SENATOR LYNN DECOITE THANKS GOVERNOR FOR GRANTING REQUEST TO DECLARE EMERGENCY RELIEF PERIOD FOR MAUI COUNTY DROUGHT Senator Lynn DeCoite (District 7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, and Molokini) issued the following statement thanking the Governor for granting her request to declare an emergency relief period for Maui County Drought: “On October 28, I sent a letter to Governor Ige requesting an emergency proclamation to assist Maui County in dealing with the drought situation and the effect that it is having on the deer population. I am grateful to the Governor and his administration for working with me to get this second emergency proclamation issued. This proclamation helps to open pathways for the swift response by all levels of government, along with private landowners to address the dire deer situation that has continued to be a public health and safety concern for the people of Maui County.”

Gov. David Ige participated in several events at the COP25 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland today. They included a panel discussion called Role of States and Regions in the Climate Decade with Oregon Governor Kate Brown, and a press conference entitled U.S. Governors United on Climate Action and a Net-Zero Future with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee and Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker. Gov. Ige outlined what Hawaiʻi has done so far, and initiatives he hopes to implement in the future to combat climate change. They include preparing for electric planes for inter-island flights, requiring state employees to rent electric vehicles when on business trips, and planting 100 million trees across the state by 2030. “We did see one of the silver linings of this pandemic, as all businesses and organizations found ways to work from home. We saw how rapidly our air cleared and oceans restored vibrant coral communities. And we do know that if we give nature an opportunity, it will help us more than we ever realized,” said Gov. Ige. Gov. Ige also participated in a U.S. Department of Energy panel discussion with DOE Deputy Secretary David Turk. Tomorrow, the governor participates in a panel discussion called A State-Federal Partnership for a Net-Zero Future Event. Gov. Ige is scheduled to participate in the COP26 Climate Change Conference until the end of this week. Video SOT Transcription: Gov. David Ige: “….State employees to rent electric vehicles whenever they are available. We have created rebates to build infrastructure for the transition of our transportation all across the state. We are tackling the hardest part of transportation which is conversion of aviation and marine transportation. We are preparing for electric planes for interisland flights and sustainable aviation fuels for longer flights. We’re looking at switching our inter-island shipping to local sustainable biofuels, Hydrogen to power our medium and heavy-duty vehicles and equipment for longer distance transportation. And while pursuing negative emissions through our natural and working lands, we do know that investments in our natural resources give us the best opportunity to capture more carbon than we emit. We did see one of the silver linings in this pandemic, as all businesses and organizations went from working from home, we saw how rapidly our air cleared and oceans restored vibrant coral communities. And we do know that if we give nature an opportunity, it will help us more than we ever realized. I committed Hawaii to 100 million trees as part of the 1 trillion tree initiative, looking to enhance carbon sequestration. All of these actions make Hawaii more resilient, as an island, we have to take a holistic approach and our community understands that in order for us to be successful, we have to come together and work together. Because in our history, we know when we work together, we can do great things. Thank you.”

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will honor Veterans Day this year by holding more than 90 ceremonies naturalizing more than 4,440 current and former members of the military and their families. Each year, on Nov. 11, the nation honors members of the U.S. armed forces who have served our country and defended our freedom. “USCIS is committed to serving the U.S. military community by making sure they have meaningful and efficient access to the immigration benefits they or their families may be entitled to,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “USCIS is dedicated to improving policies and procedures that assist service members and their loved ones on their path to U.S. citizenship.” Additionally, USCIS Director Jaddou will strengthen the agency’s collaborative partnership with the National Park Service (through a memorandum of understanding) to ensure citizenship ceremonies continue to be held at national parks and historic federal landmarks that best represent the strength and spirit of the United States. Special Events In honor of Veterans Day, Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary John K. Tien delivered a keynote address today during a naturalization ceremony at the New York City Federal Building, where 78 candidates received U.S. citizenship. Deputy Secretary Tien, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy who spent 24 years in the Army, administered the Oath of Allegiance to several members of the U.S. armed forces. Tomorrow, USCIS is hosting Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough for a special naturalization ceremony for current and former members of the military at the agency’s headquarters in Maryland. During this ceremony, USCIS Director Jaddou will also present retired Major Gen. Viet Xuan Luong with the Outstanding Americans by Choice award. This initiative recognizes the outstanding achievements of naturalized U.S. citizens. Luong is a native of Vietnam who fled the country with his family at a young age. He had a distinguished career in the U.S. military, having received numerous awards and decorations, and recently retired after 34 years of service. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas will conclude a series of special Veterans Day events at the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House in Baltimore, Maryland, where he’ll administer the Oath of Allegiance to 17 naturalization candidates, all of whom are military veterans or active-duty service members. Additionally, USCIS Director Jaddou will strengthen the agency’s collaborative partnership with the National Park Service to ensure that citizenship ceremonies will continue to be held at national parks and historic federal landmarks that best represent the strength and spirit of the United States. Policy Initiatives Recently, USCIS has enacted a number of policy initiatives to facilitate the naturalization process for current and former U.S. service members and their families. These initiatives include: • Overseas Military Naturalization Video Oath Ceremonies: In December 2020, USCIS began conducting video interviews at overseas DOD facilities for eligible military members and qualifying family members stationed overseas. In March 2021, we began administering the Oath of Allegiance by video at overseas DOD facilities, allowing us to perform the entire naturalization process for eligible military members and qualifying family members stationed overseas. As of today, we have conducted 707 video interviews and administered 501 oaths virtually through this process. • Military Veterans Residing Abroad Policy Manual Update: In May 2021, USCIS updated guidance to ensure eligible former service members who served honorably during specifically designated periods of hostility and meet all other statutory requirements for naturalization can naturalize and become U.S. citizens in accordance with U.S. immigration laws. Updated military naturalization statistics can be found on our Military Naturalization Statistics webpage. Following each naturalization ceremony, we encourage new U.S. citizens and their families and friends to share their naturalization photos on social media using the hashtags #NewUSCitizen. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

