Happy Holidays from the Office of Senator Sharon Moriwaki!
Snowmen, reindeer, Santas, snowflakes, candy canes, Nutcrackers, wreaths, and….a teddy bear too! Colorful, whimsical holiday lights in our District on South King Street.
“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”
― Pastor Norman Vincent Peale
The pandemic has been more than challenging for all of us but let us take pause during the holidays – or “holy days” — as Pastor Neal Macpherson reminds us, “to strengthen our relation to one another… and to ensure the life-giving values of love, hope, peace and joy remain with us” as we work toward the well-being of all. Simply seeing the holiday lights near my home makes me smile and hearing holiday music makes the day brighter. Christmas is truly about sharing of love and all that is special and magical and precious! Singing Christmas carols with loved ones is one of my favorite things to do.
Please enjoy these classic Christmas tunes as you share time with your loved ones this Christmas! And please get vaccinated and boosted, too, if you are eligible and remember to always wear a mask! I wish you all the very best this holiday season and always!
BRIEFING FROM THE U.S. SPACE FORCE NORAD Christmas Eve Mission 2021
This week, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) headed by General Lori Robinson, contacted our office to brief us on preparations for tracking Santa. We asked them what security they had in place to ensure Santa would be safe as he travels over the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. NORAD conducts aerospace warning and control and maritime warning for the US and Canada and had intelligence reports that Santa’s sleigh uses next generation technology to travel safely everywhere! On Dec. 24, NORAD adds a very important mission: tracking Santa for the world. Over 200 countries depend on NORAD to keep an eye on Santa on Christmas Eve. This year they are implementing safe COVID protocols (vaccinations, boosters, masks, handwashing, and social distancing) to keep everyone tasked with this crucial mission healthy. NORAD told us they hope more Hawaii children will learn STEM skills and grow up to join the U.S. Space Force so they may help track Santa in the future or invent new technologies that will help the world! NORAD makes available its Santa Tracker to civilians worldwide only on December 24th – click here
HONOLULU HOLIDAY SCHEDULES, HELP & GUIDANCE
City and County of Honolulu Services — Christmas Holiday Schedule
Please click here for information on City services that are closed and/or have adjusted hours for this Christmas holiday three-day weekend. Please note holiday changes for their bus schedules, trash collection and landfill hours, parks and botanical gardens, golf courses, the zoo, Neil Blaisdell Center, People’s Open Markets, parking, traffic, and more.
Need help during the holidays? Dial 2-1-1
Aloha United Way’s specialists at 2-1-1 will talk with you and search for you over 4,000 government and nonprofit services and programs to find the information and resources you need. Their specialists can help finding food, shelter, clothing, financial assistance, childcare, parenting support, elderly care, disability services and more for you! Just dial 2-1-1. It’s free and confidential! Language translators are available too! Or, you may also do your own search of the AUW’s extensive online database.
Safe Holiday Celebrations Guidance
Here are things you can do to guard against COVID-19 during holiday get-togethers.
Limit gatherings to household members
Celebrate with fully vaccinated & boosted people
Gather outside
Wear masks indoors and outdoors when crowded – over your nose & mouth please
Maintain distance from non-household members
Take extra precautions to protect kupuna and those who can’t get vaccinated
COVID-19 case counts are soaring. We typically experience an increase in cases during and after holiday celebrations. Showing your love for family and friends will help the entire community. Please visit the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Hawaii COVID-19 Data Metrics for daily COVID-19 Data test results, case counts, and data dashboards. The State Department of Health (DOH) posts updates every morning around 9:00 am.
OTHER OAHU UPDATES
Red Hill Information – View on-demand video recordings
New Online Permit Process for Photovoltaic!
The City and County of Honolulu launched a new online photovoltaic building permit application process in response to the increase in number of homeowners seeking tax credits and other incentives from Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Battery Bonus program. Applicants are able to immediately self-issue permits. Click here to connect to the City’s application process.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Waikiki Beach Walk – Christmas Day 12/25 (Sat) 6:00-7:00 pm
BLAINE KAMALANI KIA “ALL IN THE OHANA CHRISTMAS!” — THE KIA FAMILY & SPECIAL GUESTS! The KIA Family shares their gift of “Aloha” on Christmas night. There is no better way to celebrate Christmas than with a family of Waikiki! Three generations! One night! A very Merry Christmas, indeed! For more information, click here
Annual Fukubukuro Shopping at Stores located in our District!
Fukubukuro is a Japanese New Year custom in which merchants make grab bags filled with unknown random contents and sell them for a substantial discount, usually 50% or more off the list price of the items contained within. From the Japanese words “Fuku” (good fortune or luck) and “fukuro” (bag).
International Market Place Fukubukuro – click here
