WHO: Senator Laura H. Thielen Senator Jarrett Keohokalole Representative Chris Lee Representatives Scot Z. Matayoshi Representative Lisa Kitagawa City Councilman Ikaika J. Anderson WHAT: Windward O'ahu Virtual Town Hall: Public Health WHEN: Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. WHERE: Live streaming on Zoom at: www.windwardmenu.com/townhall and Facebook live on all hosting elected officials’ pages Speakers will include Lt. Governor Josh Green discussing the state’s COVID-19 efforts; Dr. Joshua Evans on keeping multi-generational families safe; and Kathleen Rhoads Merriam of the State Department of Health on mental health practices during the pandemic. A "Question and Answer" on Zoom and Facebook to follow. Mahalo and we look forward to seeing you all there.

At the Tuesday, April 14, meeting, the Hawai‘i State Senate Special Committee asked Attorney General Clare Connors as to whether the State can legally hold a traveler in quarantine, and if that person could be required to pay for their accommodations. She replied yes, but she would have to look into the question of payment. The Special Committee followed up with a question of whether travelers could be required to leave the state immediately if they did not have a designated place of quarantine for the full 14 days. Connors indicated that she believed that the policy was in place to discourage visitors, but felt it would be okay if they were to go back home sooner. The Special Committee expressed concerns that the State may not have the resources to ensure the compliance of travelers, and expressed a preference that they instead be turned away. On the subject of foreclosures and evictions, the Special Committee asked Connors what the State was doing regarding such and what, if any, further action will be taken by the Governor. The Attorney General replied that she expects Governor Ige will take additional action, but is unsure what those actions might be at this time. She said that the Office of Consumer Protection is handling these areas of concern, and has a resource website (http://cca.hawaii.gov/blog/office-of-consumer-protection/) and a dedicated phone line – 808-586-2634 – which is open daily from 8 a.m. until noon. Ross Higashi, Deputy Director of the Airports Division of the Department of Transportation (DOT), reported that, in regards to quarantine procedures, passengers are required to complete forms, including their contact and accommodation information, and have to sign stating they understand the quarantine requirements and that they will adhere to those requirements. Airport staff checks IDs and confirms the information given on the forms. The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is reportedly collecting passenger information and doing follow-up by calling each hotel to confirm passenger reservations and checking in with each passenger three times during the 14-day quarantine period. The Special Committee expressed its concerns about the procedures now in place, and Higashi said he will revisit them to ensure that all information about accommodations is confirmed before passengers are allowed to leave the airport, as well as including the tracking of rental cars into the revised procedures. He also said he will follow-up with the HTA to confirm that these checks include passengers staying at private residences, as well as Hawaii residents travelling interisland. Higashi said he is committed to working with the HTA and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) to have a daily passenger compliance report generated. In speaking with Dr. Bruce Anderson, Director of the Department of Health (DOH), the Special Committee sought to clarify what specifically was limiting the State’s ability to expand testing. Dr. Anderson explained that the prohibitive factor was not a lack of tests, but in fact, an insufficient supply of personal protective equipment to allow workers to safely administer the tests. The Special Committee followed up asking what policies, if any, exist around universal testing across all laboratories in the state. Dr. Anderson replied that the DOH would look at developing more explicit policies on how outside testing is conducted and what types of medical proof will be necessary to return to work or enter nursing homes, etc. The department would also need to increase its capacity for testing and contact tracing if we are going to reopen the State. Turning to unemployment insurance, Scott Murakami, Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), reported that the State has already paid out over $20 million in benefits, paying out over $11 million last week alone. He said the State will likely need to borrow money due to a shortfall of federal funds and programs to cover the difference in existing funds. To decrease the traffic to the centralized Unemployment Insurance portal on the mainframe, DLIR launched three websites on initial filings, biweekly claims, and filing status, based on services needed on April 14. The main unemployment insurance website is now open 24/7, and includes a step-by-step guide and a FAQ section. Murakami said the department created different phone numbers for filers based on the specific services needed which are available on its website. DLIR has also established email addresses specific by county. The Special Committee expressed its desire to Murakami to see more attention be