HONOLULU: Attorney General Clare E. Connors today filed lawsuits against opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma, its related entities, and certain key executives, as well as against other opioid manufacturers and distributors Malinkrodt PLC, Endo Health Solutions, Inc., Actavis PLC, McKesson Corporation, AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation, and their related entities seeking damages and penalties for alleged violations of Hawaii’s Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices Law. The opioid problem has affected the entire nation, and the State of Hawaii has not been spared. In Hawaii, opioid deaths, hospitalizations, and treatment services have risen significantly over the last several years. These lawsuits, in addition to the important work of the opioid task force, are a necessary part of the State’s reaction to the problem. “The opioid epidemic is a national tragedy, and those who caused this problem should be held accountable,” said Attorney General Connors. “We will aggressively litigate this case to ensure that Hawaii’s taxpayers are not alone in shouldering this burden.” The first complaint alleges that Purdue Pharma, its related entities, and certain members of the Sackler family who owned, controlled, and individually acted on behalf of Purdue misrepresented and deceptively marketed Oxycontin and other opioids manufactured by Purdue. The second complaint alleges that a number of manufacturers and distributors sold and distributed far larger quantities of opioids than they knew could be legitimately prescribed and did so without timely notification to authorities as required by state and federal laws, materially contributing to the opioid crisis in Hawaii. Both suits allege that the defendants sought to profit by creating a market for opioids, by overstating the benefits of opioid use for chronic pain while failing to disclose the risks of dependence and abuse. The suits allege that these acts constituted unfair and deceptive acts, which under Hawaii State law can yield civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. The State also seeks punitive damages. The State is being represented by the Honolulu law firm of Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks, and the Dallas law firm of Baron & Budd, who have been retained to act as special deputy attorneys general in the matter. In addition to the lawsuits filed by the State of Hawaii, Attorney General Karl Racine of the District of Columbia, Attorney General Xavier Becerra of the State of California, and Attorney General Aaron Frey of the State of Maine each filed individual suits against Purdue Pharma today. These states join more than 40 others, and about 2,000 local and tribal governments, that have filed lawsuits against Purdue for its role in fueling the opioid epidemic. # # # #opiod #clareconnors #opioidabuse #malinkrodt #PLC #EndoHealthSolutions #purduepharma #McKesson #AmerisourceBergen #Hawaiistatelegislature #HawaiiAttorneyGeneral

HONOLULU – Isaac Maeda, DVM, has been appointed as the Administrator of the Animal Industry Division, which also includes the title of State Veterinarian of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA). Dr. Maeda oversees the Animal Industry Division, which includes the Animal Disease Control Branch, Animal (Rabies) Quarantine Branch, Aquaculture and Livestock Support Services Branch and the Veterinary Laboratory Services Section. His appointment is effective today. “Dr. Maeda has a proven track record in managing animal disease prevention programs,” said Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “I am confident that his knowledge and management skills in handling veterinary issues and concerns will make the division stronger.” Dr. Maeda has been acting administrator of the division since January 2019. Prior to that, he was the program manager of the Animal Quarantine Branch since 2001. Over the years, Dr. Maeda has directed the development of the 5-day-or-less rabies quarantine program, which allows for direct release of dogs and cats at the airport if their owners complete a series of pre-arrival requirements. Prior to heading the rabies quarantine program, Dr. Maeda was a staff veterinarian at the Animal Clinic in Waimalu. “Hawaii maintains disease-free status for many serious animal diseases that are circulating around the world,” said Dr. Maeda. “It is a challenge and our priority to keep these diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans, from entering our state.” Besides the day-to-day management of the division, some of the duties of the administrator include implementing and coordinating national disease control, eradication and surveillance programs; collaborating with federal and other state animal health officials to discuss and monitor emerging disease situations and to formulate disease mitigation and response plans; overseeing federal cooperative agreements and funding for disease surveillance programs; and developing strategic plans for the division. #HDOA #hawaiidepartmentofagriculture #isaacmaeda #DVM #StateVeterinarian #AnimalQuarantineBranch #Rabies #AnimalClinicWaimalu

