WHO: Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, Chair, Senate Ways and Means Committee and Chair, Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair, House Finance Committee Representative Richard H.K. Onishi, Chair, House Tourism & International Affairs Committee WHAT: Legislators to be guests on “Insights on PBS Hawai‘i” WHEN: 8 p.m. today WHERE: Live on PBS Hawai‘i Also streaming live on pbshawaii.org Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Three key State lawmakers will discuss the economic effects of COVID-19 in Hawaii on the next “Insights on PBS Hawai‘i” airing live at 8 p.m. today. Guests will be State Senate Ways and Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz, who is also the Chair of the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19, House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke and Hawaiʻi Island Representative Richard Onishi of the House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness. At the start of the year, lawmakers had high hopes of addressing Hawaii’s affordable housing crisis, increasing the minimum wage and creating tax breaks for the working class. Early education for pre-K students also was on the wish list. Then the new coronavirus took over. Now the focus is on how to recover from an economic meltdown while keeping Hawaii’s people healthy. Questions and comments can be made during tonight’s program by either calling 462-5000 on O‘ahu or 800-238-4847 on the neighbor islands, email at insights@pbshawaii.org, linking to PBS Hawaii’s Facebook page, or using the hashtag #pbsinsights on Twitter.

As a mark of respect for former state Rep. Dennis R. Yamada, Gov. David Ige has ordered that the flags of the United States and State of Hawaiʻi shall be flown at half-staff at all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawaiʻi National Guard, from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 8, 2020. Yamada died on April 12 at the age of 75. He served six terms as the state representative from Kauaʻi, starting in 1970 through 1982. Yamada was chair of the House Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee from 1972 through 1978, and chair of the House Judiciary Committee from 1978 through 1980. In addition, he served as House Majority Leader from 1980 through 1982. Flags will fly at half-staff tomorrow, Friday, May 8, 2020, to honor Yamada on the day of his memorial service.

The City and County of Honolulu is pleased to announce it is supporting more drive-thru COVID-19 testing. Testing will be made available to those without insurance. On Friday, May 8, Kalihi Kai Urgent Care will conduct testing at ʻEwa Beach Community Park. Testing will be from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. On Tuesday, May 12, Transformation Health Network will conduct testing in the parking lot at Kalihi Union Church, 2214 North King Street from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Entry will be from the driveway on Umi Street. Walk-up individuals are welcome also. Participants should follow the posted signs to the test area. All who attend will first be screened for symptoms and asked to provide personal information including insurance if available and contact numbers so results can be made known to them. Quarantine protocol for tested patients follows the State Department of Health recommendations. To view the guidelines, head here. For more information on the testing run by Kalihi Kai Urgent Care, call 841-2273. For information on the testing with Transformation Health Network, call 854-3566.

The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services (DTS) will be receiving award funding from the Federal Transit Administration through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act provides emergency appropriations to support agency operations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds are helping eligible transit agencies nationwide in providing operating assistance to maintain transit services. The City was awarded $90,815,591 in Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula funds, which will be used to maintain operations and levels of service into next year on the road to recovery from COVID-19. This money will directly support the City's current transit service operations, TheBus and TheHandi-Van. DTS strives to keep riders and the public safe and mobile while providing high-quality transit services as we work through the Coronavirus pandemic towards economic recovery.

