The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty for so many of us. Beyond keeping our families healthy and safe, we are all being affected economically in different ways. We have made changes to one of our child care subsidies programs to help more families afford child care and reduce their expenses. What’s Different? During this crisis, DHS is temporarily expanding eligibility for Child Care Connection Hawaii (CCCH). Some of the most notable changes include: • No income cap – CCCH subsidies will be awarded to all families impacted by this emergency, with priority given to underserved and at-risk families, so long as money is available. • Suspension of activity requirements – parents temporarily do not have to meet activity requirements to assist families who have lost jobs and are looking for new employment. • Suspension of subsidy co-payments – parents may have their family co-payment portion of the subsidy payment waived. • Ability to hold spots – families who have kept their child at home during this crisis or whose providers have temporarily closed can still use subsidies to hold their child’s spot until their provider reopens. These changes are meant to help families who are impacted by COVID-19. We know that our recovery as a community and state means that families need someplace safe to send their youngest children when parents start to go back into the office or look for new employment. Your ability to afford child care is essential to overall recovery. Please apply if you need help. Please apply if you need help paying for child care. https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/ccch-subsidies/ source: https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/ccch-subsidies/

Outbreaks of infectious diseases can happen on cruise ships because people spend time close together and with travelers from many countries. Disease can spread between ships when crew members from a ship with an outbreak transfer to other ships. Infected people may also travel on cruise ships between countries. For these reasons, outbreaks of COVID-19 on cruise ships pose a risk for rapid spread of disease beyond the voyage and into communities across the globe. Because of the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the high risk of COVID-19 spread on cruise ships, the US government issued a No Sail Order for cruise ships in waters subject to US jurisdiction and has advised US travelers to defer all cruise travel. The No Sail Order is published in the Federal Register. CDC continues to work to control COVID-19 on cruise ships at sea while also protecting against further introduction and spread of COVID-19 into communities. The COVID-19 pandemic is constantly evolving, and aggressive efforts are needed to contain the spread. CDC will continue to evaluate and update our recommendations as the situation evolves. What is the No Sail Order? In response to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and the increased risk of spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships, CDC published the first industry-wide No Sail Order on March 14 to prevent, among other things, new passengers from boarding cruise ships. CDC extended its No Sail Order, effective April 15, 2020, to continue to suspend all cruise ship operations in waters subject to US jurisdiction. Among other things, cruise lines are required to develop comprehensive plans to prevent, detect, respond to, and contain COVID-19 on their cruise ships to protect the health and safety of both passengers and crew. How long is the No Sail Order in effect? The extended Order is in effect until one of the following occurs: The Secretary of Health and Human Services declares that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency, or The CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order based on specific public health or other considerations, or 100 days have passed from April 15, the date the extended order was published in the Federal Registerexternal icon and went into effect.100 days from April 15 is July 24. Why did CDC extend the No Sail Order? The No Sail Order was extended to protect the public, cruise ship passengers, cruise ship crews, and other industry workers. By restricting cruise ship passenger operations, the Order helps achieve several public health goals: Prevents further spread of COVID-19 into and within the United States Preserves critical federal, state, and local resources that are needed to respond to COVID-19 Preserves critical healthcare, emergency, and port resources What cruise ships does the No Sail Order cover? The No Sail Order applies to all cruise ships, which it defines as commercial passenger ships with