When kids don’t get the consistent nutrition they need every day, it’s harder for them to grow up healthy, educated and strong. In Hawaii, the new reality created by the pandemic has made it harder for children to access no-cost meals provided by schools and community organizations. As a result, it’s estimated that in Hawaii 1 in 4 kids are projected to face hunger in 2021. Making a donation at the register when you check out of any Safeway store on Oahu will help students continue to receive free, healthy meals at a time when many families are struggling more than ever before. The campaign will run the entire month of September at more than 20 Safeway stores in Hawaii. Find out more here. Learn more about the cause here.
Kakaako Development Update Virtual Town Hall:
Monday, September 27 at 5:00 p.m.
Please register now to join Speaker Scott Saiki and me for our next virtual town hall with the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) on Monday, September 27 at 5:00 p.m. to learn about Kakaako’s plans and developments. HCDA will be discussing its plans for both Mauka and Makai Kakaako and updates. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
CITY GATHERING MANDATE EXTENDED, FREE AT-HOME COVID TESTS DISTRIBUTED, IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
City Extends Limit on Gatherings Another 4 Weeks
The City is extending the order limiting social gatherings to 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors for another four weeks. The order ends Oct. 19, but the City will lift or extend depending on the COVID case counts and hospitalizations. To lift, the numbers would have to drop to well below 200. Click here for the Safe Oahu Response Plan.
State Distributing 1 million Free At-Home COVID Tests on Oahu
No more excuses! Now the COVID test can come straight to your mailbox. The state has launched a new program to distribute 1 million free, at-home COVID tests to Oahu households in eligible zip codes. The tests require a quick swap inside your nostril and results are ready in 10 minutes. To order the test kit, go to COVIDTestHonolulu.org. They’re available through Oct. 18 while supplies last. Residents of the following zip codes are eligible to receive 8 rapid antigen tests in order to test twice a week for 4 weeks:
Ideal candidates are those who are unvaccinated or have a high risk of COVID exposure. If you test positive, contact your healthcare provider for follow-up testing.
What to Do if You Test Positive for COVID-19
So, you caught the “Big C.” Keep calm. No worries. Just take care of yourself by doing the following:
Stay home except to get medical care.
Avoid using any kind of public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis.
Separate yourself from other people in your home.
Make a list of everyone with whom you have had close contact while you were ill (include from 2 days before you were ill or if you have no symptoms, from two days before your lab test was collected).
Get rest and stay hydrated.
Monitor your symptoms carefully.
Respond immediately when Department of Health staff calls to monitor you while you are in isolation.
For medical emergencies, call 911 and notify the dispatch personnel that you have COVID-19.
Cover your cough and sneezes and wash your hands often.
Holoholo Rideshare Company Launches Driver-Vaccinated Option for Riders
Ever wonder if your rideshare driver is vaccinated or not? Hawaii-based and locally owned rideshare company Holoholo is now offering riders the choice of choosing a vaccinated driver. It’s the first rideshare company to offer this service. The new option is available when booking a ride in the Holoholo app or Holoholo website.
How to Book a Ride
Holoholo Mobile App: Download the App from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store from any smartphone and sign up with a valid credit card.
Holoholo Website: Go to https://rideholoholo.com/book-online#/search and enter a mobile phone number, email and valid credit card. No signup is needed. Note that App features like driver tracking are unavailable if booking online.
Not Ready to Vaccinate? COVID-19 Vaccine Brochure Has Answers for You
Still afraid to get vaccinated? Check out these vaccine facts that may ease your mind:
No steps were skipped to develop the COVID-19 vaccine.
UNEMPLOYMENT APPOINTMENTS, AIRPORT SCREENER JOBS NOW AVAILABLE, HPD BURGLARY WARNING
State UI Office is Still Taking Appointments
Even if your claim has been pending since last year, you can reserve a 20-minute appointment online at labor.hawaii.gov/ui/appointments. You will be contacted by phone so have your records at hand and your questions in mind when the call comes.
Airport Screeners Needed: Monthly Bonuses Offered to Prep for Holiday Season
Did your UI benefits finally run out? Shake off the blues! This is the perfect opportunity. The State of Hawaii is looking to hire 100 airport screeners at its four major airports. The screeners help check that Safe Travel requirements have been met, aside from greeting passengers. From Thursday, Sept. 23, through Saturday, Dec. 25, all airport screeners will receive an incentive bonus of $300 to $400 per month. The bonus expires on Christmas Day. Screeners are needed at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Screeners must meet minimum qualifications which you can find here.
HAWAII ENERGY COMPANY OFFERS INCENTIVES & GRANTS
Hawaii Energy Offer: Trade-in Old Bulbs for LED
Hawaii Energy –a company that educates island families and businesses about the many, lasting benefits of clean energy– is offering to exchange up to 30 incandescent or halogen bulbs for ENERGY STAR® LED bulbs at these participating locations. Click here for more info about the promo.
