With thousands of students off from school for spring break beginning next week, the Hawai‘i Department of Health is issuing guidelines families can follow to protect themselves against COVID-19 infection. Family members who are especially vulnerable include those who are 60 years and older, have a compromised immune system, or have existing health conditions such as diabetes, lung disease or a heart condition. “We know that traditionally spring break is a time when families go on trips or spend more time at the malls, theaters, restaurants, and other places where the public gathers,” said Bruce Anderson, director of the Hawai‘i Department of Health. “We are urging families to be circumspect and exercise extra precautions to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission.” New website to go live next week The Hawai‘i Department of Health, in collaboration with other state agencies, is also developing guidelines for schools and for businesses and nonprofit organizations that are planning large-scale public events. These guidelines will be posted on a new, user-friendly website dedicated to providing easy access to COVID-19 facts and figures and timely updates. With an average of more than 7,000 page views of the Department of Health’s COVID-19 related webpages and more than 350,000 website visits since Jan. 20, the new separate website, scheduled to go live next week, will be easier to easy to navigate for the public. Preventive measures The Hawai‘i Department of Health has issued the following spring break guidelines to manage the spread of COVID-19 in communities across the state: Consider avoiding crowded or congested areas, including large public gatherings such as concerts, sporting events, conventions, religious gathers and other community events (the Hawai‘i Department of Health defines “large” gatherings as 100 people or more and allows for social distancing of people being six feet apart); Avoid non-essential travel to COVID-19 high-risk destinations; If you or a family member is sick, remain home except to receive medical help; and Avoid those who are sick and have flu-like symptoms such as coughing, fever, and shortness of breath. Minimizing risks “While we do not want to limit family activities or recommend cancelling their plans for spring break, we are urging families to take steps to minimize their risk of infection,” Anderson said. “Many of these guidelines are the same messages that we have been issuing since the COVID-19 outbreak, but have heightened relevance during the spring break because the potential for person-to-person transmission with an infected person exponentially increases and this could lead to additional cases of COVID-19 infection in our state.” If families are planning to go to the malls, movies and other locations, they should implement safe hygiene practices. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash; Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing; Avoid touching high-contact public surfaces such as phones, doors, tables, keys, bags and lights; Use alcohol-based hand-sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol; and Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects on a routine basis. Social distancing “Here in the islands, we value a culture of aloha that is expressed with hugging and kissing,” Anderson said, “but we would like families to consider practicing ‘social distancing,’ which recommends staying at least six feet—a distance of two arms-length—between people.” These new practices may seem odd at first, but are effective in promoting health and wellness. Forgo hugging and kissing as greetings or farewells; Present a lei without a hug or kiss; and Handshakes are acceptable but remember to wash your hands, Scheduled trips The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Hawai‘i Department of Health also have specific guidelines for families who choose to travel outside the state for spring break: When returning home to Hawai‘i, the Hawai‘i Department of Health recommends family members monitor their health for a 14-day period from the time you left the area with widespread, ongoing community spread; If anyone in the family who went on the trip develops symptoms of a serious, sudden respiratory illness that includes a combination of fever, cough and shortness of breath, have mild symptoms (e.g., no fever but cough), are 60 years or older, or have underlying medical conditions, contact a healthcare provider before going to a medical facility; and Specific guidelines on travel are available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/after-travel-precautions.html Flu shots A flu shot is another valuable tool to prevent and effectively manage COVID-19. Although the flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, it will reduce the number of flu cases. This helps to reduce anxiety and frees up healthcare professionals to focus on people affected by COVID-19. PDF: Hawai’i Department of Health issues spring break guidelines for families to take action against COVID-19 SOURCE: https://health.hawaii.gov/news/newsroom/hawaii-department-of-health-issues-spring-break-guidelines-for-families-to-take-action-against-covid-19/ #Coronavirus #COVID19 #SocialDistancing #SpringBreakGuidelines #Health

