O'ahu residents who need to renew driver’s licenses and state identification cards over the next eight months stand to benefit from new service options being rolled out in the City and County of Honolulu. Stand-by service for customers, who ar e having a hard time getting appointments to renew a driver’s license or state ID, is now available on a limited, first-come, first-served basis at the Kapālama Driver Licensing Center, Kapolei Driver Licensing Center and Ko'olau Driver Licensing Center. To help ensure the safety of the public and employees, the mask requirement will be maintained, and social-distancing guidelines will be enforced to prevent crowds lining up at these locations earlier than 15 minutes prior to business hours. “Same-day service at these locations is not guaranteed,” said Nola Miyasaki, director of the city’s Department of Customer Services. “But we are offering a limited number of stand-by slots to offset the no-shows for appointments and last-minute cancellations as we remain committed to eliminating a pandemic-caused backlog by the end of the year, and meeting growing public demand for in-person transactions.” There are now more than 58,000 driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and state IDs that expired in 2020 on Oahu and have not yet been renewed. An additional 115,110 credentials will expire in 2021, and require renewal transactions in person. To help meet demand, other changes besides stand-by service are being offered. The Kapalama Driver Licensing Center and the Kapolei Driver Licensing Center are making additional appointment slots for driver license and state ID renewals available daily for the following day between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm on the city’s alohaQ reservation system. The Wahiawa Driver Licensing Center, which has been offering only road tests since Oct. 1, 2020, has restarted other in-person services, including driver license and state ID renewals. In addition, all satellite city halls now offer express window service for simple transactions that don’t require an appointment. The express window transactions include in-person motor vehicle renewal transactions, bus pass sales, water bill and property tax payments, spay and neuter certificates, and disability parking permits. For more information, visit honolulu.gov/csd.

In partnership with Zero Waste - Hawaiʻi Island, Senator Laura Acasio (District 1 – Hilo) is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Hawaiʻi Zero Waste Summit on Friday, May 28, 2021, from 8:00 – 3:30 p.m. The virtual event will feature several panel discussions focused on reducing waste, creating pathways to community composting, and building efficient reuse systems in Hawaiʻi. The summit will also feature opening remarks from Lieutenant Governor Josh Green and include guest speakers such as Dr. Kamanamaikalani Beamer and Representative Nicole Lowen. “By reducing our ecological footprint on the environment and re-imagining resource management practices, Hawaiʻi can solidify its role as a world leader in sustainability,” said Senator Acasio. “I am proud to sponsor this Zero Waste summit because it is a terrific opportunity for the public and private sectors to come together to discuss, connect and collaborate on how we can move towards achieving our sustainability goals.” Registration for the May 28th event can be found by clicking here. Senator Acasio will also be hosting two webinars to discuss the topics of extended producer responsibility and reuse on May 15th and May 22nd : To register for the extended producer responsibility webinar on May 15, 2021 at 10:00am, click here. To register for the reuse webinar on May 22, 2021, at 10:00am, click here. To register for the reuse webinar on May 22, 2021, at 10:00am, click here

Gov. David Ige today signed the 20th proclamation on COVID-19, to allow inter-county travelers vaccinated in the State of Hawai‘i to bypass the pre-travel testing and/or quarantine requirement starting May 11. The state’s Safe Travels platform went online today, allowing travelers to upload their travel information and vaccination data. The 20th proclamation addresses only the inter-county travel vaccine exception which continues for the duration of the previous 19th proclamation. The 19th proclamation -- which includes the eviction moratorium prohibiting evictions for failure to pay rent, and the extension of expirations for driver’s licenses, state IDs and permits – continues through June 8, 2021. The provisions will be re-evaluated to determine if they will be included in the next proclamation. To review the 20th emergency proclamation, click here. To review the 19th emergency proclamation, click here.

