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Hawaii supports Hepatitis B infant vaccination despite federal recommendation

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Hawaii supports Hepatitis B infant vaccination despite federal recommendation


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The West Coast Health Alliance, which includes Hawaii, announced its support Friday for the hepatitis B vaccination, disagreeing with a federal advisory committee’s vote to change decades-long vaccine recommendations.

Advisory committee votes to end universal recommendation

The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted Friday to end the universal recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination at birth.

The committee now recommends the birth dose only for babies whose mothers test positive or whose infection status is unknown.

For other babies, it will be up to their parents and doctors to decide whether a birth dose is appropriate.

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Hawaii health department emphasizes vaccine’s importance

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) said it disagrees with the CDC advisory committee, citing that it has reduced pediatric hepatitis B infections by 99 percent since it was established in 1991.

Health officials said the first dose should be given within 24 hours of birth to newborns weighing at least 4 pounds and 7 ounces, followed by completion of the vaccine series.

This recommendation aligns with trusted national medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Alliance cites lack of credible evidence for changes

The West Coast Health Alliance said there was no credible evidence presented to support the advisory committee’s changes.

The alliance said delaying the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine will lead to more children and adults developing preventable liver disease and liver cancer with no evidence of a safety benefit.

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A review by the Vaccine Integrity Project found that the vaccine is safe regardless of timing and that delaying the first dose offers no safety benefits, according to the alliance.

The alliance said delaying the first dose increases the risk of infection and jeopardizes completion of the whole vaccine series, which is required for long-lasting protection.

About hepatitis B risks

Hepatitis B is a highly infectious virus that attacks the liver and can cause chronic liver disease, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. It spreads easily and can survive on surfaces for up to seven days.

Before the United States adopted universal infant hepatitis B vaccination in 1991, thousands of children were infected each year.

Infants and young children are especially vulnerable, with up to 90 percent of infants infected at birth developing chronic infection and 25 percent of infected children dying prematurely from hepatitis-related disease.

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Many people with chronic hepatitis B do not know they are infected, and infants may unknowingly be infected by household and other contacts following birth, the alliance said.

The acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jim O’Neill, is expected to decide later whether to accept the committee’s recommendation.



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What’s Cooking: Celebrating Lunar New Year with Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood

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What’s Cooking: Celebrating Lunar New Year with Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A family-run Chinese restaurant in Honolulu’s Chinatown is gearing up for Lunar New Year festivities.

Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant owner Karen Tam and her son Kirave Liang joined HNN’s Sunrise to showcase their dim sum and Chinese specialties.

Lunar New Year specials include a special jai with 18 vegetarian ingredients and the sweet, sticky, steamed rice cake gau in brown sugar and coconut flavors, which symbolize good fortune and prosperity.

”We eat food with a lucky meaning to start the great year,” Tam said. “We have jin dui (sesame balls) every day.“

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Feb. 17 marks the start of the year of the Fire Horse, when families gather to celebrate with big meals and auspicious dishes. Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood will offer set party menus and special orders for foods not commonly found in Honolulu, such as whole stuffed duck, braised abalone in oyster sauce, and basin meal.

“It’s the biggest fest of the year. We celebrate Chinese New Year by eating with family in a round table,“ Tam said.

Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood also has private rooms with karaoke systems and a banquet hall to accommodate small family gatherings to large parties.

Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood is located on 111 N. King St. and is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, There is street parking and paid parking behind the restaurant on Nimitz and Maunakea.

For more information, visit hawaiidimsumseafood.com or follow on Instagram @hawaiidimsumseafood.

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Hawaii suffers first defeat of the season against Loyola Chicago | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaii suffers first defeat of the season against Loyola Chicago | Honolulu Star-Advertiser




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2026 Sony Open field is announced. See who’s playing in Hawaii

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2026 Sony Open field is announced. See who’s playing in Hawaii


The Sony Open in Hawaii has the honors of being the kickoff event to the 2026 PGA Tour season after the cancellation of The Sentry at Kapalua this season.

Instead of Maui, the Tour debuts in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, Jan. 15-18, at the Seth Raynor-designed Waialae Country Club, where Nick Taylor prevailed in a playoff over Nico Echavarria last year.

Among the changes this season is the field size, which was reduced from 144 to 120, and, there is no longer is a Monday qualifier offering four spots. Will that help with pace of play? Stay tuned.

The field includes the following notables in addition to Taylor and Echavarria: Daniel Berger, Keegan Bradley, Michael Brennan, Corey Conners, Tony Finau, Chris Gotterup, Brian Harman, Russell Henley, Billy Horschel, Robert MacIntyre, Collin Morikawa, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Sahith Theegala, Gary Woodland and 62-year-old Vijay Singh.

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Here’s the full field for the Sony Open, which will be live on Golf Channel all four days as well as NBC with early-round coverage on Saturday and Sunday.

This year’s Sony purse is $9.1 million and the winner also will receive 500 FedEx Cup points. 



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