In meeting with the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 Friday, representatives from the Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) and the Airports Division of the Department of Transportation reported that they did not have a plan for inter-island passengers prior to meeting with the committee. Adjutant General Kenneth Hara, Incident Commander for HIEMA, reported that the decision was made to restrict inter-island travel, and that airline restrictions will be similar to recently imposed airline passenger restrictions. Beforehand, the new restrictions and procedures for passengers from outside of the state did not apply to inter-island travel, as those flying between islands were exempt from the 14-day quarantine. As a result from the meeting, Adjutant General Hara and DOT Deputy Director Ross Higashi of the Airports Division said their respective organizations will be putting together a mutually agreed-on plan for inter-island travelers. Adjutant General Hara also said small boat harbor restrictions related to inter-island travel will require additional work. Other meeting highlights include: U.S. Senator Brian Schatz reported Friday that Hawai‘i would receive at least $1.2 billion from the federal stimulus package of bills in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eleven cruise ships have canceled calling on Honolulu since the announcement of Hawai'i’s new restrictions. On Thursday, March 26, there were approximately 1,600 arrivals by air. Prior to pandemic restrictions, there were around 35,000 arrivals per day. Airline passengers are not being screened for temperatures, only flight crews. Director Nolan Espinda of the Department of Public Safety said that concerning inmate screening for COVID-19, a plan for temporal scans is in place, but however, two facilities do not have the no-touch equipment rule in effect. No inmate has tested positive for the virus. According to Dr. Elizabeth E. Char, consultant for the Department of Health (DOH), the state is a little more prepared compared to others when it comes the supply of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Depending on the progression of the virus, Hawai‘i has enough PPE supplies for possibly several weeks. She said the state is working on getting additional supplies and not waiting to expend all supplies before restocking. As of Friday, March 27, the DOH reported that local private and state laboratories performed 5,747 tests, and that all sentinel tests have come back negative, which indicates community spread is limited. The number of tests conducted represents 4% of Hawaii’s population, compared to South Korea, which has tested approximately 7% of its total population. #COVID19 #Coronavirus #WHO #CDC #SenateSpecialCommittee

The Department of Education announced that 10 school locations have been added to the current list for pickup of “grab and go” meals for all public and charter school students. Parents or caregivers who pick up a meal must be accompanied by a child, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m.-8 a.m. and lunch 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday through Friday. For food safety, meals must be consumed by either 10 a.m. (breakfast) or 2 p.m. (lunch). There will be no personal interaction between DOE employees and the community. All meals are placed in containers. Meals will be located outside of the cafeteria, preferably closest to a driveway or natural access point on the campus. The following schools that are being added on a staggered basis are: Starting Monday, March 30 Central Oahu Kaala Elementary School Kipapa Elementary School Maui District Lokelani Intermediate School Starting Wednesday, April 1 Leeward Oahu August Ahrens Elementary School Barbers Point Elementary School Ewa Beach Elementary School Honowai Elementary School Windward Oahu Hauula Elementary School Starting Monday, April 6 Hawaii Island Hilo Union Elementary School The following schools will continue to be meal pickup locations: Oahu: Honolulu Dole Middle School Farrington High School Kaimuki High School McKinley High School Central Makalapa Elementary School Leilehua High School Waialua High & Intermediate School Leeward August Ahrens Elementary School Maile Elementary School Nanaikapono Elementary School Waianae Intermediate School Waipahu Elementary School Campbell High School Kapolei High School Nanakuli High & Intermediate School Waianae High School Windward Kailua Elementary School Kahaluu Elementary School King Intermediate School Kahuku High & Intermediate School Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate School Neighbor Islands: Hawaii Island Kahakai Elementary School Mountain View Elementary School Waimea Elementary School Kohala High School Konawaena High School Waiakea High School Kau High & Pahala Elementary School Pahoa High & Intermediate School Maui, Molokai, Lanai Kahului Elementary School Kalama Intermediate School Lahaina Intermediate School Hana High & Elementary School Lanai High School Molokai High School Kauai Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Kapaa High School Waimea High School Below is the updated poster reflecting the additional pickup locations as well. Aloha.

