Senator Kim runs for re-election

Senator Kim has filed her nominations papers for re-election for her Senate seat - District 14.  With her is her son Micah who is running for the 1st time to fill House dist. 32 that is currently held by Rep. Johanson who is not seeking re-election. 

Where to Get Your COVID-19 Vaccination Now

Where to Get Your COVID-19 Vaccination Now

As the number of COVID-19 cases has declined in Hawai‘i and healthcare providers have pulled back from running large vaccination and testing clinics statewide, there are still many options available for residents to get their vaccinations, boosters, and COVID-19 tests.

“COVID-19 vaccines are still readily available across the state. Large operations that could accommodate hundreds of people a day have closed, but vaccines are still easy to get at pharmacies, community health centers, doctor’s offices and elsewhere,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble.

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Sen. Donna Mercado Kim: UH Faculty Union's Attacks Are 'Mistruths'

Community Voice

The Higher Education Committee chair argues that UHPA is doing little to control the high costs of a university education.

By Donna Mercado Kim

June 2, 2021 

Hawaii Hall at the UH Manoa campus in 2017. The faculty union has levied accusations against a state senator regarding the budget. 

Cory Lum/Civil Beat

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About the Author

Donna Mercado Kim

Donna Mercado Kim represents District 14 — Kapalama, Alewa, Kalihi Valley, Fort Shafter, Moanalua Gardens and Valley, portions of Halawa and Aiea — in the Hawaii State Senate.

It would be exhausting to offer a point-by-point rebuttal to UHPA’s criticisms, which reflect the strident, self-serving bombast of a labor union advocating on behalf of its membership. As an elected official, I accept criticism often, except when it’s full of rambling mistruths and personal attacks.

So let me offer these key points.

Why aren’t the UH administration and UHPA seeking solutions to the very high cost of education at the University of Hawaii?

Student debt in our country is at an all-time high. Graduates are saddled with decades of loan repayments. My goal — one shared by my fellow legislators and our entire community — is to have the University of Hawaii offer an excellent education at an affordable cost. We are failing to fulfill that mission.

UH Manoa estimates the cost of a year of school at $29,920, split about evenly between tuition and educational expenses and living costs. Kapiolani Community College’s estimates are $4,624 for tuition and school expenses, or $22,563 if independent living costs are added for a full-time student.

University of Hawaii expenses continue to climb, the cost of an education continues to increase while enrollment over many years has dropped.

Rather than embark on a round of self-examination, a search for greater efficiency in the system, UH administrators instead appeal to the Legislature for more money. The latest, the Hawaii Promise scholarship program, which I increased and doubled in its appropriation, aims to help local students afford college. But these well-meaning efforts do not incentivize the university to trim its spending and make college more affordable.

When accepting the chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, past chairs warned me they had urged UH administrators for decades to be more responsive to the students, trim a large bureaucracy, hold faculty accountable to UH’s teaching loads, and classify researchers the same way other R1 universities do — only to be bullied by UHPA. I have just now experienced this bullying as UHPA is now accusing me, as they did my predecessors, of having an “agenda” or motives other than the oversight responsibilities of sound governance.

The last House Higher Education chair who proposed many of the same concerns was targeted by UHPA in his re-election bid and the union spent more than $90,000 to unsuccessfully unseat him. It has been and continues to be an uphill battle because UH and UHPA will do anything to maintain the status quo and avoid painful decisions.

I challenge UH and UPHA to justify to the students, parents and taxpayers how a faculty member can teach (according to UH data) zero classes, hold no campus office hours, bring in little to no extramural funding and be paid in excess of $345,000 a year.

How many faculty members comply with the university’s teaching policy?

Board of Regents Policy 9.214 states, “As instruction is the university’s highest priority, teaching remains the most important duty of its faculty.”

The policy states that full-time instructional faculty members teach 24 semester credit hours per academic year at Manoa, Hilo, and West Oahu. That load is 27 semester credit hours at the Community Colleges.

But UH data shows that a lot of Manoa faculty teach just eight to 12 credit hours a year. UH administrators acknowledge the disparity between what is required and what is reality; many UHPA members have brought to my attention the inequities among the teaching and non-teaching faculty in workload, performance, and salary which is why the Legislature passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 201 (discussed below).

While students bear the cost of their education, they often don’t receive the benefit of senior, top-rated professors in the classroom as many classes are taught by graduate students and lecturers. Parents complain to me that students cannot graduate on time because required classes are scheduled to accommodate the faculty, not the needs of the students.

In contrast, our public school teachers are paid a quarter of a professor’s salary, do not have the luxury of assistance from a graduate student or lecturer, and cannot choose their workloads or the hours of the day they will work.

UHPA’s criticism on Senate Bill 1328, which would deny tenure to non-instructional faculty, did not address the underlying issue of unjustified employment policies.

Few, if any, colleges in the United States or the UH’s peer universities grant tenure to researchers. This is why Hawaii is known as the “gravy train.” Other institutions require researchers to attract extramural research grants to cover 40% to 80% of their salaries and benefits. Instead, the UH pays its research staff from general funds.

UHPA claims that this could jeopardize Hawaii’s R1 status; this is false because most, if not all, R1 institutions do not tenure researchers. Additionally, UH has been using tuition dollars paid by students to supplement research that is not related to their instruction.

In another example of the UH’s resistance to change, the school has seven different classifications of employees. Comparable schools have only three.

The University of Hawaii is responsible to the students and taxpayers of this state.

In response to UHPA’s concerns, I deferred SB 1328 and UHPA agreed to do a draft resolution reviewing the tenure process. UHPA’s draft was the basis for the final resolution, SCR 201. A separate resolution on extramural funding was also introduced and both were heard at the same time. Both called for a UH working group, so the Higher Education Committee combined the two for efficiency as both are related.

The resolution, approved by both houses, calls on the UH administration and UHPA to convene a task force to examine and assess the institution’s tenure system for researchers and other non-instructional staff and the compensation structure for faculty engaged in activities supported by extramural funding and grants, compare them to similar schools, and propose best practices that could be adopted by UH.

The University of Hawaii is responsible to the students and taxpayers of this state.

As the recipient of a significant share of public money — $473 million in general funds in each of the next two fiscal years — the University of Hawaii bears an obligation to ensure that money is prudently spent. The UH must ensure that it is getting the most out of every tax dollar, that unnecessary spending is trimmed or eliminated, and that its policies and practices are up-to-date.

That is the mandate of every state agency, and the university is no exception.

https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/06/sen-donna-mercado-kim-uh-faculty-unions-attacks-are-mistruths/

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Are You Fully Vaccinated?

You are considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after receiving the complete dose of your vaccine. If you receive the 2-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, then you are “fully vaccinated” two weeks after your second dose. If you receive a single-dose vaccine like Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, you will be fully vaccinated two weeks after your shot. If it has been less than two weeks or if you are still waiting for your second dose, you are NOT fully protected.
 
Even after you are fully vaccinated, you should continue to protect yourself and others by following safe practices whenever you are near unvaccinated people outside of your own household. This means continuing to: wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet apart and avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. 

View Vaccine FAQs

All Residents 16+ Are Becoming Eligible April 19

Starting Monday, April 19 all Hawai‘i residents age 16+ will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. This means 300,000 people will be newly eligible, bringing the total to more than 650,000 people in our state who are eligible and still unvaccinated.
 

View List of Vaccination Providers

Got Questions About The COVID-19 Vaccines

Do you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines? Learning more about vaccines is an important step to protect our community. Stay updated with the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccines at http://hsalinks.com/3cDLQzT.

Are you eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Hawaii?

Are you eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Hawaii? Search by zip code to find a location near you and see which vaccines are being offered at each location! Find COVID-19 vaccines at local pharmacies near you at https://vaccinefinder.org/search/.

State expands eligibility to more Phase 1c essential workers on Monday

State expands eligibility to more Phase 1c essential workers on Monday 

Vaccine eligibility on all islands will expand Monday, April 5 to include essential workers in construction, banking and finance, communications, media, retail, information technology, clergy, and transportation and logistics.

Eligibility will be based on current and projected vaccination numbers, appointment availability--and most importantly--the amount of vaccine allocated and available.

Look for registration opportunities available through links posted on HawaiiCOVID19.com/vaccination-registration and from healthcare providers around the state.

View Directory of Vaccination Providers

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Vaccinations Expand to Hawaii Residents 60+ on Monday

Vaccinations expand to Hawai‘i residents 60+ on Monday

Today the Hawai‘i Department of Health announced the state will extend COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to people age 60 and older beginning Monday, March 29.

“We are closely monitoring current and projected vaccination numbers, appointment availability and most importantly the amount of vaccine allocated to the people of Hawai‘i,” said State Health Director Dr. Libby Char.  “Our analysis of these indicators tells us it is time to expand vaccine eligibility to more people.”

Registration opportunities for those 60 and older will soon be available through links posted on HawaiiCOVID19.com/vaccination-registration and from healthcare providers around the state.

View Directory of Vaccination Providers

New Service Simplifies COVID-19 Vaccination Registration Process For Kupuna

New service simplifies COVID-19 vaccination registration process for kūpuna

This week the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) launched a new service to help O‘ahu's older adults book their COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

O‘ahu kūpuna who donʻt feel comfortable with the online registration process can now call AUW's 2-1-1 hotline to receive help scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Kūpuna age 65 and above may call the hotline 7 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week. Language translation is available.

AUW's team of trained specialists will take basic information from callers and then St. Francis Healthcare System will call back to walk kūpuna through the registration process. Transportation to the vaccination site is also available for eligible individuals.“Kūpuna make up a significant percentage of our state’s total population, and the Executive Office on Aging and our Policy Advisory Board on Elderly Affairs have been tireless advocates of vaccination access for our kūpuna,” said Caroline Cadirao, Director of the state’s Executive Office on Aging. “We’ve listened to concerns and insights from the community, leveraged the expertise of our partners, and came up with this solution. It speaks to the power of collaboration.” 

The call center is a collaborative effort by the State of Hawai‘i Executive Office on Aging, City and County of Honolulu's Elderly Affairs Division, Aloha United Way and St. Francis Healthcare System.

Learn more about the Kūpuna Call Center

Why Get Vaccinated?

Why Get Vaccinated?

As Hawai‘i continues to vaccinate our community and work toward herd immunity, it is important for every resident to understand the importance of getting vaccinated to protect ourselves and those around us.

Download the essential workers vaccination toolkit

This COVID-19 vaccination toolkit for essential workers is an informational resource to help Hawai‘i companies educate their employees. The facts in these flyers and handouts can be used to initiate and continue conversations about the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Please use this toolkit to help our community build confidence in COVID-19 vaccination. This information will help you and your workers stay educated and informed, as well as know what to expect when it's your turn to receive the vaccine.

Essential workers can now register for an appointment at vaccination sites throughout the state.

COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center For General Public & Health Providers

Department of Health expands mental health assistance in response to the ongoing pandemic

Department of Health expands mental health assistance in response to the ongoing pandemic

You probably donʻt need an expert to tell you that the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on our individual and collective mental health. Even for those of us lucky enough not to be touched by the actual virus, the impact on our daily lives is stressful at best. And for many facing unemployment and financial, work or family distress, it can be devastating. Some experts predict the mental health repercussions will last long after the virus is under control.
 
Hawai‘i is staying ahead of the curve by ramping up counseling and an array of services to help residents experiencing anxiety, depression, panic or just feeling overwhelmed as the pandemic reaches the one-year milestone this month. Thatʻs the motivation and mission behind the Department of Health’s new program “Kū Makani—The Hawai‘i Resiliency Project.” This service  launched in January and offers dedicated crisis counseling to callers facing emotional fallout related to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also virtual events for individuals and groups of all ages as well as island-specific resources and referrals.
 
“It is normal to experience difficulty with adapting to the new challenges of managing work, school, family, or home due to COVID-19, to feel isolated or anxious, or to worry about meeting basic needs like having enough food or access to healthcare,” says Kathleen Merriam, Team Leader for Kū Makani. “If you or someone you love needs support, don’t be afraid to reach out.”
 
Kū Makani is named for the Hawaiian plant ʻaʻaliʻi kū makani—which grows well in strong winds, reflecting a spirit of resilience in challenging circumstances. The program was made possible through a partnership with CARE Hawaii, Inc. and funded by a $2 million federal government grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

To reach a trained Kū Makani counselor, just call the Hawai‘i CARES hotline during these hours:
 

Oahu
(808) 832-3100
 
Neighbor Islands: Maui, Kauai & Hawaii
1 (800) 753-6879
 
Kū Makani crisis counseling hours:
4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
9:00a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday

Please visit the Kū Makani website and social media for details about the program, services, upcoming events and island-specific resources: https://www.kumakani.org

 
For non-pandemic counseling and services, including crisis support, mental health resources and substance use treatment services, you may always call the Hawai‘i CARES hotline 24/7 at 1 (800) 753-6879 or text “ALOHA” to 741741.

