HONOLULU, HI – With the Festival of the Pacific Arts & Culture or FESTPAC less than four months out, event commissioners held a news conference today announcing numerous preparations underway. FESTPAC will run from June 10-21, 2020 with events being held throughout Honolulu and Waikiki. It will be the first time that Hawai'i will serve as FESTPAC host. Thousands of Pacific Islanders and visitors are expected to attend FESTPAC. This yearʻs theme is: E ku i ka hoe uli (Take hold of the steering paddle). “Our theme serves as a reminder to every Pacific Islander, that we are leading global discussions on climate change and its effect on the very identity of our island cultures,” said Senator English, who serves as FESTPAC Hawai'i Chairman. “It is a reminder to our young leaders to heed the call of our elders – to perpetuate and carry on our stories and practice our culture and ancestral knowledge.” FESTPAC is a traveling festival hosted every four years by a different Oceania country. It was started by the Pacific Community as a means to stem erosion of traditional cultural practices by sharing and exchanging culture at each festival. The first South Pacific Arts Festival was held in Fiji in 1972. In 1980, the event became the Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture. Delegates from more than twenty oceanic nations are expected to participate in this year’s event. Throughout the 11 days there will be a Festival Village, cultural exchange and discussions, performances and exhibits. Opening ceremonies are slated to occur at Iolani Palace; and, closing ceremonies will take place at Kapiolani Park. Health, housing, security, and other precautionary measures are all part of FESTPAC planning. FESTPAC Commissioners acknowledged that the event could not take place without the strong support of the Legislature, State agencies, Honolulu County and numerous sponsors. The Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA) is among the key sponsors of FESTPAC. HTA President and CEO Chris Tatum announced an allocation of $500,000 for the festival. “Our investment in this historic event is to ensure that all who come to FESTPAC Hawai'i will experience the beauty of our state and learn about our unique history that guides our values today,” said Tatum. FESTPAC Commissioners have worked with other sponsor partners including Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawai'i to assist in housing Pacific Island delegates. A Hawai'i delegation has participated in every FESTPAC since 1976. FESTPAC Commissioner and Kumu Hula Snowbird Bento is among the former delegates who represented Hawai'i at past festivals. She called the experiences, “eye opening.” “It’s important for Hawai'i to host FESTPAC, so we can remember who we are – that we come from a really rich legacy, because I think a lot of people have relegated in their minds that Hawaiians only exist in certain venues,” said Bento. Today’s FESTPAC announcement was held during the month’s end of honoring olelo Hawai'i. For more information about FESTPAC Hawai'i 2020, including a list planned events and venues, visit www.festpachawaii.org. #FESTPAC2020 #HILeg2020 #HawaiiTourism #CulturalArts #Polynesia #HawaiiSenate #KalaniEnglish

Honolulu, Hawai‘i – Senator Lorraine R. Inouye (D-Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, and Kona, Hawai‘i Island) announced that approximately $2.9 million in Capital Improvement Project funds were released last week by Governor David Ige for five projects in her district: --$147,000 to finance additional construction for safety improvements along Mamalahoa Highway between Milepost 3.9 to Milepost 6.9, --$1 million to finance the design for a new gymnasium and athletic facilities for Kohala High School, --$60,000 in general obligation bond funds for renovations to the Hamakua Youth Center, --$175,000 in general obligation bond funds for the design of a centralized administrative and business office, and private employee dining area, at Kohala Hospital, --And $1.5 million to finance the design and construction for improvements to the parking lot of Waimea Elementary School. #CapitalImprovements #DavidIge #HawaiiIsland #Hilo #HawaiiSenate #LorraineInouye

Hawai‘i State Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi issued the following statement today: Our thoughts and prayers and our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Rick Rogers and William "Uncle Billy" Enoka, who died in the plane crash at Dillingham Airfield. Kauai is mourning the loss of Uncle Billy, who was dedicated to keeping the people of Kauai safe through his lifelong work in the Kauai Fire Department, retiring in 1994 as a Captain with the Kauai Fire Department, and as a Lieutenant Colonel with the Civil Air Patrol. I worked with Uncle Billy from 1983 until he retired as a captain in the Kauai Fire Department in 1994 and thereafter in his work with the Civil Air Patrol.  He was a consummate professional and his love of flying equaled his love of mentoring our next generation of leaders.

