HIDOE and the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board applaud Governor David Ige’s signing of House Bill 1070 into law. Act 116 will provide $600,000 in both fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21 for teacher stipends for the “Grow Our Own Teachers” initiative to cover annual licensing fees for new and untenured teachers. HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) and the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) applaud Governor David Ige’s signing of House Bill 1070 into law. Act 116 will provide $600,000 in both fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21 for teacher stipends for the “Grow Our Own Teachers” initiative. The funds will cover annual licensing fees for new and untenured teachers to help reduce their costs while working towards becoming fully-licensed teachers. “By supporting our prospective educators through initiatives like the “Grow Our Own Teachers” program, we are on a path to developing our teaching corps from within,” said Assistant Superintendent Cynthia Covell, Office of Talent Management. “Hawaii is one of only a small handful of states nationwide to provide such progressive funding aimed at paving the way to education careers and strengthening the depth of our teaching talent pool.” Act 116 will also provide $1.27 million in funding for HTSB in Fiscal Year 2019-2020 for operational costs and six permanent staffing positions. “The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board is grateful to the Governor, Senate, and House Education Committees for their support for this bill which honors the importance and professionalism of Hawaii's teachers as they are prepared and become licensed,” said HTSB Executive Director, Lynn Hammonds. “This is an innovative and well-deserved step in elevation and recognition of the profession of teaching by our state.” The HTSB has served the state as the licensing board for Hawaii teachers, school counselors, and school librarians since its inception in 2003, when it began oversight of approvals of educator preparation programs, licensure, and professional development. All public school teachers, counselors, and librarians must be licensed or permitted through the HTSB. For the full text of Act 116, please click here. #HawaiiTeacherStandardsBoard #HouseBill1070 #HawaiiStateDepartmentofEducation #ACT116 #GrowOurOwnTeacgers #davidige #CynthiaCovell #OfficeofTalentManagement #HTSB #HawaiiTeacherStandarsBoard #LynnHammonds

Link to photos here HONOLULU – Gov. Ige signed a bill that will dedicate millions of dollars to the state’s effort to create more housing that people can afford. ACT 189 (HB1312) will add $100 million to the Rental Housing Revolving Fund over the next two years. An additional $67 million will be added to the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund via Act 40 for infrastructure and land acquisitions. Video of these bills being signed right here. “These funds will help the state keep the momentum going. The state’s progress would not be possible without support from the Legislature and the private sector. My administration set a goal of 10,000 new units by 2020. We remain committed to building housing that Hawai‘i families can afford,” said Gov. Ige. In the past four years, the state has completed 6,700 units – 60 percent of them affordable. There are 7,700 additional units in the pipeline, with 80 percent of them affordable and the vast majority will be rentals. The governor also signed the following measures in bill signing ceremonies today: Women’s Legislative Caucus Bills: Video of these bills being signed right here. **For more information, please click on the bills below which will take you to our Hawai'i State Legislature Website and that corresponding bill. Mahalo! ACT 175 SB1037 Relating to Domestic Violence ACT 176 SB1039 Relating to Prostitution ACT 177 HB483 Relating to Civil Rights Health Bills: ACT 180 HB330 Relating to Suicide Prevention ACT 181 SB1406 Relating to Health ACT 182 SB804 Relating to Palliative Care ACT 183 HB1272 Relating to Prescription Drugs Fireworks Bills: ACT 184 HB497 Relating to Fireworks ACT 185 HB499 Relating to Fireworks Labeling ACT 186 HB501 Relating to Fireworks Other Bills: ACT 178 HB710 Relating to Employment Practices ACT 179 HB1552 Relating to Public Safety ACT 187 HB1176 Relating to Electric Guns ACT 188 HB601 Relating to Exemption from Registration Fees In addition – Gov. Ige signed the following bills on June 27, 2019: ACT 158 SB1525 Relating to Home Care Agencies ACT 159 SB1091 Relating to the Department of Transportation ACT 160 SB998 Relating to Special Purpose Revenue Bonds for Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.; Maui Electric Co, Ltd. and Hawai‘i Electric Light Company, Inc.ACT 161 SB981 Relating to Hawai‘i Teacher Standards Board Special Fund ACT 162 SB398 Relating to Homelessness ACT 163 HB1449 Relating to the Nursing Facility Sustainability Program ACT 164 HB1455 Relating to the University of Hawai‘i ACT 165 HB1273 Relating to Health ACT 166 HB1068 Relating to Heeia State Park ACT 167 HB820 Relating to Housing ACT 168 HB843 Relating to Hawai‘i Community College ACT 169 HB703 Relating to Intoxicating Liquor ACT 170 HB551 Relating to Cesspools ACT 171 HB420 Relating to Hawaiian Culture ACT 172 HB398 Relating to the University of Hawai‘i ACT 173 HB1270 Relating to the Hospital Sustainability Program ACT 174 SB162 Relating to Taxation (Signed July 1) #billsigning #HB1312 #Housing #rentalhousingrevolvingfund #dwellingunitrevolvingfundact #affprdabejpisomg #dp #domesticviolence #prostitution #civilrights #suicideprevention #health #palliativecare #prescriptiondrugs #fireworks #fireworkslabeling #employmentpractices #publicsafety #electricguns #Registrationfeeexemptions #homecareagencies #departmentoftransportation #HDOT #SpecialPurposeRevenueBonds #Nursingfacilitysustainabilityprogram #universityofhawaii #healthheeiastatepark #HawaiiCommunityCollegePromiseProgram #intoxicatinliquor #cesspools #hawaiianculture #hospitalsustainabilityprogram #taxation