paid to information and service geared towards helping the public navigate the unemployment insurance procedures. Murakami also reported that the department received 18 redeployed employees from the Attorney General’s office and Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) the day before, but those workers were only temporary and available for this week. Committee members expressed their dismay that these workers would only be available long enough to be trained and were unsure how this would be helpful to DLIR. Murakami acknowledged that it was not ideal, but appreciated any help the department is able to receive. He also reported on the expansion of call/claims centers: one at the main branch of the Hawaii State Library with 10 staff members, and another to be opened at the Hawai‘i Convention Center on Tuesday, April 21. The team at the library will help with processing, inputting, and monitoring claims, adding more to the team as needed. At the Monday, April 13, meeting, Ryker Wada, Director of the Department of Human Resources Development, reported that, besides the 15 employees from the Attorney General’s office and three from DHRD that were sent to DLIR, an additional 20 category 3 employees will be redeployed next week to DLIR, with 20 more if DLIR can ensure additional training facilities capacity. The Special Committee once again committed Senate staff and space to address the training and facilities concerns. The committee also expressed a desire to redeploy enough staff to DLIR to facilitate an around-the-clock operation of processing claims and dispersing checks to unemployment claimants. Besides DLIR, Wada reported that all other State departments have failed to submit requests for additional staffing needs. He said DHRD is prepared to match the skillset of category 3 employees with those departments’ job descriptions once request are received. While the Departments of Agriculture and Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) have submitted information to the Special Committee using its form, they have not using the forms from DHRD. DHRD contacts each department’s human resources office, who will then notify category 3 employees of their status. Once those employees are redeployed, they will get information on their duties and responsibilities. Back to the subject of monitoring travelers, Rona Suzuki of the Department of Taxation said that DBEDT was the responsible agency for the development of a “safe travels” app through the vendor Tapiki. The original quote of cost was $65,000 (an amount that may be reimbursed by federal dollars) and additional enhancements for Apple and Android platforms are being discussed. The app is already being used by DOT and HIEMA staff operating airport checkpoints and has replaced the paper process using the Agriculture form. Concerning General Excise Tax (GET) payments, Suzuki reported that her department has not changed the deadlines for GET returns and estimated payments, and indicated that it was important for the State to continue its collections as a means of collecting information about the state of the economy. And finally, the Governor’s Chief of Staff Linda Chu Takayama reported on Monday that the State has received 100 Abbott test kits. Each test kit produces five tests in total, and the federal government is controlling the sale and distribution of these rapid test machines. As per their previous discussion with her pertaining to visitor restrictions, committee members clarified that they were not asking Governor Ige to close the airports to non-essential travel, but requested that he join county mayors in writing a letter to President Trump asking that he issue an order to temporarily stop such travel into the State. If the Governor chooses not to, they would hope that he at least make a statement to the public explaining his rationale in not doing so. Chu Takayama indicated that she would take the questions and requests back to the Governor. She also reported that some senators and representatives will be part of an economic recovery committee that the Governor is creating to address the State’s long-term plan going forward. Those involved in public health and the economic sector will also be part of this committee. The Special Committee also asked for the administration’s plan for maximizing the federal funds being provided to the State through the CARES Act. Chu Takayama replied that there is no written plan or organizational chart for dealing with this issue. Parts of this structure were described to be in “various documents.” The federal government was supposed to release additional details on the funding on Tuesday, April 14. Chu Takayama said that Department of Taxation Director Suzuki will be the lead on telling departments what funds are available, and what deadlines they face. The Governor’s entire cabinet will also be involved in this process, as each department will be responsible for maximizing the federal funds available and for tracking any related spending. The Special Committee suggested a written plan and funding matrix be created, and that his information be posted, so the public has access. The committee also asked the Governor’s chief of staff if whether the administration’s lack of timeliness in executing the redeployment of State workers may result in furloughs. She said she could not comment on any future plans regarding that.

