UPDATE ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH RECOVERY PLAN
The safe reopening of Hawaii’s economy depends on a number of factors; key is the public health and safety of our residents. The UH Economic Research Organization (UHERO) presented studies and projections on regaining our lost economic activity at today’s (Monday’s) House hearing of the Select Committee on COVID19 Economic & Financial Preparedness. Reopening and recovery will also depend on our plans and protocols for screening, testing and contact tracing, and a healthcare system, including staffing, equipment and supplies ready for another surge or outbreak. HiEMA Incident Commander Kenneth Hara and HMSA CEO Dr. Mark Mugiishi shared that the public and private partners on the task force were working together and are mostly aligned but for a couple weak links. They hope to work those out and have a plan for the Governor’s approval this week. With the number of positive cases remaining low, Dr Mugiishi indicated that we are at the moderate disturbance level and various sectors are establishing reopening guidelines. Two — restaurants and retailers– were presented to the house committee. See other presentations and reports.
Restaurants gearing up to open.Sheryl Matsuoka, executive director of the Hawaii Restaurant Association, reported that a draft guidance, based on national organization guidelines, is drafted and ensures the safety of employees and customers. Restaurants are ready to open once the Governor makes the call. To see what’s planned click here.
Retail stores are still working on guidelines. Because retail stores are pretty diverse, covering grocers to pharmacies to department stores; and operating on many different levels (i.e. store layout, products, size—from mom and pop stores to large retailers– hours, etc.), consistent statewide guidelines have been more challenging to solidify. They continue to work on them and will come so stay tuned.
What about the homeless and affordable housing? When Hawaii’s economy gets moving again, it’s important to prevent a new wave of homeless on our streets. Making up the newly homeless are not the chronic homeless but they may not qualify for homeless assistance programs or are left out of shelters due to overcrowding, or small business owners who did not qualify for a PPP loan, or evicted renters. James Koshiba, founder of Hui Aloha, presented ideas for using this period to develop long-term solutions to housing the homeless e.g., increasing the number of homeless assistance workers who can connect homeless to housing; providing rent relief flex loans within the first 24 hours with no fees; providing property management and government resources and services on how to restructure rent payments; and using HiEMA emergency funds to build permanent affordable housing at a lower cost, similar to those in Kalaeloa, Waimanalo, and Waianae. These recommendations and other reports presented at today’s hearing can be viewed on the House webpage: House committee report.
MORE SMALL BUSINESS LOAN RELIEF FUNDING.
The Small Business Administration just opened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program –low interest, long-term loans for farmers and ranchers and certain other agricultural businesses affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The program offers low-interest, long-term loans. Applications are being accepted on a first-in, first-out basis, so applicants should go to the application portal as soon as possible. For more information click here. Also see additional loan opportunities from condo associations to non-profit organizations. I know of a few who submitted loan applications to their bankers and have already been approved.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: IMPROVING BUT NOT FAST ENOUGH
I’ve heard good news that some of you have been able to get into the system and paid; but others are still trying to apply and or get certified. Independent contractors and disqualified claimants may start getting responses under the federal relief Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Director Scott Murakami said the PUA is launching Wednesday but there is a 15-day processing period. For those in this category, please be sure you filed on the PUA website at: https://pua.hawaii.gov. You can check the status of your claim on that website.
I’ve heard from you about the problems with the new web portal and the replicated data base servicing the certifications – all fixes to the system to process more claims faster. The department ramped up and processed over 63,000 certifications on Saturday and Sunday, but a hiccup caused it to shut down for several hours while they fixed it. So try again. They will roll out a procedure next week to accept certifications alphabetically to lessen the heavy daily load. Ten additional workstations have also opened to address email backlog for those who emailed your problem. The department director and staff are aware of your situation and trying various ways to move through the thousands of claims faster.
2-1-1 HOTLINE FOR ASSISTANCE
I heard from some of you waiting for UI assistance that you will be without food or other necessities if those checks don’t come soon. I hope you don’t need to, but if you do need help, call Aloha United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline. It’s a statewide community information and referral service that can connect you with resources based on specific, individual inquiries. 211 specialists help you find food, shelter, financial assistance, childcare, parenting support, elderly care, disability services, job training and much more. The service is available Monday – Friday 7:00am – 5:00pm. All calls are confidential. Visit their website for more information at auw.org
