City & State public spaces open for solitary use, Rent relief unveiled
September 9, 2020
Aloha Neighbor,
September is National Preparedness Month to promote disaster planning. As our State continues to respond to COVID-19, and while you are shuttered at home, work on your plan to be “2 Weeks Ready.” No better time! This year’s theme is: “Disasters Don’t Wait. Make Your Plan Today.” Hurricane season began in June and will end on November 30. Use September to get ready: Make the Plan, Build Your Kit, Prepare for Disaster, Teach Youth About Preparedness. For more information, click here.
HOME & OUTING ALONE: Mayor’s Extended STAY-AT-HOME ORDER Through September 23
But…City parks, botanical gardens, certain park facilities, and beaches will reopen on Thursday, Sept. 10 under their regular hours of operation but with limited use – you can use facilities in a solitary matter, alone. View the amended order here for details (Orders 6-7 page 4). Below are highlights:
Open:
Outdoor activities like fishing, walking, running, biking.
Ocean access: stand-alone comfort stations and outdoor showers.
Community Gardens open to designated gardeners only.
Park parking lots, bicycle paths, and the Koko Head Tramway will reopen.
Closed:
Play courts (basketball, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, etc.), pools, playgrounds, exercise equipment, off-leash dog parks, skateparks, archery ranges, and the Koko Head Shooting Complex.
Indoor park facilities like gymnasiums and recreation rooms.
City campgrounds
If you have questions regarding City public spaces, it may be answered here or call the City’s COVID-19 call center 768-2489, M-F, 8 am – 4:30 pm OR email covidresponse@honolulu.gov.
State policy on public spaces on Oahu conform to the City order. Trails, beaches, and sandbars on Oahu managed by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) are no longer closed due to COVID-19, provided that the conditions in Orders 6-7 (page 4) are followed. See DOFAW’s release here.
STATE FINALLY RELEASES CARES FUNDS: RENT RELIEF AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Gov. Ige announced launching of the State’s Rent Relief and Housing Assistance Program (RRHAP) to assist Hawaii renters who have been hit by COVID-19 with income loss and to prevent eviction. Federal CARES Act funds this program to provide at-risk renters with assistance in making monthly rent up to $2,000/month as well as financial counseling.
Applications are currently being accepted for housing payments due between August 1, 2020 and will run through December 28, 2020. To apply for assistance and for more details on eligibility and other information, including frequently asked questions (FAQs) and a list of required documentation go to: www.hihousinghelp.com.
YOU WANTED MORE INFORMATION? HERE YOU GO: THE STATE LAUNCHES:
HAWAII DEFENSE ECONOMY WEBSITE —The Hawaii Defense Economy website includes updated data, information and resources about Hawaii’s second largest economic sector — national defense. Local businesses can use the new data tools and information to improve their understanding of Hawaii’s military spending and contract trends, as well as access resources to explore and better engage in local defense contracting opportunities. You can access the website here.
HAWAII TAX DASHBOARD — The Department of Taxation’s dashboard is a visualization of tax collection data. Users can easily access tax collection data and filter tax data by date and tax type for monthly collections data going back to January 2000. The portal allows users to interact with the graphical interface or download the underlying data.
OTHER INFORMATION OF INTEREST:
SURGE TESTING CONTINUES UNTIL SEPT. 18
The next testing near our district is this Thursday at:
Honolulu Police Department Main Headquarters
801 South Beretania Street – Lawn Area, 1st Floor
Thursday, September 10, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
For other testing locations, dates and times and to register, click here.
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES WAIVES FLIGHT CHANGE FEES
Hawaiian Airlines is waiving change fees for most customers looking to reschedule travel inter-island or between Hawaii and the mainland or international destinations. The fee waiver doesn’t apply to Main Cabin Basic fares. For more information, click here.
CHARITY SEEKS MASK DONATIONS FOR PARENTS OF NEWBORNS
March of Dimes is collecting donations of masks, books and other much-needed items. Donations go to families with newborns at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. To donate, call 973-2155.