As low risk businesses prepare to reopen across the State, the Hawai'i Department of Transportation (HDOT) will be resuming special use lane operations for congestion mitigation. Due to the COVID-19 emergency, HDOT suspended special use lane operations, including contraflow lanes such as the Zipper lane, on March 25. Special use lane operations on O'ahu and Hawai'i Island will resume Thursday, May 7. The Kuhio Highway Contraflow on Kaua'i is planned to resume Monday, May 11 at the latest after temporary work is completed at the mauka Wailua Bridge. A list of these lanes statewide and hours of operation can be found at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/special-use-lanes/ or on the list below. O'ahu H-1 Eastbound Zip lane (HOV) from Managers Drive to Keehi Nimitz Highway Eastbound HOV/contraflow lane Keehi to Industrial Parkway H-1 Eastbound HOV lane from Waiawa to Keehi H-1 Westbound HOV lane from Keehi to Waiawa H-1 Eastbound shoulder express lane/HOV lane Pearl Harbor to Keehi H-2 Southbound HOV lane Mililani to Waiawa H-2 Northbound HOV lane Waiawa to Mililani H-201 Moanalua Freeway HOV lane Halawa to Puuloa Kalanianaole Highway Westbound contraflow/HOV lane West Halemaumau Street to Ainakoa Avenue Kahekili Highway Southbound contraflow West Hui Iwa Street to Haiku Road H-1 Eastbound shoulder express lane Waiawa to Halawa H-1 Westbound shoulder express lane Halawa to Waimalu H-1 Eastbound shoulder express lane Kualakai Parkway to Exit 5 Farrington Highway Westbound contraflow Piliokahi Avenue to Nanaikeola Street Third lane on Oahu on Farrington Highway at Maipalaoa Bridge (operations continued through March 25 to provide needed capacity) The coning off to create a right turn only to Punchbowl Street from eastbound Vineyard Boulevard for safety during the morning rush, although not a traditional special use lane, will resume Evening, weekday closure of Piikoi Onramp to the H-1 eastbound (will resume for safety when traffic volumes return to within 20% of typical volumes) Hawai'i Island Route130, Keaau-Pahoa Road northbound (Contraflow) from Shower Drive to Kaloli Drive Kaua'i Kuhio Highway from Kapule Highway to Kapaa Temporary Bypass Road – Tentatively reopening Monday, May 11, may reopen sooner if temporary work is completed at mauka Wailua Bridge. Please note that there are some special use lanes operated by the City and County of Honolulu, this resumption applies to State-operated lanes only. HDOT also continues to monitor traffic and will continue to approve extended hours for closures so long as the traffic volumes remain under 20-25% of typical volumes. The data is updated on Mondays at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/covid-19-traffic-volume-comparison/ with the quality checked data from Wednesday the week before. HDOT thanks the public and our partners for their cooperation and support during the emergency period for COVID-19.

In consideration of Governor Ige allowing the reopening of low risk businesses that take necessary precautions, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) is coordinating the reopening of stations for Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspections (PMVI or Safety Checks) starting Friday, May 15. The safety check waiver announced on April 30 will not be changed to allow PMVI stations, Counties, and the public enough time to conduct and process safety checks. The waiver announced previously was: Safety check certificates and stickers expiring on or before May 31, 2020, will remain valid until August 31, 2020. All other safety checks that expire in 2020 will be valid for an additional 3 months after the 2020 expiration date. The safety check extension does not impact the validity of the motor vehicle registration. The motor vehicle registration must still be unexpired to be valid. County motor vehicle registration offices are accepting renewals through a variety of methods, including mail, kiosk (where available), and online. The County of Kaua‘i has announced the reopening of its Department of Motor Vehicles by appointment beginning May 18 (link to their announcement here). PMVI stations are required to follow the guidelines outlined below: Open with health and safety precautions for employees and customers, including physical distancing of 6-feet or greater, enhanced sanitation measures and appropriate PPE Facilities should frequently conduct thorough and detailed cleaning and disinfecting with focus on high-touch areas (e.g., door handles) Customers should be accepted by appointment only PMVI stations should limit the number of employees in the facility at one time to allow for safe physical distancing practices Train all employees on the importance of frequent handwashing with soap and water, the use of hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content, and give them clear instruction to avoid touching hands to face Employees should be given frequent opportunities to wash their hands Employees who develop symptoms of COVID-19 at work should be dismissed as soon as possible to self-isolate at home or seek medical attention as appropriate Anyone visibly displaying symptoms of COVID-19 should not be allowed in the facility Mitigation Resources: OSHA, CDC, CDC-Cleaning & Disinfecting Facilities, CDC Small Business guidance. As we all work together on COVID-19 recovery, HDOT thanks our partners and the public for their cooperation and patience.

