Tag: hawaii state,oahu,honolulu,senator district 12,sharon moriwaki

Aloha Neighbor,

CHANGES AT DOH: Ramping Up Case Investigation and Contact Tracing
Once the senate committee heard the administration was moving contact tracing to the convention center, we took action to visit the convention center Friday.  Staffing, after all, was still not advancing at needed speed, given the continued triple-digit increase in positive cases.  I’m pleased to report the Health Department (DOH) is working with the National Guard to put in place an investigation and contact tracing procedures as they hire and train 30-50 staff this weekend and the same next week.

New DOH Disease Investigation Branch (DIB) Chief Dr. Emily Roberson is now in charge of investigating and tracing positive cases and their contacts. Their goal, among others, is to meet CDC’s standard to contact each positive case within 24 hours. it’s daunting. The DOH has over 2,000 cases overwhelming its staff. If the Governor and Director of Health continue to support the authority given to National Guard Major General Hara and DOH Dr. Roberson, giving them the green light to ramp up quickly, we will see action on infection clusters, prevention of future outbreaks, and containing the spread.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Senate COVID Committee Will Hear Update
The committee will continue assessing the state of our health care capacity. Monday (8/31) we hear the State’s hospital capacity levels and current strain due to the increased number of positive COVID-19 cases.  The committee will convene at 12:00 p.m. to hear from Dr. Jill Hoggard Green, President & CEO, Queen’s Health Systems; and Andrew Giles, Asst Hospital Administrator & COVID-19 Incident Commander and Jonathan Ching, Government Relations Manager, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. The meeting will be available on Olelo Channel 54 and olelo.org.

GOVERNOR SIGNS STAY AT HOME ORDER FOR OAHU: August 27  
Honolulu is shut down again. Governor officially signed the Mayor’s 2nd stay-at-home Order, effective Aug. 27, 2020 through Sept. 9, 2020. You may again wonder what work is essential or not.  Below is more clarification on what is essential and open and what is closed:

• Essential services include childcare, construction, health care, some educational services, grocery stores, hardware stores, gas stations, public schools, banks, government and financial institutions.
• City offices, like satellite city halls and driver licensing centers, will conduct business exclusively online and via mail.
• Restaurants can offer take-out services only, but careful when parking, as metered parking rules are still enforced.
• Retailers, auto dealerships, and personal services like salons and barber shops are closed.
• Recreational closures continue for tennis courts, golf courses, swimming pools, bowling alleys, beaches, parks, bars, and gyms.

Note that a violation of this Order is a misdemeanor, with fines of up to $5,000, up to a year in prison, or both. You can view the 2nd “Stay-At-Home” Order here. Go to Section 2F for the full list of essential businesses and services.

REMINDER FROM HPD: COVID Violations will be enforced
Most of the covid violations called in to HPD have been for not wearing a mask or not social distancing, sitting in parks and beaches unless in active transit to the ocean or restrooms. If you are stopped, warned, or cited, don’t argue with officers. You will have a chance to explain your side of the story to the judge on the court date written on the citation. For now, court appearances are being held via Zoom for your health, safety, and convenience. If you observe covid violations, call 723-3900 or email  HPDcovidenforce@honolulu.gov. Use 911 only for ACTUAL EMERGENCIES (crimes in progress against a person or property, medical emergencies, life or death situations, etc.)

OTHER HAPPENINGS OF INTEREST:

• • KAKAAKO AND PUNAHOU AREA SEWER RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT THIS SATURDAY 8/29
    The Limtiaco Consulting Group informed us that a contractor will be conducting a one-time demobilization of on-site equipment this TODAY (8/29) from 8:30AM to 3:30PM at the intersection of Auahi Street and Koula Street. Significant disruptions to traffic flow are not expected. If you have questions, contact  (808) 596-7790 or justin@tlcghawaii.com.
  • KAPIOLANI PARK WALK-IN COVID COVID-19 TESTING THIS MONDAY AUGUST 31, 9AM – 2PM
    Anybody can take the test, symptomatic or not. Register here.
  • HAWAII COULD LOSE MILLIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDS: US Census Responses Low
    We only have one month left before the 2020 Census ends. We won’t get our fair share of federal funds with our low self-response rate of 61.2% — lower than iour rate (64.1%) in 2010 at our last census. If undercounted by even 1%, we will lose more than $38 million federal funding every year for the next decade. Starting from 2021 distribution of all Federal funds will be based on the 2020 Census count. If you haven’t responded yet, please go to: https://my2020census.gov/  For questions, call Census Specialist Robert Su  at 808-391-8233 or email robert.l.su@2020census.gov. Now that you’re home under the City stay-at-home Order, take a few minutes to respond to the census. It’s easy!
  • HOUSE COVID COMMITTEE HEARING THIS MONDAY: ECONOMY, CARES FUNDS, HOMELESS & HEALTH
    Watch the virtual meeting this Monday, August 31, 2020 at 10:00 am on TV Oahu Channel 49 and on Olelo.org. The committee will hear reports on: Hawaii’s Economy (Carl Bonham), Communications and Economic Recovery Subcommittee (Ray Vara), CARES Funds (Lauren Nahme & Jill Tokuda), Housing and Homelessness (James Koshiba), and Queen’s Health Systems (Dr. Jill Hoggard Green). View the agenda here
  • MCCULLY-MOILIILI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD: Recess in September

The McCully/Moiliili Neighborhood Board No. 8. will recess its regular meeting in September to combat the potential spread of COVID-19.  The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2020 at a location to be determined, 6:30PM.  For Neighborhood Board agendas and minutes, visit the web page here.

