Ali'i Health, with the support of Premier Medical Group and the County of Hawai`i COVID-19 Task Force, will be conducting drive-through screening and testing clinics in Kona. The twice-weekly clinics will be held on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon, starting April 2 and continuing until further notice. These clinics will replace the drive-through clinics that were held at the Old Kona Airport. No testing will be held this weekend at the Old Kona Airport. These free clinics are open to the public. However, individuals must first undergo a screening to determine if they meet the criteria to be tested. Clinic physicians on site will make the determination regarding testing. The screening criteria will be based on the guidance of the CDC and the State’s COVID-19 Response Task Force. To bypass the screening queue, patients can go to Pathways Telehealth by calling (808) 747-8321 option 5 to be screened and expedite testing. People who visit the screening clinic will be asked to show photo ID. Additionally, people are requested to bring any health insurance cards they have, although insurance is not required. For further information, please call Civil Defense at 935-0031

The City and County of Honolulu is pleased to announce that Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi will again conduct drive-thru COVID-19 testing this weekend. Testing sites will be open in the parking lot of Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Complex and Kakaʻako Waterfront Park to check patients for COVID-19. Those eligible for testing should be experiencing upper respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you are not experiencing these symptoms, Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi asks that you not come so that those experiencing symptoms can be seen expeditiously. On Saturday, April 4, the testing site will be at Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Complex, 93-061 Waipiʻo Point Access Road, Waipahu, off Farrington Highway. Follow the signs posted on Waipiʻo Point Access Road to the Soccer Complex where you will be directed to the initial screening site. Testing on Sunday, April 5 will occur at Kakaʻako Waterfront Park near Ala Moana Boulevard, with initial screening beginning at the corner of Ilalo and Cooke Streets. Drivers should access the screening station via Ilalo Street at the corner of Ala Moana Boulevard and Ward Avenue. The hours of testing will be from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. at both locations. Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi’s Dr. Scott Miscovich will again be leading the effort at both of these locations. All who attend each location will first be screened for symptoms and asked to provide personal information and contact numbers so results can be made known to them. Results of the testing will be used to identify COVID-19 “Hot Spots” to help in their containment.  “The City has three main focuses in this fight against the coronavirus, and testing is number one,” said Mayor Caldwell. “The other two are quarantining and social distancing. I completely believe it is through testing, a pragmatic, active and targeted approach, that we can help flatten the curve. We are fighting a war against this virus and will be better prepared when we know where the enemy is.” For more information on this testing, please call Premier Medical Group Hawaiʻi at (808) 304-8816 or (808) 367-6020.

Ali'i Health, with the support of Premier Medical Group and the County of Hawai`i COVID-19 Task Force, will be conducting drive-through screening and testing clinics in Kona. The twice-weekly clinics will be held on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon, starting April 2 and continuing until further notice. The clinic will be held at the Keauhou Shopping Center. These clinics will replace the drive-through clinics that were held at the Old Kona Airport. No testing will be held this weekend at the Old Kona Airport. These free clinics are open to the public. However, individuals must first undergo a screening to determine if they meet the criteria to be tested. Clinic physicians on site will make the determination regarding testing. The screening criteria will be based on the guidance of the CDC and the State’s COVID-19 Response Task Force. To bypass the screening queue, patients can go to Pathways Telehealth by calling (808) 747-8321 option 5 to be screened and expedite testing. People who visit the screening clinic will be asked to show photo ID. Additionally, people are requested to bring any health insurance cards they have, although insurance is not required. For further information, please call Civil Defense at 935-0031

