August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. We know the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all aspects of life, including your ability to attend important appointments and receive routine vaccinations. During NIAM, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) — the national public health agency of the United States — encourages you to talk to your doctor, nurse or healthcare professional to ensure you and your family are protected against serious diseases by getting your routine vaccinations.
All Things Vaccine!
For all you vaccination buffs, you are probably the most informed out of all in our population. For the rest of us who feel more like running away at the sight of a needle than getting vaccinated, if you think about the lives you’ll save by not infecting others, maybe a brief poke of a needle won’t be so bad in comparison — and just maybe you’ll make the right decision. Here is some brain food:
COVID SURGE: COVID DEFENSES IN PLAY, UNPRECEDENTED EFFECTS, MORE ON CITY GATHERING SUSPENSIONS
Record Covid Numbers Prompt Medical Defenses
Governor Ige Sunday sent a discouraging message to tourists not to visit the islands. On Friday, new covid cases spiked yet again at 1,035 setting a new single-day record for confirmed and probably cases. Regular life appears to move along with people eating in restaurants, hanging at the beach and going about their activities, but little do they know, the following covid defenses are being put, or have been put, in place:
Covid field hospitals tents, beds and equipment are all on standby.
Ventilators from Hawaii’s emergency stockpile are now in use.
Expected to arrive this weekend, Kaiser is waiting on respiratory humidifiers, high-flow oxygen devices, vital sign monitors, and BiPAP machines (used to provide oxygen to people in need of respiratory care.)
More than 500 healthcare workers are on their way to Hawaii to accommodate the increased need at 19 hospitals statewide amid the surge.
Surging Covid Cases Yield Unprecedented Effects
The surge is challenging what we thought we knew about covid, and is yet again placing us in an uncertain and vulnerable state:
Nine new covid deaths were reported on Friday—the highest one-day COVID death toll since the onset of the pandemic.
Covid hospitalizations Wednesday hit a new all-time high for the fourth time this week, with 427 patients sick with the virus being treated in facilities across the state–87% of them are unvaccinated.
Hawaii has seen nearly 16,000 COVID cases this month alone. That means some 27% of the total number of Covid infections in the islands since the start of the pandemic have happened since Aug. 1.
A record number of 911 calls along with an increase in COVID-related emergencies are putting a strain on first responders. Honolulu EMS reported 390 calls on a single day last week. Normally, crews respond to an average of 250 calls each day.
Large Organized Gatherings to be Suspended on Oahu for 28 Days
The City has announced that all large organized gatherings on Oahu will be suspended, effective Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021 through Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, and may be extended further based on current conditions and impacts to the medical providers.
Gatherings that are suspended are as follows:
Conferences
Trade shows
Conventions
Concerts
Ticketed sporting events
Weddings and Funerals
These operations will continue:
Organized recreational sports
Spiritual services
Social establishments that operate as a restaurant/bar
Farmer’s markets and craft fairs with no entertainment.
FDA-APPROVED PFIZER VAX, IN-HOME VACCINATIONS, TESTING EXTENDED AT AIRPORT
FDA Approves of Pfizer Shot; Expected to Boost Hawaii Covid Vaccinations
The FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer covid vaccine hopes to reaffirm its safety and effectiveness among the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. When people were asked why they haven’t been fully vaccinated, the state health department said people didn’t have enough confidence in the vaccine or they thought it was experimental. The department wants to remind everyone that “this is the most studied, scrutinized, tracked vaccine in the history of mankind. We know it’s safe. We know it works. It keeps people from severe illness, form hospitalization, from death.”
Growing Demand for In-Home Vaccinations
As booster shots are now available for immunocompromised patients, more appointments for in-home vaccinations are expected to be scheduled in the coming months. The call for service can come in two ways: hospital referrals or patients contacting a clinic directly. To schedule an appointment with the state, call 808-586-8332 or 833-711-0645. The call center offers translation services in 30+ languages
Free COVID-19 Testing at the Airport Extended Until September 4
Registration required. No walk-ins will be accepted. Bring a valid State ID displaying an Oahu address/zip code. Testing is available at the city’s mobile lab at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in the Diamond Head tour group area (just past baggage claim 31). Hours: 9am. To 5pm. Open 7 days a week, including on holidays. The PCR mid-turbinate test will be processed and results provided to participants within six hours. Register here.
STATE AIDS THE UNEMPLOYED IN NEXT PHASE OF UI BENEFITS & RESOURCES
Despite End of UI Programs, State Initiatives Continue to Help Unemployed Get Back on Their Feet
On September 4, 2021, several unemployment insurance programs will end: the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and the Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC). After they end, the regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) program will be available and here’s what you need to know:
PEUC $25 Option claimants: For individuals who established a new initial claim but chose to remain on the PEUC program under the PEUC $25 Option, your new UI claim will be reinstated and you can continue to collect benefits under that claim. You will need to serve a waiting period (non-payable) week before benefits can be paid.
