Senators Rosalyn H. Baker (D-South and West Maui), J. Kalani English (D-Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna’i, Kaho‘olawe) and Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran (D-Wailuku, Waihe‘e, Kahului) announced that a total of $532.940 million in Capital Improvement Project funds and General Obligation Bonds has been set aside for a wide assortment of projects in Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021 for their respective districts in the County of Maui. “In light of the State’s current financial crisis, the Maui delegation was able to secure large amounts of resources to address various improvement needs across Maui Nui,” said Senator English. “While the financial impact of COVID-19 is still unclear, many of these projects are shovel-ready and will help our communities as we begin to reopen our economy. “The monies allocated to Waianapanapa State Park in Hāna is an example of a shovel-ready project that will create jobs for local residents and allow for much needed improvements,” added the senator. “I’m especially pleased that we successfully funded a number of long-overdue gender equity projects at three of our high schools,” Senator Keith-Agaran said. “Some of the best collegiate athletes coming out of our secondary schools have been girls and they deserve great facilities.” Senator Baker said “I’m delighted that so many important repair and maintenance projects for our Maui schools, especially for those in Lahaina and Kihei received funding as did critical transportation infrastructure projects at our harbors and West Maui roads. I’m especially pleased to see funding for much needed repairs and renovations for Maui Health Systems, including the initial funding for additional parking facilities at Maui Memorial Medical Center. “Mahalo to my colleagues Senator Gil Keith-Agaran and Senator J. Kalani English, who are members of the Ways and Means Committee, for their hard work to address so many urgent capital improvement projects in Maui county,” she said. Projects in the following categories include: Public Schools • $17 million for a new classroom building at Pa‘ia Elementary • $10.405 million for softball and baseball facilities at King Kekaulike High • $7.4 million for a locker room, weight room, and dance floor for Baldwin High boys and girls athletics • $8 million for girls athletic locker and bathroom at Maui High • $2.2 million for the re-roofing of Baldwin High and Wailuku Elementary • $8.25 million for air conditioning improvements at Maui Waena Intermediate, Iao Intermediate, Wailuku Elementary, and Kahului Elementary • $4 million for renovations for additional classrooms at Iao Intermediate • $2 million for track repair and resurfacing at Lahainaluna High • $5 million for electrical upgrades at Lahainaluna High • $6 million for a new classroom building at Kahului Elementary • $3 million for the plan and design for a new Central Maui Middle • $3 million for restrooms at the park at Maui High In addition, Maui Nui schools will receive up to $13.615 million from the DOE’s repair and maintenance lump sum appropriation, with projects identified at Pa‘ia Elementary, Kamehameha III Elementary, Lahainaluna High, King Kekaulike High, Kualapu‘u Elementary, Moloka‘i High, Moloka‘i Middle, Baldwin High, Lihikai Elementary, Waihe‘e Elementary, Maui High, Kihei Elementary, Haiku Elementary, Princess Nahienaena Elementary, and Makawao Elementary. Health • $6 million for improvements and renovations for Maui Health Systems (Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, and Lāna’i Community Hospital) • $3 million for the plan and design of parking facilities at Maui Memorial Medical Center Parks • $4 million for the restroom, wastewater system, parking paving, and road improvements for Waianapanapa State Park Highways • $9 million for Leialii Parkway and highway improvements for Hawaiian Home Lands • $70 million for the re-alignment of Honoapi‘ilani Highway (Lahainaluna Road to Launiupoko) • $110 million for the Pa‘ia bypass • $40 million for the widening of Puunene Avenue Airports • $38 million for improvements to the Kahului Airport • $4 million for improvements to Hāna and Lāna’i Airports Harbors • $57 million for improvements to the Kahului Harbor • $4.2 million for the replacement construction of the Lahaina Boat Ferry Pier • $3.5 million for the finger pier replacement of the Ma‘alaea Small Boat Harbor Agriculture • $9.3 million for improvements to the Moloka‘i irrigation system Courts and Public Safety • $4.36 million for security and renovations for Hoapili Hale • $4 million for the plan and design of the Maui Regional Public Safety Complex