(Lihu’e) — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will open this year’s season for plum harvesting at Kōkeʻe State Park, Kaua‘i on Thursday July 4. This year’s plum crop happens to be poor. Permits to harvest are required and will be available starting July Fourth at the Kōkeʻe Natural History Museum. There is no cost, but forms must be completed and dropped in the box after harvesting. Harvesting is permitted between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. in designated areas. Each person will be allowed to take up to five pounds of plums per day for personal consumption. Other conditions will be specified on the plum harvesting permit. A short pole with a net will make harvesting easier. Plum pickers are reminded to help prevent forest fires and to pick up their litter. For more information, call the State Parks Office in Lihu‘e at 274-3444. #DLNR #KokeePlumSeason #Plums #KokeeNaturalHistoryMuseum #StateParksOffice #Lihue #Kauai #hawaiidepartmentoflandandnaturalresources

To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/217772126 (Honolulu) – Don’t let last week’s heavy rains fool you and create a sense of complacency. All signs point to a busy time for wildland firefighters across the state, fueled by higher than normal temperatures, drought conditions, and abundant vegetation created by two successive rainy winter seasons. Michael Walker, State Fire Forester for the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), repeated a common refrain, “Like everywhere else in the west, Hawai‘i does not have a specific fire season. It used to be we geared up for battling wildland fires in late summer and early fall, as those times historically were the most common times for big fires. Driven by our changing, warming climate, fire season here in the islands, like in all western states on the mainland, is now year around.” The retired chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) confirmed this during a presentation in Honolulu last week. Ken Pimlott recounted the 2018 fire season as the most destructive and deadly in California history, with more than 1.8 million acres burned, 22,000 structures destroyed, and 100 lives lost. While Hawai‘i‘s wildland fire statistics are unlikely to ever reach California’s levels, as a percentage of land mass impacted by wildfire annually, Hawai‘i is no different than much larger states. More evidence of a year-around fire season was provided by a 2,150 acre fire that burned on Agribusiness Development Corporation land on west Kaua‘i in mid-June between the two highways leading to Waimea Canyon and Koke‘e State Parks. Sheri S. Mann, DOFAW Kaua‘i Branch Chief said, “This fire burned in the exact same area as a wildland fire in May this year and May of 2017; it basically burns there almost every year. It suggests that as land and fire managers we need to consider shifting our thinking towards changing forest and grassland management regimes.” Mann suggests that rather than putting out fires in the same places year after year, management needs to transition into identifying areas that burn repeatedly and then take steps to reduce the fuel types, loads and human activities to mitigate fire potential in advance. Clay Trauernicht, a Wildland Fire Specialist with the University of Hawai‘i’s Cooperative Extension Service traces how the potential for wildland fire has steadily grown over the years. He explained, “”Agriculture and ranching declines have left us with about one million acres of non-native grasses and shrubs statewide. This vegetation is incredibly prone to burning during drought. Clearing and cleaning up the brush on your property is critical for the safety of your family, home, and our firefighters. On top of this, we have some of the highest frequencies of fire starts in the US. About 75% of those ignitions are accidental, which means they can be prevented. So take care with campfires, BBQs, using machinery and running cars over and around dry grass. We also see big spikes in wildfires around the holidays so please follow the laws and be especially safe around fireworks this upcoming Independence Day.” While last week’s rains may have provided some temporary relief from drought conditions in certain areas across the state, meteorologists predict a possible steady worsening of extraordinarily dry weather caused by moderate El Niño weather patterns. The United States Drought Monitor (June 27, 2019) shows extreme drought already impacting the southernmost part of Hawai‘i Island with moderate to severe drought conditions evident in certain areas on all of the main Hawaiian Islands. The Drought Monitor reports, “On June 25, an unusual low pressure system for this time of year brought heavy rainfall to the western Hawaiian Islands, including a daily record of 4.20 inches at Honolulu. The effects of this heavy rainfall on the drought status in Hawaii will be reassessed later this week.” Derek Wroe, a meteorologist at NOAA’s National Weather Service Honolulu Forecast Office explained, “People should not be lulled into thinking that recent rainfall over some islands will eliminate drought conditions over the entire state. With our hotter and drier months still ahead, current drought conditions have the potential to become more pronounced over portions of the state.” Elizabeth Pickett, the head of the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) said what’s most important is what happens before a wildfire sparks. She explained, “Firefighting is the last line of defense when it comes to wildfire. It is up to everyone, residents and visitors alike, to prevent wildfire by eliminating any chance for heat or sparks to come in contact with dry vegetation. There is also a lot that can be done around your home and community to reduce wildfire’s ability to spread and cause widespread damage. It can be as simple as keeping your grass short, removing dead branches and leaves, and clearing your rain gutters of debris. Finally, make and practice your emergency plan with your family, and with any neighbors who might need help preparing for or evacuating from a wildfire.” HWMO hosts a website with information on what home and property owners can do to “harden” their properties against the threat of wildfire. Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization: http://www.hawaiiwildfire.org/lookout #WildfireandDroughtLookOUt #Fire #fire #Firedepartment #ambulance #StateFireForester #DLNR #MichaelWalker #claytrauernicht #NOAA #SheriMann #WaimeaCanyon #ElizabethPickett #HawaiiWildfireManagementOrganization #HWMO

