FDA Commissioner on COVID vaccine trials; Honolulu-based East-West Medical Research Institute on local COVID vaccine research; Honolulu Corporation Counsel's resignation under scrutiny; COVID at Oahu's jail; Postal service hiring in Hawaii
FDA Commissioner on COVID vaccine trials
There is a big push to develop a vaccine in the U.S. and in the headlines we hear about efforts of other countries like Russia, China and Cuba to do the same. Dr. Stephen Hahn, the commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, tells us about safety and the need to include diverse ethnicities in the clinical trials underway.
Honolulu-based East-West Medical Research Institute on local COVID vaccine research
Before a COVID-19 vaccine can be mass produced, it must first be tested. Scientists from East-West Medical Research Institute on Oahu have recently announced the local stage for a series of COVID vaccine trials. Medical research giant Pfizer along BioNTech is behind the trials. It's looking to enroll roughly 200 residents. Dr. David Fitz-Patrick is the project's lead and he tells us about the importance of holding vaccine trails in diverse communities like Hawaii. Click here to learn how to participate in the study.
Honolulu Corporation Counsel's resignation under scrutiny
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is asking the City Council to formally replace Corporation Counsel Donna Leong, who has been on leave since January 2019 pending a federal investigation. Civil Beat reporter Christina Jedra tells us about the letter sent from the mayor's office. Click here to read the story at CivilBeat.org.
COVID at Oahu's jail
COVID-19 has made its way into our jailhouses and prisons and with testing underway the number of positive cases is rising. HPR Reporter Kuuwehi Hiraishi has been tracking the COVID situation with inmates across the state.
Postal service hiring in Hawaii
The postal service has been in the headlines for weeks now. Here in the Islands, a spokesman told us last week there's been no elimination of mailboxes or mail sorting machines. We asked if jobs have been affected and he said they're hiring. Kevin Nakaoka has been with the U.S. Postal Service for 22 years. The Honolulu District Human Resources Manager began his career as a carrier at the Kapalama station. He tells us about the jobs that have recently opened and seasonal hiring. Click here to see what jobs are on offer.
