MLK Day, Legislative Session, COVID updates, District news
January 16, 2021
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
CELEBRATING THE REV DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.: JANUARY 18 HONOLULU HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, here is the holiday schedule:
Emergency Medical Services, fire, lifeguard, medical examiner and police services will be available.
CLOSED: The Neal S. Blaisdell Center box office, People’s Open Markets, all satellite city halls and driver licensing centers.
Traffic lanes will not be coned for contraflow.
On-street parking will be free except for the meters on Kalakaua Avenue along Queen Kapiolani Park, metered parking lots and meters on specific Waikiki streets listed here.
THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE OPENS ITS 2021 SESSION: JAN. 20
Lawmakers are already facing a challenging new year with a budget shortfall, Covid-19 vaccination management, and a slew of related issues to address business and jobless supports. When it opens next week, the legislature has much to do– restructure, reorganize, and recover from a harrowing and traumatic 2020 year. The legislature, too, has had to change: we open but unlike our past open house, we’re taking safety and health precautions, closing the Capitol doors to the public and operating virtually. Silver lining: more people can weigh in on bills than one Capitol conference room can hold so I encourage you to attend (remotely) the committee hearings, and to follow the bills that you care about. Here’s how you can submit testimony, testify remotely and/or attend the hearings.
COVID UPDATES:
VACCINATIONS: WHAT WE KNOW
Mass vaccinations for the public are scheduled to begin on Monday. Here’s what you need to know:
All vaccinations are free but are given by appointment and according to eligible priority groups.
Eligible priority groups: Are you in the priority groups below?
Phase 1a: Health care personnel in settings where they have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials, long-term care facility residents.
Phase 1b: Those over age 75; first responders, including police officers, firefighters, corrections officers, emergency services dispatchers, critical transportation infrastructure workers (harbor and dock workers, public transportation, etc.), critical utilities (energy, water, etc.), teachers and childcare and educational support staff (childcare, early education, K-12, post-secondary), those essential for federal, state, and local government operations, and U.S. Postal Service employees. Vaccinations for this group is expected to be completed in May.
Locations and Registration Sites: (1) Pier 2 operated by Hawaii Pacific Health will be open six days a week starting Monday (1/18)- and (2) Blaisdell Concert Hall operated by Queens Medical Center will open on the following Monday (1/25) but registration information yet to come; and (3) for Kaiser Permanente members
VACCINATED PASSENGERS NOT EXEMPT FROM HAWAII PRE-TRAVEL TESTING PROGRAM
If you already received your vaccination, it does not exempt you from the following:
Pre-travel requirements, both interisland and domestic – Proof of vaccination is not a recognized exemption to the Hawaii travel quarantine. The state continues to evaluate the latest science and will inform travelers of any new exemptions as those decisions are made. Travelers may go to https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/ for updated information and news about travel quarantine exemptions.
Mask-wearing, social-distancing, and close contact with those outside of your bubble – While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide, it is important for everyone to continue using all the to help stop this pandemic: wash hands, watch distance, wear a mask. .
ALOHA SAFE: NEW APP ALERTS YOU TO COVID EXPOSURE
Sign on to AlohaSafe Alert – the State’s official exposure notification application. It’s voluntary and free. Just download from both the Apple and Google Play stores. Once downloaded, the app uses Bluetooth technology to anonymously communicate with other phones that have the application. The devices will “ping” one another, measuring the strength of the Bluetooth signal, distance of each device, and the duration of the contact. If an individual is diagnosed with COVID-19, they will receive a text message from the Department of Health with a verification code to input into the app. This code will anonymously notify other devices about their possible COVID-19 exposure. The notification will not disclose any personally identifying information such as where, how, or when they were exposed. To trigger a notification alert, devices must have been within 6 feet of each other for at least 15 minutes in the past 14 days. If someone receives a notification from AlohaSafe Alert that they may have been exposed to COVID-19, they are recommended to self-quarantine, and get tested. For more information, click here.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM: ROUND 2 (JAN. 11 – MAR. 31)
The Paycheck Protection Program restarted this past Monday to help businesses. Here’s what you need to know this time around:
For first-time PPP borrowers, these Hawaii financial institutions will administer loans to ensure the neediest borrowers have access, click here.
Existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a second loan if they have no more than 300 employees, used the first loan for authorized purposes, and can demonstrate they suffered a decline in gross revenue. If applying for a second PPP loan, it is recommended that you go through the same lender as they already have your existing documentation.
While previous loans needed to be spent quickly, businesses now have up to six months to use the money.
Qualifying expenditures now include operating, property damage, and supplier costs (e.g. cosmetic construction to keep customers and staff safe).
Bars, gyms, and other small businesses hit hard by shutdowns, restrictions or tier systems will also have an advantage this time around.
Funding is set to expire March 31, 2021.
HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES: BARSTOOL FUND The Barstool Fund is a virtual fundraiser. If you’re a struggling business, here’s how to apply:
Submit your story, send a video. Show how much you need just to survive the pandemic.
Businesses must meet two requirements: You were running a successful business before the pandemic and the only thing that changed was the pandemic AND employees still need to be currently on their payroll.
Once an owner is called, the money is wired within 48 to 72 hours. That money will help the business through the month of January.
Each month, the fund will continue to cut you a check for how much you need to stay in business.
It’s a celebrity sponsored fund with some big names contributing, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Food Network host Guy Fieri, musician Kid Rock, plus NFL superstars Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Created in December 2020, the Barstool Fund was created by Dave Portnoy, the founder of digital media giant ‘Barstool Sports’.
UH ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS IMPACTED BY COVID-19: Jan. 11 – 31
As the 2021 semester begins, the University of Hawaii (UH) has good news for students in need of financial aid. Nearly $3 million in federal funds will be available for students in financial need due to COVID-19 impacts. Students may apply for the financial aid now through Jan. 31. Click here to apply.
DISTRICT NEWS:
REPAIR WORK TO WAIKIKI ROCK WALL: AVOID FOOT TRAFFIC
Emergency repairs have begun this week to the damaged concrete wall fronting the Barefoot Beach Café near Queen’s Surf Beach (or the surf break known as Public’s). The work involves the removal of the severely damaged ramp & rock wall, with repairs to the promenade wall including installation of a concrete curb to match the connecting walkway. The promenade around the work area will be closed off during the work, so please avoid the area. It will also be pretty noisy while work is being conducted. City officials say this is a direct result of rising sea levels taking a toll on infrastructure. Expected completion: end of January.
WAIKIKI BEACH STABILIZATION PROJECT SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT: DEADLINE IS JAN. 22
Without intervention, Waikiki’s beaches could be totally lost before the end of the century. Proposed beach improvement and maintenance projects are planned for Fort DeRussy, Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, and Kuhio Beach. Projects include construction of new beach stabilization structures and the recovery of offshore sand and its placement on the shoreline. The state filed an environmental impact statement preparation notice on the Waikiki Beach Improvement and Maintenance Program. See the proposal here. Written comments can be emailed to Andy Bohlander of Sea Engineering at abohlander@seaengineering.com. Deadline to submit comments is Jan. 22.
MAKIKI/LOWER PUNCHBOWL/TANTALUS NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD: JAN. 21, 6:00-8:00pm
Send testimony and chime into your community happenings. Some of the updates and discussion will cover:
Honolulu Museum of Art annual presentation
Complete Streets Updates, Sidewalks, Bicycle Lanes, and Road Infrastructure: Changes to bus route
Ala Wai Flood Project
For more information, including agenda, click here.
