Today’s senate special committee meeting covered a lot of areas and I share with you highlights of what we learned; but you can get more details at “community reports” on our webpage.
Passenger check at the airports. To address concerns raised about sightings online that full fights on Korean Air were resuming as early as May 1 and incidences of visitors violating the quarantine orders, the following was reported by Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay and Airports Deputy Director Ross Higashi; Attorney General Clare Connors; and Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)CEO Chris Tatum:
Confirmed that Korean Air flights to Honolulu are suspended through May. 31.
Confirmed that a mandatory order for self-quarantine must be signed by every passenger before leaving the airport, including verification of phone number and residence/hotel where quarantine will occur. Passengers (visitors and residents) will be called during the 14-day quarantine to ensure they are not leaving their rooms. Should a person not be in the room, HPD will be notified to enforce. Violation can result in a maximum of $5,000 in fines or a year in jail.
Low fare flight sites such as CheapTickets were advertising without notices of Hawaii quarantine requirements that commercial airlines have been posting. HTA was asked to send out notices to these companies to post visibly notices of Hawaii’s requirements.
AG Connors is working HIEMA on restrictions relating to ankle bracelets, prohibiting use of rental cars until the quarantine is completed, and legislation that might be needed to ensure the health of our residents once the Governor’s emergency authorization is terminated. These and other questions will be researched by the AG’s office.
Contact Tracing. The committee wanted answers to how Hawaii was contact tracing and testing found to be successful in other jurisdictions that have dramatically reduced COVID19 positive cases and deaths, e.g., South Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Germany. State Epidemiologist Sarah Park walked us through the state’s contact tracing procedures. See this link. She said every person who has symptoms is called and interviewed extensively, including getting names of all people with whom they have had close contact. They are also asked to self-quarantine. Staff calls daily to check on the person’s health status. Similar questions are asked of all contacts. For more details on their work see this page.
Dr. Park said they have found the most important measure to reduce the spread of the virus is social distancing, which is now in place and should continue. One “silver lining” of the social distancing orders is that the incidence of flu is the lowest it has ever been so perhaps our experience with COVID is helping us in creating the new healthier normal. We also find that we need a stronger healthcare and public health system –communication and working together among our hospitals, community health centers, private healthcare providers and physicians, laboratories, etc. We are seeing the positive developments from the pandemic.
Economic and Community Pathway to Recovery Framework. Governor appointed Alan Oshima to lead the plan development, bringing together everyone –business, government, non-profits, community organizations, people—to join in mapping out our post-pandemic future. It is the possibility and hope that we can define and execute a new better normal once we are on strong healthy and safe ground. The framework is what we all talk about and strive to achieve. Let’s hope we can do it this time. Alan tells us this is a good time to start while so many talented and bright folks are sheltering in place they have the time to create and dialogue remotely. For more information refer to the presentation of the framework.
The intent is to engage the entire community. See their dashboard on the website that is being created: https://recoverynavigator.hawaii.gov Be part of the 30 sectors and join in creating our future. Everyone interested in and. committed to building our new better normal should join in. Go to the website and sign on. The decision-making process that Alan shared is to follow principles of: 1) developing clear priorities and goals; 2) engaging stakeholders and ensuing transparency; 3) basing decisions on facts/data; 4) leveraging national and global best practices; 5) considering federal, state, local and private funding sources; and 6) being speedy in action. Wow! Check it out!
Neighbor to Neighbor
Kakaako Farmers Market (KFM) still open but be ready for stricter social distancing. KFM continues to serve you on Saturday morning, but with stricter social distancing requirements so it is moving across Ward Avenue to a larger site — the former BOH site. It allows for more spacing between tents so lines will be adjacent to tents to reduce the number of people passing each other. The new requirement: all vendors and shoppers must wear face masks at all times. So if you want to shop please wear a mask. Your fellow shoppers and vendors will thank you
Waikiki Centennial Park sprucing up. If you are walking about Waikiki you’ll see the park’s (at Seaside Ave & Aloha Dr) first seven coconut palms just planted on Tuesday (4/21)—part of the first phase that includes trees, grass and pathways. Phase 2, to be completed by the end of 2021, includes construction of a rock wall, a metal picket wraparound fence, gates and new lighting. If you want to help either with your green thumbs or dollars, find out more at: www.centennialparkwaikiki.org.