The Hawai'i Department of Transportation (HDOT) is installing 250 hand sanitizing dispensers with more than 12,000 boxes of anti-bacterial solution that will be placed in high passenger volume areas throughout the airports statewide. “We sincerely thank Hawaiian Airlines and Pacific Air Cargo for their work delivering the dispensers quickly and free of charge from California to Hawaii,” said Director Jade Butay, Hawaii Department of Transportation. “A big mahalo to the Hawaii Tourism Authority for picking up more than half the costs associated with the sanitizing equipment.” The dispensers are free standing, battery operated and touch free. They are placed in high volume areas such as check-in lobbies, baggage claims, food courts, security checkpoints, international arrival and tour group sections, and gate areas. The total cost of the hand sanitizing dispensers, equipment and liquid is $260,000. Custodians in airports and harbors are diligently working to clean and sanitize the facilities, especially restrooms and common touch points like handrails, doorknobs and elevator buttons. At the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) at least 35 custodians per eight-hour shift are working to clean the airport facilities. The HDOT Airports Division has also been distributing anti-bacterial wipes to airport employees to clean their stations and areas where passengers may frequent. HDOT thanks HTA for providing dozens of cases of the anti-bacterial wipes. HDOT is committed to working with federal, state, county and private agencies to help keep the community safe. For additional information please visit the HDOT Covid-19 webpage by clicking here. To view pictures of the dispensers at HNL please click here. *Hawai'i Department of Transportation News Release #DOT #Transportation #HandSanitizers #COVID19 #Coronavirus

PLEASE NOTE: Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice.  All projects are weather permitting. --- H-1 FREEWAY --- 1) HONOLULU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Center lane closure on the Pali Highway offramp (Exit 21A) from the H-1 Freeway in the eastbound direction on Sunday, March 15, through Friday, March 20, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., for lighting and resurfacing work. Access to both directions of the Pali Highway will be open. For more information, please visit the Pali Highway Resurfacing project website at http://palihighway.org 2) HONOLULU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Lane closures on the H-1 Freeway in both directions between the Keeaumoku Street overpass and the Punahou Street overpass from 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, through 12 p.m. on Monday, March 16, for maintenance work. 3) HONOLULU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Lane closure on the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between the Pali Highway overpass and the Ward Avenue overpass on Sunday, March 15, through Friday, March 20, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., for maintenance work. 4) HONOLULU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Lane closure on the eastbound Airport offramp (Exit 16) to Paiea Street/Aolele Street on Sunday night, March 15, through Friday morning, March 20, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., for The Rail project. See HART website (https://www.honolulutransit.org/inform/traffic) for additional information or call the rail hotline (808) 566-2299. 5) KAPOLEI (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Closure of the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between the Makakilo Drive overpass and the Campbell Industrial Park/Barbers Point Harbor offramp (Exit 1) on Sunday night, March 15, through Friday morning, March 20, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., for the Kapolei Interchange Complex Phase 2 project. Motorists will be directed to Makakilo/Kapolei/Kalaeloa offramp (Exit 2) as an alternate route. For more information, visit the Kapolei Interchange Complex Phase 2 project website at https://www.buildkapolei.com/ 6) KAPOLEI (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Closure of the H-1 Freeway in the westbound direction between the Kapolei/Ewa offramp (Exit 3) and the Makakilo Drive overpass, on Sunday night, March 15, through Friday morning, March 20, from 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m., for the Kapolei Interchange Complex Phase 2 project. Motorists will be directed to the Kapolei/Ewa offramp (Exit 3) as an alternate route. For more information, visit the Kapolei Interchange Complex Phase 2 project website at https://www.buildkapolei.com/ 7) PEARL HARBOR (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Lane