The 2020 Lāna‘i combination mouflon sheep and axis deer season will regretfully be canceled due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Hawai’i. The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) has determined the cancellation of the hunt is in the best interest of public health and safety.

Today, the Hawai‘i State Senate passed final reading SB3054 SD2 HD1 and SB2701 HD2 relating to firearm registration and agricultural buildings, respectively. Senate Bill 5054 requires every person who permanently moves firearms out of the State to contact the county police department where the firearms are registered to notify that particular police department that the firearms have been moved out of the State within five days of their removal from the State. It imposes a fine of $100 per firearm for violations. The bill states that “The legislature finds that the State has some of the strongest gun safety laws in the nation. However, based on the recent report by the legislative reference bureau on statistical data relating to firearms, there is no accurate data on the number of firearms in the State. This is in part because currently there is no reporting mechanism for the firearms that are moved out of the State, but only for those being transferred into the State. “The purpose of this Act is to amend the mandates of section 10 134-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to include providing 11 notification of permanently removing firearms from the State.” The vote was 20-2, with Senators Kurt Fevella and Gil Riviere in opposition. Senate Bill 2701 grants county agencies the right to enter property to investigate agricultural buildings for violations of and compliance with building permit and building code exemption requirements. The Senate also passed on final reading SB2877 SD1 HD2 and SB2878 HD2 relating to mental health counselors and massage therapy, respectively. Senate Bill 2877 clarifies that the practicum internship experience requirement to be included with the course work in counseling requirement for mental health counselors. It also clarifies that the supervised mental health practicum intern experience requirement is a total of 300 hours of supervised client contact across two academic terms. It permits applicants to fulfill all or part of their face-to-face clinical supervision requirement by a videoconference service. Senate Bill 2878 requires the Board of Massage Therapy to adopt and enforce sanitation rules for massage therapy establishments. It repeals existing statutory language that classifies unlicensed activity as a petty misdemeanor in favor of existing statutes that treat unlicensed activity as a misdemeanor, and increases the fines for violations of the laws regulating massage therapy.

Department of Health: 23 New Cases of COVID-19 Reported Twenty-three (23) new cases of COVID-19 were reported by DOH Wednesday. Twenty (20) of those cases are in Honolulu, one (1) on Hawai‘i Island, and two (2) on Maui. Community outreach and testing activities continue. More information at www.hawaiicovid19,com

Yesterday, 2,685 people arrived in Hawaii. During this same time last year approximately 35,000 passengers arrived in Hawaii daily, including residents and visitors. The state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine started on March 26th for all passengers arriving in Hawaii from out of state. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out of state yesterday and does not include interisland travel. This data was collected from the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Mandatory Travel Declaration Form. For Hawaii Tourism Authority and state updates regarding COVID-19 visit: https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/

The Hawai‘i State Senate honored their late colleague Breene Harimoto with a memorial service Tuesday, July 7 in the Senate Chamber. The memorial service was live via ‘Ōlelo channel 49 and the Hawai‘i Senate Facebook page beginning at 11 a.m. The video of the memorial is being finalized and will be shared soon on Facebook and website. A virtual guest book of condolences to Senator Harimoto’s family is available for the public to sign: https://everloved.com/life-of/breene-harimoto/memories Photos may be found on the Senate photo page :https://flic.kr/s/aHsmPisK2d The senator served the residents of District 16 – Pearl City, Momilani, Pearlridge, ‘Aiea, Royal Summit, ‘Aiea Heights, Waimalu, Halawa, and Pearl Harbor for six years. He was elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. Prior to his election to the Senate, Breene Harimoto served on the Honolulu City Council for four years. Senator Harimoto's Memorial Program is here on PDF: A special and heartfelt mahalo to Robert Sato and Linda Nunes for designing this beautiful program.

