Mayor Caldwell, along with Aloha Beer owner Steve Sombrero announced today a coalition of Catering and food truck operators will deliver free meals to Hawaiʻi’s kūpuna during this COVID-19 period. This coalition is self-funded but is looking for grants from local foundations and donors to support this project. The Coalition has created a website called “Malama Meals COVID-19 Community Meal Program” with the goals of supporting kūpuna, who are encouraged to stay out of the public for the next 15 days. This program will provide meals to seniors who live in senior centers along with keiki who depend on school meal programs. Department of Community Services Director, Pamela Witty-Oakland, shared, “our Elderly Affairs team is excited to launch this partnership, which will supplement our existing meal delivery program to home-bound seniors and expand that network to help our kūpuna at senior housing across the island get nutritious meals that will allow them to stay in their homes as we all try to help flatten the curve.”  Some of the projects receiving daily meals will include: · Whitmore Circle Apartments · Kumuwai, the City’s newest project which provided permanent housing to previously homeless seniors · Mānoa Gardens · Nā Lei Hulu Kūpuna · Franciscan Vistas ʻEwa Beach · West Loch Elderly Village · Additional sites still being confirmed The City & County of Honolulu, Department of Community Services, also serves as the Area Agency on Aging.  Our County Executive on Aging, Derrick Ariyoshi, and his team have been working hard with our network of senior care providers to ensure that in-home and meal services to the thousands of seniors we serve will continue uninterrupted.  Catholic Charities of Hawaiʻi has also been a key partner in reaching out to the senior housing to be served through this program. Coalition Partners currently include Owner of Aloha Beer Steve Sombrero, Debra Espino of Applebee’s, IHOP and Olive Garden Restaurants, Ahmad Ramadan of Da Spot, Gilbert Sakaguchi of Blue Water Shrimp, and Dan Port of Aloha Venues. In coordination with public service and non-profit community organizations, Malama Meals mission is to provide food security to individuals and communities in need or at risk to contain COVID-19. Those in need can also request meals online at Malama Meals website, www.malamameals.org. #COVID19 #Coronavirus #KirkCaldwell #MalamaMeals #SteveSombrero

Gov. David Y. Ige; Scott Murakami, Director, State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR); and Jane Sawyer, District Director, Small Business Administration (SBA); , announced today several measures to address the economic impact of COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi. ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS AVAILABLE FOR HAWAII SMALL BUSINESSES SUFFERING LOSSES DUE TO COVID-19 Hawai‘i small businesses suffering financial losses from the impact of COVID-19 can now file for low-interest working capital loans of up to $2 million from the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA today approved a certification request submitted by Gov. David Ige, clearing the way for Hawai‘i small businesses to participate in the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Assistance Program. The loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll and other bills that can’t be paid because of a disaster’s impact. “Small businesses are a vital economic driver in our community, and we must do everything we can to support them as they struggle through this crisis,” said Gov. Ige. “We appreciate the SBA’s quick action to approve this loan program for small businesses that have been hit so hard by COVID-19 outbreak.” Loan applicants are required to file the following documents: Loan application (SBA Form 5), completed and signed. Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506-T), completed and signed by each applicant, each principal owning 20 percent or more of the applicant business, each general partner or managing member; and, for any owner who has more than 50 percent ownership in an affiliate business. Affiliates include, but are not limited to, business parents, subsidiaries, and/or other businesses with common ownership or management; Complete copies, including all schedules, of the most recently filed Federal income tax returns for the applicant business; an explanation if not available. Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413) completed, signed, and dated by the applicant, each principal owning 20 percent or more of the applicant business, and each general partner or managing member. Schedule of Liabilities listing all fixed debts (SBA Form 2202 may be used) are required to file three SBA forms and one IRS form. Loan forms and additional information can be accessed online at the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Loan Portal. Interest rates for the loans are 3.75 percent for small businesses without credit available elsewhere. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75 percent. Terms are determined on a case by case basis, based upon borrower’s ability to repay. The SBA tries to make a decision on each application within 21 days. For businesses facing short-term liquidity issues, including making certain debt payments, it is highly recommended that they contact their bank to see what kind of relief programs may be available. The SBA uses a “table of size standards” to define what qualifies as a small business based on the business’s number of employees and average annual receipts. Using these criteria, a small business could be defined as a business with a maximum of 250 employees up to a maximum of 1,500 employees. According to an analysis by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism there are 8,302 businesses in Hawai‘i with 99 or fewer employees. Those businesses account for 96,189 jobs with a combined annual payroll of $3.16 billion. STATE TAKES STEPS TO ADDRESS UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM PROBLEMS Gov. Ige and Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) Director Scott Murakami also announced state actions to address unemployment claims filing problems and a program to efficiently train and transfer labor into Hawaiʻi’s businesses that can help reduce job losses and dampen the economic slide due to COVID-19. Gov. Ige and Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) Director Scott Murakami also announced state actions to address unemployment claims filing problems and a program to efficiently train and transfer labor into Hawaiʻi’s businesses that can help reduce job losses and dampen the economic slide due to COVID-19. “Please be assured that we are taking the actions necessary to ensure that all unemployment benefits claims will be filed and paid as quickly as possible. Please bear with us as we develop capacity and expand points of entry for filing claims,” said Gov. Ige. The state is taking the following actions: Benefits will be paid to individuals who file their initial unemployment claims late. Expanding the online claims filing system capacity and increasing the phone facilities to field inquiries and assist in the filing of claims. Allocating staff from other programs within DLIR and from other state agencies to facilitate claims filing, processing, and benefits. Registering unemployment claims with the state workforce system on behalf of workers. Working with employers and labor organizations to facilitate the filing of claims. Availability of paper forms to file for unemployment benefits and drop boxes at unemployment offices statewide and at employer worksites. The state will interpret Hawai‘i’s unemployment laws to the broadest extent possible to cover those who are out of work because of COVID-19. Making the adjustments necessary to loosen eligibility requirements for claimants and reduce or eliminate experience rate adjustments for employers because of employees who receive unemployment benefits because of COVID-19. REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT DISRUPTION & DRIVING ECONOMIC REGENERATION (RUDDER) Gov. Ige and DLIR Director Scott Murakami announced the launching of the Reducing Unemployment Disruption & Driving Economic Regeneration (RUDDER) program. RUDDER is the DLIR’s economic regeneration initiative that provides State Employment & Training Funds that immediately infuses money into the economy and serve as the foundational strategy for aligning federal workforce programs, such as the Disaster Recovery grants, in a unified effort to efficiently train and transfer labor into Hawaiʻi’s businesses that can help reduce job losses and dampen the economic slide due to COVID-19. “The primary objective of RUDDER is to facilitate an efficient labor exchange between the sectors hardest hit by COVID-19 and healthcare sector employers hiring employees to combat COVID-19,” said DLIR Director Scott Murakami. “We know that jobs involving cleaning, such as hotel housekeepers, could move into jobs in the healthcare with minimal training and the RUDDER program will facilitate that exchange.” The program provides up to $100,000 of relief to registered and compliant Hawai‘i businesses for new employees hired after March 1, 2020. The program provides an initial $500 payment for each new employee to offset training and associated costs upon notification to the department of the initial hiring of the employee. After six months of continuous employment and upon receipt of certification from the employer that they have retained the employee, the DLIR will issue a second payment of $500. The DLIR has posted a COVID-19 Workplace Updates page at: http://labor.hawaii.gov/get-the-latest-covid-19-workplace-updates/. Gov. Ige added, “I realize that in our community there is a lot of fear and anxiety over the COVID-19 crisis. And there are a lot of different ideas being offered to deal with the challenge. The steps we have taken so far have worked to protect the health and safety of our community. I am confident that the next steps that we are announcing soon will be effective, well-designed, and enhance our ability to deal with this threat as well as the economic impact it is.” Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TDD/TTY Dial 711 then ask for (808) 586-8866 Links to video clips: Gov. Ige: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Gh0WmfvtI&feature=youtu.be Dir. Murakami Ruder Program: https://youtu.be/dnDyn_v1T8A Dir. Murakami Unemployment Office: https://youtu.be/dn8QUUj3uAU Dist. Dir. Sawyer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWofEVcptKs&feature=youtu.be #COVID19 #Coronavirus #DavidIge

The Importance of Mental Health As we head into the weekend, the Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) encourages everyone to take care of themselves and heed the social distancing directives by Gov. David Ige and county officials. Here are four suggestions to keep busy and stay at ease: You can remain active and go outdoors while still complying with social distancing directives. Although all of Hawai‘i’s state parks and facilities are now either fully or partially closed, the forest reserves (https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/frs/reserves/) and Na Hele Trail and Access Program trails (https://hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov/trails/#/) remain open at this time. While dine-in options at restaurants may be suspended at this time, many eateries are offering their menus or special promotions for drive-thru, take out, pick-up or delivery. Hawai‘i’s state public libraries are always open online at librarieshawaii.org with amazing online resources available 24/7. Available for those with a Hawai‘i library card, the online collection is free and includes a variety of eBooks, eAudioBooks, digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines, classes and language learning, and more. Stay connected with kūpuna or loved ones in retirement or care homes virtually, by phone, tablet or computer. Be Considerate When Purchasing Food and Supplies The DOH reminds the public to be judicious when shopping for food and essential goods so that kūpuna and others in need are able to purchase necessary items. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) Harbors Division continues to manage Hawai‘i’s commercial ports–the lifeline for Hawai‘i’s communities for food, medical supplies, clothing, household goods and more. There have been no interruptions to the supply chain as a result of COVID-19. Definition of Community Spread Community spread is defined as cases that cannot be traced back to a resident or visitor who traveled outside Hawai‘i or an individual who is in a high-contact job related to tourism, healthcare or emergency response. Who Should be Tested for COVID-19? Most people who are sick do not need to be tested. There is no specific medicine to treat COVID-19, so whether you test positive or negative, management of your illness will be the same. Individuals who are not sick should not be tested even if they have been exposed to COVID-19. Individuals who are sick with respiratory illness (e.g., fever and cough or shortness of breath) AND who are at a higher risk for severe respiratory infections (e.g., older people, those with chronic medical conditions including immunosuppression) should call their usual source of healthcare to discuss whether they should be tested for COVID-19 and/or other infections such as influenza. A provider’s referral is required to receive testing. If you do not have a provider, call an urgent care center or community clinic in your area. Anyone having difficulty breathing should seek medical care immediately. If possible, call your healthcare provider first so they are prepared to receive you. Other people with mild illness should help protect our most vulnerable and conserve our precious supplies by practicing social distancing measures, monitoring their illness, and calling their healthcare provider if their symptoms worsen or persist. Sentinel Surveillance Testing Results Today, the DOH received 61 negative results from test samples statewide, bringing the total count to 185 negative results. The goal is to identify possible community transmission of COVID-19. Eleven New Positive Cases on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i As of March 20, 2020, noon, there was a total of 37 confirmed or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. New positive results were announced today for 10 individuals on O‘ahu and one individual on Kaua‘i. Most Hawai‘i cases can be traced back to residents or visitors who got COVID-19 while traveling outside of the Hawaiian Islands or are in a high-contact job related to tourism, healthcare or emergency response. Two of the cases with positive results announced today are not related to travel, and are the first indication of some community spread. The Department of Health will be posting case numbers daily at noon. The situation is fluid with constant changes. Any additional case information received after noon will be reported the following day. COVID-19 Summary of Numbers as of March 20, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. HST (updated as new information becomes available) Number of Total Positive Case(s)* Statewide                        37 Honolulu                                                                                 28 Maui County                                                                            5 Kaua‘i                                                                                      3 Hawai‘i Island                                                                          1 *Includes confirmed and presumptive cases. Confirmed: Meets CDC criteria and positive test result received from a certified laboratory such as the DOH State Laboratories Division. Presumptive Positive: Positive test results from a private laboratory requiring confirmation by a state public health laboratory. 2-1-1 Call Center for Information on COVID-19 The Aloha United Way call center is open daily between 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. For information or questions about COVID-19: Call 2-1-1 from any location in the state Text 877-275-6569 Email info211@auw.org Visit health.hawaii.gov/covid19 or coronavirus.gov PDF: COVID-19 Daily Update March 20, 2020 #COVID19 #Coronavirus #HDOT #MaasdamCruiseShip

With today’s announcement that community spread of COVID-19 is likely happening in Hawai‘i, the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) has suspended all commercial operator permits until further notice. The suspension is consistent with Governor Ige’s supplemental emergency proclamation, Hawai‘i Dept. of Health (DOH) and Center’s for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. This covers hundreds of tour operators, surf and SUP schools, sight-seeing, whale-watching and dinner cruises and any commercial operation operating in state ocean waters. DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “Many people are not practicing the recommended social distancing protocols, so it’s become necessary for us to take these extraordinary steps to help encourage the six-foot separation between people recommended by Gov. Ige, the CDC and our experts at the DOH. It is hoped that every commercial permit holder and all local residents and visitors will abide by these closures in the spirit of flattening the spread of the corona virus.” Many state parks were closed four days ago, but the DLNR Division of State Parks announced this afternoon that it is shuttering all parks, statewide. “Unfortunately,” Curt Cottrell, State Parks Administrator said, “many, many people are simply ignoring gates and signs and choosing to put themselves and any others close-by at risk of contracting COVID-19. This unprecedented step is being taken in the interest of public health and safety and we really encourage people to find alternate activities that do not expose themselves and others to the virus.” The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) has closed all commercial tours on State trails and wildlife sanctuaries. Any vendors with tours already booked will be refunded. The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) is receiving reports of people continuing to enter Diamond Head State Monument and other closed parks. This is not only dangerous in places like the outer slopes and crater rim of Diamond Head, but violators are subject to being cited or arrested. Case said, “We are all in this together.  It is an enormous inconvenience and upsetting to the kind of lifestyle we enjoy in Hawai‘i. The faster we stop the spread of COVID-19 by everyone practicing social distancing, the quicker we’re likely to see our lives return to normal.” #DLNR #ParkClosures #SuzanneCase #DavidIge #COVID19 #Coronavirus

The Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 held its first meeting today and provided the following information about its findings. The Airport Division of the Department of Transportation agreed with the committee’s recommendation to develop a plan on a 14-day quarantine of any arriving passengers. This is a difficult action, but necessary to flatten the curve of COVID-19 and keep the people of Hawaii safe. The committee strongly urged the Governor to review and implement this plan. DOT reported the plan will require hiring or reassigning approximately 500 people and cost approximately $1 million per month. The Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation, as of March 18, 2020, will no longer allow cruise ship passengers to disembark in Hawaii. Cruise ships are only allowed to refuel and resupply. Passengers are not allowed to disembark. Exceptions may be made for Hawai‘i residents. Ban on cruise ships disembarking is in effect for the next 30 to 60. This ban will not impact cargo ships. There are safety protocols in place regarding cargo. Ban will not impact delivery of needed consumer goods. The Department of Health has launched a new website with guidance on the COVID-19 pandemic and updates on the virus within Hawai‘i: https://hawaiicovid19.com/ As of today, there are 26 positive cases. Ten most recent positive cases were tested at private labs. Private labs have approximately processed 1,000 tests. The State has only processed 40 tests The State has tested only those suspected to be seriously ill. Private sector labs are reporting they are running low on supplies. Dr. Anderson told the committee that the State is “urging people to limit the number of tests being done and to not test those who are not ill.” Regarding the positive case from Kualoa Ranch, the individual’s extended family has tested negative. The committee met with Adjutant General Kenneth S. Hara, who has been assigned as the incident commander of the COVID-19 response. General Hara provided the committee an update: He will review DOT's 14-Day quarantine plan. He is considering a proposed threshold Implementation Plan to deal with the transmission of COVID-19. This plan identifies three levels of risk: Limited community transmission Sustained community transmission Widespread community transmission The Plan also will detail actions for each government department to implement. Her will also recommend to Governor Ige there be an analysis of critical functions, including identifying the resources required to accomplish these critical (people, equipment, power, sewer, etc.) and from that analysis is a continuity of operations plan could be adopted and implemented. #COVID19 #Coronavirus #HawaiiSenate #SenateSpecialCommittee

The Legislative Reference Bureau's Public Access Room at the Hawai‘i State Capitol is now open for phone and email assistance. Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, in-person access will not be possible at the Public Access Room or Legislative Reference Bureau library until further notice. “We apologize for any inconvenience this change in visitation procedure may cause, but it is the responsible course of action to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Charlotte Carter-Yamauchi, Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau. The Public Access Room was closed on March 11 out of an abundance of caution after an employee’s roommate was informed that he or she came into contact a week earlier with a person who later tested positive for COVID-19. The Legislative Reference Bureau reported that no member of the Public Access Room staff has been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the leave was imposed, and the office has been professionally cleaned and disinfected during its closure. Public Access Room and Library staff are available by phone or email during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to assist the public with inquiries concerning legislative matters. Public Access Room: (808) 587-0478 par@capitol.hawaii.gov https://lrb.hawaii.gov/public-access-room. Legislative Reference Bureau library: (808) 587-0690 lrb@capitol.hawaii.gov https://library.cardhawaii.org/, iClips service will continue to be updated Monday - Friday by 10 a.m. #COVID19 #Coronavirus #PublicAccessRoom #HawaiiStateCapitol