closure on the Nimitz Highway/Hickam AFB offramp (Exit 15) from the H-1 Freeway in the eastbound direction on Sunday night, March 15, through Friday morning, March 20, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., for The Rail project. See HART website (https://www.honolulutransit.org/inform/traffic) for additional information or call the rail hotline (808) 566-2299. --- H-201 MOANALUA FREEWAY --- 1) MOANALUA (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Lane closures on the H-201 Moanalua Freeway in the westbound direction in the vicinity of the Middle Street overpass on Sunday night, March 15, through Friday morning, March 20, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., for lighting work. --- FARRINGTON HIGHWAY (ROUTES 93/930) --- 1) WAIPAHU TO PEARL CITY (HART JURISDICTION) Farrington Highway (Route 7101) between Kahi Mohala and Waipahu High School is City Maintained State Highway. Lanes will be closed as needed on Farrington Highway (Route 7101) between Kunia Road and the H-1 Freeway Overpass (near Leeward Community College), on Sunday, March 15, through Friday, March 20, over a 24-hour period, for The Rail. See HART website (https://www.honolulutransit.org/inform/traffic) for additional information or call the rail hotline (808) 566-2299 --- KAMEHAMEHA HIGHWAY (ROUTES 80/83/99) --- 1) HALAWA TO JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR HICKAM (HART JURISDICTION) Kamehameha Highway (Route 99) between Aloha Stadium and Center Drive is City Maintained State Highway. Lanes may be closed as needed on Kamehameha Highway in both directions between Center Drive and Salt Lake Boulevard, on Saturday, March 14, through Friday, March 20, 24 hours a day. See HART website (https://www.honolulutransit.org/inform/traffic) for additional information or call the rail hotline (808) 566-2299. 2) HONOLULU (HART JURISDICTION) One lane closure on Kamehameha Highway in both directions between Middle Street and Puuhale Road, for The Rail project. On Sunday, March 15, through Friday, March 20, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. See HART website (https://www.honolulutransit.org/inform/traffic) for additional information or call the rail hotline (808) 566-2299. --- NIMITZ HIGHWAY (ROUTE 92) --- 1) HONOLULU (HART JURISDICTION) Nimitz Highway (Route 92) between Richards Street and Awa Street is City Maintained State Highway. Lane closures on Nimitz Highway in both directions between River Street and Richards Street over a 24-hour period, seven days a week. See HART website (https://www.honolulutransit.org/inform/traffic) for additional information or call the rail hotline (808) 566-2299. 2) HONOLULU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Roving lane closure on Nimitz Highway (Route 92) in both directions in the vicinity of Valkenburgh Street on Sunday, March 15, through Friday, March 20, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., for The Rail project. See HART website (https://www.honolulutransit.org/inform/traffic) for additional information or call the rail hotline (808) 566-2299. 3) HONOLULU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Right lane closure on Nimitz Highway (Route 92) in the eastbound direction between Kalihi Street and Alakawa Street on Sunday night, March 15, through Friday morning, March 20, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., for sewer utility work. 4) HONOLULU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Right lane closure on Nimitz Highway (Route 92) in the eastbound direction between Valkenburgh Street and Aolele Street on Sunday night, March 15, through Friday morning, March 20, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., for The Rail project. See HART website (https://www.honolulutransit.org/inform/traffic) for additional information or call the rail hotline (808) 566-2299. 5) HONOLULU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Lane closure on Nimitz Highway (Route 92) in the eastbound direction between the H-1 Freeway/Middle Street/Dillingham Boulevard offramp (Exit 18B) and Middle Street on Sunday, March 15, through Friday, March 20, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., for The Rail project. See HART website (https://www.honolulutransit.org/inform/traffic) for additional information or call the rail hotline (808) 566-2299. 6) HONOLULU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Lane closure on Nimitz Highway (Route 92) in both directions in the vicinity of Puuhale Road on Sunday, March 15, through Friday, March 20, from 7:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., for equipment installations. --- PALI HIGHWAY (ROUTE 61) --- 1) NUUANU (WEEKEND/NIGHT WORK) Lane closures on Pali Highway (Route 61) in the Kailua-bound direction between Vineyard Boulevard and North School Street on Sunday night, March 15, through Friday morning, March 20, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., for electrical work. For more information, please visit the Pali Highway Resurfacing project website at http://palihighway.org #Oahu #DOT #Transportation #Roadwork #LaneClosures

