New Year’s Eve is a time of reflection. This March, we will be at the two-year mark since our state was hit with COVID-19. As so much was unknown about the virus back then, nearly everything was shut down so we could protect each other, so we could protect our loved ones and neighbors and our community.
This Eve is also a time filled with gratefulness. I am so grateful that we now have COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters available to help protect us. It is wonderful that our businesses are open again and that we may carefully gather together again. I look forward to 2022 in anticipation of more positive things to come.
Let’s be filled with kindness and positivity. Let’s learn from the past year and go boldly into 2022 to work together for a more caring and fulfilling normal. In the words of poet Amanda Gorman…
“…This hope is our door, our portal.
Even if we never get back to normal,
Someday we can venture beyond it,
To leave the known and take the first steps.
So let us not return to what was normal,
But reach toward what is next…”
Legislative Informational Briefings
The Senate Committee on Ways and Means (WAM) will begin informational briefings of the Governor’s proposed budget on January 4th. We in WAM will work hard to support projects and programs that are important to our District. For the briefing schedule and viewing information, please click here. Legislative Calendar for the 2022 Session, click here.
Virtual Public Meetings Continue
On December 30th, Gov. David Ige signed an emergency proclamation that allows public meetings to continue to be conducted online to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. His proclamation will remain in effect through Feb. 28, 2022, unless otherwise amended. The Governor’s latest emergency proclamation can be read here.
COVID-19 Guidance from the State Department of Health
Updated Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines & Daily Metrics
Per the new CDC guidelines, the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) has updated Hawaii’s quarantine and isolation guidelines. You may learn more here. For COVID-19 daily metrics, please click here.
Get Vaccinated and Boosted Too!
COVID-19 vaccines are open to all residents age 5 years and older. See how easy it is to get your vaccine in 3 easy steps with walk-ins and extended hours available at many vaccination sites. Getting your booster is super easy too!
For more information – click here
COVID-19 Testing
The Department of Health (DOH) expanded access to free COVID-19 testing on Oahu by providing families with community testing options during winter break. Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP says – “School-aged children and their families are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity and test for COVID-19 before returning to school in January.” For testing sites and further information, please visit AlohaClear.com or hawaiicovid19.com.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
City and County of Honolulu Services – New Year’s Holiday Schedule
Please click here for information on City services that are closed and/or have adjusted hours for this New Year’s 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.
Christmas Tree Recycling
The National Christmas Tree Associations says – ”Real Christmas Trees have a second life! After the holidays, don’t throw your Real Christmas Tree in the trash. Real Christmas Trees are biodegradable, which means they can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes.” The City & County of Honolulu can recycle your Christmas Tree. Please click here for details.
Students Returning to School – Driving & Pedestrian Safety
Please be extra mindful of pedestrians and traffic as our K-12 public school students return to school for the start of their second semester on Tuesday, January 4th. The Hawaii State Department of Education’s complete 2021-2022 school calendar may be found here.
State’s Hearing Officer Decision issued on 12/27/21– click here
Town Hall with the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (held on 12/21/21) Click here
Evidentiary Hearings – DOH v. Navy (held on 12/20-21/21). Click here
MARK YOUR CALENDARS — EVENTS & HAPPENINGS IN OUR DISTRICT
2022 Waikiki New Year’s Fireworks December 31st to January 1st – 12:00 am to 12:15 am
On December 31st, at the stroke of midnight, the sky off Waikiki will be filled with electrifying colors and bright lights. Hawaii Public Radio will air a live radio special for it too – tune your radios to 88.5 FM. The fireworks will be located approximately one mile off Waikiki Beach and will be visible throughout Waikiki and surrounding areas to anyone with a makai view! Yipee! Thank you, Waikiki Improvement Association for sponsoring this event!!!
Island Crafters’ Market Saturday & Sunday, January 1 & 2, 2022
11:00 am – 5:00 pm at the International Marketplace in our District
Browse dozens of locally made products such as apparel, candles, laser etched home goods, hand sewn totes, baby items and Hawaii’s favorite local snacks too! Located on the second level of the International Market Place.
New Year’s SuperClass 2022 Saturday, January 01, 2022
In-person & Online with The Still & Moving Center Staff. Free.
Saturday, January 01, 2022 — click here for more information
Contact: Robin Shepard at robin@stillandmovingcenter.com
Phone: (808) 397-7678
Bicentennial Printing Press Celebration of Hawaiian Language Friday, January 07, 2022
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Hawaiian Mission Houses (HMH) will re-create the first pull and print that occurred on January 7, 1822. The re-enactment will be live and streaming on its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hawaiianmissionhouses/. The public is invited to watch the ceremonies at 9 a.m. and participate in creating a keepsake flyer after 10 a.m. Contact Info — communications@missionhouses.org or phone: 808-447-3916
