DOH PARTNERS WITH PHARMACIES STATEWIDE TO PROVIDE COVID-19 VACCINE
The Hawaii Department of Health is partnering with a number of pharmacies to conduct drive-through vaccination events or in-home vaccinations. This partnership is an effort to continue the momentum in vaccinating residents and caregivers of small residential care homes throughout the state. The state health department is now turning their attention to residential care homes and community care foster family homes. The partnering pharmacies include ElixRx Pharmacy, 5 Minute Pharmacy, Foodland Pharmacy, KTA Pharmacy, Pharmacare Hawaii, The Queen’s Medical Center Pharmacy, and Times Pharmacy.
OAHU EDUCATORS CAN NOW GET FREE COVID-19 TEST THANKS TO CITY PARTNERSHIP
Educators can now get free COVID-19 tests thanks to a partnership between the City and National Kidney Foundation. The free tests are available at Honolulu’s airport and at Hawaiian Monarch Hotel. Location details below:
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport – Diamond Head Tour Group Area (just pass baggage claim 31) Hours: 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Hawaiian Monarch Hotel – 444 Niu Street, Upper Lobby, Honolulu, HI 96815; Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To register for a COVID-19 test, go to kidneyhi.org. For more information, call 833-560-0997 or email CovidResponse@kidneyhi.org.
WAIKIKI HEALTH CENTER AWARDED $1.3M GRANT FOR TELEHEALTH SERVICES
The Waikiki Health Center is one of 14 Federally Qualified Health Centers across the state who was awarded part of a $1.3 million in grants. With guidance from Hawaii Medical Service Association, the grants aim to increase access to and delivery of telehealth services at a time when such services are in greater demand, due in part to stay-at-home orders and limited in-person appointments. This includes:
Internet connectivity upgrades
Telehealth software
Specialized equipment for telehealth visits such as kiosks, digital thermometers, blood pressure monitors and scales
Telehealth education for medical and behavioral health providers
Educational material for patients
Smartphones, tablets and webcams for both providers and patients
The grants are made possible by a donation from The Freeman Foundation and administered by Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. Hawaiʻi Medical Services Association (HMSA) is a collaborator and partner in identifying the need for improved telehealth capacity.
BIDEN SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER BRINGING MORE FOOD ASSISTANCE TO HAWAII
A new executive order issued by President Joe Biden will provide more SNAP benefits (food stamps) to the most needy families. The order also includes a 15 percent increase in benefits for families of the more than 93,500 Hawaii students who qualify for free or reduced-priced school meals and are currently receiving Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits due to COVID-19 related school closures, as well as a directive for food assistance benefits to be updated to reflect the true cost of a healthy diet. For more info, click here. To apply for SNAP, fill out an online application here.
SECOND STIMULUS CHECK UPDATE
If you didn’t receive your check, is it lost? Not necessarily. The IRS had previously said it may take four weeks from the issue date to receive an Economic Impact Payment (aka stimulus) in the mail. People expecting payments in the mail should wait until after Feb. 24 to initiate a payment trace, assuming your check still hasn’t arrived by then. If you’ve moved recently and have a forwarding address on file with the post office, you should wait even longer, until March 10. For direct deposits, the timeline is different. If the Get My Payment tool (https://www.irs.gov/) said you would get a direct deposit and your bank has not received it five days after the indicated deposit date, you may initiate a payment trace at that point. To do so, call the IRS at 800-919-9835 or mail or fax a completed Form 3911, Taxpayer Statement Regarding Refund (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f3911.pdf). Don’t try to start a payment trace ahead of the timeline; the IRS won’t process it. Also, no one should use a payment trace to figure out whether they were eligible for a payment or what the amount should have been. Use the Get My Payment tool to find that out.
If you only received a portion of your check, is that because you owe back taxes? No, that shouldn’t be the reason. The IRS said a person’s second Economic Impact Payment would not be offset because the person owed federal tax, had a payment agreement with the IRS or owed other federal debts. Neither would it be reduced because a person or their spouse owes past-due child support. It could be that your 2019 adjusted gross income was significantly higher than your mother’s or your brother’s. The stimulus gradually phases out for individuals with AGI above $75,000.
