HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige is heading to Japan on Saturday for a series of meetings to promote and expand travel to Hawai‘i, and make access easier through pre-clearance flights from Japan to Hawai‘i and the U.S. Approximately 1.5 million visitors come to Hawai‘i annually, spending about $2.5 billion a year. While in Japan, the governor will also meet with key stakeholders of the Thirty Meter Telescope to provide updates on the project. Gov. Ige leaves Honolulu on Saturday, Feb. 15. Lt. Gov. Joshua Green will serve as acting governor until Gov. Ige returns on Tuesday, Feb. 18. #DavidIge #HawaiiState #GovernorHawaii #Japan #Tourism #Transportation

Beach Goers & Ocean Users Advised to Exercise Caution During Salvage Operations To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/391348640 (Honolulu) – Salvage teams from Parker Marine will be working today and possibly tomorrow in another attempt to free sailing vessel Prelude from shallow waters off Kaimana Beach on O‘ahu’s south shore. The boat grounded on a reef, about 300 feet off-shore, on Sunday.  An earlier attempt to free it wasn’t successful due to strong winds, the water depth, and the position of the boat on the reef. The City and County of Honolulu’s Dept. of Parks and Recreation has issued a right-of-entry to the salvage company to access the boat from Kaimana Beach both Thursday and Friday. Mike Parker, the owner of the salvage company, said they hope to free the boat today but have Friday set aside as a backup. The company will be using an excavator to lift the boat out of the water once it’s moved close enough to shore. Anyone in the area, on the beach, or in the ocean is being cautioned to give the salvage operation wide berth. #PreludeBoat #KaimanaBeach #DLNR #ParkerMarine #HawaiiState

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) informs Oahu motorists of a right lane closure (eastbound direction) and lane shifts for the Farrington Highway Maipalaoa Bridge Replacement project in Maili. Work will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 18 to install delineators and temporary striping that will allow HDOT to maintain three travel lanes (reduced from four lanes) during the replacement project. The closure and lane shift will also go into effect Tuesday. One eastbound (Honolulu bound) lane and two westbound lanes will be set up throughout the week, and to facilitate the afternoon commute. The middle lane will be contraflowed to provide two eastbound lanes for the morning commute, between the hours of 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. the following day, Monday through Friday. HDOT will monitor the contraflow and make any timing adjustments as needed. Motorists are advised to expect delays, use caution in the area and observe posted speed limits for their safety and the safety of the workers. All roadwork is weather permitting. Follow HDOT on Twitter and Facebook for updates regarding this and other projects and lane closures. https://twitter.com/DOTHawaii https://www.facebook.com/HawaiiDepartmentOfTransportation/ You can also view a statewide list of roadwork and lane closures by visiting the following link at the HDOT website: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork/ Mahalo for your patience as we work to improve the condition and increase the safety of our bridges and roadways. More information here: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/02/14/closure-and-lane-shift-on-farrington-highway-for-maipalaoa-bridge-replacement-to-begin-tues-feb-18/ #MaipalaoaBridge #FarringtonHighway #HDOT #Transportation #HawaiiState

HONOLULU – A new pest of avocado has been confirmed by Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) entomologists with the help of the University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – Cooperative Extension Service (CTAHR-CES). The pest, avocado lace bug (Pseudacysta perseae), was first detected in Pearl City, O`ahu, in December 2019 and was subsequently identified on Hawai`i Island and from plants in retail outlets on Maui that were destroyed or treated. The avocado lace bug feeds on the leaves of avocado plants and extracts nutrients from foliage, causing gradual destruction of the leaves. The lace bug does not feed on the fruit itself but causes green to yellowish blotches on the leaves. Heavily damaged leaves become dry, may curl, drop prematurely and may cause reduction in fruit yields.  It is also known to feed on red bay and camphor on the U.S. Mainland. Adult lace bugs are about 2 millimeters long with black heads and mostly black bodies with a black stripe across the width of their lacy wings. (See photos) Immature avocado lace bugs can range in color from reddish to dark brown to black, depending on life stage. The eggs are black and look like specks of excrement and may be found in clusters on the undersides of the leaves. CTAHR-CES extension agents are currently working to determine effective treatment plans for various levels of infestations in Hawai`i. The avocado lace bug was described in Florida in the early 1900’s and has spread through the southeastern U.S. and into California. It is also found in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Portugal. It has not been determined how the lace bug was introduced in Hawai`i. Possible infestations should be reported to HDOA’s Plant Pest Control Branch at: hdoa.ppc@hawaii.gov Photos of the damage to avocado plants would also be helpful in identifying the cause. To view the Avocado Lace Bug flyer and field guide, go to: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/ppc/new-pest-advisories/ #Avocado #HDOA #AvocadoLaceBug #PestControl #Agriculture

