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.

Carlos Juarez, interim director of research and grants officer at the East-West Center, spoke to The Conversation's Catherine Cruz about the recent events in Venezuela and the uncertainty that remains in the region and beyond.

Last year the City and County of Honolulu passed a law that increases residents' sewer fees over the next six years, but the fee structure also places a relatively greater burden on heavy water users — meaning water-saving machines have a greater opportunity to save money as well.

The state Council on Revenues maintains a cautious view of the state's finances, forecasting a 4.7% reduction in the general fund growth rate for this fiscal year. This is unchanged from its last projection in September.

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.

The Department of Law Enforcement is in charge of enforcing state laws and safeguarding state facilities. It’s also one of the lead agencies enforcing the state’s new fireworks laws.

The $50 billion federal program will be distributed to all 50 states over the next five years. The program was a compromise in President Donald Trump’s megabill, H.R. 1, as the Medicaid cuts are expected to negatively impact rural health systems.

Kurt Lager, Honolulu's new chief of the Ocean Safety Department, spoke to The Conversation's Catherine Cruz about becoming the city's first commission-appointed chief.

The City and County of Honolulu says it’s out of options and is considering expanding the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill by 3.7 acres. HPR's Ashley Mizuo has the latest update on this yearslong development.

Hawaiʻi relies on imported oil to run its electrical grid. The state got over a third of its fuel from South America last year — but none from Venezuela, which claims to have the largest oil reserves in the world.