HONOLULU – Hawaii Attorney General Clare E. Connors today joined a bipartisan coalition of 42 state and territory attorneys general in supporting H.R. 4421, the Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation that will prevent a corporation from filing for bankruptcy in a District that it believes would be more favorable on issues to the debtor’s advantage—a practice known as “forum shopping”—when the corporation’s principal place of business or assets are located in a different district, which imposes a burden on states and other creditors who may have to travel and incur significant expenses to pursue their claims. “Corporations should only be allowed to file for bankruptcy in jurisdictions where they do business or where their assets are located,” said Attorney General Connors. “Anything else allows them to take undue advantage of the system, which disadvantages consumers and other entities that do business with the corporation.” Under current U.S. law 28 U.S.C. § 1408, individuals must file only in the district in which they have resided for a majority of the 180 days prior to filing.  However, corporations are permitted to pursue bankruptcy in any district in which the corporation has a minor affiliated interest, no matter how small or recently created.  In addition to conferring a distinct advantage to the corporation’s interest, it encourages placing cases in some of the most expensive legal markets in the country, contributing to the ever-growing costs of these cases.  Generally, businesses and consumers who interact with the debtor are located in areas where the debtor primarily operates, and having to travel to distant places makes it harder to protect their interests.  The same applies to states that may be owed taxes or other payments, and may need to incur expenses to collect, that could wipe out any amounts collected through the bankruptcy. Furthermore, because each individual court currently sets its own requirements for allowing non-local attorneys to appear, including deciding whether to charge an admission fee in each case, and/or to require that local counsel must be associated to the case, financial burdens and unnecessary delays in pursuing justice are virtually unavoidable.  The attorneys general’s letter therefore encourages Congress to ensure that when government attorneys appear on behalf of their governments, they can participate in the bankruptcy without having to pay excessive fees or hire local counsel. If passed, the Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2019 will: Limit where businesses may file bankruptcy by ensuring that they will do so in a jurisdiction in which their “principal assets” or their “principal place of business” are located; and Require rules to be prescribed to allow all governmental attorneys (not just U.S. attorneys) to appear without charge and without being required to associate with local counsel. In the letter, the attorneys general tender support to the Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2019, and contend that passage of the legislation will: Reduce forum shopping in the bankruptcy system; Strengthen the integrity of, and build public confidence and ensure fairness in, the bankruptcy system; Help consumers and other parties to be represented in court without undue burden; and Level the playing field for state attorneys general to guard their states’ financial interests and enforce consumer protection laws. In signing the letter co-sponsored by the attorneys general of Maryland, Ohio, Texas, and Washington, Attorney General Connors joins the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. A copy of the letter is available here. #HR4421 #BankruptcyVenueReform #ClareConnors #Bankruptcy #HawaiiState

TENDING A WORLD-FAMOUS  BEACH – KŪHIO EROSION CONTROL PROJECT Sandbag Groin Achieving Desired Result (Honolulu) –World-famous Waikīkī Beach is Hawaiʻi’s primary draw for tourists and the chief economic driver of Hawaiʻi’s economy. It has a fascinating history. Beginning in the 1930’s and continuing into the 1960’s one of the world’s most iconic beaches was built with stone and sand imported from different parts of the state. Sam Lemmo knows beaches as the Administrator of the DLNR Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL). When it comes to protecting and enhancing Waikīkī he puts it this way, “We rely on Waikīkī Beach, and we need to maintain it the same way you would with any public infrastructure.” The latest beach improvement, the Kūhio Erosion Control Project, is performing well — so much so that, as Lemmo says, “we’re very, very happy.” The new, short groin, running perpendicular to one of Waikīkī’s most popular beaches, is made up of eighty-three, 10,000-pound bags of sand. The groin stabilizes that part of the beach so that the old Waikīkī Tavern foundation is now buried allowing for safe pedestrian access to the water. The ebb and flow of sand is a natural process, accelerated in recent history by sea level rise. Lemmo explains, “The ocean around Hawaiʻi has risen 9-10 inches over the past century.  It has a profound impact on the viability of our beaches. We’re trying to get everyone comfortable with the notion that these beach restoration projects are critical in areas where beaches provide significant visitor and resident benefits  If we are to maintain the viability of this tremendous asset in the face of climate change, we must continue to invest ourselves into its upkeep.” But Lemmo adds that many natural beaches undergoing long term retreat due to rising seas will not be able to be repaired with modern engineering.  The dynamics of intact natural coastal systems are very complex, and it would be unwise to initiate a beach engineering effort when it would be wiser to allow the shoreline to erode.  His office and many other public and private interests are pursuing other options for natural beach resiliency, including encouraging development and people to move away from eroding shorelines. This allows a beach to recess inland like it would naturally in the absence of development. Back at Kūhio Beach Lemmo points out, that as the state’s tourism center, Waikīkī accounts for close to half of the hotel rooms in Hawai‘i and generates more than one-third of the state’s gross domestic product. “Waikiki is a very important place for us,” he said. “We’re just doing our part, trying to maintain one of the most famous beaches in the world. People come to Hawai‘i to visit our beaches and to enjoy our water, our coral reefs, and our mountains. This is just one component of an overall strategy to make sure we give our guests what they pay for…safe enjoyment of our resources and enjoyment of our Aloha.” #KuhioBeach #WaikikiBeach #OCCL #KuhioErosionControl #SamLemmo #DLNR #HawaiiState