Hawaii Energy Grants for Small Businesses & Nonprofits
Hawaii Energy’s EmPOWER Grant Program is designed to help Hawaii small businesses and nonprofits recover from the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. Grants may cover up to 100% of total energy efficient project cost (up to $5,000). Apply here.
DISTRICT HAPPENINGS
COVID Testing Site at Waikiki Shell
The City’s COVID-19 testing site at the Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell resumes Monday, September 27, through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will offer for free the Binax Now or CareStart rapid antigen tests as well as a PCR nasal swab. Results from the rapid antigen tests will be available within an hour and the PCR swabs will deliver results within 24 to 48 hours. Patients need to register online to book appointments that are available every five minutes. A QR code will be sent after registration and the patient will be advised to bring a valid ID to the site. Insurance will not be required. Patients will receive their test results through a text message to the cell phone they provided upon registration. Binax Now rapid test recipients will have the option to wait for their results and speak to a clinician if they have questions. The Waikiki Shell testing site will be inside the entrance to the main gates and free parking will be available at the Kapiolani Park parking lot at 2805 Monsarrat Ave. Call (808)-207-5459 for more information or click here to make an appointment at the Waikiki Shell or Blaisdell Arena testing sites.
City Council Favors Purchase of Waikiki Road Plagued by Safety Hazards
The Honolulu City Council voted Tuesday to recommend the city buy a street in Waikiki where residents say the private owner is putting drivers and children in danger. Leahi Avenue in the Diamond Head area runs along homes, apartments and Waikiki Elementary School. The prior owner of the roadway had transferred ownership to Mary Jones, a resident in the area. She has since made multiple changes to the street, including paid parking and turning it into a one-lane road to deter speeding. Following the changes, many residents said the so-called improvements are safety hazards, creating more harm than good. Council Chair Tommy Waters said he wants the city to buy the road. The final decision of whether the city will purchase the street is now up to the Honolulu mayor’s administration. Read more here.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Sept. 27: Office of the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness: Monthly Webinar
The Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness convenes monthly webinar sessions on topics relating to homelessness and behavioral health. For more information, contact special assistant Jason Kasamoto at 808-208-3712 or by email at jason.s.kasamoto@hawaii.gov. To view past webinars, visit http://homelessness.hawaii.gov/monthly-webinars/. The webinar will feature a presentation on the City’s CORE (Community Outreach Response & Engagement) project by Anton Krucky, City & County of Honolulu, Office of Housing & Homelessness and a DOH update on Act 26, Behavioral Health Services by Dr. Amy Curtis, DOH, Adult Mental Health Division
Sept. 28: Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board, 6pm (Virtual Only; Note the new time)
Topics of discussion and announcements include the following:
Board of Water Supply Presentation: Kalawahine 24-Inch Water Main Project
Update on the Ala Moana Transit Oriented Development Plan – Harrison Rue, Department of Planning and Permitting
Telephone Dialing Changes
Permit Reviews
To view the meeting, testify, and/or submit written testimony, click on the meeting links on the agenda here.
WEEKEND WAYSIDES
Sept. 24 – Oct. 11: Made in Hawaii Visual Artist Contest, Park West Art Museum
Calling all serious, local artists! Are you itching to get your work out there? The Park West Fine Art Museum & Gallery is in search of the next extraordinary Hawaii-based artist with the launch of their new “Made in Hawaii” artist competition. Submissions for the contest will close on Monday, October 11, at 11:59pm HST. Legal residents of Hawaii who are at least 18 years old are invited to participate. Eligible participants can enter the competition by submitting images of three original works of art—whether a drawing, painting, print, collage, or illustration–to madeinhawaii@parkwestgallery.com Click here for more info.
Sept. 25: Afro-Brazilian Dance & Drum Workshop, 2-5:30pm
Come and experience the rich world of Afro-Brazilian culture with Dandha da Hora on this special two-day workshop on Oahu. Her class will focus on music of Bloco Afro and Orixa-inspired folkloric dances. Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the best teachers of Bahia. One Workshop = $20, Two Workshops = $30. Proof of vaccine or negative COVID-19 test result required. Register here.
Sept. 26: Shorefyre Concert @ International Marketplace, Vocalist Glenn Awong, 6-8pm
Glenn Awong of Maoli; the leader singer, songwriter and founder of the group of three. Glenn first started playing at the early age of 14. Within a fifteen‐year career that followed national and international acclaim, Maoli is heralded as one of Hawaii ‘s and Polynesia’s #1 commercial recording artists. Tickets are $35. Find more info here.