For the stimulus, to qualify for the child payment, did the child have to live with you? Yes, for more than half of 2019. There are numerous other requirements for that $600 payment as well, including that the child be claimed as your dependent and have a valid Social Security Number or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number.
Is it possible to transfer money from the card to your bank account? Yes, click here for instructions, or call customer service at 1-800-240-8100. The card must be activated before funds can be transferred.
PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) is assisting eligible families to better-afford preschool for the 2021-2022 school year. The Preschool Open Doors (POD) program application period began earlier in January and is open through March 31, 2021. Funds are limited, so DHS encourages families to apply as soon as possible. To qualify for the program, children must be eligible to enter kindergarten in the 2022-2023 school year (born between Aug. 1, 2016, and July 31, 2017). If awarded a subsidy, families may use any one of the 409 state-licensed preschools. DHS also gives priority to underserved or at-risk children. Preschool Open Doors provides subsidies to eligible families to help pay preschool tuition. POD aims to assist low-income and moderate-income families with a subsidy that provides their children the opportunity to attend preschool. Preschool and other early learning opportunities help children gain essential skills, be prepared for school, and chart a course for lifelong success. Interested families may access the application here: https://www.patchhawaii.org/ OR by calling (808) 791-2130. They may also call toll-free at 1-800-746-5620.
PROPOSED WARD VILLAGE PROJECT; PETITION TO INTERVENE FILING DEADLINE IS FEB. 4
Developer Victoria Ward Limited has filed an application with the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) for a proposed residential project located at 333 Ward Ave & 940 Auahi St. It entails a 400-ft. tower with about 546 residential units, a 75-ft. parking podium consisting of 960 parking stalls, plus thousands of square feet for open space, retail and recreation. Interested persons may petition to intervene as a party in a March 3, 2021 hearing by filing a written motion and providing 30 copies to the HCDA office, located at 547 Queen St., Honolulu, HI 96813, no later than 4:30pm, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. Additionally, copies must be served to the applicant, Victoria Ward Limited, at 1240 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96814. HCDA will act on any motion to intervene on the hearing date, at which time all the parties to this proceeding will be established. For questions, call (808)594-0300 or email the project planner at susan.j.tamura@hawaii.gov
KAKAAKO PROJECT UPDATE: KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS KAIAULU O KAKAAKO MASTER PLAN
Hawaii Legislators Senator Moriwaki and Representative Scott Saiki hosted a Town Hall meeting about a Kam Schools development project in Kakaako on Jan. 13. Here are some Q&A highlights:
What is the projected area median income for the area for low income per square ft? Pricing of the affordable units are not determined by Kamehameha Schools and are determined by our guest developers as well as HUD’s income index. As of 2020 the index indicates $88,200 for a single adult at 100% AMI and $125,900 for a family of four. To date, 34% of the units have met and exceeded the State’s affordability guidelines with most of our affordable for-sale and for-rent units within the Kaiāulu ʻo Kakaʻako Master Plan ranging from 80% to 100% AMI.
How is the money earned off these projects going to translate into housing for us? The mission of Kamehameha Schools is to create educational opportunities in perpetuity to improve the capability and well-being of people of Hawaiian ancestry. Kamehameha Schools Commercial Real Estate Division works with our guest developers to create housing and commercial spaces that generate returns for the endowment, which subsequently contribute to the fulfillment of our educational mission. KS’ goal in Our Kaka‘ako and other developments is to create a diverse mixed-use community with homes for people of all income levels, and commercial spaces for a variety of small businesses. The development of parcels at higher price points helps to subsidize the development of a larger number of affordable and workforce housing units. These lower-priced units generally are not financially feasible.
It seems like the pandemic and the resulting recession was a huge reason why KS needs to go in for the master plan extension, would that be a fair assessment? The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt all of us including our economy, impacting many families and small businesses. Construction of new mixed-use projects instill much needed dollars into our local economy and creates jobs which are essential to aid Hawaii’s economic recovery. Kamehameha Schools has been listening to feedback from members of the community and government, as well as guest developers, encouraging the completion of the master plan. The Kaiāulu ‘o Kaka‘ako Master Plan approved in 2009 was the first urban-island community concept of its kind for KS, and a catalyst for innovation.
