(Honolulu) - The Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Working Group, formed to respond to a new disease threatening Hawai‘i’s most important native forest tree, recently received the Conservation Innovation award at the 2019 Hawaii Conservation Conference. The working group is made up of nearly 200 individuals representing state, county, federal, university, non-profit organizations, local and private businesses, as well as private citizens. The purpose of the Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Working Group is to facilitate inclusive communication on all issues related to the fungal disease and share knowledge on a regular basis among group members, their organizations, and the people of Hawai’i. The ROD Working Group meeting has been held monthly in Hilo since 2015, but most members call in from around the state or the mainland for monthly updates. Committees focusing on research, surveys, control, and outreach provide reports to keep interested parties current on the latest information. “This forum has been key to maintaining information flow as well as connecting folks who want to contribute to the cause,” said Rob Hauff, State Protection Forester, with the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death is caused by two closely related fungi species and has been found throughout Hawai’i island and was detected on Kaua’i in 2018 and on Maui last month. ʻŌhiʻa is the backbone of Hawaii’s native forests and watersheds making up 80% of remaining native forests. The working group recommends the following to help reduce the risk of spreading Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death: Avoid injuring ʻōhiʻa Don’t transport ʻōhiʻa inter-island Don’t move ʻōhiʻa wood or vegetation Clean your hiking boots/gear/tools Wash your vehicle Representatives receiving the award on behalf of the working group were: Dr. Flint Hughes, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station Dr. Lisa Keith, USDA Agriculture Research Service, Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center Dr. J.B. Friday, University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Rob Hauff, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/showcase/6028897 #rapidohia #flithughes #lisakeith #jbfriday #robhauff #DLNR #USDA #UHHawaii #RODWorkingGroup #RapidOhiaDeath #ConservationinnovationAward #HawaiiconservationConference

HONOLULU – The State of Hawai‘i Judicial Selection Commission has submitted six lists of judicial nominees to Gov. David Ige. The lists include nominees for five vacancies on the First Circuit Court and one vacancy on the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Gov. Ige has 30 days to make his selections. The nominees are as follows: Intermediate Court of Appeals, State of Hawai‘i: (This judicial office will become vacant upon the retirement of Associate Judge Lawrence M. Reifurth in Aug. 2019). Rebecca A. Copeland David M. Forman Geoffrey K.S. Komeya Karen T. Nakasone John M. Tonaki Clyde J. Wadsworth Circuit Court of the First Circuit (Island of O‘ahu): (This judicial office has been vacant since Circuit Judge Keith K. Hiraoka was elevated to the position of associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals in Nov. 2018). Karin L. Holma Craig W. Jerome James C. McWhinnie Trish K. Morikawa Kevin A. K. Souza John M. Tonaki Circuit Court of the First Circuit (Island of O‘ahu): (This judicial office has been vacant since the retirement of Circuit Judge Virginia L. Crandall in Nov. 2018). Lisa W. Cataldo Karin L. Holma James C. K. McWhinnie Trish K. Morikawa Kevin A. K. Souza John M. Tonaki Circuit Court of the First Circuit (Island of O‘ahu): (This judicial office has been vacant since the retirement of Circuit Judge Rom A. Trader in Dec. 2018). Karin L. Holma Ronald G. Johnson James C. McWhinnie Trish K. Morikawa Kevin A. K. Souza John M. Tonaki Circuit Court of the First Circuit (Island of O‘ahu): (This judicial office has been vacant since the retirement of Circuit Judge Glenn J. Kim in April 2019). Karin L. Holma James C. McWhinnie Trish K. Morikawa Alvin P. K. K. Nishimura Kevin A. K. Souza John M. Tonaki Circuit Court of the First Circuit (Island of O‘ahu): (This judicial office has been vacant since the retirement of Circuit Judge Colette Y. Garibaldi in Dec. 2018). Tracy S. Fukui Karin L. Holma James C. McWhinnie Trish K. Morikawa Kevin A. K. Souza John M. Tonaki The Judicial Selection Commission submitted the lists of nominees to the governor after careful evaluation and investigation into the backgrounds and qualifications of the applicants. Gov. Ige has until Aug. 28 to make his appointments, which are subject to Senate confirmation. #judicialnominees #Hawaiistatelegislature #governorige #Davidige #Firstcircuitcourt #intermediatecourtofappeals #hawaiijudicialselectioncommittee #HawaiiSenateMajority #HawaiiStateSenate

