“Grandchildren fill a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” Unknown
These five amazing young people are why I wake up every morning extra energized to make the world a better, safer, and healthier place! Our grandchildren are full of joy, warmth, and inspiration! Because of COVID-19, we were unable to see them for so long. Thanks to vaccines and boosters and testing, this holiday our family, like many other families, was able to carefully gather together outdoors and took this photo without masks (just for a few seconds!). This legislative session, I will continue to work on issues that are important to Hawaii’s families – healthcare, affordable housing, homelessness, crime, excessive noise, sea level rise, clean energy, pathways to employment for our youth, and kupuna, among other issues. Please visit my website for legislative updates – senatormoriwaki.com, or follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
Happy New, Fulfilling & Brilliant Year 2022 for all of YOU!
January is National Blood Donor Month!
Did you know that every blood donation can save up to three lives? Locally, more than 200 blood donors are needed every day and currently, there is a severe shortage of blood in Hawaii with less than a two-day supply! Please kokua and help. Donating blood is especially convenient to do in our District because we are fortunate to have one of the main Blood Bank Donation Centers located right here in our District on Young Street! For more information about becoming a blood donor, please visit the Blood Bank of Hawaii – click here.
Hawaii State Senate Committee on Ways and Means (WAM)
This week we began our review of the Governor’s proposed budget. On Tuesday, we started with a presentation by the State Economist and the UH Economic Research Organization about Hawaii’s Economic Conditions and Outlook. Please click here for a copy of the handout and/or click here to watch a recording of this presentation. Informational Briefings of the Governor’s Proposed Budget will continue through January 18th. The 2022 Legislative Session begins on Wednesday, January 19th.
Schedule of all WAM Budget Briefings — please click here
Agendas for each day’s Budget Briefings – please click here
Videos of WAM Budget Briefings – live streams & recordings – click here
NOTE: Due to increasing COVID-19 cases, the Hawaii State Capitol remains closed. Building status will be reevaluated in coming weeks.
Reapportionment Updates: Senate Committee on Government Operations Informational Briefing, Jan. 10, 10:00am
Part II of Act 14 (2021) was enacted, in part, to guide the Reapportionment Commission in providing an accurate count of the total resident population of the state for reapportionment purposes; specifically extracting from the US Census count only those residents that were not permanently domiciled in the state. The Commission used the total population of higher education institution students from out-of-state and military personnel and dependents. Based on significantly discrepant counts provided by the USPACOM, the briefing will examine the data and methodology used and the bases for the Reapportionment Commission’s decision to provide an accurate count of “permanent residents.” The rationale, methodology and data used in determining “permanent resident” for reapportionment purposes will be presented and discussed by the following agencies:
Office of Elections
Reapportionment Commission
Department of Defense—INDOPACOM
Dr. Sumner LaCroix, Department of Economics Emeritus Professor—University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization
Attorney General
The public can tune-in at 10am on Monday, Jan. 10 on the Senate YouTube channel. The briefing will also be recorded on YouTube to watch thereafter.
COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES
Mayor Implements 50% Indoor Capacity Limit for Large Indoor Events
Mayor Blangiardi issued a new emergency order implementing a capacity limit of 50% for large indoor events (events of more than 1,000 people) on Oahu prompted by the ongoing surge in single-day infections. This Mayor’s order is in effect from Monday, January 10th through January 31, 2022 Click here for more information.
Please Care for Each Other
Too many of our families, businesses and groups are hurt by the growing number of their loved ones and employees out sick with COVID-19. Because of staffing shortages caused by COVID-19 businesses of all kinds are closing temporarily and frontline healthcare providers are stretched thin and burning out. Let’s please continue caring for each other! Please get vaccinated and boosted, wear a mask over your nose & mouth, wash your hands frequently, kindly physically distance from others, and avoid large gatherings.
Alert — Booster Shot eligibility expanded to include children. Click here to learn more.
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.
RED HILL WATER SUPPLY
Red Hill: CDC Public Health Survey of Navy Water System Contamination
If you know civilians on the Navy’s water system, please tell them about this survey and have them contact the CDC team at phone (404)657-3256 or email address ATSDRACE@cdc.gov. Beginning earlier this week, the CDC and a public health team began conducting a survey to investigate the potential health impacts on the civilian population affected by the contamination of the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Water Distribution System. Learn more here.
