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; 4) Review and assess the management of federal aid packages; and 5) To communicate and disseminate information obtained therefrom. The special committee will be meeting with the following: 11:00 a.m. Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Mr. Scott Murakami, Director 12:00 p.m. Department of Health, State Laboratories Dr. Edward Desmond, Administrator 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.

In a joint presentation to the Special Committee on Friday, Attorney General Clare Connors, Department of Transportation (DOT) Deputy Director of Airports Ross Higashi, and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) provided an update concerning the monitoring of arriving airline passengers. The Airports Division has implemented a more stringent monitoring system of arriving passengers to ensure compliance with the 14-day mandatory quarantine. This includes verification of hotel reservation for visitors and addresses of residents. Cell phone numbers are also verified on site. Once verification is cleared, individuals are allowed to leave the airport. When visitors check in at hotels, they must sign a form acknowledging the mandatory requirements of the 14-day quarantine. If arriving passengers cannot verify quarantine locations, they are then directed to law enforcement. Per the committee’s request, the State is also considering how fees may be collected from airlines or passengers for non-essential travel during the emergency declaration. This require the navigation of regulations on special funds currently before the Legislature can reconvene. The Special Committee also requests that the Governor, the Attorney General’s office, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, law enforcement, and other divisions continue to discuss the State’s authority, capacity and cost to implement certain quarantining and monitoring possibilities, such as designated quarantine sites, ankle bracelets, facial recognition, and GPS tracking. The State must also consider an individual’s constitutional rights during and following emergency declaration. Current law allows mandatory quarantine because travel poses health and safety concerns. Tatum also reported that the HTA is continuing to work with hotels on its “Hotels for Heroes” program for health care workers with HMSA, Honolulu EMS, the Kaua‘i emergency response team, and others. Director Dr. Bruce Anderson and State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park of the Department of Health (DOH) also reported to the committee. The DOH website includes a flow chart explaining the contact tracing program at https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/files/2020/04/What-Is-Contact-Tracing-04.13.2020.pdf. The program has four steps: Identify the case, find and notify contacts, advise close contacts to quarantine, and monitor close contacts for symptoms. The department needs additional volunteers to expand the program. While the volunteers it uses as helpful, they must possess the ability to conduct interviews and draw the information from the subject. The department listed three critical conditions that must be part of the plan to reopen Hawai‘i: The state must have a robust healthcare system to deal with any surge in COVID-19 cases. The contact tracing program must be continued, and any “hot spots” may need to be closed. Measures to slow the spread must be continued, including hygiene regimens and modified social distancing requirements. DOH will also establish uniform procedures and communicate them to Hawaii’s health care providers. Per the committee’s request, the department will submit the plans and needs to build a long-term structure to deal with the virus, including staffing needs for both ongoing efforts, such as contact tracing, and any surge capacity DOH might need; and public health care system infrastructure needs such as laboratories, data scientists, modernizing facilities, etc. The department will provide a preliminary budget encompassing these needs. The Special Committee also requests that the department share planning related to the reopening of our school system. And, finally, Alan Oshima, Hawaii Economic and Community Recovery and Resiliency Navigator, provided a summary of the plan to date. Its guiding principles include: Health and safety first; to work in a collaborative, inclusive and transparent manner; and respect and incorporate Hawaii’s values, unique sense of place, and way of life. In order to inform decision making and process, the plan must have clear priorities and goals for each phase, engage stakeholders and ensure transparency, use fact-based decision making, leverage national and global best practices; consider federal, state, local and private funding sources; and focus on the need for speed. High-level plan phases include: Stabilization (with an emphasis on health care), a gradual reopening based on public health safeguards, find paths to recover the economy, support society, and balance lives and livelihoods; and build a resilient economy with strong business and job growth. An online link to the plan can be found at www.recoverynavigator.hawaii.gov. In terms of economic recovery, Oshima pointed out that the state has changed its economy in the past from agriculture to tourism. The virus may be the catalyst to create a new economic model for Hawai‘i. He said our economy is interconnected and we need to look at it as a whole. Teleworking may become a new norm. Oshima said the state has not been moving in that direction fast enough, but now people see that it is possible, so it may increase. He said we may need to look beyond tourism. It may be possible to utilize the islands’ geographic isolation and instead market tourism more exclusively to keep the revenues but with fewer visitors. Also an exploration of the possibilities of the agriculture sector must be addressed, in terms of feeding residents and exporting specialty products.