Hāna, Maui – Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English (Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i and Kaho‘olawe) announced today that public restrooms along the Hana Highway will remain closed until further notice while the highway is restricted to local traffic only. “The Hana Highway is closed to slow the spread of COVID-19 into the remote East Maui community, where supplies are limited and emergency medical help is very far away,” said Senator English. “No one should be using the highway except for East Maui residents needing emergency assistance and life-saving necessities not available in Hana.” The State Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of State Parks maintains two restrooms along the Hana Highway at Kaumahina and Pua‘aka‘a Wayside parks that are now closed until further notice. In addition, Waiʻānapanapa State Park and its restrooms are also closed due to COVID-19. A medical professional advised officials that it was dangerous to leave the restrooms open in a remote location where it is not possible to sanitize them frequently. One infected person could use the bathroom and would have the potential to infect other people who come in. “These remotely located public restrooms are not safe to open,” said Senator English. “They could become a location where the virus spreads to our residents and endangers our kupuna. And keeping them open would encourage continued illegal use of the highway by tourists.” Mayor Mike Victorino also announced last month that the Piʻilani Highway, the backside of Hana is closed to all non-residents of East Maui as an emergency measure to slow the spread of COVID-19. He later announced a stay-at-home order for everyone in Maui County. “I know there are kupuna who want to use these restrooms when they must make the long trip into town, but they are the very people who should be avoiding contact with these public toilets,” said Senator English. “We are sorry for this hardship, but the consequences of leaving them open would be much more severe. “We strongly discourage residents from driving into town for grocery shopping and socializing. Every time you go to town, you are risking the health of everyone in our community if you bring the virus back with you to East Maui. Please support our local businesses and keep your neighbors safe by getting the supplies you need in Hana. And if you do need to go to the other side of the island, go directly to your destination and don’t stop along the way. Working together, we can slow the curve and keep one another safe.” Photos: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/maui/kaumahina-state-wayside/

The special committee will convene tomorrow to assess and advise the Senate regarding the State of Hawaii's COVID-19 plans and procedures to include, but not limited to: 1) Confirm the development of the state departmental plans and procedures; 2) Review and assess current state departmental plans and procedures; 3) Review and assess whether state departmental plans and procedures are properly and timely implemented to safeguard public health and safety; and 4) To communicate and disseminate information obtained therefrom. The special committee will be meeting with the following: 11:00 AM              Office of the Governor Ms. Linda Chu Takayama, Chief of Staff 11:30 AM              Department of Human Resources and Development Mr. Ryker Wada, Director 12:00 PM              Department of Agriculture Ms. Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, Chair 12:30 PM              Department of Education Dr. Christina Kishimoto, Superintendent Watch via: `Ōlelo channel 49 YouTube livestream: https://youtu.be/OrKctj7bGQM The special committee members are: Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Senator Michelle N. Kidani, Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Senator Sharon Y. Moriwaki, and Senator Kurt Fevella.

Kaumuali'i highway (route 50) reduced to single lane at bridge between Kekaha Beach Par and Kekaha Landfill LIHUE – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises the travelling public of the 24/7 emergency closure of the westbound lane of Kaumualii Highway (Route 50) at the bridge between Kekaha Beach Park and the Kekaha Landfill. This closure is effective immediately. The emergency closure is to repair erosion damage from the recent storms. The lane closure will remain in effect until repairs have been completed. Traffic in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control in the remaining eastbound lane. The alternating traffic control will be directed by flagmen. Traffic control signs will be placed to provide advance notice to the public. Motorists with essential business are asked to follow the directions of the flagmen and to allow additional time to pass through the area. Updates on the repairs will be provided as the situation develops.

Mayor Harry Kim issued the Third Supplementary Emergency Proclamation on Wednesday, April 1, suspending the ban on single-use plastic bags, extending deadlines related to commercial haulers, and clarifying that the April 9, 2020 deadline for filing Real Property appeals is unchanged. The County’s Third Supplementary Emergency Proclamation temporarily suspends Hawai‘i County Code Chapter 14, Article 20, Plastic Bag Reduction. The reason for the temporary suspension of the ban on single-use plastic bags is to discourage the introduction of germs or the virus into stores that could be present on personal reusable bags. Local stores will continue to use paper bags as a priority while their supplies last; plastic bags may be used for greater volume or wetter items. The Third Supplementary Emergency Proclamation also waives several deadlines as they relate to commercial haulers. The proclamation waives the permit expiration deadlines for a commercial haulers’ permit, the deadline for submission of a residential credit claim, and the requirement for interest billing. The deadline for an owner whose property is accessible to a public sewer to connect to the public sewer is also extended. The Proclamation clarifies that the Real Property Tax Appeal deadline is not suspended; the April 9, 2020 deadline for Appeals still stands. The Real Property Tax Appeal deadline remains the same so as not to negatively affect the certification of property values and the budgetary process. The Third Supplemental Emergency Proclamation will continue for 60 days, to May 30, 2020, or until further action by the Mayor’s Office. Here is the link to the Proclamation, posted on the County of Hawai‘i website, under County of Hawai‘i News: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1926/720 #COVID19 #Coronavirus #HawaiiCounty #HarryKim #RealPropertyTax

