Author: admin

  • COVID Testing Sun., Landlord-Tenant, Driver License/Safety Check, Making Masks

    COVID Testing Sun., Landlord-Tenant, Driver License/Safety Check, Making Masks

    Aloha Neighbors,

    The Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 will meet tomorrow, Friday, April 3 at 11 am.  You can watch it on `Ōlelo channel 49 or on YouTube livestream and see the agenda here. Reporting State agencies include the office of the Governor and departments of human resources, agriculture, and education. Information from prior meetings can be found on the committee’s web page.

    Drive-thru COVID-19 testing. One of the most effective ways to flatten the curve is to find the positive cases through testing.  I’m glad to see the testing is increasing and we welcome again the drive-through testing at Kaka’ako Waterfront Park this coming Sunday from 8 am to noon.  See this flyer to see if you should be tested.

    Can my landlord evict me if I don’t pay my rent?  The Judiciary has issued several orders that impact the ability of landlords and their agents to use legal process to evict a tenant for non-payment of rent. Legal proceedings relating to summary possession or eviction have been postponed to at least April 30, 2020. Absent extraordinary circumstances, no eviction orders will be issued until at least after April 30, 2020. For more FAQ’s on the Landlord-Tenant Code under the Governor’s Proclamation, click here.  For inquiries regarding specific cases, call 808-586-2634. Trained investigators are available to consult.

    Some of you have also asked about price gouging and scams. The Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA) also can address this.  For more information on COVID-19 consumer resources visit DCCA’s resources page .

    Drivers License/Safety Check Hiatus:  You also asked about what to do if you need to renew your driver’s license or need a safety check. The Satellite City Halls and DMVs are currently closed to all in-person transactions until further notice.  The good news is that the City has declared that all expired safety checks are valid until May 31.  Also, any driver license, instructional permit, state ID, or commercial driver license expiring March 23, 2020, through May 15, 2020, will be considered valid in the state of Hawaii for an additional 90 days after expiration.   For more details, see the Department of Customer Services COVID-19 update page.

    Making masks?  More and more reports indicate that masks plus social distancing are the ways that we all can contribute to flattening the curve.  I have been walking through the district every morning and see more neighbors wearing various types of masks –even scarves around their nose and mouth.  The important point: We don’t have to get the medical grade N95 masks, which are in short supply and should be reserved for healthcare workers. Kudos to them for being on the front lines for us and need all the protection we can give them.

    For the rest of us, we should wear masks if we are in public places and especially when we are in spaces with a number of people (e.g., grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurant take out, etc.) to protect others and ourselves from spreading the virus.  And, yes, even the non-professional masks may not yet be available.  So… we can be innovative. And since you are at home “sheltering in place” (you are, right?) you can make your own! Mahalo to those of you who wrote giving suggestions on how we can make our own masks.  One of our neighbors is already making masks that she is giving to her neighbors and shares this video and instructions on making your own.  And for many, like me, who don’t sew, here’s a video on how to make your mask without having to sew a stitch!  The main thing about wearing the mask properly is that it fit snugly on your face and covers the bridge of your nose and below your chin and be kept clean if you are reusing.

    Take care and stay healthy!

  • COVID-19 Unemployment, Alert System, Masks

    COVID-19 Unemployment, Alert System, Masks

    Aloha Neighbors,

    I hope you are well and continue to social distance and be healthy!

    Some of you told us you were unfortunately still having problems filing for Unemployment Insurance.  The Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR) Director said that the unprecedented numbers of filings –almost 117,000 for March—caused the problem.The good news is that the UI benefits will be greater when they do come, so keep trying:

    • Filing online:  Try again. DLIR had to submit to the feds an accounting for the monthly claims but because of the numbers, it took longer than the usual. The expected time to complete the accounting was 12:00 noon today so it should be up and running. So try again. https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/#/
    • Phone system:  It is operational. The number previously posted was in error.  Here is the correct number: HUI Password Reset: (833) 901-2272; and for UI Phone Appointments: (833) 901-2275

    The Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 met Tuesday.  In addition to the small business measures discussed in an earlier email, the committee urged the State to engage in a number of more aggressive measures to reduce community spread e.g., stronger messaging on social distancing, transmission prevention measures, concerns about the release of prisoners who have no housing upon release, responsibility in purchasing consumer products so there is enough for everyone.  See highlights of the meeting.

    On Tuesday, the special committee also sent a letter urging Governor Ige and the Department of Health to, “put in place as soon as possible a public health alert network system to provide critical information and reminders about COVID-19.”  This system could more aggressively send messages to everyone to keep off of beaches, recreation areas and other closed public spaces to reduce the spread of the virus.  On Wednesday, the Governor announced that his administration is looking in to implementing such a system that has been very successful in other parts of the nation and the world.  See Star-Advertiser article.

    Continue to support our district restaurants. We have a couple restaurants that have closed but a couple that have since opened so please visit our restaurants page if you are looking for takeout sustenance.

    Finally, on the use of masks. Experts have not been in agreement on the use of masks but we have seen the reduction of spread in Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore.  As a precaution the senate special committee urged the Governor to encourage their usage in public places, particularly grocery stores and food service establishments. We can all do our share in fighting the COVID-19 virus by wearing a mask when you are in public places. Think about it.   Masks for All: something to think about.

    Keep healthy!