Labor

Lawmakers are advancing a measure that would allow out-of-state physicians to practice telehealth in Hawaiʻi if the service is not available locally.

An estimated 31,000 registered nurses and other front-line Kaiser Permanente health care workers will return to work on Tuesday after a four-week strike in California and Hawaiʻi to demand better wages and staffing. The union said in a statement Monday that "significant movement at the bargaining table" prompted an end to the walkout.

House Bill 2446 authorizes the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to create a community program. That program aims to educate marginalized communities about stolen wages. It would also enhance outreach and referrals.

About 250 health care workers at Kaiser Permanente in Hawaiʻi have begun an unfair labor practice strike over contract negotiations. Kaiser confirmed Monday that both sides have agreed to resume discussions.

The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) sent Kaiser its 10-day strike notice stating that a strike may start on Monday.

Heather Peske, president of the National Council on Teacher Quality, spoke to HPR's DW Gibson about a report that highlights the lack of paid parental leave for teachers across the country.

The state saw a surge in job applications after several recruiting efforts, although the number of actual hires they’ve resulted in is still low.

Last month, videos surfaced of two parents heckling a referee at a Moanalua High School boys basketball game that led to a school official being knocked out. The incident resulted in the state Department of Education permanently banning the parents from all public school properties.

About 430 state correctional officer positions are vacant, DCR said in a state budget informational briefing Thursday — despite the department’s efforts to better advertise those jobs.

Two major players in medical care and insurance in Hawaiʻi are joining forces. The state's largest insurance provider, Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association, and major health care system Hawaiʻi Pacific Health announced plans to formalize their partnership.