April Bamburg News


Hirono: 'No one should be denied a chance at higher education because it's unaffordable'

To ensure that students have access to education funding, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington), along with U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisconsin) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Virginia), reintroduced the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act on June 16.



Hawaii Fire Department announces 30th Annual Fire Fishing Tournament to honor Eric 'Buta' Hayashi on July 10

The Hawaii Fire Department and The Greg Cameron Fire Fund are proud to announce that the 30th Annual Fire Fishing Tournament, in memory of Greg “Buta” Hayashi, will take place Saturday, July 10.


Schatz: Save Hotel Jobs Act will 'bring back laid-off workers, ensure safe workplaces and help economy get back on track'

The hotel industry in Hawai’I, like other states has taken a hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i) is stepping up to try and help them with new legislation.


Schatz: 'When we talk about the student loan debt crisis, we're not just talking about tuition'

Student loan debt is a hot topic these days, with Forbes reporting that 45 million individuals hold more than $1.5 trillion in that debt.


Ige: Biggest challenge of vaccine passports is validating 'whether someone has been vaccinated or not'

The topic of vaccine passports is coming up in conversations all over the United States, but in Hawaii, the discussion isn’t focusing solely on the individuals coming into their state – Gov. David Ige told Hawaii Public Radio that the state is looking at how to include vaccinated adults into the Safe Travels program for travel between the islands without having to quarantine to stop the spread of COVID-19.


Hawaii Fire Department responds to hundreds of search and rescue calls each year

Hawaii Fire Department crews provide an array of services, including land and sea search and rescue, pre-hospital emergency medical services, fire protection and suppression, hazardous materials response, ocean safety, fire prevention and public education for Hawaii County.


Ige discusses vaccine, economic efforts in State of the State Address

Gov. David Ige delivered the annual state of the state message to the Hawaii legislature on Jan. 25, according to an Office of the Governor press release.


Landowner donates hundreds of acres of rainforest for public lands use, protection in Pia Valley

Hundreds of acres of rainforest in Hawaii’s Pia Valley will forever be protected after landowner Patricia Godfrey donated the 300-acre parcel in the southern Ko’olau mountains to be public land managed by DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), the Department of Land and Natural Resources reported.


So Mahi Pono has successful pivot during COVID-19 pandemic

Farmers in Central Maui have pivoted to tackle challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including So Mahi Pono, the island’s largest agriculture company, The Maui News reported.


Hawaii Longline Association urges Congress to make changes in laws for foreign fishermen

The Hawaii Longline Association welcomes recommendations to Congress focusing on prevention of labor abuse in the seafood industry, Honolulu Civil Beat reported.


Ige has no plans to change strict travel guidelines

Hawaii Gov. David Ige has decided that there will be no changes in travel restrictions for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, at least until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues guidance, KHON 2 reported.


Requirements to show negative COVID-19 status could harm Hawaii's tourism, business owners say

New rules aimed to curb the spread of COVID-19 may have an impact on the recovery of Hawaii’s tourism industry, some say, according to a KITV 4 report.


Double Up Food Bucks program helps Hawaii residents, farmers

Hawaii’s “Double Up Food Bucks” program has been helping farmers and families since 2015, when it launched as a pilot program on Hawaii Island, according to Honolulu Civil Beat.