Asian American and
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 2021
The American story as we know it would be impossible without the strength, contributions, and legacies of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders who have helped build and unite this country with each successive generation.
-President Joe Biden
In a White House proclamation released April 30, 2021, President Biden declared the month of May as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, a time to acknowledge the accomplishments and contributions of AANHPI communities. While they’ve always been important, over the past year, AANHPI communities have been reeling from an uptick in violence and hate spurred by racist rhetoric about the coronavirus pandemic. During AANHPI Heritage Month, advocates urge Americans seek out ways to be allies in positive, actionable ways that go beyond words. View the proclamation here.
Call for Action After Uptick in Ala Moana Assaults
KHON2 reported that there have been 20 assault cases near Ala Moana Center since April 14, including a woman being attacked in a bathroom on Sunday. In an interview, I indicated that while police are doing their job on the enforcement end, the prosecutor’s office and courts need to be aligned to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent so there is no so-called “revolving door” for repeat offenders. The status quo is unacceptable and no matter how small the crime, it should be prosecuted. I spoke with Major Mark Cricchio of HPD and First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tom Brady and we look to more discussions in the future on how to deal with district crime in commercial areas in a coordinated manner. I look to more options in addition to reintroducing our “Safe Neighborhoods” bill that would allow a Judge to geographically ban repeat offenders from continually returning to commit crimes.
Reef Replenishment in Waikiki
Last week, we visited the Anuenue Fisheries Research Center (AFRC) on Sand Island managed by the Division of Aquatic Resources, DLNR. They are growing sea urchins (left) and coral (right) for reef replenishment. The sea urchins are bred and placed on the reef to eat invasive seaweeds that kill coral. They are also using a unique technique to grow slow-growing coral endemic to Hawaii at a much faster rate to replenish our reefs. One of the proposed replenishment sites is at the Natatorium in Waikiki. The legislature recently funded upgrades to the AFRC facilities which haven’t been upgraded since they were built in the 1980s.
Officials Embark on Study to Lower Costs of $651 Million Ala Wai Flood Project
Another study is in store for the over-budget Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Project–aimed at getting the 2-decade-old project moving again. The project hit a roadblock in January when the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) confirmed that costs had nearly doubled to $651 million. The higher price tag came after the agency made dramatic changes to the project, including adding a four-story pump station to the historic Ala Wai Canal, where controversial walls and berms already were planned. Federal, state and local officials have balked at the ballooning costs, and now support conducting a “general reevaluation” to find a way forward that doesn’t exceed earlier allocations and is affordable for implementation and maintenance while still producing a project that protects the watershed district.
Kaimana Beach Ocean-Goers Risk Safety After Monk Seal Gives Birth to Pup
A well-known, 10-year-old Hawaiian monk seal, Kaiwi, gave birth to her fourth pup two weeks ago at Kaimana Beach on the edge of Waikiki. Because the recent pair have become quite an attraction, county, state, and federal agencies are joining forces to warn ocean-goers of the risks as long as Kaiwi and her pup are in the area. You should know:
If a mother seal detects any threat to her pup, she is likely to attack
Animal rescue staff have established “resting perimeters” for seals. Multiple times each day, lifeguards use a bullhorn to caution people to respect the boundaries
Ocean scientists, HPD, ocean safety, conservation, and animal response teams are directing swimmers to find other beaches for the next month when the pup is expected to wean from its mother.
To view video of the monk seals and water safety authority warnings, click here.
MASKS, VACCINE & TRAVEL UPDATES
Governor Continues to Re-Emphasize Mask-Wearing
Gov. Ige is re-emphasizing Hawaii’s mask mandate despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people. The new guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters; but this should clear the way for reopening workplaces, schools, and other venues — even removing the need for masks or social distancing for those who are fully vaccinated. The different messaging coming from the federal government and the states is confusing for visitors so Gov. Ige is calling on airlines and hotels to continue sharing the message to mask up.