Current director Linda Chu Takayama to take chief of staff position in Ige Administration August HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has appointed Rona Suzuki as interim director of the state Department of Taxation (DOTAX). Suzuki has served as a senior executive assistant at DOTAX, managing the $60 million Tax System Modernization (TSM) program which aims to replace most of the department’s technologies to improve operational efficiency and security. Previously, Suzuki was executive director of the Office of Community Services at the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. She was responsible for administering $30 million in grant programs for low-income individuals and families, immigrants, and refugees, to achieve economic self-sufficiency, as well as other social service nonprofits. In addition, Suzuki worked for more than a decade with private technology companies, managing technical projects, staff, contracts and budgets for Hawai‘i Resource Group, Pacxa, Century Computers, Ho‘ike Technology, and Computer Training Academy (CTA). Suzuki holds a B.A. in economics and government from Claremont McKenna College in California and a master’s in business administration from the University of Hawai‘i, Mānoa. Suzuki’s appointment is effective Aug. 1 and is subject to Senate confirmation. #governorige #ronasuzuki #lindachutakayama #DepartmentofTaxation #HawaiiStateSenate #DLIR #DOTAX #TXM

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) has issued a formal notice to proceed to Lau Ola LLC, dba Big Island Grown Dispensaries for its third licensed medical cannabis dispensary retail center after passing its final onsite inspection. The company’s third retail center is located at 74-5617 Pawai Place in Kailua-Kona on Hawai‘i Island. There are now a total of eleven licensed retail dispensary locations operating on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Island. Big Island Grown Dispensaries opened its second retail location in Waimea earlier this year in March and its first retail center opened in Hilo in January. “Big Island Grown’s Kona dispensary further expands the accessibility of cannabis for medical use for registered patients,” said Michele Nakata, supervisor of DOH’s Medical Cannabis Dispensary Licensing Program. “We continue to work with licensees to ensure the sale of safe products that comply with state laws and regulations.” There are more than 26,000 patients and over 2,000 caregivers registered statewide. Nearly 30 percent of these patients and 22 percent of the caregivers reside on Hawai‘i Island. As of June 30, 2019, there were approximately 7,611 registered patients and 445 caregivers on Hawai‘i Island. The primary qualifying medical condition reported for adult registered patients is severe pain. The primary reported condition for children under 18 years of age is seizures. To ensure the highest standards of quality and care, dispensaries are required to comply with all state and county health and safety regulations and are subject to unlimited unannounced DOH inspections. Each licensed dispensary is an independent business and operates based on their individual business plans. The other licensed retail centers operating in the state include: • Maui Grown Therapies, located at 44 Pa‘a St. in Kahului, Maui, which received a notice to proceed on Aug. 8, 2017; • Aloha Green, in the Interstate Building at 1314 South King St. in Honolulu, which received its notice to proceed on Aug. 9, 2017; • Pono Life Sciences Maui LLC, at 415 Dairy Road in Kahului, Maui, which received its notice to proceed on Sept. 29, 2017; • Noa Botanicals, located at 1308 Young St. in Honolulu, which received its notice to proceed on Oct. 9, 2017; • Cure Oahu, located at 727 Kapahulu Ave. in Honolulu, which received its notice to proceed on March 16, 2018; • + GREEN ALOHā Dispensary at 4-1565 Kuhio Highway in Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i, which received its notice to proceed on May 18, 2018; • Big Island Grown Dispensaries, located at 750 Kanoelehua Ave., Suite 104, in Hilo, Hawai‘i, which received its notice to proceed on Jan. 15, 2019; • Noa Botanicals, located at 46-28 Kawa St. in Kaneohe, which received its notice to proceed on Feb. 14, 2019; • Big Island Grown Dispensaries, located at 64-1040 Mamalahoa Highway, Suite 101 in Kamuela, Hawai‘i, which received its notice to proceed on March 7, 2019; and • Hawaiian Ethos, located at 73-5613 Olowalu Street, Suite 7 in Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i, which received its notice to proceed on June 24, 2019. Registered patients and caregivers may purchase up to 4 ounces of medical cannabis during a 15-consecutive day period and a maximum of 8 ounces over a 30-consecutive day period. When bringing medical cannabis home after purchasing it from a dispensary, the medical cannabis must be in a sealed container and not visible to the public. All use of medical cannabis must be on private property and may not be used in a car while on the road, at work, at the beach, on hiking trails or in any other public space. It is illegal to use or possess medical cannabis on any federally owned property such as military installations and national parks. More information on the Medical Cannabis Program is available at http://health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabis/. #DepartmentofHealth #LauOlaLLC #bigIslandGrownDispensaries #DOH #MedicalCannabis