The City and County of Honolulu’s TheBus and TheHandi-Van will be participating in the nationwide “Sound the Horn” campaign, to show support for essential public transportation workers across the United States. 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 Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), together with Amtrak, NJ Transit, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NYC Ferry and other regional bus and other regional bus and ferry operators today launched a coordinated day of action to simultaneously sound their fleets of train, bus and boat horns on April 16 to honor heroic transportation workers across the region. As a tribute to #HeroesMovingHeroes on the front lines of this public health crisis, all trains and buses running in service will give two one-second horn blasts in solidarity with partner agencies. This commemorative moment will take place on Thursday at 9 a.m. Hawaiʻi Standard Time (HST), and all TheBus and TheHandi-Van drivers are encouraged to honk their horns with our nation’s transit partners in support and solidarity. 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,” said Jon Nouchi, Deputy Director of the Cityʻs Department of Transportation Services (DTS). “Please join Mayor Kirk Caldwell and our valued transit employees in this moment as they sound their horns in Honolulu to honor transit workers nationwide.” Roger Morton, President and General Manager of Oahu Transit Services says the entire OTS workforce appreciates this symbolic gesture. “We are all in this together and it truly is a case of ‘HeroesMovingHeroes’.  Even today, our frontline transit workers provide about 60,000 daily trips so residents can fulfill their essential roles. I salute all of our transit employees and take pride in the job they are doing during this crisis.” DTS reminds all passengers to limit trips on TheBus and TheHandi-Van to essential trips only, and, starting Monday, April 20, protective face coverings will be required to ride TheBus or TheHandi-Van.

PDF version: https://governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/2004090-ATG_Executive-Order-No.-20-05-distribution-signed-1.pdf

Mayor Michael Victorino announces that drive through testing for COVID-19 will be held Thursday, April 16, from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center on Moloka'i. Testing was rescheduled due to inclement weather on Tuesday, April 14. All traffic MUST enter Ailoa Street via Kamehameha V Highway, between Kaunakakai Baptist Church and Kaunakakai School. The testing is a joint effort with Dr. Scott Miscovich of Premier Medical Group and the County of Maui. Test kits were also administered through drive through testing on Molokai on April 7. “Dr. Miscovich has continuously stepped up to provide more test kits for our Maui County community,” Mayor Victorino said. “I want to thank him and his staff for working with us to respond to the needs of our Molokai residents as quickly as possible, and for rescheduling the postponed testing.” For questions and information, please call Mayor Michael Victorino’s Molokai Liaison Stacy Crivello at (808) 868-6750.

The Salvation Army of Maui County, working in conjunction with Maui Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), is collecting donations to be distributed to partner agencies for COVID-19 response to communities across Maui County. Information on how to donate is available online at Maui.SalvationArmy.org or by calling (808) 877-6750. Donations that are needed include non-perishable food, fresh food, produce, hygiene products, cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves. “The needs in our community continues to grow and we are asking for everyone’s help to assist the people of our islands,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Mahalo to all our volunteer organizations who continue to serve during these difficult times.” #SalvationArmy #VOAD #MauiSalvationArmy #MikeVictorino #MauiCounty

Senate President Ron Kouchi and Speaker Scott Saiki issued the following statement in response to Governor Ige's proposal to impose a 20% reduction in state employee salaries: Although Governor Ige has the unilateral authority to impose furloughs and salary cuts, we do not agree with such action. We urge the Governor to obtain better data and analysis before he makes this decision. We also urge him to act on all alternatives, just as the National Governors Association did when it called on Congress four days ago to provide an additional $500 billion to the 50 states to stabilize state budgets due to tax revenue shortfalls. Although we disagree with Governor Ige's proposal, the Legislature will work with him to assess and pursue all options.