This message was shared with the students, faculty, and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on March 18, 2020. Aloha UH ʻOhana, Mahalo for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented pandemic crisis. Like many days, yesterday brought new changes including a set of extraordinary announcements from Governor Ige. So I want to share a number of significant updates to the university’s response. All of these are grounded in our firm commitment to completing the semester for our students while protecting the safety of our employees and students across the UH System. UH instruction will be conducted online for the remainder of the semester. Exceptions may be granted only as previously announced. Until further notice, our campuses remain open to our students and employees. To maximize safety, other public-facing services may be curtailed for the duration of the crisis. Campus libraries are closed to the public and other facilities and services may follow. Changes to facilities and practices will be made to maximize social distancing in accord with CDC guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education. Full buildings or sections of buildings that are unnecessary during this crisis may be closed under the authority of a UH Officer. Cleaning and disinfection will be focused on areas still open to students and employees. Traditional dining services are being phased out and replaced with To-Go, Grab-n-Go and/or Delivery food services. All non-essential travel, including to neighbor islands, should be canceled. Exceptions will be granted under the authority of a UH Officer. All public events shall be canceled at least through the end of April. As previously announced guidance for employees regarding remote working and implementing social distancing will be issued later today. Please stay tuned for more updates and information as this continues to be a rapidly developing situation. And mahalo for all you do to support our students, our university and our state in this difficult and incredibly dynamic situation. E mālama pono, David Lassner University of Hawaiʻi President Source: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2020/03/18/presidents-message-march-18-updates/ #UniversityofHawaii #COVID19 #Coronavirus #DavidLassner #OnlineClasses

Mayor Kirk Caldwell issued a supplemental proclamation of emergency or disaster today to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. The proclamation requires the closure of all bars and nightclubs for fifteen calendar days, and all restaurants and cafes that serve food, to close solely for drive-thru, pickup, or delivery service, also for fifteen days. This is effective March 20, at 8:30 a.m. Mayor Caldwell’s supplemental proclamation signed today takes further action in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest guidance related to mass gatherings. The CDC now recommends that organizers of large events cancel or postpone in-person events that consists of 10 or more people throughout the United States. The City and County of Honolulu will follow the CDC’s most recent large gathering recommendation by prohibiting assemblies of 10 or more people at City facilities until the end of April. This supersedes the press release sent out earlier this week. These closures will be reevaluated next month. Mayor Caldwell also took action today by signing BILL 35 (2020) FD1 into law. This new law amends Honolulu’s Revised Ordinances allowing the Mayor to access emergency funds totaling approximately $126 million to address impacts of COVID-19. The City has also initiated a higher level of activation of the Emergency Operations Center. During this time, the City and County of Honolulu remains open. Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services and Ocean Safety first responders will continue normal operation to protect our community. The City will continue critical functions such as garbage pick-up, sewer service, and the services provided by the Board of Water Supply, satellite city halls, and the Department of Planning and Permitting. Given the updated guidelines from the CDC, all City facilities will be closed to public gatherings through April 30. This includes the closure of the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, municipal golf courses, the Honolulu Zoo, City parks and outdoor park amenities including pools, courts, and fields, City gyms and indoor facilities, Honolulu Botanical Gardens, City camp sites, the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, and the Koko Head Shooting Complex. This will also result in the suspension of classes, programs, and events both organized by the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation or permitted to other organizations. This includes the 93rd Annual Lei Day Celebration. TheBus and TheHandi-Van will continue to operate on normal routes and schedules, unless otherwise noted. Passengers should practice everyday preventative actions promoted by the CDC. This includes but is not limited to social distancing, hand washing with soap and water for at least twenty seconds, and covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash. Mayor Caldwell recommends riders only utilize TheBus and TheHandi-Van for essential travel related to care, food, work and other essential resources. The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is continuing the practice of sanitizing and cleaning TheBus and TheHandi-Van fleets every day in order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. The DTS also urges the public to not ride TheBus or TheHandi-Van if you are feeling sick or have symptoms of COVID-19. The Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) will continue to receive and process building permit applications at the Fasi Municipal Building as well as at Kapolei Hale by appointment only. Those picking up permits will be escorted into the permit centers. All inspections will continue. The DPP also encourages the public to visit its website, www.honoluludpp.org. to do self-service permits. Online and off-site options are available for several other City services. A list of services for residents, who want to follow the CDC’s recommendations on social distancing, can be viewed at honolulu.gov/csd. In conjunction with the City’s efforts to ensure the health and safety of City employees and those they serve in the City and County of Honolulu, the Royal Hawaiian Band’s public concerts have been canceled effective immediately thru April. The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA) will continue to display art exhibits but has canceled all related art receptions scheduled to be held in the Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale courtyards and closed the following event areas and City facilities: Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds, Mission Memorial Auditorium, and Mission Memorial Hearing Room. MOCA has also elected to cancel its annual event, Mango Jam Honolulu, previously scheduled for this summer. All closures announced in this press release are effective thru April 30. Extension of this closure period will be reevaluated in mid-April and may be adjusted depending on the status of the COVID-19 outbreak. #COVID19 #Coronavirus #KirkCaldwell #Bill35 #CDC #CityCountyofHonolulu