With the close of the 30th State Legislative Session, the following are election related bills that have been enacted into law. ACT 022 – HB31 Relating to Election Nomination Papers: Amends the information provided by voters when signing a candidate’s nomination paper. The last 4-digits of a voter’s Social Security Number and their year of birth are no longer required. ACT 135 — SB216 Relating to Elections: Requires a mandatory recount of election votes and ballot measures when the margin of victory for election contests or tabulation for ballot measures is equal to or less than one hundred or one-quarter of one per cent of the votes cast, whichever is greater. ACT 136 — HB1248 Relating to Elections: Enacts voting by mail uniformly across all counties for all elections commencing in 2020. ACT 137 — HB168 Relating to the Electronic Transmission of Ballots: Authorizes a voter with special needs, including a disability, to request that a ballot be forwarded by electronic transmission when mail ballot packets are made available. #ElectionBills #HawaiiLegislature #HawaiiStateSenate #HawaiiSenate#2019Legislature #HawaiiSenateMajority #Elction #officeofelections #Hawaiielections #ElectionBills #HawaiiStateLegislature #HawaiiSenate #Hawaiisenate #HawaiiSenateMajority

HONOLULU — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), with support from the County of Hawai‘i, will deploy assistance specialists to Hawai‘i Island, August 5-9, to meet with recipients of disaster aid who received letters indicating they owe a federal debt following the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. The specialists will explain eligibility decisions, answer questions, and collect documentation that may assist in clearing survivor’s debts. State representatives will also attend the interviews with permission of the applicants. This combined effort between the County, State and Federal agencies will address issues regarding standards to prove occupancy as well as other concerns that may have resulted in ineligibility for assistance. Letters have been sent to those under consideration for recoupment informing that they need to make an appointment to appeal FEMA’s decision within the time stated on their recoupment letter. Appointments for interviews are required. Those not under consideration for recoupment but who have questions may ask for an appointment and will be seen, time permitting. Interviews with applicants will be held from the hours of 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to accommodate those with varied daytime schedules. The location for the interviews will be at the Kea‘au Armory (behind the soccer fields at the Shipman County Park) at 16-512 Volcano Highway, Kea‘au, Hawai‘i 96749. Appointments can be made at 808-961-8366. Earlier this summer, FEMA sent recoupment letters to individuals who may have been ineligible for assistance. Potential reasons for ineligibility can include: Duplication of benefits: This occurs when FEMA provides funds that were previously received or available from another source (e.g., insurance or money from another federal agency). A duplication of benefits may also occur when multiple applicants in a household receive an award for the same item or type of assistance. Assistance provided in error: This occurs when FEMA determines assistance was provided to an applicant that was not eligible for assistance. Misuse of funds: This occurs when FEMA determines the applicant spent the funds inappropriately (e.g., using assistance to pay off credit card debt). Fraud: This occurs when FEMA determines the applicant obtained the assistance through false means (e.g., false address, submitting false or altered documents, misrepresenting insurance coverage). After every disaster, FEMA is required to review disaster assistance payments to ensure taxpayer dollars were appropriately spent. A review of the Kīlauea eruption disaster discovered that a small percentage of applicants were not eligible for some or all of the money received. In these cases, federal law requires FEMA seek the return of this aid. #HawaiiEmergencyManagementAgencyHIEMA #HIEMA #FEMA #HawaiiIsland #Kilauea #disasterRelief

