HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) is urging Maui residents and visitors to protect themselves from elevated levels of fine particulates (PM2.5) caused by the wildfire in Central Maui. Elevated levels of PM2.5 can cause breathing problems in individuals, especially those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. DOH’s Kihei air monitoring station recorded extremely high levels of PM2.5 starting at 4 p.m. yesterday until the station went off-line, likely caused by loss of power in the area. DOH laboratory technicians worked throughout the day to bring the station back on-line as quickly as possible. The station is now back in operation and providing data to the public. A second DOH monitor located in Kahului continues to show good levels of air quality in that area. “Particulate levels due to the smoke from brush fires may continue to be elevated in areas near and downwind of the fire and could affect communities in varying degrees, said Marianne Rossio, chief of DOH’s Clean Air Branch. “We’re advising residents and visitors to stay informed and heed warnings and instructions provided by state and county emergency officials.” The health department recommends that individuals with respiratory conditions who live or work in an area being impacted by smoke or vog should consider the following guidelines: • Stay indoors and close your windows and doors. • Check that your air conditioner or air purifier is working properly, and change filters if necessary. • If you take medication, make sure you have an adequate supply and use them as directed by your physician. • Contact your physician if you need more medication and get clear instructions of what to do if your lung condition suddenly worsens. • Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke. • Avoid people who have colds and other lung infections and wash your hands thoroughly. • Get plenty of rest and limit physical exertion. • Drink plenty of fluids to loosen mucus. Warm beverages seem to work best. • Contact your physician as soon as any respiratory problem develops. • If possible, leave the affected area. While these suggestions are intended primarily for persons with respiratory or chronic lung disease, they are also useful for healthy persons during air pollution episodes such as particulate dust, brush fires, firework smoke or volcanic haze. For further information regarding air quality, contact the Clean Air Branch at (808) 586-4200 or visit https://health.hawaii.gov/cab/hawaii-ambient-air-quality-data/ to access air quality data. To access additional information on respiratory health, contact the American Lung Association of Hawai‘i at (808) 537-5966 or visit their website at http://www.ala-hawaii.org. Follow the County of Maui on Facebook @countyofmaui for the latest information about the wildfire or visit their website at https://www.mauicounty.gov/ #TheHawaiiDepartmentofHealth #mauifire #countyofmaui #smoke #kihei #PM25 #CentralMaui #Kahului #smokevog #cleanairbranch #volcanichaze

– Gov. David Ige has appointed Linda Chu Takayama as his chief of staff, effective Aug. 1. Takayama has served in the Ige administration since 2015 – first as the head of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and currently as director of the Department of Taxation for the State of Hawai‘i. At DOTAX, Chu Takayama has been responsible for the collection of more than $7 billion in revenue and has overseen the modernization of the tax department. Prior to joining the Ige administration, Chu Takayama was the director of the Office of Economic Development for the City and County of Honolulu, where her focus was community revitalization, agriculture and international affairs. Chu Takayama is an attorney with practice areas in county, state and federal regulatory and governmental affairs, as well as health, insurance, land development and corporate business law. In addition, Chu Takayama has served as deputy director of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and was also the Hawai‘i Insurance Commissioner. Prior to that, Chu Takayama worked in Washington, D.C. as the chief of staff to the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms and as director of the State Legislative Affairs and Agricultural Issues for the Grocery Manufacturers of America, Inc. She also served for 25 years as chair of the Hawai‘i Foodbank and is a director on the board of the Hawai‘i Health Information Corporation. Chu Takayama was born and raised in Honolulu where she earned a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from George Mason University School of Law in Virginia. “I am truly honored by this appointment and will be working hard to justify the governor’s confidence in me. Although the state faces tough challenges, I believe, as LBJ did, ‘There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves,’” Chu