Mayor Michael Victorino announced a number of Public Health Emergency Rules effective as of 7:45 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2020, directed toward limiting the gathering of groups of people and curtailing vehicular transportation except for essential activities or operation of essential business or government functions, such as travel to and from work and medical appointments. “We need to take dramatic action to limit the spread of this infectious virus,” Mayor Victorino said. “We cannot do this alone, so we’re asking our community to follow these rules and look out for one another as we face this unprecedented crisis.” The rules require restaurants and cafes that serve food within the premises to close; however, take-out and delivery service may continue. Bars, nightclubs, theaters, tourist attractions, and other venues where the public gather must remain closed. Grocery stores, farmers markets, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores and gas stations that engage in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and other household consumer products, gasoline and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences may remain open. Many stores are voluntarily providing dedicated kupuna shopping periods, especially in the morning hours, for those over 60 or those of any age with medical conditions. The rules require that all stores selling essential goods provide dedicated shopping hours for these higher-risk groups. Essential activities, which are exempt from the rules, include: 1. Tasks essential to maintain health and safety, such as obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor; 2. Getting necessary services or supplies for an individual or that individual’s family or household members, such as getting food, pet food, and supplies necessary for staying at home; 3. Engaging in solitary or small group outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, running or golfing provided that you maintain at least six feet of social distancing; 4. Performing work related to operation of an essential business or essential government function (defined below); 5. Caring for a family member in another household; 6. Caring for elderly, minors, dependents, person with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons. Exemptions that relate to operation of essential business functions include: 1.    Healthcare operations, including home health workers; 2.    Essential infrastructure, including construction of housing and operation of public transportation and utilities; 3.    Businesses that provide necessities of life for economically disadvantaged individuals and shelter facilities; 4.    Pharmacies, health care supply stores, and health care facilities; 5.    Gas stations and auto repair facilities; 6.    Banks; 7.    Rubbish collection; 8.    Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, and other service providers necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and businesses; 9.    Laundromats and laundry service providers; 10.    Businesses that primarily ship or deliver groceries, food, and goods; 11.    Childcare facilities providing services that enable essential     employees to go to work; 12.    Roles required for any Essential Business to “maintain basic     operations,” which include security, payroll, and similar activities. “Although the County will make changes to its normal operations to safeguard employees and the public, the County will remain open to serve our residents and the business community,” said Mayor Victorino. “These rules are necessary not only to address the spread of the virus, but also to allow our first responders, emergency personnel, and medical professionals to perform their critical functions with as much community support as possible.” Other provisions of the rules include suspension of regular meetings or hearings conducted by boards and commissions, although they may be conducted via alternate methods where possible. The County is restricting travel on Pilani Highway from Ulupalakua to Kipahulu and on Kahekili Highway from Waihee to Kahakuloa village to local traffic only. The State Department of Transportation is also restricting travel on Hana Highway from Kaupakalua Road to Hana town to local traffic only. “While we take these actions, I am still encouraging our residents to go outside, go on a walk, get some exercise, and for this purpose, County beach parks will remain open at this time,” Mayor Victorino said. “I continue to ask the public to stop hoarding supplies, help your neighbor and remain calm as we face this crisis together. “Maui County is on pandemic lockdown and we’re telling all visitors to reconsider their travel to the islands during this emergency. Please help us to keep our communities safe and minimize the spread of the coronavirus.” General information and resources on COVID-19 (coronavirus) can be found on the County of Maui’s website at mauicounty.gov. For more information and updates, please visit the State DOH website at https://health.hawaii.gov/ and CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/. Source: https://www.mauicounty.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=9924 #COVID19 #Coronavirus #MauiCounty #MikeVictorino #PublicHealth