Mayor Michael Victorino announced today a five-week extension of a farmer assistance and food distribution program to help provide food to community organizations that provide food to families and individuals in need. “Feed My Sheep, Maui Food Bank and countless other organizations continue to put food in the hands of families impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “This program will help support their ongoing efforts and I want to thank everyone who has made our County food distributions such a great success.” Since late March, more than 6,000 bags of food have been distributed to families in need at over a dozen food distribution events in Central, South and West Maui, Upcountry, Paia-Haiku, Hana, Molokai and Lanai. The County of Maui is committing $100,000 to the Maui Farm Bureau and $50,000 to the Hawaii Farmers Union United. Purchased food will go to the community organizations for distribution. “It’s a life-saver,” said Joyce Kawakami, founder of Feed My Sheep. “We now have quality food to get to people in need, and the need is immense.” Feed My Sheep served 800 individuals in February, before the coronavirus hit the United States, and the number of individuals served jumped to 2,600 in April. Maui Food Bank Executive Director Rich Yust said: “We appreciate our partnership with Maui County to purchase the food necessary to meet our community’s great need.” Since the program began in early April, the Maui County Farm Bureau has used $20,000 weekly to purchase food from local farms for food distribution sites around the county. The Hawaii Farmers Union United has used $10,000 to set up and run online/pick-up food hubs. Initial funding provided by the County of Maui went toward the purchase of an online ordering software package. “I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to make our food distribution program such a great success,” Mayor Victorino said. “It’s been humbling and encouraging to see our community come together in a time of such great need.” For more information about Maui County Farm Bureau, visit http://www.mauicountyfarmbureau.org/. For more information on Hawaii Farmers Union United, visit https://hfuuhi.org/. For more information on Feed My Sheep, visit https://www.feedmysheepmaui.com/. For more information on Maui Food Bank, visit https://mauifoodbank.org/. Source: News release from the County of Maui.

The County of Kaua‘i is pleased to announce a joint program with the Hawaii Foodbank Kaua‘i and the Kauai Independent Food Bank to provide 500 food packages every Saturday through May 30. The next distribution will take place this Saturday, May 23, at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex at 2 p.m. Recipients can begin lining up at noon. These packages are intended for Kaua‘i families who are food insecure. “We encourage any household who needs food to come out to our distribution in Kapa‘a. We understand that almost every household on Kaua‘i has been affected in one way or another by COVID-19,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Pat Porter. “If you are in need of food, please come to the county’s food distribution this Saturday.” Distribution sites were selected based on geographical location and ability to accommodate all aspects of the distribution services, such as vehicle capacity, traffic flow, etc. The remaining food distribution day will be held on the North Shore at Waipa on May 30 at 2p.m. This program is being administered by the Kaua‘i Incident Management Team and operated by the County of Kaua‘i Department of Parks and Recreation (DOPR)/Recreation Division in partnership with the Hawai‘i Food Bank/ Kaua‘i Branch and Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank, with support from the Kaua'i Police Department, Hawaii State Department of Health, and Hawai‘i National Guard for traffic control. Mahalo to Alaska Airlines, Kauai Ice, and the National Guard for their support of this important program. Source: County of Kaua'i