Takayama said. Gov. Ige also appointed Keith Yamamoto as chief operating officer. He previously served as first deputy director of the state Department of Health where he was responsible for overseeing the general administration of the department. In addition, Yamamoto served as the chief of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division at the Department of Health; program development administrator for the Office of Youth Services at the Department of Human Services; and has managed various school-based vocational education and career development programs for at-risk youth while with the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Yamamoto earned a B.S. in Rehabilitation Services from the University of Colorado and his master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. #Lindachutakayama #keithyamamoto #departmentofhealth #davidige #HawaiiFoodbank #DOTAX #DepartmentofTaxation #StateofHawaii

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation on Friday, declaring the County of Maui a disaster area. The proclamation enables the state to provide quick and efficient relief from damages, losses, suffering caused by the disaster, and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people. Photo credit: Donora Kahaialii “I am declaring our Valley Isle a disaster area for the purpose of implementing the emergency management functions as allowed by law. The emergency proclamation also authorizes the expenditure of state monies as appropriated to support speedy and efficient relief efforts,” said Gov. Ige. The wildfire started at about mid-morning Thursday in central Maui and quickly burned out of control. Maui Mayor Mike Victorino says the fire is about 20 percent contained and has so far damaged at least 9,000 acres of former sugar cane lands and brush. Link to Maui County emergency proclamation here #maui #davidige #disasterarea #valleyisle #mikevictorino #MauiFire #HawaiiStateSenate #HawaiiSenateMajority #Governorsproclamation #donorakahaialii

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige and the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory (TIO) today announced that construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) will begin the week of July 15, 2019. The State Department of Transportation announced that Mauna Kea Access Road will be closed and there could be lane and other road closures associated with large equipment movement beginning July 15. In addition, hunting units A, K, and G in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve area will be temporarily closed to hunting effective July 15. Both measures are being taken 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. David Y. Ige, Governor, State of Hawaiʻi: “We have followed a 10-year process to get this point, and the day for construction to begin has arrived. At this time our number one priority is everyone’s safety. As construction begins, I continue to be committed to engaging with people holding all perspectives on this issue and to making meaningful changes that further contribute to the co-existence of culture and science on Mauna Kea.” Henry Yang, Ph.D., Chair, TIO Board of Governors: “After being given all the necessary clearances by the State of Hawai‘i and respectfully reaching out to the community, we are ready to begin work on this important and historic project. “We have learned much over the last 10-plus years on the unique importance of Maunakea to all, and we remain committed to being good stewards on the mountain and inclusive of the Hawaiian community. “Hawai‘i is a special place that has long pioneered and honored the art and science of astronomy and navigation. We are deeply committed to integrating science and culture on Maunakea and in Hawai‘i, and to enriching educational opportunities and the local economy. “We acknowledge those who disagree with our project and express our respect for their views. Lastly, we are grateful for our many friends and supporters in the community during this journey. We also thank our project partners for their steadfast commitment to build the Thirty Meter Telescope in Hawai‘i.” TMT will be constructed on UH-managed lands on Mauna Kea located in the conservation district regulated by the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR). On June 19, 2019, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) issued a notice to proceed to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo for the TMT project. The permit was issued after DLNR confirmed the completion of the pre-construction conditions and mitigation measures required of the project in the Conservation District Use Permit. About TMT: The TMT International Observatory LLC (TIO), a non-profit organization, was established in May 2014 to carry out the construction and operation phases of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project. The Members of TIO are Caltech, University of California, the National Institutes of Natural Sciences of Japan, the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Department of Science and Technology of India, and the National Research Council (Canada); the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a TIO Associate. The Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation has provided major funding. For more information about the TMT project, visit tmt.org, www.facebook.com/TMTHawaii or follow @TMTHawaii. #tmt #thirtymetertelescope #henryyang #davidige #MaunaKea #Maunakea #BLNR #DLNR