the capacity to carry more than 250 people and where an overnight stay onboard by passengers or crew is anticipated. The Order applies to all cruise ships operating, or seeking to operate, in waters subject to US jurisdiction, including those that have previously voluntarily suspended operations. It does not apply to cargo ships. What does the No Sail Order mean for my upcoming trip? Passengers who plan to travel by cruise ship should contact their cruise line companies directly for further information. On March 17, 2020, CDC issued a Level 3 travel health notice with a clear recommendation to avoid all cruise travel due to ongoing spread of COVID-19 and the increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases on cruise ships. The No Sail Order suspends all cruise ship operations in waters subject to US jurisdiction. What is CDC doing to help cruise ships with crew still on board? We are currently in a phase of the pandemic where it is necessary to implement strict measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Just as the American public has a role to play by staying home to slow the spread, cruise lines have a role to play in properly caring for their crew, including isolating them if they are sick and quarantining them if they have been exposed. Cruise lines operating ships in US waters should have their crew do the same thing that the American public has been asked to do: Shelter in place Practice social distancing Take other precautions to decrease their risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 CDC has provided clear guidance to cruise lines about how to keep their crew safe during the period of the No Sail Order and what is needed to allow them to disembark. CDC permits cruise ships to disembark their crew members if the cruise line signs an attestation stating that the cruise line has complied with all requirements for the safe disembarkation of crew. These requirements include ensuring safe transportation by noncommercial means, providing cloth face coverings to crew members or ensuring they have their own, and providing instructions to crew members to stay home for 14 days after they reach their destination. The requirements for crew disembarkation, including a signed attestation that the cruise line will adhere to all of CDC’s requirements, has been provided to all cruise lines operating ships in US waters. Crew members who want to disembark should contact their cruise line about the process for disembarkation. Cruise ships have medical facilities on board that can provide medical care to sick crew members as needed. As part of their cruise ship plans, cruise lines should make sure they have enough medical staff, equipment, supplies, and other resources to provide care for sick people on board. They also need a plan to transfer sick crew members to a hospital on land if they need medical care that the ship’s medical facility can’t provide. CDC and federal partners are monitoring ships with crew only, and we are working with the cruise companies and local and state health departments to ensure that seriously ill crew members can get medical assistance on land if the ship can’t provide it. CDC remains committed to humanitarian medical evacuation for people in need of lifesaving support. What is CDC doing to help cruise ships with passengers still on board? A small number of passengers are still aboard cruise ships in and around US waters. These passengers are awaiting repatriation to their home countries. CDC is working with partners as part of the Unified Command, including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, port authorities, local and state health departments, and Department of State, along with cruise lines, to help remaining cruise ship passengers get home as quickly and safely as possible. Cruise Ships International Voyages Affected by COVID-19 These are cruise ships that had international voyages with US ports, which are under US CDC jurisdiction. International voyages without US ports of call are not under CDC jurisdiction and not included. International cruise voyages were suspended on March 14, 2020, due to CDC’s No Sail Order. *CDC was notified about COVID-19-positive travelers who had symptoms while on board these ships. For all other ships, CDC was notified about travelers who had symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19 within 14 days after disembarking. Since these travelers’ symptoms began after the voyage, the traveler might have contracted COVID-19 during the voyage; however, other sources of transmission after the voyage cannot be ruled out. source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/cruise-ship/what-cdc-is-doing.html