PLEASE NOTE: Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice.  All projects are weather permitting. --- HAWAII BELT ROAD (ROUTE 19) --- 1) PAAUILO (24-HOUR CLOSURE) Closure of single lane at a time on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) in both directions in the vicinity of mile marker 38, Kaumoali Bridge, for guardrail installation work. Traffic flow in both directions will be directed with the use of temporary traffic signals. #HawaiiBeltRoad #DOT #Transportation #Roadwork #LaneClosured #HawaiiIsland

PLEASE NOTE: Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice.  All projects are weather permitting. --- KAUMUALII HIGHWAY (ROUTE 50) --- 1) HANAPEPE (24-HOUR CLOSURE) The Hanapepe River Bridge on Kaumualii Highway (Route 50) between Puolo Road and Iona Road will be closed, and traffic will be shifted to the adjacent temporary bridge over a 24-hour period, 7 days a week. Speed limit is reduced to 25 mph. --- KUHIO HIGHWAY (ROUTES 56/560) --- 1) ANAHOLA (NIGHT WORK) Closure of single lane at a time on Kuhio Highway (Route 56) in both directions in the vicinity of mile markers 15 and 16, Koolau Road to Papaa Road, on Sunday night, March 15 to Monday morning, March 16, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for pavement reconstruction work. Traffic flow in both directions will be maintained through alternating traffic control (contraflow) #Kauai #DOT #Transportation #RoadWork #LaneClosures

PLEASE NOTE: Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice.  All projects are weather permitting. --- HANA HIGHWAY (ROUTES 36/360) --- 1) HAIKU (24-HOUR WORK) Lane closure on Hana Highway (Route 360) in the northbound direction in the vicinity of Papaaea Road on Friday, March 13, through Saturday, March 14, over a 24-hour period, for retaining wall work. 2) KAHULUI (NIGHT WORK) Closure of one direction at a time of Hana Highway (Route 36) between Kaahumanu Avenue and Dairy Road on Friday evening, March 13, through Saturday morning, March 14, from 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m., for paving work. Alternating traffic control (contraflow) of open lanes will allow single lane traffic in both directions. #Maui #DOT #Transportation #RoadWork #LaneClosures #HDOT

Extended Hours for Public Calls to AUW 2-1-1 on COVID-19 Aloha United Way has extended its public call center hours to 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., 7 days a week. For more 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 Media Reports on Canadian Visitor to Hawaii The Department of Health (DOH) has reached out to its federal partners regarding media reports of a Canadian visitor who, upon return to Canada, was confirmed positive for COVID-19. DOH has not received any information on this individual to this point. Tours Temporarily Suspended at Kalaupapa National Historical Park DOH has temporarily suspended tours to Kalaupapa National Historical Park until April 11, 2020 as a public health measure to protect the vulnerable population of patients. Community Surveillance Initiative The Hawaii Department of Health is launching a statewide surveillance testing program to identify cases of community spread of the coronavirus. This additional layer of testing helps detect COVID-19 cases earlier so that appropriate steps can be taken to contain the virus. About 200 COVID-19 tests will be conducted each week under the program. Samples collected for influenza testing from patients with respiratory symptoms will be randomly selected and also tested for COVID-19. These samples are collected by healthcare providers in doctor’s offices and other outpatient settings. The information will help responders understand the scope if such a spread when it occurs. Continued Contact Follow-Up The Department of Health is conducting contact tracing and follow-up on the cases associated with the Grand Princess cruise ship in addition to the traveler who had recent travel to Washington State via Hawaiian Airlines. Healthcare workers exposed to the individual without proper precautions are being monitored for symptoms for 14 days. Precautions for seniors Seniors are at a greater risk for COVID-19, especially those who have underlying health conditions. Older adults and individuals with underlying health issues should avoid non-essential travel, including cruises. Neighbor island residents with scheduled medical treatment or follow-up care on Oahu should consult with their doctors. Seniors should avoid large crowds, wash their hands often, and keep medications and groceries on-hand. For the latest situation reports from the World Health Organization, visit who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports. DOH advises people who think they may have symptoms of COVID-19 to contact their healthcare provider in advance of going to a medical facility. Tell your provider about your symptoms and any