The monthly test of the Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, coordinated with the test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for Monday, June 3, 2019 at 11:45 a.m. During this monthly test, all Statewide Outdoor Warning Sirens will sound a one-minute Attention Alert Signal (Steady Tone). A simultaneous test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System is conducted with the monthly siren sounding, in cooperation with Hawaii’s broadcast industry. There will be no exercise or drill accompanying the test. The Outdoor Siren Warning System for Public Safety is one part of Hawaii’s Statewide Alert & Warning System used to notify the public during emergencies. If you hear this siren tone in circumstances other than a test, follow emergency information and instructions provided by official government channels. This may be in the form of a local radio, television station broadcast, or cellular Wireless Emergency Alert. Wireless Emergency Alert delivers sound-and-text warnings to compatible mobile cellular phones. The Emergency Alert System & Wireless Emergency Alert’s notifications are managed by FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure. Oahu residents in areas surrounding Campbell Industrial Park may also hear a “whooping” tone following the siren test. These areas include portions of Kalaeloa, Makakilo, Nanakuli, Kapolei, and Ewa Beach. The “whooping” tone is a test of the Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) siren warning group that will be activated in the event of an actual HAZMAT incident requiring emergency notification of businesses, schools and residents within the vicinity of Campbell Industrial Park. Contact the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management at (808) 723-8960 for more information on the HAZMAT warning group siren test. Emergency management and disaster preparedness information is located at the front section of telephone directories in all counties. The public may contact emergency management and county civil defense agencies to report siren operation issues: Hawaii County (808) 935-0031 Maui County (808) 270-7285 City and County of Honolulu (808) 723-8960 Kauai County (808) 241-1800 #monthlysirentest #emregencyalertsystem #HIEMA #statewideoutdoorwarningsirens #WirelessEmergencyAlert #HAZMAT #HawaiiState #attentionalertsignal #FEMA

(Hilo) – This week top scientists and managers engaged in the fight against Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death shared knowledge, their latest research findings, and discussed next steps in battling the fungal disease that has killed millions of ʻōhiʻa trees, primarily on Hawai‘i Island, but also on a much more limited scale on Kaua‘i. First-Ever Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Science Symposium Held The first-ever Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Science Symposium at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i on the UH-Hilo campus included two days of scientific presentations followed by a half-day workshop with the goal of identifying the next research questions to hopefully and ultimately identify treatments for the two strains of the disease. So far extensive aerial and ground surveys have not shown it spreading beyond Kaua‘i or Hawai‘i Island. In a keynote address to more than 90 top researchers and land managers working on the disease, DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “Thank you all for the incredibly hard work you’ve been doing these last few years on all fronts; from identifying the causes of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, to mapping its distribution and learning about how it spreads. Experimenting with ways to contain it and all the outreach and education so everyone in Hawai‘i can know how not to spread it further. Your work is necessarily innovative and often ingenious because we’ve never encountered these pathogens, nor their effect on our beloved ʻōhiʻa forest.” Intensive research into exactly how Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death spreads and potential treatments has been underway, nearly since the fungus was first detected as a previously un-described disease in 2014. Scientists have determined that the fungus enters ʻōhiʻa trees and interrupts their vascular systems which means water can’t move from the roots and into higher reaches of the trees. They also know that the disease enters individual trees through wounds that can be caused by wind or hurricane events, by animals, weed-eaters, heavy equipment, pruning and trimming. What’s less clear and is the subject of continuing research is how does the fungus spread from tree to tree and what are the best methods for treating infected trees to try and stop additional infections? While the scientific research being conducted by numerous federal agencies and academic institutions, coupled with management protocols established by state and county agencies has led to an enormous body of knowledge about these emerging diseases, Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death continues to be shrouded in mystery. Where did it first come from? Why does it infect some trees and not others? Does the wind carry fungal spores and if so why did it skip over Maui Nui and O‘ahu before being first detected on Kaua‘i a year ago? The group also looked at the efficacy of current methods to try and stem the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. Do boot cleaning stations at trailheads work? Does felling, tarping, and fungicide application to dead trees stop the fungus in its tracks? Are additional quarantine measures needed to strengthen those already in place to provide an additional layer of protection to uninfected trees? And, what additional outreach and education needs to happen to best inform everyone about Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and how it is devastating hundreds of thousands of acres of ʻōhiʻa forest – ʻōhiʻa is considered Hawaii’s most important native tree species because of its watershed protecting abilities and cultural significance. Following DLNR Chair Case’s opening remarks Kumu Kekuhi Keali’ikanaka’olelohaililani of Hālau ʻŌhiʻa implored the scientists, managers, and everyone who cares for Hawaii to embrace the ʻōhiʻa lehua as a vital component of our natural landscape and cultural heritage. She told the group, “You’ve done your job to create this collaborative, this collective movement. Ritual practices taught me that your imaginings are the experimentation, is the meetings, is the movement, the working together and the innovative approaches.” To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/339638407 #RapidOhiaDeath #mauinui #environment #suzannecase #DLNR #umuKekuhiKealiikanakaolelohaililani #kauai