Joint legislative package bills on schools facilities agency and affordable housing move out of committees HONOLULU – On Feb. 12, 2020, in decision-making hearings, the Senate Committees on Education, and Water and Land, approved two bills, with amendments, that are part of the 2020 joint legislative package to provide real economic benefits for Hawai‘i’s working-class families and individuals. Senate Bill 3103 was amended and passed the Water and Land Committee 4-0. The bill also passed the Senate Committee on Education on Feb. 11. The amendments include: Amending the powers of the agency to be able to hold title. Reducing the size of the board of the School Facilities Agency from 11 to 7 members. Inserting language prohibiting board members from having a financial stake in an entity that bids on projects authorized by the Agency or from having bid on a project within the last 12 months. Placing the agency board under the Sunshine Law requirements. Removing language moving the 3Rs program to the School Facilities Agency. Removing language moving the 3Ts program to the School Facilities Agency. Deleting the Special Education Facilities Improvement Fund and moving any remaining balance under the newly created School Facilities Special Fund. Allowing the Agency to issue their own bond financing. Allow the Agency to enter into public-private partnerships. Require that any construction or renovation projects for school lands that are adjacent to or have Hawaii State Public Library facilities on them consult with the Hawaii State Public Library System prior to project approval. Include the amendment suggested by the Department of Land and Natural Resources that would revert any lands not used for educational purposes. Include the Attorney General’s amendments for special fund conformity with Internal Revenue Service law. Include protections from the procurement code against bid-shopping. Include a Qualification Based Selection process for professional service contracts as currently outlined in 103-D. Taking the Ethics Commission’s recommendation to clarify the gifts and disclosure requirements are intended to be for gifts and contributions to the special fund and not employees who will still fall under current guidelines. It also takes the commission’s recommendation to delete the financial disclosure exemption. In its original form, the legislation establishes the School Facilities Agency to be responsible for all public school development, planning, and construction, related to capital improvement projects assigned by the Legislature, Governor, or Board of Education. The agency transfers statutes pertaining to the Hawaii 3Rs and 3Ts programs to a new School Facilities Agency statutory subpart, places management of school impact fees with the agency, and appropriates funds. Senate Bill 3104 was amended and passed the Water and Land Committee 5-0, two voting with reservations. The bill also passed the Senate Committee on Housing on Feb. 11. The amendments include: Adding a requirement under Part II for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to submit a program to the Legislature by December 31, 2020, to address various concerns raised in testimony including, but not limited to, ending the housing shortage by producing enough supply to meet demand of Hawaii residents; ensuring the lowest sales price possible; that development be limited to Hawaii residents and owner-occupants who own no other real property; maximizing walkability and minimizing private vehicles and traffic; minimizing short-term rentals; inclusion of Native Hawaiians; the enforcement of Chapter 104 for construction of leasehold property; maximizing availability to Hawaii residents at all income levels; producing a demonstration project; minimizing the financial burden to state taxpayers; ensuring excellence of maintenance and repairs; prioritizing neighbors and residents impacted by the development; and preventing windfall profits to buyers who resell their units. Add land set aside to HHFDC to HRS 171-64.7 to ensure legislative approval for alienation of the fee interest in state lands. Require “majority of development” to refer to the square footage of the development. Require “affordable housing” on page 11, line 20, with a three-part requirement for Hawaii residents, owner-occupants, and own no other real property, in perpetuity. Give the Housing Advocate the power to set aside lands from a state agency to a housing agency (HHFDC, the Hawaii Public Housing Authority [HPHA], and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands [DHHL]), subject to legislative approval. Set a defect date. Clarify that county authority does not extend to conservation districts. DBAs will be limited to lands contiguous to the urban district. Add language requiring the transfer of units to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs/DHHL. All the units will be priced to be affordable to families making 80% of Area Median Income, provided that no income restrictions or first-time homebuyer requirements apply. Replace Section 3 with an amendment to HRS 171-2 to exempt real property set aside by the Governor or leased by any state department or agency for a period not to exceed 99 years. Request that the appropriation language in Section 6 be broadened to provide HHFDC with the added flexibility to fund those regional infrastructure projects that will enable the completion of housing projects as quickly as possible, including lands located within one mile of a rail transit station. HHFDC will require at least three full-time project manager positions to oversee the infrastructure work funded by this bill. Numerous new language regarding the HHFDC, HPHA, Office of Planning, OHA, the University of Hawaii, Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Agriculture, Land Use Commission, and Hawaiian Community Assets. In its original form, the legislation authorizes the HHFDC to lease real property for a period not to exceed 99 years for the development of certain projects that include affordable housing. It requires the HHFDC to submit a report to the legislature that identifies all state lands that may be developed for multi-unit dwellings. The bill authorizes the issuance of $200 million in general obligation bonds, with the proceeds used for the establishment of infrastructure to support the development of housing on lands near the University of Hawaiʻi West Oahu campus. Senate Bill 3104 authorizes the issuance of $75 million in general obligation bonds, with the proceeds used for affordable housing infrastructure in counties with a resident population of 500,000 or less. It authorizes a state or county department or agency to petition the appropriate county land use decision-making authority, rather than the Land Use Commission, for a change in the boundary of a district involving land areas between 15 acres and 25 acres where the majority of the development will be for affordable housing. The bill authorizes the State Historic Preservation Division to delegate the responsibility of historic preservation project reviews to the impacted county. It establishes the Office of the Housing Ombudsman, and removes the existing statutory cap on the amount of conveyance tax revenues that are deposited into the rental housing revolving fund each fiscal year. The Committee on Housing is chaired by Senator Stanley Chang, with Senator Michelle Kidani chairing the Committee on Education, and Senator Kaiali‘i Kahele chairing the Committee on Water and Land. #SB3104 #JoinLegislativePackage #WaterLand #HILeg2020 #HHFDC #HawaiiSenate #HIHouseDems #StanleyChang #MichelleKidani#KaiKahele

