DEC 9 @ 9 — CITY COUNCIL: ALA MOANA PLAZA PROJECT PERMIT HEARINGResolution 20-315, will be heard before the full City Council. See Agenda | Live on Olelo.org and live broadcast on Olelo TV Channel 54
DEC 9 @ 11:30 –HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HCDA) MEETSSee Agenda | Zoom Link; Meeting ID: 980 5601 7399; Passcode: 946762; Live streamed on YouTube and Facebook.
DEC 9 @ 1 –SENATE COVID COMMITTEE MEETSThe special committee will be updated on the State’s Safe Travels Program, including exemption process for essential workers. Reporting to the Committee are Lieutenant Governor Josh Green; Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Incident Commander Major General Kenneth Hara; Kuakini Medical Center Emergency and Disaster Response Physician Dr. Darragh O’Carroll; County Mayors Mitch Roth (Hawaii), Michael Victorino (Maui), Kirk Caldwell (Honolulu) and Derek Kawakami (Kauai); State Chief Information Officer Douglas Murdock; and Attorney General Clare Connors. See Agenda | Live streamed on YouTube | Live on Olelo Channel 49.
DEC 11 @ 10 –JOINTLEGISLATIVEHEARINGON COVID VACCINATION–SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH&HOUSE COMMITTEE ONPANDEMIC AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESSThe panel will hear first on vaccine basics from Dr. Tarquin Collis, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii; on the Vaccine Trial and FDA Approval Process from Dr. Melinda Ashton, Hawaii Pacific Health; the State Vaccination Plan from Dr. Libby Char, Director, Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) and her departmental staff and from community partners. See Agenda | Live on YouTube
MORE ON COVID
UPDATE ON MEDICAL QUARANTINE: Shortened Quarantine Comes with Stipulations – The state DOH updated guidance for quarantine –shortened from 14 to 10 days
Doesn’t apply to residents in congregate settings, e.g., long-term care facilities, group care homes, correctional facilities, shelters, residential rehabilitation and treatment settings, or military recruit housing.
Those in quarantine cannot have any clinical evidence of COVID-19 symptoms up to the time quarantine is discontinued.
Daily symptom self-monitoring must continue through day 14; those who develop symptoms within this time period should seek testing and self-isolate while awaiting results.
Close contacts of those exposed to COVID-19 must adhere to all recommended mitigation strategies: correct mask use, physical distancing, hand and cough hygiene, avoiding crowds, environmental cleaning and disinfection, and adequate indoor ventilation.
The new quarantine guidance does not modify the travel quarantine provided for in the governor’s proclamations related to the COVID-19 emergency.
NEW MEDICAL OFFICE IN KAKAAKO OFFERS COVID TESTING:Wellness 4 Humanity on Ward Avenue opened its doors several weeks ago. It offers two types of PCR saliva testing, as well as antibody and antigen tests. Staff can also do remote testing for businesses on location. For more info, see here and here
U.S. SENATOR MAZIE HIRONO ON THE CORONAVIRUS STIMULUS PLAN – It’s a busy time for our Hawaii lawmakers on Capitol Hill, from avoiding a government shutdown to passing another coronavirus relief package. Hawaii Congresswoman Mazie Hirono discusses them in this video.
UPDATE ON UNEMPLOYMENT: HAWAII LABOR DEPARTMENT WISH LIST
Here are a few unemployment programs that will expire by year’s end if Congress does not act. With the highest unemployment rate in the country, Hawaii’s fate is tied closely to the fate of the proposed CARES Act extensions. The State Labor Department is urging that all be extended:
Full federal funding for the Extended Benefits program, known as EB20. If 100% federal funding expires, a large burden would fall on employers to fund about 50% of the program’s costs.
Waiver of merit hiring rules, which made it possible to hire the much-needed customer-service agents and claims adjudicators. Still not sufficient, but both the waiver and funding for about 300 additional staff will expire at year’s end.
Interest-free provision on federal loans, which states are using to pay unemployment benefits after their own funding ran low. The National Association of State Workforce Agencies, of which DLIR is a member, petitioned the U.S. Department of Labor and Congressional leadership to extend the interest-free provision and/or forgive the loans.
See https://808ne.ws/wishdlir. For more information on the unemployment programs, see Honolulu Star Advertiser’s Kokua Line here.