Mayor Michael Victorino announced a food distribution taking place Thursday, May 7, to provide bags of food to individuals in Central Maui impacted by COVID-19. Distribution will start at 10 a.m. at the War Memorial Gymnasium parking lot (700 Halia Nakoa Street). About 500 bags of food will be distributed. Bags will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. The War Memorial Gym parking lot can be accessed through a right turn from Kanaloa Ave. onto Halia Nakoa St. A left turn onto Halia Nakoa is NOT permitted. “Mahalo to the many businesses, County employees and volunteers contributing to this effort,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Once again, I ask residents to be considerate – this food is intended to help those in our community who are struggling due to job losses and financial hardship.” Special Mahalo: VIP Foodservice, Maui County Farm Bureau, Mahi Pono, Valley Isle Fellowship, the Hawaii National Guard, Alaska Airlines, Maui Police Department, and the Maui County Department of Parks & Recreation. Over 5,000 bags of food and produce have been handed out to residents in distribution events across Maui County.

Mayor’s “Ho‘oulu i Honolulu” or “Restore Honolulu” Order allows O‘ahu retail establishments to re-open on May 15 Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced today that certain designated businesses and operations in the City and County of Honolulu will be allowed to re-open on May 15, by following specific guidelines as detailed Emergency Order No. 2020-10. The Amended and Restated Stay at Home/Work from Home Order, now under the new name “Ho‘oulu i Honolulu” or “Restore Honolulu” Order, incorporates all prior Emergency Orders, including the wearing of non-medical grade face coverings, social distancing requirements, and the limited opening of City parks. The Ho‘oulu i Honolulu Order allows residents of the City and County of Honolulu to shop at retail businesses and shopping malls that comply with specific operations guidelines that includes allowing all persons in these establishments to maintain physical/social distancing and health and safety standards. The Ho‘oulu i Honolulu Order can be found here. Retail establishments should meet the following guidelines: a) Occupancy is limited at all times to no more than one (1) person per 200 square feet of the gross operation area (which equates to approximately 50 percent of the maximum occupancy load). b) Social Distancing Requirements (as defined in the Order) are adhered to at all times. c) The City’s “COVID-19 Guidance for Business” is followed to the greatest extent possible. d) Within shopping malls, the following must remain closed: · Food-court dining areas (except for delivery or carry out) · Play areas · Entertainment areas · Common areas (except to access and depart from a retail or repair service business) · Arcades · Game rooms “As we start to thaw out our economy and get back to a more open way of life, please keep in mind the loved ones you’ve been trying to protect by staying at home,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “By continuing to practice safe physical distancing and wearing a face covering in public, we can make sure all the work we did to contain this virus, and the efforts of our healthcare workers during this difficult time, won’t be for naught.” The City and County of Honolulu COVID-19 information call center remains open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on holidays. O‘ahu residents are encouraged to visit the website, oneoahu.org to get answers to frequently asked questions about Mayor Caldwell’s “Ho‘oulu i Honolulu Order”. If they do not find an answer to their questions on the site, residents can call the 768-CITY (2489) information hotline or email covidresponse@honolulu.gov.

Mayor Michael Victorino announced that retail stores and retail stores in shopping malls will be allowed to reopen as long as they follow physical distancing requirements, starting Monday, May 11, in Maui County. The reopening date differs from the Governor’s proclamation, which would have allowed businesses to open tomorrow. Businesses should use this time to safely prepare their staff and facilities. “Retail stores can open on Monday if they follow the operational guidelines listed in the Governor’s proclamation and our emergency rules,” Mayor Victorino said. “All businesses should also refer to operational guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hawaii Department of Health and other governmental agencies.” Guidelines for businesses include, but are not limited to: Thorough cleaning and sanitization practices Maintain physical distancing of 6 feet or more Capacity limits for facilities Appointment only services encouraged Delivery/pick-up services encouraged Face coverings should be worn by all employees and customers No person-to-person (physical) contact Employees who have symptoms of COVID-19 should be sent home as soon as possible The following are NOT permitted to open in shopping malls: Food-court dining areas (except for delivery or take-out) Play areas Entertainment areas Common areas (except to access and depart from a retail business) Arcades & game rooms Beauty, hair and nail salons Theaters Auto dealerships and real estate services will also be allowed to operate by appointment and with modifications. These services had previously been restricted to critical situations only.

