Community Health

A Working Group That Emerged From A Tragedy Sets Out To Reform Child Welfare Services David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

A Working Group That Emerged From A Tragedy Sets Out To Reform Child Welfare Services

After the disappearance of Isabella Kalua, lawmakers formed the Malama Ohana Working Group to design and propose ‘transformative changes’ to the state system.

Hawaii’s Opioid Settlement Fund Is Growing And, After Delays, Starting To Be Spent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Hawaii’s Opioid Settlement Fund Is Growing And, After Delays, Starting To Be Spent

The funding formula gives the state power over funding, even for activities originating on the local level.

Danny De Gracia: Our Social Networks Are Crumbling. People Are Suffering David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Danny De Gracia: Our Social Networks Are Crumbling. People Are Suffering

Civic engagement and mental health are on the decline. What do they have in common? Weakened social support structures.

Hawaii Wants Home Cooks To Play A Bigger Role In Growing The State’s Food System Courtesy: Rourke Reagan

Hawaii Wants Home Cooks To Play A Bigger Role In Growing The State’s Food System

New legislation awaiting the governor’s signature would help businesses operate out of home kitchens.

Red Hill Families Describe Litany Of Harms From Tainted Water In Lead-Up To Federal Trial

Red Hill Families Describe Litany Of Harms From Tainted Water In Lead-Up To Federal Trial

In the trial starting Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice will question whether they were exposed to jet fuel and, if so, whether it was enough to account for their illnesses.

Not Just Red Hill: Hundreds Of Military Fuel Depots Threaten Environment And Public Health U.S. Department of Defense

Not Just Red Hill: Hundreds Of Military Fuel Depots Threaten Environment And Public Health

A new federal report, ordered after the Red Hill crisis, uncovered oversight weaknesses at hundreds of the military’s fuel storage sites.

Lahaina’s Wildfire Burned So Hot That Many Dangerous Contaminants Likely Vaporized David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Lahaina’s Wildfire Burned So Hot That Many Dangerous Contaminants Likely Vaporized

Scientists, state officials and the Army Corps of Engineers are finding the burn zone may not be as toxic as initially feared.

Chinatown’s Syringe Exchange Van Faces Hurdles Finding A Permanent Brick-And-Mortar Home Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2024

Chinatown’s Syringe Exchange Van Faces Hurdles Finding A Permanent Brick-And-Mortar Home

The program has been operating out of a mobile van for about 35 years. Is it finally time for a more permanent location?

A Project Aimed At Helping Upcountry Maui’s Water Shortages Is Getting Pushback From Residents Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

A Project Aimed At Helping Upcountry Maui’s Water Shortages Is Getting Pushback From Residents

There’s agreement that the cost of water to users would rise but by how much is up for debate.