Learn More About Kū Makani FREE Mental Health Resources

More People Are Eligible To Get Vaccinated In Hawaii

Starting today, more people are eligible to get vaccinated in Hawaii. People age 65 and older, individuals with high-risk medical conditions, as well as essential workers listed in phase 1C, now qualify to get the vaccine, though there will be an emphasis on certain groups. You can read more about that here, as well as register to get vaccinated: https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccination-registration/

COVID-19 Variants and the Vaccine: What You Should Know

Over the past month, new COVID-19 variants have emerged from around the globe: first in the United Kingdom, then South Africa and Brazil. The CDC has warned that the U.K. variant could be the predominant variant in the U.S. sometime this month. As of now, three variants (P.2, B.1.429, and B.1.1.7) are already here in the islands, underscoring the importance of preventative measures.
 
COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool in getting our communities back to normal. The CDC is continuing to investigate the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against the new variants. Scientists also are working to learn about new variants of the virus. More studies are needed to understand how new variants may affect the effectiveness of existing COVID-19 vaccines.
 
So far, studies suggest that antibodies generated through vaccination with currently authorized vaccines recognize these variants. This is being closely investigated and more studies are underway. Some of the new variants of the COVID-19 virus may spread more easily and quickly, which can lead to more cases of COVID-19. So, don’t wait. Plan to get whichever vaccine is available to you.

Even after you are vaccinated, continue to follow all of the protective strategies to limit the spread of COVID-19. This includes wearing a mask, physical distancing, washing hands and staying home when you are sick which will also help prevent the spread of new variants. This is the time to stay vigilant!
 
To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit HawaiiCOVID19.com/vaccine.

View Fast Facts About the COVID-19 Vaccine

SUPERINTENDENT SAYS SCHOOLS COULD REALISTICALLY REOPEN FULLY IN FALL 2021; SOME HIGH SCHOOLS CAN HOLD LIMITED IN-PERSON COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES

SUPERINTENDENT SAYS SCHOOLS COULD REALISTICALLY REOPEN FULLY IN FALL 2021; SOME HIGH SCHOOLS CAN HOLD LIMITED IN-PERSON COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES

Despite a national push to get students back in classrooms full-time, following new safety guidance from the CDC, schools Superintendent Christina Kishimoto said Hawaii public schools are unlikely to return to full in-person learning before next school year.

For the first time, Kishimoto offered more details on what that timeline looks like, saying public schools in Hawaii won’t reopen fully to in-person instruction before the fall.

She says summer classes could also be held in-person.

Additionally, the state Department of Education announced on February 25 that limited, in-person commencements can be held this year.

The DOE has created guidelines to set limits on the number of people who can greet graduates and where the celebrations can take place.

In addition to standard school health and safety protocols, commencement events will need to follow other rules.

• The ceremony must be held outdoors or in a venue with adequate ventilation. Third-party venues are allowed.
• Graduates will be allowed to bring a maximum of two members from their household. No additional guests will be allowed. Schools also have the authority to reduce this number based on venue restrictions and ceremony formats.
• Larger schools that may experience difficulties in hosting a safe, in-person ceremony are encouraged to consider alternative options such as a blend of in-person and virtual ceremonies, staggered drive-through ceremonies or drive-in formats.

The full list of commencement guidelines can be viewed here.

2021-25-02-Commencement and Transition Ceremony Guidelines for School Year 2020-21.pdf (hawaiipublicschools.org)

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

With more vaccine shipments en route, the Hawai‘i Department of Health is expanding the pool of people eligible to receive a COVID-19 shot. Beginning this coming Monday, March 8, all Hawai‘i residents age 70 and up are eligible to receive the vaccine.
 
Learn where you can make your vaccination appointment HERE.

Plan to Make Your Vaccination Appointment 

Vaccination Eligibility for Individuals 70+

Hawaii will soon be opening COVID-19 vaccinations to those age 70+ as the state receives more doses of the vaccine. Currently, kupuna age 75+ are eligible to get vaccinated. The Hawaii State Department of Health will announce when vaccination sites begin to accept registrations for this next group of people age 70+. For the latest info on vaccine registration: https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccination-registration/

Beware of COVID-19 vaccine scams!

Beware of COVID-19 vaccine scams! All COVID-19 vaccinations are free.

⚠️ You never have to pay to get your name on a vaccination list.
⚠️ You can’t pay to “jump the line” and get earlier access to the vaccine.
⚠️ No legitimate vaccine provider will call and ask for your Social Security, bank account or credit card number. Do not answer a call from an unknown number or from an unfamiliar location. If in doubt, hang up and report the call to SMP Hawaii at (808) 586-7281, or visit www.smphawaii.org to learn about recent scams.

For more info https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccinebeware/

View 5 Things You Can Do to Avoid Vaccine Scams

COVID-19 Vaccination Availability

COVID-19 VACCINATION AVAILABILITY

According to the Hawaii State Department of Health, the vaccine is currently only available to those who qualify under Phase groups 1-A and 1-B:

Phase 1-A: Began in mid-December and is expected to be completed this month, focuses on health care workers and long-term care facility residents.

Phase 1-B: Began in December and is expected to be completed in May, focuses on those over the age of 75 not included in phase 1-A and frontline essential workers. The list of frontline essential workers includes:

• First responders
• Corrections officers and staff
• Emergency service workers
• Individuals essential for federal, state and local government operations.
• Public transportation workers
• Utilities workers
• Teachers, child care workers and education support staff
• U.S. Postal Service workers.

**Phase 1-C: Is scheduled to begin in March and run through May, focusing on those ages 65 to 74, as well as those with chronic diseases and essential workers not previously included in Phase 1-A or 1-B. Please check https://hawaiicovid19.com/vaccine/ or https://www.oneoahu.org/vaccine for updates on when this group will be eligible to register for the vaccine.

 VACCINE APPOINTMENT AND SITE INFORMATION:

PLEASE NOTE: Sites and availability change rapidly, please refer to https://www.oneoahu.org/vaccine for more information.

*ALL VACCINES ADMINISTERED ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY*

CVS/Longs Drugs

Select Longs Drugs locations are now offering the COVID-19 vaccine to those eligible and by appointment only. Longs Drugs Pharmacy Aiea will be participating in this program, but active stores may change based on vaccine availability. The list of specific stores will be available on CVS.com as stores receive shipments and appointments become available. As of today, February 25, 2021, the Aiea Longs location located at 98-1005 Moanalua Rd #400 Aiea, HI 96701 has appointments available for vaccinations.

Currently, the CVS website lists people over the age of 75 as eligible to receive a vaccine. If you qualify under this requirement, you may schedule an appointment on the CVS website after completing a short questionnaire. Pharmacies will have either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine based on availability. For more information, contact (800) 746-7287 or visit https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

Hawaii Pacific Health

Hawaii Pacific Health is administering vaccines at the Pier 2 Cruise Terminal, located at 521 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu. As of today, February 25, 2021, all Oahu appointments are full. Additional appointments will be added as more vaccine becomes available. Please check https://www.hawaiipacifichealth.org/hph-covid-19-updates/vaccine-update/

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente members must schedule an appointment through an e-Visit. For more information, please visit https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/hawaii/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/covid-vaccine . If you’re unable to schedule your appointment online, call (808) 432-2000 (TTY 711), Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Queen’s Health Systems

The COVID-19 vaccine is now available at the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall located at 777 Ward Avenue, Honolulu. Vaccinations are by appointment only, no walk-ins will be allowed at this time. For more information, please visit https://covid.queens.org/vaccination/

• COVID-19 Vaccination Line: (808) 691-2222, Mon – Fri, 7:30 am – 5 pm
• COVID-19 Infoline: (808) 691-2619,  Mon – Fri, 8 am – 8 pm, Sat – Sun, 8 am – 1 pm

Veterans Affairs

Sign up for an easy way to stay informed about getting a COVID-19 vaccine at VA at https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed. When you sign up, the VA will also ask about your vaccine plans. Your local VA health facility may use this information to determine when to contact you once your risk group becomes eligible. The VA will contact every eligible Veteran in each risk group. You don’t need to sign up to get a vaccine. For more information, visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/

OAHU MOVES TO TIER 3 OF REOPENING STRATEGY

OAHU MOVES TO TIER 3 OF REOPENING STRATEGY

Our COVID-19 numbers are the lowest they have been in months and the City & County of Honolulu has officially moved into Tier 3 as of today, February 25th. For more information on the reopening strategy and the various tiers, please visit: https://www.oneoahu.org/reopening-strategy

Here is a breakdown of what is now permitted in Tier 3:

The City’s COVID-19 information call center remains open every day from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays. Oahu residents are encouraged to visit the website, oneoahu.org for more information on Proclamations, Emergency Orders, Business Resources, and Financial and Housing Assistance Programs in the City and County of Honolulu. If you do not find what you are looking for on the site, please feel free to call the 768-CITY (2489) information hotline or email covidresponse@honolulu.gov.

Tracking Hawaiiʻs progress: How are we doing as a state?

Tracking Hawaiiʻs progress: How are we doing as a state? 

The number of COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i has been declining and our current positivity rate is now under 1%. This is an encouraging sign that Hawai‘i is making headway in our battle against the coronavirus. Many sacrifices have been made to get us to where are today, and we can celebrate fewer hospitalizations and healthier communities.

As we look forward to the freedom that lower numbers and more vaccinations promise, we must all show our spirit of kīnā‘ole. Doing the right thing, in the right way, in the right place, for the right reason, with the right feeling! This spirit of kīnā‘ole has contributed to Hawaii’s hopeful trends, so let’s continue to maintain safe physical distancing and wear our face masks, and not become complacent.

In the past two months, about 12.5% of Hawai‘i residents have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. We are making progress in administering the vaccinations to high-risk and top-priority groups. To date, slightly more than half, or 55%, of kūpuna age 75 and above have been vaccinated with at least one dose. Unfortunately, severe winter storms on the continental U.S. are affecting shipments to our islands this week and some appointments had to be postponed. We will keep distributing vaccines as soon as we get them--to reach as many Hawai‘i residents as possible as quickly as possible.

View the Latest Data on COVID-19 Cases and Vaccinations

New resource! Booklet helps you and your loved ones develop a COVID-19 care plan

New resource! Booklet helps you and your loved ones develop a COVID-19 care plan

Are you caring for someone with COVID-19? Would you like to be prepared in the event a friend, family member or loved one should test positive? Most COVID-19 patients recover at home, so this new online booklet is here to support you!

A few months into the pandemic, Hawaii’s Public Health Nurses and community outreach partners started to notice a growing challenge in the neighborhoods they serve. When someone tests positive for COVID-19, family members suddenly become caregivers. With little knowledge or guidance, many don’t know where to begin when it comes to caring for a loved one while keeping the rest of the family safe and healthy. 

Many families become overwhelmed with questions and concerns about caregiving while often struggling to navigate insurance, time away from work and finances while in quarantine or isolation. For those who live in multigenerational homes, everyone is impacted.

Our Public Health Nurses aren’t able to visit every home with a COVID-19 patient. So they looked for another way to deliver the detailed information these patients and caregivers need. They brought this dilemma to state and community partners and brainstormed the best way to help. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (Emergency Support Function) ESF-8, Community Care/Outreach Unit team conducted extensive statewide surveys of residents and families, as well as health and social service providers, about their needs and concerns during this pandemic.

Many families become overwhelmed with questions and concerns about caregiving while often struggling to navigate insurance, time away from work and finances while in quarantine or isolation. For those who live in multigenerational homes, everyone is impacted.

Our Public Health Nurses aren’t able to visit every home with a COVID-19 patient. So they looked for another way to deliver the detailed information these patients and caregivers need. They brought this dilemma to state and community partners and brainstormed the best way to help. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (Emergency Support Function) ESF-8, Community Care/Outreach Unit team conducted extensive statewide surveys of residents and families, as well as health and social service providers, about their needs and concerns during this pandemic. 

The result is this newly released Home Care for Persons with COVID-19 booklet. Presenting expert advice from trusted sources, the booklet saves Hawaii’s families valuable time trying to search out information and wondering who they can trust. Families can quickly find answers to specific and urgent issues, such as how to take a temperature or use a pulse oximeter and when to call 9-1-1. The easy-to-read booklet also includes a statewide directory of community resources, including isolation and quarantine assistance, crisis and mental health services and foodbanks.

