Department of Health

Dengue is a viral illness that's spread by mosquitoes. Within a week of being bitten, symptoms may include high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash.

Farmers in the Hawaiʻi Hemp Task Force have complained about a lack of input and also want time to review and discuss a state Department of Agriculture report that will guide lawmakers on the industry’s needs. HPR's Mark Ladao explains.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health said Tuesday that the affected person had recently traveled to a place where dengue is known to be spread. The virus is transmitted from person to person through the bite of an infected mosquito.

That brings the state total to six so far this year: one on Maui and five on Oʻahu. The DOH said Monday that the most recent individual traveled to a region where dengue is known to be spread.

The state began offering free COVID-19 testing and face masks for FestPAC delegates Monday as the positivity rate reached its highest point since August 2023. The Conversation got the latest from the state health director.

COVID-19 is at a “high activity level," showing red on the state Department of Health's respiratory disease dashboard. A positivity rate of over 14% puts Hawaiʻi in the red.

Hawaiʻi has $33 million from opioid manufacturer settlements to address substance abuse — and that number is expected to grow. So far, the state has spent about $2.7 million of the fund. HPR's Ashley Mizuo explains how managing and spending the money has been a work in progress.

The newest dashboard of Respiratory Disease Activity shows COVID-19 is at the yellow level — or “medium activity.”

It's been 20 years since Dr. Jack Lewin has held the post of Hawaiʻi health director. Lewin has returned home to Hawaiʻi with a mission to help overhaul health care.

More than 100 million gallons of fuel have been drained from the Navy Red Hill underground fuel facility, but residual fumes could still pose a risk to workers and neighboring communities. Kathleen Ho, the deputy environmental director for the state Department of Health, said health officials raised those concerns with the Navy.