Hale Makua Health Services received word from the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) that one Home Health patient has tested COVID-19 positive, and that one of six of our nursing home residents who were potentially exposed to COVID-19 during their stay at MMMC prior to being admitted to Hale Makua has tested positive. The nursing home resident who tested positive for COVID-19 received a negative test result on April 9, 2020. Because this individual was treated on the MMMC unit with the COVID-19 positive cluster of workers, the resident was re-tested on April 13, 2020, which resulted in the current positive received today, April 15, 2020. The resident is currently asymptomatic and in isolation. On April 11, 2020, Hale Makua Health Services was notified by DOH that six nursing home residents were potentially exposed to COVID-19. Since then the resident noted above had a second test administered, which came back positive. The five other nursing home residents recently admitted from MMMC tested negative, have been in isolation since April 12, 2020, are being retested for COVID-19, and are currently asymptomatic. As per DOH’s recommendation, all of these residents have been moved to a separate wing for 14-day quarantine in private rooms with droplet precautions. All residents and staff who may have been exposed will be tested for COVID-19. Home Health by Hale Makua is caring for its first positive COVID-19 patient. This patient presented with symptoms of COVID-19 after being discharged from the hospital, and was under observation by the DOH until being released from isolation on April 14, 2020. Out of an abundance of caution, all employees who had any contact with the patient are also self-isolating and have been tested for COVID-19. “Our goal is always to ensure that we protect the health and safety of all those in our care so that we may continue providing services in the most appropriate care setting for our kupuna. We stands beside our employees, residents, patients and community members, to provide support and guidance in any way we can. We have already implemented many measures to ensure the safety and protection of all those in our care.” states Hale Makua Health Services CEO, Wesley Lo. At Hale Makua nursing home and adult residential care home precautions include: · Staff and vendors screened for respiratory symptoms and/or fever prior to entering the campuses since early March. · All new admissions have been admitted to West neighborhood in Kahului since March 23. · All employees have been required to wear face masks since April 2. · All employees providing care to residents who may have been exposed to COVID-19 have been following appropriate PPE protocols since April 11, when the organization was notified by DOH of potential COVID-19 exposure. · Visitors have been prohibited, except in certain circumstances deemed appropriate by an Administrator. Creative ways to keep residents in touch with loved ones have been implemented. · Employees who work in other healthcare settings are temperature checked at the start and end of shift, in addition to wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout their shift at Hale Makua. · High touch surfaces are wiped down frequently. Home Health by Hale Makua, precautionary measures to keep patients healthy, safe, and out of the hospital include: · Continuing to provide education to staff and patients about preventative measures like social distancing, proper hand hygiene, and cleaning and disinfection protocols. · Conducting staff meetings remotely instead of in person · Increasing the use of teleworking among staff · Providing increased support to our patients and families by telephone or telehealth calls. · Preadmission screening protocols · Staff screening protocols · Pre-visit screening protocols for the entire household · Pandemic visit protocols, to include limiting nonessential persons from the visit, source control, distancing, and appropriate use of PPE. · Training our staff to provide COVID-19 specific education to all high risk patients and household members. Mr. Lo concludes, “I would like to give a heartfelt ‘thanks’ our dedicated employees who have gone above and beyond to meet the challenges of this crisis, and are the heart of our workforce. Because of them we are doing all that we can to fight COVID-19, and protect our residents, patients and each other. We are stronger together. And together we will get through this crisis, helping each other and our Maui community.” About Hale Makua Health Services Hale Makua Health Services is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, established in 1946 to provide a home for elders who had no one to care for them or means to pay for care. It is one of Maui’s largest non-government employers with over 450 employees providing care for over 1,500 individuals on Maui annually. The organization’s continuum of healthcare programs include two nursing homes and rehab centers specializing in both in and out-patient physical, occupational and speech therapies; a home health care agency; an adult day health center; and an adult residential care home. For more information visit HaleMakua.org.