recent travel. Healthcare providers will discuss any possible cases of COVID-19 with DOH to determine if testing is needed. Consider utilizing tele-health services, if available. Avoid traveling or leaving home if you are sick, except for visiting your doctor after contacting them in advance. Second positive case on Oahu On March 8, DOH tested a second presumptive positive test result for an elderly adult who is hospitalized in serious condition on Oahu. The individual felt ill on March 2 in Washington State and traveled home to Honolulu on March 4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been notified and trace back investigations are being conducted. The Oahu hospital has taken protective and preventive measures and is working with healthcare workers to ensure health and safety. Information is still being gathered and as more information becomes available, the public will be advised. The first presumptive positive case was announced March 6. That individual was a passenger on the Grand Princess cruise in Mexico from Feb. 11-21. After arriving in Mexico, the individual traveled home to Honolulu with no symptoms. While home in Honolulu, the individual became ill on March 1, sought medical care and was tested on March 6. The individual is currently isolated at home and is being monitored daily by DOH. The department is conducting a detailed trace investigation to identify, notify, and provide guidance to all close contacts as quickly as possible. Grand Princess cruise ship To date, there have been 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (19 crew members and 2 passengers) on the Grand Princess cruise ship that made port calls to Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai on Feb. 26, Honolulu Harbor on Feb. 27, Lahaina, Maui on Feb. 28, and Hilo on Feb. 29. The ship is currently held off the coast of California and additional testing of all passengers and crew is pending. The Department of Health is working closely with the CDC to notify any passengers in Hawaii and trace all close contacts. The public is advised that exposure risk to tour operators and other hospitality services who interact with visitors on cruises is low. Companies should work on finding out which specific employees actually had close contact (close personal face-to-face contact for more than 10 minutes) with Grand Princess cruise passengers. DOH is contacting companies to gather this information. Companies are advised to notify their workers that there have been individuals from the Grand Princess cruise who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and the overall risk to hospitality workers is low. State Laboratories Division testing The Hawaii Department of Health is capable of conducting in-state testing for up to 250 individuals per week for COVID-19. Results can be ready within 24-48 hours of a sample being collected. This enhances the state’s prevention and mitigation response capabilities to further safeguard the health of people in Hawaii. It is anticipated that private and clinical labs in California and Hawaii may have testing capability in a few weeks. COVID-19 Summary of Numbers as of March 11, 2020 (updated as new information becomes available) Number of Presumptive Positive or Confirmed Case(s) 2 Number of Persons Under Investigation (current, testing pending) 6 Number of Persons Under Investigation (closed, testing negative) 23 Number of Persons Under Quarantine 0 Number of Persons Self-Monitoring with DOH supervision 41 Of the 41 individuals who are self-monitoring with public health supervision, 36 are on Oahu, 4 are on Maui, and 1 is on Kauai. These numbers fluctuate often as travelers arrive, depart, or begin and end their self-monitoring with supervision by DOH. Presumptive Positive: A presumptive positive result is when a patient has tested positive by a public health laboratory, but results are pending confirmation at CDC. For public health purposes, a presumptive positive result using the CDC test is treated as a positive. Confirmed: Meets CDC criteria and positive test result received from a certified laboratory. Person Under Investigation (PUI): Meets CDC criteria for investigation and testing pending. Quarantine: Individuals are required to remain in a designated location and separated from others. They are actively monitored by Department of Health staff. Quarantine is enforceable by law. Monitoring: Individuals voluntarily remain at home and refrain from work, school, gathering places, and public transit. They communicate daily with Department of Health staff. Guidance for schools and childcare programs The CDC recently posted interim guidance for administrators of childcare programs and K-12 schools to plan, prepare, and respond to COVID-19. School closures have taken place in Japan and South Korea. Business continuity p lanning State and county agencies are actively preparing for continuity of business operations to deal with the potential impact of COVID-19. The goal is to enable ongoing