Legislative hearings, retail stores and malls opening tomorrow, testing at Kakaako Park Sunday
May 15, 2020
Aloha Neighbor,
SENATE UPDATE: WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE BRIEFING
Today the committee was briefed on the State Administration’s proposal for $1.25 billion appropriated under the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act (SB75 SD2) which is before the House Finance Committee. You can see a recording of the briefing at when it’s available on the Senate Webcast Archive. There were more questions than answers as these funds are to assist states in responding to the emergency and its effects, such as economic support to the suffering. Missing was funding to provide economic relief to those suffering from the COVID-19 emergency such as the Unemployment Insurance applicants still awaiting a benefit payment. We hope some of these needs will be addressed by the House. See the House Finance hearing tomorrow at 9 am on Olelo TV or Olelo.org.
RETAILERS AND MALLS OPENING TOMORROW (FRIDAY)
Many retail stores and shopping malls – including Ala Moana Center, Royal Hawaiian Center, and the International Marketplace – will reopen tomorrow. While you are encouraged to shop at the newly-opened stores and malls, please remain vigilant and do follow the social distancing rules: avoid congregating and gathering in large groups, keep your 6-foot distance, use sanitizer and wear your face masks. Do not loiter in malls; make your purchases and head home where it is safer.
Ala Moana Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The center said it has added hand-sanitizing stations, touch-free interactions and clean frequently and intensely. Signs will advise customers and employees that face coverings are required. The food court dining areas, however, will remain closed, except for delivery and takeout.
Royal Hawaiian Center will reopen on Friday. Signs will remind guests to wear facial masks and practice social distancing. The center’s complimentary cultural classes and live entertainment, however, will remain on hiatus. From Friday to July 31, the center is offering guests three hours of free, validated parking with any purchase, no minimum required.
The International Market Place will be open 11am – 7pm but its center court and grassy lawn areas will remain closed. There will be hand sanitizers at designated stations.
TESTING AT KAKAAKO WATERFRONT PARK SUNDAY Drive-thru testing for COVID-19 will be offered at Kakaako Waterfront Park this Sunday, May 17, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. by Premier Medical Group Hawaii. Testing using the PCR (nose swab) will be conducted; but a new Antibody Test will also be available (if approved by the attending doctor). Everyone who gets tested must follow the DOH quarantine protocol at the Department of Health website. Testing will be offered without charge for those without insurance.
What is Antibody Testing? It will be through actual blood draw. It determines whether a patient has had or has COVID-19 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. If you do take this test, do discuss the results with your 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 sent to you. For more information on the testing, contact Premier Medical Group Hawaii at (808) 304-8816 or (808) 367-6020.
Previous COVID-19 positive individuals and their families and close contacts
Healthcare workers and first responders
Frontline tourism industry workers with direct exposure to visitors
Anyone with unexplained respiratory illness since January 2020 and never tested for COVID-19
SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON COVID-19 MEETS MONDAY AT 1PM
The committee will meet Monday, May 18 to discuss enforcement of quarantine procedures. Invitees include Mayor Kirk Caldwell, HPD Chief Susan Ballard, Angela Keen of the Visitor Aloha Society, and Kathy Sokugawa of the City Dept. of Planning and Permitting.