This is also a wonderful resource for any and everyone wanting to learn more about COVID prevention and best practices, such as mask hygiene, recognizing symptoms and contact tracing. Download the Home Care for Persons with COVID-19 booklet or find it under Guidance Documents on HawaiiCOVID19.com/resources/#guidance-documents. 

Download and Share Home Care Booklet

AlohaSafe Alert: Add your phone to fight against COVID-19

AlohaSafe Alert: Add your phone to fight against COVID-19

AlohaSafe Alert is a free and voluntary new service that helps slow the spread of COVID-19. It is the State of Hawaii’s official exposure notification app and has been developed in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Health. Add your phone to the fight to stop COVID-19 and protect your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and community.

AlohaSafe Alert works in a simple 5-step process: download, diagnose, verify, notify and quarantine. When you download the app, your phone will send random IDs out to other users with the app. If you test positive and anonymously share your diagnosis to the app, it will let others know instantly of exposure without any of your personal information at all. Let’s all work together to slow the spread of the virus and keep our community safe.

To learn more about #AlohaSafeAlert app, visit alohasafealert.org.

Updates on COVID-19 Vaccine

Who is eligible to get the vaccine right now?

Who is eligible to get the vaccine right now?

View Hawaii's Vaccine Timeline and Who's Next in Line

How to Register for the Vaccine

5 Things Hawaii residents need to know about COVID-19 variants

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RED HILL CONTESTED CASE HEARING

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RED HILL CONTESTED CASE HEARING

THOUSANDS IN HAWAIʻI EXPECTED TO BENEFIT FROM EMERGENCY FOOD STAMPS, PANDEMIC SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM

THOUSANDS IN HAWAIʻI EXPECTED TO BENEFIT FROM EMERGENCY FOOD STAMPS, PANDEMIC SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM

A new executive order issued by President Joe Biden will provide more Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, to the most needy families, according to an update provided by US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i).

Sen. Schatz reports that an estimated 33,000 people in Hawai‘i will benefit from the allotment.

The order also includes a 15 percent increase in benefits for families of the more than 93,500 Hawai‘i students who qualify for free or reduced-priced school meals and are currently receiving Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits due to COVID-19 related school closures, as well as a directive for food assistance benefits to be updated to reflect the true cost of a healthy diet.

PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The Hawai‘i Department of Human Services (DHS) is assisting eligible families to better-afford preschool for the 2021-2022 school year.

The Preschool Open Doors (POD) program application period began earlier in January and is open through March 31, 2021. Funds are limited, so DHS encourages families to apply as soon as possible.

To qualify for the program, children must be eligible to enter kindergarten in the 2022-2023 school year (born between Aug. 1, 2016, and July 31, 2017). If awarded a subsidy, families may use any one of the 409 state-licensed preschools. DHS also gives priority to underserved or at-risk children. Preschool Open Doors provides subsidies to eligible families to help pay preschool tuition.

POD aims to assist low-income and moderate-income families with a subsidy that provides their children the opportunity to attend preschool. Preschool and other early learning opportunities help children gain essential skills, be prepared for school, and chart a course for lifelong success.

Interested families may access the application from the department’s POD contractor, PATCH, by visiting patchhawaii.org or calling (808) 791-2130. They may also call toll-free at 1-800-746-5620.

DOH TO PARTNER WITH PHARMACIES STATEWIDE TO PROVIDE COVID-19 VACCINE

DOH TO PARTNER WITH PHARMACIES STATEWIDE TO PROVIDE COVID-19 VACCINE

The Hawai‘i Department of Health is partnering with a number of pharmacies to conduct drive-through vaccination events or in-home vaccinations.

This partnership is an effort to continue the momentum in vaccinating residents and caregivers of small residential care homes throughout the state.

“This is another major step forward in the implementation of our state’s vaccination plan,” said Dr. Libby Char, director, Hawai‘i Department of Health. “With residents and staff of larger long-term care facilities such as assisted living communities now in progress, we’re now turning our attention to residential care homes and community care foster family homes.”

The partnering pharmacies throughout the state include: ElixRx Pharmacy, 5 Minute Pharmacy, Foodland Pharmacy, KTA Pharmacy, Pharmacare Hawaii, The Queen’s Medical Center Pharmacy, and Times Pharmacy.

As of Friday, the DOH has administered more than 56,000 vaccines and has received 152,650 doses from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech combined.

Kaiser Permanente

The COVID-19 vaccine is now available at vaccination clinics at Honolulu and Waipio Medical Offices, only for Kaiser Permanente members 75 years of age and older.  Vaccinations are by appointment only.  

Locations:

Kaiser Honolulu Medical Office

1010 Pensacola St, Honolulu

Kaiser Waipio Medical Office

94-1480 Moaniani St, Waipahu

Clinic Hours of Operation: 
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed 12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.  
Saturday 8 a.m. to noon  
Closed Sunday  

If you are in this vaccination group, please follow these instructions:  

• Complete the Registration and Scheduling process using the link: kp.org/register.  
• 2nd dose appointments will be scheduled for you at your 1st dose appointment.  
• Use your legal name and information as shown on a state-issued ID.  
• If you are not part of the vaccination group above, please do not schedule a vaccine appointment here.  

Hawaii Pacific Health

The COVID-19 vaccine is now available at vaccination clinics at Pier 2 Cruise Terminal for adults 75 years of age and older. Vaccinations are by appointment only. 

Location: 
Pier 2 Cruise Terminal  
521 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu  

• Parking for the vaccine clinic is available at three locations: Pier 2, Waterfront Plaza and Aloha Tower Market Place.  
• The special parking rate for Waterfront Plaza and Aloha Tower Market Place locations is $2 for 2 hours with documentation of your vaccine clinic visit.  
• Pier 2 parking is free but is limited and preferred for persons with restricted mobility.  

Clinic Hours of Operation: 
By appointment only.  

• One adult, 18 years of age or older, may accompany kupuna who have an appointment.  

If you are in this vaccination group, please follow these instructions:  

• Complete the Registration and Scheduling process using the link: https://mychart.hawaiipacifichealth.org/signup  
• If you are already a Hawaii Pacific Health patient and have a MyChart account, you will receive a notification through MyChart to schedule an appointment.  
• 2nd dose appointments will be scheduled for you at your 1st dose appointment.  
• Use your legal name and information as shown on a state-issued ID.  
• If you are not part of the vaccination group above, please do not schedule a vaccine appointment here.  

If you have questions about the vaccine, visit https://www.hawaiipacifichealth.org/hph-covid-19-updates/vaccine-update for updates.  

Queen's Health Systems

The COVID-19 vaccine is now available at the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall for adults 75 years of age and older. Vaccinations are by appointment only.  

Location: 
Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall (Registration is across from the parking lot)  
777 Ward Avenue, Honolulu  

Parking: No charge. Enter from King St. into Blaisdell Parking Lot. ADA accommodations available.  

Clinic Hours of Operation : 
8:00 am – 6:30 pm  
The line is open Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 5 pm  
Closed Tuesday  

If you are in this vaccination group, please follow these instructions:  

• Complete the Registration and Scheduling process using the link, the button to schedule will be at the bottom of the page: https://covid.queens.org/vaccination/  
• You can also schedule an appointment by calling: (808) 691-2222.
• 2nd dose appointments will be scheduled for you at your 1st dose appointment.  
• Use your legal name and information as shown on a state-issued ID.  
• If you are not part of the vaccination group above, please do not schedule a vaccine appointment here.  

Please be ready to show your registration within the hour.  

• There is currently no co-pay associated with the COVID-19 vaccine.  
• One adult, 18 years of age or older, may accompany kupuna who have an appointment.  
• To preserve the vaccine supply for the designated priority group, we will only be vaccinating residents 75 years of age and older at this time.  
• You will be receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. We will schedule you to come back to this clinic 28 days later for your 2nd dose.  

If you have questions about the vaccine, please call Queen’s COVID-19 Vaccination Line: 808-691-2222 or visit https://covid.queens.org/vaccination for updates.  

Who is eligible to get the vaccine and how do I sign-up?

2021 Legislative Session

Throughout the 2021 Legislative Session, all Senate proceedings will be live-streamed on the Hawai‘i State Senate's YouTube page.  In addition to the live streams, the Senate will continue working with public access television providers on all islands to broadcast Senate committee hearings and floor sessions.  Members will be given the option to participate in all proceedings either in-person or remotely via videoconference.  The public will have the opportunity to provide testimony in writing and via videoconference through the Legislature's website, allowing broader participation for those who previously were unable to get to the State Capitol.

Hawaii State Legislature Website

2021 Session

 

The Hawaii State Senate will convene its 2021 session on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 10:00 am in the Senate Chamber of the Hawaii State Capitol.

 

In light of the City and County of Honolulu’s current COVID-19 restrictions, the State Capitol will not be open to the general public and there will be no speeches or usual opening day festivities.

2021 SENATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM PRIORITIZES TEN UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

As part of its 2021 Legislative Program, the Hawaii State Senate will be focusing on ten of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Senate has bipartisan dedication to the protection and sustainability of the islands’ people, communities, natural resources, and economic prosperity through advancing these U.N. goals.

In 2020, the Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic heightened these development goals, by shedding light on key areas that must be addressed to further our sustainable development goals and create a more sustainable Hawaii.

The Sustainable Development Goals the State Senate are prioritizing are:

• Goal #3 - Good health and well-being: Promoting health and well-being by implementing evidence-based strategies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, improving access to quality health care, supporting family caregivers, and improving local resiliency in health care by training medical professionals.

• Goal #4 - Quality education: To ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by increasing access to broadband technology for all students, modernizing schools, carefully implementing plans for in-person and distance learning, and evaluating the teaching workloads and classifications of the University of Hawaii.

• Goal #7 - Affordable and clean energy: To ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by promoting renewable energy and committing to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

• Goal #8 - Decent work and economic growth: To promote robust, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, opportunity for full and productive employment, and work for all, by improving Hawaii’s economic resilience; aiding small businesses devastated by the coronavirus pandemic; diversifying industry; managing sustainable tourism; investing in access to broadband technology; and pivoting the State economy towards agriculture.

• Goal #9 - Industry Innovation and Infrastructure: To build resilient infrastructure., promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation, by investing in and preventing the exodus of local talent; diversifying the economy; assuring the digital accessibility to all communities; and promoting a creative resurgence in the culture and arts.

• Goal #10 - Reduced inequalities: To promote social, economic, and political growth for all by supporting affordable housing and investing in broadband connectivity in underserved areas.

• Goal #11 - Sustainable cities and communities: To continue the commitment to develop inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable neighborhoods by increasing access to affordable housing; reducing homelessness, increasing local food production to promote food security; investing in Farm-to-State programs; ending the housing shortage; investing in local talent; training local workers in technical jobs; and maintaining local infrastructure such as state parks, airfields, and small boat harbors.

• Goal #13 - Climate action: To take urgent action to combat climate change by promoting sustainable tourism, exploring carbon sequestration, and investing in renewable energy.

• Goal #16 - Peace, justice, and strong institutions: To promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development; provide access to justice for all; and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels by examining government agencies that could be restructured and evaluating leadership and inmate training programs in correctional facilities in Hawaii.

• Goal #17 - Partnership for the goals: To continue to implement the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by creating effective public, private, and civil society partnerships by building on existing partnerships; enhancing a coherent policy for sustainable development; and improving the resiliency of the economy and healthcare systems in Hawaii.

THE ALOHASAFE ALERT APP

The AlohaSafe Alert app was developed in partnership with the state Department of Health (DOH), aio Digital, Hawai‘i Executive Collaborative and Every1ne Hawaiʻi, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by notifying users if they have been potentially exposed to the virus.

This voluntary application is free and can be downloaded now from both the Apple and Google Play stores. Once downloaded, the app uses Bluetooth technology to anonymously communicate with other phones that have the application. The devices will “ping” one another, measuring the strength of the Bluetooth signal, distance of each device, and the duration of the contact. The more people who use the app, the safer and healthier we will make our community.
 
If an individual is diagnosed with COVID-19, they will receive a text message from the Department of Health with a verification code to input into the app. This code will anonymously notify other devices about their possible COVID-19 exposure. The notification will not disclose any personally identifying information such as where, how, or when they were exposed. To trigger a notification alert, devices must have been within 6 feet of each other for at least 15 minutes in the past 14 days. If someone receives a notification from AlohaSafe Alert that they may have been exposed to COVID-19, they are recommended to self-quarantine, and get tested. 
 
According to the AlohaSafe website:

•  Combined with other measures, if 15% of our community uses AlohaSafe Alert, we can reduce infections by 8% and deaths by 6%. 
•  80% of all smartphone users (i.e. 56% of the overall population) would be enough to suppress the pandemic on its own without any other form of intervention. 

