Jr. from Kea‘au, Hawai‘i who was killed on November 20, 2019 in Logar Province, Afghanistan while supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel. “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kirk Takeshi Fuchigami Jr. It is never easy when it’s a soldier from our island home. He served our country with honor and distinction. His passing is a daily reminder of the men and women who bravely serve in our armed forces to safeguard our freedoms. On behalf of the Hawai‘i Island State Senators, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his ‘ohana and friends during this time. His courage and sacrifice to our country will never be forgotten.” Senator Kaiali‘i Kahele, Senate District 1 Senator Russell E. Ruderman, Senate District 2 Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha, Senate District 3 Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Senate District 4 #KirkFuchigami #AmericanHero #HawaiiSenate

HDOT Airport Division employees received the Airport Carbon Accreditation Certificate on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. Sitting (L-R): Carlos Salas (FAA), Issa Castro (ACI-NA), Guy Ichinotsubo, Roy Sakata, Tanya Sakamoto, Lynn Araki-Regan Standing (L-R): Ross Higashi, Steven Santiago, Benton Ho, Gordon Wong (FAA), Martinez Jacobs, Herman Tuiolosega, Marvin Moniz, Alex Tamoria, Steve Maruyama HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) announces that the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) received its fourth Airport Carbon Accreditation certification from the Airports Council International (ACI), recognizing HNL’s accomplishments of reducing its energy use and carbon emissions and moving towards a sustainable future. The Airport Carbon Accreditation is the global benchmark for carbon management in the airport industry. The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport along with 46 airports in North America were recognized for its achievements of carbon reduction. In addition, HNL was one of only 14 airports in North America, who were accredited at “Level 2”, which signifies that the airport has achieved a reduction in carbon emissions inventory verified by an independent third party and has continued to reduce carbon emissions under HNL’s control on a year-over-year basis. For more information on the Airports Council International, please view their website at https://aci.aero/. The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport has received accreditation for the past four years since 2015 and remains committed to improving its sustainability and reducing its energy use and carbon footprint. Guided by its Sustainability Policy and energy savings initiative, the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, under the HDOT, is committed to achieving its goals in reducing energy use, carbon emissions, water consumption and waste sent to landfill. The HDOT’s commitment to sustainability aligns with the State’s goal to achieve 100-percent clean energy by 2045. #AirportCarbonAccreditation #DanielKInouyeAirport #Sustainability #HDOT

The Candidate Advisory Council (CAC) of the University of Hawaiʻi is accepting nominations for two (2) seats on the Board of Regents. One (1) Maui County seat, for a 5-year term to begin July 1, 2020. Candidates must reside in Maui County. One (1) student seat, for a 2-year term to begin July 1, 2020. Candidates must be a University of Hawaiʻi student at the time their term begins. Application materials, procedures and descriptions of regent’s responsibilities are available online at http://www.hawaii.edu/rcac. Completed applications must be received by CAC or postmarked by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2020. Members of the UH Board of Regents as well as the Candidate Advisory Council, who represent various constituent groups, serve voluntarily and are not paid. View the UH News Release here: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2019/11/18/board-of-regents-nominations/

The National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) is proud to announce Senator Donna Mercado Kim to serve as their new Board of Directors Chair, leading the nation’s oldest organization addressing the needs of elected women at all levels of government. Senator Kim was elected by her peers at the 2019 NFWL Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas, where over one hundred elected women met to identify effective solutions to some of the nation’s most timely and pressing issues. Providing a non-partisan environment that encourages dialogue and the sharing of information and experiences, women leaders are able to build coalitions, share the concerns of their constituents, and identify out-of-the-box solutions to the most pressing issues facing their communities today. “We are so proud of Senator Kim and all she has accomplished,” stated Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, NFWL’s Immediate Past Chair. “It has been an honor to work with her over the years as members of the Board, and we are all looking forward to her continued leadership in the Foundation. I know she will make next year one of the most exciting years that NFWL has seen.” Senator Kim begins serving in her new position on January 1, 2020 and will hold this office through the end of 2020. The Foundation will host its 2020 Annual Conference next fall, in Memphis, Tennessee. Senator Donna Mercado Kim represents Hawaii’s 14th Senatorial District in urban Honolulu. She has served in the Hawaii State Senate since 2000, the Honolulu City Council from 1984 to 2000 and the Hawaii House of Representative from 1982 to 1984. Senator Kim has held leadership positions, including Senate President, Vice President, Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Government Affairs, the Committee on Tourism, the Special Committee on Accountability, and the Task Force on Reinventing Government.  She currently serves as the Chair of Higher Education. Senator Kim has been actively involved in NFWL since 2013. “We congratulate Senator Kim, and are so glad to have her as a leader of our national organization,” states Jody Thomas, NFWL’s Executive Director. #DonnaMercadoKim #HawaiiSenate #NFWL #JodyThomas

