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

Aloha Neighbor,

With the recent spikes in COVID cases, schools opening, and the quarantine extension, we must be more careful. Every responsible move leads us in the right direction, from our personal protection to helping each other through these difficult times.  Federal relief funding has been allocated and government and non-profit and private agencies are working together to get help to those in need –from individuals to businesses. We are all adjusting. We will have a full report of legislative actions later in the week, for now here are some changes and updates which may interest you:

TRANSPACIFIC TRAVEL: Delayed to September 1
Calling the delay in re-opening trans-pacific travel to Hawaii a very tough decision, Governor Ige outlined the reasons for changing the date during this afternoon’s briefing: record numbers of new cases;  large, uncontrolled outbreaks in mainland states; interruption in the testing supply chain due to the outbreaks; and the anticipated uptick in cases when schools reopen on August 4.

INCOMING TRAVEL SAFEGUARDS:  Update
Incoming travelers now face a multi-layered screening process that includes a thermal check upon arrival, completion of the State Travel and Health Form and secondary screening for those with symptoms or with temperatures of 100.4 degrees or higher. The pre-test protocol will be added but is not yet final but Governor reports the following to date:

• Using a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a certified Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) lab
• Travelers with negative test results no more than 72 hours prior to travel will be exempt from the mandatory 14-day quarantine; but if results are not available by the time of arrival, quarantine will be required until test results are received
• Travelers of all ages are subject to the pre-test requirement in lieu of quarantine
• Travelers are responsible for testing costs
• No commercial testing is provided at Hawaii airports

PRIMARY ELECTION REGISTRATION: Did You Miss the Deadline???
No worries. You have time. July 9 was the last day Hawaii voters could register online to vote in next month’s August 8 primary election. You still can register at voter service centers at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale from July 27 through Aug. 8, primary election day. The two centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  Procrastinators, however, can register to vote on election day when sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.. You must be at least 18 years old; and will need to bring a document to confirm your identity and current address e.g. Hawaii driver’s license, Hawaii state ID, military ID, passport or current utility bill or bank statement.
Not sure if you are a registered voter? Call the Honolulu Clerk’s Office at (808)768-3800 or click here to find out.
For more information about voting, call (808) 453-VOTE (8683) or email elections@hawaii.gov. You can also visit elections.hawaii.gov.

TAX DEADLINE IS JULY 15: Are You Ready?
For all the tax filing procrastinators, your second wind is about to expire this Wednesday, July 15. File those taxes now and enjoy the rest of your summer. You need another extension? Only way to find out is to click here.

2020 CENSUS: Have You Been Counted?
If you haven’t yet, the U.S. Census is looking for you.  Please fill out the self-response online form by August 11.  Help us get every person in the state counted so we can get our fair share of federal funding (like the relief funds coming our way) for key public services e.g., food stamps, school meals, child-and-senior care, unemployment benefits, housing, small business loans & grants, and the list goes on.  If you or anyone you know needs help, please text the Hawaii district director: (213) 359-3616 or go to: https://census.hawaii.gov/census_2020/

WAIKIKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MEETING TONIGHT
The Board meets this evening, Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at the Waikiki Community Center, 310 Paoakalani Avenue, 6:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.  See the agenda here.  Featured tonight are Waikiki’s District 22 candidates for the House of Representatives.  Masks are mandatory for this meeting.

LET’S CARE FOR EACH OTHER – Masking Up & Physical Distancing
Over the weekend, Hawaii experienced a spike in coronavirus cases—63 total cases over the weekend and 23 new cases on Monday, July 13; and an additional three deaths.  While some complain about wearing face covering, it is but a simple act of caring for others — our Aloha Spirit. And, if you are sick, stay at home. If you leave home and are in spaces with others, a simple act of kindness: wear your mask, keep the physical distance. Let’s care for each other and protect our families, friends and community.

Aloha Neighbor,

The 2020 Legislative Session officially ended today, Friday, July 10, sine die.  However, this does not rule out the legislature reconvening in special session, if needed; and the senate returning sometime later in the summer or fall to advise and consent on judicial appointments.

It was a tough session and none like it due to the coronavirus pandemic. A positive case closed the capitol down on March 19 and cut short our session. We recessed to plan for safe social distancing. While the capitol was closed to visitors, the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 continued to meet weekly — sometimes three or four times a week — to nudge the administration to move with more urgency. We brought in departments to address and to implement speedy action, e.g. closing our borders to cruise ships and small boats. We couldn’t close our airports but we instituted a 14-day quarantine that kept the traveling virus out. But it also kept the tourists out causing our economy to be severely impacted:  hotels and businesses closed down and unemployment–which a year before was the lowest in the nation–surged to the highest.

