The City and County of Honolulu is reminding the public that on Saturday, July 11, a portion of Hotel Street will be closed off to vehicular traffic for “Dine in Chinatown” and a portion of Kalākaua will be closed each Sunday for the month of July from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. for “Open Street Kalākaua.” Hotel Street from River Street to Richards Street will be closed to vehicles – but wide open for walking and biking – from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Honolulu Police Department officers will be posted to assist with traffic control. While people walking and biking will be able to cruise through most Hotel Street intersections, cross-traffic will not be cut-off at Alakea and Bishop Streets. Pedestrians and bicyclists will have to use the existing traffic signals at those intersections. Bicyclists are reminded that their bikes should have lights if they plan on riding after dark. The City and County of Honolulu also recently announced an extension of Open Street Kalākaua initiative into the month of July. “After thorough discussion we have made the decision to proceed with both the ‘Dine in Chinatown’ one time pilot and the ‘Open Street Kalākaua’ initiative through the end of July,” said Mayor Caldwell.  “We have been advised that being outside in the open air is safer than being in an enclosed environment. Closing Hotel Street in order to allow restaurants to spill out onto the entire sidewalk in front of their restaurants will provide a much needed boost to restaurants in the area.” Under the City’s Restore Honolulu Order tables at restaurants must be spaced six feed apart and all guests must wear face coverings until seated. In addition, all serving staff must wear face coverings continually, to protect both guests, and wait staff. “Chinatown, with its rich history, is home to some of the best restaurants in Honolulu. O‘ahu needs Chinatown, and right now, Chinatown needs O‘ahu,” said Mayor Caldwell. Regarding “Open Street Kalakaua,” gatherings are not allowed unless they are in pods of 10 people or less and they must be moving at all times, whether it be walking, running, bike riding, skateboarding or using some other non-vehicular transportation. “Our ‘Open Street Kalākaua’ allows residents of all ages to exercise in a safe manner on a wide and otherwise traffic congested street,” said Mayor Caldwell. “For those who are exercising on Kalākaua, many are also visiting restaurants and other businesses in Waikīkī in growing numbers, which is providing much needed economic assistance prior to the return of visitors to this area.” Under the City’s most recent Restore Honolulu Order all people shall wear face coverings while indoors, with certain limited exceptions, and outdoors where six feet of physical distancing cannot be practiced and where it does not interfere with a person’s breathing during exercising. “The only way we can continue to open up O‘ahu is by everyone following the same protocols; wearing face coverings, thoroughly washing your hands, often, staying six feet apart unless you are a family unit or a small pod. The virus is still out there and spreading, and therefore you must protect yourself and others,” said Mayor Caldwell. On July 11, between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m., all regular TheBus services using Hotel Street will be rerouted to use King Street eastbound and Beretania Street westbound. Routes affected by the Hotel Street closure are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 13, 51, 52, 53, and 54. Call (808) 848-5555 or go to www.thebus.org for more information. The City recently issued guidelines for a temporary sidewalk dining program to allow dining on City properties island-wide, including sidewalks, malls, and parks, with some restrictions. Restaurants and other food service businesses are now able to setup tables and chairs on the sidewalk fronting their business. Because social distancing requirements restrict the number of diners allowed in an eatery, the City felt that giving owners the opportunity to expand outside of the restaurant will help to bring in more customers, while creating a livelier street scene. No permit is required, but owners must file an online registration form. For this July 11 Dine in Chinatown, this pre-registration is not required. Businesses must comply with their Department of Health Food Establishment permit. Liquor sales may be allowed under a business’ existing liquor license, but sales will not be allowed on pedestrian malls, such as Fort Street Mall, and in parks and playgrounds. The Honolulu Liquor Commission must approve the sale of alcohol in any expanded outdoor dining area. For eateries interested in setting up tables and chairs on the sidewalk after July 11, the registration form, list of guidelines and restrictions, and an FAQ are available here. At least 14 restaurants along or near Hotel Street will be open, and many of them will have either sidewalk dining or indoor/outdoor patio seating. The City is also encouraging people to explore the rest of Chinatown, where many restaurants and stores will be open. The creative arts district will be wide open, with several art galleries and retail stores open from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with some new murals installed around the neighborhood. For those coming down to enjoy “Dine in Chinatown” on July 11,  or “Open Street Kalākaua” you are reminded to wear a face-covering as required by the recently issued Emergency Order 2020-18, keep a safe physical distance from those not in your household, and practice good hand hygiene. If you are feeling sick, please stay home.