For more information on the Aloha Safe Travels app, go to https://www.wearealohasafe.org.

HAWAII STATE SENATE ANNOUNCES OPERATIONAL CHANGES AHEAD OF 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

The Hawaii State Senate recently new operational changes ahead of the 2021 legislative session.

The changes are related to:

Safety Protocols: The Senate is reinforcing pre-existing protocols and implementing several new measures to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while maintaining an open and transparent legislative process.

Public Access: Since the State Capitol building will be closed to the public, the Senate will be conducting all committee hearings and floor session virtually. Members of the public will have the opportunity to provide testimony in writing and via videoconference, allowing broader participation by those who previously were not able to get to the State Capitol.

Some changes include:

• The Senate will be using Zoom as its online meeting platform.
• Committee Chairs will have the option to conduct hearings 100% remotely or offer their members a hybrid set-up with some Senators participating from Senate conference rooms and some joining the hearing remotely.
• Written testimony and videoconference testimony registration will be accepted through the Legislature’s website. No in-person testimony will be allowed.
• Testifiers will be given the option to submit remote virtual testimony once written testimony is submitted. Individuals must register no later than 24 hours prior to the committee hearing in order to be added to the remote virtual testimony list.
• All Senate standing committee hearings will be live streamed on YouTube. This is a significant improvement in public access over previous years when only selected hearings were broadcast on cable television and streamed over the internet. In addition to the live streams, the Senate will continue to work with public access television providers on all islands to broadcast Senate committee hearings and floor sessions. All live streams will be available online and on demand at youtube.com/hawaiisenate.

Legislative Timetable: Both the Senate and House have agreed on a modified timetable that has the legislative session convening on January 20, 2021 and adjourning sine die on April 29, 2021.

Modifications to the timetable include:

• Shortening conference by one-week.
• Reducing the number of recess days from thirteen to nine.

These new practices and protocols have been adopted in accordance with CDC guidelines, the City and County of Honolulu’s tiered reopening system and are subject to change.

More information will be made available on the Capitol website: www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PREPARES FOR SECOND PRIORITY POPULATION GROUP TO BEGIN RECEIVING COVID-19 VACCINE

HAWAII HEALTHCARE WORKERS BEGIN RECEIVING 2ND DOSE OF COVID-19 VACCINE

At least 25,000 in Hawaii have been vaccinated for COVID-19 and the state is now preparing to administer the second dose to thousands of healthcare workers.

According to the Department of Health, the state is expected bring up its total amount of doses received to over 80,000 doses.

The Pfizer vaccine was the first vaccine to go into the arms of Hawaii’s healthcare workers, and ideally the second would go 21 days after.

According to Dr. Melinda Ashton, the chief quality officer with Hawaii Pacific Health, the hospital is trying to administer second doses as efficiently as possible.

“The 21 days is the standard recommendation,” she said. “The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said it’s acceptable to get it as early as 17 days after the first dose of Pfizer vaccine. And there is no confirmed time period after 21 days that would require starting again.

Adventist Health Castle will begin its second round of vaccinations next Monday, and for that week the concentration will also be pushing out another vaccine to those who received their first.

“I would expect that we stay pretty close to what our expectations are. If you’ve received a first dose, you’re pretty guaranteed that we will have a second dose,” said Erik Anderson, chief nursing officer at Adventist Health Castle. “So we might not have first doses available next week. That would probably be more up there than not having a second dose.”

Anderson said he is optimistic the process will go well. He said the hospital is expecting another tray next week that is specifically allocated for second doses.

SENATE COVID-19 TO MEET TOMORROW

DATE: Wednesday, August 19, 2020
TIME: 1:30 p.m.
PLACE: Conference Room 211

THE STATE CAPITOL IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE ONGOING COVID-19 EPIDEMIC

A live stream of all Senate Standing Committee meetings will be available online. Selected hearings will also be broadcast live on ‘Ōlelo Community Media.

AGENDA

1:30 p.m. Department of Human Resources Development (ZOOM)
Mr. Ryker Wada, Director

2:00 p.m. Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (ZOOM)
Major General Kenneth Hara, Incident Commander

3:00 p.m. Department of Education (ZOOM) [HARD STOP @ 4pm]
Dr. Christina Kishimoto, Superintendent

4:00 p.m. Department of Health - Behavioral Health Services Administration (ZOOM)
Mr. Edward Mersereau, Deputy Director

No public testimony will be accepted.

If you require other auxiliary aids or services to participate in the public hearing process (i.e., interpretive services (oral or written) or ASL interpreter), please contact the committee clerk at least 24 hours prior to the hearing so that arrangements can be made.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT (808) 586-6800.

JUROR QUESTIONNAIRES BEING MAILED AUG 3

The annual Hawaii State Judiciary juror questionnaires will soon be mailed to individuals who have a Hawaii state driver’s license or are registered to vote in Hawaii.

Beginning August 3, approximately 235,000 juror questionnaires will be mailed to 85,000 residents on Oahu, 55,000 in Maui County, 70,000 on Hawaii Island, and 25,000 on Kauai. They are used to help select potential jurors who may be eligible to serve in 2021. Individuals are selected at random.

Anyone receiving a questionnaire has 10 days to complete and return it to the Jury Pool Office in the envelope provided. Those who fail to respond may be penalized.

To be eligible to serve as a juror, you must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Hawaii, and able to read and understand English.

The Hawaii State Department of Health is in varying stages of reviewing and approving the circuit courts’ health-and-safety plans to resume jury selection and jury trials. The plan includes touchless temperature scans and CDC-recommended screening questions before entering a courthouse; required face coverings; enforced social distancing measures; and increased cleaning and disinfecting of our facilities.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS REOPENING PUSHED TO AUG 17

Leaders of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Government Employees Association, and United Public Workers agreed with a revised Hawaiʻi State Department of Education recommendation to the school board that will adjust the 2020–21 school year calendar, and start students later - from the original August 4 date to August 17.  

The deal will need the approval of the Hawaiʻi Board Of Education, which will hold a special meeting this Thursday, July 30, at 1 p.m.

Ten-month DOE employees will still report to work as planned on Wednesday, July 29.

According to HSTA, the agreement would give educators nine (9) additional days of training and preparation time on top of the regularly scheduled two (2) administration days and two (2) teacher preparation days between July 29 and Aug. 3. The extra time “would allow for training, planning, and preparation for the safe return of students to classrooms.”

News of the agreement was shared by the unions to its membership, and a statement from Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto was also posted to the DOE website.

“HIDOE leadership has been working with the unions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure our students get the education they deserve and our employees have a safe work environment,” Dr. Kishimoto said. “We have continued these conversations and reached a conditional agreement today to propose a delayed start for students to accommodate concerns regarding employee training.”

“Throughout our discussions, we were mindful that any adjustments to the calendar must focus on educating and supporting students,” Kishimoto said. “We also acknowledge the voice of our families, partners and employees who are not represented by the unions yet are impacted by this decision.”

“We will use this time to prepare at yet another level, but I recognize this comes at a cost for public school parents and our students,” the Superintendent concluded. “My expectation is that if the Board approves the two week delay, that our labor partners will do an aggressive push to their members to be at schoolhouse doors on day one for our students.”

FREE COVID-19 TESTING THIS WEEKEND

Due to the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, drive-thru testing at Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Complex will be available this weekend. 

Testing at Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Complex will be offered on Saturday, June 27, by Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi. Testing will be from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Testing for regular PCR (nose swab) will be conducted as it has been done previously. If one desires this testing, the attending doctor will determine who should be tested. Quarantine protocol for tested patients follows the State Department of Health recommendations. To view the guidelines, head here. Testing will be offered without charge for those without insurance.

Test participants should follow the posted signs to the test area. All who attend will first be screened and asked to provide personal information and contact numbers so results can be made known to them.

The public is reminded that the parking lot at the Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Complex will be closed to the public until 3 p.m. to allow for breakdown of testing tents and clearing of cones and barriers.

For more information on the testing, contact Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi at (808) 304-8816 or (808) 367-6020.

SATELLITE CITY HALLS TO REOPEN JULY 1

Satellite city halls across O‘ahu will start reopening July 1 for regular in-office service on an appointment-only basis.

Only Ala Moana Satellite City Hall will temporarily remain closed to in-office visits as it prepares to relocate within the shopping center.

For the other eight satellite city halls on O‘ahu, precautions are in place to ensure the safety of customers and employees, who will be required to wear facial coverings and remain six-feet apart from others during all in-office transactions.

Appointments for in-office visits to satellite city halls will be available starting June 29. To make an online appointment, visit www.alohaq.org

Walk-in-and-wait transactions will not be offered.  The public can continue to do express payment services, such as water bill payments and annual vehicle registration renewals, via online, mail-in or by 24/7 kiosk options.

This would free up appointment slots for transactions that can more efficiently be completed in-person, such as applying for a disability-parking permit, junking a vehicle or performing complicated motor vehicle transactions related to a lost title or difficult registrations.

The six driver licensing centers on O‘ahu reopened May 26 for in-office visits also on an appointment-only basis.

For more information, visit www.honolulu.gov/csd

SINGERS, MUSICIANS ALLOWED BACK IN RESTAURANTS AND BARS

Gov. Ige has approved Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s proposal to allow singing and/or playing of wind instruments at indoor and outdoor restaurants/bars, with some restrictions.

• Performers who sing or play wind instruments must keep a distance of at least 10 feet from other people.
• Performers who sing or play wind instruments need not wear face coverings, but a physical barrier is required between performers and patrons/staff for indoor restaurants/bars.
• The 10-foot distance requirement does not apply to members of the same performing group.

STATE TO LAUNCH COVID-19 PRE-TRAVEL TESTING PROGRAM FOR OUT-OF-STATE TRAVELERS AUGUST 1

Gov. Ige announced all travelers arriving in Hawai‘i from out-of-state will be required to get a valid COVID-19 test prior to their arrival, and to show proof of a negative test result, to avoid the 14-day quarantine. The pre-travel testing program begins Aug. 1.

Out-of-state travelers arriving in Hawai‘i must get a PCR test prior to arrival from any testing location approved by the Hawai‘i State Department of Health. Evidence of a negative test result must be provided upon arrival in Hawai‘i. Without this, passengers arriving from out-of-state will be subject to the 14-day quarantine. No testing will be provided upon arrival at the airport.

The Health Department is still in the process of developing this program but anticipates requiring an FDA-approved PCR test from a CLIA certified laboratory. Travelers will be required to provide printed or emailed pre-test certification as evidence of a negative test result. Travelers will be responsible for the cost of the pre-travel test.

Temperature checks will continue at airports across the state. Anyone with a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees or who is experiencing other symptoms will be required to undergo a secondary screening at the airport with trained healthcare staff.

In addition, travelers will be required to fill out the State Travel and Health form.

LEGISLATURE ANNOUNCE PLAN TO USE CARES FUNDS

Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, State House Speaker Scott K. Saiki, Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, and Representative Sylvia Luke announced the Legislature’s comprehensive plan to use $635 million in federal CARES Act funds to provide ongoing, immediate relief to residents and small businesses who are suffering from the devastating economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The plan aims to support and reinforce the social safety net for our residents, rebuild and move our economy forward, and address the ongoing pandemic. 

The plan sets aside $230 million to support unemployed residents until the end of the year. “These critical funds will provide a new state unemployment insurance weekly benefit that replaces the weekly federal plus-up payments set to expire July 31,” explained Senator Dela Cruz, Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. “Beginning August 1, an estimated 117,000 unemployed individuals will receive the State’s enhanced weekly unemployment benefit of $100.” 

Over 34,000 households are expected to receive help from the plan’s $100 million funded rental and housing assistance subsidies. The State’s most financially vulnerable households will receive rental assistance in the form of a $500 monthly subsidy or 50% of rent, whichever is lesser, for up to five months from August 1 to December 31. 

Another $56 million will be used to bring back small businesses, support training and job programs connecting unemployed with local businesses in need of employees, and provide manufacturing grants to local companies that can create local supply chains for necessary cleaning supplies and personal protection equipment (PPE).  

Addressing the public health needs of the COVID-19 pandemic is another pillar to the comprehensive funding plan. “The Legislature’s plan devotes $100 million to distribute ample sanitation and PPE supplies for essential workers beyond the health care community including child care facilities, elderly care homes, small businesses, schools, and non-profits that work with populations vulnerable to the coronavirus,” said Senate President Ronald Kouchi. 

The Legislature’s proposed plan builds upon UHERO’s estimates that $618 million in spending will generate more than $1 billion in Gross Domestic Product over the coming year and help Hawaiʻi’s households and businesses by supporting up to 6,500 jobs. The plan provides discretion to the Ige Administration to spend the remaining CARES funds to pay for unanticipated and emerging needs. This discretionary amount could be used to bolster Hawaiʻi’s unemployment insurance funds or support COVID-19 related programs. 