HONOLULU – Hawai'i Senator J. Kalani English (Dist. 7: Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaho‘olawe) today reminded the public that a new statutory provision has clarified the law with respect to signaled crosswalks. Act 133 states that a pedestrian cannot legally enter a crosswalk while a countdown timer is flashing. Prior to this, the law referred only to the “Upraised Palm” Don’t Walk signal, leaving some confused about the effect of the countdown. “As one of the primary sponsors of the bill, I am proud that we have maintained our focus on pedestrian safety and helped make our crosswalks that much safer,” Senator English said. “Of course, there is more to be done, and I am confident we will continue to make headway in protecting pedestrians and otherwise improving our traffic laws.” Senate Bill 693 was signed into law as Act 133 on June 28, 2019, and went into effect today. #hawaii #crosswalks #crosswalklaw #pedestriansafety #UpraisedPalm #DontwalkSignal #MauiSenator #KalaniEnglish #SenatorEnglish #SB693 #SenateBill693 #ACT133 #Molokai #Lanai #Kahoolawe #Hana #EastMaui #UpcountryMaui #HawaiiSenateDistrict7

(Kona)- The DLNR Division of State Parks will conduct early closures of several West Hawai’i parks on the Fourth of July holiday. Kekaha Kai State Park, including the Mahaiula and Maniniowali (Kua Bay) sections; Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, including the Waialea Bay section; Lapakahi State Park; and Kiholo State Park Reserve will all close at 5 p.m. on Thursday July 4, 2019. Normal park hours will resume on Friday July 5, 2019. The closure of these facilities early is to discourage use of fireworks, which is prohibited in state parks, and to protect the public and natural resources of the areas. #DepartmentofLandandNaturalResources #KekahaKaiStatePark #Mahaiula #Maniniowali #KuaBay #HapunaBeach #WaialeaBay #LapakahiStatePark #KiholoStatePark #HawaiiIsland #Beaches #July4

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has extended the public comment period for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit renewal for the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory. On June 25, the DOH was unable to receive public comment through email due to technical issues. The email address has been restored and the comment period extended. Written public comments will be received by DOH until July 9, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. and may be sent by email to: cleanwaterbranch@doh.hawaii.gov or delivered to: State of Hawai‘i Clean Water Branch 2827 Waimano Home Road #225 Pearl City, HI 96782 Photo credit: TMT International Observatory The purpose of this NPDES permit is to provide conditions for safely managing storm water during construction activity. More information on the NPDES permit renewal is available at DOH’s Clean Water Branch website at:​ health.hawaii.gov/cwb/clean-water-branch-home-page/ public-notices-and-updates/ Renewal Permit Documents Public Hearing Notice – TMT International Observatory – HI S000431 Public Notice, Draft Renewal Permit and Rationale – TMT International Observatory – HI S000431 Renewal Application – TMT International Observatory – HI S000431 Original Permit Documents NPDES Permit – TMT International Observatory – HI S000431 Original 2014 Application – TMT International Observatory – HI S000431 June 25, 2019 Public Hearing Video of Public Hearing for TMT International Observatory NPDES Permit Renewal HI S000431 #thirtymetertelescope #TMT #NPDES #NationalPollutantdischargeEliminationSystem #CleanWaterBranch #Hawaiideparmentofhealth #Permits

