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

Aloha Neighbors,

The Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 met today with the Governor’s Chief of Staff, State Human Resources and Department of Agriculture Directors and the Superintendent of Education. See the agenda and link to the briefing. The Superintendent updated us on the DOE grab and go program—which will be expanding the number of sites—as well as the Board of Education’s approval of waivers for student assessment and graduation requirements.  They are working on graduation ceremonies for seniors but will have to await how the COVID-19 crisis proceeds.  See DOE updates at their website.  The classes and programs are being handled school by school so call your school if you have specific questions.

USDA loans and programs for disaster assistance.  Although not so relevant to us in the urban district, you may find some of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs under the federal stimulus act helpful.

Inter-island travel requires 14-day quarantine. The 14-day quarantine rule on all incoming travelers is in full effect.  Zero foreign travelers arrived yesterday.  Essential workers travelling between islands will need to fill out the inter-island declaration form prior to going to the airport.  Mayors Kirk Caldwell, Derek Kawakami, and Michael Victorino sent letters to the President of the United States requesting the suspension of all non-essential travel to Hawaii.  The Senate special committee supports this request and sent a letter to the Governor asking him to do the same.

Gov. David Ige is continuing his daily press conferences at 2:30 pm at all channels. If you missed. See link to the video of today’s conference that covers health, HIEMA,  national guard and “hotels for heroes” program sponsored by the hotels for our healthcare workers.  Four units of the Hawaii National Guard are activated  immediately to help in providing various state needs. About 250 members will assist at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HiEMA) and help distribute personal protective equipment.

Update on SBA loans.  Yesterday we sent you information on SBA loans for small businesses and non-profits. The SBA website has been updated so if interested visit: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options

As we face the COVID-19 crisis not knowing how long it will last, I understand the financial challenges facing us. The federal relief act is intended to help with a number of programs.  The US Department of Treasury website provides resources for financial relief which you might find helpful.

Economic Impact Payments. These are coming to you if you are eligible. Some of my neighbors have already received a check.  For more information see: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know

ADA Placards: Some of you asked about the ADA placards that may be expiring. Governor’s  Executive Order No. 20-01, suspends the expiration dates on long term (blue) placards.  Permittees may continue using their expired blue parking placard until the suspension is rescinded.  We have also received inquiries as to whether the rule also applies to temporary (red) placards. Unfortunately, the temporary (red) parking placards are not covered; however, the Disability and Communication Access Board has asked the Governor to include temporary placards under his proclamation; and awaiting a response.

Reminders:

• Support our restaurants and at Kakaako’s Farmers Market practice social distancing
• Free COVID-19 screening this Sunday 4/5, 8 am – 12 pm at Kakaako Waterfront Park

The CDC recommends today, “…wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.”

Take care and stay healthy!

Aloha Neighbors,

The Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 will meet tomorrow, Friday, April 3 at 11 am.  You can watch it on `Ōlelo channel 49 or on YouTube livestream and see the agenda here. Reporting State agencies include the office of the Governor and departments of human resources, agriculture, and education. Information from prior meetings can be found on the committee’s web page.

Drive-thru COVID-19 testing. One of the most effective ways to flatten the curve is to find the positive cases through testing.  I’m glad to see the testing is increasing and we welcome again the drive-through testing at Kaka’ako Waterfront Park this coming Sunday from 8 am to noon.  See this flyer to see if you should be tested.

Can my landlord evict me if I don’t pay my rent?  The Judiciary has issued several orders that impact the ability of landlords and their agents to use legal process to evict a tenant for non-payment of rent. Legal proceedings relating to summary possession or eviction have been postponed to at least April 30, 2020. Absent extraordinary circumstances, no eviction orders will be issued until at least after April 30, 2020. For more FAQ’s on the Landlord-Tenant Code under the Governor’s Proclamation, click here.  For inquiries regarding specific cases, call 808-586-2634. Trained investigators are available to consult.

Some of you have also asked about price gouging and scams. The Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA) also can address this.  For more information on COVID-19 consumer resources visit DCCA’s resources page .

Drivers License/Safety Check Hiatus:  You also asked about what to do if you need to renew your driver’s license or need a safety check. The Satellite City Halls and DMVs are currently closed to all in-person transactions until further notice.  The good news is that the City has declared that all expired safety checks are valid until May 31.  Also, any driver license, instructional permit, state ID, or commercial driver license expiring March 23, 2020, through May 15, 2020, will be considered valid in the state of Hawaii for an additional 90 days after expiration.   For more details, see the Department of Customer Services COVID-19 update page.

Making masks?  More and more reports indicate that masks plus social distancing are the ways that we all can contribute to flattening the curve.  I have been walking through the district every morning and see more neighbors wearing various types of masks –even scarves around their nose and mouth.  The important point: We don’t have to get the medical grade N95 masks, which are in short supply and should be reserved for healthcare workers. Kudos to them for being on the front lines for us and need all the protection we can give them.

For the rest of us, we should wear masks if we are in public places and especially when we are in spaces with a number of people (e.g., grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurant take out, etc.) to protect others and ourselves from spreading the virus.  And, yes, even the non-professional masks may not yet be available.  So… we can be innovative. And since you are at home “sheltering in place” (you are, right?) you can make your own! Mahalo to those of you who wrote giving suggestions on how we can make our own masks.  One of our neighbors is already making masks that she is giving to her neighbors and shares this video and instructions on making your own.  And for many, like me, who don’t sew, here’s a video on how to make your mask without having to sew a stitch!  The main thing about wearing the mask properly is that it fit snugly on your face and covers the bridge of your nose and below your chin and be kept clean if you are reusing.

Take care and stay healthy!