Honolulu, Hawai‘i – The special committee will convene today 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: 1:00 p.m.               Office of the Governor Ms. Linda C. Takayama, Chief of Staff 1:30 p.m.               Department of Budget and Finance Director Craig Hirai 2:00 p.m.               Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Scott Murakami 2:30 p.m.               Department of Human Services Director Pankaj Bhanot Watch via: Olelo Channel 49 YouTube livestream: https://youtu.be/6lFg9jQehW8 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. #COVID19 #Coronavirus #SenateSpecialCommittee

PORTABLE TOILET LOCATIONS (Updated March 20, 2020) Download the pdf version here Hana District Hana Bay East District Kalahau “Blue Tile Roof” Park Eddie Tam Dog Park Fourth Marine Park Haiku Ball Park Makana Park (Kuau) Kula Community Center Tennis Courts Kulamalu Park Rainbow Park Paia Ballpark Ho’okipa Beach Park Baldwin Beach Park Lower Paia Park Central / Wailuku District Kanaha Beach Park Ho’aloha Beach Park Kahului Ballfield Kahului Community Center Park Tennis Courts Luana Gardens Park Leisure Estates Park Richard “Pablo” Caldito Park Pu’uohala Park War Memorial Little League Field Wells Park South District Haycraft Park Ka Lae Pohaku Park Kalepolepo Park Kalama Park Cove Park Charlie Young Beach Park Palauea Park Po’olenalena Park Kilohana Park Keawakapu II Beach Park Kamaole I, II and III West District West Maui Skate Park Puamana Park Pohaku (S-Turns) Park Ukumehame Park Wahikuli Terrace Park Papalaua Beach Park Launiupoko Beach Park Wahikuli Beach Park Hanakao’o Beach Park Molokai District Pukoo Beach Access Kaha’ahia Park Dixie Maru Beach Access One Alii Park 2 #COVID19 #Coronavirus #MauiCounty #ParkRestrooms

Hawai‘i State Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi delivered the following address at the Opening of the 30th Legislature of the State of Hawai‘i, January 15, 2020: To each one of our family members, to all of the friends and supporters, [from] each of us have who have the privilege to sit in the seats on the Senate chamber floor, we want to express our sincere gratitude for everything that you have done to give us the opportunity to serve the people of Hawai‘i. (Sen. Kouchi introduces his family.) The other thing I’d like to say is that we have many philosophical differences and we have passionate philosophical arguments among ourselves as we go through the course of the session, but you cannot help but feel family ties to all the members here because of the time we spend together. We get to know each other personally. I know recently Senator Thielen, Senator Riviere, Senator Rhoads, Senator Kim, and Senator Kahele have all lost parents. This past November, I, for the first time, experienced that, losing my dad. In 1982 he was the person who was most influential in starting me on a career of government service. This is the first time we are going to have the opening of the legislative body I serve in and he’s not present. Like all of you and others who have lost their parents before this, I better understand the emptiness that you feel, the longing, and how much you miss someone whose counsel you could rely on. Someone whose only motivation in advising you was your best interests. They weren’t interested in any kind of personal gain, and just to see you do your best. And most importantly, at least in the case of my father – the person who was unafraid to tell me when I was off-base – to tell me when he thought I was wrong and to tell me what he thought the right path would be to get back on. So, thanks Dad, I miss you a lot, appreciate everything that you have done. And like all of my colleagues, for their [late] family members, [we appreciate] the differences they made in their lives. I would also like to give you a report quickly before I talk about the future. Last year, I talked about how we were going to double food introduction in the State of Hawai‘i, how we were going to get ag [agriculture] productive. I’m happy to report to you that before the end of 2018, the Kona hospital, state hospital, started serving farm-fresh menus in their cafeterias. By February of last year, the two State hospitals [on Kaua‘i] – Samuel Mahelona [Memorial Hospital] in Kapa‘a and the Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea – started serving farm-fresh meals on Kaua‘i. When Dr. [Linda] Rosen [of Hawai‘i Health Systems] saw what happened in Kona and on Kaua‘i, she held a meeting of the state hospital board in February and they adopted a policy to convert all state hospitals in the next two years to farm-fresh menus. On Kaua‘i [before the farm-fresh menus] they were serving 5 to 10 meals a day to employees. They are now serving in excess of 100 meals a day, and having requests from the community to come in. We talked back in 2013 about possibly closing and/or privatizing the whole state hospital system. What’s happening on Kaua‘i has now dropped $55,000 off the bottom line. While that may not be a large amount of money, when you look at the operational cost of the hospital, we are not only getting better health outcomes for our patients and employees, we are also adding to the bottom line and finding how we can pick the low-hanging fruit and turn it into positives. They have gone to over 60 percent of the meals served being locally sourced. That is significant because we don't have a dairy on Kaua‘i. We don't produce chicken on Kaua‘i. There are quite a bit of items that you cannot produce locally to make [farm-fresh meals] happen, so they've made great strides. Last week Monday, the 15 public schools on Kaua‘i, two years ahead of the rest of the DOE statewide, have started [serving] farm-fresh meals for our students on Kaua‘i. It has been, at the hospitals and the schools, an incredible collaboration process, with the HGEA and UPW. We could not make this kind of change without the unions working hand-in-hand with us to make all of this happen. We have gotten tremendous private sector assistance. Chef Marco Yama, the head of the culinary program at the Kaua‘i Community College, and the executive chefs at several of the hotels, have volunteered their time to come out, and with a collective group of growers, and we are trying to set up the distribution systems and the procurement systems that we could take this out statewide. The Big Island, how do we recover from the devastation of the lava flow. I am still optimistic that this is going to be a game changing program to assist you. With Mahi Pono taking over the central plain of Maui, I called Mahi Pono when I read about the 50,000 pounds [of food] donated to the food banks. I said we don’t need that much for the school on Kaua‘i, but a little bit would help. I’m trying to work with them to ensure they’re going to actively engage in the food-to-school program and create better meals for our students. I am incredibly excited. First Lady Dawn Ige has been a great partner. She has been primarily focused on healthier breakfast, and better participation than the 50th place out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia that Hawai‘i currently ranks. She’s working very hard to move us up and make sure that our kids have good nutritional choices. It is clear that they learn at a better rate when they are well-fed and able to think clearly. Yesterday [January 14, 2020] we had a press conference, so I'm not going to get into the details because the committee chairs talked a lot about it. I simply want to say that we have received criticism over the years for a process shrouded in secrecy. We have received criticism for getting to a point of agreement too late in the session so there's little time for input from the public on important legislation. By coming forward yesterday with four bold initiatives and laying them out to the public, we are hoping to create a more transparent process. We are hoping to create a process that is going to engage our community. Last year, we partnered with the Pacific Resource Partnership to have a phone app to try and engage younger voters. And last year, we voted for all mail‑in ballots. We are working hard to address the concerns of the working men and women of Hawai‘i. We are working hard to address the issues about Hawai‘i not being affordable and losing our most valuable asset, our people, because they can't afford to live here. And we are striving hard to get better engagement by creating communication tools that are more comfortable for people much younger than I am, and by making voter accessibility much greater. I look forward to what we are going to collectively achieve. I am incredibly proud that, at a time when we look in Washington, D.C. and [see] the divisiveness in our nation's capital and the gridlock, when I see the news reports about State Houses across the nation that are unable to work, that we have been able to come together, talk to the House, talk to the Governor and his administration. Lt. Gov. Green is here with us this morning to show his support and willingness to work together, that we are going to be a shining model for the rest of the nation. Thank you very much.

