Category: Newsletter

Aloha Neighbor,

The Senate Special Committee met today to hear updates from Attorney General Clare Connors, Labor Director Scott Murakami, Airports Deputy Director Ross Higashi and Health Director Bruce Anderson. It was an especially long meeting with a number of questions from members so the agenda was not followed. We went overtime. If you missed the meeting, you can see the recording when posted on Olelo’s Senate Video Archive Page.  Tomorrow’s meeting will begin at 1:00 – 1:30 pm with a followup meeting on the airport protocol for deplaning passengers; and a briefing on the state’s emergency plan at 3:00 pm by Incident Commander Kenneth Hara. It can be viewed on Olelo Channel 49.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) Concerns:  The Senate Special Committee took UI concerns to Labor Director Scott Murakami today.  Because of the state’s overtaxed computer system and the need for more staff to handle the over 230,000 filings, he has offloaded some items such as certification and status inquiries and is adding more staff and call centers to accelerate claims processing. Below are updates installed today which I hope will help you.  So don’t give up. Please try again tomorrow! Below are some of the changes to the website and services:

• Video instructions on all aspects of filing a claim to claim certification are on the DLIR site. It also includes a number of “Frequently Asked Questions” you may find helpful.
• If you are filing for the first time, click on “For New Claims, Please Complete This Form” and complete the form.
• For claim certification click on “Claimant Services” and sign in. You will be asked two questions, answer “yes” to both: (1) availability to work and (2) sought 3+ employers.

• Status of claim. Folks trying to get on the website or calling the department to check on status of their claims also overloaded the system so this is separated out. Click on “Check Your Claim Status” to find out the status of your claim.

• If you have problems, contact the office.  Click on “Contact”.  You will see phone numbers and email addresses for various issues or general numbers. If you cannot get through on the phone, you can email the office with your problem and someone will respond.

Consumer Concerns. A number of issues impacting consumers were raised. State Attorney General Connors addressed foreclosure and eviction issues.

Landlord-Tenant Problems.  Asked how the Governor’s COVID Proclamation could help renters who are being threatened with eviction, the AG said that the Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) oversees landlord-tenant issues and would be able to assist if in violation of the Governor’s Proclamation. See the OCP website. While it does not cover those who are not able to pay the rent, she advised to call the OCP office at 586-2634 every weekday (except holidays) from 8am-12noon. If the office receives a large number of complaints, the Governor will be asked to issue a policy on the matter.

Foreclosures. If you are facing problems in paying your mortgage there are a number of federal and state resources to help.  Check out this link. For information on other consumer resources from price gouging to scams, visit the OCP website. Or to file a complaint, call the Consumer Resource Consumer at 587-4272 and press 2.

Take care,

Caring for our Keiki:  Our keiki are at home while we shelter in place so I thought we could mention today some of the resources for our keiki that you may already know or not. Below are some resources that may help.

The Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) continues to provide free breakfast and lunch to children 18 years or younger, regardless of eligibility, for free or reduced price meals, at select schools across the State.  For our district they are being offered at McKinley & Kaimuki High Schools.  Parents or caregivers who pick up a meal must be accompanied by a child. For more information, click here.

The YMCA also continues to offer free, healthy lunch to children M-F, 11:30-12:30 at grab-and-go sites.

The HIDOE updated the Guidance for Long-Term School Closures document which describes continuity of education, graduation, and school reopening among other things. You should also contact your child’s school for more information. The HIDOE will plan for the reopening of the schools if, among other things, there is no recent evidence of community spread – no new cases for four weeks.  For more information and guidance from HIDOE, visit their COVID-19 page.

To search for child care, family centers, food, health, screening, and shelter near you, view the Hawaii Children’s Action Network COVID-19 resources page with map.  To address the need that many essential workers have for child care during the coronavirus crisis, Kama’aina Kids 21 Preschool locations across Oahu continue to offer child care for infants through preschool, but also add support services to school-aged children in families providing essential service roles. If you work in essential services, and your regular childcare options are unavailable to you, you are eligible to enroll your child on a space available basis in the Kama’aina Kids location and program that is most convenient for you. Click here for more information.

Schools are also trying to keep in touch with students and are finding innovative remote ways to do this. At one of our schools, Jefferson Elementary Principal Garret Zakahi shared a video of the TEAMwork sent to their students and families to ensure them they will all make it through this crisis.