STATE SENATE RECONVENES FOR THREE WEEK SESSION

The Hawai‘i State Senate is scheduled to resume its 2020 session June 22 to July 10. Committees will be considering a limited number of critical bills that were put on hold when the Senate was forced to recess in mid-March due to COVID-19. The Senate will also be allocating additional federal funding from the CARES Act.

The Senate's primary budgetary focus will be on deploying the existing federal CARES Act money,” said Senate President Kouchi. 

The Senate floor session will convene at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 22, with hearings getting underway that morning. The session is scheduled to adjourn on Friday, July 10. The new legislative timetable is available here: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/docs/2020calendar.pdf

Due to the pandemic, the State Capitol building remains closed to the public at this time.                                                                     

To allow access to the proceedings, the Senate will be providing live streams of all Senate hearings and floor sessions in real time, on YouTube and/or ‘Ōlelo and neighbor island cable networks, with live closed captioning. A list of upcoming and archived Senate hearings is available here: http://olelo.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=13

The public is encouraged to participate by submitting written testimony. No in-person testimony will be allowed at this time due to COVID-19. To submit testimony, please visit:  https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/submittestimony.aspx  

The Hawai‘i State Senate’s 2020 session was originally scheduled to take place from January 15 to May 7, but the  Senate was forced to recess in mid-March due to the COVID-19 emergency. The Senate held a two week reconvene on May 11 to pass time-sensitive budget bills and nominations from the governor. 

FREE MODIFIED SUMMER FUN

The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is excited to announce a modified version of Summer Fun will be held this year. The program will be offered at no charge to O‘ahu families with Mayor Caldwell waiving the fees for the summer day camp.

The modified Summer Fun Program will be offered on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Wednesday July, 1 through Tuesday, July 28 (excluding the holiday on Friday, July 3).

Children must be six years old before Aug. 1, 2020 and not older than thirteen years old by July 28, 2020 to qualify. The modified Summer Fun will still utilize Junior Leaders.

In order to balance the childcare needs of our island community with the safety guidelines established due to COVID-19, there will be significant changes to the number of keiki that our facilities and staff can accommodate, the activities offered, and overall program procedures:

Attendance Limits:

• Only 12 keiki will be allowed per adult supervisor, which will constitute one group.
• Designated spaces will be made for each group, with activities conducted on a rotating basis.
• Keiki participants will be within the same group for the entire program.
• DPR is still hiring for those interested in working as Summer Fun Aides. Please click here if you are interested in fun, seasonal work opportunity, or call the District Office of the location where you would like to work (listed below)

Safety Protocols:

• All keiki and staff will have their temperature taken at the beginning of each day.
• All keiki and staff are required to wear a cloth face mask, with consideration to existing exemptions such as a medical condition which prohibits use of a face covering.
• Staff and keiki will be provided hand sanitizer.
• Staff or keiki will not be allowed to participate in the program if they are sick, have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, or have traveled out-of-state within the past 14 days.
• Maintenance staff will clean bathroom facilities twice daily.
• Indoor facilities being used by for Summer Fun will remain closed to the public throughout the program. Outdoor facilities being used for Summer Fun will be off-limits to the public during the specific program times, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., but will be reopened for general public use outside of that timeframe.

Registration:

The 2020 Summer Fun Program will not require any fees or payment on the part of the participating families. In the past, Summer Fun registration was done in-person as a result of these prior payments. This resulted in eager parents waiting for hours, sometimes days, at various park locations to secure a spot for their keiki.

This year registration will be conducted primarily online thanks to new software developed by the Honolulu Department of Information Technology. The software is called Parks and Recreation Online System, or PROS, and works best using the Google Chrome web browser.

This software utilizes the same HNL.Info log-in that many O‘ahu residents already possess. We encourage the public to create an HNL.Info account and a PROS profile ahead of registration by visiting: https://pros.hnl.info.

An online tutorial is available to assist the public with creating their account and profile. Click here to view it.

This software was successfully used for shooters to make reservations at the Koko Head Shooting Complex beginning on Wednesday, June 3, and will serve a larger capacity in DPR registration and reservations in the future.

Below are those online registration dates and procedures which are determined by geographic park district. All dates and times are Hawai‘i Standard Time:

District 3 (Pearlridge to Waiʻanae to Wahiawā) - ph. (808) 768-6889

District 4 (Waialua to Waimānalo) - ph. (808) 768-8980

Online Registration begins Thursday, June 18 at 6 p.m.

District 1 (Hawaiʻi Kai to McCully) - ph. (808) 768-8944

District 2 (Makiki to ʻAiea) - ph. (808) 768-9292

Online Registration begins Saturday, June 20 at 9 a.m.

For those who do not have computer or internet access, accommodations are available to facilitate their registration into the program. Please call the Summer Fun site for those accommodations. A list of the 65 program sites is included at the bottom of this announcement for your convenience.

Food Service Program:

DPR is privileged to participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in conjunction with Summer Fun.

The 2020 SFSP is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture, and will provide lunch to Summer Fun participants 18 years and younger.  SFSP will begin on July 6 and run through July 17 at select, qualified Summer Fun sites. Those participating will be listed on DPR’s website: http://bit.ly/SummerFunOahu

There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service, as they will be served regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, or disability. 

Summer Fun Sites 2020:

Accommodations are available upon request to persons with disabilities. Please call (808) 768-3003 or send an email to parks@honolulu.gov at least five days prior to the event. 

QUARANTINE EXTENDED FOR OUT-OF-STATE TRAVELERS TILL JULY 31

Gov. David Ige signed a ninth supplementary emergency proclamation that extends the COVID-19 emergency period through July 31.

The emergency proclamation lifts the quarantine requirement for inter-island travelers effective 12:01 a.m. on June 16, 2020. However, it also leaves in place the quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers. The governor has the authority to make exemptions for transit corridors/bubbles.

The proclamation also includes:

• Criminal liability for hosts of guests who violate quarantine requirements or owners of cars that are rented to quarantine violators.

• The extension of the eviction moratorium through July 31.

• The elimination of prohibitions related to beaches, boating, hiking and shoreline fishing, as these activities are being addressed through the counties in coordination with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

SENATE COVID-19 MEETS TODAY TO DISCUSS ELECTIONS

The special committee will convene to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the upcoming elections.  Specific topics include the number of Voter Service Centers, available drop boxes, and the steps being taken to ensure the health and safety of voters.

1:00 p.m.              

Office of Elections

Mr. Scott Nago, Chief Election Officer

County of Maui

Ms. Kathy Kaohu, County Clerk

County of Hawai'i

Mr. Jon Henricks, County Clerk

County of Kaua'i

Ms. Jade Fountain-Tanigawa, County Clerk

City and County of Honolulu

Mr. Glen Takahashi, City Clerk

Please note that there may be committee members or invited speakers participating remotely via video or teleconference.

The meeting will be available for live viewing on Olelo channel 49 on Oahu and will go out live for pick up by neighbor island public access channels.

No public testimony will be accepted.

If you require special assistance, please call 586-6800 or email your request to waysandmeans@capitol.hawaii.gov.

THEATERS, GYMS, AND BARS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO OPEN JUNE 19

City and County of Honolulu’s proposal to Governor David Ige has been approved to allow for the safe reopening of the following designated business and operations with limitations as outlined in the replacement Exhibit A of the Emergency Order No. 2020-15 (Amendment to Ho‘oulu i Honolulu 3.0), effective Friday, June 19:

1. Education and care facilities (private education, adult care, special needs care facilities),
2. Indoor attractions (theaters, museums, arcades, bowling alleys, etc.),
3. Outdoor organized team sports (two phases, with phase 1 beginning June 19),
4. Fitness facilities (spaces for yoga, barre classes, hula hālau, etc.),
5. Bars.

These businesses and operations will be allowed to reopen under guidelines and conditions to ensure safety for both employees of these establishments and customers/clients. For example, Bars may reopen with operators ensuring limiting occupancy to no more than fifty percent of the maximum occupant load of the bar, limiting groups within the bar to a maximum of ten individuals per group, and ensuring groups within the bar maintain at least six feet of separation from other groups.

For Fitness facilities to reopen, operators must limit occupancy to no more than fifty percent of the maximum occupant load, establish physical distancing guidelines (at least six feet), limit locker room access and the number of persons who use amenities of the facilities at the same time, and keep water fountains closed, except for those designed to refill water bottles in a contact-free manner.

These are just a few of the requirements and conditions for reopening and resuming operations. The full list for each business, service, or activity is included in the Amendment to Ho‘oulu i Honolulu 3.0.

In regards to outdoor organized team sports, the Mayor’s Order includes two phases to ensure the safety of coaches, athletes, trainers, and everyone else involved. Phase 1 applies to outdoor team sports such as baseball, soccer, outdoor volleyball, and similar outdoor team sports. Under the amended Exhibit A of the City’s Order, starting Friday, June 19, activities would be allowed to resume under specific conditions. Those requirements include but are not limited to, limiting the activity to skill-building drills and team-based practice only, in which physical distancing of six feet or more between individuals may generally be maintained and groups are limited to a single Sports Program team, or a maximum of 30 players, whichever is less.

Phase 2 similarly applies to the outdoor team sports included in Phase 1, but incorporates competitive team play.

Also included in the amended Ho‘oulu i Honolulu 3.0, a replacement of Order 3 relating to indoor and outdoor gatherings. Effective immediately, outdoor gatherings of up to ten individuals are permitted as long as physical distancing is maintained between the groups of up to ten individuals to the extent possible. Outdoor events involving a total of 100 individuals or more are still prohibited.

Effective Friday, June 19, indoor gatherings of up to ten individuals (regardless of household or living unit affiliation) would be allowed to resume on O‘ahu. Indoor events involving over 50 individuals are still prohibited.

SENATE COVID-19 COMMITTEE MEETS TODAY TO DISCUSS REOPENING THE ECONOMY

The Hawai‘i State Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 will hold a meeting beginning at 1 p.m. today, live on ‘Ōlelo channel 49 on O‘ahu and http://olelo.org/49. The State Capitol remains closed to the public.

The special committee will convene to assess and advise the Senate regarding the State of Hawaii's COVID-19 plans and procedures for reopening the economy and the plans for economic recovery.

1:00 p.m.

GDP History, Outlook, and Potential Sector Growth:

Research & Economic Analysis

Dr. Eugene Tian, Chief State Economist

1:30 p.m.

 Approach to Job Creation:

Hawaii Technology Development Corporation

Mr. Len Higashi, Acting Executive Director

Hawaii State Energy Office

Mr. Scott Glenn, Chief Energy Officer

Business Development & Support Division

Mr. Dennis Ling, Administrator

Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority

Mr. Greg Barbour, Executive Director

Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems

Mr. Rodrigo Romo, Program Director

Foreign Trade Zone Division

Mr. David Sikkink, Administrator

Creative Industries Division           

Ms. Georja Skinner, Chief Officer

Hawaii Tourism Authority 

Mr. Chris Tatum, CEO

CITY FACILITIES THAT ARE OPEN

Please note that these operations may have altered hours. Please visit their websites before going to the location for services.

• Public Transportation - TheBus and TheHandi-Van: These services are operating with increased sanitary precautions for passenger and driver safety and health. Visit thebus.org or call 848-5555 for up-to-date schedules and information. The TheHandi-Van Eligibility Center is open for in-person assessments for those extending or applying for eligibility. Distancing practices must be followed. TheHandi-Van Eligibility Center is located at the First Insurance Center, 1100 Ward Avenue, Suite 835. For questions or to schedule an assessment, call (808) 538-0033, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Building Permit Applications: Available by appointment only. Self-service permits are available online at honolulu.gov/dpp.

• Driver’s licensing and Satellite City Halls: All six of the driver licensing centers in the City and County of Honolulu are open for in-office visits on an appointment-only basis. The online appointment system for appoints for driver licenses and state identification services can be accessed at alohaq.org. The system has been revised to serve the greatest needs first. For assistance with making an appointment, call: (808) 768-4177. Masks or face coverings are required during all in-office visits. For more information, visit honolulu.gov.csd. The Kapahulu Vehicle Reconstruction Inspection Station in the City and County of Honolulu is open for in-office visits on an appointment-only basis. For assistance, call: (808) 768-4325.