Aloha Neighbor,

With Oahu’s surge over the past several weeks, the Mayor is taking more aggressive steps to test more extensively than ever before and wants us back to sheltering in place. It’s serious. In Tuesday’s news conference, he was joined by US Surgeon General Jerome Adams and state officials to announce the two-pronged plan to fight COVID on Oahu: a stay-at-home, work-at-home order will take effect Thursday; and free, widespread testing will begin Wednesday and continue for at least 12 days.

OAHU’S STAY-AT-HOME, WORK-AT-HOME ORDER: Starts Thursday
Oahu will be put under another stay-at-home, work-at-home order starting 12:01 a.m. Thursday for two weeks.  The order is similar to the March order, with only “essential” workers and businesses allowed to operate.  Businesses not considered essential include retailers, personal services (like salons and barber shops), gyms, and restaurants (which will have to revert to takeout only). Beaches, parks, trails, and other public spaces will continue to remain closed.  If you violate the order, you can face up to $5,000 in fines, jail, or both.

OAHU GETS FREE COVID TESTING
Mayor Caldwell announced that testing will be dramatically ramped up during the shutdown, with up to 60,000 tests conducted in 12 days.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, State of Hawaii, and the City and County of Honolulu are partnering to conduct the widespread testing on Oahu. The Honolulu Fire Department will lead the effort. The “surge” testing is set to begin on Wednesday, August 26, and will run for 12 consecutive days.

Testing is free at the surge locations and is available to anyone five years and older (although anyone under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian present to consent to the testing), experiencing symptoms, who believe they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19; and anyone worried about possibly having the virus.

You do not need a doctor’s referral nor do you need to be a resident of the community where the testing site is located. Results are expected to be available 3-5 days following a test.  The federal government is providing the tests and covering all associated costs. Every individual getting tested will also receive five cloth face coverings so they can protect others from COVID-19.

For our district, the closest sites and dates for testing are:

● Kalakaua District Gym Parking Lot, 720 McNeil St
Thursday, August 27: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

  ● Palolo District Park, 2007 Palolo Avenue
Friday, August 28: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

  ● Kakaako District Park, 102 Ohe St
Next week (TBD)

Testing starts Wednesday at other locations.  A full site list with upcoming dates, times, and option to register for free is available at www.doineedacovid19test.com.  Testing procedures and results will be kept confidential. Results will be made available via e-mail. Surge test participants will not be subject to the fourteen-day quarantine that other test programs require.  See the City’s news release for more details.

“NO MASK, NO RIDE”: No exceptions on TheBus and TheHandi-Van
Effective Tuesday, September 1, the City will require ALL riders of  TheBus and TheHandi-Van to wear a mask or face covering over the nose and mouth when boarding and during their ride.  Passengers not wearing a mask or face covering will not be allowed to board. If you remove your face covering while on board, you may be asked to leave the vehicle.  For any questions regarding “no mask, no ride”  on TheBus, call (808) 848-5555 and press “3”. For any questions regarding “no mask, no ride” on TheHandi-Van, call (808) 456-5555 and press “3”.

HELP ON UTILITY PAYMENT:

• HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC (HECO) Moratorium on Disconnections
  On Monday (8/24), the Public Utilities Commission ordered utilities to extend through Dec. 31 the moratorium on service disconnections for nonpayment. HECO is thus suspending service disconnections but urges customers needing assistance to seek utility bill assistance from government and nonprofits, and to set up a payment arrangement plan.  The company voluntarily suspended its collection efforts in March to ensure customers’ electric service would not be disrupted while many were staying home. In its order to extend the moratorium, the commission also stated that “customers should continue paying their bills to the extent possible during this time, as customers will still ultimately be responsible for paying for their service billings accrued during this suspension.”  Read the full news release here.
• HECO Payment Arrangement Options 
  HECO is offering interest-free payment arrangements for a limited time. For all options, late fees are waived. If you would like to sign up for a payment arrangement plan, fill out their form and send to paymentarrangement@hawaiianelectric.com.  The form is also available in additional languages here.

REDUCE ENERGY COSTS: HAWAII ENERGY (HE) Small Business Grants
Small businesses can upgrade their energy-efficient equipment and immediately reduce operating costs. Businesses may apply for the HE grant, which can cover 100% of eligible expenses on pre-approved energy efficiency projects, up to $25,000. Applications for the first round of funding must be submitted by Sept. 30, 2020, at 5 P.M. HST.  Find out more information and also apply here.