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

Aloha Neighbor,

The legislature is in recess today but will return tomorrow to pass the budget bills and governor appointments to boards and commissions.   We will recess beginning Friday (5/22) until mid-June. When we return we will be assessing the state of the state, knowing our revenues from the Council of Revenues that meets on May 28 and our needs (unemployment, business, etc.).  Although the legislature will be in recess, Senate committees can continue to meet to conduct official business.  Tomorrow, a joint committee hearing convenes to be briefed by the state administration on its plans for economic recovery.  Details are at the end of this message.

I know there is economic suffering; and the state will continue to work with the counties and  private sector to serve our community(ies).  Today, I share information on several programs—federal, state and private– that might be of help to you.

WHERE’S MY FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECK?
The IRS is sending Economic Impact Payment – often called a stimulus payment – checks under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. But if you haven’t yet received yours, here’s some information:

Who is eligible?

• Anyone other than a nonresident alien, a dependent, or an estate
• You must have a Social Security number for you, your spouse, and any child.  There is an exception for spouses of active duty military members.

How much will I get? It depends:

• Individuals receive $1,200 (joint filers receive $2,400) plus $500 per child under 17 years old.
• Benefits start to phase out when your income exceeds $150,000 for married couples, $75,000 for singles, and $112,500 for single parents.
• With the phase-out, payments will not go to single filers earning more than $99,000; head-of-household filers with one child, more than $146,500; and more than $198,000 for joint filers with no children.
• Your income is based on your 2019 tax return; if you did not file taxes for 2019, the Treasury will use your 2018 tax return.

Questions? You can call IRS directly at 800-919-9835. But… wait times might be long so you might want to visit the website FAQ at:
www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center.

You can also check on the status of your payment at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment but have your 2018 or 2019 tax return ready to access the portal. If you are eligible but not required to file taxes or don’t receive social security benefits, go to: www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here.

NEED HEALTH INSURANCE?
If you have lost health insurance you can obtain help through Medquest –Hawaii’s version of Medicaid. You can find out if you are eligible within a day or two by filling  out an online application at medical.mybenefits.hawaii.gov. Note: even if you were disqualified from SNAP (for example because you received your $600 stimulus check), you can still qualify for Medquest.

If you don’t qualify for Medquest, apply at healthcare.gov with lower copays and premiums. There is typically an open enrollment period but you can still apply within the 60 days after the day you lost employment.

NEED FREE ADVERTISING?
A group of Hawaii radio stations, iHeartMedia Honolulu, is sharing their expertise and “heart” free of charge to local businesses. They’ve launched at: Support808.com which lists restaurants, retailers, and shops that are providing services during the shutdown.

They are conducting a half a million-dollar campaign per month in advertising on all of the stations pushing Support808.com; at least two mentions an hour.  Anyone wishing to post their business can email their information to flash@iheartmedia.com and it will be posted on the site.

SENATE JOINT COMMITTEE BRIEFING TOMORROW (5/21)
The Senate wants to hear about the state’s plan for economic recovery.  The Committee on Ways and Means joins the Committee on Energy, Economic Development and Tourism to be briefed by the several departments of the administration, beginning at 1 pm. It will hear from the department of taxation (on the monthly revenues), budget & finance (on the state financial situation), state economist, and programs of the department of business, economic development and tourism and from the department of agriculture and UH CTAHR on their economic recovery plans as we enter the “new normal.”  See the agenda here and you can watch it live on Olelo Channel 49 or olelo.org.

Aloha Neighbor,

Today we send our fond aloha and mahalo to many who have enriched our lives and those who serve our communities.

ALOHA & MAHALO TO:

• William Awihilima Kahaiali‘i (1960-2020), known to us as the legendary Willie K, who has touched our lives through his music and positive spirit.

• Emergency Medical Services frontline workers who have put themselves in harm’s way for our health and well-being.  We send them our aloha and mahalo especially during National Emergency Medical Services Week, May 17-23.

• Hawaii Community Foundation for its assistance in the COVID-19 response, providing over $6 million through its nonprofit partners to serve needy residents across Hawaii, including our keiki, kupuna, essential workers and those suffering from job loss and business shutdown.  You will recognize some its projects — “Food for Hawaii‘s Ohana” weekly distributing food to over 8,000 Oahu families; or relief to licensed home-based child care providers – helping residents get back to work and stabilizing our economy.
• Aloha United Way for its myriad of resources from rent and utility assistance to home delivered meals. Yesterday (5/28), AUW launched the City’s Household Hardship Relief Fund which aims to help residents who are facing hardship due to COVID19.  AUW lists other resources that might help those in need at https://www.auw211.org/Resources.aspx

SENATE SPECIAL COVID COMMITTEE MEETING: Closing the Quarantine Loopholes
The committee has been working to safeguard the public from the “traveling virus” by closing our harbors and, over the last couple months, focusing on deplaning passengers who are wiggling out of the 14-day quarantine under the governor’s emergency proclamation.  We now have in place stringent quarantine orders, transit to local lodging without use of car rentals, lodging hosts (which includes short-term rental owners) responsible for guest quarantine, and an online application for incoming passengers at https://safetravels.hawaii.gov. Mahalo to the Attorney General, the State Airports Division, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Honolulu Police Department, and the Courts working together to put an end to those who would sabotage our safe and healthy Hawaii.  Mahalo also to over 2,000 volunteers of the Hawaii Quarantine Kapu Breakers who helped track and bring down these scofflaws. Updates from these agencies presented at today’s hearing will be posted on the committee’s webpage.

WHAT TO DO AFTER THE COVID19 EVICTION MORATORIUM: Rapid Response Landlord-Tenant Mediation
The COVID-19 pandemic hit hard tenants who lost jobs and now unable to pay rent and landlords challenged with paying their mortgage and other bills. The Governor’s moratorium on evictions helps now, but, what happens when it ends? Over 40 mediators from the Mediation Center of the Pacific (MCP) are ready to help landlords and tenants negotiate creative solutions, e.g. payment plans, temporary rent reduction, deferred payments, etc. Tenants who were current on their rent prior to COVID-19 and are now suffering financial hardship should plan ahead. MCP can help with free mediation services. Call 521-6767 between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Click here for more information.