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), Highways Division, invites the community to an informational meeting regarding a proposed pedestrian bridge between Whitmore Village and Wahiawa Town. The meeting is scheduled at the following time and location: Wednesday, February 26, 2020 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Helemano Elementary School Cafeteria 1001 Ihi Ihi Avenue Wahiawa, Hawaii 96786 The proposed project is to create an additional multimodal connector from Whitmore Village to the Wahiawa Transit Center. This would consist of constructing a shared use bicycle/pedestrian facility from Whitmore Village to Wahiawa Town, which includes a new non-vehicular bridge over Kiikii stream. The purpose of the meeting is to apprise the public about the project, to solicit input on the design and site selection process, and any issues (e.g. environmental, social) that are important to the community. Work on this project is currently in the environmental compliance and preliminary engineering phase. The meeting is accessible for individuals with disabilities. To request language interpretation, an auxiliary aid or special services (e.g. sign language interpreter, accessible parking, materials in alternate format), please contact Ms. Holly Yuen prior to the meeting date. Please submit requests in a timely manner to allow an adequate period to fulfill requests. Ms. Holly Yuen, Project Manager HDOT Highways Division 869 Punchbowl Street Honolulu, HI 96813 808-692-7548 Holly.Yuen@hawaii.gov Text telephone (TTY) users may use the telecommunication relay service (TRS) to contact HDOT. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, braille, or electronic copy. #HDOT #WAHIAWA #WahiawaPedestrianBridge #DonovanDelaCruz #HawaiiSenate

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), the U.S. Army (Army), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are engaged in continued dialogue regarding the termination of HDOT’s lease with the Army of the Dillingham Airfield (HDH). HDOT sent HDH tenants a notification letter confirming that their 30-day revocable permits will cease effective June 30, 2020. “The operations and lease arrangements at Dillingham Airfield have been the subject of ongoing discussions with our federal partners for the past eight years. While we understand the tenants will need to adjust to having to move their operations from HDH, there are other available options within the State’s airport system,” said Director Jade Butay, Hawaii Department of Transportation. “HDOT cannot continue to assume the million-dollar financial loss every year subsidizing the tenants at a facility we do not own or control, combined with the risk of losing federal funds if we continue management under the current conditions.” “The Army appreciates the HDOT support in operating and managing the Dillingham Airfield for more than four decades and is beginning the process of transitioning the facility back to military management,” said Col. Thomas Barrett, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii. “Our staff is diligently working to assess the way forward and is analyzing the possible impacts related to the lease transfer. This will be a detailed process involving extensive coordination with State and Federal agencies. First and foremost, the Army must fulfill its requirements of military training, readiness, response, security and safety. We will not take any action that will impact our ability to fulfill these critical responsibilities.” For additional information and to view the previous HDOT news release on the subject please click here. #HDOT #DillinghamAirfield #USArmy #StateOfHawaii #FAA