DEVELOPER ACQUIRES KAKAAKO AFFORDABLE RENTAL PROPERTY: KAMAKEE VISTA
Standard Communities and Stanford Carr Development acquired the last of six affordable rental properties from the State as part of a $223.9 million public-private partnership to rehabilitate the aging 1,221-unit portfolio and preserve its affordability. The Kamakee Vista property is a 28-story tower with 226 units. The partners plan to spend $14.3 million to renovate unit interiors, modernize building systems and upgrade common areas without displacing any residents. Total acquisition and renovation will cost about $53 million. For more info, click here.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS AND SAFETY TIPS
HPD Safety Tips: The holidays are a special and joyous time of the year. It is also time to be especially alert to the possibility of crime, and accidents. Statistics show that people are especially vulnerable to burglary, theft, and other types of crimes during this hectic time of year. Taking that extra safety precaution could make your holiday safer and happier. For a detailed list of safety tips from the Honolulu Police Department, click here.
36THANNUAL HONOLULU CITY LIGHTS IS A DRIVE-BY:DEC 9 – 27 The 36th annual Honolulu City Lights will open safely but scaled-down: Holiday decorations at Honolulu Hale can be enjoyed with a drive-by viewing on display from Wednesday, Dec. 9 through Sunday Dec. 27. No opening night festivities are planned this year. Instead, a virtual tree display will allow viewers to enjoy the collection of holiday creations of 18 city departments. For more information, visit the Honolulu City Lights webpage at https://www.honolulucitylights.org/. For more info, click here.
Dates: Dec. 9 thru Dec. 27 nightly, including Christmas Day
Price: $15.00 (adult) / $10.00 (child)
Lap child under 3yrs FREE (child must sit on an adult lap). Private charters are available.
PICK-UP LOCATION AND TIMES: Departs Ward Village (Auahi Street): 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM; 9:00 PM on 12/11 and 12/18.
Dates: Dec. 9 thru Dec. 27 nightly, including Christmas Day
Price: $15.00 (adult) / $10.00 (child)
Lap child under 3yrs FREE (child must sit on an adult lap). Private charters are available.
PICK-UP LOCATION AND TIMES: Departs Ward Village (Auahi Street):
6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM; 9:00 PM on 12/11 and 12/18.
HOP ABOARD THE WAIKIKITROLLEYFOR HOLIDAY LIGHTSTOUR: DEC. 9 – 27 AAALLL ABOOOAAARRRDDD !!! Get on the trolley to enjoy the holiday lights as it drives by the Honolulu Hale area. Sing along to joyous Christmas songs and listen to jolly Christmas stories throughout the entire tour, all from the comfort of a festively decorated open-air double decker bus! Here’s what you need to know:
Dates: Dec. 9 thru Dec. 27 nightly, including Christmas Day
Price: $15.00 (adult) / $10.00 (child)
Lap child under 3yrs FREE (child must sit on an adult lap). Private charters are available.
PICK-UP LOCATION AND TIMES: Departs Ward Village (Auahi Street):
6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM; 9:00 PM on 12/11 and 12/18.
ROYAL HAWAIIAN SHOPPING CENTER REOPENS ITS WAIKIKI FOOD HALLRoyal Hawaiian Center announces the reopening of Waikiki Food Hall — originally debuted on March 7, with eight unique restaurant concepts, before closing again after only 13 days in operation. For more info, click here. Eateries now open are:
MeatalyBoys – The grill shop serves Hawaii-grown meats, including high-quality steaks, rib roasts, and huli huli chicken, in addition to local produce.
Five Star Shrimp – Well-known for their original food truck near Waikiki Beach, the garlic shrimp specialists offer a local Hawaiian favorite.
Honolulu Burger Co. – The latest location for handcrafted burgers made from free-range, grass-fed beef and locally grown produce.
Surfer’s Café – The new concept serves coffee drinks in a surf and beach theme, as well as surf-themed craft items by local artists.
Tap Bar – The casual island bar specializes in local craft beers and artisan cocktails.
A SAD ALOHA TO THE HONOLULU CLUB
After more than four decades, the Honolulu Club had to permanently shutter its facilities in October due to COVID. Want a keepsake from the HC? Go to the online auction to check out what it’s auctioning off — weights, furniture, artwork and even plants. The online auction closes on Dec. 15. To place a bid, click here. For more info, click here..