The Senate STATE CAPITOL HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I 96813 HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation’s Highways Division plans to improve Volcano Road at the Kipimana Street Intersection that serves the Shipman Industrial Park, near milepost 6. The work includes installation of a temporary traffic signal system using a “Green T-Intersection” design that will control access and egress from Shipman Industrial Park while allowing the northbound traffic traveling toward Hilo to proceed without a stop condition. While the primary purpose is to assist motorists in safely crossing the southbound lanes, improvements at this intersection will also benefit cyclists, pedestrians and marathoners who share the shoulder highway space. “I want to thank the State Highways Division for being proactive and devising a plan to make this intersection safer and more efficient,” Senator Inouye said. “We have seen an increase in activity in the area because of growing community interest in health and fitness. This shows that we can and will design our roadways to benefit the entire community.” The Green T-Intersection involves physically separating the Volcano Road’s northbound turning lanes from the through traffic by use of raised curbs with delineators. The southbound Volcano Road lanes, and traffic entering and exiting Shipman Industrial Park will be subject to traffic signal patterns. Work is expected to begin in November 2019 and last for a period of six months. During construction, motorists may experience delays during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. due to one lane closures and police-controlled intersection movements. Motorists are asked to exercise extreme caution in the area and to be aware of variable message boards that will be used to notify motorists of traffic conditions during construction. Future updates can be found at http://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/. ### #HIDOT #HAWAIIDEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATION #VOLCANOROAD #HawaiiIsland #Hawaiiisland #Milemarker6 #GreenTIntersection #LorraineInouye #HiloSenator #SenatorInouye

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has received notification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a laboratory-confirmed case of angiostrongyliasis, or rat lungworm disease, in an adult visitor to Hawai‘i Island. With the additional case confirmed by CDC, this brings the statewide total to six cases of individuals confirmed with angiostrongyliasis in 2019. This includes three residents and three visitors all of which likely contracted the disease on Hawai‘i Island. The sixth individual was an adult resident of the U.S. mainland and was traveling in West Hawai‘i when they were infected with the parasite causing rat lungworm disease. The individual became ill in early February and was hospitalized on the mainland for a short time for their symptoms. The investigation was not able to identify an exact source of infection. However, they reported eating a lot of fresh fruits and not washing them all before eating them. “Washing fresh fruits and vegetables carefully no matter where they come from is an important step to preventing rat lungworm disease,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist. “Thoroughly inspecting and rinsing produce under clean, running water is the most effective way to remove pests and other contaminants.” DOH provides the following recommendations to prevent rat lungworm disease: • Wash all fruits and vegetables under clean, running water to remove any tiny slugs or snails. Pay close attention to leafy greens. • Control snail, slug, and rat populations around homes, gardens and farms. Get rid of these vectors safely by clearing debris where they might live, and also using traps and baits. Always wear gloves for safety when working outdoors. • Inspect, wash, and store produce in sealed containers, regardless of whether it came from a local retailer, farmer’s market, or backyard garden. For more information about rat lungworm disease and how to prevent its spread, visit: • DOH website: http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/rat-lungwormangiostrongyliasis/ • HDOA website: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/rat-lungworm-information/ • CTAHR website: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/ctahr/farmfoodsafety/rat-lungworm/ • CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/angiostrongylus/index.html Angiostrongyliasis, commonly known as rat lungworm disease, is caused by a parasitic roundworm and can have debilitating effects on an infected person’s brain and spinal cord. In Hawai‘i, most people become ill by accidentally ingesting a snail or slug infected with the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis). Symptoms vary widely between cases, and the most common ones include severe headaches and neck stiffness. The most serious cases experience neurological problems, severe pain and long-term disability. #ratlungworm #angiostrongyliasis #sarahpark #DepartmentofHealth #snail #disease #DOH #CTAHR #CDC #CenterforDiseaseControl #UHManoa #UniversityofHawaii #parasiticroundworm

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige today signed a bill that aims to breathe new life into Aloha Stadium and surrounding areas. HB1586 (ACT 268) establishes the Stadium Development District and puts the state’s Aloha Stadium lands under the jurisdiction of the Stadium Authority. “Aloha Stadium has served as a vital gathering place for some 40 years now, where residents and visitors come together to enjoy athletic events and concerts. The recent Bruno Mars, Eagles and Guns and Roses concerts, as well as the upcoming L.A. Rams game – make it very clear that Hawai‘i needs to invest in a new stadium to serve our state for generations to come,” said Gov. Ige. The bill appropriates funding for the construction of a new stadium and complementary development of land that will help generate revenue for the state and help offset costs of the project. The funding includes $20 million in capital, $150 million in GO bonds and $180 million in revenue bonds. Gov. Ige also signed HB1547 (ACT 264) – which appropriates $4 million to assist athletics programs at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and Hilo. The funds will go toward student athletes, operations and team travel. In addition, the governor signed the following measures at bill signing ceremonies today: ACT 265 HB654 Relating to Health ACT 266 SB1418 Relating to the University of Hawai‘i ACT 267 SB1394 Relating to Historic Preservation The following bills were signed on July 5: ACT 248 HB89 Relating to Fireworks ACT 249 HB120 Relating to State Bonds ACT 250 HB333 Relating to the State Highway Enforcement Program ACT 251 HB665 Relating to the Electronic Prescription Accountability System ACT 252 HB808 Relating to Shark and Ray Protection ACT 253 HB1163 Relating to Savings Promotion Contests ACT 254 SB522 Relating to Plastic ACT 255 SB535 Relating to Pharmacists Prescribing & Dispensing of Opioid Antagonist ACT 256 SB536 Relating to Prescriptions ACT 257 SB600 Relating to Firearms ACT 258 SB763 Relating to Advertising & Marketing ACT 259 SB947 Relating to Families ACT 260 SB972 Relating to Ship Repair Industry ACT 261 SB1314 Relating to Tax Credits ACT 262 SB1404 Relating to Loan Repayment for Health Care Professionals ACT 263 SB1494 Relating to Health The following bills were signed on July 2: ACT 190 HB32 Relating to Family Leave ACT 191 HB34 Relating to Wages ACT 192 HB61 Relating to Condominiums ACT 193 HB66 Relating to Athlete Agents ACT 194 HB68 Relating to Consumer Protection ACT 195 HB154 Relating to Service Contracts ACT 196 HB157 Relating to Collective Bargaining ACT 197 HB201 Relating to Invasive Species ACT 198 HB214 Relating to Disinterment of Human Bodies ACT 199 HB270 Relating to Rebuilt Vehicles ACT 200 HB273 Relating to Privacy Notice for Insurance ACT 201 HB390 Relating to Workers’ Compensation ACT 202 HB444 Relating to Onsite-Non-Potable Water Reuse Systems ACT 203 HB452 Relating to Preferential Electricity Rates for Protected Ag ACT 204 HB529 Relating to Motor Vehicles ACT 205 HB658 Relating to Health ACT 206 HB699 Relating to the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority ACT 207 HB756 Relating to Transportation ACT 208 HB812 Relating to Low-Speed Electric Bicycles ACT 209 HB845 Relating to Employee Training ACT 210 HB898 Relating to the Board of Health ACT 211 HB913 Relating to the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board ACT 212 HB914 Relating to the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board ACT 213 HB1261 Relating to Judicial Proceedings ACT 214 HB1305 Relating to Mutual Assistance Agreement ACT 215 SB9 Relating to the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority ACT 216 SB19 Relating to Surplus Lines ACT 217 SB759 Relating to Agriculture ACT 218 SB203 Relating to Vaccinations ACT 219 SB292 Relating to Labor ACT 220 SB411 Relating to Transportation