Effective Nov. 8, international travelers are subject to new federal requirements, with air carriers responsible for screening passengers prior to departure. “International travelers are required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test administered within 72 hours of departure,” said Governor Ige. However, additional travel restrictions have been announced related to the new Omicron variant. (Read more)

The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) is opening offices statewide, with services for all programs available Wednesdays through Fridays. (Read more)

Hawai‘i is one of six states to receive up to $100,000 for digital literacy as part of a National Governors Association Workforce Innovation Network. The grant will be used to create a plan to advance digital skills statewide. (Read more)

More funds for affordable housing and new lots for DHHL homestead leases  ... public school improvements statewide ... projects for hospitals, airports and public safety. (Read more) 

Pledges are easy; achieving them is a lot harder. But on a world stage such as last month’s COP26, the UN climate change conference in Scotland, Hawai‘i was recognized for producing real results as a leader in the climate change effort. (Read more)

“Worry and hope. Turning awareness into action.” Those were some of the student concerns UH sustainability director Matthew Lynch presented to the UH Board of Regents from a systemwide 2019 focus group study and campus-wide survey. The study showed that 96% of students across the UH system were “concerned” or “very concerned” about climate change and were looking for ways to take action. (Read more)

The phrase “Think global, act local” has taken on new meaning on Hawai‘i island with the launch of Ka‘u Dream, a community-driven resiliency project that is already attracting international attention. (Read more)

If Hawai‘i is going to survive climate change, it will be up to us and future generations to lead the way. Much of the work falls to the state’s natural resource specialists who sometimes risk their own lives to protect “the rarest of the rare” native species. (Read more)

Your source for COVID-19 info and resources from the Hawai‘i State Department of Health. The next issue (Dec. 10) features the latest guidance on vaccination and boosters and will highlight FilCom CARES, a new project of the Filipino Community Center created during the pandemic. The Hawai‘i Department of Health's COVID-19 Community Bulletin is distributed every other Friday. Subscribe today at health.hawaii.gov/updates.