In a significant move forward, Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed Bill 1 (2021), CD1, FD1, into law, which will incentivize the development of an estimated 1,100 new affordable rental housing units for working families across the island. Bill 1 provides up to $10 million in grants through May 2024 to eligible developers and property owners as an incentive to build more affordable rental units. Property owners can receive $9,000 or $15,000 per qualified unit based on the number of units rented to households below the area median income (AMI). Grants would be paid to owners of an eligible affordable rental housing project after completion of construction and issuance of a certificate of occupancy. “We are excited about this new approach to building affordable housing. To be candid, government historically has spent a lot of time and money trying to build affordable housing, and it hasn’t done a good job. Bill 1 will allow us to incentivize the private sector to build the units at a fraction of the cost and time it would take the government to do the work. This will also help revitalize areas by transforming buildings that were left in disrepair and turning them into renovated places to live,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “I’d like to thank the City Council for passing this measure, maximizing opportunities for local contractors, builders and construction industry workers and expanding affordable rental housing for residents here on O‘ahu.” “Oʻahu has a desperate need for housing that is truly affordable, with estimated demand of 22, 000 units by 2025 and growing for our families struggling at this time. The City Council looks forward to working with the Mayor on exploring all strategies to build sustainable and affordable housing opportunities for our kama‘āina,” said Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters. “The City Council was pleased to work with Mayor Blangiardi and his Administration to provide greater incentives for landowners to build homes for lower income households, where we have the greatest demand. We need a comprehensive plan for affordable housing so families can live where they were raised and stop leaving the islands for better housing prices elsewhere," said Council Vice Chair Esther Kiaʻāina, who chairs the Council’s Committee on Housing and the Economy. “The projected demands for affordable housing and affordable rental units continue to be greater than the number of projects we currently have in plan,” said Office of Housing and Homelessness Executive Director Anton Krucky. “We believe that offering these grants will have a positive impact by incentivizing landowners to upgrade current units or build new buildings and offer them for affordable housing.” Bill 1, which was the first measure introduced by the Blangiardi administration, was passed by the Honolulu City Council on April 14, 2021.

In the most recent legislative session that adjourned on April 29, 2021, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature appropriated over $78 million in funding to projects and initiatives that were prioritized by the Legislative Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus. Co-Chaired by Senator Jarrett Keohokalole (Senate District 24 - Kāne‘ohe, MCBH, Kailua, He‘eia and ‘Āhuimanu) and Representative Daniel Holt (House District 29 – Kalihi, Pālama, ʻIwilei and Chinatown), the caucus’ top priorities were funding for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) and the decommissioning of the Hōkū Keʻa Telescope on Mauna Kea.” “The $78 million allocated to DHHL in the biennium budget is the largest CIP appropriation in the history of the department,” said Senator Keohokalole. “Our caucus prioritized the importance of providing monies to help get Native Hawaiians off of the waitlist and into homes and I am pleased that our colleagues in the Legislature recognized the importance of these efforts.” “The decommissioning of the Hōkū Keʻa Telescope is a much needed first step to repairing the relationship between the State and the Hawaiian community,” noted Representative Holt. “This shows the State’s commitment to the Hawaiian community and I look forward to building on this momentum and producing more tangible results in the future.” Funding that was included in the biennium budget includes: Department of Hawaiian Homelands: • $50 million – Plans, design and construction for the development of infrastructure to provide new homestead leases on Hawaiian Home Lands, statewide. • $17 million – Plans, design, construction, land acquisition and equipment for infrastructure for Pūlehunui. • $10 million –Plans, design and construction for repair and maintenance to existing infrastructure on various Hawaiian Home Lands, statewide. • $1 million – Plans and land acquisition for lands on • Oʻahu. University of Hawaiʻi • $900,000 – Plans, design, construction and equipment for the removal of the Hōkū Keʻa Telescope Observatory structure.