We recognize that people affected by mental illness face additional challenges dealing with COVID-19. Now, more than ever, it’s important to remember that there is no health without mental health. During these difficult times, we encourage you to take care of yourselves and check in on loved ones. You are not alone, and we will get through this together. —Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. Find Your Local NAMI O'ahu phone:    (808) 591-1297 email:info@namihawaii.org web site:www.namihawaii.org Hawa'i Island Contact: Ms. Carol Ann Denis phone:    (808) 935-0615 email: kham337@gmail.com web site:www.namihawaii.org Maui Contact: Patty Frame, Board Member Ms. Sharon Edmunds, Education Program Administrator Candace Lasko, Education Program Administrator Patty Frame, Vice President phone:    (808) 298-0025 email: info@namihawaii.org web site:www.namihawaii.org Kaua'i Contact: Ms. Kathy Sheffield, 9 Executive Director phone:    (808) 935-0615 email: kham337@gmail.com web site:www.namihawaii.org A mental illness is a condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others. If you have — or think you might have — a mental illness, the first thing you must know is that you are not alone. Mental health conditions are far more common than you think, mainly because people don’t like to, or are scared to, talk about them. However: 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year 1 in 25 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24 A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event. Research suggests multiple, linking causes. Genetics, environment and lifestyle influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life makes some people more susceptible, as do traumatic life events. Biochemical processes and circuits and basic brain structure may play a role, too. None of this means that you’re broken or that you, or your family, did something “wrong.” Mental illness is no one’s fault. And for many people, recovery — including meaningful roles in social life, school and work — is possible, especially when you start treatment early and play a strong role in your own recovery process. Millions of people in the U.S. are affected by mental illness each year. It’s important to measure how common mental illness is, so we can understand its physical, social and financial impact — and so we canshowthat no one is alone. Trying to tell the difference between what expected behaviors are and what might be the signs of a mental illness isn't always easy. There's no easy test that can let someone know if there is mental illness or if actions and thoughts might be typical behaviors of a person or the result of a physical illness. Receiving A Diagnosis Knowing warning signs can help let you know if you need to speak to a professional. For many people, getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step in a treatment plan. Unlike diabetes or cancer, there is no medical test that can accurately diagnose mental illness. A mental health professional will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, to assess symptoms and make a diagnosis. The manual lists criteria including feelings and behaviors and time limits in order to be officially classified as a mental health condition. After diagnosis, a health care provider can help develop a treatment plan that could include medication, therapy or other lifestyle changes. Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents can include the following: Excessive worrying or fear Feeling excessively sad or low Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger Avoiding friends and social activities Difficulties understanding or relating to other people Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite Changes in sex drive Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don't exist in objective reality) Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (”lack of insight” or anosognosia) Abuse of substances like alcohol or drugs Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”) Thinking about suicide Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress An intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance Mental health conditions can also begin to develop in young children. Because they’re still learning how to identify and talk about thoughts and emotions, their most obvious symptoms are behavioral. Symptoms in children may include the following: Changes in school performance Excessive worry or anxiety, for instance fighting to avoid bed or school Hyperactive behavior Frequent nightmares Frequent disobedience or aggression Frequent temper tantrums Receiving A Diagnosis Knowing warning signs can help let you know if you need to speak to a professional. For many people, getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step in a treatment plan. Unlike diabetes or cancer, there is no medical test that can accurately diagnose mental illness. A mental health professional will use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, to assess symptoms and make a diagnosis. The manual lists criteria including feelings and behaviors and time limits in order to be officially classified as a mental health condition. After diagnosis, a health care provider can help develop a treatment plan that could include medication, therapy or other lifestyle changes. Finding Treatment Getting a diagnosis is just the first step; knowing your own preferences and goals is also important. Treatments for mental illness vary by diagnosis and by person. There’s no “one size fits all” treatment. Treatment options can include medication, counseling (therapy), social support and education. If you have a mental health condition, you're not alone. One in 5 American adults experiences some form of mental illness in any given year. And across the population, 1 in every 25 adults is living with a serious mental health condition such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or long-term recurring major depression. As with other serious illnesses, mental illness is not your fault or that of the people around you, but widespread misunderstandings about mental illness remain. Many people don't seek treatment or remain unaware that their symptoms could be connected to a mental health condition. People may expect a person with serious mental illness to look visibly different from others, and they may tell someone who doesn't "look ill" to "get over it" through willpower. These misperceptions add to the challenges of living with a mental health condition. Every year people overcome the challenges of mental illness to do the things they enjoy. Through developing and following a treatment plan, you can dramatically reduce many of your symptoms. People with mental health conditions can and do pursue higher education, succeed in their careers, make friends and have relationships. Mental illness can slow us down, but we don't need to let it stop us. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. https://www.nami.org/home

