News Releases from Department of Health

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) advises the public to be aware of fraudulent claims for urinary catheters and/or glucose monitors and supplies. Red flags that could indicate a scam include: To report any suspicious healthcare billing activity, contact Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawai‘i at (808) 586-7281 or toll free at 1-800-296-9422. SMP ...
Read More Department of Health warns public of urinary catheter, glucose monitors and supplies scam

HONOLULU – Through its Maui District Health Office and local partners, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) continues to prioritize listening to the community to better understand its needs, value and respect different cultural backgrounds, and continue to build trust with Maui residents and communities impacted by the August 2023 wildfires. DOH believes that resiliency ...
Read More DOH continues response to Maui wildfires – Aug. 31, 2023 update

HONOLULU – September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness in the community about this important public health issue. The Hawai’i State Department of Health (DOH) and its partners are holding a multitude of events to call attention to this issue and promote mental health resources. “Suicide is serious, complex and preventable. ...
Read More Department of Health, Prevent Suicide Hawai‘i Task Force and Joint Military Suicide Prevention Task Forcehold series of events for National Suicide Prevention Month

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) conditionally approved the Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) repacking plan on August 24. Repacking is the next step toward defueling about 104 million gallons of fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Conditional approval means that DOH’s approval required JTF-RH to address any issues ...
Read More Department of Health conditionally approves Red Hill repairs, repacking plan

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has reached an agreement with Kap‘iolani Medical Center for Women & Children (KMCWC) to ensure mifepristone remains available to women. Mifepristone is used for medical abortions and can end a pregnancy that is less than 10 weeks along.  “Access to reproductive healthcare is critical for maternal health ...
Read More Department of Health reaches agreement with Kap‘iolani Medical Center for Women & Children to make mifepristone available

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continue to advise and provide technical assistance to the Maui Department of Water Supply (Maui DWS). On Wednesday, August 23, the Maui DWS released test results from the first 27 samples collected from the Lāhainā and Upper Kula drinking ...
Read More Maui Department of Water Supply releases first test results from Lāhainā, Upper Kula water systems

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) continues to provide services to Maui residents impacted by the August 2023 wildfires. “Our hearts go out to those impacted by the devastation of this tragedy,” said State Health Director Dr. Kenneth Fink. “Local community partners have done a heroic job, and support from the broader healthcare ...
Read More DOH Continues to Provide Services to Wildfire-impacted Maui Communities

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH), Clean Air Branch (CAB), has issued a Notice and Finding of Violation and Order to ShredCo, LLC in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi for air permit violations. The violations were documented and confirmed as a result of record reviews conducted by the CAB. A penalty of $7,400 has been ...
Read More Department of Health Cites ShredCo, LLC of Kauaʻi for Air Permit Violations

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch is alerting residents to a voluntary recall by Nestlé USA of its 16.5 oz. Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bar “break and bake” products distributed to retailers in the state. The product is being recalled because it may contain wood ...
Read More Department of Health issues voluntary recall warning for Nestlé USA Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough products due to potential presence of foreign material

HONOLULU, HI – The Department of Health (DOH) hereby extends the public comment period for the processing of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit application for HI 0021848 – Lāhainā Wastewater Reclamation Facility from Monday, August 14, 2023, to Wednesday, September 13, 2023, due to the devastating wildfires in Lāhainā.  The DOH will ...
Read More Department of Health Extends Comment Period and Suspends Processing of NPDES Permit Due to Lāhainā Wildfires

Lāhainā — The Maui District Health Office, in partnership with local community agencies, announces the opening of a coordinated health clinic in West Maui on Aug. 14, 2023 to assist individuals directly impacted by the devastating wildfires. The clinic will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The main clinic ...
Read More Department of Health, local community agencies open coordinated health care clinic in West Maui

LAHAINA, MAUI – The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH) urges caution for residents and business owners who are being allowed to return to their properties in the Lāhainā area. DOH recommends the following tips for those returning to the area. In a crisis like this, it’s also important to take care of your mental ...
Read More DOH Advises Caution for Residents Returning to West Maui Area

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) reminds the public to be vigilant due to a steady increase of reported cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i since June 2023. As of Monday, Aug. 7, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that COVID-19 hospital admission levels for both the City and County of ...
Read More Department of Health reminds the public to be vigilant due to uptick in COVID-19 hospital admission levels

HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) issued a red “closed” placard and immediately shut down Giailex Kitchen (WNC 544) due to improper cold holding, no consumer advisory warning, and improper food storage. The mobile establishment is located at 1474 Liliha Street in Honolulu and was vending out of Pearl City Industrial ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health Issues Red Placard to Giailex Kitchen (WNC 544)

WAILUKU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) Maui Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) is offering crisis mental health services and expanding hours to those experiencing emotional or psychological distress as a result of the Maui wildfires.  To receive the emergency services, contact Maui CMHC at (808) 984-2150 or via email at [email protected] or ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health Maui Community Mental Health Center Offering Emergency Services to Wildfire Victims

The wind-fueled brush fires that scorched large acres of land on Maui and Hawai‘i Island are generating dense smoke and ash which could result in increased levels of smoke, ash and dust in surrounding areas, especially during high winds.  The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) Clean Air Branch is advising residents and visitors in ...
Read More Smoke and Dust Advisory due to brush fires on Maui and Hawai’i Island

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch issued Paʻalaʻa Kai Bakery a green placard and approved its reopening after a follow-up inspection found that all critical food safety violations were corrected.  Paʻalaʻa Kai Bakery is located at 66-945 Kaukonahua Rd. in Waialua.  The bakery had received a red placard on ...
Read More Hawai‘i Department of Health Approves Reopening ofPaʻalaʻa Kai Bakery in Waialua, Oʻahu

Honolulu – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) conducted an investigation at Safeway #2944 located at 1234 S. Beretania St. due to a complaint regarding the presence of rodents in the food establishment’s bakery section. The food establishment (FE), which is operated by Safeway, Inc., was aware of the complaint and had already hired ...
Read More Department of Health Investigates Rodent Complaint at Safeway Bakery #2944 1234 South Beretania Street  

Kahului – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch issued a green “Pass” placard to Port Town Texaco during a follow-up inspection on Aug. 7, 2023, allowing the establishment to reopen. An initial inspection conducted at the establishment on August 3, 2023 in response to a complaint confirmed evidence of an active rodent ...
Read More Department of Health reopens Port Town Texaco in Kahului

Kahului – The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Maui Food Safety Branch issued a red “Closed” placard and immediately shut down Port Town Texaco during a complaint inspection conducted on August 3, 2023 for a rodent infestation. The establishment is located at 109 W Ka’ahumanu Ave. in Kahului and is operated by Lahaina Petroleum LLC. The ...
Read More Department of Health shuts down Port Town Texaco in Kahuluifor rodent infestation