The Hawai‘i State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR) today announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October was 2.7 percent, for the third consecutive month. Statewide, 643,700 were employed and 17,700 unemployed in October for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 661,400. Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in October, compared to 3.5 percent in September. Both Initial claims and weeks claims decreased by 265 or -17.8 percent and 569 or -8.5 percent respectively for unemployment benefits compared to one year ago.  Over-the-month initial claims increased by 15.3 percent while weeks claims declined by -3.5 percent in October 2019. The unemployment rate figures for the State of Hawai‘i and the U.S. in this release are seasonally adjusted, in accordance with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) methodology. The not seasonally adjusted rate for the State was 2.6 percent in October, compared to the 2.8 percent in September. Industry Payroll Employment (Establishment Survey) In a separate measure of employment, total nonagricultural jobs decreased by 100 in October over September.  Within the major industries, job gains occurred in Professional & Business Services (+500), Education & Health Services (+400), Leisure & Hospitality (+200), and Financial Activities (+100).  Employment in the Information sector remained unchanged. Job losses were experienced in Manufacturing (-100), Other Services (-100), Construction (-400), and Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-700). Within Trade, Transportation, & Utilities, the bulk of the employment drop was in Retail Trade.  Government jobs remained stable.  In comparison with one year ago, total nonfarm jobs have gone up by 5,600, or 0.9 percent. Technical Notes Seasonal Adjustment The seasonal fluctuations in the number of employed and unemployed persons reflect hiring and layoff patterns that accompany regular events such as the winter holiday season and the summer vacation season. These variations make it difficult to tell whether month-to-month changes in employment and unemployment are due to normal seasonal patterns or to changing economic conditions. Therefore, the BLS uses a statistical technique called seasonal adjustment to address these issues. This technique uses the history of the labor force data and the job count data to identify the seasonal movements and to calculate the size and direction of these movements. A seasonal adjustment factor is then developed and applied to the estimates to eliminate the effects of regular seasonal fluctuations on the data. Seasonally adjusted statistical series enable more meaningful data comparisons between months or with an annual average. Current Population (Household) Survey (CPS) A survey conducted for employment status in the week that includes the 12th day of each month generates the unemployment rate statistics, which is a separate survey from the Establishment Survey that yields the industry job counts. The CPS survey contacts approximately 1,000 households in Hawai‘i to determine an individual’s current employment status. Employed persons consist of: 1) all persons who did any work for pay or profit during the survey reference week, 2) all persons who did at least 15 hours of unpaid work in a family-owned enterprise operated by someone in their household, and 3) all persons who were temporarily absent from their regular jobs, whether they were paid or not. Persons considered unemployed are ones that do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks and are available for work. Temporarily laid off workers are counted as unemployed, whether they have engaged in a specific job seeking activity. Persons not in the labor force are those who are not classified as employed or unemployed during the survey reference week. Benchmark Changes to Local Area Unemployment Statistics Data Statewide and substate data for 2014-2018 have been re-estimated to reflect revised population controls and model reestimation, and for seasonally adjusted data, new seasonal adjustment. Change to Monthly Employment Estimates This release incorporates revised job count figures for 2014-2018 for the seasonally adjusted series. The reconstructed data reflects data from historical corrections applied to unadjusted supersector or sector level series. For years, analysts with the State DLIR’s Research and Statistics Office have developed monthly employment estimates for Hawai‘i and our metropolitan areas. These estimates were based on a monthly survey of Hawai‘i businesses and analysts’ knowledge about our local economies. Beginning with the production of preliminary estimates for March 2011, responsibility for the production of State and metropolitan area (MSA) estimates was transitioned from individual state agencies to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For Hawai‘i, this means the transition of statewide, Honolulu and Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina MSA areas. State agencies will continue to provide the BLS with information on local events that may affect the estimates, such as strikes or large layoffs/hiring at businesses not covered by the survey and to disseminate and analyze the Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates for local data users. BLS feels this change is designed to improve the cost efficiency of the CES program and to reduce the potential bias in state and area estimates. A portion of the cost savings generated by this change is slated to be directed towards raising survey response rates in future years, which will decrease the level of statistical error in the CES estimates. Until then, state analysts feel this change could result in increased month-to-month variability for the industry employment numbers particularly for Hawai‘i’s counties and islands. Seasonally Adjusted Labor Force and Unemployment Estimates for Honolulu and Maui County BLS publishes smoothed seasonally adjusted civilian labor force and unemployment estimates for all metropolitan areas, which includes the City and County of Honolulu and Maui County. BLS releases this data each month in the Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment news release. The schedule is available at http://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.toc.htm. Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization for States, fourth quarter of 2018 through third quarter of 2019 averages. The six alternative labor underutilization state measures based on the Current Population Survey (CPS) and compiled on a 4-quarter moving average basis defined: U-1, persons unemployed 15 weeks or longer, as a percent of the civilian labor force; U-2, job losers and persons who completed temporary jobs, as a percent of the civilian labor force; U-3, total unemployed, as a percent of the civilian labor force (this is the definition used for the official unemployment rate); U-4, total unemployed plus discouraged workers, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus discouraged workers; U-5, total unemployed, plus discouraged workers, plus all other marginally attached workers*, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers; and U-6, total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers. * Individuals who want, and are available for work, and who have looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months (or since the end of their last job if they held one within the past 12 months), but were not counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the four weeks preceding the survey, for such reasons as child care or transportation problems, for example. Discouraged workers are a subset of the marginally attached. Note that, the state unemployment rates (U-3) that are shown are derived directly from the CPS. As a result, these U-3 measures may differ from the official state unemployment rates for the latest 4-quarter period. The latter are estimates developed from statistical models that incorporate CPS estimates, as well as input data from other sources, such as state unemployment claims data. Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TDD/TTY Dial 711 then ask for (808) 586-8866 View DLIR news releases: http://labor.hawaii.gov/blog/category/news/