Individuals may be eligible for a new initial claim after September 4, 2021 if these criteria are met:
The benefit end year date of your most recent regular UI claim must have passed.
You must have returned to work and been paid at least 5 times your new weekly benefit amount since the first day of your prior initial claim.
You must have been paid wages in at least two quarters of your base period.
You must have been employed and paid wages for insured work during the base period in an amount equal to no less than twenty-six (26) times your new weekly benefit amount.
Please note you will need to serve a waiting period (non-payable) week before benefits can be paid.
Flyers Below: New & Expanded Telephone Appointment System and Career Services
State Senate Advises and Consents to Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA) Appointee
Sonja McCullen, Governor Ige’s appointee to the ICA, got a unanimous stamp of approval from the Senate Friday. McCullen has served in her role as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for a combined 11 years, most recently in the Appellate Division. Previously, she worked as an investigator for the Crime Victim Commission, was a staff attorney for United Public Workers, a judicial education specialist for the State of Hawaii Judiciary, and law clerk for the Hon. Paula A. Nakayama, Hawaii Supreme Court. In addition, McCullen was also a social studies, Hawaiian studies, and Hawaiian Language teacher at Waianae High School for nearly five years, where she created curriculum and instructed classes, to perpetuate Hawaiian culture for the next generation. McCullen earned a B.A. in Liberal and Hawaiian studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, as well as a professional diploma in secondary education. She then went on to earn her J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law.
Measure to Condemn Waikiki Eyesore Property Advances
The City Council Committee on Executive Matters and Legal Affairs passed Resolution 21-148 which would provide for the acquisition of 1615 Ala Wai Blvd by eminent domain. For years the property has not been maintained so much so that vermin and vagrants have sought residence in the three-story apartment building that could otherwise provide housing for many. Several years ago, I met with the property owner, Mr. Norman Nip in an effort to negotiate a settlement as the city was willing to purchase the property for public uses; but to no avail. Unfortunately, the only way to address this problem in the public interest is by condemnation of the property and negotiating a reasonable settlement. With over 20 years of neglect, the property has become dilapidated, uninhabitable and will require extensive repair and renovation. However, if acquired, and refurbished, it could provide affordable housing that is in great demand in the district.
City’s Revised Short-Term Rental Bill Set for Sept 1. Planning Commission Public Hearing
The Department of Planning and Permitting is proposing major changes to the short-term rental (STR) ordinance that would not allow any new STRs in residential areas, but allow STRs adjacent to existing resort areas, and would provide needed resources to enforce against illegal STRs. The amendments to Ordinance 19-18 are included in a draft bill that was sent to the Honolulu Planning Commission for consideration. The DPP took into consideration overwhelming community opposition to STRs in residential areas. At the same time, the bill acknowledges that there is a demand for STRs, which is why they will be permitted in and around resort areas of Waikiki, Ko Olina and Kuilima. The bill also would allow STRs in Waikiki’s Gold Coast. A public hearing will be held on Sept. 1 at 11:30 a.m. For information on the draft bill and how to testify, see www.honolulu.gov/dppstr. For more information, click here.
SENIOR HOLO CARDS FOR BUS AVAILABLE,CITY STOPS ACCEPTING RENT AID APPLICATIONS,GIFT CARD SCAMS
Senior HOLO Cards Available at All Satellite City Halls on Oahu
The city’s transportation department (DTS) is reminding the public that Senior HOLO cards are available at all Satellite City Hall locations across Oahu. The HOLO card delivers added convenience and “best fare” extra value for TheBus riders. Since July 1, TheBus paper passes have been replaced with the HOLO electronic fare card. HOLO cards can be loaded with money or a pass online or at select retail locations to board TheBus. Like paper bus passes, Senior HOLO cards are available for riders 65 and older with valid identification. Seniors can visit both TheBus Pass Office at the Kalihi Transit Center, or Satellite City Halls to pick up a HOLO card. For Seniors, pricing is as follows: One-way fare: $1.00, Daily fare: $2.00, Monthly fare: $6.00, Annual fare: $35.00 For more information about the HOLO card, please visit www.holocard.net or call (808) 768-HOLO [4656].
City Temporarily Stops Accepting Applications for Rent Help
After reaching 5,000 applications, the city has temporarily stopped accepting more applications for rental and utilities assistance so it can process and distribute funds to landlords and utility companies. People who have started their applications should continue to submit their materials using the personalized account they created. Applications are expected to re-open after the current batch of applications is reviewed.
Officials Warn Public of Gift Card and Survey Scams
CrimeStoppers and HPD are warning the public about gift card and survey scams. This is what happens:
People receive a cashier’s check in the mail.
It instructs people to cash the check and purchase gifts from various stores.
