Nā Pāka ma ka Hale (Parks at Home) Online Classes offer wide variety of in-home activities With Stay at Home orders extended and our in-person recreational classes remain suspended, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) welcomes you to enjoy our debut program, “Nā Pāka ma ka Hale (Parks at Home),” a new series of online classes taught by our very own talented DPR staff. “Nā Pāka ma ka Hale” will feature videos of DPR’s dedicated recreation staff giving step-by-step information on a wide variety of topics. From in-home exercises to making lei lipine, music lessons to plant propagation, and more. Topics reflect our recreational programming, offering fun, educational, and engaging experiences that can be enjoyed by all ages, from keiki to kūpuna, and from the comfort of your home using common household items. The classes can be viewed anytime on DPR’s Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube feeds. “We are always looking at new ways to serve our community,” said DPR Director Michele Nekota. “Industries around the world are having to adapt the way they provide their services in this era of social distancing, and we very much want to continue to engage and enrich our community even though we cannot physically interact with them. I am so pleased to see how our staff have embraced this opportunity to share their recreational expertise and keep adding quality to life.” Our first video takes place at Asing Community Park in ‘Ewa Beach with Recreation Director Ms. Candy. She provides tips on how to stay fit with in-home exercises and stretches using everyday household items (like canned goods and an umbrella). Just in time for Lei Day and our Na Lei Koa theme, we will be posting a class on how to make lei from household materials for those who may not have access to gardens or flowers.  In addition, the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA) has several “Lei Making at Home” online learning experiences providing step-by-step tips on how to make a variety of lei using natural materials. Check them out on MOCA’s Facebook and Instagram. Stay tuned for more from “Nā Pāka ma ka Hale!” Follow the Department of Parks and Recreation on social media: YouTube:bit.ly/DPRyoutube    Twitter:@honolulu_parks   Instagram:@honolulu_parks  Facebook:facebook.com/honolulu.parks

Butterfly May Help Manage Miconia in Forests A draft environmental assessment (EA) for the release of a biological control insect to manage invasive miconia trees has been filed by the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA). In an extensive collaborative research effort involving the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA-FS), the University of Costa Rica (UCR), the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and HDOA, the EA proposes to release a butterfly that is the natural enemy of Miconia calvenscens, a tree that is considered one of the state’s most noxious weeds and a major threat to Hawai`i’s forests and watersheds. Miconia trees are native to tropical America. In Hawai`i, their rapid growth and large purple leaves take over the forest ecosystem, blocking sunlight and outcompeting native plants. The state has struggled since the 1990s to manage miconia’s aggressive encroachment onto public and private lands. The 20-year biological control research project studied the miconia butterfly, Euselasia chrysippe, which in its caterpillar stage feeds in tight-knit groups of 40-80 or more on the leaves of miconia. In the plant’s native range of Costa Rica, the caterpillars eat several species in the genus Miconia, effectively controlling the plant’s invasiveness. Testing by entomologists at the UCR and the USDA-FS in Hawai‘i has shown the miconia butterfly feeds only on miconia and its closest relatives, all members of the melastome family. Melastome plants are all non-native weeds in Hawaiʻi, so predation effects of the butterfly are expected to be beneficial to state forests with no negative impacts on other plants. The EA was funded by DLNR. “This collaborative effort between state, federal and Costa Rican researchers has provided a promising new tool in the management of miconia in Hawai`i,” said Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, chairperson of the Hawai`i Board of Agriculture. “Further reviews of the EA will also be conducted by HDOA and the Hawai`i Board of Agriculture.” HDOA conducted the first exploration for natural enemies of miconia within its native range in 1993, and the miconia butterfly was one of the candidate species identified for use as a biocontrol agent. In the early 2000s, the butterfly was re-collected and reared by UCR scientists under USDA-FS direction. From 2005 to 2015 researchers in Costa Rica and Hawai‘i studied the biology and host-specificity of the butterfly to test its safety and effectiveness for biocontrol. “Miconia is actually hard to find in Costa Rica,” says Tracy Johnson, USDA-FS entomologist overseeing the research since 2000. “This butterfly is one of many specialized natural enemies important for keeping miconia in check and in balance with its ecosystem. Our hope is that several different enemies – that each attack miconia in a different way – can be used for long-term biocontrol in Hawai‘i.” The miconia butterfly is the first insect to be proposed for miconia biocontrol, while research continues on several other promising natural enemies. One other agent, a fungus that causes leaf spots, was introduced from Brazil in 1997. The fungus is now widespread in the state, but its damage has had limited effect on the fast-growing tree. The draft EA is available for review at the Hawai`i Department of Health’s Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) website at: http://oeqc2.doh.hawaii.gov/The_Environmental_Notice/2020-04-23-TEN.pdf Public comments may be submitted to OEQC by May 26, 2020 at that website. Once the public comments are compiled, the issue will go to the HDOA Plant and Animals Advisory Committee for review and approval, then forwarded to the Hawai`i Board of Agriculture for final approval. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will also conduct a review of the EA to decide whether to issue a permit for the release of the miconia butterfly. source: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/nr20-06miconiabutterfly/

Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced today that certain businesses will be allowed to open with limitations on O‘ahu according to his amended and restated Stay at Home/Work From Home Order, Emergency Order No. 2020-09. This Order is effective from 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 30 through 4:30 p.m. on May 18. The City and County of Honolulu will continue to work with the Governor along with other county mayors, on the relaxing of Honolulu’s stay at home order going forward. “We’d like to thank the governor and the other county mayors for meeting and working with us on this amended and restated emergency order,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “Together, we are determining how we can keep everyone in our state safe. Together, we are taking the first steps towards a more open way of life. Getting people back to work is a priority right now and we will continue to make decisions based on all available data and sound science.” Changes to the amended Stay at Home Order add the limited reopening of certain designated businesses and operations such as: Certain real estate services. All real property sales and management activities must be accomplished by remote/electronic means whenever possible. Restrictions and permitted real estate services are outlined in Emergency Order No. 2020-09; New and used car and truck dealerships – sales and leasing activities (with restrictions); Automated service providers. Service providers that do not require human interaction between the service provider and the customer, including for example, fully automated car washes; Mobile service providers. Businesses that provide service on a mobile bases in which no human interaction between the service provider and the customer, including, but not limited to, mobile pet grooming and car washing/detailing businesses; Services provided on a one-on-one basis. Businesses that provide services such as private tutoring, certain music instrument lessons, etc., on a one-on-one basis, that comply with social distancing requirements; Public and private golf courses within the City operating in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Professional Golfers’ Association’s “Procedures for Reintroduction to the Game and Business of Golf” as may be updated/amended. Gravesite visits are also being added as an Essential Activity. All of the added reopening of certain businesses are with limitations. The restated Stay at Home Order incorporates prior orders, including but not limited to, ordering all individuals living within the City to stay at their place of residence except for Essential Activities, Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses, mandating employees and visitors of Essential Businesses to wear a non-medical grade face covering mandate, and the ban of all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit. source: http://www.honolulu.gov/cms-csd-menu/site-csd-sitearticles/1305-site-csd-news-2020-cat/38370-04-29-20-city-to-reopen-certain-businesses-with-limitations-on-may-1.html

The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, coordinated with the test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2020 at 11:45 a.m. During this monthly test, all Statewide Outdoor Warning Sirens will sound a one-minute Attention Alert Signal (Steady Tone). A simultaneous test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System is conducted with the monthly siren sounding, in cooperation with Hawai’i’s broadcast industry. There will be no exercise or drill accompanying the test. The all-hazard Outdoor Siren Warning System for Public Safety is one part of Hawai’i’s Statewide Alert & Warning System used to notify the public during emergencies. If you hear this siren tone in circumstances other than a test, follow emergency information and instructions provided by official government channels. This may be in the form of a local radio, television station broadcast, and/or cellular Wireless Emergency Alert. Wireless Emergency Alert delivers sound-and-text warnings to compatible mobile cellular phones. The Emergency Alert System & Wireless Emergency Alert’s notifications are managed by FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure. Oahu residents in areas surrounding Campbell Industrial Park may also hear a “whooping” tone following the siren test. These areas include portions of Kalaeloa, Makakilo, Nanakuli, Kapolei, and Ewa Beach. The “whooping” tone is a test of the Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) siren warning group that will be activated in the event of an actual HAZMAT incident requiring emergency notification of businesses, schools and residents within the vicinity of Campbell Industrial Park. Contact the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management at (808) 723-8960 for more information on the HAZMAT warning group siren test. Emergency management and disaster preparedness information is located at the front section of telephone directories in all counties. The public may contact emergency management and county civil defense agencies to report siren operation issues: City and County of Honolulu (808) 723-8960 Maui County (808) 270-7285 Kaua’i County (808) 241-1800 Hawai’i County (808) 935-0031