Hawai‘i State Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 makes recommendations to improve passenger quarantine enforcement procedures The Hawai‘i State Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 issued a report today with recommendations to improve passenger quarantine enforcement procedures, following an oversight visit to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and discussions with the Attorney General, Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), and the State Department of Transportation (DOT) officials. DOT Director Jade Butay, and Deputy Director Ross Higashi and Administrative Services Officer Ford Fuchigami (both Airports Division) updated the committee on its current process for disembarking passengers, including the necessary Department of Agriculture, HTA, and interisland declaration forms. The committee indicated its intentions to work with the impacted departments to ensure that these forms could be updated to collect further information that it believes will help to close gaps in the current screening and enforcement. This would include, among other updates, additional information to allow the DOT and HTA to verify the dates of departures for visitors. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) confirmed that they would be working with DOT and HTA to make adjustments to its forms. HTA CEO Chris Tatum indicated that the agency is working with stakeholders to contract a database application to more efficiently gather, sort, and store the information currently collected through its forms and the state’s Safe Travelers app. The database would be searchable, and access would be provided to all law enforcement agencies. Current cost projections for this application are $26,000 and will be paid by the HTA, then reimbursed by HIEMA with CARES Act funding. Attorney General Clare Connors also provided an update on state and county procedures for the enforcement of the state’s 14-day quarantine, including specific cases of violations. Citing her presentation, the Special Committee requested that her office consider moving towards immediate fines, in an effort to strengthen the deterrence for violations. The committee also requested that the AG consider levying fines on hotels and homeowners tied to violations of the quarantine order. The committee also conveyed enforcement suggestions, some of which have come through proposals from the public. One such example is to have hotels withhold room keys, so visitors are unable to come-and-go without alerting hotel staff. Both the AG and HTA indicated that they believed such an approach would be legally sound under the current requirements of the 14-day quarantine and would aid in the enforcement of the order. Additionally, the committee suggested that visitors be barred from renting cars during the quarantine period. The AG stated that she believes that suggestion would also be legally sound under the Governor’s proclamation. The committee added that similar exemptions related to essential workers could be built into that order.

The Special Committee will convene to assess and advise the Senate regarding the State of Hawaii's COVID-19 plans and procedures to include, but not limited to: 1) Confirm the development of the state departmental plans and procedures; 2) Review and assess current state departmental plans and procedures; 3) Review and assess whether state departmental plans and procedures are properly and timely implemented to safeguard public health and safety; and 4) To communicate and disseminate information obtained therefrom. The committee will be meeting with the following: 12:30 p.m. Airlines for America Mr. Sean Williams, Vice President 1:30 p.m. Department of the Attorney General Ms. Clare Connors, Attorney General Department of Transportation Mr. Jade Butay, Director Hawaii Tourism Authority Mr. Chris Tatum, CEO 3:30 p.m. Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Mr. Scott Murakami, Director 4:15 p.m. Department of Taxation Ms. Rona Suzuki, Director Please note that there may be committee members or invited speakers participating remotely via video or teleconference. The meeting will be available for live viewing on ‘Olelo Channel 49 on O‘ahu and will go out live for pick up by neighbor island public access channels. It will also be streamed live online at olelo/org/49. No public testimony will be accepted. If you require special assistance, please call 586-6800 or email your request to waysandmeans@capitol.hawaii.gov.