• Department of Parks and Recreation: City parks, courts, fields and parking lots are open. City skate parks and off-leash dog parks will reopen on Friday, May 29. The Koko Head Shooting Complex, city archery ranges, People’s Open Markets, and pools (lap swim only) are scheduled to reopen on Friday, June 5. The five Honolulu Botanical Gardens are open for passive use. This means no camping, garden tours, or recreational programs will be offered at that time. Other park facilities remain closed to the public, such as: playgrounds, campgrounds, gyms, and recreation buildings. Please be advised that lifeguards are not stationed in their regular towers but are instead on roving patrols. Stand-alone comfort stations are open but they will be closed during cleaning, maintenance, and regular park closure hours. For more information, please visit honolulu.gov/parks.

• Department of Environmental Services: Regular curbside refuse, green waste, and recycling service is still being conducted. Convenience centers and transfer stations remain open. Please note, all in-person services are suspended. Visit opala.org for more information.

• Board of Water Supply: Water service remains operational and the water is safe to drink. Testing is conducted daily. BWS account services are available online at boardofwatersupply.com, by mail, or by phone. In-person services are suspended.

• Neighborhood Board Commission: Neighborhood boards will resume public meetings beginning June 1. Physical distancing requirements are followed. For meeting information, please contact the NCO at 768-3710, email nco@honolulu.gov, or visit the office’s website at honolulu.gov/nco.

OAHU DRIVER LICENSING, STATE ID SERVICES RESTART BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

The City opened online appointments for residents whose Hawai‘i driver licenses or state identification cards expire this year in March, April, May, June and July. This is after the state announced its intent to allow licenses and identification cards that expire between March 16 and June 30 to remain valid through Sept. 30.

Appointments can be made on AlohaQ.org.

QUARANTINE LIFTED FOR INTER-ISLAND TRAVEL STARTING JUNE 16

Gov. Ige announced that the state will be lifting the 14-day quarantine requirement for inter-island travelers, effective June 16.

The state Department of Transportation will require thermal screening at the airport for everyone traveling inter-island. HDOT will also require travelers to fill out a new form that will now also ask for health-related information to assist the state in tracking and responding to new COVID-19 cases.

Travelers may be prohibited from boarding a flight if they have an elevated temperature above 100.4 degrees, they refuse to complete the mandatory form, or they are on the 14-day quarantine list prohibiting them from flying.

The number of new COVID-19 cases is expected to rise once travel is re-opened. However, the State Department of Health has begun the process of training 500 new contact tracers, exceeding the recommended standards set by the Centers for Disease Control, and is exploring other screening and testing procedures.

The governor noted that the next step in re-opening air travel will be restoring out-of-state travel to the islands in a safe manner. He has been working on plans to do this said he would announce them soon.

SENATE COVID-19 COMMITTEE MEETS TODAY

Agenda for today's meeting found below.  Watch it live on Olelo 49.

12:45p.m.                  Department of the Attorney General - Ms. Clare Connors, Attorney General 

                                   Hawaii Emergency Management Agency - Ms. Alexandra Slous, State Disaster Recovery Coordinator

2:00 p.m.                    Department of Health - Dr. Bruce Anderson, Director 

   University of Hawaii – School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene - Dr. Mary G. Boland, Dean

                                   Chaminade University - Dr. Lynn Babington, President

                                   Hawaii Pacific University - Mr. John Y. Gotanda, President

                                   Aloha Trace - Mr. Brandon Kurisu, Coalition Representative

                                   Every1ne Hawaii - Mr. Robert Kurisu, Co-Founder

                                   SafePaths - Mr. Michael Kamida, Technical Lead and Liaison

SUMMER FOOD SERVICE STUDENT MEALS

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) Grab-and-Go school meals program will be extended at select meal sites for an extra four days beyond the end of the school year on May 28 and transition to the summer meal program which runs through July 17. Certain schools will provide meals to children 18 years or younger, free of charge, regardless of eligibility for free or reduced price meals.

Click here to view more information, including school sites and pick-up times.

SENATE COVID-19 COMMITTEE MEETS TODAY

The Hawaii State Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 will hold a hearing today at noon live on ‘Olelo 49.

Members of the Hawaii Executive Collaborative will present on a tourism recovery plan to create a task force to establish a travel bubble corridor. The corridor is for travel by two regions, both of which contained the virus, and who agree to a quarantine-free travel zone.

Testimony will be provided by Hawaii Executive Collaborative members Paul Yonamine, Duane Kurisu, and Lori Teranishi. Please note that there may be committee members or invited speakers participating remotely via video or teleconference.

The meeting will be available for live viewing on ‘Olelo Channel 49 on O‘ahu and will go out live for pick up by neighbor island public access channels. It will also be livestreamed via http://olelo.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=13.

GOVERNOR APPROVES MORE BUSINESSES TO OPEN

Gov. David Ige approved Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s proposal to safely re-open more businesses and operations on O‘ahu, under guidelines that will ensure the safety of employees and customers.

Mayor Caldwell’s proposal includes the Friday, May 29^th resumption of operations with modifications for “personal service providers” including:

• Barbers
• Hairdressers
• Nail technicians
• Tattoo artists
• Other beauty operators

The proposal also includes the re-opening of outdoor attractions with limitations, starting Thursday, May 28. This includes:

• Sea life attractions
• Water parks
• Pools
• Campgrounds
• People’s Open Markets
• Shooting and Archery Ranges
• Similar outdoor facilities

The proposal also allows the following to resume operations with modifications:

• June 5: Business/commercial businesses (in addition to restaurants), indoor residential, non-commercial gatherings of 10 or less (regardless of household)
• June 19: Indoor operations such as:
• Movie theatres
• Museums
• Fitness centers

FREE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Leaders from the Hawai‘i Mental Health Pro Bono COVID-19 Project joined Mayor Caldwell to announce a new program to provide support for the psychological well-being and mental health needs of individuals seeking help during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, conceptualized by Dr. Lawrie Ignacio and Dr. Graham Taylor and coordinated by the Hawai‘i Psychological Association, offers free mental health services provided by a Pro Bono Service Provider to uninsured residents on Oʻahu and throughout the state. The Hawai‘i Mental Health Pro Bono COVID-19 Project is a multi-disciplinary initiative that unites several mental health care communities with the common goal of ensuring that more Hawai‘i residents have access to quality mental health care. 

To ensure proper physical distancing during the Mayor’s “Ho’oulu i Honolulu” Order, all therapy and counseling services under the program will be provided exclusively via online telehealth platforms. People can access the service on a first-come, first-serve basis by logging on to https://www.hawaiipsychology.org/ and clicking on the “Please click HERE for more information” link under the heading: Hawai'i Mental Health Pro Bono COVID-19 Project. The link will direct the individual seeking services to a description page outlining the terms of the Project, where he or she can then click on another link to submit a request for services. Once a request is submitted, the individual seeking services will be contacted by a Project coordinator who will assist in linking the individual to an available provider.

The Project coordinators are asking for patience up front from those seeking mental health services provided by the Hawai‘i Mental Health Pro Bono COVID-19 Project, as mental health providers are in high demand and matching requests with available providers at any given time may require a waiting period. The program does not offer a triage service, so interested residents may need to contact other community mental health services in order to secure timely services. Additionally, services being provided through the Hawai‘i Mental Health Pro Bono COVID-19 Project are not suitable for urgent and crisis situations as the Project will not be able to immediately connect individuals in severe distress with an available provider. Those experiencing severe distress, or an emergency, are asked to call emergency and crisis personnel who can provide an immediate response.

Along with the City’s 768-CITY information helpline, the City also created a website at www.oneoahu.org to provide information about Mayor Caldwell’s Emergency Order, provide updates on the availability of City services, and direct residents to quality, trusted COVID-19 healthcare information. For residents who do not find the information they are looking for on the website, residents can also email covidresponse@honolulu.gov to ask questions and get a response from City staff.

To learn more about the Hawai‘i Mental Health Pro Bono COVID-19 Project visit https://www.hawaiipsychology.org/.

PUBLIC LIBRARY LAUNCHES TAKE OUT SYSTEM

The Hawaii State Public Library System announced its statewide launch of Library Take Out at 47 of our 51 public libraries. Starting Tuesday, May 26th, library patrons may now schedule a Library Take Out appointment time to pick up their hold item(s) at their favorite library.

Here’s how it works:

1.  Patrons go to HSPLS Library Catalog and place a hold on any item(s) they want to borrow, or they may call their favorite library branch to place a hold with our staff.

2.  After receiving a notice that their item(s) are ready for pick up, patrons can schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls.

For patrons who placed their holds during the closure, their item(s) are ready for pick up after the patron schedules a Library Take Out appointment time to pick up their item(s). 

Library Take Out service is not available at the following libraries: Liliha, McCully, Pearl City and the Hawaii State Library.  No book donations will be accepted at this time.

Although buildings remain closed to the public for now, the Library Take Out is a convenient and safe way to access library books and materials.  

 For more information, please visit their website at librarieshawaii.org.

LEGISLATURE TO REOPEN JUNE 1; CAPITOL REMAINS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

The Legislature is currently in recess, pursuant to S.C.R. No. 244.

The legislative branch will reopen beginning June 1, 2020. Each Senate office and support staff office will be expected to resume normal business hours on that date. For more details, please read the memo dated May 22, 2020, from the Senate President: Reopening of Legislative Branch - June 1, 2020

The State Capitol building will remain closed to the public at least through June 30, 2020. Entry into the building will continue to be limited through the main double glass doors on the basement level from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the National Guard will continue temperature screening everyone entering the building. Entry will be limited to employees and authorized guests. For more details, please read the memo dated May 22, 2020, from the Comptroller: Revised - Capitol Security Access Procedures

OAHU DRIVER LICENSING & STATE ID SERVICES RESTART BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

The City and County of Honolulu announced that it has reopened its online appointment system for driver license and state identification card services.

All in-office transactions will be served on an appointment-only basis. Masks or face coverings are required during in-office visits.

Appointments can be made at AlohaQ.org. The system will allow appointments only for those licenses expiring in June. (This includes licenses and state IDs with March expiration dates that were previously granted a 90-day extension under a state emergency order.) Later in the month, open appointment slots will be offered driver licenses and state IDs with July expiration dates. (This would include those with April expiration dates that were similarly extended by emergency order to July.)

O‘ahu residents with a hardship or special need outside these parameters can call (808) 768-4177 for assistance.

Since in-office visits were suspended nine weeks ago, more than 44,000 driver license and state ID appointments had to be canceled.

To help lessen demand for appointments, 50,000 letters were sent to O‘ahu residents who qualify to renew their driver licenses or state identification cards either online or by mail. In addition, the federal government announced in April that the start date for REAL ID enforcement has been extended by 12 months to Oct. 1, 2021.

Reconstructed vehicle inspection is another in-office visit that will be served strictly on an appointment-only basis.

Procedures for written and road driving-test applications are being reviewed and will be announced at a later time.

For more information, visit honolulu.gov/csd.

COVID-19 AND ANTIBODY TESTING THIS WEEKEND

COVID-19 testing at Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Complex and Kakaʻako Waterfront Park will be available this weekend. Drive-thru testing for COVID-19 will be offered at both locations, but a new Antibody Testing will be offered as well.

Testing at Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Complex will be offered on Saturday, May 23, and at Kakaʻako Waterfront Park on Sunday, May 24, both by Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi. Testing for both locations will be from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Testing for regular PCR (nose swab) will be conducted as it has been done previously. If one desires this testing, the attending doctor will determine who should be tested. Quarantine protocol for tested patients follows the State Department of Health recommendations. To view the guidelines, head here. Testing will be offered without charge for those without insurance.

Antibody Testing will be through actual blood draw. Licensed practitioners will be on site to conduct this test, and the samples are sent to local labs for analysis and reporting. The testing will be free if covered by the patient’s insurance, but a charge of $40 will be made to each patient without insurance by local labs who will bill the patients. Those only taking part in the Antibody Testing will not need to self-quarantine. The following categories of individuals are encouraged to be tested by Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi:

1.      Previous COVID-19 positive individuals and their families and close contacts

2.      Healthcare Workers and First Responders

3.      Front line tourism industry workers with direct exposure to visitors

4.      Anyone with unexplained respiratory illness since January 2020 who were never tested for COVID-19

Antibody testing determines whether a patient was exposed to COVID-19 and now has antibodies against the virus; it is not used to determine whether someone currently has the disease. The test also does not tell you whether or not you may be susceptible to getting COVID-19 again. Patients should discuss results with their healthcare provider to understand what the results mean for them. 

Test participants should follow the posted signs to the test area. All who attend will first be screened and asked to provide personal information and contact numbers so results can be made known to them.

The public is reminded that parking lots at the two sites will be closed to the public until 2 p.m. to allow for breakdown of testing tents and clearing of cones and barriers.