operations during a public health emergency. To address concerns about workers who have traveled to China, DOH developed a list of frequently asked questions and answers to guide local businesses. National travel advisories Before traveling, review Travel Advisories and Alerts for destination(s) at www.travel.state.gov/destination. The State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide specific advice to travelers on their websites. Preventing the spread of misinformation and disease The Department of Health is committed to sharing information as it becomes available. People are urged not to 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. CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from illnesses, including COVID-19. Keep in mind that supplies are limited and we need to make sure there are enough masks for our front-line health care workers. If you are sick then wear a mask to protect the people around you. Prepare for the possibility that people may want to stay home or may be asked to stay home to prevent the spread of illness. If you have daily medication needs, have more than a week’s supply on hand and have as much on hand as your insurance will allow you to have. Not everyone can afford to stock up on supplies or has the space to store them, but anything you can arrange in advance means one less inconvenience or one less trip to the store while you are sick. Make family plans for the possibility of school or day care closures. Do some contingency planning in advance at the family level. Sign up for public notifications at health.hawaii.gov/news/covid-19-updates. Screening of arriving passengers at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu Foreign nationals who have traveled to mainland China and Iran within the last 14 days are being denied entry into the U.S. This includes not only people with a China or Iran passport, but all foreign nationals per Department of Homeland Security guidance. The exception is U.S. citizens, legal permanent U.S. residents or their immediate family. Enhanced screening procedures are in place at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport for passengers who have traveled to China and Iran within the last 14 days. Airport passenger screening continues to be conducted by federal authorities from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). #COVID19 #Coronavirus #DOH #Health #WorldHealthOrganization #DailyUpdate #HawaiiSenate

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Senate and House Education Committee Chairs, Senator Michelle N. Kidani and Representative Justin H. Woodson, announced today that the annual Education Week at the Hawai‘i State Capitol will be postponed this year, following the guidelines of the Hawai‘i Department of Health to implement social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. “While we have no cases of COVID-19 at the Capitol at this time, we are following the health department’s recommendation to implement ‘social distancing’ by avoiding large gatherings such as the Education Week presentations,” said Senator Kidani. “We’re sincerely sorry that our well-deserving educators and students will not receive the Senate recognition they deserve at this time. All Senate Floor presentations are postponed until further notice.” "We are acting on the side of precaution to ensure that we take the necessary steps to minimize the risks that come with being in a high-traffic environment," said Representative Woodson. Education Week had been scheduled for March 16-20 to honor students, teachers, administrators, and staff from across the state. #COVID19 #Coronavirus #EducationWeek #HawaiiSenate #HawaiiHouse #MichelleKidani #JustinWoodson

Hawai‘i Senate and House leaders informed legislators and staff today that, out of an abundance of caution, the Capitol’s Public Access Room will be closed until March 18 after an employee’s roommate came into contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. No one who works at the Hawai‘i State Capitol has tested positive for, or shown any symptoms of COVID-19. The employee at Public Access Room today informed colleagues of the following: The employee’s roommate, a rideshare driver, was informed by the Hawai‘i State Department of Health yesterday that a passenger the roommate drove on March 4 tested positive for COVID-19.  As a precautionary measure, DOH asked the roommate to self-quarantine for 14 days even though the roommate has been symptom free. At no time have either the roommate or the employee of the Public Access Room exhibited any symptoms. Therefore, based upon CDC guidelines and DOH current policies, they were not tested by the Hawai‘i Department of Health and are extremely unlikely to have been infected. However, out of an abundance of caution, the employee and the employee’s colleagues in the Public Access Room were sent home and the Public Access Room will undergo a thorough cleaning. All essential functions of the Hawai‘i State Legislature will continue.