Following the retirement of former Senator Leader J. Kalani English on May 1, 2021, the Hawaiʻi State Senate today announced the appointment of Senator Dru Kanuha (District 3 – Kona and Kaʻū) as the new Senate Majority Leader. Senator Kanuha served as the Majority Caucus Leader since being elected to the Senate in 2018. He also serves as a member of the Senate Committees on Housing, Education and Ways and Means. Prior to being elected to the Senate, he served six years as a member of the Hawaiʻi Island County Council, including two years as Council Chair. In addition to his new role as the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Kanuha will maintain the responsibilities that he previously held as Caucus Leader. “Senator Kanuha is an experienced legislator who has served as an integral part of our Senate leadership team since being elected to our chamber in 2018,” said Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (District 8 – Kauaʻi and Niʻihau). “I am confident that as Majority Leader, he will help shape our priorities and guide our caucus as we begin to prepare for the next legislative session.” The Senate also announced today that Senator Bennette Misalucha (District 16 - Pearl City, Momilani, Pearlridge, ‘Aiea, Royal Summit, ‘Aiea Heights, Newtown, Waimalu, Hālawa, Pearl Harbor) has been appointed to replace Senator English as a member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Leadership and members in the sixteen standing committees are: LEADERSHIP President: Senator Ronald D. Kouchi Vice President: Senator Michelle N. Kidani Majority Leader: Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha Majority Policy Leader: Senator Les Ihara, Jr. Majority Floor Leader: Senator Jarrett Keohokalole Majority Whip: Senator Lorraine Inouye Assistant Majority Whip: Senator Brian Taniguchi Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran Senator Clarence Nishihara Minority Leader/Floor Leader: Senator Kurt Fevella COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Agriculture and Environment (AEN) Gabbard, Mike (Chair) Nishihara, Clarence (Vice Chair) Acasio, Laura Rhoads, Karl Fevella, Kurt Commerce and Consumer Protection (CPN) Baker, Rosalyn H. (Chair) Chang, Stanley (Vice Chair) Nishihara, Clarence Riviere, Gil San Buenaventura, Joy **District 7 Senator Fevella, Kurt Education (EDU) Kidani, Michelle N. (Chair) Kim, Donna Mercado (Vice Chair) Dela Cruz, Donovan Kanuha, Dru Mamo Fevella, Kurt Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism (EET) Wakai, Glenn (Chair) Misalucha, Bennette (Vice Chair) Lee, Chris Riviere, Gil Fevella, Kurt Government Operations (GVO) Moriwaki, Sharon Y. (Chair) Dela Cruz, Donovan (Vice Chair) Chang, Stanley Gabbard, Mike Fevella, Kurt Hawaiian Affairs (HWN) Shimabukuro, Maile S. L. (Chair) Keohokalole, Jarrett (Vice Chair) Acasio, Laura Ihara, Jr., Les Fevella, Kurt Health (HTH) Keohokalole, Jarrett (Chair) Baker, Rosalyn (Vice Chair) Moriwaki, Sharon Y. San Buenaventura, Joy Fevella, Kurt Housing (HOU) Chang, Stanley (Chair) Kanuha, Dru Mamo (Vice Chair) Moriwaki, Sharon Y. Rhoads, Karl Fevella, Kurt Higher Education (HRE) Kim, Donna Mercado (Chair) Kidani, Michelle N. (Vice Chair) Keith-Agaran, Gilbert S. C. Wakai, Glenn Fevella, Kurt Human Services (HMS) San Buenaventura, Joy (Chair) Ihara, Jr., Les (Vice Chair) Acasio, Laura Misalucha, Bennette Fevella, Kurt Judiciary (JDC) Rhoads, Karl (Chair) Keohokalole, Jarrett (Vice Chair) Acasio, Laura Gabbard, Mike Kim, Donna Mercado Lee, Chris Fevella, Kurt Labor, Culture and Arts (LCA) Taniguchi, Brian T. (Chair) Ihara, Jr., Les (Vice Chair) Chang, Stanley Keohokalole, Jarrett Fevella, Kurt Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs (PSM) Nishihara, Clarence K. (Chair) Baker, Rosalyn H. Riviere, Gil **District 7 Senator Fevella, Kurt Transportation (TRS) Lee, Chris (Chair) Inouye, Lorraine R. (Vice Chair) Shimabukuro, Maile S. L. **District 7 Senator Fevella, Kurt Water and Land (WTL) Inouye, Lorraine R (Chair) Keith-Agaran, Gilbert S.C. (Vice Chair) Misalucha, Bennette Riviere, Gil Fevella, Kurt Ways and Means (WAM) Dela Cruz, Donovan M. (Chair) Keith-Agaran, Gilbert S.C. (Vice Chair) Inouye, Lorraine R Kanuha, Dru Mamo Kidani, Michelle N. Misalucha, Bennette Moriwaki, Sharon Y. Shimabukuro, Maile S. L. Taniguchi, Brian T. Wakai, Glenn Fevella, Kurt ** The Democratic Party of Maui will convene on May 15, 2021 to nominate three candidates that will be transmitted to the Governor for consideration as a short-term replacement to fill the remainder of Senator English’s term. The Governor has until June 30, 2021 to fill the vacancy. ###

