Month: February 2026

STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA
NADINE Y. ANDO
DIRECTOR

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HONOLULU — National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) starts March 1, 2026. It serves as a significant annual event dedicated to raising awareness about consumer rights and educating the public on avoiding fraud and scams. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) will commemorate NCPW by hosting a free Consumer Protection Fair from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 on the fourth floor of the State Capitol at 415 South Beretania Street. Metered parking is available for the public.

“Fraud and scams continue to evolve, but so do our efforts to protect the public. National Consumer Protection Week gives us the opportunity to connect directly with residents, share practical tips and reinforce that consumer protection is a shared responsibility,” said DCCA Director Nadine Ando.

Organizations participating in the National Consumer Protection Week Fair on Thursday, March 5, include:

• AARP
• American Red Cross
• Blood Bank of Hawai‘i
• Better Business Bureau
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Elderly Affairs Division – City and County of Honolulu
• Tax Relief Section – City and County of Honolulu
• Real Property Assessment Division – City and County of Honolulu
• Executive Office on Aging – Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
• Hawai‘i Credit Union League
• Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA)
• Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center
• Hawai‘i Pacific University
• Hawai‘i State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Hawai‘i SHIP)
• Hawaiian Electric Co.
• HMSA
• IRS – Taxpayer Advocate Service
• Social Security Administration
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program – State of Hawai‘i
• 911 Board – State of Hawai‘i
• Department of Taxation – State of Hawai‘i
• Public Utilities Commission – State of Hawai‘i
• Mediation Center of the Pacific
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Various divisions from the state of Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer
Affairs (DCCA)

Media Contact:
William Nhieu
Communications Officer
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State of Hawaiʻi
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 808-586-758

STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

NADINE Y. ANDO
DIRECTOR KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

BUSINESS REGISTRATION DIVISION
TY Y. NOHARA
COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2026

HONOLULU — The state of Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Business Registration Division and Insurance Division, and Hawaiʻi Credit Union League (HCUL), announces that the team from ‘Iolani School is the winner of the annual Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts State Competition, conducted today at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.

The competition tests students on their knowledge of personal finance, health and safety, the environment, technology, as well as consumer rights and responsibilities. Following the preliminary online portion of the competition, top scoring teams from Kalani, ‘Iolani and Waipahu High Schools were invited to compete in today’s in-person competition, where they tested their skills through a “speed smarts” activity and game show-style buzzer rounds.

‘Iolani School will go on to represent Hawaiʻi at the National LifeSmarts Competition in Orlando, Florida, from April 15 – 18, 2026. Members of the team are: James Chen (team captain), Donovan Kwan, Dominic Nakama, Henry Li, and Inseo Kim. The team was coached by Kit U Wong.

“Congratulations to ‘Iolani School who will represent Hawaiʻi at the National Competition in Orlando,” said DCCA Deputy Director Dean Hazama. “Through the LifeSmarts program, students gain critical life skills that prepare them for adulthood and we are proud to have been a sponsor of this statewide program for more than 20 years. Mahalo to our staff, volunteers and community partners for their generous contributions toward another successful year of Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts.”

2026 Hawaiʻi State Competition Community Supporters include:
• Accenture
• Beachside Roofing
• Big Island Federal Credit Union
• Cisco
• Coastal Construction Company Inc.
• Farmers Hawaiʻi
• Hawaiʻi Community Federal Credit Union
• Hawaiʻi Credit Union League
• Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA)
• Hawaiʻi Information Service
• Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union
• HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union Foundation
• Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA)
• Kualoa Ranch Hawaiʻi Inc.
• Pacxa
• Pacific Point
• Pearl Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union

Visit www.LifeSmartsHawaii.com for more information.

LINK: MEDIA

LifeSmarts is a national consumer education program that prepares students to enter the real world as smart consumers by teaching them the skills needed to succeed in today’s global marketplace. The program is run by the National Consumers League and sponsored locally by the DCCA Business Registration Division and Insurance Division, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Credit Union League.

Media Contact:
William Nhieu
Communications Officer
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State of Hawaiʻi
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 808-586-7582

STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

NADINE Y. ANDO
DIRECTOR KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

SCOTT K. SAIKI
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HONOLULU — Following recent high winds and heavy rain, the Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Insurance Division is reminding residents to take protect their property and file insurance claims as quickly and smoothly as possible.

If your home, vehicle, or personal property has been damaged, contact your insurance company or agent right away to report the loss. Ask for your claim number and confirm any deadlines for filing or submitting documentation. Starting your claim promptly helps ensure your coverage is applied correctly and delays are avoided.

Before cleaning up or making repairs, document all damage by taking clear photos or videos. If it is safe to do so, keep damaged items until the insurance adjuster has seen them. You should also take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, such as placing tarps over roof leaks or boarding broken windows, but avoid making permanent repairs until your insurer has approved them.

Keep records of all expenses related to the damage, including temporary repairs, hotel stays, meals, and other costs caused by the storm. Save receipts and write down what was damaged, when it occurred, and what actions you took to protect your property.

When an insurance adjuster contacts you, be available for inspections and provide any requested documents. Review settlement offers carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear.

To help residents navigate the claims process, the Hawaiʻi Insurance Division has available a Post-Disaster Insurance Claims Guided an instructional video on how to file an insurance claim. These resources provide practical tips and step-by-step guidance on documenting losses, understanding coverage, and working with insurers after a disaster

“Licensed insurers are required to handle claims fairly and help consumers recover after a disaster,” said Insurance Commissioner Scott Saiki. “If you experience delays, disputes, or have questions about your policy or settlement, our office is here to help.” Consumers may contact the Hawaiʻi Insurance Division at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222

Consumers may contact the Hawaiʻi Insurance Division at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222) or visit http://cca.hawaii.gov/ins for claim-filing tips, disaster recovery resources, and assistance with insurance-related concerns.

The Hawaiʻi Insurance Division regulates the Hawaiʻi insurance industry, issues licenses; examines the fiscal condition of Hawaiʻi-based companies; reviews rate and policy filings; and investigates insurance-related complaints.

Media Contact:
William Nhieu
Communications Officer
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State of Hawaiʻi
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (808) 586-7582

STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

NADINE Y. ANDO
DIRECTOR
KA LUNA HOʻOKEL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HONOLULU — The state of Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) announces the launch of its redesigned website, featuring a new, modern design and an intuitive, user-friendly interface. The upgraded site makes it easier for users to access vital resources, navigate services and engage with the department online, underscoring DCCA’s ongoing commitment to increase accessibility in delivery of its services to the public.

Driven by a dedication to providing a more seamless browsing experience, the new site features a streamlined, function-driven layout, improved navigation tools and an AIassisted customer support chatbot, ensuring visitors can easily find the information they need.

“Our goal with this redesign is to improve access to DCCA’s many services by creating a more intuitive, user-friendly platform that prioritizes the resources the public needs most,” said Deputy Director Dean Hazama. This initiative follows the December 2025 launch of the department’s new centralized toll-free phone number and call center, with both efforts being part of the department’s broader modernization initiative to streamline the process for public interactions with DCCA.

This initiative follows the December 2025 launch of the department’s new centralized toll-free phone number and call center, with both efforts being part of the department’s broader modernization initiative to streamline the process for public interactions with DCCA

For more information about DCCA and to explore the redesigned website, please visit https://cca.hawaii.gov

Media Contact:
William Nhieu
Communications Officer
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State of Hawai‘i
Phone: 808-586-7582
Email: [email protected]