How much economic activity (ie. jobs) does KS estimate these projects will generate? Kamehameha Schools is currently procuring an economic impact analysis from a professional economist in order to forecast the projected economic activity that are a result of the development of Increment II. We will share this information with the community once the analysis is completed.
In your planning, have you given serious consideration to the challenge of having commercial activities mixed in with your lovely vision of people happily sitting around aside and riding bikes? Kamehameha Schools will work with guest developers and respective parties to ensure proper due diligence is done in regard to traffic studies and development planning. We’ve learned that Our Kakaʻako is a neighborhood where visitors and residents prefer to walk or bike versus driving around in their car. We anticipate providing a district wide parking program where visitors can park in a structure on one block and walk to other neighboring businesses on the other blocks within the neighborhood. 9. Is it possible to obtain a copy of the presentation? Aloha! Response: Up-to-date information can be found by visiting the Our Kakaʻako website.
What is the cost or rent of the kamaʻāina units and are they sold/rented? While Kamehameha Schools’ guest development partners will manage the pricing and sales of the residential units, the Kaiāulu ʻo Kaka‘ako Master Plan calls for developing a variety of residential options – for rent and for sale – to people and families of diverse income levels. Per the property management team, monthly rental rates for kamaʻaina units within KKMP currently start at approximately $1,100 per month for studios and $1,400 per month for one-bedroom units and $1,800 per month for two-bedroom units.
How many projects are to be built and what is residential and commercial? Who is the contact person?Kamehameha Schools envisions five separate projects on the five remaining blocks of Our Kakaʻako. Due to the current preliminary stage of developer negotiations, it is uncertain at this time exactly how many residential units or commercial areas will be included in Increment II. Kamehameha Schools is not programming or designing these buildings. These items will be up to our development partners. However as deals progress and project design continues to develop, KS will soon have a better understanding of unit/area projections and will be happy to share such information at that time. The appropriate KS representative to contact would be Serge Krivatsy, who can be reached at sekrivat@ksbe.edu or 808-351-0161.
FREE WEBINAR: Reasons Not to be Afraid of the COVID-19 Vaccine: Feb. 2 @ 10am
Dr. Anuj Mehta, Assistant Professor of Medicine with Denver Health and Hospital Authority, will discuss why some healthcare providers and patients are vaccine hesitant and provide answers to the following questions:
How does immunity work?
What are mRNA vaccines, and should I trust them?
What is the current data on safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Dr. Mehta is a fellowship trained, board-certified pulmonary-critical care specialist. He holds adjunct appointments at National Jewish Health and the University of Colorado and serves as the Chair of the Governor’s Expert Emergency Epidemic Response Committee (GEEERC) on Vaccine Allocation. Registration is required to attend this event. Register here. For questions, call 630.928.5860 or email sstefan@Telligen.com
CONDOMINIUM BILLS SCHEDULED FOR HEARING: FEB 3
To view the hearing live online on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 at 9:30am, click on the agenda link below, then click on the “Senate Youtube Channel” words in blue. The livestream will not begin until the scheduled time. See the AGENDA HERE. Chime in by submitting written testimony for these condominium bills. Deadline to submit testimony is Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 9:30am. Watch a video tutorial on how to submit written testimony.
SB 329: Removes the publication requirement and permits the board of directors of a condominium association to proceed directly to the sale, storage, donation, or disposal of personalty that has been abandoned in or on the common elements of a condominium when the identity or address of the owner is unknown.
SB 799: Makes condominium laws regarding sales to owner-occupants inapplicable to time share units. Increases the minimum number of residential units in a condominium project that must be offered for sale to prospective owner-occupants in the thirty-day period following the initial date of sale of the condominium from 50 per cent to 90 per cent.
SB784: Specifies notice requirements for a regular annual or special meeting of a cooperative housing corporation. Allows the annual meetings and election of board members of cooperative housing corporations, planned community associations, and condominium associations to be conducted by videoconferencing in the event of a pandemic or other similar unforeseen circumstance that prevents owners from physically gathering for a meeting.