Honolulu, Hawai‘i – The Hawaii State Senate today passed the third reading of Senate Bill 2140 relating to taxation, extending the period in which a county may adopt a surcharge on state tax, under certain conditions, from March 31, 2019, to June 30, 2021. The bill was introduced by Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau), and passed third reading by a vote of 21-2. The bill was transmitted to the House of Representatives, which has its own related bill in House Bill 1715. #HawaiiSenate #SB2140 #Taxation #RonKouchi #SenatePresident

(Honolulu) – Anyone who witnessed or has information on a case of Hawaiian monk seal harassment is encouraged to call the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) or NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement (OLE). Reporting by the Mauinow.com website over the weekend said Instagram users were outraged by video of a man slapping a resting seal on a West O’ahu beach. “A shocking video of a man hitting a monk seal resting on an Oʻahu beach has garnered a slew of backlash on Instagram. The video, which was originally posted on TikTok by user Eric Mustevoy and reposted on the popular @hungryhunhgryhawaiian Instagram page, shows a man approaching the seal from behind and striking it while the song “Smack That” by Akon plays in the background. Mustevoy said he recorded the video over a month ago on a beach in West Oʻahu while he was visiting the island. That was not me that did that, Mustevoy told Maui Now.” DOCARE and OLE officers are aware of the incident and the social media posting. The agencies cannot comment on an ongoing investigation. However, everyone is reminded that Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. They are also protected under state law and harassment of a monk seal is a class C felony punishable by imprisonment and fines. It’s recommended everyone follow established viewing guidelines for monk seals and other marine wildlife. These guidelines have been developed to maximize human safety, seal safety, and legal compliance. Viewing Marine Wildlife in Hawaiʻi Ocean recreation in Hawaiʻi can include encounters with marine wildlife. For their protection and your safety, view them responsibly. Sea turtles, monk seals, dolphins and whales are wild animals and protected under state and federal laws. To report suspected monk seal protection violations or to provide information that may be relevant to an ongoing investigation, please call the NOAA OLE hotline at: ‪(800) 853-1964 or the DOCARE hotline at 643-DLNR or via the free DLNRTip app (Iphone or Ipad). DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said, “We encourage people to report violations immediately. Far too often we learn about these cases after they’ve been posted to social media, which compounds the difficulty of gathering evidence and witness statements in real time.” Hawai‘i wildlife viewing guidelines: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/marine-life-viewing-guidelines/viewing-marine-wildlife-hawaii #DLNR #HawaiianMonkSeal #MarineMammalProtectionAct #EndangeredSpeciesAct #NOAA #DOCARE

The Department of Health encourages everyone to take preventive measures seriously. As with preventing the spread of any virus, the Department of Health recommends the following precautions be taken; For healthy and well people, it is not recommended to wear a face mask. Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home if you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and wash your hands. Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces. And, get a flu shot. Updated information about the coronavirus for the State of Hawaii is as follows; The Hawaii Department of Health has NOT issued an advisory to the general public. And, confirms that there are NO cases of the coronavirus reported in Hawaii as this time. The County of Hawaii, the Department of Health along with other state and federal partners are working closely together to keep you safe, healthy, and informed. If you need additional information on the coronavirus, please call: Department of Health at 974-6001; Department of Health after-hours at 211 Or, visit Health.hawaii.gov From your Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency. #DepartmentOfHealth #CoronaVirus #StateofHawaii #DOH

