State briefs for May 28

Ige bans conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Gov. David Ige last week signed into law a bill that bans therapists from offering “conversion therapy” to LGBTQ youths under the age of 18.

“The overwhelming scientific research has shown that conversion therapy is not effective and frequently has lasting, harmful psychological impacts on minors,” Ige said Friday at a bill-signing ceremony.

The ban on what’s technically known as “sexual orientation change efforts” includes the practice of attempting to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression and applies to psychiatrists, social workers, marriage and family therapists and other licensed professionals.

USS Arizona Memorial closed

HONOLULU (AP) — Damage to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu was worse than expected and it will remain closed indefinitely, officials said.

Boat transportation to the attraction was suspended May 6 after one of the vessel operators noticed a crack on the outside of the memorial.

Tourists were allowed to disembark at the memorial after crews completed interim repairs. But the cracks reappeared hours later, indicating a more serious issue.

“There is a brow or an edge where the visitor ramp meets the memorial, and at that point, there’s been some fissures located on the exterior,” said Jay Blount, a spokesman for the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.