Mayor Michael Victorino announced today that applications are now being accepted for financial assistance though the Hawaii Emergency Laulima Partnership (H.E.L.P.) program. The County of Maui allocated $2 million in general funds to the program to assist families with members who have lost jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The H.E.L.P. program offers financial assistance for Maui County residents with essential needs such as food, personal hygiene, medicine, rent, mortgage, utility services, phone or internet services, car payments, and other necessities. The program is being administered through a partnership with Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (MEO). “The health and well-being of our residents are our top priority,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Relief efforts such as the H.E.L.P. program provide vital financial support to our residents, so they can stay healthy and provide for their families during this difficult time.” To qualify, individuals must show: 25 percent or more reduction in income after March 4, 2020, Have less than $5,000 in liquid assets. Application guidelines and a list of other required supporting documentation can be found online at www.meoinc.org Applications can be submitted online or at one of the secured drop boxes located at: Front parking lot of the MEO office at 99 Mahalani Street, Wailuku Front entrance of the Kalana O Maui (County) Building in Wailuku Molokai and Lanai community members may submit applications online or at their local MEO office: Molokai: 380 Kolapa Place, Kaunakakai Lanai: 1144 Ilima #102, Lanai City “We are grateful to Mayor Victorino and the County Council for providing this level of financial assistance to our community, and appreciate the county’s confidence in assigning MEO as the administrator of this program,” said Debbie Cabebe, Chief Executive Officer at Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. If you do not have access to internet, please call 249-2990 or 249-2980 and an application can be mailed to you.

#COVID19 #Coronavirus #DavidIge #SenateSpecialCommitteeonCOVID19

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is sharing traffic volume data for major state routes on the HDOT website. The data will be updated weekly on Mondays and is available at: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/covid-19-traffic-volume-comparison/ HDOT is making this data available during the period of Governor Ige’s Stay-at-Home order, which became effective Statewide on March 25 and is in place through April 30, to verify the capabilities of major state routes to accommodate extended lane closure hours and to provide general data on compliance with the order. After the Stay-at-Home order period passes, HDOT will continue to update the data as an economic indicator for the State. The percentage change in the traffic volume data is calculated from the 2019 Average Annual Daily Traffic counts taken by permanent traffic counting stations HDOT maintains Statewide. This data accompanies other offerings on the HDOT website such as the Highways Program Status Map (linked here) and the Lane Closure Map (linked here). Please note that the Highways Program Status Map that is normally updated on the first working day of the month will be temporarily delayed, but still contains the latest available data as of March 2 on current and future HDOT projects, pavement and bridge conditions, and locations and major contributing factors of fatal crashes.

Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Hawaii and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on January 20, 2020, and continuing. The President’s action makes Federal funding available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, for all areas in the State of Hawaii impacted by COVID-19. Pete Gaynor, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Robert J. Fenton as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further assessments.

Department of Public Works announces partial closures of portions of Makawao Avenue beginning April 8; Work is for roadway preservation project A roadway preservation project will close a segment of Makawao Avenue, from Apana Road to Makani Road, beginning Wednesday, April 8, the Department of Public Works announced. The project will require partial roadway closures with a single lane open and alternating flows of traffic allowed through the work area. Work is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, except holidays. Motorists are asked to follow directions from traffic control personnel. Residents are asked to park outside of work areas. Driveway access will be limited for as much as 30 minutes during working hours. The project is expected to be completed April 22. To sign up for roadway notifications, the public can go to https://www.mauicounty.gov/557/Highways-Division