What does it mean for those needing a State Identification Card, Driver’s License, Motor Vehicle Registration or Safety Check? The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Highways Division announces the following changes to its vehicle licensing and safety check programs as part of the effort to reduce face-to-face interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Driver’s Licenses and State IDs The state is invoking a 90-day waiver on all expired driver’s licenses and State identification cards. If your driver’s license or State ID expires between March 23 and May 15, your credentials will be considered valid in the State of Hawaii for an additional 90-days. In coordination with the county driver’s licensing centers, HDOT has suspended all in-person driver’s license transactions and in-vehicle testing. There are limited non-in-person driver’s license services available such as online ordering of duplicates currently offered by the City and County of Honolulu for eligible residents, and mail-in duplicates and renewals offered by all counties. Please visit the county’s website or contact the county that issued your driver’s license or state ID for instructions on using their mail-in services. The 90-day waiver for driver’s licenses also applies to Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders. Additionally, HDOT is allowing extension of the Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) and hazardous materials endorsement expiration for motor carriers through the period of the Governor’s emergency proclamation which began March 4 and was extended to May 15. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is accepting expired driver’s licenses or State IDs that expired on or after March 1 for use at TSA checkpoints. See https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus for more information. On March 23, President Donald Trump announced that the Oct. 1, 2020 REAL ID deadline would be extended. The new deadline has yet to be announced. Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspection (Safety Check) The annual safety check requirement is suspended, and no safety checks will be done through the month of April. If your safety check is expired, it will remain valid through May 31. Also, you may renew your vehicle registration online or with your expired safety check certificate during this grace period. Vehicle Registration Vehicle registrations may still be done online or by mail even though your safety check may have expired. Not all counties allow online renewals after your registration submission deadline. Please check your county’s website or contact your county office for further information. City and County of Honolulu http://www.honolulu.gov/csd County of Maui https://www.mauicounty.gov/1328/Motor-Vehicle-Licensing County of Hawaii https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/finance/vehicle-registration-licensing County of Kauai http://www.kauai.gov/Portals/0/Mayor/PIO/NR032320FD.pdf?ver=2020-03-23-100938-193 HDOT thanks the counties and the community for their social distancing efforts. #COVID19 #Coronavirus #WHO #CDC