A blessing was held Thursday for the Maluhia Road and Kōloa Road improvement project in Kōloa, attended by a group exercising social distancing procedures and wearing masks. “Mahalo to Goodfellow Brothers, the Department of Public Works, and to the community for your patience with this project,” said Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami. Photo caption: A blessing was held Thursday for the Maluhia Road and Kōloa Road improvement project in Kōloa, attended by a group exercising social distancing procedures and wearing masks. The scope of this $21.7 million project – with $16.4 million in federal funding – include the following. Rehabilitation and resurfacing of pavement; pavement widening to provide 4- to 6-feet paved shoulders where possible on both Maluhia Road and Kōloa Road; Reduce congestion and improve safety by adding a roundabout at the Kōloa Road/Ala Kalanikaumaka Intersection and left turn lanes at other intersections and driveways; and Provide upgrades and safety improvements (replacement and new guardrails) to comply with federal and State design standards; Drainage improvements in the Tree Tunnel section of Maluhia Road. The Project was conceived in calendar year 2017 and the Environmental and Design work began in January 2018. In 2018, an initial community meeting was held at Kōloa Elementary School to discuss design elements. In 2019 a follow-up meeting was held at Kōloa Elementary School to discuss the final design. Most recently, on May 12, a virtual meeting with members of the Southside community was held to discuss construction and lane closure dates and times. Road construction work is scheduled to start the first week of June; road closure dates and times will be announced. Anyone with questions can contact Goodfellow Brothers at 808-462-8057.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced today that starting Saturday, May 23, Governor David Ige has approved the City and County of Honolulu’s Order that allows in-person spiritual services on Oʻahu to resume with associated restrictions and recommendations. This reopening is consistent with the State’s reopening framework. “Gathering together safely, praying together, and taking part in group worship is so important right now, as so many of our residents have been practicing physical distancing for months,” said Mayor Caldwell. “Religious services can be a key resource to help many of us get through these tough times since spiritual institutions can play a significant role in our emotional and spiritual well-being. Restoring these in-person interactions will allow people to connect again in a much deeper way.” In-person spiritual services may be conducted starting on May 23 provided all persons present at the service must maintain six feet of physical distance between others, except members of the same household or living unit. Organizers are also encouraged to limit the number of persons attending their in-person spiritual services to ensure this physical distancing requirement is met and that appropriate COVID-19 mitigation plans and procedures are implemented. These are just a few of the requirements for in-person spiritual services to resume operations. The full list can be found in an amended Exhibit A of the Mayor’s Ho‘oulu i Honolulu 2.0 Order (Restore Honolulu 2.0 Order). The amended Order is attached.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced today that starting Friday, June 5, in-person table service dining in restaurants in the City and County of Honolulu will be allowed following the City’s guidelines approved by Governor David Ige. Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced today that starting Friday, June 5, in-person table service dining in restaurants in the City and County of Honolulu will be allowed following the City’s guidelines approved by Governor David Ige. Bars and nightclubs remain closed at this time and no self-service buffets or drink stations will be allowed. Restaurants on O‘ahu will be allowed to reopen beginning on June 5 under the following requirements, conditions, and privileges: Continued compliance with all State of Hawai‘i and City regulatory and legal standards for operating a food services business Compliance with Social Distancing Requirements (as modified in Section 12 of the Mayor’s Emergency Order) Dining groups must be limited to a maximum of ten individuals per group (regardless of household membership) Cleaning and disinfecting must be conducted in compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance Restaurant employees must wear face coverings during their shift – cooks and kitchen staff that do not interact with the public are encouraged but not required to wear face coverings Hourly touch-point sanitization (workstations, equipment, screens, doorknobs, restrooms, etc.) is required Frequent hand washing/sanitizing by employees is required The reopening of restaurants guidelines also include a pilot sidewalk/outdoor dining opportunity at certain restaurants that abut City properties, including certain sidewalks. Please see the guidelines for further information. The City will roll out its sidewalk/outdoor dining application and temporary permit form shortly for interested restaurants that wish to take advantage of this unique opportunity. The full list of guidelines can be found in an amended Exhibit A of the Mayor’s Ho‘oulu i Honolulu 2.0 Order (Restore Honolulu 2.0 Order) in PDF link below: http://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/may/may_docs/Emergency_Order_No_2020-13.pdf

Through the passage of a resolution today, the Hawai‘i State Senate has created a new Senate Special Investigating Committee on COVID-19 with subpoena power. This new investigative committee will supplement, if necessary, the existing informal Senate Committee on COVID-19. The addition of this new investigative committee will give the Senate the greatest flexibility to obtain the information it needs. The Investigating Committee will give the Senate legal authority to mandate a response from witnesses and compel records. The committee may also administer oaths and report instances of contempt. The subjects of the inquiries will be entitled to legal representation and will have the ability to legally challenge requests. Hearings will continue to be televised live on ‘Ōlelo on O‘ahu, Akakū on Maui, Nā Leo o Hawaiʻi Island, and Ho‘ike on Kaua‘i, and streamed live on the internet. The committee will issue written reports and recommendations to the Senate. The Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 was established on March l8 to review the state’s response to the pandemic, and the Senate Investigating Special Committee on COVID-19 was created today by Senate Resolution 198. The members of both committees are Senators Donovan Dela Cruz, Jarrett Keohokalole, Michelle N. Kidani, Donna Mercado Kim, Sharon Moriwaki, and Kurt Fevella.

Wednesday afternoon, Special Agents from the Investigation Division of the Dept. of the Attorney General arrested an 18-year-old woman on charges of violating the State’s mandatory 14-day-quarantine rule and for unsworn falsification to authority. Alyza Alder, of Gilbert, AZ, was taken into custody at a fast food restaurant in Laie, after a citizen notified authorities that she was allegedly in violation of emergency rules. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority assisted law enforcement on this case. Alder arrived on O‘ahu on May 6 and allegedly began posting photos of herself swimming off beaches in Lāʻie and Hau‘ula between May 8 and yesterday. Investigators say while she still should have been under quarantine, she took employment at the restaurant. She has been booked and charged and her bail is set at $2,000. State Attorney General Clare Connors reiterated, “We are asking everyone – returning residents and visitors – to abide by our state’s 14-day self-quarantine order. The 14-day self-quarantine rules protect everyone’s health and safety. As we’ve said before, if you come to Hawai‘i with the expectation that you can ignore the self-quarantine order, you very likely will be reported, arrested and end up in jail facing hefty fines. All of us must do our part to protect ourselves, our families, friends and guests.” Source: Hawai'i COVID-19 Joint Information Center

