From the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

You must be signed up for a health insurance plan, or risk being fined by the government.

The lead up to the March 31 deadline for open enrollment was rife with confusion over the Affordable Care Act — known informally as “Obamacare” — and how it would apply to U.S. citizens, while signing up for health care plans was slowed by a slew of technical problems with the federal and state versions of websites built to serve as marketplaces for the plans.

Hawaii’s own Health Connector online exchange was not ready in time for the beginning of the enrollment period, and former executive director Coral Andrews resigned in early December after a slew of criticism. Read more.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t, biz, culture and politics:

Final whale count turns to possible missing kayaker

Hawaiian Telcom adding solar panels

Lawmakers say state hospitals should cut costs, staff expenses

Tsunami Awareness Month kicking off

Kauai Council begins working on mayor’s $180M plan

Vessel Assist Kona is there for stranded mariners

Maui opponents of GMOs make ‘last push’ on initiative

Veteran helps recruits prepare for military service

History to be found on Kauai beaches

Hawaii Palliative Care Center launches in Hilo

Photo: Screen shot, March 31, 2014. (Hawaii Health Connector)

—Chad Blair