Senator Gil Riviere issued the following statement today: "I am very disappointed with the statement made by Senator Brian Schatz calling for the closure of Dillingham Airfield. It is irresponsible to make such a definitive statement about the accident and the airfield before any facts of the matter have been established. "The two pilots who lost their lives today were highly qualified aviators, devoted to the love of flight. They were very well liked and respected, trained countless new pilots, and eagerly shared their passion for aviation. These men absolutely loved to fly at Dillingham Airfield, so a call to shut down the airport within hours of their loss is truly insensitive and misinformed. God bless these good men, their loved ones and everyone who had the pleasure to know them." Senator Gil Riviere represents Hawaii Senate District 23. He lives in Waialua, just a few miles of Dillingham Airfield. -END- #DillinghamAirfield #Transportation #HawaiiSenate #GilRiviere

Honolulu, Hawai‘i – Senator Brian T. Taniguchi (Manoa, Makiki, Punchbowl, and Papakolea) will hold legislative town hall meetings over two days in February. The first will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, February 22, 2020, at the Noelani Elementary School library, 2655 Woodlawn Drive. The second will be at the Makiki District Park Administration Building, 1527 Ke‘eaumoku Street, on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. State Representative Dale Kobayashi (Manoa, Punahou, University, and Mo‘ili‘ili) and City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi will join the senator at the Noelani Elementary meeting, and State Representative Della Au Belatti (Makiki, Tantalus, Papakolea, McCully, Pawa‘a, and Manoa) will be at the Makiki District Park meeting. #LegislativeUpdates #TownHallMeeting #HawaiiSenate #HILeg2020 #HawaiiSenate #BrianTaniguchi

HONOLULU, HI – With the Festival of the Pacific Arts & Culture or FESTPAC less than four-months out, event commissioners held a news conference today announcing numerous preparations underway. FESTPAC will run from June 10-21, 2020 with events being held throughout Honolulu and Waikīkī. It will be the first time that Hawaiʻi will serve as FESTPAC host. Thousands of Pacific Islanders and visitors are expected to attend FESTPAC. This yearʻs theme is: E kū i ka hoe uli (Take hold of the steering paddle). “Our theme serves as a reminder to every Pacific Islander, that we are leading global discussions on climate change and its effect on the very identity of our island cultures,” said Senator English, who serves as FESTPAC Hawaiʻi Chairman. “It is a reminder to our young leaders to heed the call of our elders - to perpetuate and carry on our stories and practice our culture and ancestral knowledge.” FESTPAC is a traveling festival hosted every four years by a different Oceania country. It was started by the Pacific Community as a means to stem erosion of traditional cultural practices by sharing and exchanging culture at each festival. The first South Pacific Arts Festival was held in Fiji in 1972. In 1980, the event became the Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture. Delegates from more than twenty oceanic nations are expected to participate in this year’s event. Throughout the 11 days there will be a Festival Village, cultural exchange and discussions, performances and exhibits. Opening ceremonies are slated to occur at ʻIolani Palace; and, closing ceremonies will take place at Kapiʻolani Park. Health, housing, security, and other precautionary measures are all part of FESTPAC planning.  FESTPAC Commissioners acknowledged that the event could not take place without the strong support of the Legislature, State agencies, Honolulu County and numerous sponsors. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) is among the key sponsors of FESTPAC.  HTA President and CEO Chris Tatum announced an allocation of $500,000 for the festival. “Our investment in this historic event is to ensure that all who come to FESTPAC Hawaiʻi will experience the beauty of our state and learn about our unique history that guides our values today,” said Tatum. FESTPAC Commissioners have worked with other sponsor partners including Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawaiʻi to assist in housing Pacific Island delegates. A Hawaiʻi delegation has participated in every FESTPAC since 1976.  FESTPAC Commissioner and Kumu Hula Snowbird Bento is among the former delegates who represented Hawaiʻi at past festivals. She called the experiences, “eye opening.” “It’s important for Hawaiʻi to host FESTPAC, so we can remember who we are - that we come from a really rich legacy, because I think a lot of people have relegated in their minds that Hawaiians only exist in certain venues,” said Bento. Today’s FESTPAC announcement was held during the month’s end of honoring ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi. For more information about FESTPAC Hawaiʻi 2020, including a list planned events and venues, visit www.festpachawaii.org. #FESTPAC #FESTPACHawaii #FESTPAC2020 #Hawaii #PolynesianCulture #PacificIslanders