Senator Inouye announces funding for a number of projects for Hawai‘i Island schools, health center, and airport HONOLULU – Senator Lorraine R. Inouye (D-Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikōloa, and Kona, Hawai‘i Island) announced a number of Capital Improvement Projects for schools, a health center, and airport that were released by Governor David Ige. A total of $800,000 in General Obligation bond funding was made available for the Hāmākua Health Center, Inc., for phase 1 of their new health center The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport will receive $8 million for a USDA Inspection Building, and $32.4 million for an Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Regional Training Facility. Several schools received funding as well. The governor released $2 million for a covered playcourt at Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Elementary and Intermediate School, and $3.6 million for a covered playcourt at Kohala Middle School.  A total of $400,000 will be used for renovations to the Home Economics classroom at Pa‘auilo Elementary and Intermediate School. “I am very pleased that Governor Ige released funding for these much-needed resources for Hāmākua Health Center, district schools, and the airport in Kona,” said Senator Inouye. #HawaiiSenate #HamakuaHealthCenter #EllisonOnizukaKonaAirport #PaauiloElementary #PaauiloIntermediate #USDA #ARFF #AircraftRescueHawaii

Every decade, technology plays a greater role in the way the census is conducted. But in 2020, the first time anyone who wants to respond to the census online has that option, the greatest change may come from the way all of us use technology. For the first time during a decennial census, the majority of people in the United States are using digital and social media in their everyday lives. “The rise of digital and social media use has exponentially increased the speed of how accurate and inaccurate information can spread,” said Stephen Buckner, assistant director for communications at the U.S. Census Bureau. “We know that many people may not know what the census is because it happens only every 10 years, making it a likely target for misinformation and disinformation campaigns, which is why we’ve been actively preparing to defend against them.” The Census Bureau is ready for these challenges. To prevent the spread of fake, false and inaccurate information, that can negatively influence 2020 Census participation and response, the Census Bureau has established the government’s first ever Trust & Safety Team to protect the count. What we are doing: Working with social media platforms such as Facebook, Microsoft, Nextdoor, Google, and Pinterest to update their policies and terms of service to include census-specific activities. Coordinating with YouTube and Twitter to create processes enabling us to quickly identify and respond to misinformation and disinformation. Collaborating with other government agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission to protect everyone, and especially the elderly, from scammers pretending to represent the Census Bureau. Working with civil society organizations such as the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and NALEO Educational Fund to ensure they have the resources necessary to combat misinformation and disinformation in targeted communities and promote participation in the 2020 Census. Working with the Better Business Bureau and AARP to protect consumers against possible scams and fraud during the count. These partnerships will help the Census Bureau counter false information that can lead to an undercount by quickly identifying phony information and respond with factual content. Why Social Media Matters More consumers than ever now receive their information from nontraditional sources. In fact, over the past few years, more people reported receiving their news from social media than from newspapers. According to Pew Research, only 43% of people in the United States used social media during the last census in 2010, compared to 72% today. You may dismiss what happens on social media but an analysis by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows it can influence our real-world behavior. For example, imagine someone posts a message saying you are not required to respond to the census and should ignore all attempts to be counted. Or they share a post that suggests the Census Bureau will share your private data even though public disclosure is prohibited by law. The person posting such misinformation might be a trusted friend or family member who has shared the post with their friends and followers. The number of people who may, as a result, think that responding to the census is not required or become worried about privacy grows rapidly. The post could spread, possibly leading to low census participation and an inaccurate count or undercount of certain population groups. The Census Bureau is Ready – Are You The stakes are high. Census results help communities get their fair share of billions of dollars in federal funds for schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs every year. The decennial census also helps determine congressional representation.The Census Bureau will protect the count but can’t do it alone. You can help make a real difference in the outcome. How? Report inaccurate, suspicious or fraudulent information to the Census Bureau. If you see or hear something, tell us: Report suspicious information and tips to rumors@census.gov.Reach out to us on our verified social media accounts (@USCensusBureau) to ask questions and flag suspicious information. Call the Census Bureau Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-923-8282 to report suspicious activity. The 2020 Census will have implications for years to come. It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure we have an accurate count. Our communities depend on it. You can shape your future and the future of your community, today. Zack Schwartz is the operations manager of the Trust & Safety Team and deputy division chief for the Center for New Media and Promotion at the Census Bureau. Source: https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2020/02/putting-2020-census-rumors-to-rest.htmlutm_campaign=20200210msacos1ccstors&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery #Census #CensusHawaii #SocialMedia #SocialMedia #Communities #CensusBureau #TrustSafetyTeams #NALEO #CivilRights #AARP #BetterBusinessBureau