Counties Roll Out Plans to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 Following the State of Hawai‘i’s plan for “15-Days to Slow the Spread” of COVID-19, Hawai‘i’s mayors have recently implemented county plans that are geared to their island residents. Department of Health supports everyone’s efforts to keep the community safe and healthy. “We can be more effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 if everyone takes these aggressive actions seriously,” said Bruce Anderson, director of the Hawai‘i Department of Health. “The response to the Governor and County directives has been positive so far and there are many, such as food establishments, which have identified alternative ways to serve the public with drive-through and take-out service to maintain their operations.” The City and County of Honolulu has mandated the closure of restaurants, parks and nightclubs for indoor service beginning 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 20. Restaurant take-out, curb-side pick-up and delivery will be allowed. The County of Kaua‘i issued an islandwide nighttime curfew beginning Friday, March 20. The curfew will be in effect from 9 p.m. through 5 a.m. daily until further notice. Individuals must remain in their residence during these specified hours, with a few exceptions. The County of Maui announced rules that will be in effect beginning 7:45 a.m. on Friday, March 20, limiting the gathering of groups of people and curtailing vehicular transportation except for essential activities or operation of essential business or government functions. Restaurants and cafes that serve food within the premises are required to close; however, take-out and delivery service may continue. Hawai‘i County issued guidance that restaurants, bars and places of worship may make their own decisions to open or close, and consider ways to minimize risk to customers and employees. Please visit the county websites for more information. Be Considerate When Purchasing Food and Supplies The DOH reminds the public to be judicious when shopping for food and essential goods so that kūpuna and others in need are able to purchase necessary items. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) Harbors Division continues to manage Hawai‘i’s commercial ports–the lifeline for Hawai‘i’s communities for food, medical supplies, clothing, household goods and more. There have been no interruptions to the supply chain as a result of COVID-19. Definition of Community Spread Community spread is defined as cases that cannot be traced back to a traveler and have absolutely no travel related or involved connection with travel. As of noon today, March 19, all cases who tested positive in Hawaiʻi are travel related or involved with visitors on a daily basis. Who should be tested for COVID-19? Most people who are sick do not need to be tested. There is no specific medicine to treat COVID-19, so whether you test positive or negative, management of your illness will be the same. Individuals who are not sick should not be tested even if they have been exposed to COVID-19. Individuals who are sick with respiratory illness (e.g., fever and cough or shortness of breath) AND who are at a higher risk for severe respiratory infections (e.g., older people, those with chronic medical conditions including immunosuppression) should call their usual source of healthcare to discuss whether they should be tested for COVID-19 and/or other infections such as influenza. A provider’s referral is required to receive testing. If you do not have a provider, call an urgent care center or community clinic in your area. Anyone having difficulty breathing should seek medical care immediately. If possible, call your healthcare provider first so they are prepared to receive you. Other people with mild illness should help protect our most vulnerable and conserve our precious supplies by practicing social distancing measures, monitoring their illness, and calling their healthcare provider if their symptoms worsen or persist. State Launches New, Dedicated COVID-19 Website The State of Hawai‘i unveiled a new website for the public to access the latest information on COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. The website, hawaiicovid19.com, is an inter-agency collaborative effort to keep the community safe and healthy. It provides timely information and resources on the coronavirus, including guidance on how to prevent and mitigate community spread, common symptoms of COVID-19, and frequently asked questions. Social Distancing COVID-19 recommendations are changing the rules on how much physical distance individuals should keep from each other. Cancelling events that do not allow attendees to be at least six feet apart—the equivalent of two arms length—and avoiding unnecessary physical meeting with others are proven strategies to mitigate the spread of the virus. The effectiveness of these initiatives largely depends on the cooperation and compliance from the public. “One of the best ways to show aloha for each other at this critical time is to refrain from being in large gatherings and to keep a safe, healthy distance from each other,” said Health Director Bruce Anderson. “You may be healthy, but others around you may not be as fortunate. By practicing social distancing, you’re limiting the potential for exposure to any illness in your household and protecting everyone in our community. We all need to consider the health and wellbeing of others, especially seniors, those with preexisting health conditions and others whose health may be compromised." Anderson noted that technology enables us to have social distance without sacrificing emotional connection. “When feasible, we should use tools available for virtual meetings by phone, tablet or computer as a way to maintain contact with loved ones, especially kupuna in care homes given Gov. Ige’s directive to refrain from visiting nursing homes, retirement or long-term care facilities at this time.” Ten New Positive Cases on O‘ahu and Maui As of March 19, 2020, noon, there is a total of 26 confirmed or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. New positive results were announced today for eight individuals on O‘ahu and two individuals on