HONOLULU –  Gov. David Ige has appointed Col. Stephen F. Logan as deputy adjutant general for the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Defense effective Dec. 6, 2019. He replaces Brig. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara, who assumes the position of adjutant general for the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Defense on the same date. Col. Logan has served as the chief of staff of the Hawai‘i Army National Guard since Mar. 2017. Previously, he served as commander for the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, commander of the 103rd Troop Command, and as the state Army aviation officer for more than a decade, flying and managing both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Logan is also a 22-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department, retiring in 2004 as a patrol watch commander at the rank of Metropolitan Police Lieutenant. Logan served in key positions during his deployment to Afghanistan, working closely with Afghan National Police and Security Forces. In addition, Logan has served on several state missions in support of local authorities – most recently as the deputy commander of Joint Task Force 5-0 in support of the Kīlauea volcanic eruption and Hurricane Lane responses in 2018. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Chaminade University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Logan is married to the former Darcie N. Imose, and they have two children. "I selected Col. Logan based on his experience and integrity. He has also previously worked with Maj. Gen. Hara while on deployment and during various disasters and exercises here at home. They have established a great working relationship and will make an excellent team,” said Gov. Ige. “Being selected by Gov. Ige as the deputy adjutant general for the State of Hawaiʻi is truly an honor," said Logan. "I look forward to working on our state's priorities.” Logan’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. #StephenLogan #KennethHara #SenateConfirmation #DavidIge

(Honolulu) – Last year, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) acquired more than 2,800 acres of forest land and former agricultural lands in the Helemano area of Central Oʻahu.  This area is now in the process of being placed in the State’s Forest Reserve System and DOFAW has begun developing a plan for the Helemano Wilderness Area with the assistance of local planning firm Planning Solutions, Inc. (PSI). As word has spread of the transfer of these lands to public ownership, excitement has developed about the area’s potential.  The plan will serve as a tool to promote access, recreation, and safety while preserving and enhancing the beauty, history, and natural resources of this special place.  In recognition of community interest and the uniqueness of the area, DOFAW envisions the development of the plan will include opportunities for people to share their knowledge and vision for the Helemano Wilderness Area. Planners intend to conduct stakeholder and public outreach and involvement through a collaborative planning process. To provide a user-friendly way for people to share their knowledge, stay up to date with the plan’s progress, and to download and review it, DOFAW and PSI have created a website with an interactive, social media-style commenting tool. To view the plan or to make comments: http://www.helemanowilderness.com/

