Friday is a state holiday—statehood or admission day. It commemorates the day when President Dwight D. Eisenhower (above) signed a statute establishing the State of Hawaii as the 50th state to be admitted into the Union, effective August 21, 1959. For a little history: Statehood bills for Hawaii were introduced into the U.S. Congress as early as 1919 by Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. The acceptance of statehood for Hawaii was not without its share of controversy both in Congress and in Hawaii. Native Hawaiians protested against statehood. Additional bills were introduced in 1935, 1947 and 1950. In 1959, the Congress approved the statehood bill, the Hawaii Admission Act, followed by a referendum where 94% of Hawaiian residents voted in support of statehood.Also known as “Admission Day,” it is celebrated annually on the third Friday in August to commemorate the anniversary of our state’s admission into the Union. See historic photos here.
City and County of Honolulu Releases Schedule for Hawaii’s Statehood Day
The City and County of Honolulu will observe the Admission Day holiday on Friday, August 20, 2021. Below is the holiday schedule. Click on the links for more info:
TheBus will operate on a state holiday schedule. Click here.
The Neal S. Blaisdell Center box office will be closed. Click here.
Emergency medical services, fire, lifeguard, medical examiner, and police services will be available.
All satellite city halls and driver licensing centers will be closed.
People’s Open Markets will not be held.
The following traffic and parking regulations will be in effect:
Traffic lanes will not be coned for contraflow.
On-street parking will be free, except for the meters on Kalākaua Ave along Queen Kapiolani Park, metered parking lots, and meters on specific Waikīkī streets.
BOOSTER SHOTS, SCHOOL TESTING VOUCHERS, ADOLESCENT VACCINATIONS
Several Clinics Offering Booster Shots for Immuno-compromised
Several clinics across the state continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines, including booster shots for those who qualify for them. This comes after the FDA and CDC approved a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine — Pfizer and Moderna — for those with weakened immune systems. Federal health officials have not yet given approval of a booster shot for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Recipients are advised to wait at least 28 days after their second dose before getting a third. Below are sites that are offering the booster:
Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk — Saturday, Aug. 21 (9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Blaisdell Center Pikake Room – Every day except Tuesdays (7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
Locating the Correct Vaccine Brand for Your COVID-19 Booster Shot
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says to take the same vaccine in the booster as the first two shots. Here are several websites that help you find a vaccine by type/brand and location. None seem to list every possibility, but they are a good place to start:
https://www.vaccines.gov/search/ allows you to search by COVID-19 vaccine type/brand and location (ZIP code and distance). You can also call 800-232-0233 for assistance.
https://www.oneoahu.org/find-vaccine includes a map of pop-up and mass-vaccination locations and allows you to search by vaccine brand, along with other criteria.
https://covid.queens.org/ lists numerous vaccination sites affiliated with The Queen’s Health Systems. You can also call 691-2222.
Note: As of this writing, the CDC recommends that only people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive a third dose of the covid vaccine. The third dose should be given at least 28 days after the second dose and should be the same brand.
What is the State Doing to Further Mitigate Covid Spread at DOE Schools?
Last week, the Department of Education reported 325 new COVID-19 cases at its schools, more than triple from the previous week. DOE is ramping up testing at ‘high-risk’ schools to help prevent spread of COVID-19 among students & staff. In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 at public schools across Hawaii, the state has given vouchers to high-risk schools to purchase tests from pharmacies. For more info on the vouchers received, click here.
How is Hawaii Doing on Adolescent Vaccinations?
The most social, out of all in our population – the teens, the tweens, the zoomers. So how is Generation Z doing? As of August 13, 2021, less than half of Hawaii’s children ages 12 to 17 were fully vaccinated. A total of 63% had initiated vaccination, and nearly 49% had completed the full dosage. The vaccination rate for the 12-to-17 age group is the lowest of any eligible age group in Hawaii. Not yet available for children younger than 12, the COVID-19 vaccination has been available to children ages 12 and up since mid-May of this year. For a list of vaccination sites on Oahu, go to https://www.oneoahu.org/find-vaccine For adolescents, choose a site that offers the Pfizer vaccine. Read more here.
TEMPORARY CLOSURES DUE TO COVID SPIKE: LABOR DEPARTMENT OFFICES, JUDICIARY FACILITIES, LIBRARIES
DLIR Delays Office Opening Due to Covid Spike; Will Add More Phone Appointment Days
The state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR) will not open statewide offices as planned on September 7, 2021, due to the significant increase in COVID-19 cases. DLIR will, however, expand telephone appointments for claimants and also continue to operate its call center. The department hopes to offer in-person services as soon as the situation allows. The new initiatives that will be effective on Sept. 7 include the following:
Expanded telephone appointments (from three days to five days a week) for claimants with general inquiries.