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, beginning immediately until sunset, June 4, 2019. This action is taken as a sign of respect for the victims of the mass shooting in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where eleven public servants and one member of the public were killed on Friday, May 31, 2019. The president’s proclamation is attached. #HalfStaff #virginiabeach #massshooting #davidige #hawaiigovernor #presidentoftheunitedstates

Reducing the Threat of Extinction On a typical misty morning at the University of Hawai‘i’s Lyon Arboretum in the Manoa Valley, Dr. William Haines dips a net into a small pond. Months prior, staff here drained the pond to remove invasive fish, then refilled it and stocked it with aquatic plants. A researcher with the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s (DOFAW) Hawai‘i Invertebrate Program, Haines is now removing predatory dragonflies from the water before he introduces one of their cousins to the pond. Damselflies are closely related to dragonflies but have smaller, more delicate bodies. Six species are listed as endangered, including the orangeblack Hawaiian damselflies that are being released at Lyon and at other sites on O‘ahu in an effort to kick-start their population and prevent yet another extinction of a native Hawaiian insect. Haines explained the process, “Our strategy began with collecting eggs from the only existing population of this species on O‘ahu at Tripler Army Medical Center in late 2018. We then hatch the eggs out in our captive rearing facility in Kailua. They hatch into aquatic larvae called naiads, then we raise them up and release them about two months later (just prior to the adult stage) into a stream or ponds. We hope after they emerge as adults they stay around the release site and lay eggs to hopefully establish a population.” This painstaking work is being conducted in partnership with the University of Hawai’i, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Army’s Natural Resources Program on O‘ahu. Damsels are in distress. Once abundant in Hawaiian stream and wetland environments pressure from agriculture, stream disturbances and introduced species has resulted in many species now becoming endangered. Among their main threats are introduced fish species like the mosquito fish. As tough as their plight is, it’s equally challenging to gather reliable data on how they’re doing. Haines said, “Insects are small and cryptic. They’re often camouflaged, and their behaviors can make them elusive. They often fly up into the canopy of trees so it’s really difficult to get absolute population counts.” Each week since releasing the naiads into the pond at Lyon Arboretum, Haines returns to count the shed skins of naiads that have grown into adults and survey for damselflies returning to the pond to mate and lay eggs. As with many species reintroduction efforts they present a good news/bad news scenario. On the negative side both damselflies and their cousins, the dragonflies, are predators as larvae and adults. With so much interspecies predation it can be tough re-establishing breeding populations. On the positive side damselflies and dragonflies help to control mosquitoes, midges and other insects that people think of as pests. Fortunately, after releasing around 300 naiads into the Lyon pond, adult damselflies have consistently been seen emerging, and have recently been seen mating and laying eggs at the Arboretum. He and his colleagues at the Hawai‘i Invertebrate Program will continue helping the distressed damselflies and other small creatures, as they play huge roles in our ecosystems including as food for native birds, pollinators of native plants and as recyclers of nutrients. Haines concluded, “Hawaiian insects are really declining across the board. We have an estimated 5,000 endemic insects and many are rare and listed as threatened or endangered. The orangeblack damselflies are among a large number of insects that are at risk of extinction, so we’re trying to do everything possible to stabilize and increase their numbers in the wild.” Cynthia King, DLNR State Entomologist said, “What is incredibly positive about this relocation is that we are seeing fit damselflies feeding, establishing territories, mating and laying eggs. I think this gives us a lot of valuable information to move forward with when we conduct releases at other sites in the near future.” # # # RESOURCES (All video/images courtesy: DLNR) HD video – Damsels in Distress web feature: https://vimeo.com/337583455 HD video – soundbites and b-roll: https://vimeo.com/336244848 (shot sheet attached) Video – Damselfly Naiads: https://vimeo.com/337613140 Photographs- Damselfly release at Lyon Arboretum: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uunxnexzdjrlqeo/AACO1_KPb8vWNmaGImXlm_8ua?dl=0 #damselsindistress #williamhaines #lyonarboretum #manoavalley #DLNR #ForestryandWildlife #DOFAW #HawaiiInvertebrateProgram #hawaiianinsect #orangeblackhawaiiandamselflies #cynthiaking #entomologist

Community Invited to Free Public Panels on Oahu and Kauai for Entertainment Industry Insights with Programs’ World-Class Mentors Creative Lab Hawaii (CLH), founded by the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic, Development and Tourism (DBEDT)’s Creative Industries Division (CID), has announced the industry mentors and CLH fellows chosen for its competitive 2019 Immersive programs designed for screenwriters, motion picture producers and web-series developers. Additionally, the public is invited to free CLH panels on various aspects of the entertainment business and the creative process, featuring many of the A-list mentors who will be coaching this year’s Immersive participants. Events will be offered on Oahu and Kauai in June. Since its inception, the CLH media and music programs have resulted in the production of five feature films, with two currently in pre-production; five television series