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Health
State gets federal boost to battle ice
Sep 16th
Hawaii’s fight against the crystal methamphetamine — or ice — epidemic will get a shot in the arm this week, with the presentation of $3.6 million in federal funds on the Big Island. Gov. Linda Lingle, in Kona today for one of her statewide Town Hall meetings, will meet with Charles Curie, administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). On Thursday, Curie will present Hawaii County mayor Harry Kim with a $900,000 grant, which will go toward creating residential substance abuse treatment programs for local youth addicted to methamphetamine over the next three years.
Chinatown vendor fined for mothballs
Sep 3rd
A grocery store in the Chinatown area of Honolulu has been fined nearly $8,000 by the Environmental Protection Agency for selling mothballs that weren’t properly labeled, and were said to “look so much like candy” that children might eat them. Hing Mau Inc. on Maunakea Street received a complaint in September 2001 regarding the mothballs, but decided not to settle the case. A San Francisco judge ordered the fine this week.
Isle beaches cited for lax monitoring
Aug 14th
The Natural Resources Defense Council has named 15 communities in Hawai`i “Beach Bums” because of poor water quality monitoring and public notification procedures for storm or sewage spill-related pollution. In its 13th annual report (PDF) on U.S. beach water quality, the NRDC cited a total of 55 “bum beaches,” including 19 in New York. The report also acknowledged Hawaii’s high water quality standards, however, and some of the island beaches named are not heavily used.
Hawai`i beaches cited for lax monitoring
Aug 14th
The Natural Resources Defense Council has named 15 communities in Hawai`i “Beach Bums” because of poor water quality monitoring and public notification procedures for storm or sewage spill-related pollution. In its 13th annual report (PDF) on U.S. beach water quality, the NRDC cited a total of 55 “bum beaches,” including 19 in New York. The report also acknowledged Hawaii’s high water quality standards, however, and some of the island beaches named are not heavily used.
Measles vaccinations urged
Aug 7th
Island physicians and residents are being urged to be especially wary of possible measles infections and to keep up with the recommended immunizations. The state Department of Health reported yesterday that nine cases have been identified in Hawai`i so far this year, compared to zero cases at this time in 2002. “We’re concerned about these locally-acquired cases because measles is such a highly contagious disease,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Paul Effler. “The best defense against measles is vaccination.”
Tuburculosis clinic battles high infection rates
Aug 7th
With Hawaii ranking first in the nation for the number of tuberculosis cases, the state Department of Health today unveiled its newly renovated tuberculosis clinic in Kalihi. Officials say the 10,000-square-foot facility at Lanakila Health Center – which now has new X-ray and air circulation systems — serves 50,000 clients a year, free of charge. Last year, 148 cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed in Hawaii, a rate of 11.9 cases per 100,000 people. In addition to having the highest case rates in the U.S., Hawaii has one of the highest proportions of foreign-born cases – 84 percent in 2002, compared to the national average of 51 percent.
Mystery disease reported on Kaua`i
Mar 20th
There is at least one reported Hawai`i case of a mysterious, potentially fatal pneumonia-like disease that has health officials nationwide scrambling to track its source and spread. In a Wednesday report to the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said that so far, 13 cases in 10 states are being researched, with 306 cases and 10 deaths attributed to what it has classified as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
Semi-private prescription drug program unveiled
Feb 3rd
Gov. Linda Lingle announced today a new public-private partnership aimed at helping Hawaii’s most needy get access to prescription drugs without tapping the state’s strained budget. “Prescription Care Hawaii,” funded primarily with a $3 million grant from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, will attempt to connect low-income patience to existing drug company assistance programs that provide free medication.
Diabetes researchers seek volunteers
Jan 22nd
With diabetes diagnoses reaching “epidemic proportions,” a clinical research study is being conducted in Honolulu to test a medication that could stabilize blood-sugar levels and reduce the risk of long-term complications. The East-West Medical Research Institute and the affiliated Diabetes and Hormone Center of the Pacific (DHCP) are participating in a Type 2 diabetes study to test an investigational medication that may potentially stabilize blood sugar levels to prevent complications.
St. Francis vote ends nurses’ strike
Jan 19th
Nurses at St. Francis Medical Center tonight ratified a three-year contract, signaling the end of a seven-week strike that hobbled three of Honolulu’s largest hospitals. The St. Francis vote comes two days after nurses at Queen’s Medical Center ratified their tentative contract, and a little over a week after nurses at Kuakini Medical Center settled their contract dispute.