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has appointed Chung I. Chang to serve as deputy director of the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT). Chang has most recently served as coordinator for DBEDT’s Office of Aerospace Development. In addition, Chang was a bill researcher for the State Senate’s Ways and Means Committee, and senior business analyst, section supervisor and marketing coordinator at HMSA. He is also a small business owner/manager/consultant. Chang is a member of the Space Policy Committee, Aerospace States Association, and The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. “I am grateful to Governor Ige for this opportunity to serve the public as the deputy director of DBEDT. I look forward to working collaboratively with public and private partners in achieving an innovative Hawai‘i economy that is globally competitive and provides sustainable opportunities for our keiki and Kama‘āina,” said Chang. Chang’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. His start date has not yet been determined. If confirmed, Chang will replace Randall Tanaka who was appointed assistant superintendent for the Office of Facilities and Operations, Department of Education. #ChungChang #DBEDT #SpacePolicyCommittee #HawaiiStateSenate #HawaiiState #DavidIge #RandallTanaka

Hawai`i Attorney General Joins Multistate Lawsuit to Stop Elimination of Food Assistance for Nearly 700,000 Struggling Americans. Hawai`i Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined a group of 20 Attorneys General and New York City in a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from eliminating food assistance for nearly 700,000 Americans. The lawsuit, filed in D.C., challenges a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that would limit states’ ability to extend benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as “food stamps,” beyond a three-month period for certain adults. AG Connors and her counterparts assert that the rule directly undermines Congress’ intent for the food-stamp program, and that the USDA violated the federal rule-making process. Further, they argue that the rule would impose significant regulatory burdens on the states and harm states’ residents and economies. The coalition is urging the court to declare the rule unlawful and issue an injunction to prevent it from taking effect. “The USDA rule is contrary to the underlying SNAP statute and its adoption failed to follow legal processes,” said Attorney General Connors. “Allowing this rule to take effect undermines the ability of individual states to care for its most vulnerable citizens.” SNAP has served as the country’s primary response to hunger since 1977, and a critical part of federal and state efforts to help lift people out of poverty. The program provides access to nutrition for millions of Americans with limited incomes who would otherwise struggle with food insecurity. While the federal government pays the full cost of SNAP benefits, it shares the costs of administering the program on a 50-50 basis with the states, which operate the program. Congress amended SNAP in 1996 with the goal of encouraging greater workforce participation among beneficiaries. The changes introduced a three-month time limit on SNAP benefits for unemployed individuals aged 18 to 49 who are not disabled or raising children—"able-bodied adults without dependents” (ABAWDs). Congress understood that states were best positioned to assess whether local economic conditions and labor markets provided ABAWDs reasonable employment opportunities. As a result, the law allows a state to acquire a waiver of the ABAWD time limit for areas where the unemployment rate is above 10 percent, or if it presents data demonstrating that the area lacks sufficient jobs for ABAWDs. States also were given a limited number of onemonth exemptions for individuals who would otherwise lose benefits under the time limit and were permitted to carry over unused exemptions to safeguard against sudden economic downturns. Over the last 24 years, Congress has maintained the criteria for states to obtain waivers and to carry over unused exemptions. It has reauthorized the statute four times without limiting states’ discretion over these matters. House Republicans considered adding restrictions on waivers and carryovers in the 2018 Farm Bill, but a bipartisan coalition expressly rejected them in the final legislation. Shortly after President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law, USDA announced a proposed rule seeking changes almost identical to those Congress rejected. USDA received more than 100,000 comments in total—the majority of which reflected strong opposition from a broad range of stakeholders. Regardless, USDA’s final rule went even further in restricting state discretion over waivers and exemptions than what it had initially proposed. In the lawsuit, the states collectively argue that the administration’s rule: Contradicts statutory language and Congress’s intent for the food-stamp program: When Congress amended SNAP and added the