PLEASE NOTE: Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting. --- MAMALAHOA HIGHWAY (ROUTE 11) --- 1) KAU Closure of single lane at a time on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) in both directions between mile markers 28 and 32, near Crater Rim Drive and Mauna Loa Road, on Monday, July 13, through Friday, July 17, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., for paving work. Traffic flow in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow). 2) KAU Closure of single lane at a time on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) in both directions between mile markers 59 and 62, Hilea Bridge and Naalehu Driver License Station, on Saturday, July 11, through Friday, July 17, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., for landscape maintenance. Traffic flow in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow). 3) KAU Closure of single lane at a time on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 11) in both directions between mile markers 75 and 77, Tiki Lane and Lotus Blossom Lane, on Saturday, July 11, through Friday, July 17, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., for landscape maintenance. Traffic flow in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow). — KANOELEHUA AVENUE (ROUTE 11) — 1) HILO Shoulder closure on Kanoelehua Avenue (Route 11) in both directions between mile markers 3 and 6, E Palai Street and Wiliama Street, in the vicinity of Hilo on Saturday, July 11, through Friday, July 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for landscape maintenance. — VOLCANO ROAD (ROUTE 11) — 1) HILO Closure of single lane at a time on Volcano Road (Route 11) in both directions between mile markers 6 and 6.5, Liilii Street and Shipman Road, in the vicinity of Hilo on Monday, July 13, through Friday, July 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for construction of a new traffic signal. — HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 19) — 1) HILO Closure of single lane at a time on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) in both directions between mile markers 2 and 5, Kumu Street and Kahoa Place, on Saturday, July 11, through Friday, July 17, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., for pothole patching work. Traffic flow in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow). 2) HILO Closure of single lane at a time on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) in both directions between mile markers 14 and 16, Old Mamalahoa Highway and Leopolino Road, on Saturday, July 11, through Friday, July 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for landscape maintenance. Traffic flow in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow). 3) HAMAKUA Closure of single lane at a time on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) in both directions between mile markers 36 and 38, between Paauilo Makai Road and Kaunanano Road, on Monday, July 13, through Friday, July 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for guardrail installation. Traffic flow in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow). 4) HAMAKUA Closure of single lane at a time on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) in both directions between mile markers 44 and 46, Wailana Place and Ahualoa Gulch, on Saturday, July 11, through Friday, July 17, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., for landscape maintenance. Traffic flow in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow). — KAWAIHAE ROAD (ROUTE 19) — 1) KOHALA Closure of single lane at a time on Kawaihae Road (Route 19) in both directions between mile markers 63 and 67, Waiula Drive and Queen Kaahumanu Highway, on Saturday, July 11, through Friday, July 17, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., for landscape maintenance. Traffic flow in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow). — KEAAU-PAHOA ROAD (ROUTE 130) — 1) PUNA (24-HOUR WORK) Lane shift on Keaau-Pahoa Road (Route 130) in both directions between mile markers 7.5 and 7.9, Ilima Street and Ainaloa Boulevard, on Saturday, July 11, through Friday, July 17, over a 24-hour period, for construction of the Ainaloa Roundabout. — HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 190) — 1) KONA Closure of single lane at a time on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 190) in both directions between mile markers 28 and 39, Hualalai Ranch Road and Palani Road, on Saturday, July 11, through Friday, July 17, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., for landscape maintenance. Traffic flow in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow). — AKONI PULE HIGHWAY (ROUTE 270) — 1) NORTH KOHALA Closure of single lane at a time on Akoni Pule Highway (Route 270) in both directions between mile markers 24 and 25, Akana Place and Makapala Road, on Monday, July 13, through Friday, July 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for waterline installation. Traffic flow in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow). Source: Hawi'i Department of Transportation

The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) today announced updated unemployment insurance claims information, including paying $ 2,002,048,122 and 1,880,563 weeks claimed since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic on March 1, 2020. No. of claims filed statewide: 250,226 No. of invalid claims filed statewide: – 73,438 No. of valid claims awaiting claimant to verify: – 10,436 No. of valid claims requiring DLIR action 166,352 No. of claims paid: 151,071 No. of claims requiring DLIR action 7/8/20 15,281 “One major issue preventing claimants from receiving benefits is the use of devices with out-of-state IPs (Internet Protocol address) or Virtual Private Network (VPN) software,” said Deputy Perreira-Eustaquio. “Benefits are stopped when it appears claimants are filing outside of Hawaii so claimants should allow the system to detect their location when filing certifications.” The Department’s operations continue to evolve including the following common issues: Persons working full-time and therefore ineligible for benefits but filing for the loss of part-time work, Incorrect deposit information supplied by claimants, No weekly certifications filed by claimants, Claim backdate issues, Separation from work that requires investigation, Not allowing location information while filing certifications, Claimants that have filed multiple claims, and Failure to create a username and password in the claimant online portal. As reported across the nation, fraudsters are targeting state unemployment insurance systems in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic through various schemes and identity theft. Bad actors are using stolen personal information from sources outside of the department, such as from massive external data breaches like the Equifax breach, to apply for benefits through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and attempt to route payments to their own bank accounts. If you received a letter regarding a claim for PUA and you did NOT apply for benefits, please follow the instructions on the letter to report potential identity theft at pua.hawaii.gov. The DLIR is not able to detect how or when your identity was stolen and cannot prevent it from being used elsewhere. If you suspect that you have been a victim of identity theft, file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at www.identitytheft.gov. You may also check to see if your email has been breached by visiting https://haveibeenpwned.com. For more information about identity theft and PUA benefits please visit https://labor.hawaii.gov/pua-fraud-faqs/. For more information about unemployment insurance and other labor issues please visit: https://labor.hawaii.gov/covid-19-labor-faqs/. source: http://labor.hawaii.gov/blog/news/state-releases-updated-unemployment-insurance-information-4/

