News Releases from Department of Health

HONOLULU, HI – Chemicals known as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been detected in water samples collected at the Honolulu Board of Water Supply’s (BWS) Moanalua Wells and Halawa Wells Pump 1 & 2 chlorinator.  Both sources are part of the Honolulu-Windward-Pearl Harbor water system (Public Water System HI0000331).  On March 14, 2023, EPA ...
Read More PFAS Detected in the Halawa Wells Pump 1 & 2 Chlorinator and Moanalua Wells

LĪHU‘E, HI – “National Public Health Week 2023” celebrates “Cultures in Health” during the week of April 3-9, 2023. The Kaua‘i District Health Office (KDHO) values the multicultural demographics that are represented in the public health workforce and community, all working together to build a healthier Kaua‘i. “Returning to in-person celebrations like this one is ...
Read More “National Public Health Week 2023” celebrates “Cultures in Health” on Kaua‘i

HILO, HI – “National Public Health Week 2023” celebrates “Cultures in Health” during the week of April 3-9, 2023. The Hawai‘i District Health Office (HDHO) values the multicultural demographics that are represented in the public health workforce and community, all working together to build a healthier Hawai‘i Island. “Across the nation, there are more than ...
Read More “National Public Health Week 2023” celebrates “Cultures in Health” on Hawai‘i Island

HONOLULU, HI – On March 20, Governor Josh Green, M.D., proclaimed April 2023 as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” (SAAM), which is part of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about the issue of sexual violence. A statewide SAAM sign-waving is planned for Tuesday, April 4, including an event at the Hawai‘i State Capitol from 7:30 ...
Read More April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch is warning residents of a voluntary recall of various dark chocolate fruit and peanut bites on Maui and O‘ahu. Salento Organics of West Palm Beach, Florida is recalling its 4-ounce packages of Dark Chocolate Pitaya Bites, Dark Chocolate Goldenberry Bites, Dark ...
Read More Various dark chocolate fruit and peanut bites recalled on Maui and O‘ahu due to undeclared milk allergen

HONOLULU, HI – In recognition of “Brain Injury Awareness Month,” the Department of Health (DOH) Neurotrauma Program and its partners are participating in “Healthy Kids Day” events being hosted at local YMCA locations on O‘ahu on Saturday, April 1, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Interested parties may register to attend this free community event ...
Read More Department of Health to participate in “Healthy Kids Day” events at local YMCAs in recognition of “Brain Injury Awareness Month”

WAILUKU, HI– The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch allowed JB,S Kitchen And Lounge to reopen today. The establishment was re-opened under a yellow “Conditional Pass” placard based upon the determination that the remaining cockroach activity no longer posed an imminent health hazard. The inspector will be conducting additional follow-up inspections to assess ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health reopens JB,S Kitchen and Lounge

CORRECTION: “World Tuberculosis Day” occurs on Friday, March 24, 2023 HONOLULU, HI – In observance of “World Tuberculosis Day” on Friday, March 24, 2023, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Tuberculosis (TB) Control Branch would like to encourage Hawai‘i’s at-risk residents to get tested for early TB diagnosis.  “Approximately 1.5 million people die from tuberculosis ...
Read More Department of Health raises awareness on “World Tuberculosis Day”

HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch is warning residents of a voluntary recall of various Asian sauces distributed in Hawai‘i. Mutual Trading Co. Inc., of El Monte, CA, is recalling 60 fl. oz. containers of “Kagome Worcester Sauce,” 10 fl. oz of “Kagome Chuno Sauce,” and 8 g. ...
Read More Asian sauces sold in Hawai‘i recalled due to undeclared soy allergen

HONOLULU, HI – Chemicals known as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been detected in water samples collected at the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) Waipi‘o Heights Wells, Pumps 1 and 2, which are part of the Waipi‘o Heights water system (Public Water System HI0000334).  On March 14, 2023, the EPA issued proposed National ...
Read More PFAS detected in Waipi‘o Heights Wells

HONOLULU, HI – Hawai‘i has joined the rest of the nation in implementing sweeping changes that enable residents with disabilities and older adults to live and participate fully in their communities. As of March 17, 2023, all states were required to be compliant with the “Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services” settings regulation. The changes are ...
Read More Improved “Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services” for Hawai‘i’s vulnerable residents

HONOLULU, HI – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky was in Hawai‘i this week discussing CDC’s investments in the state, the future of public health, the challenges facing public health in the state and the importance of health equity. In August, Dr. Walensky announced her plan to move CDC and public ...
Read More United States CDC Director Walensky visits Hawai‘i

PĀ‘IA, HI– The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch issued a green placard to Café Mambo today and was allowed to reopen to the public. The restaurant, owned and operated by Betham Pacific LLC, is located at 30 Baldwin Avenue in Pā‘ia.   The food establishment received the red placard on March 14, ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health gives Café Mambo permission to re-open

WAILUKU, HI – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has posted a red “Closed” placard to protect public health due to critical food safety violations at JB,S Kitchen and Lounge. The restaurant owned and operated by JB,S Kitchen and Lounge, LLC, is located at 752B Lower Main Street in Wailuku.  The food establishment received the ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health closes JB,S Kitchen and Lounge in Wailuku

PĀ‘IA, HI – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) issued a red “Closed” placard to Café Mambo to protect public health. The restaurant, owned and operated by Betham Pacific LLC, is located at 30 Baldwin Avenue in Pā‘ia. The food establishment must remain closed until all violations are resolved and the health department allows the ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health Issues Red Placard to Café Mambo in Pā‘ia

HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) will send out notification letters regarding unauthorized access to the DOH Electronic Death Registry System (EDRS), by the end of this week. These notifications will be sent to those listed in the system as surviving spouses and/or the person who reported the death to the mortuary. ...
Read More Department of Health to send notifications regarding unauthorized access to Electronic Death Registry System

HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) recently launched a new public service announcement campaign identifying common asthma triggers and providing simple activities that parents can incorporate into their routines to help their children manage their asthma. According to 2020 data from the Hawai‘i Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1 in 13 children ...
Read More Department of Health launches “Control Asthma” campaign to identify and control child asthma triggers in Hawai‘i

HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) and Windward Community College (WCC) yesterday recognized eleven graduates of the “Mental Health Technician Certificate Program,” which was designed to expand Hawai‘i’s mental healthcare workforce. All eleven graduates already work at the Hawai‘i State Hospital. Graduate Ephraim P. Nabong, stated, “I am grateful to have had ...
Read More Department of Health and Windward Community College honor graduates of the “Mental Health Technician Certificate Program”

HONOLULU, HI – The Department of Health (DOH) announces a pilot cesspool grant program to assist qualified property owners with upgrading or converting their cesspools, or connecting to an available sewage system. This grant program was established via Act 153 (2022).  Act 125 (2017) mandates all cesspools be upgraded by the year 2050 to comply ...
Read More Department of Health announces pilot cesspool grant program