“Some people think wearing a face covering as, if you don’t wear it, you’re making a statement about freedom. I actually think wearing a face covering is a statement for freedom…Wearing a face covering means our economy becomes more robust because we don’t have to retreat.”
COVID: BAD NEWS BUT YOU CAN WORK ON CHANGING IT FOR HAWAII
We know Hawaii’s economy has been the hardest hit by covid. Hawaii (along with Nevada) had the lowest economic growth rate in the country. We’ve seen businesses closing, workers at home, and the community in fear of a surge if we reopen too quickly. We have to change that by reopening our businesses but we must reopen safely to protect our public health.
The city’s recovery plan is our guide based on daily count of covid cases as a measure of our public health and the better we are, the more activities and businesses can open. See Honolulu’s reopening guide and where we are daily here. We have two weeks to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases to move to the next tier of reopening. The daily average positive cases over the next 14-days needs to remain below 50. We were at 92 with 3.2% positivity rate yesterday — not at what we need to move to Tier 3. You can track our status daily at the HIEMA dashboard that has these and other useful data.
Senate Special Committee’s meeting provides health expert guidance to change course: Yesterday, the senate special covid committee was briefed by Queens Health Systems President Jill Hoggard Green and HMSA President & CEO Mark Mugiishi. See the senate website for their excellent presentation on the fact and strategies for addressing covid infections. Both warned that we can expect a surge in December-February following the pattern of the summer surge, with the upcoming holidays and more indoor activities and congregating. Under the city’s recovery plan, that will mean going back to Tier 1 and closings.
The good news is that we can prevent the surge. They urged mandating masks, dine outdoors, and beware of covid fatigue of hunkering down and wrongly easing up instead stay vigilant to prevent the spread. Simple acts of mindfulness and caring for each other and ourselves with the mantra you should know by now: wear masks, keep the 6-foot distance from others not from your household, and wash your hands frequently. Simple acts that can move us to Tier 3 and keep our businesses open and improve our economy.
But many are still maskless or haphazardly wearing masks as a necklace when in public places. Some argue that it’s their constitutional right to go maskless, but this is a public health –community well-being—matter. If you need the evidence, University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics & Evaluation (IHME)–an independent health research center that measures the world’s most important health problems and evaluates strategies to address them—gives projections for Hawaii (and the world) of how much wearing masks can reduce the spread. Hawaii could reduce as much as 47% of the covid cases and flatten the curve (remember that term when we were surging in March???)
It’s a simple act of caring for others and self. It is bigger than oneself. It will help reopen our economy, get the jobless back to work and get on track to being the healthiest state and city in the world, and show the world how to overcome corona by living aloha!
TESTING TO BE VIGILANT: Finding Positive Cases to Contain & Treat
Mahalo to LONGS DRUG STORE launching curbside testing starting November 13 at nine curbside COVID-19 test sites across the state. The tests are self-administered and will be free to those with insurance, and to those who meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) testing criteria of covid symptoms, had close contact with a COVID-positive person, or referred to get tested by their doctor or the health department. The testing sites in our district: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite #2004, 988 Halekauwila St. Suite#C103. You must register in advance for an appointment at CVS.com .
MANAGING COMMUNITY COVID: Waikiki Health Center Partners with the City
The City announced a new partnership with the Hawaii Primary Care Association, a community advocacy group for healthcare reform, and the island’s seven community health centers to keep Oahu healthy and safe. Our district’s Waikiki Health Center is one of the seven centers providing the following services:
Contact tracing
Case management for patients exposed to COVID-19
Health care navigators for their patients who need to quarantine or isolate
Support for the patient’s household
Daily wellness checks
Culturally appropriate education about the coronavirus
ANOTHER RESTAURANT CARD: Business Holiday Card
The Hawaii Restaurant Card Business Holiday Card Program will be available to any registered business. Like the state’s first $500 Restaurant Card, it can be used at any restaurant in the state. Unlike the first card, it is not free, but it can still help businesses boost sales. This is how it works: A business can buy a card, programmed between $5 and $1,000. It can gift it to anyone who can use it at no cost but not for grocery and convenience stores or for grab-and-go prepared meals. Organizations like City Mill and Iolani School plan to purchase hundreds of cards. HMSA plans to buy cards and give to different charities. The holiday cards expire on March 31. Registered businesses can apply here.