SUCCESS ON THE NATIONAL STAGE: SENATOR LORRAINE R. INOUYE, CO-CHAIR OF THE NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN CAUCUS OF STATE LEGISLATORS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LABOR COMMITTEE Tampa, Florida – Hawai‘i State Senator Lorraine R. Inouye (District 4 – Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikōloa, Kona) was recently reappointed as Co-chair of the National Asian Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators (NAPACSL) Economic Development and Labor Committee earlier this week at its annual conference in Tampa, Florida. The National Asian Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators (NAPACSL) is comprised of 168 state legislators from 33 states across the country and is a collective effort to bring in Asian American and Pacific Islander perspectives on policies that affect their communities. “I am incredibly grateful to have been reappointed as the co-chair of the NAPACSL Economic Development and Labor Committee and I want to thank everyone who has helped me throughout my career in public service,” said Senator Lorraine Inouye. “This will be a great opportunity for my continuity to being a voice for the people of Hawai‘i, to be heard on the national stage regarding labor and economic issues as we transition to a new phase of the economic recovery. Being in public service for over four decades, I understand the struggles of everyday workers and I have always fought and will continue to fight for the people whose hard work drives our economy.”

The Governor recently released $700,000.00 in capital improvement project funding (CIP) to finance the design for the rehabilitation of the Hakalau Stream Bridge, Hawaiʻi. The funding will be used as follows: $700,000.00 to finance the lands and design costs for the rehabilitation of the Hakalau Stream Bridge on the Hawaiʻi Belt Road. “I'd like to thank Governor Ige for releasing funding to finance the designs for the rehabilitation of the Hakalau Stream Bridge on the Hawaiʻi Belt Road,” said Senator Lorraine R. Inouye (District 4 – Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona). “I also want to express my gratitude toward Edwin Sniffen, Deputy Director for Highways for the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, and HDOT, who continue to work tirelessly to expedite this project for the residents of Hāmākua.”

Collaboration of Week-Long Series of Workshops for Entrepreneurs Offered Statewide For the first time, all four counties across the State of Hawai‘i are collaborating to bring Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) to entrepreneurs and businesses statewide. Global Entrepreneurship Week in Hawai‘i will take place from November 8-14 with a series of live online events and workshops geared to local businesses at no cost to attendees. GEW week focuses on encouraging startups to bring ideas to life and drive economic growth for small business. The ten workshops offer a variety of topics of interest to small businesses. Registration is now open at www.GEW-AlohaState.org. Governor David Ige proclaimed GEW Aloha State week on October 19, 2021, recognizing that entrepreneurs and their startups are the drivers of economic vitality, particularly in rural and underserved communities, which accounted for 68.3% of all private payroll jobs in 2020. GEW week helps to recognize the value of entrepreneurship in job creation, education, innovation, and economic growth within our local communities. Some of the event topics are on sustainable tourism, funding resources for entrepreneurs, small business cybersecurity, panel on women in tech, tips on fostering innovation, and the future of young entrepreneurs in Hawai‘i. “The State of Hawai‘i celebrates our passionate and committed entrepreneurs. Their ingenuity and initiative are creating a more vibrant economy and helping to drive our communities toward a more sustainable future,” said Gov. Ige. “The pandemic restrictions posed additional challenges to all our businesses this year, so reaching out across the counties to tap into each other’s experience and lessons learned can be especially helpful,” stated Lori Fisher an organizer of the Maui Business Brainstormers (MBB), an official coordinator for GEW in Hawai‘i. Each November, GEW celebrates and empowers millions of entrepreneurs in every country and community around the world, especially individuals who face barriers or who have never considered the idea of launching their own business. A record 180 countries will join GEW 2021 in thousands of activities, competitions and events that will inspire them and provide the knowledge, experience and connections they need to succeed. GEW is an international movement, powered by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), dedicated to making it possible for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a company. The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism and its attached agency, the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, have a vested interest and mission in fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneur development and providing necessary resources to help local business. “We are proud to be one of the partner organizations who helped to bring GEW Hawai‘i together. We ask entrepreneurs across the state to join us and celebrate starting a business in Hawai‘i.” said Len Higashi, acting executive director of HTDC. To view a complete list of events, list of participating counties and organizations, or to learn more about Global Entrepreneurship Week, visit www.gew.co.