optioned by producers; six web series produced; and over 20 songs licensed by major media studios and streaming services. “Creative Industries is investing in these talented entrepreneurs, providing a bridge that connects them with award-winning visionaries working in mainstream Hollywood. The CLH immersive, hands-on experience delivers a deeper understanding of the creative process through mentors who are decision makers in the entertainment business today,” said Mike McCartney, Director of DBEDT. Georja Skinner, division chief DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division and founder of CLH, adds, “It’s exciting to see the growth of our media, music and filmmakers over the past few years and this year’s stellar lineup of mentors offers the community a closer look at the ways to engage in a variety of forms of creative development through CLH public panels. These free sessions provide behind-the-scenes access to decision makers, from leading producers and writers to new media content creators, that are typically only available to industry insiders outside of Hawaii.” The free public panel discussions, held in conjunction with this year’s CLH Immersive programming, will include: Web-Series Panel Discussion – Wednesday, June 5, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. Interested attendees are invited to RSVP online: http://bit.ly/CLH2019WSIPANEL Screenwriting Panel Discussion – Monday, June 10, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Kauai Marriott Resort. Interested attendees are invited to RSVP online: http://bit.ly/CLH2019WIPANEL Motion Picture Producing Discussion – Monday, June 17, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Kauai Marriott Resort. Interested attendees are invited to RSVP online: http://bit.ly/CLH2019MPPIPANEL Through a unique process spearheaded by CLH Executive Director Michael Palmieri, CLH tailors the selection of its Immersive mentors to the needs of the individual Fellows who’ve been accepted into the program—securing those mentors best positioned to foster the Fellows and their specific projects. Fellows are then able to further hone their craft while forming meaningful connections to the entertainment industry. Each program consists of an immersive week, followed by a 12-month coaching program. This year’s line-up of mentors and Fellows continues the CLH tradition of pairing leading Hollywood creatives and industry professionals with impressive emerging talent that are making waves in the business. CLH Web-Series Immersive (June 3-7, 2019; Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach) Mentors: Bernie Su – Bernie is a two-time Primetime Emmy award-winning interactive storyteller, creator, and showrunner.His works include THE LIZZIE BENNET DIARIES, an interactive adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The series won the first Primetime Emmy Award for a YouTube distributed series and was adapted into a novel. He is currently the creator and showrunner of Peabody Award-winning ARTIFICIAL, the first live science fiction series to debut on Twitch. Tony E. Valenzuela – The founder of BlackBoxTV, a genre entertainment studio and YouTube channel dedicated to original series, short films and immersive VR/360 experiences, Tony wrote and directed 2009: A TRUE STORY, nominated for Best Dramatic Web-Series at the first-annual Streamy Awards and featured by legendary horror director, Wes Craven during his Halloween YouTube Takeover. He also directed and co-wrote VERSIONS OF ELLOISE in collaboration with Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, Legendary Entertainment and YouTube Space LA. Yulin Kuang – A Los Angeles-based screenwriter and director, Yulin is currently writing the comedy feature JADE PALACE for New Line Cinema. She was nominated for a 2019 WGA Award for her work on LOVE DAILY, a romance anthology series for AwesomenessTV (now streaming on Hulu). Yulin created two YouTube channels, YulinisWorking and Shipwrecked Comedy, which have each amassed over 2 million views per channel featuring original scripted web-series and short films. Fellows: Mary Michelle Baghdady and Stacy Fukuhara-Barclay – Mary is a designer and producer working in Honolulu at the Applied Research Laboratory at UH as a media specialist, collaborating with engineers to conceptualize multi-media projects. She won the Hawaii Filmmakers Collective 2018 pitch and completed her first short film, “Turn On Your Own,” which will screen at the 2019 Made in Hawaii Film Festival. Stacy is an attorney specializing in child-advocacy. She and her husband were 2017 Creative Lab Hawaii Writers Immersive Fellows, and represented Hawaii at the American Film Market where they pitched HI CONFLICT to an audience of over 400 people. Mary and Stacy’s CLH project is LIKE MADDAH, a web-series about a child psychologist who moves back to Hawaii, despite reservations about her meddling family. Jeff Katts – Jeff has worked in the TV and film industry for over 22 years. He is currently the studio/media manager at 1013 Integrated production company and was the original founder of the `Ohina Short Film Showcase. His CLH project, LIFE OF A TELEPORTER: THE JACKIE CLAXTON CHRONICLES, follows the adventures of a local girl who has the power of teleportation and uses it to fight evil and save lives throughout Hawaii. Kisha Milling – Kisha is a SAG-AFTRA actor and screenwriter based in Kailua, HI. She wrote, acted, and produced the gothic horror short, “M.E.R.C.Y.” and dark comedy, “Sri Lanka,” which can be seen on her YouTube channel Mahina Films. On weekends you can catch her tossing glitter, paint and happiness on people though her party entertainment company, Island Girl Face Art. Her CLH project is THE ENTERTAINERS, a dark-comedy web-series that follows the quirky and often misunderstood secret lives of those you hire to “bring the party.” Mitchel Viernes – An independent filmmaker based in Honolulu, Mitchell’s passion for storytelling