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) provides the following updates on Highways operations during the Governor’s emergency period for COVID-19. Lane closures HDOT Highways remains committed to maintaining and improving the highways system during the COVID-19 emergency and has extended hours for closures on the following projects in response to lower than normal traffic volumes: On Oahu- Freeway Management Phase 2 work currently ongoing on the H-1 in Kapolei has been approved to work from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The finishing work on the Kapolei Interchange Phase 2 project will begin at 8 p.m. Previously, full nighttime closures for this project were approved to begin at 10 p.m. HART has been given permission for extended work hours at: Pearl Harbor Interchange Valkenburgh Street/Nimitz Highway intersection Nimitz Highway eastbound between Elliot Street and the Sand Island ramp H-1 offramps to Dillingham Boulevard and Kamehameha Highway Middle Street north of Dillingham Boulevard The extended hours are from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Friday. Previously approved hours were 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Sunday through Friday. The City’s Dowsett Highlands Sewer Relief project on Pali Highway in Nuuanu has been approved to work Monday through Saturday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. On Maui, the Hana Highway resurfacing in Kahului approved work hours are between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Honoapiilani Highway resurfacing between Aholo Road and Kai Hele Ku Street hours have been extended between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. HDOT will monitor all extended closures and will make adjustments if needed. All approved closures will be continued to be posted weekly at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork/ Safety Checks, CDL holder guidance, REAL ID FAQ sections have been added on the Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspections and Commercial Driver’s Licenses at: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/faq/covid-19-safety-check-faqs/ https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/faq/covid-19-cdl-faqs/ The Department of Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline (i.e., when driver’s licenses and State IDs must have a REAL ID compliant marking, such as the star in the gold circle, to be used for TSA clearance at airports and other federal properties) to Oct. 1, 2021. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/03/26/acting-secretary-chad-wolf-statement-real-id-enforcement-deadline Special use lanes (HOV, Contraflow, Zipper lane) All State special use lane operations are suspended as of March 25. The suspension will be for the duration of the Stay at Home order and includes the contraflow of the third lane on Farrington Highway at Maipalaoa Bridge. HDOT thanks its employees, contractors, and consultants for their support of our essential functions during this emergency period. #COVID19 #Coronavirus #WHO #CDC#HDOT

Schatz releases coronavirus federal resource guide to help Hawai'i small businesses access new funding, programs. New Programs Allow Small Businesses To Meet Payroll For Up To 8 Weeks, Expand SBA Loans Schatz’s Resource Guide Available At Schatz.Senate.Gov/Coronavirus/Small-Businesses #COVID19 #Coronavirus #BrianSchatz #HawaiiSmallBusiness #FundingPrograms

Hawai‘i Department of Health warns of potential adverse effects of using antimalaria drugs against COVID-19 The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is warning everyone about the hazards and dangers of using non-approved drugs for COVID-19. Antimalarial drugs have been recently reported as possible treatments against COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. While hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine prescription medications have been used for treatment of malaria and certain inflammatory conditions, the efficacy for COVID-19 are unproven and potentially dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no specific medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19 and a vaccine is not yet available. “Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine can cause severe cardiac toxicity, and in high doses over a long duration, can cause retinal damage and lead to permanent blindness,” said Dr. Alvin Bronstein, DOH Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch Chief. “Individuals using these medications without physician supervision run serious risks of side effects and potential overdoses. Other medications are being touted, but nothing has been proven to be effective and may even do more harm than good.” On March 25, the American Association of Poison Control Centers issued a warning about the dangers of using hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus, stating “While chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine has demonstrated benefits for multiple chronic autoimmune and rheumatologic diseases, the benefit for treatment of COVID-19 has not been definitively established. It is critical that any use of these medications is coordinated with a treating physician with full understanding of the potential risks and benefits.” Hydroxychloroquine is used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus. Chloroquine has been demonstrated to be effective for malaria, lupus and chronic rheumatoid arthritis, but has significant side effects, including gastrointestinal distress and potential permanent vision damage. If you or someone you know has taken chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine and are experiencing adverse reactions, call 911, the Hawai‘i Regional Poison Center (800-222-1222) or seek immediate medical care. #COVID19 #Coronavirus #DOH #Health #PoisonControl #AntiMalariaDrug