DISTRICT HAPPENINGS OF INTEREST:
UPDATE: KAKAAKO DISPUTED “PRIVATE” STREETS TRIAL
The disputed ownership of Kakaako streets trial is wrapping up. The Kakaako Land Company (KLC) – the Chun Brothers – continues to claim ownership of the streets so they can justify charging exorbitant fees for street parking and enforce them using predatory towing tactics. On Friday the parties in the case (State, City, & KLC) submitted their proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. As background on the position of the parties: (1) State’s position– ownership of the streets transferred to the government in 1903 by gift, surrender or abandonment. It asks for a declaration of ownership and injunctive relief against KLC, directing that it cease charging for parking and any other control over the streets; (2) City’s position–supports the State’s position that the roads became government roads in 1903, citing that it has maintained and improved the streets since about 1915 and the lack of any evidence that Mr. Desky or his heirs ever did anything for the streets, including paying tax on the property; KLC position – They acquired the property from the original owner’s heir and there was no abandonment or surrender because the government never “accepted” the roads. See the parties’ proposed findings of facts and conclusions of law by clicking here: State, City, KLC. Closing arguments are scheduled for 9:00 AM on December 3rd. You can view it live on Webex here.
UPDATE: MCKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC COMPLEX IMPROVEMENTS
McKinley’s proposed improvements to its athletics facilities has crossed a major hurdle. The recently released Environmental Assessment (EA) has determined, “the Project will have no significant impact on the natural or human environment.” The EA is for plans for a two-story P.E. & Athletic Building; north and south stadium bleachers (3,444 seats); four to eight light poles at the track and football/soccer field; plaza with gathering areas; gravel parking area with space for 41 unmarked parking stalls; and a perimeter fence. The legislature has allocated $3.2 million for bleachers and lighting at the field so far. This would allow McKinley to host home games after sundown. You can see the summary of the EA here or the full 416 page document here.
UPDATE: SCOPING MEETINGS ON THE ALA WAI CANAL FLOOD MANAGEMENT PROJECT
The public is invited to scope the project as part of an environmental assessment process sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the City and County of Honolulu. Virtual public scoping meetings and engineering forum sessions prior to the publication and solicitation of public comment for the Draft Environmental Assessment Report are schedule on:
November 14 – Environmental Impacts scoping meeting, 8-10 a.m.
November 21 – Environmental Impacts scoping meeting, 8-10 a.m.
November 28 – Design and Engineering Forum, 8-11 a.m.
December 5 – Design and Engineering Forum, 8-11 a.m.
The public is invited to attend the virtual meetings via the following:
Anyone wishing to present project concepts or engineering solutions at the design and engineering forums should contact Jeffrey A. Herzog at jeffrey.a.herzog@usace.army.mil or Cindy Acpal at cindy.m.acpal@usace.army.mil before 4 p.m., Nov. 16, 2020, for a presentation time assignment.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: SEWER WORK
The Department of Environmental Services is alerting the public that traffic will be affected next week as City Contractors will be conducting work between the hours of 8:30am and 3:30pm at 816 Cedar Street (Ala Moana) on November 18-20.
VIRTUAL VISITS WITH SANTA AT ALA MOANA: NOV. 14 – JAN. 7
Make this holiday magical with a “JingleRing” virtual visit to the North Pole! Santa’s helpers have been working hard decking the halls for you and your family. See below for the enchanting experiences:
Visit with Santa: Live from the North Pole, enjoy a live virtual visit with Santa. Invite up to four guests for this experience.
Storytime with The Clauses: Choose a session with either Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus and gather the family around as they read you a story. Choose from a selection of stories and invite up to four guests to join.
Pre-Recorded Personalized Santa Video: Bring Santa and his magical world straight into your home! Receive a pre-recorded message from St. Nick that’s personalized just for you. Santa will record a video message to your kids based on information you provide in your family profile during your booking. Watch your children stare in amazement as they watch their very own video from Santa.
Don’t let Santa wait. Set a date! Make your reservations here.
