We’ve been wanting to open up our border but with strong safeguards for our health and safety. It is happening. Governor Ige set a timeline for state agencies to gear up for opening our border to transpacific travel and for our visitor industry to start ramping up for the incoming travelers. On the legislative front, the next couple weeks will be fast-paced focusing on ensuring budget appropriations help businesses and residents most in need and bills and resolutions to address urgent issues. And City developments require more community input.
STATE WILL OPEN BORDER ON AUGUST 1: Beginning August 1, all travelers –visitors and returning residents (unless you have official exemptions) must still self-quarantine for 14 days UNLESS you can show proof of a valid COVID-19 negative test result that you’ve take within 72 hours of arrival. But the State Department of Health wants to be sure that it is a PCR test (the one with the swab up your nostril) from an approved laboratory. As of now, no testing is being provided upon arrival at the airport. What will be required are: temperature scans at the airport and anyone with a temperature over 100.4 degrees or has other coronavirus symptoms will go through a secondary health screening. All passengers will also have to complete the mandatory travel declaration form. There is still more to do in the coming weeks to ensure the public’s health but for now you can check out DOT’s website.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: The budget and other bills
The State Budget. Today (6/26), the Legislature is poised to approve Senate Bill 126, the state executive budget which also includes the allocation of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act (See Part X) funds. You can see all you want to know about the budget for the coming year here.
Taxing Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Your survey responses last year indicated your interest in equitably taxing all Hawaii corporations doing business in Hawaii. The House Committee on Economic Development and Business on Monday passed SB 2697 SD1, which would eliminate the corporate tax exemption so REITs will no longer be exempt from paying Hawaii corporate income tax on their annual income of over $1 billion. The bill, however, exempts those REITs that build affordable housing on its properties. The bill moves to the House Finance Committee. Follow the bill here.
Government Transparency: Disclosing police misconduct. House Bill 285 passed a conference committee Wednesday and is poised for a final vote by the House and Senate. The bill requires disclosure of the identity of officers who are suspended or discharged for misconduct. It will eliminate the exemption that shields police disciplinary records from public scrutiny, holding police officers to the same standard as other public employees.
Improving regulation of short-term rentals. The coronavirus pandemic uncovered the public health and safety impacts of short-term rental (STR) travelers who violated the state’s quarantine orders. HB460 Proposed SD1 will authorize counties to better regulate STRs and hosting platforms. It also requires any aircraft or vessel to distribute and collect travel declaration forms from their passengers. The bill is being heard in the Senate Ways and Means Committee today (6/26) at 10 am. See the hearing notice.
CITY WATCH: Projects before City Council & Ala Moana/Kakaako Neighborhood Board (NB)
Ala Moana Neighborhood Transit Oriented Development Plan amendments proposed by the city will affect what gets built in the neighborhood. The City Council’s Zoning, Planning & Housing (ZPH) Committee heard testimony on the plan and amendments in resolution 19-238, and rightfully postponed decisions to get more community input. You can view the status of resolution 19-238 here. The final Plan is attached to Resolution 19-238. Study also the City’s Department of Planning & Permitting (DPP) proposed amendments to the Plan. There is time to review and make your voices heard to the City ZPH Committee.
The NB also heard presentations from developments in the neighborhood. You can see the minutes from the NB meeting when posted at its web page.
Ala Moana Plaza Tower development is being proposed by developer Brookfield Properties, building a 400-foot mixed-use rental tower of 595 units on its Ala Moana center property on the corner of Piikoi and Kona Streets. It intends to set aside 20% of the units for those with incomes of 80% AMI or below. The NB raised concerns about traffic flow, view obstruction, affordable housing, height and density of the project.
Queen/Waimanu Roundabout is being planned by HART to slow down the traffic speed at the intersection with a single lane roundabout intending to align Kakaako with the rail system. Concerns were raised about building a roundabout in an already congested area and the project planner was asked to find alternative solutions.
