AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy
HONOLULU Hawaii s lawmakers on Thursday wrapped up a legislative session marked by a generous influx of federal aid that helped the islands weather a pandemic that threw tens of thousands of people out of work and upended the state’s tourism-dependent economy.
Lawmakers began the session in January with the news that Congress had appropriated $1.6 billion to Hawaii as part of a coronavirus relief package.
The House and Senate used nearly half of the federal funds to pay back $700 million the state borrowed from the federal government to pay unemployment insurance claims earlier in the pandemic.
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The last time the state passed a law increasing the minimum wage was in 2014, when it was raised over four years from $7.25 an hour to $10.10.
The legislature considered proposals last year to increase it again, but then the pandemic hit. State lawmakers then shifted their focus on the state s response to the coronavirus.
Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi president and CEO Sherry Menor-McNamara says before the pandemic struck, the organization was supportive of a minimum wage increase. But Menor-McNamara says now is not the time to pass such a proposal. We have to focus on our economic recovery, she said. Let s help and support these small businesses so they can continue to keep their doors open, and continue keep positions available to the extent possible. So let s focus on that.
With no signs of housing prices cooling off, advocates push for government aid
With no signs of housing prices cooling off, advocates push for government aid By Samie Solina | February 15, 2021 at 1:50 PM HST - Updated February 15 at 4:17 PM
HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Even as the overall economy is struggling, the housing market in the islands is hotter than ever.
And thatâs prompting advocates to call for change.
January was a record-breaking month for the Hawaii real estate market and experts say the market is unlikely to cool down anytime soon as people around the world eye the stateâs housing inventory.
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