For more information on the testing, contact Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi at (808) 304-8816 or (808) 367-6020.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION AT ALOHA STADIUM TOMORROW, MAY 22

Bring the following items with you to the "Food For Hawai‘i's ‘Ohana" distribution: a pen, completed Household Information Form(s) and a valid government-issued ID for each household.

• The Household Information Form can be downloaded below:
  A separate form must be filled out for each household represented in the vehicle.
  
• AN ADULT FROM EACH HOUSEHOLD MUST BE PRESENT WITH A VALID GOVERNMENT-ISSUED ID.
• A household is defined by an address and everyone who lives at that address. i.e. Multiple families and/or generations living under one roof will be counted as one (1) household.
• A vehicle may pick up food for a MAXIMUM OF THREE (3) HOUSEHOLDS. 
• If you are unable to download the Household Information Form, there will be printed forms available at the distribution. Please bring a pen.
• Downloading the Household Information Form and pre-filling it out does not guarantee you will receive food at the distribution – in the event that food supplies run out before your vehicle is served. 
   

Before attending a distribution, please make sure your vehicle's back seat, trunk, hatchback and/or tailgate are emptied and prepared to receive food.

• Food will be placed directly into the vehicle at each food distribution station.
• No one will be permitted to exit their vehicles during the distribution.
• PARTICIPANTS MUST BE IN A VEHICLE TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE. Walk-ups or bicyclists will not be permitted.
   

Food will be distributed for approximately 4,000 households or WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.  

• Participants assume the risk that food supplies may run out before they can be served.
• The distribution organizers reserve the right to refuse service to individuals who do not comply with the rules established for this food distribution.

SENATE COVID-19 COMMITTEE MEETS TODAY

The committee will be meeting with the following to discuss enforcement of the 14-day quarantine and stay-at-home orders:

2:30 p.m.              Department of the Attorney General

                              Ms. Clare Connors, Attorney General

                              Department of Transportation

                              Mr. Jade Butay, Director         

                              Hawaii Tourism Authority

                              Mr. Chris Tatum, CEO            

                              Honolulu Police Department

                             Ms. Susan Ballard, Chief of Police

                             Department of Planning and Permitting

                              Ms. Kathy Sokugawa, Acting Director

                              Hawaii Quarantine Kapu Breakers

                              Ms. Angela Keen

Please note that there may be committee members or invited speakers participating remotely via video or teleconference.

The meeting will be available for live viewing on ‘Olelo Channel 49 on O‘ahu and will go out live for pick-up by neighbor island public access channels. It will also stream live online at olelo.org/49.

No public testimony will be accepted.

If you require special assistance, please call 586-6800 or email your request to waysandmeans@capitol.hawaii.gov.

OAHU BEACHES CLEARED TO OPEN

Oahu beaches opened over the weekend, May 16, for activities based on approved guidelines issued by the City and County of Honolulu.

In addition to those activities already allowed (e.g., ocean access and exercise), beaches or sand bars within the City may also be utilized with the following restrictions:

a. All groups are limited to members of the same household or living unit.
b. No group can exceed ten persons.
c. All persons using the beach, who are not part of members of the same household or living unit, shall comply with Social Distancing Requirements, provided that a caregiver may accompany a dependent.
d. The beach or sand area may only be used one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, unless the person is engaged in shore fishing or permitted outdoor exercise.
e. All other State of Hawaiʻi or City restrictions related to COVID-19 must be followed, including, but not limited to, any applicable quarantine restrictions.

If you have any questions on Mayor Caldwell’s Ho‘oulu i Honolulu Order 2.0, as amended, visit the website, oneoahu.org to find answers to some frequently asked questions. If you still do not find an answer to your question on the site, O‘ahu residents can call the 768-CITY (2489) information hotline or email covidresponse@honolulu.gov. The City and County of Honolulu COVID-19 information call center remains open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on holidays.

FREE FOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY

QUARANTINE AND SAFER-AT-HOME ORDER EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE 30

The governor is expected to extend the 14-day quarantine for travelers through June 30. This comes as the governor announced that he intends to continue Hawaii’s safer-at-home order through June 30.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority, Department of Transportation, and other state agencies are working with the airlines to toughen the entry restrictions, to include revising the visitor arrival form, requiring the flight crew to complete the form, seeking to confirm return flights, increasing the screening staff at airports, stiffening hotel quarantines, enforcing rules on car rentals, and confirming hotel or home stays, among others.

The COVID-19 committee met with the Police Chief, representatives from the Courts, and the Prosecutor's Office to coordinate enforcement of the 14-day quarantine. There were general agreements for a maximum bail of $2,000 for quarantine violators. Arraignment would be done virtually within 48-72 hours.

Police statistics for Emergency Proclamation violations from March 20 to May 14 included 9,313 warnings, 5,244 citations, and 292 arrests.

 To report a possible self-quarantine violation, contact your county police department at 911. The police have access to all data pertaining to airport arrivals.

SENATE REVIEWS LEGISLATIVE BUDGET

On May 14, the Senate was briefed on the State Administration’s proposal for $1.25 billion appropriated under the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act. Senate Bill 75 SD2 HD1 passed out of the House Finance Committee and will now head to the full House for a vote next week. Concerns remain regarding how agencies will spend these funds, such as economic support to those most affected during this pandemic.

Under the CARES Act, Hawai'i has been given a total of $862,823,978 to support the State and smaller Counties. A separate allocation of $387,176,021 was provided to the City & County of Honolulu. The Senate has proposed allocating the funds in a responsible, prudent and conservative expenditure approach to meet both statewide and county needs. Below are some highlights.
$175 million to support the various counties;

• $40 million for AG enforcement, PPE, payroll, and other department requests;
•  $36 million for thermal screening at the airports;
• $8 million to DLIR for IT Modernization, UI Program Enhancements, and facility and staff support;
• $1 million for the PUA program (UI for independent contractors & GIG workers);
• $14 million to the DOH for contact tracing/testing, vaccination and contract tracing staff, investigation and infection control, PPE and supplies;
• $637 million to be deposited into the state's rainy day fund to be allocated in subsequent sessions.

SENATORS DEFER PAY RAISES RECOMMENDED BY SALARY COMMISSION

The Hawai‘i State Senate Committee on Ways and Means today deferred pay raises for legislators and state officials this year that had been recommended by the Salary Commission prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The amended bill states (HB117), “Due to the unprecedented economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislature believes that continued implementation of the commission's recommendations for the executive and judicial branches, and planned adjustments for the legislature, is irresponsible at this time and should be deferred.”

The bill defers all salary increases slated for this fiscal year for members of the legislature, the governor, lieutenant governor, justices and judges of all state courts, administrative director of the State or an equivalent position, and department heads or executive officers and the deputies or assistants to the department heads or executive officers of the departments.

The amended bill notes that in expectation of an economic downturn due to COVID-19, “the State Council on Revenues lowered its fiscal year 2021 forecast from four per cent to zero per cent, meaning that the State will have about $225,000,000 less in revenues than expected.”

FREE COVID-19 AND ANTIBODY TESTING THIS WEEKEND

More COVID-19 testing will be available at Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Complex and Kakaʻako Waterfront Park this weekend. Drive-thru testing for COVID-19 will be offered at both locations, but a new Antibody Testing will be offered as well.

Testing at Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Complex will be offered on Saturday, May 16, and at Kakaʻako Waterfront Park on Sunday, May 17, both by Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi. Testing for both locations will be from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Testing for regular PCR (nose swab) will be conducted as it has been done previously. If one desires this testing, the attending doctor will determine who should be tested. Quarantine protocol for tested patients follows the State Department of Health recommendations. To view the guidelines, head here. Testing will be offered without charge for those without insurance.

Antibody Testing will be through actual blood draw. Licensed practitioners will be on site to conduct this test, and the samples are sent to local labs for analysis and reporting. The testing will be free if covered by the patient’s insurance, but a charge of $40 will be made to each patient without insurance by local labs who will bill the patients. Those only taking part in the Antibody Testing will not need to self-quarantine. The following categories of individuals are encouraged to be tested by Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi:

1. Previous COVID-19 positive individuals and their families and close contacts
2. Healthcare Workers and First Responders
3. Front line tourism industry workers with direct exposure to visitors
4. Anyone with unexplained respiratory illness since January 2020 who were never tested for COVID-19

Antibody testing determines whether a patient had COVID-19 and now has antibodies against the virus; it is not used to determine whether someone currently has the disease. The test also does not tell you whether or not you may be susceptible to getting COVID again. Patients should discuss results with their healthcare provider to understand what the results mean for them. 

Test participants should follow the posted signs to the test area. All who attend will first be screened and asked to provide personal information and contact numbers so results can be made known to them.

For more information on the testing, contact Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi at (808) 304-8816 or (808) 367-6020.

COVID-19 COMMITTEE SENDS CONCERNS TO CHIEF JUSTICE AND MAYOR

The Hawai‘i State Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 sent letters to Hawai‘i Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell expressing concerns about the enforcement of the travel quarantine orders put into effect by Governor David Ige.

The letter to the Chief Justice states the concern “that the quarantine orders are being flouted once travelers leave the airport” and that when violators “appear before a judge, often the violators are released on their own recognizance without any measures to ensure no further violations happen.”

The committee asked that he consider the public’s safety and issue a directive to judges to require bail prior to release and conditions such as ankle bracelets for quarantine violators.

The letter to Mayor Caldwell lists the actions taken by the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation to screen and verify passenger information and require compliance with the state’s quarantine orders, but says that the public is consistently reporting “travelers blatantly violating” the quarantine.

“Disturbingly, we have also received reports that the City and County of Honolulu have avoided addressing these public concerns of non-compliance with regularity,” the letter says, and requests that the administration make enforcement of the quarantine “a priority by investigating and arresting people who violate them in our community, including returning residents and vacation rentals…”

Letter to Mayor Caldwell

COVID-19 HARDSHIP RELIEF PROGRAM

The City and County of Honolulu will soon be launching the COVID-19 Hardship Relief Program to help those most economically impacted by shutdowns to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.  

Scheduled to launch on May 18, the relief fund can be used to assist with basic needs including as rent, eligible utilities, childcare, and other essential expenses.

The COVID-19 Hardship Relief program will provide funding support to Oahu residents with amounts up to $1,000 per month for qualified household expenses, and up to $500 per month for qualified childcare expenses to aid in lessening economic hardships caused by the pandemic. Each household may receive continued benefits as hardship continues, up to 6 months.

Qualified expenses will be paid directly to the vendor on behalf of the applicant.

A public-private partnership — that includes the City and County of Honolulu, Aloha United Way, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Helping Hands Hawaii, and other service providers — will work directly with individuals and families dealing with economic hardship to administer these resources and ensure Oahu residents have the support they need.

FREE TESTING TOMORROW, MAY 12

On Tuesday, May 12, Transformation Health Network will conduct testing in the parking lot at Kalihi Union Church, 2214 North King Street from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Entry will be from the driveway on Umi Street. Walk-up individuals are welcome also.

Participants should follow the posted signs to the test area. All who attend will first be screened for symptoms and asked to provide personal information including insurance if available and contact numbers so results can be made known to them. Quarantine protocol for tested patients follows the State Department of Health recommendations. To view the guidelines, head here.

For information on the testing with Transformation Health Network, call 854-3566.

LEGISLATURE RECONVENING MAY 11

The Hawaii State Legislature will reconvene next Monday, May 11^th. This reconvened session is expected to be about 6-10 days to address state budget issues and for the Senate to take up confirmation hearings for various state boards and commissions.  The Ways and Means and Finance Committees will need to consider an estimated $1 billion in budget cuts from the $8 billion general fund budget, while minimizing cuts to social services or pay cuts or furloughs. 
 
All meetings and hearings will be broadcast live on Olelo; however, the public will not be able to attend, and written testimony will be excepted via submission.  

Click here to read more from Civil Beat.

COVID-19 EMERGENCY AID PROGRAM FOR OAHU RESIDENTS

City and County of Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced a new emergency aid program for Oahu residents. Individuals under financial hardship will be eligible for up to $1,000 for basic needs such as rent and utilities, and up to an additional $500 for basic childcare. The program will begin on May 18.

Click here to read more from KITV4 news.

OAHU SHOPPING AND RETAIL STORES CAN OPEN MAY 15

Certain designated businesses and operations in the City and County of Honolulu will be allowed to re-open on May 15, by following specific guidelines as detailed Emergency Order No. 2020-10. The Amended and Restated Stay at Home/Work from Home Order, now under the new name “Ho‘oulu i Honolulu” or “Restore Honolulu” Order, incorporates all prior Emergency Orders, including the wearing of non-medical grade face coverings, social distancing requirements, and the limited opening of City parks.

