Ige declines to address open records request

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HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Gov. David Ige’s office declined to provide copies of communications about the coronavirus that his staff exchanged with the state Department of Health, the tourism industry and other organizations.

The Associated Press asked for the documents in May under Hawaii’s open records law, the Uniform Information Practices Act. Ige’s office said it would not comply, however, citing an emergency order he signed suspending deadlines for such information due to the pandemic.

“When the suspension is lifted and government employees are able to work in their offices and normal government operations have resumed, your request will be addressed,” the governor’s office said.