through film was fostered through his involvement with the media program at Moanalua High School. He continued his education at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, majoring in film studies. His CLH project is OBAKE (a current working title), a dramatic horror web-series that follows a young college student who learns more about her Hawaiian/Japanese heritage when she moves to Hawaii to live with her uncle and cousin and uncovers truths about her family legacy and their connection to the supernatural. CLH Motion Picture Producers Immersive (June 17-21, 2019; Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club, in partnership with the Kauai Economic Development Board, Kauai Visitors Bureau, Kauai Film Commission, Office of the Mayor and its Economic Development Office, Kauai Economic Development Board, and Kauai Visitors Bureau. Mentors: Anne Rosellini – A creative producer and writer, Anne runs Still Rolling Productions with director Debra Granik. Together they’ve made acclaimed feature films such as WINTER’S BONE, which was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay and LEAVE NO TRACE (2018), which premiered at Sundance and Director’s Fortnight and was nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards. Mollye Asher – A New York-based producer and multiple Independent Spirit Award nominee, Mollye recently produced Carlo Mirabella-Davis’ SWALLOW (Tribeca 2019) and Chloé Zhao’s THE RIDER (Sony Pictures Classics), which premiered in the 2017 Cannes Directors Fortnight and won its top prize. Rebecca Green – Rebecca is the producer of two of the top-grossing and critically acclaimed independent films of 2015, IT FOLLOWS and I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS, which generated a combined box office total of $30 million worldwide. She most recently produced AND THEN I GO, based on the acclaimed novel Project X by Jim Shepard. Shih-Ching Tsou – Shih-Ching’s latest producing work, THE FLORIDA PROJECT, was chosen by both the National Board of Review and American Film Institute as one of the top 10 films of the year. Fellows: Zoe Eisenberg – The co-founder and Executive Director of the Made in Hawai’i Film Festival and performing arts company Aerial Arts Hawai’i, Zoe’s filmography includes THROUPLE (2015), ALOHA FROM LAVALAND (2016) and STOKE (2018). Her CLH project, CHAPERONE, is a delayed coming of age dramedy set in Hilo. Jennifer Marcil – An executive producer at 4D Media in Kauai, Jennifer has produced documentaries such as “The Perfect Song” and “Nawiliwili Bay,” as well as short films “Ho’ouluwehi” and “Hihi’o” (HIFF’s Pacific Showcase). Jennifer’s CLH project is a romantic comedy feature, SEXY MAMMAS. Alison Week – Originally from the island of Hawaii, Alison is based in Austin, TX where she is a writer/director/producer. Her latest short film “Petals & Stems” (Or the Impermanent Nature of Beauty, Youth and Love) is currently on a festival run. Her CLH project is her first feature-length motion picture drama, WAVES, centered on a woman who heads to Hawaii to settle the estate of her great aunt with hopes of learning more about her recently deceased mother. Nadya Wynd – A writer/producer/director from Kauai, Nadya created a short film about the sexual exploitation of an actress titled “The Beautiful Illusion.” It was an official selection of the Los Angeles and New York Independent Film Festivals and also aired on PBS. Her CLH feature project, GHOSTS OF THE SINCLAIR PLANTATION, is a supernatural murder mystery set in 1888 on a sugar plantation built on sacred land on Kauai. CLH Writers Immersive (June 10-14, 2019; Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club, in partnership with the Kauai Economic Development Board, Kauai Visitors Bureau, Kauai Film Commission, Office of the Mayor – County of Kauai, and Hoʻike Community Television) Mentors: Chuck Hayward– Chuck has been a staff writer on the NBC series, ONE BIG HAPPY, and the Fox series, COOPER BARRETT’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING LIFE. In 2016, he had two movies produced, FAT CAMP (available on all on-demand platforms) and STEP SISTERS (streaming on Netflix). He’s currently a Co-Producer on the Netflix series, DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, and a Producer on Marvel’s upcoming series for Disney+, WANDAVISION. Liz Alper – A current writer/producer on the ABC series THE ROOKIE, Liz has worked for such auspices as Dick Wolf (LAW & ORDER and CHICAGO franchises), Peter Lenkov (HAWAII FIVE-0, MACGYVER), David Shore (HOUSE) and David E. Kelley (BIG LITTLE LIES) Jim Uhls – Jim wrote FIGHT CLUB, directed by David Fincher; JUMPER, directed by Doug Limon; and the NBC television film, SEMPER FI, which he produced with Steven Spielberg. Currently, his script, LEVIATHAN is in development at Twentieth Century Fox. Tery Lopez – The Director of Inclusion and Equity at the Writers Guild of America West, Tery worked as part of Moctesuma Esparza’s, Maya Pictures development team, producing 13 episodes of the Sí TV comedy series, CIRCUMSIZED CINEMA. She was also co-producer of the feature film INNOCENT VOICES, which was Mexico’s official entry to the 2005 Academy Awards. Fellows: Diana T. Black – Diana works fulltime as a spec writer of features, teleplays, and theatrical plays. She’s written, directed, edited and produced her own short film, “The Shoes” and one of her features, GOING ALONE, is optioned by Asian Entertainment Television. Her CLH project, SAVING KEYLAN MILLAR is a one-hour drama/limited-series exploring the dual themes of loyalty and living with the consequences of one’s own actions. Chris Gibbon – Originally from the U.K., Chris first moved to Hawaii in 2004. His CLH project, BREAKWATER, his fifth full length motion picture, is a romantic drama set against the raw beauty of Hawaii. Jessica Hayes and Ku’ulei Shafee – Jessica is an emerging writer and actress, and Ku’ulei is an actor, screenwriter, and website content editor. Their