Telephone appointments for PUA claims which are claims not eligible for regular unemployment insurance.
Telephone appointments for Employer Services inquiries.
These initiatives are in addition to the new telephone appointment system for claimants to schedule appointments to speak with a claims examiner. Claimants can request appointments through an online link that will be available at https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/appointments/
Hawaii Jury Trials Postponed Until October 4
Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald ordered that jury trials across the state be postponed until October 4, 2021 in response to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases. The order includes civil, criminal, and family court proceedings, but affects only jury trials. All other court proceedings – many of which are conducted remotely by Zoom – will be held as scheduled. The Judiciary has implemented detailed plans to safeguard the health and safety of jurors, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and all involved.
Hawaii Public Libraries to Temporarily Close on Wednesdays; Effective August 18
Don’t worry! It’s just Wednesdays — due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. If you really need to do library business on Wednesdays, you are just a library card away. Read The New York Times newspaper, download ebooks, stream movies, learn a language, and more. State library digital doors will remain open here. The library closures are temporary as the state works through the high infection rates of the Delta variant.
Program Makes Local Grown Food Affordable
There’s nothing better than local dishes made from fruits and veggies, plucked fresh off the farm. Our locally grown culinary gems are now more affordable for SNAP-EBT cardholders with the ‘DA BUX,’ a program which partners with 81 participating retailers across the state. The DA BUX program gets Hawaii-grown produce from farms to those who need it at an affordable price. The program also helps increase Hawaii’s food security and supports local farmers by encouraging program participants to buy local. For more information visit https://dabux.org/
Free or Discounted Internet Service During Pandemic
With the help of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), low-income families everywhere, including Hawaii, are able to access affordable internet service. The Hawaii Broadband & Digital Equity Office is encouraging all qualified families and individuals to apply for the program, which includes the following:
Monthly discounts of up to $50 towards broadband service, or up to $75 for households on Hawaiian Homelands.
A one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating Hawaii internet service providers, if they contribute a minimum of $10 towards the purchase price.
Eligibility details can be found here: broadband.hawaii.gov/ebb
Still Receive Child Tax Credit Even with No Income
Changes to the Child Tax Credit will help many families get advance payments. Even if you don’t owe taxes or have no income, you can still get this full tax credit. Just fill out the IRS Non-filer toolhere. More info can be found here.
BACK-TO-WORK TRAINING, RENTAL AID, SCAMS
Back-to-Work-Training for 500 Oahu residents Available at UH
Need to get back on your feet? This free training gives people on Oahu an opportunity to learn new job skills or find a better career path. Here’s what you need to know:
Oahu Back to Work is a rapid response employment training program that runs from August 16 to December 17, 2021. It will be training at least 500 residents to prepare for jobs that are now available
Classes will be primarily online in these career fields: Business and Technology, Healthcare, Human Services, and Trades. Besides free classes, the program offers access to loaner laptops and mobile hotspots for online classes and, in some cases, paid internships.
Participants on Unemployment Insurance may also be eligible for a waiver from job search requirements while in training.
Recent high school or college graduates who have been unable to secure full-time employment due to the pandemic are also eligible.
Can You qualify for City Rental Aid Even if You are Back to Work?
Yes, if the household qualifies for the program—current unemployment is not the sole criteria for eligibility. Eligible households can use Honolulu County’s Rental and Utility Relief Program to pay past-due rent (dating back to March 13, 2020), upcoming rent or both. The program also covers certain utility bills, such as electricity, water, sewer, and gas. People who have gone back to work can qualify if they meet income limits and can show their household has been financially affected by the pandemic: loss of income or higher household expenses. If your application was declined in an earlier round, you can reapply if their financial situation has changed. Their best option is to reach out to the case manager who handled their original application. Only one member of any household should apply. The program reopened to new applications on Thursday. Click here for more information.
Consumer Alert: Avoiding Rent and Credit Scams
The thing these scams all have in common is an upfront fee. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says be wary of quick credit repair services. They promise a quick turnaround of the user’s score if they pay an upfront fee. Also, do not be tempted by “guaranteed loans,” or services like “removing bankruptcies from your credit report.” Scammers promise you things they legitimately cannot do. The reality is you can take the proper steps yourself for free. There are approved credit repair services, but the BBB says they take time. For more info, contact the Hawaii BBB office here. For legitimate rental payment assistance, click here.