Mayor Victorino provides Supplemental Guidance to Public Health Emergency Rules on County of Maui website Mayor Michael Victorino has provided supplemental guidance to the Public Health Emergency Rules, which is available on the County of Maui’s website at mauicounty.gov. The guidance provides further clarification for various activities, businesses and industries on whether they are permitted under the rules. Please keep in mind that this guidance may be updated in response to this evolving emergency. If you have further questions, please call the Mayor’s Office Call Center at 808-270-7855. #COVID19 #Corinavirus #Mauicounty #MikeVictorino

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, addressed Heads of State at today’s extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit focused on COVID-19. He told them, “You have come together to confront the defining health crisis of our time: We are at war with a virus that threatens to tear us apart - if we let it.“ He welcomed the G20‘s initiative to find joint solutions and work together: “This is a global crisis that requires a global response.” “Fight, unite, ignite“ Dr Tedros’ call was clear. First, he urged leaders to fight without excuses, without regrets – thanking countries who have already taken steps and urgently asking that they do more. Second, he encouraged them to unite, stressing that no country can fight this alone, and calling on all countries to build on the solidarity already sparked by the crisis. Third, he exhorted them to ignite a global movement to ensure this never happens again. He welcomed G20 leaders‘ commitment “to do whatever it takes to overcome the pandemic” to protect lives and livelihoods, as well as restore confidence and shore up stability currently threatened in trade and other sectors, and to commit to take all necessary health measures and seek to ensure adequate financing to contain the pandemic and protect people, especially the most vulnerable.“ The G20 committed to support and further strengthen WHO’s mandate in coordinating the response, and called for full funding of WHO‘s Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan. G20 members pledged to work together to increase research and development funding for vaccines and medicines, strengthen international scientific cooperation, and leverage digital technologies. In turn, they tasked WHO and other relevant organizations with assessing gaps in pandemic preparedness and report the findings of this assessment to the G20 Finance and Health Ministers, in order to establish a global initiative on pandemic preparedness and response together. Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/26-03-2020-who-s-director-general-calls-on-g20-to-fight-unite-and-ignite-against-covid-19 #WorldHealthOrganization #WHO #Coronavirus #COVID19 #UnitedNations

The Hawai'i State Department of Education is seeking approval from the Board of Education (BOE) to modify high school graduation and commencement requirements under Board Policy 102-15 for the class of 2020. The memo submitted by the Department today seeks flexibility in awarding a diploma or certificate to graduating seniors, based on approval from individual school administrations. There are approximately 10,000 students who are eligible to earn diplomas this year. School facilities have been closed to students since March 19, with traditional, in-school instruction temporarily discontinued until at least April 30. Approval of the proposed waiver will provide educator-driven solutions to address the loss of educational content as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis. This action will allow class of 2020 graduates to proceed with post-secondary educational and workforce opportunities without unnecessary delays. The Department also determined it will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and make a decision by April 15 regarding commencement ceremonies. School, complex area and state teams have started discussing alternative means of celebration in the event traditional ceremonies cannot be held. “The decision around celebrating this milestone with our seniors is an emotional one as most students have looked forward to this occasion since they were in elementary school. However, the safety and health of our community is paramount and we are basing our decisions on guidance from health and state officials in the coming weeks,” Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto said. “Our request to the Board for a one-time policy waiver is a critical step in our efforts to adjust the remainder of the school year for our public and charter schools. Once we receive approval from the Board, we can formally issue guidance for meeting graduation requirements that has been developed.” Details about the April 2 BOE meeting as well as the memo are posted on the Board’s website. In addition to graduation requirements, HIDOE’s planning includes its request to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to waive standardized testing and associated accountability and reporting requirements for the 2019-20 school year. This request was approved by the USDOE last week. The public can submit comments until April 10 regarding this waiver through an online survey here. For more information as well as the anticipated impact, click here. All HIDOE employees will continue to work remotely until at least April 30, with the exception of those who are considered essential and must perform their duties at a campus or office, which includes meal prep and distribution at grab-and-go sites. Beginning this week, schools started to prepare distance learning opportunities and/or learning packets to be distributed via email, school websites and some in-person. Work packets will not be graded, but many teachers are identifying unique ways to provide feedback to students. The Department has also stood up a resource for parents available at bit.ly/HIDOEVirtualLearningParentResource. HIDOE COVID-19 updates will continue to be posted on the Department’s website at hawaiipublicschools.org. #HawaiiPublicSchoold#HIDOE#Education#ChristinaKishimoto