CLH project is a character driven fantasy-drama miniseries, BEA’S BAKERY, set in the 19th century and presents elements of a childhood fairytale wrapped in a grounded adult package. Cheyenne Lawes – A filmmaker, actor and dancer from Kaneohe, Cheynne’s creative expertise is in broad to dark comedies with a focus on incorporating strong female characters and diversity. Her CLH project, FOCUS GROUPIES, follows a group of friends from Hawaii as they try to stop the demolition of the last park in their town. Alexandria Spell and Orit Tashman – Orit has a varied background in engineering, book publishing, baking and theatre. Alexandria began her career in comedy, acting, and writing in her hometown of Reno, NV. When she moved to Hilo, Hawaii, to pursue a degree in Physics, Alex found her outlet in a creative partnership with Orit. Their CLH project is a half-hour television comedy series called HELLA POOR, following the friendship and struggles of college students who are single mothers and deal with systemic poverty, racism, and patriarchy. “We are excited about the caliber of emerging creative entrepreneurs that comprise our 2019 media cohorts,” said Executive Director Michael Palmieri. “We are also grateful and humbled by the world-class, award-winning mentors who have chosen to take time out of their busy lives to contribute their expertise, passion, and time to our fellows and programs.” To connect to Creative Lab Hawaii via social media for the latest updates, insights and content, visit: Facebook: Creative Lab Hawaii – https://www.facebook.com/creativelabhawaii/ Twitter: CreativeLabHI – https://www.twitter.com/creativelabhi IG: CreativeLabHI – https://www.instragram.com/creativelabhi About DBEDT (Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism) DBEDT is Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, and foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawaii economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawaii’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments, and promotes innovation sector job growth. About CID (Creative Industries Division) CID, a division within DBEDT, is the state’s lead agency dedicated to advocating for and accelerating the growth of Hawaii’s Creative Economy. Through initiatives, program development, and strategic partnerships, the division and its branches implements activities to expand the business development, global export and investment capacity of Hawaii’s arts, culture, music, film, literary, publishing, digital and new media industries. About the Creative Lab Hawaii Program The Creative Lab Hawaii (CLH) Program was founded in 2012 by the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic, Development and Tourism (DBEDT)’s Creative Industries Division to accelerate the growth of Hawaii’s creative entrepreneurs through immersive, hands-on training in broadband/new media, producing, screenwriting, interactive media, music and design/fashion. The CLH Program, a key facet of Hawaii’s creative economy, is developing an ecosystem to increase export, attract investment and build the State’s creative entrepreneurial capacity in media, music and fashion/design. The CLH Program features three program components: 1) Immersive Programs; 2) Ideation Workshops; and 3) Public Keynotes. Website: creativelab.hawaii.gov #CreativesLabHawaii #CreativeIndustriesDivision #DepartmentofBusinessEconomicDevelopmentandT #gEORJASKINNER #DBEDT #CLH #MikeMcCartney #MichaelPalmieri #BernieSu #TonyValenzuela #YulinKuang #MaryBaghdady #StacyFukuharaBarclay #JeffKatts #KishaMilling #MitchelViernes #CLHMotionPictureProducersImmersive #Annerosellini #MollyeAsher #RebeccaGreen #ShihChingTsou #ZoeEisenberg #JenniferMarcil #AlisonWeek #NadyaWynd #CLHWritersImmersive #ChuckHayward #LizAlper #JimUhls #TeryLopez #DianaBlack #ChrisGibbon #JessicaHayes #KuuleiShafee #CheyenneLawes #AlexandriaSpell #OritTashman #HawaiiSenate

HONOLULU – Hawai‘i Department of Human Services Director Pankaj Bhanot was recognized last week in Washington, D.C. for his legacy of helping children and families. The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) named Bhanot the State Outstanding Member of the Year. Kelly Harder, chair, APHSA Executive Governing Board, Pankaj Bhanot, and Tracy Wareing Evans, president and CEO of APHSA / Photo credit: Robb Cohen Photography “Pankaj is an outstanding public servant who’s committed to the well-being of local families, especially the most needy. He has built a unique approach to breaking generational patterns of poverty that addresses the basic health and human services needs of the entire family, rather than doing so in a piece-meal fashion,” said Gov. David Y. Ige. Director Bhanot is one of the few cabinet-level appointees who has risen through the ranks of the state civil service system. He has dedicated his career to the field of human services, starting with the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division in the Department of Human Services. During his 20 years working for the department, Bhanot has led business process reengineering, worked to modernize the department’s eligibility systems and improved how the department invests in its staff. APHSA recognized Director Bhanot at the National Health and Human Services Summit last week in the nation’s capital. He was among other professionals recognized for their impact and achievement on the local, state and national levels. #PankajBhanot #AmericanPublicHumanServicesAssociation #APHSA #dAVIDiGE #HawaiiState #NationalHealthandHumanServicesSummit #WashingtonDC #HumanServicesHawaii