Gov. David Ige has appointed Bennette Misalucha to fill the late Sen. Breene Harimoto’s state Senate seat. State Senate District 16 includes Pearl City, Momilani, Pearlridge, ‘Aiea, Royal Summit, ‘Aiea Heights, Newtown, Waimalu, Halawa and Pearl Harbor. Sen. Harimoto died while in office on June 18, 2020. “Bennette is a long-time member of our community, and she understands the current issues and challenges we face. I know she will ably represent the residents in this district until the new senator is elected in November,” said Gov. David Ige. Misalucha is a community leader in Hawaiʻi who has held key executive positions in banking, marketing, public policy and community outreach sectors. She has owned her own business strategy and communications company since 2008. Prior to this, she was Vice President and Regional Director for Government and Community Relations for Actus Lend Lease, and she spent more than 16 years in banking where she fulfilled a variety of responsibilities. Her last role was in Corporate Banking as a Senior Vice President and Senior Manager at Central Pacific Bank. Early in her career, Bennette spent seven years in the media world as a reporter, writer and news producer, both locally (KHON Channel 2 News) and in the Philippines. Misalucha is a graduate of University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and an honors graduate of the Bank Administration Institute’s Graduate School of Retail Bank Management (based at the University of Wisconsin in Madison). She also attended two years of Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. “I am humbled by this opportunity, as service to others has been my lifelong calling. My great desire is to continue the meaningful work that Sen. Breene Harimoto has started. I think our community deserves no less,” said Misalucha. Misalucha will take office once the state senate qualifies her and administers the oath of office.

“The mayors and I met yesterday and are meeting again today to assess the current situation and discuss what it might mean for the state, including the planned pre-travel testing program. We are getting input from community leaders as we carefully consider the health and safety of our residents and the financial health of our communities because we know they are interconnected.” -- David Y. Ige

Department of Health: 36 New Cases of COVID-19 Reported Thirty-six (36) new cases of COVID-19 were reported by DOH Thursday. Thirty-four (34) of those cases are on Oahu, one (1) on Hawai‘i Island, and two (1) on Kaua‘i. Community outreach and testing activities continue. For more tables, charts and visualizations visit the DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division: https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/what-you-should-know/current-situation-in-hawaii

The Kaua‘i District Health Office today reported one new positive case of COVID-19. The current number of active cases now stands at 5. The cumulative total of cases to date is 43. The new case is an adult resident who had been in quarantine as part of a household with previously identified cases. All active cases remain in isolation. The state Department of Health (DOH) continues its contact tracing investigation. As new cases arise, close contacts will be identified and notified directly by DOH personnel and offered a test. Updates on new positive cases will be announced as they are confirmed. As a reminder, officials urge all individuals to wear masks in public settings and to practice physical distancing and enhanced hygiene. Avoid the three Cs: closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings. Kaua‘i’s new case will be reflected in today’s update on the state’s COVID-19 website at hawaiicovid19.com. The count is updated at noon every day. For local updates, visit the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency page, www.kauai.gov/COVID-19.

For Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and state updates regarding COVID-19 visit: https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/

Hawai’i’s official application for reporting natural resource violations is receiving a major update. The DLNRTip App now includes ​new features that allow ​users  to choose an island when submitting a tip. This sends the tip directly to the appropriate DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) branch. ​Another upgrade is the “Use My Location” button, ​which more accurately pinpoint​ a user’s location. ​ DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said, “It is important to use as much detail when describing ​and reporting a suspected natural or cultural resource violation. ​ We ask users to be sure to include the island ​where the violation is occurring. ​Since its introduction several years ago, the application has been valuable in helping people immediately report violations, which allows us to dispatch DOCARE officers quickly to a scene.” ​Download the free DLNRTip app ​from the Apple App Store for iPhones or Google Play Store for Android ​devices.

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