ACT 221 SB495 Relating to Taxation ACT 222 SB540 Relating to the Board of Pharmacy ACT 223 SB552 Relating to Condominiums ACT 224 SB592 Relating to the Salary of the State Librarian ACT 225 SB723 Relating to the Uniform Parentage Act ACT 226 SB772 Relating to Liquor Laws ACT 227 SB980 Relating to Education ACT 228 SB989 Relating to the Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism ACT 229 SB991 Relating to Telecommunications ACT 230 SB1486 Relating to Electronic Prescription Accountability System ACT 231 SB1498 Relating to the Hawai‘i Labor Relations Board ACT 232 SB1360 Relating to Taxation ACT 233 SB660 Relating to State Identification Cards ACT 234 HB336 Relating to Hawai‘i State & Contracted Correctional Facilities ACT 235 HB252 Relating to Speech Pathology ACT 236 HB314 Relating to Gift Certificates ACT 237 HB437 Relating to Crime Victim Compensation for Mental Health Services ACT 238 HB531 Relating to Enterprise Technology Services ACT 239 SB1442 Relating to the Public Utilities Commission ACT 240 HB673 Relating to Medical Cannabis ACT 241 SB138 Relating to Reports of Candidate Committees ACT 242 SB225 Relating to Ocularists ACT 243 SB272 Relating to Solar Energy Devices ACT 244 SB335 Relating to Public Meetings ACT 245 SB413 Relating to Trespass ACT 246 SB770 Relating to Real Estate Licenses ACT 247 SB1348 Relating to the Small Business Regulatory Review Board Link to photos here Video link to Aloha Stadium (Structure of Government) bill signing ceremony here Video link to University of Hawai‘i bill signing ceremony here Video link to Historic Preservation bill signing ceremony here #HEALTH #BILEDUCT #LIVERCANCER #AlohaStadium #HB1586 #Act268 #HawaiiStadiumAuthority #universityofhawaii #UHHIlo #hawaiisenate #hawaiisenatemajority #donnamercadokim #karlrhoads

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Taxation (Department) announced today that it has published notice to revoke tax licenses due to abandonment. By law, a tax license is considered abandoned if the license holder has not filed its period and annual returns for a period of five or more years. The Department is providing an additional two-year grace period for a total of seven years of inactivity before revoking tax licenses due to abandonment. The Department is required to post a notice of intent to revoke the licenses by publishing a notice on its website for at least 45 days. The notice, Tax Announcement 2019-07, was posted to the Department’s website on June 28, 2019. As explained in the notice, concerned taxpayers are urged to check on the status of their tax license(s) by visiting the Department’s website at http://tax.hawaii.gov and clicking “Search Tax Licenses.” If a license has a “pending revoke” status and the license holder wishes to retain the tax license, the taxpayer, by September 30, 2019, must (1) file missing returns or (2) submit a petition (letter) to the Director of Taxation explaining why revocation should not occur. If a taxpayer does not need to keep the tax license, no action needs to be taken. The tax license will automatically be revoked after September 30, 2019. “Many businesses close and stop filing tax returns but forget to notify the Department to close their tax licenses,” said Director of Taxation, Linda Chu Takayama. “The Department identified over 400,000 abandoned licenses. Revoking these abandoned licenses is a housekeeping activity that will improve efficiency in tax administration and allow us to focus our efforts on active businesses.” Moving forward, the Department will be revoking abandoned licenses at least annually. The obligation to pay taxes remains regardless of whether a license is revoked due to abandonment or otherwise closed. The status of a tax license has no effect on liability for payment of taxes, fees, penalties or interest accrued or imposed; debts must be paid. Also, license holders are required to file missing returns and are subject to audit review. #taxes #HawaiiDepartmentofTaxation #Lindachutakayama #revokingtaxlicenses #abandonedlicenses

Additional closures scheduled for the Kapolei Interchange project for the week of July 7 HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises Oahu motorists that the H-1 Freeway will be closed in the westbound direction between the Makakilo/Kapolei/Kalaeloa offramp (Exit 2) and the Campbell Industrial Park/Barbers Point Harbor offramp (Exit 1) from 10 p.m. on Thursday night, July 11, 2019, through 5 a.m. on Friday morning, July 12, 2019, for the Kapolei Interchange Complex, Phase 2 project. For the safety of motorists, the westbound H-1 Freeway lanes will be closed as construction crews will be paving the bridge directly above the roadway. Motorists traveling on the westbound H-1 Freeway will be directed to Makakilo Drive via the Makakilo/Kapolei/Kalaeloa offramp (Exit 2) and may continue on