Traditional commencement ceremonies at public and charter schools will be replaced with alternative celebrations for the class of 2020 due to safety concerns and social distancing guidance. Schools will honor their seniors through different models of celebrations, which will be announced next week. With the end of the school year approaching, the Department continues to work closely with school leaders to make important decisions that prioritize the health and safety of our students, staff, families and the broader community. After much consideration and discussion, it was determined that traditional commencement ceremonies at public and charter schools will be replaced with alternative celebrations for the class of 2020 due to safety concerns and social distancing guidance. Schools will honor their seniors through different models of celebrations, which will be announced next week. “Graduation is considered a major milestone in any academic journey. In Hawaii these celebrations are uniquely special with a long-standing tradition of families coming together to celebrate, giving towering amounts of lei, and enjoying each other’s company — something we are all missing during this time,” Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto said. “The Department has faced tough decisions throughout this unprecedented situation, especially around commencement ceremonies. We’ve looked for innovative solutions to support and celebrate our seniors who deserve this recognition.” Source: http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/Alternative-graduation-honors-planned-in-lieu-of-traditional-commencement-ceremonies.aspx

Mayor Kirk Caldwell today signed Emergency Order No. 2020-07 mandating O‘ahu residents wear non-medical grade face coverings while in public to further limit the transmission and spread of coronavirus. According to the Order, employees who work at Essential Businesses as provided in the Stay at Home Order, shall wear non-medical grade face coverings over their noses and mouths when engaged and interacting with customers and visitors of the Essential Business. All customers and visitors of Essential Businesses must also wear non-medical grade face coverings to provide additional protection for employees and customers of Essential Businesses. This Order also applies to passengers and users of public modes of transportation like the TheBus and TheHandi-van. An owner or operator of an Essential Business may refuse admission or service to an individual who fails to wear face coverings. Exemptions to this face covering Order include: · Within banks, financial institutions, or using an automated teller machine (ATM) where inability to verify the identity of the customer or visitor of the bank, financial institution or ATM poses a security risk; · By individuals with medical conditions or disabilities where wearing of a face covering may pose a health or safety risk to the individual; · By children under the age of 5; · By first responders (Honolulu Police Department, Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Emergency Services Department) to the extent that wearing non-medical grade face coverings may impair or impede the safety of the first responders in the performance of his/her duty. “Wearing a non-medical face covering has become a simple and extremely valuable tool in slowing the spread of this virus and preventing those who have COVID-19 but don’t know it from spreading it to others,” said Mayor Caldwell. “While wearing a face covering is not a substitute for social distancing, it can help at Essential Businesses where Social Distancing Requirements may at times be difficult to maintain, like paying for groceries or picking up medication at the pharmacy.” This Order is effective at 12 a.m on Monday, April 20 and will continue through 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 30. Violation of this Order is punishable as a misdemeanor, with fines up to $5,000, up to a year in jail, or both. All individuals in the City are encouraged, but not required, to wear non-medical grade face coverings over their noses and mouths when they are outside their homes and performing Essential Activities, as provided in the Stay at Home Order. For questions on the Order, O‘ahu residents are encouraged to visit the website, oneoahu.org to get answers to frequently asked questions. 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. The City’s COVID-19 information call center remains open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for holidays.

The special committee will convene tomorrow afternoon 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 special committee will be meeting with the following: 3:00 p.m.               Hawaii Emergency Management Agency MG Kenneth Hara, Incident Commander 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 as well as live streaming online at [olelo.org/49]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.

The City’s island-wide nighttime curfew went into effect this past Easter weekend. Overall, the public complied with the curfew on a holiday weekend, which is normally a time for gatherings with family and friends. Over the three nights, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) handed out close to 150 citations. These violations were not connected to violating the Curfew Order, rather for traffic violations and other crimes. The City has no plans to continue a nighttime curfew at this time given that the next holiday weekend is in late May. The three-day pilot project made all non-essential wheeled means of transportation prohibited from the hours of 11 p.m to 5 a.m daily from Friday, April 10, to Monday, April 13. Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s Emergency Order No. 2020-05 further re-enforced the Stay at Home Order intended to stop the spread of COVID-19 on Oʻahu. “I’m very proud of the way our community responded”, said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “Your decision to stay at home this weekend could end up being the difference in how successful we are at containing this virus and how soon we can back to normal.” Although the Nighttime Curfew Order is not being extended at this time the Mayor’s Stay at Home Order remains in effect. O‘ahu residents are encouraged to visit the website, oneoahu.org to get answers to frequently asked questions about Mayor Caldwell’s Stay at Home 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. 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 for holidays.