Emergency Management Agency Announces Change in Intercounty Travel Vaccine Requirement
Interisland travelers now can show proof of just one dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccine in Hawaii, as opposed to two, to qualify for the state’s vaccine exception program. Launched this past Tuesday, the program allows inter-county travelers vaccinated in Hawaii to bypass quarantine rules and Covid testing requirements. Travelers are considered fully vaccinated on the 15th day after the completion of their vaccine,” whether it’s their 1st dose or 2nd dose. This applies to travelers with out-of-state IDs so long as it can be verified that the vaccination was given in Hawaii. For more information see https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/faqs/
Plane Ticket Must Already be Booked in Order to Upload Vaccine Card to Safe Travels Website
The Safe Travels system will only allow intercounty travelers to upload their vaccine card or Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) printout if it is linked to a trip. There is no fee to create an account on the Safe Travels system, which can be found here.
Children Ages 12 Through 15 Now Approved to Receive Covid Vaccine
Vaccines were previously authorized only for children aged 16 and older. CDC has recently approved lowering the eligibility the age to 12 years and older. Hawaii has already begun distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to children 12 years through 15 years of age. According to the results of a Pfizer/BioNTech clinical trial among 2,260 12-to-15-year-old participants, the vaccine is 100% effective. The results can be found here.
Longs Drugs Starts Vaccinating Kids 12 and Older
Longs Drugs began offering the shot this past Thursday at 15 of its pharmacies statewide. Here’s what you need to know:
City Council Transportation Committee Convenes: May 18, 9am
The meeting will discuss the following updates:
Honolulu’s Reopening Strategy (Tier System)
Energy Saving Performance Contracts
2020-2025 Climate Action Plan
Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems in City Facilities
Governmental Data Collection & Reporting
Instructions to participate or submit testimony are on the agenda here.
CITIZEN PATROL : WALK TO DETER CRIME
Kakaako patrol meets at Mother Waldron Park on Mondays at 5:45pm
Waikiki East Citizen Patrol on Thursdays May 20 & 27 at 4:30pm—meet at the big banyan tree by the intersection of Kalakaua/Uluniu
Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor Citizen Patrol on: May 20 & 27 at 7:00 pm – meet at the grassy area between the Harbormasters office and the 500 row
For more information on the Waikiki and harbor patrols, please contact Officer Stephanie Virardi at 808-723-3349 or svirardi@honolulu.gov.
Final Property Tax Payment Installment Deadline: May 21
The Department of Budget and Fiscal Services (BFS) is reminding property owners to mail the final coupon payment by May 21, 2021, to avoid penalty and interest charges. Payment can be made by:
Mail: Payment must have a post office cancellation mark on or before the due date.
Curbside Drop Box: Located outside of Honolulu Hale (Black/Gray Box)
Electronic Payment: Pay with credit card or pinless debit card, or directly from your bank account using eCheck. Payments made by credit cards are also accepted by telephone at (877) 309-9117. A convenience fee is applied and will be included at payment confirmation. To pay online, click here.
Property owners who pay real property taxes directly and have not received a bill should check immediately by clicking here.
Oahu Residents Can Apply for Gas & Electric Bill Assistance Beginning June 1
Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. (HCAP) will be accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) starting June 1, 2021. Oahu residents who qualify can apply for one of two programs available through LIHEAP in 2021. The “Gas or Electric Bill Payment Assistance” program will apply an energy credit to the gas or electric accounts of households having difficulty paying these bills. Fill out the application through HECO here. For more information, click here.
Camp Educates Youth About Hawaii’s Culture and Natural Resources: Deadline June 1st
Kupu’s Kōkua Camp is open to Oahu youth, aged 12-17 years old, who want to learn about Hawaii’s culture and natural resources through experiential project-based learning. Here’s what you need to know:
The camp is scheduled Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm, with options for extended hours until 5pm.
New participants will receive a full orientation during a 1-week session (June 7-11 or July 12-16). Returning participants who have attended a Kokua Camp session in the past will receive a refresher orientation during a 2-week program (June 21 – July 2).
Each session has space for about 10 participants, with the pick-up and drop-off location based at Kupu’s Ho’okupu Center at Kewalo Basin (1125 Ala Moana Blvd F, Honolulu, HI 96813).
The cost is $200 per session. Financial Aid is available for eligible applicants.
Register here. If you have questions, call (808) 735-1221 ext. 2008 or email education@kupuhawaii.org The Kokua Camp application deadline is June 1, 2021 or until all spots are filled.
