Gov. Josh Green and the state Legislature will have to figure out how to pay for an estimated $120 million to $150 million in retroactive hazard pay due to 7,800 unionized public workers who faced health risks at Hawaii public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the total is a dramatic drop from last year, placing COVID-19 much lower among leading causes of death in the state this year, it still affected parts of the state population significantly.
There’s a new variant of COVID-19 in Hawaii, providing one more reason to take precautions against infection, particularly in this holiday season full of interactions.
Discussions between the administration of Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the City Council have begun on how to best use nearly $80 million in remaining federal funds received during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The holidays are just around the corner, but despite the urging of health officials, few U.S. residents, including those in Hawaii, have rushed out to get their updated COVID-19 vaccine.