The first shipments of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have arrived, and state health officials are moving faster than planned to include more people.

The state Department of Health in January provided tests from its large stockpile for the Big Island program, credited by county officials as keeping case numbers low, but now says it’s not a suitable use.

Other COVID-19 variants are also on the upswing in the islands.

The fast COVID tests have certain limitations but still hold potential to assist during future outbreaks.

No official timeline has been set.

Cases and hospitalizations are on the wane.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would expand access to abortions by expanding the pool of providers beyond physicians.

Another fatality was recorded on Oahu.

But the companies won’t be forced to pay until appeals are exhausted.