(Pohoiki, Hawai‘i Island) – An enormous and ever-growing black sand beach is not the only new feature at Pohoiki, the site of a former boat ramp, rendered obsolete after being surrounded by lava.  Biologists from the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) have noted at least seven anchialine pools dotting the Pohoiki landscape. 14 Months After Lava Stopped, Seven Anchialine Pools Appear Troy Sakihara explained, “Anchialine pools are brackish water pools that are land-locked, but are connected to the ocean and groundwater through the underground. They fluctuate with tides and while they may seem like unassuming, little puddles of water they are home to an array of endemic species found only in Hawai‘i.” The most common aquatic creature found in Hawai‘i’s anchialine pools are ʻōpaeʻula, the tiny Hawaiian red shrimp. They’re popular in desktop aquariums and Sakihara describes them as very charismatic – not the least of which they’re ability to evolve and thrive in a variety of habitats like volcanic rock and sand. Biologists say they’re not terribly surprised that ʻōpaeʻula and other native shrimp are beginning to show up at Pohoiki and likely in other anchialine pools up and down the Puna coast that were inundated by lava flows. The where and how of their reappearance is still a bit of a mystery, but experts do know that they quickly re-inhabit bomb impact craters at places like Kaho‘olawe. Sakihara said, “It is still a question that we’re trying to answer as far as how they recruit so fast into these pools.” Historically anchialine pools have been critical sources of fresh water, particularly in arid regions.  Hawai‘i has the highest concentrate of these ponds in the world, with a conservative estimate of 600 out of a worldwide total of a one thousand. DAR Administrator Brian Neilson commented, “These pools are really valuable resources – ecologically, biologically, and culturally. Our team is currently working on a rules package to provide better management strategies for anchialine pools. One of the things people can do right now is to stay out of these sensitive areas.  Sunscreens and other body oils can degrade water quality and potentially kill creatures like the ʻōpaeʻula.” On a recent visit to Pohoiki, Neilson and Sakihara, watched a woman with a snorkel, float in one of the new anchialine pools for more than an hour. Neilson concluded, “We want to educate folks and ask them not to disturb these pools and minimize their interactions with them.  Please don’t swim or snorkel in them, as you may be killing some of the most endangered aquatic creatures in the state.  Respect them and enjoy them, with your eyes, only.” To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/373208207

Attorney General Clare E. Connors today announced a campaign to teach kids about the 19th Amendment (women’s right to vote) on the cusp of its 100th anniversary. The Department of the Attorney General is conducting this campaign in partnership with the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission (WSCC), the federal commission created by Congress to ensure a proper commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the 19th Amendment, and in cooperation with the Original Flat Stanley Project. “It is vitally important that we all commemorate this anniversary,” said Attorney General Connors. “Today is the day that Susan B. Anthony stood up for her right to vote and through August 26th, 2020, our office will be working with keiki to teach them how important this right is to all of us.” Today, nationwide, attorneys general are joining Attorney General Connors and the WSCC in highlighting the centennial of women’s right to vote and teaching kids about Susan B. Anthony with a paper cutout. “We want youngsters around America to go to www.WomensVote100.org to download and decorate ‘Flat Susan B,’” said Susan Combs, Chairwoman of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission.  “Take her on adventures from the classroom to historic sites, even to the courtroom to meet today’s judges, prosecutors and attorneys. We want young Americans to learn about this unique history and celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s equality in the voting booth.” Prior to the 19th Amendment’s adoption, Virginia Minor, battled all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court for her right to vote and lost.[1] Suffragists continued to fight for equality at the ballot box and succeeded when the 19th Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution on August 26, 1920, finally guaranteeing women the right to vote. “Flat Susan B” is available for download at www.WomensVote100.org, as is a list of historic sites and state-by-state activities where Americans can photograph “Flat Susan B” and post the photos to social media using hashtags #WomensVote100 and #FlatSusanB. Susan B. Anthony photo: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/susan-b-anthony