At a memorial service in the Hawai‘i State Senate chamber today, Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald delivered the following eulogy for Senator Breene Harimoto: To most, Breene Harimoto was known for his years of public service: he was a member of the Board of Education, a Honolulu City Councilmember, and a State Senator. But his history of civic participation and community involvement extends way beyond those elected offices. He wasn’t driven by political aspirations; he just wanted to help his community and contribute as much as he could. Simply put, Breene was born to serve. Breene discovered an interest in civic engagement back when he was on the Student Government at Waipahu High School, and continued through his college years as a Senator with the Associated Students of the University of Hawai‘i. His desire to improve the educational conditions for his fellow students propelled Breene to spend a lifetime seeking to enhance the quality of life for those around him. A lifelong resident of Pearl City, Breene constantly fought to improve the health and welfare of his community. Even while busy with his career as an information technology professional, he still made it a point to be present with his family. He was a deeply involved father to his three sons, participating in their school activities and functions as a parent volunteer. He was also a member of various organizations including his homeowner’s association, the Pearl City Community Association, the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, the Lion’s Club, and the Friends of the Pearl City Library, to name a few. Breene was a fixture in Pearl City; spending his free time participating in and coordinating community improvement projects such as neighborhood and park cleanups and events including the annual Family Fun Fair and Halloween Bash that brought neighbors together in fellowship. Photo by: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Craig T. Kojima. New city councilman Breene Harimoto with his granddaughter, Hailey Harimoto, on his lap on Jan 3, 2011. Although Breene was soft-spoken by nature, he was outspoken when it came to advocating for his beloved Pearl City community, and led the charge in creating the Pearl City Foundation and Momilani Community Center, to provide a gathering place in the community offering social, educational, and recreational opportunities for all, from youth to seniors. As Executive Director of the community center he was “the guy in the blue shirt” often seen mowing the lawn and cleaning up after functions. He didn’t just represent the community; he saw himself as part of the community. Breene was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015, after his first legislative session. In an effort to combat the disease, he underwent the extremely invasive and risky Whipple procedure to remove various parts of his digestive system. As a testament to his faith and strength of will, he powered through his second legislative session as Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing, even while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It was tremendous news when Breene learned he went into remission in 2017. But, just a year later, in 2018, the cancer returned, this time in his lungs. With a terminal prognosis, he was told that he would need to undergo bi-weekly chemotherapy treatments for the rest of his life. Throughout it all, with his unwavering faith and hopes of a miracle, Breene always had a positive attitude, offering a smile and cheerful hello in the hallways of the Capitol and out in the community. Sadly, after a courageous five-year battle, Breene passed away on June 18, 2020, at the age of 66. He will be missed. We are honored to have here with us today in the gallery many of Breene’s family members. I would like to recognize: HIs father, Walter, with mother Betty watching from home. His wife, Cheryl; Sons – Kevin, and his wife Frances; Kasey, and his wife Cheryl; and Kerry; Grandchildren - Hailey, Hiro, and Harper; Sisters - Gayle and Lynne, with brother Deane watching from Michigan; and his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. We would also like to acknowledge his current and former staff: Robert Sato, Linda Nunes, Carnation Iokia, Jay Pee Balisacan, Frank Streed, Karen Scharfenstein, and Councilmember Brandon Elefante. Memorial services are pending. Please join us in leaving condolences for Senator Harimoto’s family in a virtual guest book Senator Harimoto’s memorial website Digital program for today’s memorial service

Department of Health: 41 New Cases of COVID-19 Reported Forty-one (41) new cases of COVID-19 were reported by DOH Tuesday. This is the highest case count since the pandemic began earlier this year. Thirty-eight (38) of those cases are in Honolulu, one (1) on Hawai‘i Island, and two (2) on Kaua‘i. State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said, “This latest report shows COVID-19 is widely circulating in our community. The numbers today will likely continue, at least at this level, if people continue to disregard using their masks and practice physical distancing. While we have an increased number of staff at DOH and are in the process of hiring newly trained contact tracers, the community must adhere to the guidelines - as no amount of contact tracing and testing will combat a respiratory pathogen.” DOH is also continuing to monitor a cluster associated with Hawaiian Airlines, which now involves 15 cases; 13 staff and two close contacts of those employees. Community outreach and testing activities continue. Source: Hawai'i State Department of Health

Maui County flags will be flown at half-mast on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, in honor and remembrance of the late Hawaii state Sen. Breene Harimoto. Mayor Michael Victorino and First Lady Joycelyn Victorino also extended their condolences to his family and friends. “Senator Harimoto served the people of the State of Hawaii with great grace and humility,” Mayor Victorino said. “He was well known for his kindness, compassion and faith, as well as for his work on affordable housing and transit-oriented development. He was a dedicated public servant who worked hard to make our community a better place for everyone. He will be greatly missed.” “Joycelyn and I are deeply saddened by Breene’s loss, and we ask everyone to extend their prayers and condolences to the Harimoto Ohana as they celebrate him and remember his life.”

Department of Health: 7 New Cases of COVID-19 Reported Seven (7) new cases of COVID-19 were reported Monday by DOH. The cases include six (6) cases from O‘ahu and one (1) case on Hawai‘i Island. The DOH is also monitoring a cluster of COVID-19 cases associated with a gym in Honolulu. DOH found the gym did not have the space to properly physical distance, had poor ventilation, and lack of masks for those not exercising. The gym is now closed, and community outreach and testing activities are ongoing. Over the 4th of July holiday weekend the DOH reported a total of 78 new cases; 29 cases on Friday, including one death, 24 cases on Saturday, and 25 cases on Sunday. One case was removed from Honolulu as a result of updated testing information. Hawai‘i COVID-19 Counts as of 12:00 noon, July 6, 2020

Yesterday, 2,372 people arrived in Hawai'i. During this same time last year approximately 35,000 passengers arrived in Hawai'i daily, including residents and visitors. The state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine started on March 26th for all passengers arriving in Hawai'i from out of state. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out of state yesterday and does not include interisland travel. This data was collected from the Hawai'i Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Mandatory Travel Declaration Form. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out of state yesterday and does not include interisland travel. This data was collected from the Hawai'i Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Mandatory Travel Declaration Form. For Hawaii Tourism Authority and state updates regarding COVID-19 visit: https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/

On 7/4/2020, the Hawai‘i Department of Health reported 24 new positive cases. Two of the cases are on Hawai‘i Island, one is on Maui, two are on Kaua‘i, and 19 are on O‘ahu, for a cumulative total of 999 cases statewide (reported since 2/28/2020). A total of 84,325 individuals have been tested in the state. Detailed information and data about COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i is available at: Latest Cases in Hawai'i | Current Situation in Hawai'i | COVID-19 Data Dashboard Source: Hawai'i State Department of Health