News from May 2024
Senators advocate for robust investment in Federal Pell Grant program
By Big Island Times | May 20, 2024
U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have taken the lead, along with 41 of their colleagues, in advocating for increased investment in the Federal Pell Grant program for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 2025). The senators have penned a letter to Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS), and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee. The letter calls for a discretionary increase to the Pell Grant award as...
Senators urge robust funding for HUD's energy efficiency programs
By Big Island Times | May 20, 2024
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined seven of her colleagues in urging Congress to allocate substantial funding for energy efficiency and climate resilience investments within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act.
Kauaʻi holds first-ever Law Day art contest for middle school students
By Big Island Times | May 20, 2024
LIHU‘E, Hawaiʻi – Seven eighth-grade students from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School participated in the Fifth Judicial Circuit's inaugural Law Day Art Contest by submitting original artworks based on the theme “The Rule of Law and Lady Justice.”
Hawaii County Merit Appeals Board will meet May 24
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | May 19, 2024
Hawaii County Merit Appeals Board will meet Friday, May 24
County of Hawaii Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee will meet May 23
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | May 19, 2024
County of Hawaii Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee will meet at 10 a.m., May 23
Hawaii County Fire Commission will meet May 23
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | May 19, 2024
Hawaii County Fire Commission will meet at 9 a.m., Thursday, May 23
Hawaii County Veterans Advisory Committee will meet May 22
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | May 19, 2024
Hawaii County Veterans Advisory Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 22
Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission will meet May 22
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | May 19, 2024
Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission will meet at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 22
Hawaii County Ka'u Community Development Plan Action Committee will meet May 22
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | May 19, 2024
Hawaii County Ka'u Community Development Plan Action Committee will meet at 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 22
Hawaii County Environmental Management Commission will meet May 22
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | May 19, 2024
Hawaii County Environmental Management Commission will meet at 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 22
Hawaii County Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee will meet May 21
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | May 19, 2024
Hawaii County Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee will meet at 12 p.m., Tuesday, May 21
Hawaii County Environmental Management Commission met April 24
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | May 19, 2024
Hawaii County Environmental Management Commission met Wednesday, April 24
Sun Noodle recalls S&S Cup Saimin over undeclared egg allergen
By Big Island Times | May 17, 2024
On May 17, 2024, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) issued a recall alert for Sun Noodle's S&S Cup Saimin frozen saimin products. The company has initiated this voluntary recall due to an undeclared egg allergen present in the product.
Kauaʻi District Health Office announces return of free Tropic Care clinics
By Big Island Times | May 17, 2024
LĪHUʻE, HAWAIʻI — The Kaua‘i District Health Office (KDHO), in collaboration with Kaua‘i County, is set to host the sixth Tropic Care event on Kaua‘i, providing free healthcare services to the local community. Tropic Care is a mission under the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program of the armed forces. It aims to enhance troop readiness while simultaneously bolstering communities. The Tropic Care clinics will be returning to Kauaʻi on June 13, 2024 and will operate at various locations until June 20, 2024.
Sun Noodle recalls frozen saimin over undeclared egg allergen
By Big Island Times | May 17, 2024
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) has issued a recall alert for Sun Noodle's S&S Cup Saimin frozen saimin products. The company is implementing this voluntary recall due to the presence of an undeclared egg allergen in the product.
DCCA announces disciplinary actions for April 2024 in Hawaii
By Big Island Times | May 17, 2024
The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) along with its respective state Boards and Commissions have released a summary of disciplinary actions through the month of April 2024. These actions were taken against individuals and entities holding professional and vocational licenses in Hawai‘i. The disciplinary actions are based on either the results of contested case hearings or settlement agreements submitted by the parties.
Senator Hirono leads call for increased funding for affordable housing program
By Big Island Times | May 17, 2024
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and 43 of her colleagues have urged Congress to fund the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NeighborWorks America) in the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Bill. NeighborWorks is a congressionally chartered national nonprofit that facilitates opportunities for Americans to live in affordable and safe homes.
Senate passes resolution marking May as AANHPI Heritage Month
By Big Island Times | May 17, 2024
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to mark May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The resolution acknowledges the significant contributions that Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have made to this country. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).
Senators call for increased funding for U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
By Big Island Times | May 17, 2024
U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) have called upon the Senate Appropriations Committee to increase funding for the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHS) in FY 2025 by at least $32 million. The senators argue that this additional funding is crucial to ensure that these highly-trained frontline workers are always ready and fully-deployable to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all Americans.
Lawmakers urge Biden administration to expand IRS's Direct File program
By Big Island Times | May 16, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), alongside Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tom Carper (D-DE), and U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Katie Porter (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and over 130 colleagues, has urged the Biden administration to make the Direct File program permanent and expand its scope. This appeal follows the successful pilot of the program during the 2024 tax season.