The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that our nurses and frontliners are superheroes who deserve our support. Let’s take time to recognize them every day; but especially during the coming days as we celebrate Nurses Week and Police Week. Be sure to thank them for their care and for their keeping us safe and healthy.
Not Just Any Nurse!
Though Nurses Week (May 6-May 12) seeks to honor all nurses, there are specific days dedicated to certain nurses:
May 6 is National School Nurses Day
May 8 is National Student Nurses Day
May 12 is International Nurses Day — also the birthday of the caring “Lady with a Lamp” Florence Nightingale
If you or a loved one is a nurse, click here for expressions of mahalo.
Hawaii Celebrates Police Week via Live Virtual Remembrance Ceremony: May 14, 5:00pm
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. This year it is May 9 through May 15. Hawaii will celebrate Police Week with a live virtual remembrance ceremony on Facebook on May 14 at 5:00pm, featuring the plaque installation honoring HPD officers Tiffany Enriquez, Kaulike Kalama, and Special Agent John Bost, III, of the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, followed by a solemn reading of the names of the fallen officers of Hawaii. Sponsored by the Hawaii Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, view the ceremony here at the scheduled time (click on video).
COVID-19 UPDATE: TIER AND VACCINE UPDATE
Oahu To Keep Current Pandemic Restrictions for A Month Longer: We are in Tier 3
Mayor Blangiardi and Governor Ige have agreed that Oahu stay the course in Tier 3 for another four weeks while the county and state work together on a way to incorporate vaccination counts into the tier system. Last month, the mayor requested that Oahu remain in Tier 3 rather than returning to Tier 2. The less-restrictive Tier 3 allows social gatherings of up to 10 people, lets bars and restaurants seat groups of up to 10 people and lets gyms operate at 50%. Outdoor weddings of up to 100 people are permitted and outdoor sports have been able to resume. Under Tier 2, social get-togethers would be reduced from 10 people to five; outdoor organized sports, which just resumed, would be shut down again; retail operations and spiritual services would be limited to half capacity; and the capacity of gyms would be reduced from half to a quarter, among other restrictions. Read more here.
Who is Being Vaccinated and How Do I Sign-up?
We’re in Phase 2 of the vaccination priority list so vaccines are now available for all Hawaii residents who are at least 16 years old. Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are currently being offered, and clinics may soon resume use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Please note that the Pfizer is the only vaccine authorized for those under 18 years old.In the district , the Blaisdell Center Concert Hall is open for vaccinations Sunday through Saturday (except Tuesday) 11:00 am to 5:30 pm. Here is a list of COVID-19 vaccine clinics statewide. To register for your vaccination, click here.
Schedule Your Vaccine by Phone
Need help making an appointment? Call the Hawaii Department of Health to schedule an appointment over the phone. They are available Monday through Saturday between 7:45 am and 8:00 pm. Call (808) 586-8332 or toll free at (833) 711-0645.
A Few Vaccination Tips
Wear short sleeves or loose-fitting sleeves that are easy to roll up.
Know someone 16 and older who hasn’t been vaccinated yet? Sign up or go to a site with walk-in vaccination.
If you are 16-17 years old, you will need to get the Pfizer vaccine. Check to make sure that your vaccination location has it. You may need consent from a parent or guardian to get the vaccine.
Already vaccinated? Help protect your community and encourage your friends or family members to schedule a free COVID19 vaccine.
Vaccine Soon to Be Offered to 12-to-15-year Olds
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to green-light the COVID-19 vaccine for kids 12 to 15 years old as early as the week of Monday, May 10. There are more than 310,000 kids under the age of 18 and 55,000 between the age of 12 and 15 that could bring Hawaii closer to herd immunity if vaccinated. It will require parental approval, like any other vaccination.
DISTRICT HAPPENINGS
HCDA Approves $1.3 Billion Addition to Ward Village in Kakaako
The HCDA, at its May 5 hearing, approved plans for two more condo towers in Kakaako. Despite a little reluctance over some project aspects, the board approved Howard Hughes Corp’s projects which will produce 1,243 homes in two very different towers –the Park Ward Village tower would continue the main trend of luxury towers, with 546 units next to a central public park that will be expanded as part of the estimated $620 million project. The second tower, Ulana Ward Village, estimated at $409 million, is designed to satisfy Howard Hughes Corp’s “residential housing” requirements by putting 697 units on a parcel Ewa of what so far has been the core of Ward Village where most condos have sold for $1 million or more. You can see a recording of the meeting here on YouTube.