Red Hill Information:
Oahu’s aquifer is vital to all of us. Here are links to the key organizations’ webpages for updates about Red Hill:
Board of Water Supply info and updates – click here
You Can Help Update the Statewide Historic Preservation Plan
Our District is filled with history and it is important we ensure it is preserved! The Statewide Historic Preservation Plan is a function of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources’ State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD). It is a five-year strategic plan that creates goals for historic preservation in Hawaii. It is also required for Hawaiʻi to remain eligible to receive federal funds from the National Park Service. The plan includes recommendations for historic buildings, archeological sites, aviation artifacts, burials, cultural landscapes, lo’i, fishponds, and more. The first public meeting will be held on Friday, January 14th, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. To learn more, including the link to watch the meeting and/or to submit testimony, please click here.
Hawaii Remote Work Pilot Program
This is a pilot program designed to provide Hawaii’s residents with expanded opportunities to work remotely here at home in Hawaii for companies outside of our state! The kind of “remote work” employment opportunities that are possible is wonderful! This pilot program is being coordinated by the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT). Find secure and vetted remote work opportunities by clicking here for more information.
Annual Business Registration Reminder
Do you own a business? When you created it, if you registered it in the first quarter of that year, then please remember to file your annual business report. Easy to do online before midnight (HST) March 31, 2022 – click here for more information. Hawaii annual reports can be filed at any time during the quarter in which the annual filing is due. The annual report filing period is related to the business entity’s registration date. Questions — email breg@dcca.hawaii.gov or phone (808) 586-2727.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES HAPPENING IN OUR DISTRICT
Mother Marianne Cope & the Sisters of St. Francis at Kakaako’s Hansen’s Disease Hospital Statute of Saint Marianne Cope in Kewalo Basin Park
View of Kalaupapa, Molokai
9th Annual Virtual Saint Marianne Cope Walk
A beautiful statute of Saint Marianne Cope is located in our Kewalo Basin Park facing Molokai. Near this park is where the Sisters of St. Francis first arrived in Hawaii in 1883. They came in answer King Kalakaua’s call for help in caring for “lepers” (now called “Hansen’s Disease patients”). Kaka’ako, was the location of the Kingdom’s first government Hansen’s Disease hospital. The Sisters cared for patients there until they went to Kalaupapa, Molokai in 1888 to continue the work of Father Damien. January is Kalaupapa Month and on Saturday, January 22, 2022 beginning at 7:30 am, the St. Francis Healthcare Foundation will hold a “virtual” Saint Marianne Cope Walk and Wellness Fair. Sign up and learn more by clicking here.
Year of the Tiger, a Virtual Celebration!
It’s the Year of the Tiger and you can celebrate it virtually with the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii located in our District! You are a Tiger if you were born in the years 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 (the Chinese Year rungs from February through January). The Tiger occupies the third position in the Chinese zodiac after the Ox and before the Rabbit. As the legend goes, the Jade Emperor challenged all the animals in the Kingdom to a “Great Race.” Whoever arrived at his palace first would win his favor. The Tiger was sure that he would win, but ended up placing third after the cunning Rat and workhorse Ox snuck in ahead of him. The Japanese Cultural Center’s New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival will have taiko, kendo, singing, karate, koto, dance, a silent auction, and more. Their Year of the Tiger celebration will be grrrreat! Click here to learn more.
City Parks & Recreation Classes Opening for Registration
Want to learn what pickleball is (hint: it does not involve pickles)? Or, is painting more your thing? Learn a new hobby, exercise n’ socialize too! There is a plethora of fun and interesting activities to enjoy thanks to the City’s educational and recreational classes either in-person and/or online. The list of classes being offered is now open — learn more by clicking here The City shares that those who may need an interpreter or accommodations for a disability, to please phone them at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov
94th Annual Lei Day Celebration!
Apply to be a member of this year’s beautiful Lei Court! What is the “Lei Court” you ask? It is an incredibly artistic display of Hawaiiana where applicants are judged on their lei-making abilities, hula performance, poise, personality, and public speaking in English and Hawaiian. The selection will determine the Lei Queen/King and their princes/princesses to represent the City and County of Honolulu in an honorary capacity during select events throughout the year. Of those events, the Lei Day Celebration is one of the most prominent. This year’s theme is Lei Wao Nahele – forest lei. To learn how you may apply, please click here.
Citizens Patrol
Come join a Citizens Patrol group! It’s good fun and an opportunity to learn more about the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and your neighborhood! Citizens Patrols are a part of HPD’s initiatives for developing partnerships within the community to create safe and secure neighborhoods. Please check the HPD Community Calendar to see when the Citizens Patrol in your neighborhood will be meeting — click here. All ages and pets are welcomed! Great way to meet new friends, get in some walking exercise, and help your community!