Ahead of the Senate’s special session this week to consider six judicial appointments, Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani (District 18 ­- Mililani Town, portion of Waipi‘o Gentry, Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia) and Senator Rosalyn Baker (District 6 - South and West Maui), co-conveners of the Senate Women’s Caucus issued the following statement applauding the Governor’s decision to nominate five women to fill Circuit Court vacancies: “For the first time in recent memory, nearly of all the individuals being considered by the Senate to fill judicial vacancies are women. We applaud the Governor for recognizing the need for gender diversification in the courts and look forward to reviewing their qualifications during this week’s convening” The five women being considered to fill these vacancies are: • Clarissa Y. Malinao and Shanlyn A.S. Park to the First Circuit Court – Oʻahu • Kirstin M. Hamman to the Second Circuit Court – Maui • Wendy M. DeWeese and Kimberly B.M. Taniyama to the Third Circuit Court – Hawaiʻi Island. The process will begin with a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, chaired by Senator Karl Rhoads on Wednesday, October 27 at 9:00 a.m. The Senate will convene in a floor session on Thursday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m. This will be followed by a separate decision-making meeting of the Judiciary Committee at 10:30 a.m. Final Senate votes on the appointments are expected on Friday, October 29 at 11:00 a.m.

At the direction of the President of the United States, Gov. David Ige has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawai‘i state flag be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and upon all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai‘i National Guard in the State of Hawai‘i, immediately -- until sunset on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. This action serves to honor General Colin Powell, the former U.S. secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who died this morning. General Colin Powell was born in New York City. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from City College of New York and his MBA from George Washington University. He later rose to the highest ranks of the U.S. military and went on to advise four Presidents. To view President Joe Biden’s proclamation, click here.

During the 2021 Legislative Session, Senator Bennette Misalucha (District 16 - Pearl City, Momilani, Pearlridge, ‘Aiea, Royal Summit, ‘Aiea Heights, Newtown, Waimalu, Hālawa, Pearl Harbor) successfully introduced SR 49, which recognizes October 4 – October 8, 2021, as Digital Inclusion Week in Hawaiʻi. Members of the Hawaiʻi State Senate will join partners from across the nation this week in celebrating this important event. The purpose of these efforts are to recognize local digital inclusion organizations and events that promote digital equity across the country. “The pandemic has highlighted the critical need to address issues of digital equity and literacy in various communities across Hawaiʻi,” said Senator Misalucha. “As many critical services move virtually, we need to ensure that families have the ability to not just connect to the internet, but are afforded access to broadband devices and other technology trainings.” Here in Hawaiʻi, the East-West Center’s Pacific Islands Development Program & Professional Development Program and the Hawai‘i Broadband Hui will host a virtual panel discussion on Tuesday, October 5 at 11:00 a.m. The panel discussion will highlight the work of local community stakeholders and their efforts to achieve the goals set forth in the Digital Equity Declaration. To register for the event, visit http://go.hawaii.edu/sLP. For more information on Digital Inclusion Week, visit https://broadband.hawaii.gov/diw21/.

The Hawaii State Department of Education is aware of the planned Tik Tok challenges that are circulating online, and we are asking families to help us shut these down quickly. Source: https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/10-5-21-superintendent-parent-letter-tiktok-challenges.aspx

Governor Ige’s latest emergency proclamation extends driver’s license expirations, clarifies who pays for employee COVID testing Gov. David Ige issued the latest Emergency Proclamation Related to the State’s COVID-19 DELTA Response, keeping in place the Safe Travels program and statewide mask mandates. There are also no changes to the EP provision which allows for the extension of expirations for driver’s licenses and instructional permits that expired during the emergency period. This proclamation also: Clarifies that employers are not required to pay for COVID-19 testing of employees who choose to undergo regular COVID-19 testing in place of vaccinations. Restores civil service recruitment requirements which were previously suspended in alignment with federal law. The suspension served to ensure that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) had adequate personnel resources to respond to the unemployment crisis caused by COVID-19. Allows state Boards and Commissions to continue meeting virtually, using interactive conference technology, reflecting the intent of the Legislature in Act 220 (2021). This EP adds that Board and Commissions will provide testifiers the same option to testify audio visually. Gathering restrictions are implemented by individual counties. To review the Emergency Proclamation Related to the state’s COVID-19 Delta Response, click here. For PHOTOS click here For VIDEO click here

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) informs the public that GoAkamai.org is eliminating some features on its website. Beginning tomorrow, October 1st, traffic flow maps, travel times, weather alerts, incidents, and the personalized service MyGoAkamai will be eliminated. These services are now readily available on free third-party applications. Camera views for select state routes will continue to be available on GoAkamai.org