Congratulating The University of Hawaii Cancer Center for 50 years of Research Progress
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the UH Cancer Center in 1971. It is one of 71 National Cancer Institute designations to receive special grants for cutting-edge research. Recognizing the UH Cancer Center acknowledges the progress made in fighting the disease challenging so many, and, as importantly, the people of Hawaii and the Pacific who play a major part in the research of this disease which has plagued humanity for 250 years. Let us extend our warmest aloha to this urban gem located in the heart of Kakaako, and best wishes for many more years of cancer abatement, quality survivorship — and eventually a cure.
Feds Grant Hawaii $24.7M to Mitigate Economic Impacts of Covid-19
Hawaii has received more than $24.7 million in federal grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to aid in mitigating some of the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The funds come from FEMA’s $3.46 billion Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) Resilience Branch will be working with FEMA on the funding process and program requirements. The funds will reduce economic vulnerability and will directly combat the economic loss of Covid-19 by contributing to local job creation and building greater resilience for Hawaii’s counties.
Caregiver Help is On the Way from the Mainland Starting this Weekend
Once again Hawaii’s hospitals are being pushed to their breaking point. Triage tents have started popping up at some facilities across the state. The surge in admissions is leaving frontline caregivers exhausted. There are currently 246 people hospitalized throughout the state with COVID-19, 92.3% of whom are unvaccinated, Local health leaders have teamed up with FEMA. Their goal is to bring in 550 medical staff from the mainland — mostly nurses. The first 50 are expected to arrive this weekend. A second wave of healthcare workers is expected to touch down by Aug. 23, consisting of hundreds more staff who will be deployed across the state. A third wave of reinforcements is expected around Sept. 1.
Reinstatement of 50% Capacity Rules for Restaurants, Bars and Gyms
The updated restrictions come as cases of Covid-19 have increased in the Islands in recent weeks. During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. Because of the current seven-day average of more than 500 cases. Governor Ige has mandated a new executive order which includes the following:
Indoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people; outdoor gatherings, to 25 people.
Bars, restaurants, gyms, and other social establishments must reduce their capacity by 50%.
Patrons in social establishments must remain seated, with 6 feet of distance between parties. No mingling is allowed, and masks must be worn at all times.
Professionally sponsored events, such as weddings, meetings, banquets, and conventions, must submit mitigation plans detailing safety plans to the respective counties for approval.
The Governor’s newest executive order can be found here.
FDA Says Extra Covid Vaccine Dose Ok for Those with Weak Immune Systems
The Food and Drug Administration announcement applies to those who are especially vulnerable because of organ transplants, certain cancers, or other disorders. It is harder for vaccines to rev up an immune system suppressed by certain medications or diseases, so those patients do not always get the same protection as otherwise healthy people. The decision only applies to this high-risk group, about 3% of U.S. adults. It is not an opening for booster doses for the general population.
CDC Endorses Vaccination for Pregnant Mothers
The CDC encourages pregnant mothers, those who are thinking about becoming pregnant, and those breastfeeding, to get vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19. The increased circulation of the highly contagious Delta variant, the low vaccine uptake among pregnant people, and the increased risk of severe illness and pregnancy complications related to COVID-19 infection among pregnant mothers make vaccination for this population more urgent than ever. More CDC data can be found here.
Free Covid Testing at Aloha Stadium 4 days a Week
The Aloha Stadium will offer free Covid-19 testing four days a week, starting Saturday, Aug. 14, and end on Aug. 31. The testing is offered in partnership with the Honolulu Fire Department and Hawaii National Guard. Individuals who are symptomatic as well as those who have been exposed to a positive case —regardless of vaccination status— should get tested. However, those under a currently active quarantine order should not leave to get tested. The Aloha Stadium testing will be available at the following times and locations:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Testing will take place in the Aloha Stadium bus lot. Enter through the main stadium entrance on Salt Lake Boulevard and follow the “COVID-19 Test” signs. Parking is free.