HCDA: Wednesday, February 03, 2021 10:00 a.m. VIRTUAL MEETING
See the AGENDA
Watch live on YouTube or Facebook
Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95334665074?pwd=RitvUEV6VDNGRlJJcGxkbEwrM2dIdz09
Meeting ID: 953 3466 5074
Passcode: 035557
If you would like to provide verbal or written public testimony, please submit a request or your written testimony via:
• Email at dbedt.hcda.contact@hawaii.gov
• Web form at http://dbedt.hawaii.gov/hcda/submit-testimony/
• Regular mail: Hawaii Community Development Authority 547 Queen Street Honolulu, HI 96813
The deadline for submitting written testimony is 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2021. Written testimony will only be accepted for items listed on the meeting agenda. For questions, call (808) 587-0299. Here are some items that will be discussed:
Authorize the Executive Director to Expend up to $150,000 from the Hawaii Community Development Revolving Fund to Retain a Consultant to Prepare a Kakaako Community Development District Transit Oriented Development Regulating Plan and Administrative Rule
INFORMATION & DISCUSSION 8. Presentation by Kamehameha Schools on its Kaiaulu O Kakaako Master Plan Update
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: RYCROFT STREET PAVEMENT REPAIRS
The Department of Facility Maintenance (DFM) is scheduled to perform concrete curb and gutter reconstruction and road pavement repairs to address drainage issues on Rycroft Street near Keeaumoku Street beginning Monday, February 1. Work will be scheduled from 8:30AM to 2:30PM Monday through Friday. Weather and conditions permitting, work is anticipated to be completed by Friday, February 19. There will be no road work on Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 15. Motorists are advised to avoid the area is possible and use alternate routes. Please allow extra travel time and abide by posted traffic signs. Special Duty Honolulu Police Officers will be posted at the work site to assist with traffic control. All traffic will be temporarily detoured around Rycroft Street between Keeaumoku Street and Sheridan Street during construction work hours. Access to driveways along this portion of Rycroft Street may be restricted while construction work is being performed fronting the affected properties. Emergency access will be accommodated as needed. The Department of Facility Maintenance may be contacted at (808) 768-3632 to answer any questions related to this work.
KAIALIU SEWER RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN MCCULLY/MOLIILI: JAN THRU NOV 2021
Beginning January 2021, FV Coluccio Construction Inc. will begin work on the Kaialiu Street Sewer Reconstruction Project for the city environmental services department. This work will consist of the following:
Replacement / rehabilitation of approximately 540 feet of sewer piping by traditional open trench excavation and CIPP pipe lining.
Working hours on this project are 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, with short periods of time when 24-hour work is necessary for bypass pumping of the existing sewer line.
Please use caution when traveling around the work areas, and follow and obey all posted warning signs, barricades and traffic control devices.
The project is scheduled to be completed in November 2021.
For questions, call the 24-Hour Project Hotline at (808) 864-7076
HONOLULU CITY CARD PROGRAM USER DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEB. 15
Card users now have until Feb. 15 to use the money. The program, formally called the Immediate Response Incentive Mastercard, gave those financially hit hard by the pandemic a preloaded debit card with $500 to purchase groceries and other essential goods at convenience stores around Oahu. The city says to date, 3,026 people have activated their cards, and 43% of users have spent the entire $500. Because of the program, $1.4 million has been infused into the local economy. For more info on the card, click here.
Pre-registration commences for virtual Hawaii Hapalua Festival
The annual Hapalua half marathon in Waikiki will be going virtual in 2021, and pre-registration opened on Thursday, Jan. 28. The half marathon usually draws thousands of participants to the streets of Waikiki, Downtown Honolulu and Diamond Head. Organizers say, it is just not possible with the pandemic restrictions that are currently in place. The race was cancelled entirely in 2020 and all entrants were deferred to the virtual event in 2021.
Runners can choose from three distances:
Ho’omaka – “begin” 5k
Hapalua Iki – “the little Hapalua”
The Hapalua – “half marathon” 13.1 miles
Participants have the entire month of April to complete their selected race. Registration opens during the week of Monday, Feb. 1, but the public can pre-register now and be the first to be notified when the registration period opens. Click here.