Honolulu, Hawai‘i – State Senator Lorraine R. Inouye (Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, and Kona) will be holding a legislative update meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2020, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Waimea Elementary School cafeteria, 67-1225 Hawaii Belt Road. Updates on bills that are being worked on in the Senate will be the focus of this meeting. Discussion of other issues of concern to the district and community will also be on the table. State Representative David Tarnas (North Kona, North Kohala, and South Kohala) and Hawai‘i County Councilman Tim Richards (North Kohala and South Kohala) will also be participating. #LegislativeUpdate #LorraineInouye #HawaiiIsland #CommunityMeeting #HawaiiSenate

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is seeking comments on overall goals for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation in HDOT’s transportation contracts. DBEs are for-profit small businesses whose primary owner and management are considered socially and economically disadvantaged. Federal funding requirements call for state and local transportation agencies to set overall goals for the participation of DBEs in U.S. Department of Transportation-funded contracts. HDOT is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to current DBE and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program goals, new DBE and ACDBE goals for coming years, and methods HDOT will use to meet those goals. The public can participate through a meeting Monday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Meeting locations by island are listed below: HONOLULU (OAHU) HDOT, 869 Punchbowl Street, 5th Floor Conference Room, Honolulu, HI 96813 KAHULUI (MAUI) VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE Highways Division Maui District Office, 650 Palapala Drive, Kahului, HI 96732 LIHUE (KAUAI) VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE Highways Division Kauai District Office, 1720 Haleukana Street, Lihue, HI 96766 HILO (HAWAII ISLAND) VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE Highways Division Hawaii District Office, 50 Makaala Street, Hilo, HI 96720 Comments can also be made online through March 11, 2020 via https://www.keenindependent.com/hdotdisparitystudy2019or through email to HDOTdisparitystudy2019@keenindependent.com If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact Daniel Williams, Acting DBE Program Supervisor, at (808) 831-7914 or daniel.k.williams@hawaii.gov as soon as possible. Please make requests as early as possible to allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy. DBE/ ACDBE Background As part of its implementation of the Federal DBE Program, HDOT conducted an Availability and Disparity Study to provide information about HDOT’s overall goals for DBE participation over the coming years and ways to achieve those goals. To view the draft study and learn more about HDOT’s DBE program, visit http://hidot.hawaii.gov/administration/ocr/dbe/ HDOT also operates the Federal Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Program at many of its airports. It also develops goals for ACDBE participation in airport concessions and chooses methods to achieve those goals. HDOT is seeking public comment on the following overall DBE goals and its methods of meeting those goals for federal fiscal years 2020, 2021 and 2022 for: Federal Highway Administration-funded contracts. Federal Aviation Administration-funded contracts at Honolulu International Airport and Kahului Airport. HDOT is asking for public comment on proposed new overall DBE goals for federal fiscal years 2021, 2022 and 2023 and methods of meeting those goals for: FAA-funded contracts for small hub primary airports (Kona, Hilo and Lihue). Federal Transit Administration-funded contracts. HDOT is also seeking public comment on ACDBE goals and its methods of meeting those goals for federal fiscal years 2021, 2022 and 2023 for: Airport concessions for Honolulu International Airport and Kahului Airport. The draft study and other documents related to HDOT’s proposed DBE goals will also be made available during business hours (7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) at the HDOT Office of Civil Rights. The address for this office is: 200 Rodgers Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819. #Transportation #HDOT #Contracts #DisadvantagedBusinessEnterprises #DBE #FAA #FederalTransitAdministration #FederalAirportConcessions #FederalDBEProgram

