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

Aloha Neighbor,

Today we celebrate the 61st birthday of the State of Hawaii. Congratulations! We fought hard to become the 50^th so we could vote.  From 94% turnout in 1959 to 51% today…we are moving but need to do better.

CONGRATULATIONS ON VOTING! ONE MORE TIME, PLEASE
We had over 407,000 people cast ballots in the first all mail-in election. Turnout for the 2020 primary increased by 17% with 150,000 new voters!  Maybe it was because we were all at home or we wanted change or just wanted to get more involved in our government. Whatever the reason, don’t let up.  Make sure you vote again in the general election on Tuesday, November 3.

If you are registered, your ballots will be in your mailboxes around Oct. 16.  Because of potential mail delivery delays (Hawaii is one of 46 states that USPS warned cannot be guaranteed that ballots will arrive in time to be counted), the elections office urges everyone to get ballots into that mailbox a week ahead of the Nov. 3 General Election to make sure your votes are counted.

• VERIFY YOUR REGISTRATION ONLINE:   Have these ready: Hawaii Driver License or Hawaii State ID and Social Security Number.  Or Call: 808-453-VOTE (8683).  Provide name, address, and date of birth.

• VOTE: Drop-off boxes and voter service centers will open October 20 and remain up to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Find the locations here.

WHAT DO WE DO? MORE COVID-19 ORDERS
Gov. David Ige yesterday signed the 12^th supplemental proclamation extending the COVID-19 emergency period through Sept. 30. We are still in the “Act with Care” zone so practice safe practices like wearing a face covering, social distancing, washing hands frequently and staying home if sick. The emergency proclamation leaves in place the moratorium on evictions, the 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers and the inter-island travel quarantine only for travelers arriving in the counties of Kauai, Hawaii, Maui and Kalawao (Kalaupapa). It allows counties to establish an Enhanced Movement Quarantine (EMQ) through agreements with resort or hotel facilities that have clearly defined geographical areas to ensure that travelers stay within the “bubble” with limited contact to those not subject to the quarantine. It’s a growing list of restrictions. To see the details visit: twelfth supplementary emergency proclamation . The counties also have their own orders that they can establish if approved by the Governor.  Here’s the latest from Mayor Kirk Caldwell in his August 19 “Act Now Honolulu-Social Gatherings” emergency order.  If you have questions on the city’s order you may want to check out: https://www.oneoahu.org/faqs. You can also call 768-CITY or email covidresponse@honolulu.gov. Very confusing indeed and could be clearer and more helpful for those trying hard to follow the rules.

SENATE COVID COMMITTEE: Updates
The committee met yesterday to hear updates from the Incident Commander on the concerns raised by many on the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and Hawaii National Guard support during the pandemic; the status of telework and support for the departments, particularly the health department; and the Department of Education on its preparedness for opening the schools. Highlights of interest below:

• Major General Ken Hara has readied the Hawaii National Guard medical staff to assist when needed, including finding an alternative hospital should increased capacity be needed. Federal relief funds of $100 million were finally released and can now be used to purchase PPE for statewide distribution. The good news is that $61 million has been allocated to: hospitals ($24 million), allied medical providers ($8 million), child care ($4 million), elder care ($4 million), small businesses ($7 million), non-profits ($4 million), DOE ($4 million), UH ($4 million), and warehousing distribution ($2 million).  Agencies can apply for PPE at a newly-created website. To learn more go to https://hawaii-medical-alliance.myshopify.com
• Department of Human Resources Development Director Ryker Wada was asked to check in with departments on their implementation of the state’s telework policy and workplace safety and health; and to assist the DOH on its investigation and contact tracing staffing.
• Department of Education Superintendent Christina Kishimoto reported that students will begin distance learning on Monday, August 24; and will continue for a minimum of four weeks and potentially for the entire quarter.  Students have been provided with devices, but if they are not connected, they can be served on campus at set times or request connectivity accommodations from the principal.  Children with a mandated service that cannot learn remotely will have set schedules for entering the campus for their services.  For more details on the hearing, see the notes posted at here when available.

COVID-19 TESTING ON SUNDAY: Kakaako Waterfront Park
Drive-thru and walk-up COVID-19 testing will again be offered at Kakaako Waterfront Park on Sunday, August 23 from 8am- 2pm. Premier Medical Group will be conducting PCR (nose swab) tests.  Same drill: if you have medical insurance, bring proof of insurance; if you don’t, the test (if you are determined to need one), is free.  For more information, contact Premier Medical Group Hawaii, at (808) 304-8816 or (808) 367-6020.