Graduation Alliance, a vendor contracted by the University of Hawai‘i (UH) for Hawai‘i P-20 Partnerships for Education (Hawai‘i P-20), reported that Hawai‘i Department of Education (HIDOE) public and charter school student data used for college and career planning resources on the My Future Hawai‘i website may have been exposed to unauthorized access. The data that was potentially exposed does not include social security numbers, financial, driver’s license or health information. None of those items are part of the My Future Hawai‘i application. This potential exposure does not constitute a security breach under Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes. Once the potential exposure was discovered, Graduation Alliance shut down the My Future Hawaiʻi website immediately and hired a third-party cybersecurity vendor to investigate. Law enforcement has been notified and UH, Hawai‘i P-20 and the HIDOE will be provided with regular updates. Based on the outcome of the investigation and an internal analysis of the findings, Hawaiʻi P-20 will make a determination regarding additional steps that may need to be taken. Hawai‘i P-20 has been working with Graduation Alliance on the My Future Hawai‘i website to provide middle and high school students and families with college and career planning resources, financial aid guidance and an expedited application process for the University of Hawaiʻi. The following information is the only information potentially exposed for the current HIDOE students in the database: Name Birthdate Gender Race Ethnicity Permanent address Mailing address Grade level Courses taken and grades Cumulative weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) scores and proficiency levels Schools with student data in the My Future Hawai‘i portal are: Admiral Arthur W. Radford High Aiea High Kula Kaiapuni O Anuenue James B. Castle High Connections NCPCS Wallace Rider Farrington High Hana High and Elementary Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science PCS Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind Hawaii Technology Academy PCS Henry J. Kaiser High Henry Perrine Baldwin High Hilo High Honokaa High and Intermediate James Campbell High Kahuku High and Intermediate Kailua High Kaimuki High Kalaheo High Kalani High Kamaile Academy PCS Kanuikapono Learning Center PCS Kapaa High Kapolei High Kau High & Pahala Elementary Kauai High Kawaikini NCPCS Ke Kula Ni’ihau o Kekaha Learning Center A Laboratory PCS Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino Ke Kula ‘o Samuel M. Kamakau, LPCS Keaau High Kealakehe High King Kekaulike High Kohala High Konawaena High Kua o ka La PCS Lahainaluna High Lanai High & Elementary Laupahoehoe Community – PCS Leilehua High Maui High Mililani High Moanalua High Molokai High Nanakuli High & Intermediate Niihau Olomana Pahoa High & Intermediate Pearl City High Theodore Roosevelt High William McKinley High Waiakea High Waialua High & Intermediate Waianae High Waimea High Waipahu High West Hawaii Explorations Academy PCS Hilo Intermediate Waimea Canyon Middle Lahaina Intermediate Molokai Middle George Washington Middle Ilima Intermediate Ewa Makai Middle School Waipahu Elementary (Limited to 6th grade class) Waipahu Intermediate Waianae Intermediate *Limited to 6th grade students in Waipahu Elementary As a precautionary measure, the HIDOE is sending out a letter today to parents and guardians of students who may have been affected by the potential data exposure. Updates on the situation will be provided on the Hawai‘i P-20 website: www.p20hawaii.org. Parents/guardians with additional questions can call 808-956-5800 or email ga.help@hawaii.edu. More details are also available on a FAQs page of the Hawaiʻi P-20 website. #HawaiiStateDepartmentofEducation #Education #informationbreach #MyFutureHawaii #GraduationAlliance #HawaiiP20

HONOLULU – At the direction of the President of the United States, Gov. David Ige has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawai‘i state flag will be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and upon all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai‘i National Guard in the State of Hawai‘i on ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Tuesday, July 23, 2019 until sunset. This is the date of interment for retired Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court John Paul Stevens. Stevens served on the Supreme Court for 35 years. He died on July 17 at the age 99. Click here for the president’s proclamation. #Hawaiistatecapitol #davidige #Halfstaff #JohnPaulStevens #UnitedStatesSupremeCourt #retiredAssociateJusticeoftheSupremeCourt