Farrington Highway/Kamokila Boulevard, Wakea Street, and the Farrington Highway onramp to return to the westbound H-1 Freeway. To view a detour map, please click here. Additional lane closures for the Kapolei Interchange Project the week of July 7 include: Closure of the Campbell Industrial Park/Barbers Point Harbor offramp (Exit 1A) from the eastbound H-1 Freeway on Sunday night through Friday morning, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., for sign installations. Motorists will be directed to the Makakilo/Kapolei/Kalaeloa offramp (Exit 1B) as an alternate route. Please click here,for a map of the detour. Left lane closure on the H-1 Freeway in both directions between the Makakilo Drive Overpass and the Farrington Highway overpass on Monday, through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for median work. Right lane closure on the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between the Kualakai Parkway onramp and the Makakilo/Kapolei/Kalaeloa offramp (Exit 2) on Friday, July 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for sign work. Two right lane closures on the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between Kapolei/Ewa offramp (Exit 3) and the Makakilo/Kapolei/Kalaeloa offramp (Exit 2) on Sunday night through Thursday morning, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., for sign work. Left lane closure on Farrington Highway in the westbound direction between the Farrington Highway onramp and Waiomea Street on Wednesday night through Thursday morning from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., for sign work. The Kapolei Interchange Complex, Phase 2 project is estimated to be completed by late 2019, weather permitting. Full closures will continue to be scheduled on the H-1 Freeway until the new overpass structure is finished. HDOT will notify motorists of major closures happening for the Kapolei Interchange project and updates will be posted to our HDOT website at hidot.hawaii.gov and to our social media websites, Facebook and Twitter. Electronic message boards will be posted to notify motorists of the closures and detour. Special Duty Police Officers will be on-site to assist with traffic control and safety procedures. Emergency vehicles, first responders, and TheBus have been notified of the full closure and will not be allowed through the work zone. Motorists are advised to allow for extra travel time to get to their destinations and to drive with caution on the detour routes. For more information on the Kapolei Interchange project, please view the project website at https://kapolei-interchange.squarespace.com/. All roadwork is weather permitting. #makakilo #traffic #HDOT #HawaiiDepartmentofTransportationHDOT #kapolei #kalaeloa #departmentoftransportation #highwayclosure

Hawaii Attorney General Files Supreme Court Brief to Protect LGBTQ+ Employees from Discrimination HONOLULU – On the heels of Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots that began the modern gay rights movement, a coalition of 22 attorneys general are today filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that federal anti-discrimination laws protect LGBTQ+ employees. The coalition, led by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and New York Attorney General Letitia James, will be filing the brief in three cases pending before the court that involve workers being fired based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The brief is being filed in the Supreme Court cases of Altitude Express v. Zarda; Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia; and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC, which are being considered together by the court. In their brief, the coalition argues that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination against transgender people or on the basis of sexual orientation. “Discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal,” said Attorney General Connors. “Hawaii stands in support of the LGBTQ+ community and will continue to safeguard their rights.” Two of the cases, Altitude Express v. Zarda and Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, involve employees who were terminated from their jobs after their employers learned they were gay. The attorneys general argue in their brief that Title VII’s prohibition on discrimination based on sex encompasses discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation. The third case, R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC, involves a transgender woman who was fired by the funeral home where she worked when she asked her employer for permission to dress in accordance with her gender identity. In the brief, the coalition argues that Title VII prohibits discrimination against transgender people based on sex stereotyping or their gender identity. The coalition argues that employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity increases the already high rates of prejudice LGBTQ+ people experience at work. It also contributes to increased harassment of LGBTQ+ employees in the workplace, which ranges from denial of jobs and promotions to physical and sexual assault. In the brief, the attorneys general also argue that discrimination against LGBTQ+ employees impedes States’ ability to promote equality and protect residents’ dignity, economic security and mental health. Furthermore, the coalition argues that discrimination against LGBTQ+ workers has an economic impact on States because when LGBTQ+ residents are denied the ability to support themselves, many are forced to rely on public assistance programs. Discrimination against LGBTQ+ workers also decreases business productivity and increases health costs, which inhibits States’ economic growth. Filing the amicus brief are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. #HawaiiAttorneyGeneral #PrideMonth #Stonewallriots #LGBTQ #ClareConnors #HarrisFuneralHomes #EEOC #HawaiiTourismAuthority #Civilrights

Tested Positive for Less Aggressive Strain (Kahului, Maui) – Ceratocystis huliohia, the less aggressive strain of the fungal disease called Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death was recently detected in a single tree on private property in East Maui. The lone ʻōhiʻa tree, 15-20 feet tall and eight-to-ten inches in diameter is located a few feet from a taro loi. Lance DeSilva, Maui Forest Management Supervisor with the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife said, “This one tree is located away from other ʻōhiʻa trees, so this appears to be an isolated case. It will be treated immediately by torching or burning it.” This is the first positive detection of the disease on Maui. Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death has impacted vast acreages and thousands of trees on Hawai‘i Island. Both strains; the most aggressive, Ceratocystis lukuohia and the less aggressive, Ceratocystis huliohia have been detected there and on Kaua‘i. On Maui, only Ceratocystis huliohia has been detected. Quarterly aerial surveys are conducted on Maui to spot trees that may be suspected of having the disease. Typically, samples are then taken from the ground and sent to a lab in Hilo for further testing to determine positive presence. The next Maui quarterly survey is scheduled to begin on July 15. DOFAW personnel on Maui are planning to reach out to residents of the Kīpahulu and Hana areas to increase awareness in those communities for people to be on the lookout for other potential “backyard” ʻōhiʻa trees that should be monitored. Anyone who has a suspect tree is encouraged to call the DOFAW Maui office at 808-984-8100. For more information on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death please visit: cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rod http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/species/rapid-ohia-death/ #DepartmentofLandandNaturalResources #ohia #rapidohiadeath #Maui #ceratocystishuliohia #fungaldisease #LanceDeSilva #MauiForestManagement #DLNR #DOFAW #Kipahulu #Hana

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state’s tourism agency, has issued a request for information (RFI) as it seeks an established global meetings, conventions and incentives (MCI) sales and marketing organization based in Hawaii. The company would need to provide a full range of comprehensive sales and marketing management services for the Hawaiian Islands in the global MCI market. This RFI is only meant to gauge the available market of qualified applicants in preparation for a prospective request for proposal (RFP). The RFI is available for download at https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/rfps/. The deadline for receipt of responses to this RFI is Friday, July 12, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. Inquiries should be directed to Ronald Rodriguez, HTA procurement officer, at 1801 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815, by telephone at (808) 973-2251, or by email at contracting@gohta.net About the Hawaii Tourism Authority The Hawaii Tourism Authority is the State of Hawaii agency responsible for strategically managing its support of the tourism industry. Established in 1998 to support Hawaii’s leading industry and largest employer, HTA continually strives to help ensure tourism’s sustainability and the benefits it brings to residents and communities statewide. For more information about HTA, please visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org. Follow updates about HTA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@HawaiiHTA) and its YouTube Channel. #HawaiiTourismAuthority #HTA #RonaldRodriguez #tourism #marketing #tourismMCI #Sales #RFP #RequestforInformation