Author: admin

The governor’s press conference today was very encouraging. Congratulations to everyone for following social distancing and masking up rules. Today’s 4 new positive cases added to the low numbers during the past 14 days show real progress; so much so that the mayor is reopening certain services with limited human contact. Each county will be providing more specifics.

Until we know more, social distancing is a must. Studies in other places, e.g. Germany, China, the Diamond Princess cruise ship, found that 15-17% of those in close contact with infected persons were asymptomatic – silent carriers. Until we have an effective antibody test or more widely available testing and tracing, let’s care for each other by doing what we can – continue social distancing and mask up.  You might find these social distancing tips in multiple languages helpful to post in your condo building, stores, and other businesses: Hawaii Offers Social Distancing Tips In Multiple Languages

SOCIAL DISTANCING EVEN WHEN WE REOPEN
Fewer reported cases of COVID-19 understandably leads to an eagerness to return to normal, pre-pandemic life.  Although it is important that we consider the best practices to reopen certain businesses and revive our economy, experts urge the public to continue social distancing and especially to protect at-risk individuals with compromised immune systems. While a lot is being written I thought this article might be helpful reading on reopening.  Read more…

Some of you have sent photos to us that speak both to responsibility and irresponsibility as we envision the new normal when we reopen… until we have an effective treatment and/or vaccine.  Check out these DOs and DON’Ts below.

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR

McKinley High School continues to pursue the Athletic Complex Improvement Project that includes a new two-story Athletic Physical Education complex with locker/shower rooms and stadium lighting and bleachers at the track and field among other things. DOE’s consultant, G70, is conducting early consultation to seek input from agencies, citizen groups, and individuals to guide the scope and preparation of the Draft Environment Assessment from anyone who may be affected by the project.  Send your comments to mckinleyhscomments@g70.design.  Comments are due May 22.  For more information click here.

NEXT SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING

The senate special committee convenes tomorrow (Thursday), April 30, at  11:30 am.  Scheduled to report to the committee are:  Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Phyllis Unebasami; Director of Transportation Jade Butay; Hawaii Tourism Authority CEO Chris Tatum; DOH Director Bruce Anderson and State Epidemiologist Sarah Park; and COVID-19 Public Health Recovery Task Force Member Mark Mugiishi.  The meeting will be available for live viewing on Olelo Channel 49 and online at olelo.org.  For information on prior or upcoming meetings, see the committee’s webpage.

Today’s briefing was long but short on definitive answers. I share with you some of the highlights of the meeting that might interest you.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE UPDATE
Most of the frustration has been the difficulty of getting into system in filing a claim and in certification both needed to get paid. Labor Director Scott Murakami has been working to address the antiquated and overloaded mainframe computer and understaffed claim processing (staff to verify claims and ensure all information on the claim is accurate and that the applicant meets all the eligibility requirements are met, etc.  Click here for the procedure when you file a claim.  If all information is complete and accurate, you could get paid in 15 days. It’s when it’s not that the process takes longer.

Filing new claims. With the overwhelming volume (221,731 applications were filed as of April 26) many have been frustrated by not getting their applications accepted. The department has since created a webform that offloads first time filers, so there should be no problem in getting in. But make sure that all information is accurate and complete. Otherwise you will need to wait until staff calls you to correct any errors. But until the additional staff comes on board (they should have as many as 120 staff by next week working two shifts) the usual process where staff calls applicants to correct errors which was all but impossible will be alleviated next week.

Claim certification.   If your claim is confirmed and you only need to submit your weekly/biweekly report and cannot get in, call (833) 901-2275 or email dlir.ui.oahu@hawaii.gov and wait. Your claim has been accepted and whenever you do get in, the payment will be backdated.  Beginning Friday, May 1^st, the certification portal will also accept reports more quickly as it will be offloaded from the mainframe. Additional staff (160 on two shifts) will also be calling to process the claims and verifying eligibility.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).  Independent contractors, sole proprietors/gig workers are not normally eligible for UI benefits but the federal pandemic relief act is providing benefits. The department’s problem in paying these benefits is two-fold: not having a computer program to receive and process these new claims (so one had to be created) and not having a way to verify income (which will now be done by the tax department). The PUA system is targeted to begin May 1.  Those who applied via the current website should reapply when the new form is posted online so check the UI website: https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/#/  Independent contractors/PUA claimants who received messages that they were disqualified or denied should apply when the PUA application form is posted. You will also be paid from the beginning of your suspension of work.

All programs on the website (filing new claims and weekly reports) are available 24/7.

$600 Plus Up
The $600 per week additional federal relief funding is also a new program.  These checks will be paid to all claimants for the period 3/29-7/31.

DOH  STATE LABORATORIES COVID19 TESTING
The DOH will test only symptomatic cases, those who are symptomatic in close contact with infected positive cases, and, beginning soon, sentinel surveillance testing on a representative sample of the community.  Dr. Edward Desmond, State Laboratories Administrator, said Hawaii’s five laboratories have the capacity for 3,000 tests per day with a stable supply of reagents. The state reports it is currently testing about 400-1,000 per day. Dr Desmond is currently studying the new antibody test. He deferred to Dr. Sarah Park and her Disease Outbreak Control Division on the standards for testing and any planning forward. The committee will call Drs. Park and Anderson back to learn more about the surveillance testing program.

DOH FOOD SAFETY BRANCH ON REOPENING RESTAURANTS
With discussion on reopening, the committee wanted to hear plans for reopening of restaurants and safeguards against a COVID spike when they do open.  Food Safety Branch Chief Peter Oshiro said there were no plans or rules on requirements for restaurants on reopening. He said the National Restaurant Association guidance on reopening was the best practices that the DOH would require but since there are no rules he can only point to them as guidance.

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR:  Sources of Help for Those in Need
You or someone you know may be in need of help while awaiting their unemployment payments that overcome their savings.  The following may help:

• Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) General/Financial Assistance Program provides cash benefits for food, clothing, shelter, and other essentials to adults ages 18 through 64, without minor dependents, who are temporarily disabled and who do not qualify for Social Security. Call 808-586-4993. Or email dhs@dhs.hawaii.gov or online.

• DHS Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program is a time-limited welfare reform program for adults with children providing monthly cash benefits to families for food, clothing, shelter, and other essentials. Digital fillable/printable PDF Application. Email application to bessd.statewidebranch@dhs.hawaii.gov For more information about TANF, call 1-855-643-1643, or online.

• Urgent Student Relief Fund (UH College Students) assists University of Hawaii students with unexpected financial hardship to continue their education. Requests for support must be for an unplanned emergency expense. Approved awards are generally between $100-$500 based on the type of request, which includes, but not limited to, costs due to an unanticipated situation or emergency, loss of employment or housing, family emergencies, natural disasters or pandemic, food insecurity, medical/dental expenses, changes to childcare or transportation needs. For more info, call (808) 956-3290 or email uhmfund@hawaii.edu.

NEXT SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING
The special committee will next convene Thursday, April 30, at 11 am.  Scheduled to report to the committee are Director of Transportation Jade Butay; Hawaii Tourism Authority CEO Chris Tatum; and Airlines Committee of Hawaii Co-Chairs Matthew Shelby, Mark Berg, and Brendan Baker.  The meeting will be available for live viewing on Olelo Channel 49 and online at olelo.org.  For information on prior or upcoming meetings, see the committee’s webpage.