The Hawai‘i Dept. of Health (DOH) is reporting the 16th death associated with the coronavirus in the state. The 16th death is an Oʻahu woman who is over 65-years-old and had underlying conditions and had been hospitalized since early April. The department is investigating whether the mode of infection was travel-related or community-associated. DOH extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the latest victims of this disease. A Hawai'i COVID-19 Joint Information Center news release. #covid19 #coronavirus #HawaiiDepartmentOfHealth

Yesterday, 475 people arrived in Hawaii including 118 visitors and 193 residents. During this same time last year, nearly 30,000 passengers arrived in Hawaii daily, including residents and visitors. The state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine started on March 26th for all passengers arriving in Hawaii from out of state. The quarantine order was expanded on April 1st to include interisland travelers. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out of state yesterday and does not include interisland travel. For Hawaii Tourism Authority and state updates regarding COVID-19 visit: https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/

Faith-based organizations, in addition to other community, volunteer, and non-profit organizations with emergency protective measure expenses related to the ongoing COVID-19 event, may be eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program as part of a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. As part of its mission, FEMA provides grants to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments so they can continue offering critical and essential community services. Types of organizations which provide critical services that may qualify for FEMA Public Assistance (PA) grants include: Private schools that provide elementary or secondary education or an institution of higher education; Hospitals and other medical-treatment facilities; and Utilities including water, sewer, and electrical systems. Types of non-critical, essential services that may be eligible for PA grants include: Senior citizen and community centers or other community services; Food programs; Educational enrichment activities; Custodial and day care services; Disability residential services; Assisted living and low-income housing; Homeless shelters and rehabilitation services; and Performing and community arts centers. Additionally, when any organization provides emergency protective measures such as sheltering and feeding eligible at-risk individuals, FEMA may reimburse the costs of those services. The government and the organization must enter into an agreement for these services, even if the agreement is post-event; and the government could then reimburse the organization. Only organizations with state or IRS tax exempt status may be considered. For more information about eligible essential and critical service providers, go online to https://www.fema.gov/ and reference the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide. Private Non-Profits who are providing food or conducting food distribution during this disaster should reach out to their county emergency management/civil defense agency so their efforts are visible to the county and can be coordinated with other feeding efforts in the county in order to reduce duplication of effort. For the COVID-19 disaster, organizations that provide services of a non-critical, essential governmental nature are not required to first apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) before being considered for a PA grant. Interested private non-profit organizations should go to https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/rpa-covid-19/ for more information on how to apply. Questions can be emailed to DOD.COVID19@hawaii.gov. Interested agencies are invited to view a virtual Applicant Briefing on April 24th , April 28th, , and May 1st at 9:00 am. The briefing should last about 30 minutes, followed by a question and answer period. Email DOD.COVID19@hawaii.gov for the link to participate in the virtual Applicant Briefing. The deadline to submit the Request for Public Assistance (RPA) for the COVID-19 is nationally extended and will remain open for the duration of the Public Health Emergency, as declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, unless an earlier deadline is deemed appropriate by the Assistant Administrator, Recovery Directorate. Under the PA Program, FEMA awards grants to assist State and local governments and eligible Private Non-Profit entities with their recovery efforts. The declaration currently provides funds for eligible emergency protective measures. The federal share of the funding is 75 percent of the eligible costs. #FEMA #PublicAssistance #COVID19 #Coronavirus