City’s free COVID-19 testing extended through Saturday, Aug. 21
The City is extending its free COVID-19 testing to all Oahu residents through Saturday, Aug. 21. Those eligible can take advantage of test kits being made available at the City’s Mobile Lab at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. All clients must pre-register under the City pre-paid section at https://oahucitypass.lumisight.com/. Those who pre-register for a test will receive a QR code upon completion of registration. For more information on this testing program click here, call (833) 560-0997 or email covidresponse@kidneyhi.org. Additional details can also be found at kidneyhi.org/covid-19-testing-screening.
Not Sure Whether to Seek Testing or Medical Care? Try the CDC Coronavirus Self-Checker
The Coronavirus Self-Checker is an interactive clinical assessment tool that will assist individuals ages 13 and older, and parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 12 on deciding when to seek testing or medical care if they suspect they or someone they know has contracted COVID-19 or has come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19. The online, mobile-friendly tool asks a series of questions, and based on the user’s responses, provides recommended actions and resources. Get started here.
CITY RENT RELIEF PROGRAM NOW OPEN, EVICTION MORATORIUM FEDERAL EXTENSION, REMOTE WORK OPS
City Rent Relief Program Reopens, Now Accepting 5,000 More Applications
The city’s highly sought-after rent and utility relief program reopened on August 12, ready to receive 5,000 more applications being accepted for renters struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic. Households making at or below 80% of Oahu’s median income can apply ― for example, a household of four means up to $100,700 a year. A household must show it is struggling financially due to the pandemic with at least one member at risk of losing housing. Additionally, members can qualify if at least one person in the household has been unemployed for 90 days. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.oneoahu.org/renthelp
Feds Extend Hawaii Eviction Moratorium; Notify Your Landlord with Declaration
Hawaii’s eviction moratorium has been extended through Oct. 3 under a new CDC order. Gov. David Ige issued a press release on August 6, confirming that a 19-page order issued earlier last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding evictions applies to almost the entire state of Hawaii. The CDC’s order halts evictions in all counties that are experiencing heightened levels of community transmission. CDC stated that the order is intended to target specific areas of the country where cases are rapidly increasing, which would likely be exacerbated by mass evictions.·See the new CDC order here.·To notify your landlord of the new order, print, fill out, and give to your landlord this Eviction Protection Declaration.
New Website Launched for Remote Work Opportunities
Looking to work from home? The state has launched a new website with programs for residents looking for remote work opportunities and for employers looking to hire Hawaii residents for remote work. The website provides residents with direct links to partners of the Hawaii Remote Work Pilot Project and the local American Job Center. Here are employers currently providing opportunities for Hawaii’s residents:
Instant Teams – Remote Ready Hawaii Project, building a team of locally based workers who are qualified residents, to address remote customer service needs through paid training, internship, and placement on a team.
Nexrep – Selecting workers from Hawaii to provide customer service solutions.
For more information on the remote work website, click here.
DISTRICT HAPPENINGS
Hawaii App Offers Parking Solution in Waikiki and Urban Honolulu
Tired of circling the parking lot hunting for a parking stall, or flagging down a person about to leave their parking stall? There is an app for that! Parklinq is an app that connects parking stall hunters with stall owners in Urban Honolulu. Currently, it has a few hundred parking stalls in its database from businesses, hotels, churches, and private street owners in about 20 different locations in Waikiki and the surrounding area. Customers can pay hourly, daily, or monthly. Find out more on the app’s website here.
Like Like Drive Inn Plaza Sells for $15.3M
The plaza, which was home to Like Like Drive Inn for almost 70 years, has been sold for more than $15.3 million. Sold to the buyer, JL Ala Moana LLC, a Honolulu-based investment and private equity firm, the 21,303 square-foot retail center lost its largest tenant in the Like Like Drive Inn after the owners of the much-loved local restaurant decided to close following Governor Ige’s extension of emergency lockdown orders back in April of 2020.
Governor Ige Releases More CIP Funding for the District
The following are district projects that will get a bit of state help:
Ala Wai Elementary School – $3.9 million to continue with design and construction of a covered playcourt. Estimated Completion Date: March 2023
Waikiki Beach Master Plan – $500,000 was recently released for Halekulani and Fort DeRussy improvements for beach preservation and protection from sea level rise.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Aug. 17-18: Senate Virtual Procurement Info Briefings
Aug. 17, 10:30 am: The Department of Transportation, Airports Division (DOT Airports), will brief the Senate Special Committee on its procurement and contracting procedures. Click here for the agenda.