Maui. All cases who tested positive in Hawaiʻi are travel related. The Department of Health will be confirming case numbers daily at noon. The situation is fluid with constant changes. Any additional case information received after noon will be reported the following day. COVID-19 Summary of Numbers as of March 19, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. HST (updated as new information becomes available) Number of Total Positive Case(s)* Statewide 26 Honolulu 18 Maui County 5 Kaua‘i 2 Hawai‘i Island 1 *Includes confirmed and presumptive cases. Confirmed: Meets CDC criteria and positive test result received from a certified laboratory such as the DOH State Laboratories Division. Presumptive Positive: Positive test results from a private laboratory requiring confirmation by a state public health laboratory. Sentinel Surveillance Testing Results The DOH has received 124 negative results from test samples selected from sites statewide with the goal of identifying possible community transmission of COVID-19. There were 62 negative test results received last week and 62 negative test results received this week. 2-1-1 Call Center for Information on COVID-19 The Aloha United Way call center is open daily between 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. For information or questions about COVID-19: Call 2-1-1 from any location in the state Text 877-275-6569 Email info211@auw.org Visit health.hawaii.gov/covid19 or coronavirus.gov #COVID19 #Coronavirus #DOH #Health #DavidIge

Expediting Individual Income Processing for Refunds; Offices closed to walk-ins Due to the COVID-19 emergency, all our offices are CLOSED to the public to protect your health and our staff as we practice social distancing. Please contact us using the following methods: Phone service is available through the main call center in Honolulu (808.587.4242) from 7:45AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday, excluding regular holidays. Please be patient as we are experiencing high call volumes. US Postal Service mail is still being processed in a timely manner. Secure web-messages about your particular case can be transmitted using Hawaii Tax Online. Please do not send your personal tax information by email as the security of the transmission cannot be assured. During the “15 days to slow the spread,” our staff is expediting individual income return processing in order to process Individual Income tax refunds. Refunds will give the people of Hawaii cash during this emergency. Approximately 75% of Hawaii residents will request a refund. To date, more than 266,000 Hawaii Resident Individual Income tax returns, Form N-11, have been filed. 370,000 more returns are expected. Please allow up to 21 days to process your return and refund request. Monitor the status of your refund request using Hawaii Tax Online (hitax.hawaii.gov). Some commercial tax preparers route your refund through them; check with your preparer for the status of your refund. Individual income tax filers expecting a refund are encouraged to file as soon as possible to ensure that their refund can be processed while we are able to maintain processing operations: DOTAX encourages electronic filing in order to expedite return and refund processing. Form N-11 is available as a FREE, non-logged in service on Hawaii Tax Online Free tax return filing assistance is available through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) for qualifying taxpayers. Please check hawaiitaxhelp.org for a list of sites still accepting appointments. Check our website (tax.hawaii.gov) for additional updates as situation continues to evolve. Thank you for your continued cooperation and Aloha as we work together to stay healthy and maintain government services. #DOTAX #Taxes #COVID19 #Coronavirus #StateOfHawaii

Honolulu - Hawai‘i State Senate President Ron Kouchi (D-Kauai) issued the following statement today: In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, residents in our State and throughout the United States are being asked to make enormous sacrifices in their normal daily lives through “social distancing,” to “flatten the curve” of the spread of COVID-19.  “Social distancing” means canceling events, closing businesses, and reducing interaction with other people to stop the spread of an infectious disease.  “Flattening the curve” is an attempt to reduce the pressure that infected people place upon limited medical resources in a pandemic. We are an island state whose primary economic engine is the tourist industry, and social distancing is having an incredibly detrimental impact on our residents' lives. However painful these limiting actions are on all of us, ignoring this important mitigation control activity and proceeding on with an attitude of doing business as usual will lead to uncontrollable chaos if COVID-19 spreads throughout our island communities. The unchecked spread of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i will lead to a huge number of very sick people who will place an impossible burden on limited medical resources for our residents.  Unchecked and rampant COVID-19 cases will require medical professionals to make a true “Sophie's Choice” – to choose which patient will be allowed to receive appropriate medical services in favor of any other patient. These impossible choices will not only be made between COVID-19 patients but will also apply to patients with other severe medical conditions. Our communities on islands other than O‘ahu: Kauai County, Maui County, and Hawai‘i County, are essentially rural in nature and their medical resources are severely limited. To preserve these limited medical resources for rural community residents and to flatten the curve of the effects of COVID-19, I strongly support Governor David Ige's March 17, 2020 statement that all non-Hawai‘i residents should practice social distancing by staying in their own communities and not come to Hawai‘i at this time. #COVID19 #Coronavirus #Kauai #SocialDistancing #HawaiiSenate