Representatives from the Department of Transportation and the Hawaii Tourism Authority provided the committee with updates on traveler quarantine procedures. Within the past two weeks of the DOT Airports Division’s enhanced verification process – which has only begun since Tuesday for neighbor island airports -- 27 visitors were forced to leave the state for quarantine violations or lacking proper lodging and 330 arrivals have been referred to law enforcement. The HTA has made over 14,000 follow-up calls so far. Per the Special Committee’s request, in regards to passenger processing, the department has replaced 24 of the 40 statewide contract workers with redeployed state workers. The DOT explained that they are continuing to transition out contract workers for this purpose, but did not indicated when this would be completed. The committee also requested that the DOT and HTA flag arrivals that have reservations for less than 14 days to be sure they have left Hawai‘i. Although the process includes calling hotels directly for a visitor’s reservations and compliance, the Airports Division does not call residential addresses, including legal or illegal vacation rentals, to verify the arriving passenger will be staying at the address. The committee requested a copy of DOT’s enhanced verification procedures. It also requested that calls be made to residential addresses to verify if, and for how long, the visitors will be staying there. Furthermore, the committee asked that the DOT consider visiting those addresses to be sure the visitors are quarantining. Both DOT and HTA recognize that the enhanced verification system’s current capacity and processes would not be effective if arrivals increase over current levels. The Special Committee insisted that the DOT develop a plan on how the system could ramp up when the travel industry reopens. HTA CEO Chris Tatum reported that letters have been sent to airlines and online travel portals requesting that their respective websites provide more information on the travel quarantine before potential visitors decide to book flights. Delta Airlines, Expedia, and one other business have responded to the letters, and Tatum said HTA will follow-up with others again. On airport surveillance, the Department of Health said that international air carriers are required to report if they suspect a passenger may have flu-like symptoms. If so, airport medical personnel examine the passenger in question, and if the symptoms are confirmed, they contact DOH. The department then tests, with the passenger’s consent, for the illness and then tracks that disease. Director Dr. Bruce Anderson and State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park also reported that while antibody testing is not yet part of the State’s program, it may be added if a reliable test for COVID-19 is created. Antibody testing would show who was exposed to the disease and how widely the virus spread. When it comes to the Governor’s proclamation of a 14-day quarantine, Dr. Park state that, from her perspective, the state should maintain it for as long as possible. Dr. Anderson added that “from a public health perspective, the 14-day quarantine has been extraordinarily effective, but there is some concern with non-compliance.” The committee questioned the State’s ability to maintain enforcement as the number of visitors continue to increase. Members insisted that it be made clear at all levels of government that the quarantine will be in place for the near-future, and that plans must be made now to ensure that it can be managed and enforced as visitor numbers increase. When the Special Committee expressed its concern with the Governor’s proclamation requiring a 14-day quarantine, but not a 14-day hotel reservation, Dr. Anderson responded by saying “I would want to make sure that the person has a place to stay for the 14 days,” later adding “who knows what is going to happen after five days. I wouldn’t want to trust that they’re going to renew their hotel room.” The committee asked that the DOH take an active role in advising the Governor on future proclamations and to discuss the inconsistencies of current one. Dr. Anderson indicated that he would do so. Dr. Mark Mugiishi of the Hawaii COVID-19 Public Health Recovery Taskforce reported that the taskforce is a voluntary public and private coalition that is developing a plan of best practices for re-opening the state. The coalition includes leaders from state agencies, businesses, healthcare systems and more. The taskforce’s plan is to provide a tiered approach based on COVID-19 risks to public health and our state’s preparedness to address possible surges of the virus. Risk levels are determined by factors such as the rate of transmission and number of active cases. Preparation includes available testing, contact tracing, and healthcare capacity. Mugiishi said the taskforce expects to finalize plans by the end of next week and present it to the Governor. It hopes to coordinate with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency in developing strategies for relaxing social distancing that is based on best practices from other states and countries. The taskforce recommends reopening the travel industry when Hawaii’s health risk is at Alert Level 1 or when COVID-19 is contained, and the state is capable of quickly addressing any surges in infection. Phyllis Unebasami, Deputy Superintendent of the Department of Education, also reported to the Special Committee on Thursday. The department announced last week that schools would be providing alternative graduation ceremonies due to the pandemic. Plans were announced Thursday that while all ceremonies will be virtual, they will be individualized by the school, with arrangements made by the school and students. Some schools have opted for online graduation speakers, live or pre-recorded. All will allow online access by students and families, and will read the graduates’ names out loud. Some schools may do drive-thru diploma pickups. Per the committee’s request, the department will consider whether to allow at a future date for the traditional “cap toss” part of the traditional ceremony to take place. As for the topic of distance learning, Unebasami said schools have websites with COVID-19 information, including learning activities and scheduled times for teachers to engage with students online. Schools have set up equipment distribution for those students who do not have access to distance learning equipment such as tablets and laptops. Learning packets for students are being distributed by email, through websites, and in person at grab-and-go meal sites. Any school-age child requesting a learning packet while at a meal site is provided one, no questions asked. For vulnerable students, schools and teachers have made numerous attempts to ensure learning packet distribution, including personal delivery by teachers. The DOE is exploring the possibility of creation learning hubs for such students. These learning hubs may be housed in buses that would include school supplies and connectivity for distance learning. Per the committee’s request, the department will offer programs and opportunities to reach students with whom schools have not been able to connect with during the school closure period. The committee also requests that it be provided the budgetary needs of the grab-and-go meal program and the plans to keep it fully operational. #AloneTogether #COVID19 #Coronavirus #CDC #HawaiiSenate #HawaiiSenateMajority