Aug 18, 1:00 pm: The Department of Health (DOH) will brief the Senate Special Committee on its procurement and contracting procedures. Click here for the agenda.
Watch the hearings live or recorded here on the Senate YouTube Channel.
Aug. 19: Makiki Neighborhood Board
Topics of discussion include:
ALOHA Homes – Senator Stanley Chang
Hawaii Foodbank – Marielle Terbio
Tourism and Economic Diversification
Complete Streets Updates – Sidewalks, Bicycle Lanes, and Road Infrastructure.
Planned Chic-Fil-A location on South Beretania St. – Concerns Related to Traffic.
Signage and No Parking Hours on Kinau Corridor from Ward Avenue to Piikoi Street.
Dominis Street and Poki Street Intersection – Concerns Related to Safety.
Victoria Street Parking Stalls.
Eviction Moratorium, Rental Assistance, and Mediation.
If you would like to attend the meeting virtually, find the virtual (webex) link on the agenda here.
AUG 25: Kakaako Improvement Association (KIA) Meeting, 11:30am
This meeting will feature three speakers offering information of interest to those who work, live, and play in Kakaako. On Wednesday, August 25th starting 11:30am, the following will speak:
Dr. Jerris R. Hedges: Dean of John A. Burns School of Medicine.
Dr. Joe W. Ramos: Interim Director for the UH Cancer Research Center
John T. Leong: Cofounder for Kupu Hawaii, an organization that cultivates positive environmental impacts.
Note – Although the KIA meeting is for members only, individuals interested in attending, may send an email to sgoyallc@aol.com.)
WEEKEND WAYSIDES
Aug. 14: Food Drive Day Goes Virtual!, 8:00am – 2:00pm
The annual Food Drive Day will go virtual this year. While saddened its organizers cannot hold its flagship fundraising event in-person this year, they are excited to offer three easy ways for you to help. Find out here.
Aug. 14: Virtual Songfest Tribute to Kamehameha III, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Each year, Kamehameha Schools (KS) honors Kamehameha III (Ka Lani Kauikeaouli) through an ‘aha mele (concert) celebration and by highlighting an organization that extols the virtues that he lived and loved –– community and education. This year KS is proud to partner with Hawaiian Civic Clubs whose mission is to effectively advocate for the educational, civic, health, cultural, economic and social well-being of Hawaiians. Learn more here.
Aug. 16-17: Better Business Bureau Web Series for Senior Protection
Seniors are often the targets of scammers and frauds. The webinars below may just help you or your elderly loved one avoid becoming a victim:
Aug. 16, 10:15 – 11:00am: Go-Getter’s Guide for Protecting the Whole Ohana Mon., Roseann Freitas, Public Relations and Communications Manager / Better Business Bureau – Great West and Pacific
Aug. 17, 10:15 – 11:00am: Get the latest on Medicaid Scam News with Timothy Tate, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit / State of Hawaii Department of the Attorney General. Please find the SMP Hawaii 20/21 Webinar Series for Fall-Winter to learn more about protecting yourself, your family and friends from healthcare and other types of scams and fraud. The Zoom link is valid for all presentations with Q & A each to follow. For more info., visitwww.smphawaii.org, call: 808-586-7281 / Toll Free: 1-800-296-9422, or Email: info@smphawaii.org
AUG. 21 Streetlight Cadence Band at Waikiki’s Blue Note Hawaii, 9:00pm
They’re back!!! You might have seen them on the sidewalks of Waikiki…or in their Emmy®-nominated show, Will Play For Food! Either way, the boys in Streetlight Cadence will amaze you with their warm spirit and electric sound. The band pleasingly mixes acoustic vibes with hints of classical and bluegrass and will get you hopping on your feet before the evening’s end. Their music is intimate, and their show is fun. Limited engagement – ONE NIGHT ONLY! With the 6:30pm sold out, you’ll want to grab your tickets quick. Cost $25-$35 per ticket. Get them here. For more about the band, click on their website here.