Then it asks them to complete a survey on their shopping experience.
They are then instructed to take photos of the gift cards and email the information.
Participants are then instructed to keep a portion of the check for their time.
HPD and CrimeStoppers say that you should not participate in any type of survey that involves a check.
Officials also report that people have been receiving phone calls from the Publisher’s Clearing House informing them that they have won a large amount of money. They are then asked to send a processing fee by sending payment by way of gift cards. Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
DISTRICT HAPPENINGS
Affordable Senior Housing Complex Set to Rise in Moiliili
A cluster of near-century-old homes in Moiliili is slated for demolition next month to make way for high-density affordable housing serving seniors with low incomes. The planned six-story apartment building with 105 residences is expected to take 17 months to build, and is the product of a more than 2-year-old effort led by the local nonprofit affordable-housing development firm Hawaiian Community Development Board in partnership with California-based 3 Leaf Holdings Inc. Read more about it here.
Waikiki Aquarium in Need of a Makeover
Conditions have not improved much since the doors reopened to the public on July 1. Many tanks are still empty, some habitat surfaces are peeling, and the 65-year-old building has trouble hiding its age. But with $2.3 million in pandemic relief funds in the next month and $10 million for improvement plans, surveying, construction and installations over the next two years, its future looks promising. Read more about its new purpose and model.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Aug. 29: First McCully-Moiliili Citizen’s Patrol, 5:00pm
The McCully-Moiliili Community Patrol scheduled for Sunday, 8/29 has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled to a future date to be determined.
When: Sunday, August 29th at 5:00 P.M.
Where: McCully and Algaroba St. (Diamond Head/Mauka corner)
Mahalo to community member, David Hioki, for organizing and spearheading the McCully-Moiliili Citizen’s Patrol group. If you have any questions, please email k.vatalaro@captiol.hawaii.gov and we can connect you with David Hioki for further information.
Aug. 29: Broadcast Premiere of New Film on the Convergence of Climate and the Pandemic
While investigators delve into whether Covid-19 emerged directly from the wild or was leaked from a Chinese lab, there’s a far bigger untold story – the link between climate change and pandemics like the coronavirus. The intersection of these two existential threats is the story told in the new documentary “Spiraling Crisis: The Alarming Convergence of Climate Change and Pandemics — A Postcard from the Future.” More dates are listed below for this one-hour documentary which will broadcast on Olelo Community Media Channel 54:
8/29/2021, 8pm
8/30/2021, 2:30pm
9/3/2021, 9am
9/4/2021, 10pm
Aug. 30: Senate Committee Resumes Hearing on Higher Education, 1:00pm
The purpose of this informational briefing is to take up the remaining matters as well as any outstanding inquiries that were raised at the August 9 briefing when the joint Committees on Higher Education and Ways and Means held an informational briefing to gather information and receive an update on various projects at the University of Hawaii, specifically procurement for the remodeling of the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Atherton YMCA, the Cancer Center early phase clinical trials, and evaluate the policies and procedures regarding outside employment for personnel employed at the university and at the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH). Click on the agenda here for a link to watch the info briefing:
Sept. 1: Pandemic Legislative Committee Hears from State Health Leaders, 1:00pm
Watch as State Department of Health (DOH) leaders provide reports to the legislative pandemic committee. Speakers are as follows:
Dr. Libby Char, DOH Director
Dr. Sarah Kemble, DOH Acting State Epidemiologist
Click on the agenda here for the link to watch this info briefing:
Sept. 1: Kakaako HCDA Board Meeting, 11:00am (Virtual)
Topics of Discussion include the following:
Decision Making on maintaining long-term affordability of reserved housing units.
Decision Making on the Change of Title stipulations for owners of Ke Kilohana Ward Village condo complex
To view the livestreamed meeting, participate, or submit testimony, click on the agenda here.
August 28-29: Bloom! Garden & Art Festival at Ward Village, 10am-3pm
Celebrate Hawaii’s bounty at this free, family-friendly event, where you can shop local plant nurseries, Hawaii Potters’ Guild, handmade items, packaged goods, as well as check out plant displays, attend free workshops and more. Learn more here.
Aug. 29: Sunday Comedy Brunch at Waikiki’s Blue Note Hawaii, 10am
Start the day off right with some delicious breakfast with a side of the best comedians on the island. Featuring Graham Elwood, Kevin Kellar, Andrew Joyce, Simmone Park and Jose Dynamite, your morning is bound to be a brighter day with laughter. Price range $10-$15. Livestream is free. For more info, click here.
Aug. 28-31: International Market Place 5-Year Celebration, 11am – 8pm
The International Market Place invites everyone to celebrate its 5th year anniversary and pay homage to Waikiki’s storied entertainment, history and culture. For the full list of events, visit https://shopinternationalmarketplace.com/anniversary/ For more info, call (808) 921-0536.