Aloha Neighbor,

“Half the population is scared because they don’t know what’s going on…The other half is not scared enough because they don’t know what’s going on.”

     -Ray Vara, CEO, Hawaii Pacific Health, House Special Committee member

The continuing coronavirus surge has led the House Select and the Senate Special Committees to continue pushing for answers from the slow-to-act Administration that you have been emailing me about.  We hope the Administration will to listen to your concerns. In the meantime, you may follow the committees’ progress.

HOUSE COVID-19 COMMITTEE: Administration Must Do Better
The committee assessed Hawaii’s current medical and economic status, its prognosis, and recommendations to reset the State’s course.  Some of the concerns needing action raised were:

• All metrics point to code orange (moderate “safer at home” disruption) or red (major “stay at home” disruption) in terms of disease activity, hospital supply capacity, contact tracing capacity, testing capacity.
• We need useful, reliable, consistent data, without violating HIPAA (patient privacy protection law), to enable leaders to make decisions on a shutdown.
• We need further adjustment to current restrictions.
• We need a strong communication program from the state and county that provides better information to the community.
• We need an oversight body to help direct covid planning & execution.
• We need collection of reliable, consistent data to allow leaders to act without violating HIPAA.
• We were at 300, now 200’s. Breathing a sigh of relief is a false sense of security. Our story from then–Hawaii as “the safest place on earth”– until now, a surge—is not a pretty story. The behavior of individuals is driving business success or failure. If you party and fail to follow the social distancing rules, don’t expect to find a job.  You can view the full meeting online at Olelo.

SENATE COVID-19 COMMITTEE: Asking for Pandemic Updates
The committee will meet on Wednesday, August 19, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to follow-up on concerns about the PPE supply chain and distribution, coordination among the departments and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HiEMA), quarantine quarters for the homeless, state staffing and teleworking, and the DOE update on schools opening.  Presenting are:

• Major General Ken Hara, Incident Commander, Pandemic Response Team
• Edward Mersereau, Deputy Director, Department of Health- Behavioral Health Services Administration
• Ryker Wada, Director, Department of Human Resources Development
• Christina Kishimoto, Superintendent, Department of Education

Streaming on ‘Olelo Channel 49 or online.

COVID-19 TEST: Know the Symptoms & Know What to Do
This resource might be of interest to you; and if ill, can help you decide the kind of medical care you might need.  Note the disclaimer that this simple assessment is for informational purposes only. It is NOT a medical diagnosis. No personal information is requested nor are answers collected or shared. This is for your own assessment only.  Click here.

IRS: Federal Extension to Claim Kids for $500 Stimulus Payments
The Internal Revenue Service will be reopening the registration period for those who didn’t receive Economic Impact Payments for their qualifying children, starting August 15 through September 30. The basic stimulus payment was $1,200 per qualifying taxpayer, plus $500 for each eligible child under age 17. You can find more information at the IRS website.

RENTAL & MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE: Waikiki Community Center
If you lost your job due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for one-time emergency financial assistance for rent or mortgage up to $1,500 per household. Applications will be accepted online or via email only.  Funds are limited. You may be eligible if you are:

1. 18 years of age or older.
2. Honolulu county resident.
3. Income decreased due directly to COVID-19.
4. Have not received the same benefit from another Aloha United Way partner.
5. Total household must not have more than $6,000 in liquid assets (cash, checking & savings accounts).
6. Household is not receiving housing subsidies.
7. Total household income must be at or below 80% AMI (Area Median Income).

Email your application request to:  jokimura@waikikicommunitycenter.org OR click on this link. Once your application has been reviewed, you will be contacted by phone or email within four business days. If your application is approved, the funds will be mailed directly to your landlord, bank or mortgage company.

UPDATES OF INTEREST:

• HART Traffic Updates: Week beginning August 16, 2020

View street closures due to HART construction. Note August 16- 22 closure of Halekauwila, Queen, Kamakee, and Kona Streets.

• Ala Wai Flood Mitigation Project Update: USACE Reports

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Honolulu District completed its Engineering Documentation Report (August 6) which provides the new recommended plan for the Ala Wai Flood Control Project. The report and a map showing the proposed project design changes and new feature recommendations based on community input are available on the Ala Wai project webpage.  Email questions about the project to: AlaWaiFloodProject@usace.army.mil