Author: admin

  • Closing quarantine loopholes, Rapid Response Landlord-Tenant Mediation

    Closing quarantine loopholes, Rapid Response Landlord-Tenant Mediation
    Aloha oe Uncle Willie K. You will be missed, but your music will live on forever.

    Aloha Neighbor,

    Today we send our fond aloha and mahalo to many who have enriched our lives and those who serve our communities.

    ALOHA & MAHALO TO:

    • William Awihilima Kahaiali‘i (1960-2020), known to us as the legendary Willie K, who has touched our lives through his music and positive spirit.
    • Emergency Medical Services frontline workers who have put themselves in harm’s way for our health and well-being.  We send them our aloha and mahalo especially during National Emergency Medical Services Week, May 17-23.
    • Hawaii Community Foundation for its assistance in the COVID-19 response, providing over $6 million through its nonprofit partners to serve needy residents across Hawaii, including our keiki, kupuna, essential workers and those suffering from job loss and business shutdown.  You will recognize some its projects — “Food for Hawaii‘s Ohana” weekly distributing food to over 8,000 Oahu families; or relief to licensed home-based child care providers – helping residents get back to work and stabilizing our economy.
    • Aloha United Way for its myriad of resources from rent and utility assistance to home delivered meals. Yesterday (5/28), AUW launched the City’s Household Hardship Relief Fund which aims to help residents who are facing hardship due to COVID19.  AUW lists other resources that might help those in need at https://www.auw211.org/Resources.aspx

    SENATE SPECIAL COVID COMMITTEE MEETING: Closing the Quarantine Loopholes
    The committee has been working to safeguard the public from the “traveling virus” by closing our harbors and, over the last couple months, focusing on deplaning passengers who are wiggling out of the 14-day quarantine under the governor’s emergency proclamation.  We now have in place stringent quarantine orders, transit to local lodging without use of car rentals, lodging hosts (which includes short-term rental owners) responsible for guest quarantine, and an online application for incoming passengers at     https://safetravels.hawaii.gov. Mahalo to the Attorney General, the State Airports Division, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Honolulu Police Department, and the Courts working together to put an end to those who would sabotage our safe and healthy Hawaii.  Mahalo also to over 2,000 volunteers of the Hawaii Quarantine Kapu Breakers who helped track and bring down these scofflaws. Updates from these agencies presented at today’s hearing will be posted on the committee’s webpage.

    WHAT TO DO AFTER THE COVID19 EVICTION MORATORIUM: Rapid Response Landlord-Tenant Mediation
    The COVID-19 pandemic hit hard tenants who lost jobs and now unable to pay rent and landlords challenged with paying their mortgage and other bills. The Governor’s moratorium on evictions helps now, but, what happens when it ends? Over 40 mediators from the Mediation Center of the Pacific (MCP) are ready to help landlords and tenants negotiate creative solutions, e.g. payment plans, temporary rent reduction, deferred payments, etc. Tenants who were current on their rent prior to COVID-19 and are now suffering financial hardship should plan ahead. MCP can help with free mediation services. Call 521-6767 between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Click here for more information.

    Take care and stay healthy!

  • Recovery roadmap, open for business, household relief, budget bills passed, COVID-19 hearing tomorrow

    Recovery roadmap, open for business, household relief, budget bills passed, COVID-19 hearing tomorrow

    Aloha Neighbor,
    We are entering the 14th week since the pandemic came to our state in late February. With everyone working hard to safeguard against the traveling virus, we have stabilized — three reported new cases over the weekend, none today and we have kept our deaths at 17.

    WE’RE MOVING FORWARD TOWARD RECOVERY.

    State Announces Roadmap to Recovery & Resilience – Governor Ige today (Monday) presented the state roadmap to recovery, starting with stabilization (“stay at home” orders to address major disruption) to resilience (“new normal” when we’ve overcome the pandemic disruption).  The roadmap is a good start.  We need to press on for the specifics but at least we can see a path forward.  For more details, see the slide presentation and watch a recording of the Governor’s press conference.

    State Roadmap to Recovery and Resilience

    Welcome back: Businesses starting to reopen
    Several stores in our district have re-opened and more restaurants are opening their modified dining options of takeout and curbside pickup.  See what’s open in our major centers:

    Still continuing
    The 14-day travel quarantine and eviction moratorium will continue. Medium-risk businesses — churches, gyms, museums, theaters, restaurants and hair salons – not yet open but are expected to reopen in June.

    COVID-19 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE NOW AVAILABLE: Household Hardship Relief Fund
    The City’s Household Hardship Relief Fund is now active. Qualified applicants can receive up to $1,000 a month for household expenses and up to $500 for childcare. Visit honolulu.gov for more details.  Visit the Aloha United Way application page for instructions on how to apply.

    BUDGET BILLS PASS FINAL READING IN SENATE
    The Senate adopted four budget bills today.  With agreement by the House, the bills are expected to be on the Governor’s desk for signature this week. The Senate Ways and Means Committee worked closely with the House Finance Committee to craft a budget to address the projected revenue shortfall. The bills:

    SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON COVID-19 MEETING
    The committee meets tomorrow (Tuesday) at 2:30 pm.  We will hear updates on the travel safeguard procedures from Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard; Angela Keen, Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH); Kathy Sokugawa, City Dept. of Planning and Permitting; Attorney General Clare Connors; Chris Tatum, Hawaii Tourism Authority; and Ford Fuchigami, Department of Transportation-Airports. Check     here before the hearing for the Olelo broadcast schedule. 

    Take care and stay healthy!