During the extended closure, HIDOE will provide student grab-and-go breakfast and lunch at select schools to children 18 years and under. Children must be present. The Hawai'i State Department of Education (HIDOE) is working closely with the Hawai'i Department of Health (DOH) on COVID-19 guidance for our students, teachers, parents and staff. In close coordination with DOH, existing HIDOE emergency response plans are being adapted for future implementation when needed. Detailed communications from schools are planned to keep parents notified should the situation arise. Please view the COVID-19 resources below and learn about specific steps you can take to avoid it. #HIDOE #GrabAndGoLunch #DOH

The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ (DCCA) Office of the Securities Commissioner is warning the public about investment schemes that are circulating on popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Amidst ongoing stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many turn to social media to stay connected.  While there are many benefits of using social media, it’s important to remember that scammers too, will try to benefit from the increased usage. Social media connections can provide scammers with the opportunity to reach large numbers of potential investors and make quick money.  The schemes being perpetrated are simply old scams wrapped in a new package.  Often times, the underlying scam is a Ponzi or Pyramid Scheme. “Our Securities Enforcement Branch has been receiving inquiries statewide about a so-called opportunity called the ‘Loom’ or ‘Octagon Game’ that has been circulating on various social media sites,” said Hawaii Securities Commissioner Ty Nohara.  “Our Enforcement Branch is investigating the matter and urges caution before participating in any investment on social media.” If you have been solicited, or if you have any information regarding the “Loom”, “Octagon Game” or other pyramid scheme and/or its promoters, contact the Securities Enforcement Branch at (808) 586-2740, toll free at 1-877-HI-SCAMS, or email: seb@dcca.hawaii.gov.  Please leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. For more information, including fraud prevention tips, visit our website at https://cca.hawaii.gov/sec/iep/ source: http://cca.hawaii.gov/blog/release-state-issues-warning-about-investment-schemes-circulating-on-social-media/

The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) State Laboratories Division (SLD) has distributed a total of 12 Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 rapid test instruments to all counties. The rapid coronavirus tests can produce results within 15 minutes when conducted in a certified laboratory. “Having this capability to test a critically ill patient within 15 minutes is a great tool in the fight against COVID-19.” Said Dr. Edward Desmond, State Laboratories Division Administrator. “It helps us detect the virus quickly and respond much faster to help the patient and inform staff to ensure safety measures are in place.” Six instruments have been sent to county medical systems (two each to DOH District Health Office laboratories on Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i) and six instruments to clinical laboratories and health systems on O‘ahu (two each to Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii, and Kaiser Permanente). Distribution for O‘ahu laboratories was based on healthcare and laboratory systems with the highest demand capacity throughout the state. For neighbor islands, these instruments enabled testing on-island for the first time. Test kits, used with each instrument, can test up to 24 samples. Additional supplies of rapid test kits are expected to arrive next week. In Maui County, the Abbott test was conducted on a hospitalized patient, who tested negative and was subsequently transferred into hospice care. The equipment helped to confirm that the patient could be transferred safely to another healthcare facility. The Abbott instruments were provided at no cost to the state with federal funding from the International Reagent Resource (IRR). Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifies that use of the rapid testing equipment be conducted on symptomatic patients. Requesting physicians will utilize the test kits based on priority symptoms and factors. About the State Laboratories Division (SLD) The Department of Health’s State Laboratories Division (SLD) is located in Pearl City. SLD performs laboratory testing to support disease control and other health related programs including the Disease Outbreak Control Division (DOCD). The State Lab regularly tests samples for viruses and related agents which cause flu and the common cold. This enables DOCD to keep track of what is causing respiratory disease in the community and implement control measures if it is necessary. source: https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/hawaii-department-of-health-distributes-covid-19-rapid-test-equipment-and-supplies-to-public-health-and-clinical-laboratories-in-all-counties/

Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) students and families will have access to a new health hotline and telehealth services provided by the Hawaii Keiki: Healthy and Ready to Learn Program (HK), effective Friday, May 1. These new services will deliver equitable access to health resources and care for HIDOE students using mobile devices and interactive technology. A partnership between HIDOE and the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, the HK program offers school-based health services during the academic year and provides nursing coverage to every complex area in the state. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic moving classes to online learning, HK will offer a no-cost health hotline and telehealth visits as an extension of services provided to students in the traditional school health room. “This partnership helps to ensure continuity of care for public school students during this unprecedented health crisis,” Deputy Superintendent Phyllis Unebasami said. “Students and families can call the health hotline from anywhere. They will receive health guidance and may be scheduled for a telehealth visit when appropriate. Students will be referred to the appropriate medical and/or mental health care when indicated.” The health hotline can be reached at (844) 436-3888 (toll free) and is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. HIDOE students and families who call the hotline will speak with an HK registered nurse (RN) or nurse practitioner (APRN). The nurse will perform a basic triage assessment over the phone regarding the caller’s health concern or question about their child. The caller may receive basic health advice or information and, with parental consent, the student may be scheduled for a telehealth visit with an HK nurse practitioner. Nurses staffing the hotline have been working in schools statewide and are familiar with many families and students. Families may request to make an appointment with a specific HK nurse practitioner. Callers scheduled for a telehealth visit with an HK nurse practitioner will receive a link by email or on their mobile phone prior to the visit. To connect with the nurse, the caller simply clicks the link. Telehealth is the safe and confidential delivery of health care services using interactive technology. Students’ information will be kept private in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines. At a minimum, callers will need access to a telephone. The health hotline and telehealth visits will be provided at no cost to HIDOE students. Families with medical insurance will be asked to provide their insurance information, but HK will not bill or collect co-pays from families. In the last decade, telehealth has been integrated into school-based health care. “Nationally, many school-based health centers have transitioned to telehealth in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Margo Lalich, HK executive director. “Health hotlines and telehealth are innovative ways to continue to provide safe, quality care to students while they are away from school.” HK nurses will screen for general health concerns and can connect students with other service providers such as HIDOE support staff such counselors, social workers, school psychologists or other medical referrals. The health hotline and telehealth visits do not replace a student’s primary care provider but provide families with an alternative way to access health services while supporting social distancing. HK will be sending a note to primary care providers for the telehealth visit. By calling the health hotline, HIDOE students and families can be assured they will speak with a nurse who will answer health questions about their children. For more information about the Hawaii Keiki health hotline or telehealth services, visit https://bit.ly/HIDOEtelehealth. source: https://nursing.hawaii.edu/hawaii-keiki/

The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) announced today that it distributed $87,521,534 in unemployment insurance benefits over the past week. $47,317,800 of that total represents the $600 plus up made available by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law on March 27, 2020. “The department was again able to deliver a record level of benefits in a week and for that I am tremendously grateful for our workers,” said Scott T. Murakami, DLIR Director. “We know that there are still many in our community who are suffering, and we are resolute in providing a greater level of relief as soon as possible.” Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TDD/TTY Dial 711 then ask for (808) 586-8866

A California couple allegedly scoffed at Hawai‘i’s mandatory traveler self-quarantine mandate and were arrested yesterday by special agents from the Dept. of the Attorney General. 20-year-old Borice Leouskiy and 26-year-old Yuliia Andreichenko of Citrus Heights, CA, came to Hawai‘i on their honeymoon and entered a Waikiki-area hotel after 10 p.m. on Wednesday.  Both were raised in the Ukraine and Andreichenko is a Ukranian National, while Leouskiy is a U.S. citizen. A front desk manager read them the requirements of the self-quarantine order. They reportedly said this contradicted what airport screeners told them. They also indicated they planned to visit friends and go to parks and beaches and claimed airport screeners told them that was okay. The hotel manager reiterated the rules and said the couple scoffed at him again and then left the hotel. After midnight, they returned with a pizza and told the manager they were allowed to be outside and to buy food. They checked in and refused to sign the required quarantine acknowledgement. Yesterday morning, the hotel’s general manager was informed Leouskiy and Andreichenko had again left their room. When they came back, they were told again, they were in violation and again said their activities were permitted. AG Special Investigators were notified and arrested the couple. They are being charged under Hawai‘i Revised Statutes for unsworn falsification to authority and violation of the 14-day quarantine. Attorney General Clare Connors noted, “We appreciate the vigilance and cooperation of the hotel staff, and staff at other hotels, in helping maintain the health and safety of visitors and residents. It is important that everyone flying into Hawai‘i at this time, abide by our mandatory rules. Law enforcement, in partnership with other state and county agencies and the travel industry are continuing to monitor compliance with the mandatory self-quarantine rule.” *A Hawai'i COVID-19 Joint Information Center News Release