WASHINGTON – As the Nation transitions from a period of crisis to economic recovery, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will continue to leverage every social, medical, logistical and security tool at its disposal to defend the homeland from COVID-19. Thanks to a wide range of strategic initiatives, the Department and its components have achieved dozens of key deliverables last week through its unprecedented, whole-of-America response, which in return is slowing the virus’s spread and saving millions of lives. These results could not have been secured by the Department without its dedicated workforce, who have adapted and persevered to meet these extraordinary challenges despite their own personal hardships. “The men and women of the Transportation Security Administration continue to go above and beyond to protect the health and safety of travelers, while ensuring the security of our critical transportation systems during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “Every day, our dedicated employees are performing vital tasks to keep our transportation systems moving for those with essential travel, and working with industry partners to ensure confidence across systems as we recover and travel levels increase.” Below is a list of some of DHS’s efforts against COVID-19 last week: Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Enhanced Screenings at Airports. CWMD contract personnel are continuing to support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with enhanced screenings for travelers through 13 specially designated airports. As of April 26th, CWMD has processed approximately 279,319 travelers for enhanced screening, including 1,506 who were referred to CDC for further medical evaluation. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION (CBP) Securing the Border from Infectious Diseases. CBP announced on April 20th that it will extend its restrictions on non-essential travel across our shared borders with Canada and Mexico until May 21st. As President Trump has stated previously, border control, travel restrictions, and other limitations remain critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and allowing for the phased opening of the country. Building the Wall and Deterring Illegal Immigration. On April 22nd, CBP launched a border wall system webpage that features a construction video and an interactive map. This website not only gives American taxpayers a first-hand look at the ongoing border wall construction, but it also serves as a strong visual deterrent to those in coronavirus-impacted countries who are contemplating making the dangerous and deadly journey to the U.S. across the Southern border. Seizing Counterfeit Goods from Foreign Sources. On April 23rd, CBP officials seized 2,000 counterfeit respirators that were shipped to the U.S. from China. Ensuring the integrity of imported goods, including personal protection equipment (PPE), is a vital function that CBP performs every day to protect the American public during the pandemic. Supporting the Safe Return of U.S. Citizens Stranded Overseas. As of April 26th, CBP, in close coordination with the State Department’s Repatriation Task Force, has facilitated the return of more than 69,000 Americans back to the U.S. from 128 countries. This interagency operation is vital to reuniting families and keeping Americans out of harm’s way. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Promoting Integrity and Security in Upcoming Elections. CISA continues to coordinate with government and industry partners to ensure upcoming elections are accessible and secure for voters. On April 22nd, CISA’s COVID-19 Elections Working Group, which is comprised of state, local, and private sector partners, released two new products focused on voter outreach, education, and best practices to ensure that every ballot is delivered properly to voter residences. Ensuring that Operation Centers and Control Rooms Remain Viable. On April 23rd, CISA released the Critical Infrastructure Operations Centers and Control Rooms Guide for Pandemic Response, which is geared towards all 16 critical infrastructure sectors identified by the federal government. The guide provides considerations and mitigation measures for operation centers and control rooms, but can be applied further to any critical node that is required to continue functioning in a pandemic environment. Keeping the Healthcare Industry Safe and Secure. CISA, Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) jointly released a bulletin on April 24th regarding potential threats to the healthcare industry and resources on how to mitigate these threats. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Accelerating Antibody Research Efforts. On April 20th, FEMA’s Medical Countermeasures Task Force reported that it established six agreements with healthcare providers to obtain convalescent plasma from COVID-19 survivors in support of the CDC’s Serology Project Team’s research efforts. Convalescent plasma, which is the liquid part of blood that possibly contains viral antibodies, is being investigated by medical researchers as a potential treatment for COVID-19. Bolstering Testing Capacity at Food Processing Centers. On April 20th, FEMA’s Laboratory Diagnostics Task Force coordinated with the Region VII office to deliver 7,000 test kits to Kansas where the region’s largest meat processing facilities are experiencing clusters of COVID-19 infections. These diagnostic supplies will help identify infections more rapidly while preventing its transmission throughout the state’s critical agriculture infrastructure, which processes a significant portion of the nation’s meat supply. Addressing Medical Supply Needs in Non-Healthcare Settings. On April 22nd, FEMA published guidance to address how organizations in non-healthcare settings should consider and manage their personal protective equipment (PPE) needs while ensuring the protection of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes how to preserve limited supplies of PPE, how to consider needs during periods of shortages, and how to acquire and request PPE (i.e., in the face of critical shortages and whereas normal supply chain allocation cannot meet operational requirements). Deploying Federal Funds in Support of State Response Efforts.Federal funds are being deployed to help ensure that health care providers have the critical resources they need to provide rapid care and treatment to COVID-19 patients in hard-hit areas across the U.S. Since April 20th, FEMA has obligated around $400 million to support state response efforts, bringing the total amount to $6.1 billion thus far. This includes an additional $100 million in funding for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to help first responders access PPE and other critical