DISTRICT HAPPENINGS
New Tenants at Ala Moana Center
Ala Moana Center has announced five new tenants that will open for business later this year. Here’s a brief intro to these new kids on the block:
Himalayan Kitchen – Everything at Himalayan Kitchen is made from scratch, using fresh vegetables and catch from local vendors. The food is a mix of Nepali, Indian and Tibetan cuisines.
HUBLOT – The Swiss luxury timepiece manufacturer will open its first Hawaii boutique at Ala Moana Center
Illy Cafè – The cafe offers classic Italian inspired coffee drinks, a cup of Dammann Frères tea, or a nitro-style Cold Brew ARIA paired with an array of sweet and savory treats.
LOEWE – A major luxury house, offering seasonal collections of ready-to-wear, bags and small leather goods for men and women.
Surfers Bakery – The bakery offers a variety of Korean-style freshly baked products, including bread and gift set cookies, shaved ice with a special recipe of South Korea’s 7th Confectionery Master.
Wahlburgers – A casual dining restaurant & bar founded by brothers Mark, Donnie and Chef Paul Wahlberg. Menu items include fresh ground beef burgers, salads, tasty tots and frothy frappes. For more info on the above, click here.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
AUGUST 21, 28: Climate Ready Oahu Community Events
Draw, paint, and talk story about your experiences with climate change and ideas for creating a more resilient and sustainable Oahu. Join the events at these locations:
Aug. 21 – Honolulu Zoo, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Aug. 28 – Bishop Museum “Sea’s the Day,” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
AUGUST 24: Ala Moana Kakaako Neighborhood Board
Topics of discussion include:
Nightmare and Winter Wonderland Pop-Up bars at Ala Moana Center
Ala Moana Plaza Update
Ka Poʻe O Kakaako houseless community Update
Resolution Regarding Ala Wai Promenade
Ala Moana Transit Oriented Development Plan
Resolution Regarding Covid-19 Pandemic Response
For the link to join the virtual meeting, click on the agenda here.
AUGUST 24-26: City Council Committee Hearings
City Council agendas can be found on the calendar here.
August 24:
9:00am – Transportation, Sustainability & Health Committee10:30am – Housing and Economy Committee
1:00pm – Executive Matters & Legal Affairs
August 25:
9:00am – Budget Committee
1:00pm – Public Infrastructure & Technology Committee
2:30pm – Public Safety Committee
August 26:
9:00am – Zoning & Planning Committee
2:30pm – Parks & Community Services Committee
August 26-27: Special Session Judiciary
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the Governor’s new nominee to the Intermediate
Appeals Court Sonja McCullen on Wednesday, August 25. The agenda will be posted here at least 72 hours prior to the hearing and you can submit testimony to the committee prior to the hearing. On Thursday, August 26 at 10:30, the Judiciary Committee will vote on whether to recommend advise and consent. Finally, on Friday August 27, the full Senate will hold floor session at 11:00 am to determine whether to advise and consent the appointment.
August 28: Mobile Vaccinations Coming to Ward Village!
Visit the Covid Pau mobile clinic to get your vaccination on August 28 from 8am-noon at Victoria Ward Park. Schedule your mobile vaccine appointment by visiting www.HawaiiPacificHealth.org/COVIDVaxSquad
WEEKEND WAYSIDES
August 21: Live Performance at the Kakaako Farmers’ Market, 9:00am – 11:00am
Enjoy live music on the makai side of the Kakaako Farmers Market featuring the live music of Nuʻu. Check out his sounds here on YouTube. For more info, click here.
August 22: Natural Vibrations at Shorefyre Fresh Grill & Bar, International Marketplace, 6:00pm
Natural Vibrations is a reggae band with rock and pop influences. Originally from Kahaluu on Oahu, they are now based out of San Diego, California. Natural Vibes for short, and also known by their fans as Natty Vibes, the group has received several awards, including three prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. For more info, click here.
August 22: Free Self-Defense Seminar, International Market Place, Queen’s Court, 10:00am
Self-defense is a great skill to have in those “what if” scenarios. By attending this class, you will get 25% off your purchase at Fabletics and free parking validation. Bring a friend! You may require a partner for certain times during the class. If you don’t have a partner, instructors will pair you with someone. Due to the pandemic, please participate at your own risk. Find out more here.