While we are seeing spikes and may see more, the Governor has set August 1st as the marker for reopening our borders to transpacific travelers.  We all want to open so business can get back and our unemployed back to work.  But we must open safely…so bills and resolutions passed over the protracted session focused on the COVID safeguards such as thermal screening and security at the airports, funding to help those most severely hit; creating jobs in new industries in health care, diversified agriculture, aeronautics; workforce development; as well as other legislation relating to health, housing, education, traffic safety, homeless services, etc. which we will share with you in a future email.  The Senate leadership summarized key points in a press conference today.  Next step: Governor.  The Governor may veto any bill sent to him (but must notify the legislature at most, 35 days from today of his intent to veto) so send him your input on any bill you want signed into law as soon as possible.  There are also a number of resolutions adopted by the senate (SR) or both Houses (SCR).

HELP LOCAL BUSINESS “BUY HAWAII, GIVE ALOHA”
Our senate district is chock-full of vibrant businesses serving the community in their own unique ways. Unfortunately, we are seeing some shut down permanently due to the coronavirus pandemic. Others are struggling to return.  We need to help them through these rough times.   The State’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) is launching the “Buy Hawaii, Give Aloha” initiative to assist local businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis. To learn more about “Buy Hawaii, Give Aloha,” go to buy.hawaii.gov.  If you’d like to list your business, click here.

KAKAAKO FREE FOOD CONTINUES IN JULY
Na Kupuna Makamae Center (NKMC), a project of Pacific Gateway Center, will be distributing food again during the month of July 2020. Providing innovative, quality services and programs to our seniors.  Mahalo the Center’s partners: Help is On the Way, Aloha Harvest, and Ham Produce & Seafood Inc.
DATES: July 11, 18, 25 
TIME: 12:00 – 2:30pm 
LOCATION: Corner Keawe St. & Ala Moana Blvd (old pump station) 
FOR MORE INFO: Call 773-7047 or Email carmenlee@pacificgatewaycenter.org.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nakupunamakamaecenter/

AMERICAN JOB CENTER HAWAII (AJCH) OPENS FOR SERVICE
The City’s American Job Center Hawaii (AJCH) re-opened its in-person computer use service to job seekers on July 1.  It’s a one-stop center that provides free employment training services to job seekers.  Since the beginning of the stay-at-home order, AJCH Job Resource Specialists have been working with job seekers to support job training and job placement opportunities through phone and online appointments.  If you’re looking for a job, reserve an appointment by emailing ajch@honolulu.gov or calling (808) 768-5701.
Scheduled computer time is available by appointment only; closed to walk-in customers. Customers may schedule appointments for one hour of computer time by calling (808) 768-5701 or email to ajch@honolulu.gov. Computer time is for individuals to complete job searches or to file for unemployment benefits online. Customers are required to wear facial coverings and remain six feet apart from others throughout their time at the center.

SUPPORT RESTAURANTS & BARS: Follow Safe Rules
Please support our restaurants and bars.  And know that they will be healthy. The Department of Health’s Food Safety Branch (FSB) will make sure they meet safety and health standards. If a restaurant or bar doesn’t adhere to rules for preventing coronavirus spread, FSB inspectors will begin shutting them down. It will issue red placards, temporarily suspending the operations of restaurants, bars and other eateries that do not comply with rules that include physical distancing and wearing masks. Under state law, health inspectors can temporarily close food establishments that pose a danger to public health.  Click here for more information.

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON COVID-19: Update on Economic and Financial Preparedness
Speaker Scott Saiki continues to co-chair the committee with Peter Ho, CEO of Bank of Hawaii, to look into ways to recover the economy from the effects of the virus.  The committee meets online next week Monday, July 13, at 10:00 am.  The meeting will be available for live viewing on Olelo channel 49 and at olelo.org.  See the agenda here.

SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON COVID-19: What’s the Status on Reopening?
Chair Donovan Dela Cruz is reconvening the committee on Wednesday, July 15, at noon to review the current status of the state’s pandemic response and plans and safeguards for the proposed August 1st reopening of our airports to transpacific travelers.  We’ll hear from the Attorney General; Departments of Health, Transportation-Airports, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Labor & Industrial Relations, and Taxation. Click here for agenda.  You can watch it live on Olelo 53 or olelo.org.

“Open Streets Sunday” on Kalakaua pilot continues:
The Mayor is continuing the pilot project hoping to help businesses in Waikiki by offering a venue for pedestrians, cyclists and others to use Kalakaua Avenue while it’s closed to vehicular traffic.  If you plan to be there, it’s Sunday from 8 am – noon. The rule is that gatherings are not allowed unless they are in pods of 10 people or fewer and they must be moving at all times, whether it be walking, running, bike riding, skateboarding or using some other non-vehicular transportation.  If you haven’t, check it out.