From The Maui News:

A bill to privatize public hospitals, including Maui Memorial Medical Center, came under fire last week from public union leaders and members, and two state House committees recommended establishing a nine-member task force to study the proposal’s feasibility.

During a hearing at the state Capitol on Wednesday, members of the House Health and Labor & Public Employment committees received written testimony from more than 135 testifiers, with 26 in support of House Bill 1483 and 110 opposed.

The bill seeks lawmakers’ approval of a measure to pave the way for turning management of Neighbor Island hospitals from the state’s Hawaii Health Systems Corp. to a private nonprofit. The bill doesn’t name Banner Health, one of the country’s largest nonprofit hospital systems, but the Hawaii Health Systems Maui Regional System Board of Directors has been in discussions with Banner since at least summer of last year. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

LUC converts one third of Grove Farm lands into IAL

Hanalei drowning victim identified

Ban on Kealakekua kayaks to be lifted

Pay commission votes more cash for Maui mayor, department heads

Thirty Meter Telescope project hearing set for Tuesday

Legislative proposal targets convicted pet abusers

Oldest wild bird hatches chick at Midway