The Ho‘oulu i Honolulu Order allows residents of the City and County of Honolulu to shop at retail businesses and shopping malls that comply with specific operations guidelines that includes allowing all persons in these establishments to maintain physical/social distancing and health and safety standards.

The Ho‘oulu i Honolulu Order can be found here.

Retail establishments should meet the following guidelines: 

1. Occupancy is limited at all times to no more than one (1) person per 200 square feet of the gross operation area (which equates to approximately 50 percent of the maximum occupancy load).
2.  Social Distancing Requirements (as defined in the Order) are adhered to at all times.
3. The City’s “COVID-19 Guidance for Business” is followed to the greatest extent possible. 
4. Within shopping malls, the following must remain closed:

• Food-court dining areas (except for delivery or carry out)
• Play areas
• Entertainment areas
• Common areas (except to access and depart from a retail or repair service business)
• Arcades
• Game rooms

The City and County of Honolulu COVID-19 information call center remains open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on holidays. O‘ahu residents are encouraged to visit the website, oneoahu.org to get answers to frequently asked questions about Mayor Caldwell’s “Ho‘oulu i Honolulu Order”. If they do not find an answer to their questions on the site, residents can call the 768-CITY (2489) information hotline or email covidresponse@honolulu.gov.

FREE TESTING TOMORROW

Tomorrow, May 8, Kalihi Kai Urgent Care will conduct testing at ʻEwa Beach Community Park. Testing will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Participants should follow the posted signs to the test area. All who attend will first be screened for symptoms and asked to provide personal information and contact numbers so results can be made known to them. Quarantine protocol for tested patients follows the State Department of Health recommendations.

 To view the guidelines, head here - https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/files/2020/04/What-To-Do-If-You-Have-Been-Tested-For-COVID19_040120.pdf.

For more information on the testing run by Kalihi Kai Urgent Care, call (808) 841-2273.                                                                           

DLIR IMPLEMENTS FILING CERTIFICATION DAYS BASED ON LAST NAME

If you miss your day, don’t worry, Thursdays through Sundays are open.

The times to file are Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

On weekends and holidays, that time is from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE CONVENES TOMORROW

The committee will be meeting with the following:

12:30 p.m. Airlines for America

Mr. Sean Williams, Vice President

1:30 p.m. Department of the Attorney General

Ms. Clare Connors, Attorney General

Department of Transportation

Mr. Jade Butay, Director

Hawaii Tourism Authority

Mr. Chris Tatum, CEO

3:30 p.m. Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

Mr. Scott Murakami, Director

4:15 p.m. Department of Taxation

Ms. Rona Suzuki, Director

Please note that there may be committee members or invited speakers participating remotely via video or teleconference.

The meeting will be available for live viewing on ‘Olelo Channel 49 on O‘ahu and will go out live for pick up by neighbor island public access channels. It will also be streamed live online at olelo/org/49.

No public testimony will be accepted.

If you require special assistance, please call 586-6800 or email your request to waysandmeans@capitol.hawaii.gov.

FIRST ROUND OF BUSINESSES SET TO OPEN

Gov. Ige signed a 7^th Supplementary Emergency Proclamation that authorizes the first group of businesses to re-open since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the temporary closure of non-essential businesses across the state on Mar. 25.

The latest proclamation also allows residents to leave their homes to patronize certain businesses and activities under the new “Safer-at-Home” order.

Under Phase 1 of the state’s re-opening, the following businesses and operations can re-open starting May 7, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.  However, everyone is advised to check the restrictions in place in each county, as they may differ.

• Agriculture (non-food), such as landscape, ornamental plant growers, and nurseries
• Auto Dealerships
• Car Washes
• Childcare services, licensed or authorized under the law
• Pet Grooming Services
• Observatories & Support Facilities
• Retail & Repair Services, such as apparel, florists, watch & surfboard repair (Note: retail does not re-open in City & County of Honolulu until May 15, and retail & most repair will not re-open in Maui county.)
• Shopping Malls – limited to retail and repair services (Note: shopping malls are not reopening in Maui county.)

The 7^th Supplementary Emergency Proclamation, EXHIBIT G, lists the businesses/operations designated for re-opening, and outlines specific safety guidelines for each. It also includes county-specific requirements. For example, retail businesses on Oʻahu may not open until May 15, 2020, and Maui County will not allow retail, most repair shops and malls to reopen at this time.

These businesses/operations are required to follow the social distancing requirements in the 7^th Supplementary Emergency Proclamation.  They also are encouraged to follow the applicable guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. Generally, this means they must implement physical distancing requirements such as capacity limits and ensuring 6 feet or more between individuals using floor markings and signage; limit in-person work when possible; reduce the number of high-touch surfaces and objects as much as possible; reconfigure workplace to enable physical distancing if possible; communicate health and safety protocols to all employees, customers and visitors.

HECO EXTENDS MORATORIUM ON SERVICE DISCONNECTIONS THROUGH JUNE 30

Hawaiian Electric has suspended service disconnections for nonpayment through June 30 to ensure customers’ electricity needs are met as stay-at-home orders are extended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Customers should NOT worry about their power being shut off due to nonpayment through the end of June, and any threat of immediate disconnection unless payment is made received before June 30 should be treated as a scam. Customers experiencing financial hardship because of the pandemic are urged to contact Hawaiian Electric to discuss payment arrangements and options.

Click HERE to read the full press release.

FREE COVID TESTING IN KALIHI MAY 5

CITY TO REOPEN CERTAIN BUSINESSES ON MAY 1

Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced that certain Oauhu businesses will be allowed to open with limitations.  This Order is effective from 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 30 through 4:30 p.m. on May 18.  

Changes to the amended Stay at Home Order add the limited reopening of certain designated businesses and operations such as: 

• Certain real estate services. All real property sales and management activities must be accomplished by remote/electronic means whenever possible. Restrictions and permitted real estate services are outlined in Emergency Order No. 2020-09;
•  New and used car and truck dealerships – sales and leasing activities (with restrictions);
•  Automated service providers. Service providers that do not require human interaction between the service provider and the customer, including for example, fully automated car washes;
•  Mobile service providers. Businesses that provide service on a mobile bases in which no human interaction between the service provider and the customer, including, but not limited to, mobile pet grooming and car washing/detailing businesses;
•  Services provided on a one-one-one bases. Businesses that provide services such as private tutoring, certain music instrument lessons, etc., on a one-on-one basis, that comply with social distancing requirements;
•  Public and private golf courses within the City operating in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Professional Golfers’ Association’s “Procedures for Reintroduction to the Game and Business of Golf” as may be updated/amended.

Grave site visits are also being added as an Essential Activity.

All of the added reopening of certain businesses are with limitations.

The restated Stay at Home Order incorporates prior orders, including but not limited to, ordering all individuals living within the City to stay at their place of residence except for Essential Activities, Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses, mandating employees and visitors of Essential Businesses to wear a non-medical grade face covering mandate, and the ban of all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit.

UPDATE - FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

If you are having difficulty filing your unemployment insurance 24/7, you may be clicking on the wrong link.  Follow these steps to complete your filing and avoid error messages:

TO FILE A CLAIM OR CHECK YOUR STATUS

1. Visit https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/#/
2. Click on the button “For New Claims, Please Complete This Form.”  DO NOT click on “Claimant Services” which connects to the old server system.  This is where people are experiencing issues logging in and attempting to file a claim.
3. To check on the status of your claim 24/7, click on “Check Your Claim Status.”

VEHICLE SAFETY CHECKS FOR REGISTRATION TEMPORARILY HALTED

O‘ahu motorists are reminded that a safety check inspection is not required to renew motor vehicle registrations that are expiring in April or May.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has closed safety inspection stations to comply with social distancing recommendations stemming from COVID-19 and extended safety inspection certificates as well as stickers through May 31, 2020.

The reminder comes as 133,928 motor vehicle registrations on O‘ahu are scheduled to be renewed between April and May.

Vehicle registrations can be renewed online, at self-service kiosks inside select Safeway and Foodland stores, as well as by mail. More information on these options is available at the Department of Customer Services website.

SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE CONVENES APRIL 28

The special committee will be meeting with the following:

11:00 a.m. Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

Mr. Scott Murakami, Director

12:00 p.m. Department of Health, State Laboratories

Dr. Edward Desmond, Administrator

Please note that there may be committee members or invited speakers participating remotely via video or teleconference.

The meeting will be available for live viewing on ‘Olelo Channel 49 on O‘ahu and will go out live for pick up by neighbor island public access channels. It will also be streamed live online at olelo.org/49.

No public testimony will be accepted.If you require special assistance, please call 586-6800 or email your request to waysandmeans@capitol.hawaii.gov.

FLORISTS CAN OPEN ON MAY 1

Florists statewide will be allowed to deliver flowers starting this Friday.  Gov. Ige has given permission for florists to get back to business May 1, this after the governor himself revoked just two days ago a special exemption florists got for a 10-day window around Mother’s Day.

GOVERNOR EXTENDS STAY-AT-HOME ORDER TILL MAY 31

Mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers, eviction moratorium also continue

Gov. David Ige signed a 6^th supplementary emergency proclamation extending the stay-at-home order across the state through May 31.

The stay-at-home order means residents may leave their homes only for various essential needs, including healthcare, purchasing food, medicine, gasoline, taking care of the elderly, minors, or those with disabilities, returning to a place of residence outside of Hawai‘i, picking up educational materials for distance learning, receiving meals or other related services. Outdoor exercise is also permitted – including swimming, surfing and walking pets.

In addition, running, jogging or walking on the beach will be permitted, as long as social distancing requirements are observed.

Also extended through the end of May -- the 14-day quarantine for both visitors and residents entering the state and for inter-island travelers.

The eviction moratorium, which prevents any eviction from a residential dwelling for failure to pay rent, also remains in effect through May 31.

In addition, social distancing requirements remain in place across the state through the end of May.

Gov. Ige issued the initial emergency proclamation for COVID-19 on Mar. 4, 2020 followed by:

• Mar. 16: Supplementary proclamation suspending certain laws to enable state and county responses to COVID-19
• Mar. 21: Second supplementary proclamation implementing mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for visitors and residents entering the State of Hawai‘i
• Mar. 23: Third supplementary proclamation mandating social distancing measures throughout the state
• Mar. 31: Fourth supplementary proclamation implementing a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for people traveling between the islands in the State of Hawai‘i
• Apr. 16: Fifth supplementary proclamation implementing enhanced social distancing requirements and an eviction moratorium

AIRPORTS AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AMONG OTHERS TO MEET WITH SENATE COMMITTEE TOMORROW

The Special Committee on COVID-19 will meet tomorrow with the following:

12:00 p.m.       Department of the Attorney General

                              Ms. Clare Connors, Attorney General                       

Department of Transportation – Airports Division

                              Mr. Ross Higashi, Deputy Director

                        Hawaii Tourism Authority

                              Mr. Chris Tatum, CEO

1:15 p.m.          Department of Health

                              Dr. Bruce Anderson, Director

                              Dr. Sarah Park, State Epidemiologist

3:00 p.m.           Hawaii Economic and Community Recovery & Resiliency Plan

                              Mr. Alan Oshima, Hawaii Economic and Community Recovery and Resiliency Navigator

Please note that there may be committee members or invited speakers participating remotely via video or teleconference.

The meeting will be available for live viewing on ‘Olelo Channel 49 on O‘ahu and will go out live for pick up by neighbor island public access channels. The meeting will also be livestreaming on olelo.org/49.

No pubic testimony will be accepted.

If you require special assistance, please call 586-6800 or email your request to waysandmeans@capitol.hawaii.gov.

APPLY FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES

The Executive Office on Early Learning is working closely with the Department of Human Services and other agencies and stakeholders to coordinate early childhood care during the COVID-19 crisis.  The departments have announced subsidy changes to its assistance program for families and providers and are encouraging more families to apply.  Get more information about applying to Child Care Connection Hawai‘i online by clicking on this link - bit.ly/ApplyCCCH.

NEW TESTING SITES AVAILABLE

The City and County of Honolulu is pleased to announce it is supporting more drive-thru COVID-19 testing this week.

Testing is being done from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, April 22 at The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints in Wahiawā. Testing will be made available to those without insurance as well. For more information on this testing, please call Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi at (808) 304-8816 or (808) 367-6020.

On Friday, April 24, Kalihi Kai Urgent Care will be conducting testing at ʻEwa Mahiko District Park in ʻEwa Beach. Testing at 91-1205 Renton Road will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For each location, follow the posted signs to the test area. All who attend will first be screened for symptoms and asked to provide personal information and contact numbers so results can be made known to them. This is part of an effort to do focused testing in communities across Oʻahu.  Results of the testing will be used to identify COVID-19 “Hot Spots” to help in their containment.