News Releases from Department of Health

HILO, HAWAI‘I – As a result of an eruption that began on Sept. 29 from the Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano on Hawai‘i Island, vog conditions and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) air levels are increasing and fluctuating in various areas of the state. All eruptive activity is within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park however, ...
Read More Kīlauea eruption creating potential air quality hazards

First priority remains providing access to unvaccinated individuals 65+, 50-64 with underlying conditions prioritized for booster HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health is issuing prioritization guidelines for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in order to implement the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations on COVID-19 booster doses. First and second doses should ...
Read More DOH authorizes Pfizer booster doses, prioritizes first shots & kupuna

HONOLULU – Alexis Charpentier, HIV transmission reduction coordinator in the Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Harm Reduction Services Branch, has been recognized as one of the nation’s rising leaders in public health. She was recently named as one of the de Beaumont Foundation’s 40 Under 40 public health leaders for 2021. The de Beaumont Foundation is ...
Read More Alexis Charpentier recognized for being among the nation’s “40 under 40” public health professionals

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is one of 30 states to receive a $2.2 million federal Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) grant, providing the state $445,000 a year for the next five years, $2.2 million total, to address pediatric mental health care for children and youth ages 3 to 21 years. ...
Read More Department of Health receives .2 million federal grant to address pediatric mental health in Hawaiʻi

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health discovered a severe roach infestation at Joey’s Kitchen in the Whaler’s Village food court in Lahaina, Maui, last Friday, Sept. 17. They immediately issued a red placard to close down the food establishment to protect public health. During the routine inspection of the restaurant, located at 2435 Kaanapali ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health approves the reopening of Joey’s Kitchen in Whaler’s Village food court in Lahaina, Maui after being closed for a severe roach infestation

Oʻahu residents in eligible ZIP codes can order free COVID-19 test kits while supplies last at COVIDTestHonolulu.org HONOLULU – Oʻahu was selected for a federal pilot program that will provide free at-home COVID-19 test kits to eligible residents. The Say Yes! COVID Test At-Home Testing Challenge will provide 125,000 Oʻahu residents who live in eligible ...
Read More Oʻahu selected for federal pilot program to provide one million free at-home COVID-19 tests

HONOLULU – A new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report authored by Hawaiʻi researchers demonstrates the value of separating public health data in order to identify and address racial disparities. Data collected by the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) revealed racial disparities in COVID-19 infections and death. Race and ethnicity can serve as ...
Read More CDC report highlights Hawaiʻi effort to address COVID-19 health disparities through improving data

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) has added four new COVID-19 testing locations on Oʻahu. Testing is available at: ElixRX Pharmacy Kailua on Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Kaiser Permanente Nanaikeola Clinic Parking on Sundays and Mondays from 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. Mililani Recreational Center 6 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays ...
Read More Free COVID Testing Available at Four New Oʻahu Sites

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch has issued a Cease and Desist Order and a red “closed” placard to Doner Shack at 79 South Pauahi Street in Honolulu for failing to renew its state permit and failing to pay a $3,000 judgement, from a contested hearing case, against the establishment’s ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health issues second red placard to Doner Shack for non-payment of 00 fine and permit renewal fees

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch (EMSIPSB) and the Prevent Suicide Hawai‘i Task Force are taking action to recognize National Suicide Prevention Month. Events will be held statewide throughout September to call attention to this issue.   In Hawai‘i, one person dies from suicide every two ...
Read More DOH, Prevent Suicide Hawaiʻi Task Force Recognize National Suicide Prevention Month

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Health issued a red “Closed” placard to Nikki’s Pizza, 2435 Kaanapali Parkway, Unit #H-19, Lahaina for a severe pest infestation. A routine inspection of the restaurant located in the Whaler’s Village food court was conducted on August 31, 2021. The DOH inspectors observed several roach traps that had been ...
Read More DOH issues red placard to Nikki’s Pizza on Maui

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (HDOH) is joining federal, state, and local agencies cross the United States to observe September National Preparedness Month, an annual month-long observance to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The theme this year is “Prepare to Protect. ...
Read More Department of Health marks September 2021 National Preparedness Month

HONOLULU – Two new Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) reports illustrate how the highly transmissible delta variant is sweeping across the state. “These reports reinforce what we know about the alarming increase in cases across Hawai‘i. Delta is different—it is twice as transmissible as other variants,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP. “COVID-19 vaccines ...
Read More New DOH Reports Underscore Toll of Delta Variant