Senate and House approves financing for Hilo Medical Center’s Cardiac Center and Hawai‘i Pacific Oncology Center Today, the Hawai’i State Legislature agreed and passed HB 2725, the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021. Senator Kaiali‘i Kahele (D-Hilo) extends his thanks to the Senate Ways and Means and House Finance committees for approving the CIP funding for the Hilo Medical Center’s (HMC) Cardiac Center and Hawai‘i Pacific Oncology Center in the 1st Senatorial District. A total of $3.5 million will go to the construction and equipment for a second catheterization laboratory for the medical center’s cardiac unit, and $6.5 million for plans, design, equipment and construction for the expansion and improvement of the clinic at the oncology center. “When I took office in February 2016 after my father’s passing from a heart attack,” said Senator Kahele, “I made it one of my top priorities to bring a cardiac catheterization unit to Hilo. Our community knows how vital specialty health care is on Hawai‘i Island. “With the initial legislative funding in 2018 and permanent cardiologists now on staff at HMC, funding for a second catheterization lab will allow HMC to meet the demand for these services and ensure the availability of critical lifesaving equipment,” he said. “In addition, the expansion of the oncology center will improve the general oncology clinic, treating cancers and hematology, as well as blood cancers and disorders. “This critical funding will undoubtedly save lives and keep families together. Mahalo to my colleagues for their support,” said the senator. HMC’s interventional cardiac program began service on January 1, 2019, with initial funding from the State Legislature in 2018. Since July 1, 2019, interventional cardiac catheterization for the treatment of heart attacks has been made available 24/7 for the residents of East Hawai‘i. Just in the last year, over 40 heart attacks have been treated in the catheterization lab with an additional 181 patients who were electively treated with stents for heart blockages, preventing future heart attacks.

State Dept. of Health Update for Thursday, May 21, 2020 Four New Cases of COVID-19 Reported Hawai‘i island has three (3) new cases of COVID-19 and Maui has one (1) new coronavirus case. Three of the most recently reported cases are adults and one is a minor. Three are Hawai‘i residents and one is a non-resident. For more tables visit: https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/

City and County of Honolulu offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25. The holiday schedule for the City and County of Honolulu operations is as follows. Emergency medical services, lifeguard, fire, medical examiner, and police services will be available. TheBus will operate on a Sunday schedule. For route and schedule information, please visit www.thebus.org. Refuse will be collected and transfer stations, convenience centers, H-POWER, and the Waimānalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill will be open. As part of an ongoing citywide response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Honolulu Zoo, Neal S. Blaisdell Center, People Open Markets, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Koko Head Shooting Complex, satellite city halls and driver licensing centers will all remain closed. The following traffic and parking regulations will be in effect: No parking will be allowed on all streets and shoulders in Lanikai, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through June 30. On-street parking will be free, except for the meters on Kalākaua Avenue along Queen Kapi‘olani Park, metered parking lots, and meters on specific Waikīkī streets. View the list of Waikīkī streets here. Traffic lanes will not be coned for contraflow. Source: City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services

The County of Kaua‘i’s The Kaua‘i Bus will be participating in the nationwide “Sound the Horn”campaign to show support for essential public transportation workers across the United States. This commemorative moment will take place on Thursday, May 21, at 9 a.m., and all Kaua‘i Bus drivers are encouraged to honk their horns with our nation’s transit partners in support and solidarity. The campaign is organized through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York City and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) to recognize the importance of public transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kaua‘i Bus and other national transportation operators will launch a coordinated day of action to simultaneously sound their fleets of bus, train, and boat horns on May 21 to honor heroic transportation workers across the region. As a tribute to #HeroesMovingHeroes on the front lines of this public health crisis, all buses running in service will give two one-second horn blasts in solidarity with partner agencies. Riders are encouraged to use the #SoundTheHorn and #HeroesMovingHeroes on social media to hashtag the event. Our top-notch front line transit workers truly are heroes moving heroes during this pandemic. Please join Mayor Derek Kawakami and our valued transit employees in this moment as they sound their horns on Kaua‘i to honor transit workers nationwide. We are all in this together. Even today, our frontline transit workers provide about 700 daily trips so residents can fulfill their essential roles. We salute all of our transit employees and take pride in the job they are doing during this crisis. Up-to-date bus schedules and additional information can be found online at, the County of Kaua‘i and the Kaua‘i Bus Facebook pages, or at 246-8110.