A public-private partnership between the City and County of Honolulu, the Bank of Hawaii Foundation and the Hawai‘i Community Foundation to provide food assistance to recently unemployed individuals is set to roll out Thursday, April 30, at Waipi‘o Peninsula Soccer Complex. The food distribution at 93-061 Waipi‘o Point Access Road, will run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. “It’s so reaffirming to see people stepping up to help those who need the help during this unprecedented time,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “We are proud of the way the Hawai‘i Foodbank and the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, with the financial support of the Bank of Hawaii, have come together to help ease the burden of hundreds of thousands of people on O‘ahu right now who are struggling to feed their families.” “This is a wonderful example of collaboration between government, non-profits, and our local food service companies,” said Honolulu Councilmember Brandon Elefante, who represents District 8. “The community is very grateful and appreciative of everyone’s generous donations to this effort.” The goal is to have two distributions per week at venues across O‘ahu. Upcoming distribution locations, dates, and times are to be determined, and schedules will be posted on the Hawai‘i Foodbank’s website. Multiple family pick-ups (two to three families per vehicle) are recommended and all orders will need to be picked up in a vehicle. Participants are asked to remain in their vehicles as we do our best to follow CDC guidelines regarding social distancing. The Royal Hawaiian Band, under the direction of Clarke Bright, will assist the Hawai‘i Foodbank with the distributions. The band, which in a normal year performs over 350 concerts, has assisted in staffing the City’s call center and performing other critical tasks during the pandemic. They will be engaged in transporting, packing and distributing the food to families in need. The public-private initiative was spurred by the unprecedented demand on food banks in Hawaiʻi due to the financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on island families. With an economic downturn, closures and shorter business hours, and increased unemployment, demand for Hawai‘i Foodbank food assistance has increased nearly 60 percent and is expected to continue to rise. In addition, the City and County of Honolulu matched a $1 million donation from the Hawai‘i Resilience Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) for COVID-19 relief efforts. The funds will go to the Hawai‘i Foodbank to deploy food distributions at the new locations across O‘ahu. This will be in addition to the existing food distributions at 200 Hawai‘i Foodbank Partner Agencies island wide. Four food partners – Sysco Hawai‘i; Hawai‘i Foodservice Alliance; Hawai‘i Ranchers Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i Island, Maui and O‘ahu; and the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau– will provide high-quality food products for an estimated 4,000 households at each distribution site. Several community partners, including Hawai‘i Counts 2020 Census, Child & Family Service, the Domestic Violence Action Center, and the American Job Centers will also be on hand to provide valuable information to recipients. source: http://www.honolulu.gov/cms-csd-menu/site-csd-sitearticles/1305-site-csd-news-2020-cat/38367-04-29-20-food-assistance-program-for-recently-unemployed-set-to-begin-in-waipi%E2%80%98o.html

“I’m pleased the Navy has agreed to postpone the RIMPAC 2020 exercise and will conduct the at-sea-portion this year to help keep Hawaiʻi safe as we continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m working closely with Adm. Davidson to monitor the situation. If conditions change later this summer, we will reassess and respond appropriately.” Gov. David Y. Ige

A Florida man and an Illinois woman are the latest people to be arrested and charged under the State’s COVID-19 emergency rules. 25-year-old Mitchell Lawrence Shier of Miami and 27-year-old Anne Elizabeth Rush were first contacted by Honolulu Police yesterday, the same day they’d checked into a Waikiki hotel. Hotel staff called police after they saw the couple returning to their room with shopping bags and take-out food in violation of the mandatory, traveler 14-day self-quarantine rule. This morning special agents from the Dept. of the Attorney General’s Investigations Division went to the hotel and arrested Shier and Rush. They are charged with violation of the 14-day quarantine rule and unsworn falsification to authorities. Also, yesterday, 60-year-old Leif Anthony Johansen of Truckee, California was observed by a witness jet-skiing off a North Shore beach. Authorities say he was supposed to be in self-quarantine at his Waialua home beginning on April 18th. Yesterday, Johansen was seen leaving his residence and was then followed to Costco in Waipio. He was arrested by AG’s special agents as he was loading groceries into his vehicle. In addition to being charged for violating the self-quarantine rule, he is also charged with unsworn falsification to authority. Shier, Rush, and Johanson were booked and charged and then released on their own recognizance and ordered to complete their remaining quarantine periods in their place of lodging or home. On Maui, 34-year-old William Lefear is voluntarily returning to his home in Houston today, after being contacted by Maui Police repeatedly for violating the mandatory self-quarantine rule. His quarantine period was scheduled to end on May 11. An investigation revealed that Lefear left his hotel room late Monday and returned after midnight. The next morning when officers contacted him, he said he wasn’t aware of the mandatory self-quarantine. He told them he now understood the rules and would not leave his room again. Tuesday evening police were contacted again, as the Texas resident was seen leaving his room. He was arrested and released pending further investigation. Hawai‘i Attorney General Clare Connors reminds all visitors and returning residents flying into Hawai‘i at this time, “It is always our hope that persons coming to our state follow our laws and respect the needs of our community. In light of the health and safety concerns presented by this pandemic, law enforcement has a zero-tolerance attitude towards anyone who violates the traveler self-quarantine rule. When we receive reports of violations, we will pursue them. We’re asking everyone flying into the state to respect the emergency rules for their own protection and for the health and well-being of all of Hawai‘i.” #covid19 #coronavirus #ClareConnors #Maui