ABAWD time limit in 1996, it included a waiver process explicitly providing for relief from the time limit if insufficient job opportunities were available for ABAWDs and clearly indicating that states were best equipped to make this determination based on local economic and employment conditions. Congress has reaffirmed this position multiple times, most recently in 2018. Yet USDA’s new rule severely restricts states’ discretion over these matters and essentially writes this basis for waiver out of the statute, in direct contravention of law and congressional intent. Major aspects of the rule mirror proposed changes that Congress explicitly rejected in 2018. Raises healthcare and homelessness costs while lowering economic activity in the states: For SNAP recipients, losing benefits means losing critical access to food, raising the risk of malnutrition and other negative health effects. Studies have shown that SNAP can counteract food insecurity and lower healthcare costs for recipients by about $1,400 per person—costs that state governments will likely bear in the absence of SNAP assistance. Without SNAP benefits, many will be forced to choose between having food to eat or a place to live. Their purchasing power will decrease, harming state economies. As USDA concedes in the rule, these impacts will be most concentrated among lowerincome communities of color. Amends the law for arbitrary and capricious reasons: The APA requires agencies to offer a reasoned explanation for changing long-held policies and address why the facts and circumstances supporting the prior policy should be disregarded. For over two decades, USDA has accepted Congress’s premise that a state should define the geographic scope of its waiver request and support that request with a wide range of data sources that are together best able to capture employment prospects for ABAWDs. Yet the new rule strictly defines the area for which waivers may be sought and rejects data beyond general unemployment figures without any justification. Violates the federal rulemaking process: The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) governs internal procedures for federal agencies, including rulemaking. Among other requirements, agencies must solicit and consider public comments on the substance of a rule. USDA broke from this process by issuing a final rule that diverged from its proposed rule in significant ways. For example, while the proposed rule maintained that a state could receive a waiver if it qualified for extended unemployment benefits under Department of Labor policies, the final rule eliminated this basis. Thus, commenters did not receive meaningful opportunity to comment on the full extent of the agency’s changes. District of Columbia AG Karl Racine and New York AG Letitia James are co-leading this coalition, and are joined by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia, along with the City of New York. The lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The States filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction concurrently with the complaint to enjoin the rule from going into effect on April 1, 2020. The complaint as filed is available at: https://ag.hawaii.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2020/01/2020-01-29-SNAP-First-Amended-Complaint-FINALfiled.pdf #FoodAssistance #FoodStamps #USDA #SNAP #SNAPProgram #ClareConnors #ABAWD #FarmBill #FoodStampProgram #DOL #DepartmentOfLabor #APA #HawaiiAG

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has announced the appointment of Kathleen S. Y. Ho as director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) in the state Department of Health. Ho has extensive experience as deputy attorney general in environmental law, having served as deputy attorney general in the Health Division since 1992. In addition, Ho was an adjunct professor at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and deputy corporation counsel for the City and County of Honolulu. She has also worked in private practice in Honolulu, and served as advisor to OEQC and the Environmental Council. Ho is a graduate of the University of San Francisco where she earned a B.S. in Biology. She also earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco and her LLM in Environmental Law from Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. “Kathleen has years of experience working in environmental law alongside a wide range of stakeholders. She is highly qualified and will serve the state well in leading and managing the OEQC,” said Gov. Ige. “I am honored and grateful that Governor Ige has nominated me to serve as the Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control. I look forward to continuing my service to the people of Hawai‘i,” said Ho. Ho’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. Her start date has not yet been determined. If confirmed, Ho replaces Scott Glenn who has been appointed as chief executive officer of the Hawai‘i State Energy Office. #KathleenHo #EnvironmentalQualityControl #DepartmentOfHealth #ScottGlenn #HawaiiState #DavidIge