Think globally. Act locally. And never forget your Hawai'i roots. Doing just that was a large part of the driving force behind a large shipment of much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) recently distributed to Hawai'i health care workers thanks to a high school connection shared by Robin Chan, co-founder of national nonprofit Operation Masks, and two of his fellow Punahou School alumni. Its team was comprised of Chan’s friends and entrepreneurs with backgrounds in health care, technology and logistics. Since mid-March, Operation Masks has leveraged the ample business knowledge of its membership to channel PPE, including millions of masks, direct from factories in China to states across the country desperately in need of them. Knowing that his former home state – largely because of its size and resources – would have relatively low buying power competing with other states for PPE, Chan quickly reached out to his network of friends and former classmates to find a connection in the Hawai'i Department of Health (DOH) who could help. That person was DOH Deputy Director of Health and former classmate Cathy Ross, who, as Operation Masks launched, was focused on the State’s COVID-19 response and concerned about having enough PPE for front-line health care workers and first responders. “Larger markets for medical supplies were just beating us to every purchase,” Ross explained to writer Tara Olney in a recent Punahou magazine feature on the alumni PPE effort. “Cities like New York, with their budget and size, can place a million-dollar order without much worry. Here in Hawai'i, we simply don’t have that buying power, and we would be devastated if the masks turned out to be counterfeit or the deal fell through. That’s where Operation Masks came in for us.” Ross contacted the Hawai'i State Procurement Office, which is responsible for purchasing during state emergencies, to assure the deal with Operation Masks got done – a task that eventually tapped State purchasing specialist Shannon Ota, another Punahou alum, for her assistance. “My colleagues and I had been scouring the Earth, leaving no stone unturned to find PPE to supply front-line health care workers and first responders across the state of Hawai'i,” Ota explained to Punahou magazine. “When the information from Cathy came in about a local boy with a line on masks, I was able to learn of fellow alumni Chan and work with him.” According to Ross, Chan used his Operation Masks connections and leverage with suppliers to secure the deal, verify the quality of the PPE and set favorable terms for DOH. Working together, Chan, Ross and Ota got one of the first orders of critically needed masks out of  Operation Masks into Hawai'i and straight out to front-line health personnel with ease and speed. Said Ross, “We are so unbelievably relieved to have (Operation Masks) support.” Our mahalo to the three classmates and everyone involved for getting the deal done. To learn more about the work being done by Operation Masks and lend your support, visit www.operationmasks.org. source: https://hawaiicovid19.com/moving-mountains-to-move-masks/

Hawaiian Electric and Pūlama Lānaʻi have ended discussions about a potential sale of the electric system on Lānaʻi, which will continue to be owned and operated by the utility. Hawaiian Electric was approached by Pūlama Lānaʻi in 2019 about acquiring the assets of the utility after Hawaiian Electric issued a request for proposals (RFP) for renewable energy projects on Lānaʻi. The deadline for responding to the RFP was postponed because of the sale discussions. With the discussions ended, Hawaiian Electric is working with the Public Utilities Commission and other stakeholders to revise the RFP and continue the effort to transition from using fossil fuels to renewable resources to generate electricity for the island’s residents and businesses. “We’ll continue working with Pūlama Lānaʻi and the community to develop options for a sustainable energy future that can work to everyone’s benefit,” said Sharon Suzuki, president of Hawaiian Electric’s Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island utilities. #HECO #HawaiianElectric #PulamaLanai

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises Oahu motorists that nightly closures have been scheduled for the Kapolei Interchange project for next week starting on Sunday May 4, 2020. Motorists are notified that working hours have been extended to start at 8 p.m. to maximize construction during this time of lighter traffic. HDOT will continue to post weekly roadwork updates as the schedule is subject to change due to Covid-19. For closure information and detour routes, please see the schedule below Motorists are advised to allow for extra travel time to get to their destinations. Electronic message boards will be in place to notify motorists of the closures and detours. Special Duty Police Officers will be on-site to assist with traffic control and safety procedures. Emergency vehicles, first responders, and TheBus have been notified of the full closure and will not be allowed through the work zone. All roadwork is weather permitting. To view a map of closures scheduled each week on Oahu state roadways, you may visit the HDOT website at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork/. source: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/nightly-closures-scheduled-for-the-kapolei-interchange-project-for-the-week-starting-on-may-4/