News Releases from Department of Health

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch (FDB) is alerting residents to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety alert for several over-the-counter eye drop products sold by national retailers, due to the potential risk of eye infections from unsanitary conditions in the manufacturing facility. The eye drops ...
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HONOLULU – An assessment conducted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) identified the greatest needs of Lāhainā residents affected by the wildfires and evaluated the impact on their physical and mental health. “The needs assessment provided a critical opportunity for the affected communities to voice current needs and concerns,” said Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) issued a red placard and immediately shut down Cooking Fresh, located at 550 South Beretania Street in the Queen’s Medical Center POB III, due to a lack of proper refrigeration. The food establishment, operated by Cooking Fresh, LLC, received the red placard on October 30, 2023, and ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) Food and Drug Branch is alerting residents to a voluntary recall by WanaBana of all of its Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouch products distributed to retailers nationally, including online retailers such as Amazon.com. All lot codes and expiration dates of the Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree pouches ...
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Learn how to keep your keiki safe from lead exposure HONOLULU – Lead is a toxic metal that can be dangerous to your health, particularly for young children as it hinders the development of the brain. There is no safe level of lead for a child and those exposed to lead have trouble with learning, ...
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DOH will begin a new procurement process HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) announces the cancellation of its Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch’s (EMSIPSB) procurement for Comprehensive Emergency Medical Services for 911 Ground Ambulance Transport for Kauaʻi and Maui Counties, following a protest by the incumbent service provider that was not selected, American Medical Response ...
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HONOLULU – As the state regulator for Hawaiʻi’s water purveyors, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) continues to conduct oversight of the Navy’s water distribution system. DOH was informed late Wednesday night that 12 Navy water system users reported symptoms they had attributed to exposure to tap water.  DOH is taking these reports seriously and ...
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Mpox vaccination encouraged for anyone at risk HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) is reporting two additional cases of mpox in O‘ahu residents. These are the second and third cases diagnosed in Hawai‘i in 2023. Those at higher risk of mpox infection should consider being vaccinated with two doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine. Cases in ...
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Official statement recognizes discrimination as threat to public health   HONOLULU, HI – In response to increasing attacks on transgender communities in the U.S., the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) recently released its “Statement on Transgender Rights and Public Health.” In alignment with the DOH mission, the statement denounces discrimination, including transphobia and transphobic action, which ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) issued a red placard and immediately shut down Meatheads mobile unit, which was vending on Cooke Street near Kapiʻolani Blvd., due to no water supply for hand washing. The food establishment, operated by Meatheads Hawaiʻi LLC, received the red placard on October 18, 2023, and must remain ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has received one report of a travel-related malaria case in Honolulu County. The individual diagnosed with malaria had recent travel to a country where malaria is commonly found. The case was investigated by the Disease Outbreak Control Division and is pending a site assessment by the Vector Control ...
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Department of Health launches Safe Sleep Hawaiʻi webpage HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., has issued a proclamation declaring October Infant Safe Sleep Month, in conjunction with the national observance of Safe Sleep and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, to remind parents and caregivers that sleep-related deaths are often preventable. In recognition, the ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) announced today that preliminary, unvalidated data from ash sampling it received late Friday night shows very high levels of arsenic in wildfire ash collected in Kula. The testing also indicated elevated levels of lead and cobalt. Parameter Unit Lab Report #1 Lab Report #2 Lab Report #3 ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has selected Kenneth Luke, MD as the new administrator of the Hawai‘i State Hospital. Dr. Luke begins his appointment on Monday, October 16, 2023 and will lead Hawai‘i’s only forensic psychiatric hospital. He served as the interim hospital administrator since May of 2023. “Ken has a broad ...
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DOH continues to urge precautions for people entering impacted areas HONOLULU – Results from validated air sampling conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Lāhainā and Kula in late August are reassuring. The results do not show evidence of poor air quality or any hazardous levels of contaminants in the air at the ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) has conditionally approved the Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) plan to defuel the main tanks of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility beginning October 16, 2023. DOH approval is contingent on JTF-RH adherence to the plan to remove fuel from the Red Hill underground storage tanks ...
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Hawai‘i Department of Health approves fourth medical cannabis retail dispensary for Maui Pono Life SciencesKĪHEI – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) has issued a formal notice to proceed to Pono Life Sciences, LLC dba Pono Life Maui, after its fourth retail facility passed its final on-site inspection. Pono Life Maui’s new retail site ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) will conduct a needs assessment survey for residents affected by the wildfires. The DOH survey will assess ongoing priorities identified by the community and barriers to accessing healthcare and other essential services. “It’s critical that efforts by the Department of Health and our partners are driven by ...
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HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) issued a red “closed” placard and immediately shut down Infinitea due to inadequate hand washing facilities. The establishment is located at 1620 N. School Street, Unit 134, in Honolulu. The food establishment, operated by Yi Lisha Lin, received the red placard on October 2, 2023 and ...
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