George Willis News


Ige: 'We are very pleased with the results of the bond sale.'

The state of Hawaii officially sold about $800 million of general obligation bonds, with the proceeds earmarked to provide funding for new and existing infrastructure projects across the state.


Hawaii receives funding for electric school buses 'in the transition to a clean-energy future'

The Hawaii Department of Education will receive $5 million in federal funding to procure 25 new electric school buses.


Hawaii recognized for upgrades of IT systems throughout state: 'We have made tremendous progress'

Hawaii received an overall grade of A- minus from the Center for Digital Government.


Ige travels to Japan to promote tourism, education

Hawaii Gov. David Ige has traveled to Japan to promote sustainable tourism, participate in an education roundtable, and attend a sister-state fifth anniversary reception.


Hawaii fourth-graders' test scores 'speak to the resilience of our students and the dedication of our educators'

Hawaii fourth-graders highlighted an impressive round of national test scores by students in the state when compared to national averages.


Hawaii receives $1.37 million from USDA to 'combat coffee leaf rust and save an industry'

The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center received $1.37 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to support research to combat coffee leaf rust (CLR) in Hawaii.


Schatz: 'We're helping to keep more people across Hawaii healthy and safe'

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approved more than $27 million in funding to support programs, research and development of several health-care-related programs in Hawaii.


AstroDay set for Nov. 5 at Kona Commons Shopping Center

The Mauna Kea Astronomy Outreach Committee (MKAOC) is hosting Kona’s annual AstroDay celebration on Nov. 5 at Kona Commons Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona.


Keauhou Shopping Center welcomes fall with two family-friendly events: 'Even the adults will get a goodie bag, while supplies last'

Keauhou Shopping Center is hosting two in-person events on Oct. 29 to celebrate the arrival of Fall.


Hawaii, Hiroshima governors visit Hawaii State Library, continue 'building a strong future of collaboration and mutual understanding'

Hawaiʻi governor David Ige and First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige welcomed Hidehiko Yuzaki; governor of Hiroshima, Japan; and his delegation to the Hawaiʻi State Library to continue their collaboration on important issues.


Hawaii's Hirono secures $1.9 million in federal funding for state colleges to develop food programs

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded $1.9 million in federal funding to programs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of Hawaii Maui College.


Kona Commons reaches full capacity with 'everything from A to Z'

Kona Commons announced recently that the 320,000-square-foot shopping complex is fully leased.


Hirono on funding for UH to train health care workers: 'It is crucial that we invest in programs to grow our health care workforce'

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services pledged $1.28 million in federal funds to the University of Hawaii Systems to train future health care workers.


Schatz: Funding needed to 'understand and appreciate native Hawaiian culture'

Seven organizations with a mission to preserve and share native Hawaiian culture and traditions will share $1 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Interior.


Hawaii vows not to support the prosecution of women seeking abortions, Ige: 'Abortion is healthcare'

Hawaii Gov. David Y. Ige stood his ground on women’s reproductive rights by issuing an Executive Order Protecting Access to Reproductive Health Care Services in Hawaii.


Recommendations updated to reduce risk of infant sleeping deaths: 'There are about 3,500 sleep-related deaths among US babies each year'

The American Academy of Pediatrics for the first time since 2016 updated its recommendations to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.


Loans still available to those injured by December storms: 'These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid'

Those still feeling the impact of last year’s Kona low storms are reminded the application deadline for U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans is Oct. 28.


Hirono calls Honolulu Harbor expansion 'critical to Hawaii's economy'

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) toured the Honolulu Harbor and Kapalama Container Terminal site recently to check the expansion project being funded by the $3 billion included in the Inflation Reduction Act.


Schatz on $58 million for Hawaii K-12 low-income students: Funding will 'help more students get a quality education

Hawaii’s K-12 schools will receive $58 million in federal funding to support programs to help educate students in low-income communities.


Hirono committed to ensuring 'all of our veterans' can access resources

Senator Mazie K. Hirono affirmed her commitment to making added resources available to state veterans.