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is seeking comments on the award of contracts to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs). DBEs are for-profit small businesses whose primary owner and management are considered socially and economically disadvantaged. Federal funding requirements call for state and local transportation agencies to create goals for the participation of disadvantaged entrepreneurs in federal-aid contracts. As part of the DBE goal setting process, HDOT has conducted a Draft Availability Study, which provides information about HDOT’s overall DBE participation goals over a three-year period (FFY 2020 through FFY 2022). To view the draft study and learn more about HDOT’s DBE program, visit http://hidot.hawaii.gov/administration/ocr/dbe/ Public meetings are currently scheduled for the following dates and times: HONOLULU (OAHU) Tuesday, July 9, 9-11 a.m. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Interisland Terminal, 7th Floor Conference Room, 400 Rodgers Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 KAHULUI (MAUI) Wednesday, July 10, 9-11 a.m. Highways Division Maui District Office, 650 Palapala Drive, Kahului, HI 96732 LIHUE (KAUAI) Thursday, July 11, 9-11 a.m. Highways Division Kauai District Office, 1720 Haleukana Street, Lihue, HI 96766 HILO (HAWAII ISLAND) Friday, July 12, 9-11 a.m. Highways Division Hawaii District Office, 50 Makaala Street, Hilo, HI 96720 If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact Curtis Motoyama, DBE Program Supervisor, at (808) 831-7931 or curtis.s.motoyama@hawaii.gov as soon as possible. Please make requests as early as possible to allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy. Public comment on HDOT’s proposed DBE participation goals for federal fiscal year 2020, 2021, and 2022 will be gathered at the meetings referenced above. Comments can also be made online through July 26, 2019 via https://www.keenindependent.com/hdotdisparitystudy2019 or email to HDOTdisparitystudy2019@keenindependent.com The draft study and other documents related to HDOT’s proposed DBE goals will also be made available during business hours (7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) at the HDOT Office of Civil Rights. The address for this office is: 200 Rodgers Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819. Public comments will be gathered online and at meetings on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island. #hdot #hawaiidepartmentoftransportation #DBE #DraftAvailabilityStudy #DisadvantagedBusinessEntreprises #CurtisMotoyama #DisparityStudy

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has appointed Neal Miyahira as director of the Department of Budget and Finance. Miyahira is currently the administrator of the Budget, Program Planning and Management Division at Budget and Finance. He has also served as director of finance and deputy director of finance during his 20 years at the department. Previously, Miyahira worked at the Department of Taxation as deputy director of taxation, as well as chief of research at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor (1986-1994), and in various capacities in the Hawai‘i State Senate and State of Hawai‘i. A Waipahu High School graduate, Miyahira earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Miyahira starts as Budget and Finance director on July 1. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. #nealmiyahiradepartmentofbudetandfinance #Departmentoftaxation #SenateConfirmation #hawaiisenate #Budgetandfinance