medical supplies during the outbreak. Increasing Availability of Critical Resources. As a part of the Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force, FEMA is executing a whole-of-nation approach to address the limited supply of critical and life-saving equipment. As of April 25th, FEMA has coordinated the delivery of the following to critical locations: 70.7 million N95 respirators, 104.5 million surgical masks, 7 million face shields, 14.7 million surgical gowns, 793.8 million gloves, and 10,603 ventilators. FEMA’s Health Care Resilience Task Force is also working with private manufacturers to address dialysis fluid shortages in New York City, which is critical for COVID-19 patients in ICU’s who are experiencing kidney failure. Coordinating Air Flights to Address Medical Supply Shortages. FEMA continues to expedite the movement of critical supplies, including masks, respirators, gloves, goggles, and surgical gowns, from the global market to medical distributors in various locations across the U.S. This historic partnership with the private sector is named Project Air-Bridge. Between April 20th and April 26th, 21 international flights arrived in the U.S. with critical medical supplies, bringing the total to 85 with an additional 26 scheduled or in transit. These flights deliver PPE to areas of greatest need through prioritized distributor supply chains nine times faster than movement by sea. FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTERS (FLETC) Implementing Protocols to Protect Returning Students.Although FLETC has temporarily paused in-person operations, the agency is engaged in detailed planning efforts to resume law enforcement training in the COVID-environment. Over the past week, FLETC piloted new screening procedures whereby security contractors are conducting temperature checks and asking COVID-related screening questions of all people attempting to enter FLETC’s facilities. It has also begun to clean and disinfect all venues in preparation for students’ return. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) Cracking Down on Fraud and Criminal Activity. On April 20th, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit, with assistance from CBP’s Field Intelligence Group, seized approximately 5,300 potentially fraudulent COVID-19 test kits. This seizure is a part of an interagency enforcement campaign known as Operation Stolen Promise, which was launched by ICE on April 15th to combat COVID-19-related fraud and other criminal activity. To date, ICE has opened more than 190 investigations nationwide. INTELLIGENCE & ANALYSIS (I＆A) Educating the Public About Cyber-Related Threats. On April 24th, I&A and CISA partnered with the American Hospital Association to launch a podcast mini-series addressing cyber threats that put the U.S. health system at risk. It offers best practices to security experts and health care administrators who are responsible for the infrastructure supporting medical providers during the COVID-19 response. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (S&T) Arming the Nation with Scientific Research. On April 23rd, William Bryan, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology (S&T), provided an update on key research findings from S&T’s National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) at the White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing. His update covered emerging results and trends from studies conducted at NBACC including the effects of sunlight and humidity on the virus as well as findings on common disinfectants that can kill the virus. Driving Evidence-Based Policymaking.On April 24th, S&T updated its Master Question List (MQL), a compilation of available research on operationally-relevant questions to aid decision makers in the COVID-19 response. The MQL is a quick-reference guide covering what is known about the virus, what additional information is needed, and who may be working to address these fundamental questions. New entries include references to how much agent will make a healthy individual ill, how the virus spreads from one host to another, and what treatments are effective. TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA) Keeping Americans Safe While Ensuring Continuity of U.S. Travel. TSA continues to follow CDC guidance to protect its workers and the nation’s transportation system, while ensuring the freedom of movement for people and commerce will not be impeded during the pandemic. Between April 20th and April 26th, TSA screened nearly 640,721 travelers who have all reached their destinations safely. U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (USCIS) Target Date to Reopen Offices. On April 24th, USCIS announced that offices temporarily suspended will begin to reopen on June 4th unless the public closures are extended further to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Employees in these offices are continuing to perform mission-essential services that do not require face-to-face contact with the public while the offices are closed. United States Coast Guard (USCG) Monitoring Vessels that Pose a Risk to Public Health. The Coast Guard is working non-stop to protect the health and safety of the American public while keeping U.S. supply chains open and viable. Between April 20th and April 26th, USCG tracked 110 commercial vessels that departed from a coronavirus-impacted country and was scheduled to arrive at a U.S. port. In accordance with the Coast Guard’s latest Maritime Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB), which was updated on April 24th, all vessels destined for a U.S. port are required to report to the CDC any sick or deceased crew/passengers prior to arrival at a U.S. port or they will be denied entry into U.S. territorial waters. Facilitating the Offload of Cruise Ships. Between April 20th and April 26th, the Coast Guard facilitated the offload of 119 passengers aboard the Pacific Princess cruise ship in Los Angeles and 103 crew members aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship in San Francisco. The passengers and crew were allowed to disembark from the ships after the Coast Guard determined they were not infected with COVID-19 or other infectious diseases. To date, the Coast Guard has facilitated the discharge of over 265,000 passengers from over 125 cruise ships. United States Secret Service (USSS) Protecting Americans From Financial Scams. On April 20th, the Secret Service partnered with the U.S. Treasury to launch the “Know Your U.S. Treasury Check” campaign – an initiative to bring awareness to citizens, retailers, and financial institutions on how to protect themselves from scams associated with U.S. Treasury checks funded by the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. #covid19 #coronavirus #homelandsecurity #donaldtrump