HONOLULU – The Judicial Selection Commission has submitted the names of four nominees for the judicial vacancy in the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit (Hawai‘i Island). The position has been vacant since the retirement of Circuit Judge Greg K. Nakamura in November 2019. The commission has investigated the backgrounds and qualifications of the applicants and submitted the list of nominees to Gov. David Ige on Friday, Feb. 14. The nominees are: Jeffrey A. Hawk currently serves as an attorney and per diem judge of Family Court, Third Circuit. He earned his law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and is the recipient of the 1996 Bernard Levinson Award for Best Constitutional Law Paper. He also has a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley. William B. Heflin is a partner and attorney at the law firm of Alcain Naniole & Heflin. He is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He has an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Honolulu Community College and a B.A. in History from Sopha University in Japan, where he also earned a 1st degree black belt in Aikido. Peter K. Kubota is an attorney in private practice with his own firm – Peter K. Kubota, Attorney at Law. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He also attended the University of Oregon and earned a B.B.A in Finance at the University of Hawai‘i Mānoa College of Business. Jeffrey W.S. Ng is a senior trial deputy public defender with the State of Hawai‘i. He has a Juris Doctor degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan. Governor Ige will interview each nominee and is seeking public comment on the governor’s website at governor.hawaii.gov – Contact the Governor. The governor has 30 calendar days or until Mar. 15 to make his appointment, which is subject to Senate confirmation. #HawaiiJudiciary #HawaiiSenate #JeffreyNg #PeterKubota #WilliamHeflin #JeffreyHawk

DOH: The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) was notified today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that an adult male who traveled to Maui from Jan. 28 to Feb. 3 and to Oahu from Feb. 3-7 has been confirmed for COVID-19. The individual is a Japanese national who developed severe symptoms, sought medical care, and was diagnosed and tested after leaving Hawaii and returning home to Japan. The Department of Health was informed that the individual had no symptoms while traveling on Maui and developed cold-like symptoms with no fever while staying on Oahu. The department has begun an investigation and is working closely with state, federal and county officials. A medical advisory was sent out today to alert the healthcare community in Hawaii to be vigilant about possible cases. “The Department of Health has been expecting and preparing for identifying a travel-related case in Hawaii because of the widespread outbreak in China and other areas of the world. The state is more than ready with aggressive control and prevention measures as we work closely with our medical community and response partners,” said Health Director Bruce Anderson. “We are committed to keeping the public fully informed and will continue to provide updates as this situation unfolds.” “The individual had no symptoms while on Maui and was not contagious,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist. “There is no increased risk on Maui from possible exposure. On Oahu, the individual had cold-like symptoms with no fever. I have alerted physicians that it’s possible that cases may surface sometime before Feb. 21 because the onset of illness is generally within 14 days.” While traveling on Oahu, the individual stayed with his wife at a timeshare at the Grand Wakikian by Hilton Grand Vacations. The individual did not seek medical care in Hawaii and may have worn a mask during parts of his travel. DOH was informed that the individual wore a mask during his flight back to Japan. Using an mask when you are ill can protect others from becoming infected. The Department of Health is committed to sharing information as it becomes available.  People are urged not spread misinformation or inaccurate statements that are not confirmed, and keep updated and informed on the situation. Everyone can help prevent the spread of respiratory illness with these everyday actions. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.Avoid close contact with people who are sick.Stay home when you are sick.Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Get your flu shot. With current seasonal influenza activity, it is likely there will be confusion as persons with influenza will exhibit similar signs and symptoms such as fever and cough. We strongly recommend residents 6 months and older protect themselves against flu by receiving the seasonal influenza vaccination. For information on the 2019-nCoV outbreak, including information for clinicians and public health professionals, visit the following websites. health.hawaii.gov/docd/advisories/novel-coronavirus-2019 www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/novel-coronavirus-china https://hidot.hawaii.gov/coronavirus/ Call Aloha United Way’s 211 hotline for information by phone, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDF: DOH notified of confirmed COVID-19 case who traveled to Maui and Oahu