Photo Credit: Hawai'i Department of Transportation LIHUE – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) informs the public of scheduled nightly closures of Kuhio Highway (Route 560) at Waipa Bridge between 7:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning for July 1-3 and July 8-11. These nightly closures will lead up to the full weekend closure of Kuhio Highway between Waipa Bridge and the end of the road July 12 - 15, 2019. A calendar with the July night work schedule can be seen at: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/July-2019-Night-Work-Calendar.pdf There will also be a closure of the westbound lane of Kuhio Highway between Anae Road and Kee Beach between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 29 for the 39th Annual Haena to Hanalei Run. More information on this event can be found at http://www.hanaleicanoeclub.org/ All work is weather permitting. First responders have been notified and have planned staging and procedures in the event of an emergency requiring them to access the work zones. Variable Message Signs have been placed along Kuhio Highway to further inform motorists of the scheduled closures. During the closures at Waipa Bridge, there will be no vehicular access to the highway. Pedestrian access, Park and Ride facilities, and a shuttle will be provided for residents and authorized Transient Vacation Rental guests. Shuttle details are as follows: Shuttles will be provided by Hawaiian Dredging for residents and authorized TVR guests from 7 p.m. until 8 a.m. the following morning during night work. For residents or authorized TVR guests needing to pick up their vehicles from the Park and Ride locations in the morning, Hawaiian Dredging shuttles will leave from the Wainiha General Store at 6 a.m., 7 a.m., and 8 a.m. These shuttles will also stop at the Hanalei Colony Resort to pick up additional riders. The shuttle will then proceed to the Park and Ride where residents or TVR guests can pick up their vehicles. Additionally, motorists are advised of the following: The Waipa Park and Ride created to provide access to residents and authorized TVR guests during the Waikoko Bridge night work and full closure is only open for residents and authorized TVR guests. All vehicles remaining at this site when the road reopens for the day should be removed. All motorists are asked to observe posted speed limits, and to slow down and obey traffic flaggers at Waikoko and Waipa Bridges for their safety and the safety of the workers. HDOT will be installing speed humps leading up to the Waioli, Waipa and Waikoko Bridges on the North Shore as a traffic calming pilot measure. This will be the first time speed humps will be installed on a state highway on Kauai. Should this pilot be successful, HDOT will consider installing the humps (which have a lower profile than speed bumps) in appropriate locations across the island. A “no parking” zone has been established along Kuhio Highway with the exception of a few isolated locations between Haena Place and Kee Beach. Parking along Kuhio Highway in this zone is a violation of Chapter 291C-111 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes and could result in fines of $200. Access to the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Haena State Park is by reservation. More information is available at https://www.gohaena.com/ Information on the community-run Kauai North Shore Shuttle is available at https://www.hanaleiinitiative.org/ Weekly updates on the Waipa and Waikoko Bridge work are available via newsletter. Anyone may subscribe via this link. #DepartmentofTransportation #Lihue #Hanaleicanoeclub #VariableMessageSigns #WaipaBridge #TransientVacationRentalguests #hawaiiandredging #kauai #waipaPark #WaikokoBridge

(Kailua-Kona) – In order to support a growing demand for recreational space in the North Kona District, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is conducting a civic use study to gauge community interest in recreational and subsistence uses, such as hiking, hunting, and gathering other forest resources in the Honua‘ula Forest Reserve. As part of the study, DOFAW has scheduled an open meeting to present and receive input on the Kailua-Kona community’s preferences and potential management strategies to support anticipated future increase in activity. There will be a brief presentation, live polling to solicit real time community feedback, and an opportunity to ask DOFAW representatives questions regarding the proposed project. The meeting is scheduled at the following location and time: Monday, July 15, 2019 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Council Chambers 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua, HI 96740 Any person requesting an auxiliary aid or service (i.e. large print materials, sign language interpreters) is asked to contact Kylee Wideman at 808-927-0412 or through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 by July 8, 2019. For more information on the Honuaʻula Forest Reserve and the public use study: http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/frs/honuaula-forest-reserve-public-use-study/ Story Map: https://pbrhawaii.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=50157b7aebd144e6a8dcf462e1624523 #DepartmentofLandandNaturalResources #DLNR #hONUAULAfOREST #hONUAULAfOREST #hONUAULAfORESTrESERVE

Gov. David Ige signed the following bills during bill signing ceremonies today. Link to video here Link to photos here Energy and Sustainability: ACT 141 -- HB556 Relating to Energy Efficiency ACT 142 -- HB1585 Relating to the Environment ACT 143 – SB661 Relating to Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles ACT 144 – HB401 Relating to Contracting for Public Facilities ACT 145 – HB560 Relating to Energy Training ACT 146 – HB1558 Relating to Sustainability ACT 147 – HB1548 Relating to Rapid Ohia Death Gender Identity: ACT 148 – HB1165 Relating to Gender Identification ACT 149 – HB711 Relating to Criminal Defense ACT 157 – HB664 Relating to Gender Identification Gun Violence: ACT 150 – SB1466 Relating to Gun Violence Protective Orders Agriculture: ACT 151 – SB375 Relating to Agriculture ACT 152 – SB1148 Relating to Agriculture ACT 153 – SB390 Relating to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Incentives Others ACT 154 – HB1009 Relating to Movie Theatres ACT 155 – SB330 Relating to an Earned Income Disregard Program ACT 156 – SB50 Relating to Human Services #genderidentification #agriculture #energy #sustainability #davidige #hawaiisenate #hawaiisenateMajority #FuelCellElectricVehicles #ContractingforPublicFacilities #energytraining #sustainabilityrapidohiadeah #criminaldefense #gunviolence #gunviolenceprotectiveorders #supplementalnutritionassitance #movietheatres #earnedincomedisregardprogram #humanservices