HONOLULU – Beginning July 18, 2019, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) will allow qualifying patients to renew their medical cannabis certification cards for up to two years. Through online electronic registration system, current medical cannabis cardholders can submit their two-year renewal applications if they have a qualifying debilitating medical condition that is chronic in nature and verified by their physician or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). To be eligible for two-year certification renewal, the patient must be renewing with a physician or APRN who certified them in a previous year, the certifying physician or APRN must state the patient’s condition is chronic in nature, and the certifying physician or APRN agrees that a twoyear renewal is in the patient’s best interest. “We strongly advise all of Hawai‘i’s medical cannabis patients who may be eligible for and would like to request a two-year renewal to consult with their certifying medical provider to ensure they support a two-year term before submitting an application. The registration fees are nonrefundable regardless of the renewal outcome,” said Tami Whitney of the department’s Medical Cannabis Registry Program. “All patients that choose to see a new certifying medical provider will be eligible for a one-year registration and the following year may be eligible for a two-year renewal.” Registered patients can submit their renewal application online as early as 60 days before their registration cards expire to ensure they receive their renewed cards in a timely manner and avoid any lapse in coverage. Types of registration options for medical cannabis certification and associated costs in Hawai‘i are as follows: One-year registration or renewal for in-state patients: $38.50 Two-year renewal for in-state patients: $77.00 Sixty-day registration for out-of-state patients: $49.50 per registration (allowed twice per calendar year) Again, all application fees are non-refundable. Hawai‘i residents with medical cannabis cards that submit renewal applications after July 18, 2019 will have the two-year renewal option. More information on the Medical Cannabis Dispensary Program is available at https://health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabisregistry/ #DOH #HawaiiDepartmentofHealth #Medicalcannabiscertification #medicalcannabisregistryprogram #APRN

Link to emergency proclamation here HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige today issued an emergency proclamation to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people on Hawai‘i Island and across the State of Hawai‘i, to also ensure the execution of the law, prevent lawless violence, and the obstruction of the execution of the law. The emergency proclamation gives law enforcement increased flexibility and authority to close more areas and restrict access on Mauna Kea. This will allow law enforcement to improve its management of the site and surrounding areas and ensure public safety. “Our top priority is the safety and security of our communities and the TMT construction teams. This is a long-term process and we are committed to enforcing the law and seeing this project through,” said Ige. #maunakea #maunakea #emergencyproclamation #lawenforcement #Hawaiiisland #TMT #thirtymetertelescope

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige announced today that he is seeking a motivated and forward-thinking leader to serve as the Chief Energy Office (CEO) and head the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office (HSEO). The CEO will be responsible for accelerating Hawaii’s energy security, guiding the state in reaching its clean energy goals and becoming a carbon neutral economy. Act 122 (HB852 HD1 SD1 CD1), which created the new position with the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT), was signed by Gov. Ige on June 21, 2019. “The Legislature, Executive Branch and community are all aligned and share a clean energy future for our state. Hawaiʻi has been a leader in fighting the climate crisis, and with the right person in this position we can continue to lead the nation and the world,” said Gov. David Ige. “This is a new era for Hawaiʻi as we pivot to a carbon free, clean energy future. This position will require a knowledgeable, innovative leader committed to working with the community. It’s a rare and unique opportunity to positively change the trajectory of Hawaiʻi,” said Mike McCartney, director, DBEDT. See link for job posting. #energy #davidige #HawaiiStateEnergyOffice #HSEO #Act122 #Hb852 #DBEDT #climatechange

(Honolulu) – In an effort to protect public safety and provide security and safety for the movement of heavy construction equipment associated with the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on Hawai‘i Island’s Mauna Kea, DLNR Chair Suzanne Case has ordered the temporary closure for hunting of hunting units A, K, and G in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and Natural Area Reserve for hunting, effective July 15, 2019. This means hunting and hunting related activities in the identified hunting units will not be permitted from July 15, 2019, at 12:01 a.m. through August 12, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. The Board of Land and Natural Resources delegated closure authority to the BLNR Chair in 2015. The closure can be shortened if circumstances warrant. Anyone who is in the closure area with methods of take such as firearms or bows can be cited or arrested by State law enforcement officers and face fines and/or jail time. Chair Case commented, “We hope to allow hunting as soon as practicable, but the temporary closure for hunting is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the public and personnel involved in moving equipment for the TMT project up the Mauna Kea Access Road. We understand and appreciate that this closure may be inconvenient and we appreciate everyone’s patience while we focus on safety and security as well as continued stewardship of Mauna Kea.” The applicable rule is cited in HAR § 13-123-21.1 (Game Mammal Hunting). The specific hunting area closures are: (map attached) Unit A, Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and Game Management Area Unit G, Kaʻohe Game Management Area Unit K, Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve #DepartmentofLandandNaturalResources #DLNR #HUNTING #MAUNAKEA #MAUNAKEA #FORESTRYANDWILDLIFE #NATURALAREARESERVES