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 from dawn until noon on Memorial Day, May 27. “Let’s take this day to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women who died defending our freedoms and preserving our peace. On this Memorial Day, let us remember and honor these heroes with much gratitude,” said Gov. Ige. The President also proclaims Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and designates the hour beginning at 11 a.m. local time, when Americans might unite in prayer. In addition, the President asks that Americans observe the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day, beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time. The president’s proclamation can be found HERE #flagshalfstaff #flagdirective #davidige #MemorialDay #NationalMomentofRemembrance #PresidentsProclamation #hawaiisenate #hawaii

HONOLULU - Senator Lorraine R. Inouye is pleased to announce that Governor David Ige has released the $1.6 million to finance the acquisition of land adjacent to Waimea Elementary School and Waimea Middle School on Hawaii Island. “I want to thank Governor Ige for releasing these funds and helping to ensure that Waimea Elementary can continue to thrive and serve their community,” Senator Inouye said. “We can make no greater investment than in the education of our keiki.” In a letter announcing the release of the funds, the Governor also expressed his gratitude. “Mahalo for your work on behalf of the residents of your district to secure these funds. Projects such as these are critical components of the public infrastructure and contribute to building a better home for our kupuna, keiki, and all the residents of Hawai‘i.” #LorraineInouye #WaimeaElementarySchool #WaimeaMiddleSchool #GovernorIge #DavidIge #HawaiiSenate #HawaiiSenateMajority

HONOLULU – Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined a coalition of 23 cities, states, and municipalities, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, in a lawsuit filed today against a Final Rule issued by the Trump Administration’s Department of Health and Human Services, which seeks to expand the ability of businesses and individuals to refuse to provide necessary health care on the basis of businesses’ or employees’ “religious beliefs or moral convictions.” The federal lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, seeks to enjoin the Final Rule and prevent it from going into effect. The suit follows upon a comment letter filed by the New York Attorney General and a coalition of states in March 2018, when the rule was first proposed, urging that the rule be withdrawn. “This rule is a license to discriminate,” said Attorney General Connors. “It allows health care providers to refuse service based on personal beliefs about who is worthy of receiving the provider’s services. As such, it is a misinterpretation of religious freedom that could have devastating consequences.” The lawsuit alleges that the Final Rule, which will take effect in July 2019, would undermine the delivery of health care by giving a wide range of health care institutions and individuals a right to refuse care, based on the provider’s own personal views. The Rule drastically expands the number of providers eligible to make such refusals, ranging from ambulance drivers to emergency room doctors to receptionists to customer service representatives at insurance companies. The Rule makes this right absolute and categorical, and no matter what reasonable steps a health provider or employer makes to accommodate the views of an objecting individual, if that individual rejects a proposed accommodation, a provider or employer is left with no recourse. Under the Rule, a hospital could not inquire, prior to hiring a nurse, if (s)he objected to administering a measles vaccination—even if this was a core duty of the job in the middle of an outbreak of the disease. Or an emergency room doctor could refuse to assist a woman who arrived with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, even if the woman’s life was in jeopardy. The Rule would also allow businesses, including employers, to object to providing insurance coverage for procedures they consider objectionable, and allow individual health care personnel to object to informing patients about their medical options or referring them to providers of those options. The devastating consequences of the Rule would fall particularly hard on marginalized patients, including LGBTQ patients, who already confront discrimination in obtaining health care. The lawsuit further alleges that the risk of noncompliance is the termination of billions of dollars in federal health care funding. If HHS determines, in its sole discretion, that states or cities have failed to comply with the Final Rule – through their own actions or the actions of thousands of sub-contractors relied upon to deliver health services – the federal government could terminate funding to those states and cities, to the price tag of hundreds of billions of dollars. States and cities rely upon those funds for countless programs to promote the public health of their residents, including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, HIV/AIDS and STD prevention and education, and substance abuse and mental health treatment. The lawsuit argues that this drastic expansion of refusal rights, and the draconian threat of termination of federal funds, violates the federal Administrative Procedures Act and the Spending Clause and separation of powers principles in the U.S. Constitution. A copy of the complaint can be found here. Joining New York Attorney General Letitia James and Hawaii Attorney General Clare E. Connors in filing the lawsuit are the City of New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, the City of Chicago, and Cook County, Illinois. #clareconnors #clareeconnors #healthcare #donaldtrump #suingtrump #attorneygeneral #HawaiiAttorneyGeneral