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: Confirm the development of the state departmental plans and procedures; Review and assess current state departmental plans and procedures; Review and assess whether state departmental plans and procedures are properly and timely implemented to safeguard public health and safety; and To communicate and disseminate information obtained therefrom. The committee will be meeting with the following: 11:30 a.m. Department of Education Ms. Phyllis Unebasami, Deputy Superintendent 12:30 p.m. Department of Transportation Mr. Jade Butay, Director Hawai'i Tourism Authority Mr. Chris Tatum, CEO Airlines Committee of Hawai'i To be determined 2:00 p.m. Department of Health Dr. Bruce Anderson, Director Dr. Sarah Park, State Epidemiologist 3:00 p.m. Hawai'i COVID-19 Public Health Recovery Taskforce Dr. Mark Mugiishi 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. The meeting will also be streamed live on 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 #covid19 #coronavirus #waysnandmeans #hawaiisenate

Senator Lorraine R. Inouye (D-Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona) announced that $850,000 in General Obligation reimbursable bonds were recently released by Governor David Ige for improvements and upgrades to the seawater system of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA). “The addition of new funding will help NELHA in its mission to develop and diversify Hawaii’s economy,” Senator Inouye said, “which is even more important at this time of economic upheaval caused by the closure and scaling back of many industries due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.” NELHA is one of the largest single green economic development projects in the world. Its main facility is located on 870 acres just outside of Kailua-Kona on Hawai‘i Island. #NELHA #LorraineInouye #DavidIge #Energy #COVID19

Four Additional COVID-19 Cases Reported Four (4) new cases of coronavirus, included three (3) O‘ahu adults and one (1) Hawai‘i resident diagnosed outside of Hawai‘i. have been reported by DOH. This brings the total of COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i to 613 since Feb. 28, 2020. As of today, 321 cases are travel-associated, 236 are community-associated, and 56 with risk factors unknown at this time. Hawai‘i COVID-19 Counts as of 12:00 noon, April 29, 2020 For more tables please visit: https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/ Maui Memorial Cluster Update As of yesterday, there are a total of 59 COVID-19 positive cases at Maui Memorial Medical Center. DOH is continuing to monitor this cluster which includes 38 staff and 21 patients.

Queen's North Hawai'i Community Hospital Outpatient Services Re-open KAMUELA, HI – Queen’s North Hawai'i Community Hospital has expanded the availability of its clinics and outpatient services. Clinics and outpatient services, such as imaging and rehabilitation services, were significantly reduced last month and elective procedures were ceased in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 and increase hospital capacity to treat COVID-19 patients. The hospital has initiated numerous procedures to ensure a safe environment for patients and staff: Everyone entering the hospital or clinics will be screened and asked to wear a mask and sanitize their hands. If a patient does not have a mask, we will provide one for them. Seating in waiting rooms has been adjusted to help assure social distancing. Visitors are not allowed in hospitals or clinics. Staff members have been trained in the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols, and have all the necessary equipment to safely care for all patients in our community. All equipment, surfaces, and public areas are cleaned with a disinfectant approved for use and effective in killing COVID-19. The hospital plans to resume surgical services next week. Source: A Queen's Medical Center News Release (April 27, 2020)

O‘ahu motorists are reminded that a safety check inspection is not required to renew motor vehicle registrations that are expiring in April or May. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has closed safety inspection stations to comply with social distancing recommendations stemming from COVID-19 and extended safety inspection certificates as well as stickers through May 31, 2020. “An expired safety inspection will not hinder a vehicle registration renewal during this emergency period,” said Sheri Kajiwara, director of the city’s Department of Customer Services. The reminder comes as 133,928 motor vehicle registrations on O‘ahu are scheduled to be renewed between April and May. Vehicle registrations can be renewed online, at self-service kiosks inside select Safeway and Foodland stores, as well as by mail. More information on these options is available at the Department of Customer Services website. #safetycheckinspection #HIDOT #covid19 #coronavirus