McCully’s Waiola and Hauoli Streets in Shared Streets Pilot Program
If you’re driving through McCully, a couple of streets will look different to you. They are part of the Shared Streets pilot program that started May 1. The program opens the streets to everyone– pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. The goal is to bring traffic speeds to be consistent with people walking and biking and to discourage cut-through traffic. You’ll see “Shared Street” signs to remind folks to share the road. McCully was selected because it is a critical connector between Waikiki and the King Street protected bikeway. The city is also experimenting with a pop-up walking and biking lane marked with cones on Hauoli. The project runs in May and June. To. find out more and to provide feedback, click on the project flyer
Shared Pathway Improvement Project beginning near Honolulu Zoo
The City is reconstructing the shared-use pathway along the mauka side of the Honolulu Zoo beginning next week and should be concluded by year end. The current asphalt pathway along Paki Avenue will be replaced with a wider, concrete sidewalk to address the damaged and deteriorating pathway. The pathway is expected to be closed for the entirety of the project. Additional vehicular land closures may be necessary near the work site, which are intermittently scheduled on weekdays from 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. For more information, click here.
COMMUNITY SERVICES OF INTEREST
Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Provides Internet Access to Low-Income Households
With our COVID-19 experience, we have learned that internet connectivity is a necessity. Not everyone can afford the cost of a remote device or internet service needed. to work from home, attend school, talk to a doctor or access government services. Congress has just authorized $3.2 billion for an Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB)Program which officially launches on May 12, 2021. EBB will offer:
Up to $50 per month (or up to $75 per month for households on Hawaiian Homelands) for monthly internet service.
A one-time $100 device credit that can be used to buy a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Eligible households are those with at least one member who qualifies for:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Free and reduced-price school breakfast or lunch program
Filed for unemployment for at least the prior 6 months
Received a student Pell grant.
You can see the eligibility details, participating Hawaii internet service provider and downloadable outreach toolkit by visiting http://broadband.hawaii.gov/ebb/ .
State Workforce Development Council Offering Free Course on How to Use Computer
The State of Hawaii Workforce Development Council is now offering free digital literacy courses. To raise digital literacy in Hawaii. Since many jobs and opportunities are online. The class will teach you the basics of using a computer. You will also learn how to identify computer hardware and software, how to set up an email and browse the internet safely. it’s being offered at University of Hawaii Community College campuses around the state until June 30. To find out more or to register, call the UHCC campuses at (808) 235-7334 or visit http://digitalreadyhawaii.org/
Postal Service Helps Small Businesses
Several Post Offices are inviting Oahu small businesses to learn how to grow their business by hosting “Grow Your Business” events in May. Among the 17 small business event locations, four of them will be held at the post offices in our district:
5/12: Makiki Post Office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
5/13: Makiki Post Office from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
5/14: Ala Moana Post Office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
5/17: Waikiki Post Office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
City Council Budget Meeting: May 11, 9:00am
The City and County of Honolulu will be holding a City Council meeting on the special budget on Tuesday, May 11 at 9:00 A.M. Some agenda items include the HART Operating Budget and Real Property Tax Rates for 2022. To participate, view, or submit testimony click on the agenda here.
Waikiki Neighborhood Board: May 11, 6:00-8:30pm
WHERE: Waikiki Community Center, 310 Paoakalanai Avenue
TO JOIN VIRTUALLY or SUBMIT TESTIMONY, click on agenda instructions here. Some agenda items include applications for Liquor Licenses for a Free Spirits Special Event, Thursday, May 20, 2021 and Friday, May 21, 2021 at International Market Place as well as a Storm Water Utility Update.
OMPO Technical Advisory Committee Meeting: May 14, 9:00am
TO JOIN VIRTUALLY or SUBMIT TESTIMONY, click on agenda instructions here. Some agenda items include OMPO’s operating budget, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Funding, and other matters not included on the agenda.
AARP – Infection Prevention House Calls: May 14
Join fellow caregivers in a complimentary virtual. workshop series on caring for elderly family and significant others, starting on Friday, May 14. The series will provide updates on the COVID-19 vaccination and how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and protected. The goal is to help you take better care of your loved ones both at home, in nursing homes and/or in assisted living facilities. The first workshop on “Infection Prevention House Calls” will give you meaningful and reengaging ways to connect with your loved ones residing both at home, in a nursing home or in an assisted living community. These live workshops will be held at 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM. To register, click here. For more info, email: hiaarp@aarp.org