On today’s report of COVID-19, the total number of people who tested positive for Hawaii Island is 69. From this, 49 have been cleared as recovered with the remaining 20 quarantined at home and monitored by the Department of Health. As reported yesterday, the one adult male hospitalized has been released from Kona Hospital and quarantined at home, it was reported the adult male was just kept overnight and released to home care. For your information, drive through testing will be conducted today in Kona at the Keauhou Shopping Center hours are from 8 this morning till 12 noon. Thank you, Ali’i Health, Hawaii Army National Guard, and the Hawaii County Task Force for conducting this free service. A very grateful thank you to the banks and credit unions for working long hours, helping Hawaii Small businesses preparing the multitude of applications, to be ready early this morning ready for submission. This is when the newly funded Payroll Protection Program is accepting applications. Thank you, people of Hawai'i for who you are, Community together, helping each other during a very difficult time. Thank you for listening and please be safe. This is a civil defense message from the Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency. #covid19 #coronavirus #HawaiiCounty #HarryKim #CivilDefense

The Hawai‘i Dept. of Health (DOH) is reporting the 15th death associated with the coronavirus in the state. An O‘ahu man, over 65-years-old, with underlying health conditions passed away earlier this evening. He had been in the hospital since early March and his infection was presumed to be community associated. DOH extends its sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends. A Hawai'i COVID-19 Joint Information Center news release. #covid19 #coronavirus #HawaiiDepartmentOfHealth

On Saturday, April 25, the Moloka'i Homestead Farmers Alliance and partners held a free chili bowl and one dozen eggs distribution. This drive-thru event at Lanikeha Community Center was a huge success with kūpuna receiving the 'ono kau kau first. We send a very special mahalo to Representative Lynn Decoite, the Moloka'i Homestead Farmers Alliance, the Moloka'i Chamber of Commerce, Moloka'i Drugs 'Ohana, Uncle Dale & Beverly Pau'ole Moore, Eggs Hawai'i, Inc (Hawaiian Maid Eggs and Ka Lei Eggs), Moloka'i Farm Bureau, Bayer - Moloka'i and the many anonymous donors that continue to support and feed the community so nobody goes to bed hungry. Mahalo to the Hawai'i Army National Guard and the Moloka'i Police Department for insuring a smooth operation. Please enjoy these moments of aloha on our Hawai'i Senate Flickr photo album sharing page. Many historical moments are captured by our statewide Senate photographers. Mahalo to Mickey Pau'ole, Hawai'i State Senate volunteer photographer for these heartfelt captures and his time in continually documenting the aloha spirit. Moloka'i chili bowl and eggs distribution. Photos by Mickey Pau'ole right here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmMQLLC3 Representative Lynn DeCoite represents (D-East Maui, Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe and Molokini) #Molokai #MolokaiHomesteadFarmersAlliance #KupunaCare #HILeg2020

Mayor Michael Victorino issued the following statement on Gov. David Ige’s extension of the statewide stay-at-home order until the end of May and other emergency rules: “The extension of the stay-at-home, work-from-home order was something we agreed with the governor on to protect our people. We also greatly appreciate the extension of the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for incoming travelers. The governor has officially reopened beaches for exercise, which we advocated for, as long as residents practice social distancing. We continue to encourage using the ocean and beach for active exercise, but discourage gatherings or lounging on the beach. In regards to the State’s authority and review of County rules, our existing rules for the County of Maui are still in place. Future rules and proclamations, however, will need to be sent to the Governor’s Office. The county mayors still need the flexibility and power to make immediate changes to protect the health and safety of our communities and we will continue to advocate for the needs of our people.” #MauiCounty #MikeVictorino #DavidIge #StayAtHome #covid19 #coronavirus

From Mayor Kirk Caldwell, “We agree with many of the actions taken today including the opening of beaches for exercise, and the extension of the 14 day travel quarantine. However, as noted in the attached letter, we have concerns that the action taken today will affect the City and County of Honolulu’s ability to act quickly and deliberately during this crisis. The City and County of Honolulu and I as Mayor agree on the need for greater consistency and coordination of decision-making between the State and all four counties. As Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, I will continue to make decisions based on science, data, and informed by medical professionals, along with nationwide best practices. We will work diligently to provide the Governor and HI-EMA with sufficient advance review of any orders or proclamations that we plan to issue that directly impact our residents. I look forward to the Governor’s expedited review and approval without delay so that we can continue to stay ahead of this pandemic. The re-opening of Honolulu’s economy must be done in a deliberate way, with continued coordination between the counties and our state government. The City and County of Honolulu is committed to continuing to do this.” or Kirk Caldwell's concerns and suggestions relating to the State's proposed Sixth Supplemental Proclamation #KirkCaldwell #DavidIge #MikeVictorino #DerekKawakami #HarryKim