In December of 2018, a dispuite between President Trump and congressional Democrats over funding for a wall on the southern border led to the longest federal government shutdown in American history. 800,000 federal workers across the country were furloughed or forced to work without pay. This series explores how the shutdown impacted institutions, programs, and people in Hawaii.
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Local Federal Workers Struggle with Financial Uncertainty
800,000 federal workers around the country are about to miss a paycheck as the partial government shutdown prepares to enter its fourth week. Many are in positions vital to public safety and national security, and have been forced to work without pay. With no end in sight, local workers are nearing the end of their financial resources.
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Coast Guard Continues Public Safety Missions Despite Missing Paychecks
On Tuesday, Members of the U.S. Coast Guard will miss their first paycheck since the partial federal shutdown began in December. Uniformed service members and essential civilians are still on duty performing missions vital to public safety and national security. But this isn't the first time the Coast Guard has been through this challenge.
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Non-Profits Contribute Funds, Staff to Keep Pearl Harbor Open During Shutdown
The Interior Department is one of 9 cabinet departments affected by the partial government shutdown. As a result, national parks around the country are clsoed or operating with reduced services. But that is not the case at the Pearl Harbor memorial, where a coalition of donors are providing funds and manpower to keep the park open.
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Shutdown Could Lead to More Expensove Plane Tickets
The 27-day old partial shutdown of the federal government may soon hit the wallets of Americans who are not federal workers. The Federal Aviation Adiministration is one of the agencies operating without funding. That means the thousands of FAA air traffic controllers who manage U.S. airspace are working without pay. If they start to retire, quit, or take leave in large numbers consumers will likely see higher prices and flight delays.
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The effort to control non-native species in Hawaii was dealt a significant setback by the 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government. Inspectors at ports of entry remained on duty, but research and mitigation efforts into previously established invasive species saw major reductions in available resources.
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