Amid the rise in covid caes, I’ve heard from many of you and appreciate your concerns and suggestions. Those not taking care to social distance and mask up are now affecting the entire island. Once so close to reopening, we are backsliding to the point of limiting inter-island travel. Even Honolulu Hale is closed with the City’s 49 positive cases.
These times have us looking to the Department of Health and its Disease Outbreak Control Division. They investigate positive cases and trace all contacts to control and contain the spread. The growing numbers have forced the Senate Covid Committee to focus its attention on contact tracing and Dr. Sarah Park, the state’s epidemiologist and division administrator. Our committee visited her offices to learn first-hand the challenges her program faces in meeting the growing caseload and in protecting our public’s health. And the community is expressing concerns as in this column by Larry Geller and a Star-Advertiser Editorial on Tuesday.
We are not convinced that the division is acting quickly enough. Our committee will be meeting tomorrow to discuss how we can support their work. A move to the larger convention center to house the numbers needed to meet the demand would be a great step forward.
Meanwhile continue to follow social distancing rules and mask up. If you witness any violations to the Governor’s mandates, call the Covid Enforcement Hotline at 723-3900 or email: hpdcovidenforce@honolulu.gov
Keeping our Waikiki Community Center (WCC) keiki and pre-school teachers safe — Senator Moriwaki recently visited the WCC and donated “PPE STARTER KITS”– — face shields, gloves, hand sanitizer, and kids size 3-ply pleated masks—to be ready for the first day of school. And for those in need, the WCC Emergency Food Pantry continues to distribute on Tuesdays from 1:00PM to 3:00PM. Unlike most food distributions that only allow drive-thru, WCC distributes to walk-in patrons. Please bring your government photo ID and proof of need.
STATE HIKING TRAILS CLOSE
Effective Monday, August 10, all forest trails were closed on Oahu by DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) for the first time due to COVID-19 concerns with 12 straight days of triple-digit new positive cases in Hawaii and the majority of them on Oahu. All Oahu State parks and beaches were closed on August 6. Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) have already issued warnings at parks and beaches and will continue to patrol.
DE-STRESS TOGETHER INKAKAAKO
Here’s something that’s just what we need to cope in these uncertain times. Don’t miss an upcoming livestream featuring award-winning author Alice Inoue! Alice will share valuable insights and ideas on how to ‘Diminish Stress During Uncertain Times’. Help a friend or loved one by sending them this intro video link: https://saltatkakaako.com/event/salt-livestream-featuring-happiness-u/ Livestreaming will start on Friday, August 28 at 4 p.m. View it live here on facebook.
For more information, see:
E-mail:smile@YourHappinessU.com
Phone: (808) 436-6444
Website: www.YourHappinessU.com
UPDATED HOURS FORKAKAAKO SHOPPING CENTERMERCHANTS
Named after the salt ponds that once dotted the low-lying wetlands of the Kakaako area, SALT is Honolulu’s epicenter for local culture, food, shopping and innovative events. Updated information for this eclectic shopping center includes dedicating stalls 45-48 and 50-53 in the front parking lot for Curbside Delivery and Take Out Orders temporarily during this time. Parking at SALT is FREE for one hour. To view the new hours for SALT merchants, click here.
HART ROAD WORK & TRAFFICUPDATES FOR KAKAAKO
View this week’s HART happenings by clicking here for the week beginning AUGUST 9.
