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

Aloha Neighbor,

PEACE: LET US NOT FORGET AUGUST 15 1945
There are those who remember the happiest moment in American history – a spontaneous eruption of ecstasy, outpouring of sheer joy that swept the continent on V-J Day—Victory over Japan — and the end of World War II. The public celebration dwarfed anything ever seen before or since.  Coast to coast Americans took to the streets simply to celebrate peace.  Wow!  Even in Honolulu, jubilation in the streets drowned out the Board of Supervisors deliberating so they decided to defer Bill No. 10, relating to the construction, reconstruction and repair of sidewalks, and quit its work that day.

WAGING THE WAR AGAINST COVID: What Now?
We can wage war, but instead of weapons we must come together and care for each other – physically distance, practice good hygiene and sanitize, mask up and stay home if you’re sick. For the sake of our elders, our neighbors, our friends, don’t spread the disease.

But too many of us have not.  We are now facing the consequences – from single digit cases in late June to the highest yet on Thursday (8/13) at 355! Those breaking quarantine, those not wearing masks in an elevator, those congregating and partying need to become more mindful.  Now we need to hire 160 more police officers, train 450 contact tracers, and push a Department of Health that was not ready.

The Senate Covid Committee has pushed to ramp up contact tracing because we must contact those in close contact with coronavirus carriers so we isolate, contain, test and ultimately control the spread.  Our committee was appalled to find that not only were 450 trained contact tracers not on board but that health professionals and others sought to volunteer but were never called.  Only ten overworked investigators were contacting and tracing. Small wonder that the most vulnerable weren’t identified and helped.  But, now, we have a new investigation branch chief, more contact tracers hired, and national guard help on the way. Also, the State Auditor is assessing the contract tracing policies and standards here and in other jurisdictions to find how best to address the increasing infection rates. He is also assessing the Department of Education’s readiness to reopen the schools. It does take all of us to win this war!

COVID TESTING: What’s Happening?

• Rapid Antibody Testing Opens in Kakaako
  Wellness for Humanity is bringing science and technology together to provide more resources for our community.  The company’s rapid antibody testing facility is open to the public.  To learn more visits its website.  You can see more on the KHON2 report.

• Get Covid Tested This Sunday: Kakaako Waterfront Park
  With the surge, more COVID-19 testing is available using PCR (nose swab) tests.  You can drive-thru and be tested at Kakaako Waterfront Park on Sunday, August 16 from 9am-1pm. Walk-ups will be accommodated. Follow the posted signs to the test area. You will be screened for symptoms and asked to provide personal information and contact numbers.  The attending doctor will determine if you should be tested.  If you are tested, you will need to follow the doctor’s directions on quarantine. If you have medical insurance, bring proof of insurance; if you don’t there is no charge.  For more information; contact Premier Medical Group Hawaii, at (808) 304-8816 or (808) 367-6020.

PANDEMIC SOCIALIZING: Some Tips
Labor Day. Halloween. Thanksgiving. Christmas. How in the world are we going to social distance with these major party-holidays fast approaching? We have to address the gray areas of socializing as covid transfers at the most unassuming moments. The 4^th of July was our turning point in the fight against covid.  Having any type of rules at a party seems unconventional, but in today’s world, it’s a matter of life and death.  There‘s no demographic that’s truly safe from covid. To date, 4,312 people in Hawaii are infected. Six percent of them have been hospitalized. Forty have already died.  Not socializing at all is not an option for most, so here are 7 life-saving tips.

REMINDER: US CENSUS WANTS YOU!
You’ve heard a lot in the media and here. It’s important to our state and to help those who receive federal support.  If you haven’t yet completed the brief 2020 Census survey you can do it here.  If you don’t the Bureau census takers will be at your front door. And if you need more information, you can read it – click here.

OTHER MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:

• HOUSE COVID COMMITTEE RECONVENES ON MONDAY AUGUST 17
  Observe the committee in action via videoconference as they hear the status and prognosis of the state’s medical and economic condition.

DATE: Monday, August 17, 2020, 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Olelo Cable Television Channel 49 on Oahu; also livestreamed via www.olelo.org.
TOPIC:  Recommendations to re-set Hawaii’s course to adjust to recent covid activity based on the State’s current medical and economic status.
AGENDA: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2020/hearingnotices/HEARING_COV_08-17-20_INFO_.PDF

• SENATE COVID COMMITTEE MEETS ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19

The committee will meet with Superintendent Christina Kishimoto, Deputy Director of Health-Behavioral Health Services Administration Edward Mersereau and HIEMA Incident Commander MG Kenneth Hara.

PLACE: Olelo Cable Television Channel 49 and olelo.org

• MAKIKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD RECESSES IN AUGUST

The Makiki/Lower Punchbowl/Tantalus Neighborhood Board No.10 will recess its regular August meeting.  Tentatively, the next regular meeting is scheduled for THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2020.  To see all upcoming agendas, visit the Neighborhood Board Commission Office Website.

Aloha Neighbor,

Amid the rise in covid caes, I’ve heard from many of you and appreciate your concerns and suggestions.  Those not taking care to social distance and mask up are now affecting the entire island.  Once so close to reopening, we are backsliding to the point of limiting inter-island travel.   Even Honolulu Hale is closed with the City’s 49 positive cases.

These times have us looking to the Department of Health and its Disease Outbreak Control Division. They investigate positive cases and trace all contacts to control and contain the spread. The growing numbers have forced the Senate Covid Committee to focus its attention on contact tracing and Dr. Sarah Park, the state’s epidemiologist and division administrator. Our committee visited her offices to learn first-hand the challenges her program faces in meeting the growing caseload and in protecting our public’s health.  And the community is expressing concerns as in this column by Larry Geller and a Star-Advertiser Editorial on Tuesday.

We are not convinced that the division is acting quickly enough. Our committee will be meeting tomorrow to discuss how we can support their work. A move to the larger convention center to house the numbers needed to meet the demand would be a great step forward.

Meanwhile continue to follow social distancing rules and mask up.  If you witness any violations to the Governor’s mandates, call the Covid Enforcement Hotline at 723-3900 or email: hpdcovidenforce@honolulu.gov

DE-STRESS TOGETHER IN KAKAAKO
Here’s something that’s just what we need to cope in these uncertain times. Don’t miss an upcoming livestream featuring award-winning author Alice Inoue! Alice will share valuable insights and ideas on how to ‘Diminish Stress During Uncertain Times’. Help a friend or loved one by sending them this intro video link: https://saltatkakaako.com/event/salt-livestream-featuring-happiness-u/   Livestreaming will start on Friday, August 28 at 4 p.m. View it live here on facebook.
For more information, see:
E-mail: smile@YourHappinessU.com 
Phone: (808) 436-6444
Website: www.YourHappinessU.com

UPDATED HOURS FOR KAKAAKO SHOPPING CENTER MERCHANTS
Named after the salt ponds that once dotted the low-lying wetlands of the Kakaako area, SALT is Honolulu’s epicenter for local culture, food, shopping and innovative events. Updated information for this eclectic shopping center includes dedicating stalls 45-48 and 50-53 in the front parking lot for Curbside Delivery and Take Out Orders temporarily during this time. Parking at SALT is FREE for one hour. To view the new hours for SALT merchants, click here.

HART ROAD WORK & TRAFFIC UPDATES FOR KAKAAKO
View this week’s HART happenings by clicking here for the week beginning AUGUST 9.