HONOLULU – The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) released its second quarter 2019 Statistical and Economic Report today with first quarter results. In this report, DBEDT kept its economic growth forecast (GDP) from the first quarter of 2019 unchanged at rates between 1.2 percent and 1.4 percent for the next few years. Economic data for the first few months of 2019 were mixed. The good news includes the following: Total value of private building permits increased 8.7% during the first quarter of 2019. Though the value of residential permit decreased by 19.0 percent, value for commercial and industrial permits decreased by 39.3 percent, value for additions and alterations increased by 67.8 percent wh​ich could offset the decrease in the other two categories. State government spending on capital improvement projects increased 12.5 percent during the same period. State general fund revenue increased 7.6 percent during the first four months of calendar year 2019, with an increase of 9.3 percent for the general excise tax and 5.4 percent for individual income tax. The two categories of taxes accounted for 85 percent of the total state general fund revenue. The general fund revenue collected during the first four months of 2019 was the historical record high level for the first four calendar month period. Non-agriculture payroll jobs increased 3,200 during first four months of 2019. Jobs increased the largest in state government with 1,600 additional jobs; followed by the construction industry which added 700 jobs; food services with an additional 600 job; professional services, health care, and information each added 500 jobs during the first four months of 2019. Unemployment claims as of the week of May 11 decreased by 2.9 percent from the same period in 2018. The challenging areas during the first few months of 2019 include: The unemployment rate, which is not seasonally adjusted, averaged 2.9 percent growth during the first four months of 2019, higher than the 2.2 percent experienced during the same period in 2018. Several industries lost jobs with retail trade losing the largest number of jobs at 1,500; followed by manufacturing with 700 fewer jobs; and art, entertainment and creation loss of 400 jobs. According to the data released by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hawaii’s unemployment rate, due to economic reasons, was 4.0 percent between second quarter of 2018 and first quarter of 2019, higher than the U.S. at 3.8 percent for the same period. This included those people who gave up looking for jobs and those who worked part-time but wanted to work full-time if opportunities permitted. Though visitor arrivals increased by 2.6 percent during the first quarter of 2019, visitor spending decreased by 2.4 percent due to the decrease in daily visitor spending for all the markets except cruise visitors who showed a 2.3 percent increase in daily spending. Real estate indicators were also mixed during the first four months of 2019. Number of sales for single family and condominium homes declined on all major islands except for condo sales on the island of Hawaii which increased by 4.4 percent. Median sale prices for single family homes increased on all islands except Kauai which experienced a decrease in median sale price of nearly 10.0 percent. Median condo home sale prices fell on Oahu and the island of Hawaii but increased on Maui and Kauai. The U.S. economy continues to perform well. According to the most recent economic forecasts by more than 50 top economic research organizations (the Blue Chip Economic Indicators, May 10, 2019), the U.S. economy will grow at 2.6 percent in 2019 and 1.9 percent in 2020 while the previous Blue Chip forecast for the U.S. economy was at 2.4 percent for 2019. Most of the world economies will experience slower but stable growth into 2020. Given the economic conditions inside and outside of Hawaii, DBEDT expects that Hawaii’s economy will continue the slower growth for the next few years between 1.2 and 1.4 percent. “Hawaii has been experiencing lower but stable economic growth during the last two years as reflected by declining visitor spending and increasing construction value.” said DBEDT Director Mike McCartney. “Our labor market continues to perform well with unemployment rate still among the lowest five states in the nation during the first four months of 2019.” DBEDT revised the visitor industry forecast with visitor arrivals now growing at 2.6 percent for 2019, higher than the 2.0 percent projected last quarter. However, the growth of nominal visitor expenditures is projected to be 1.1 percent for 2019, lower than the 3.3 percent projected last quarter. This lower visitor expenditure projection is based on the daily visitor spending data reported by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. During the first quarter of 2019, daily visitor spending decreased by 2.6 percent. DBEDT revised its projection on the non-farm payroll job count slightly downward from the previous quarter forecast to 0.6 percent for the next few years. The unemployment rate projections were changed upward to 3.0 percent for 2019 and will gradually increase to 3.6 percent by 2022. DBEDT lowered the projection for consumer inflation, as measured by the urban Hawaii Consumer Price Index, from the previously projected, now at 1.7 percent for 2019 and 2.0 percent for the next few years. DBEDT revised the nominal personal income growth rates slightly downward from the previous quarter forecast to 3.2 percent for 2019 and 3.6 percent for the next few years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Hawaii nominal personal income grew 2.9 percent in 2018, which is the lowest growth since 2014. The average nominal personal income growth rate was 4.5 percent between 1988 and 2018. Growth of real personal income was unchanged from the previous quarter forecast. The DBEDT Quarterly Statistical and Economic Report contains 136 tables of the most recent quarterly data on Hawaii’s economy as well as narrative explanations of the trends in these data. The full report is available at: dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic/qser/. #DBEDT #DepartmentofBusiness #EconomicDevelopmentandTourism #Jobs #CapitalImprovement #generalfund #payroll #taxes #retailtrade #Departmentoflabor #economy #consumerpriceindex #HawaiiTourismAutority