The local office of the Small Business Administration (SBA) will be holding an informational meeting on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grant on Thursday, May 13, 2021. The event, which will be conducted in person from 2:30p.m. - 4:00p.m at the ʻAiea Elementary School cafeteria, will be also streamed live via Microsoft Teams. The forum is particularly aimed at restaurant owners on the west side of Oahu but is open to all restaurant owners in the Honolulu City and County area. There are special outreach efforts for small family-owned businesses whose owners may face language barriers. The webinar will be available in 17 difference languages, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Ilocano. Expected to attend will be Senator Bennette E. Misalucha, Representatives Aaron Ling Johanson, Sam Kong, Gregg Takayama, and Roy Takumi, Council Member Brandon J.C. Elefante, the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, and the City & County of Honolulu Office of Revitalization. “This event will be beneficial to restaurant owners who may have been intimidated by the paperwork due to language or digital constraints; these factors would have otherwise prevented them from applying for the grant,” said Senator Misalucha (Senate District 16 - Pearl City, Momilani, Pearlridge, ‘Aiea, Royal Summit, ‘Aiea Heights, Newtown, Waimalu, Halawa, Pearl Harbor). “By assisting them with the application process, my hope is that this will help put these businesses one step closer to regaining financial stability and prosperity.” Following the webinar, attendees will have the opportunity to make an appointment with either the Small Business Development Center, the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business & Leadership, or the Veteran’s Business Outreach Center for assistance in submitting grant applications. Those interested in attending the webinar can register now on Eventbrite at sbahi.eventbrite.com. For those who prefer to attend the meeting in person, email valerie.kubota@sba.gov or call 808-460-8968 to reserve a seat at the ‘Aiea Elementary School cafeteria.

Senator Lorraine Inouye (District 4 - Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa and Kona) issued the following statement today regarding her recent comments on House Bill 499: “I have been made aware that comments I made during a recent interview about House Bill 499, providing authority for the extension of certain leases of public lands were reported out of context, which led to the isolated statement being hurtful to members of the Hawaiian community. In seeing how my statement was reported, I apologize for offending anyone who felt that I was being disrespectful towards the Hawaiian people and their culture. That was never my intent and I regret the words I chose to use. Moving forward I am committed to being more sensitive to issues before my Water and Land Committee. I am in conversations with respected Hawaiian cultural practitioners to help educate me on these issues.”

Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani (District 18 - Mililani Town, portion of Waipi‘o Gentry, Waikele, Village Park and Royal Kunia) has secured over $35 million for four (4) central Oʻahu schools and the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu in the final version of the State Budget Bill (HB200). The measure, which passed the Senate and House conference committee on April 19, includes: • $23,060,000 for Waipahu High School – Construction of the integrated academy facility; renovations and relocation for the academic health center and other related improvements. • $3,500,000 for Mililani High School – Expansion of the administration building and ground and site improvements. • $3,500,000 for the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu campus - Plans, design, construction, and equipment for improvements to facilities. Projects to include renewal, improvements, and modernization of interior and exterior structures, roofs, mechanical and electrical systems, pedestrian pathways, roadways, grounds, and other project costs to upgrade existing temporary and new facilities; planning projects and studies; and all project related costs • $3,000,000 for Kīpapa Elementary School – Construction of a covered play court and other related improvements. • $2,139,000 for Kaleiopuʻu Elementary School – Plans, design, and construction to maintain and improve facilities and infrastructure, including hazardous materials remediation. Project may include renovations for other areas of the campus. “I am very happy to continue supporting our district students and schools by providing funding for various site improvements and facility needs,” said Senate Vice President Kidani. “It is important to continue investing in our education system and supporting the design, construction and improvements our keiki deserve for their future.”

A measure to increase the efficiency of the State’s procurement process unanimously passed both chambers of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature today. SB1329, which was introduced by Senator Donna Mercado Kim (Senate District 14 – Kapālama, ‘Ālewa, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter, Moanalua Gardens & Valley, portions of Hālawa and ‘Aiea) requires that procurement protests be addressed expeditiously by establishing time limits to resolve certain procurement protests. The measure also amends the cash or protest bond amount for parties initiating administrative proceedings for review of certain protest decisions. “Inefficiencies in our State’s procurement process causes project delays and increases the overall cost of state-awarded projects,” said Senator Kim. “It is important that the review process for protests is completed in a timely manner in order to reduce the cost burden for taxpayers.” Senator Kim also believes that this measure is a step in the right direction in towards procurement reform in Hawaiʻi. “For as long as I’ve been in elected office, complaints about the State’s procurement process has always been an issue,” noted Senator Kim. “The State Procurement Office is the only agency that doesn’t have a deadline to review bid protests. In an effort to expedite the review process, this bill establishes time limits to resolve the protests of awarded projects that are not resolved by mutual agreement.” The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for consideration. He has until June 21, 2021 to notify the Legislature of the bills he intends to veto. The Governor must either sign or veto bills by July 6, 2021. If no action is taken, the bill becomes law without his signature.

Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English (District 7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi) issued the following statement today announcing his retirement from the Hawaiʻi State Senate: “After many discussions with my doctors, talks with those close to me and careful thought, I am announcing my retirement from the Hawai‘i State Senate, effective May 1, 2021. In late November 2020, I contracted COVID-19 while with family out of Hawai‘i. My symptoms were mild and I did not physically suffer at the time of infection from the virus, unlike many of our friends and family. I was grateful to have healed. Upon my return to Hawai‘i, I noticed a change in my energy, pervasive lethargy, memory challenges and a fogginess in my thought process. I was not sure what to make of the challenges and thought I was suffering from depression or issues related to depression. Having been deemed a long hauler, I was diagnosed with long-term effects of COVID-19. My new normal will require me to address some of the challenges left to my short and long-term memory and other cognitive issues derived from the virus. These challenges have placed a number of things into perspective for me, including the need to take better care of my health. I have been blessed to give back to the communities that have reared and nurtured me – it will be a daunting task to walk away from 25 years of service to my island home. I want to thank my colleagues in the Hawai‘i State Senate and the Hawai‘i House of Representatives – in particular to the Maui delegation for bettering our home. I also want to thank the countless number of friends and family on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi who have supported me as a member of the Maui County Council and the Hawaiʻi State Senate. I would not have been able to do any of this without my staff over the years and it is my hope that in leaving, together we have made Maui Nui and Hawai‘i better.” Senator J. Kalani English is a lifelong Hāna resident. He was first elected to the Hawaiʻi State Senate in 2000. Senator English previously served as a member of the Maui County Council from 1997 – 2000 and is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools, Hawaiʻi Loa College and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Over the course of his legislative career, Senator English worked tirelessly to secure over $2 billion in funding for the rural communities of Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe. He also successfully championed a number of bills (that were signed into law) relating to Hawaiian culture, the environment, transportation and energy. One of Senator English’s lasting legacies is the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission (Hawaiʻi Climate Commission). He introduced the measure that created the climate commission while simultaneously aligning Hawaiʻi’s climate policies with the principles and goals set forth in the Paris Climate Agreement. This landmark measure was signed into law by Governor David Ige on June 8, 2017 and made Hawaiʻi the first state in the nation to enact legislation implementing portions of the Paris Agreement. In accordance with State law, Democratic Party officers from the fifteen precincts in Senate District 7 will convene to identify three names that will be transmitted to Governor Ige for consideration. The Governor has sixty days to fill the vacancy.

The two winners of the inaugural ʻAiea and Pearl City Community Heroes Award were announced today by the grassroots organization Kanu Hawaiʻi and the Office of Senator Bennette E. Misalucha of Senate District 16. The joint announcement was made in conjunction with Volunteer Week Hawaiʻi - a weeklong celebration that coincides with National Volunteer Week which occurs every year by Presidential Proclamation since 1974. The winners are Claire Tamamoto of ʻAiea and Elizabeth Vann of Pearl City. Tamemoto has been a community volunteer leader in ʻAiea for more than 20 years. She currently serves as president for several community organizations including ʻAiea Community Association and ʻAiea Pony Baseball League. She has been instrumental in leading efforts to have affordable kupuna housing to be built on land where the former ʻAiea Sugar Mill was located. Governor David Ige once referred to her as “ʻAiea Bulldog’” for her tenacious volunteer efforts to preserve the character and historical roots of ʻAiea. Vann has been a resident of Pearl City for nearly 50 years. She is committed and dedicated to not only helping Pearl City High School raise funds for its sports programs including uniforms, but also for her compassionate volunteer work at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. Continuously plagued by crime, theft, and desecration, the grounds of Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery are maintained solely by community volunteers like Maka. She empathizes and helps grieving families who have loved ones interred at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. She regularly coordinates the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery cleanup project including bagging, trashing of more than 200 bags of debris from Sunset Memorial to the Waipahu City Bulk Depot and donating lunch bentos for her team of volunteers. Tamamoto and Vann will both be recognized in a virtual awards ceremony on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Each will be presented with $500, which will be donated in their name to a non-profit, charitable organization of their choice. Kanu Hawaii also received entries from other nominees, praised for their lifelong passion for community service: Dexter Aoki, Jeoffrey Cudiamat, Johnelle Chon, Kelsey Poaha, Ken Suenaga, Mark Englar, and the Pearl City Mana Loa Nimitz Lions Club. Kanu Hawaii administered the selection process and chose the panel of esteemed judges to delve into the entry nomination forms. The panel included founding member of Kanu Hawaii James Koshiba, KHON-TV’s Kamaka Pili, and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Malia Gibson, who all volunteered their time to read the entries. Judging was based on a set of criteria including the effectiveness, scope, and amount of time dedicated to their volunteer efforts. “There were many worthy nominees that the judges reviewed, making the decision a difficult one, and I congratulate both winners whole-heartedly,” said Senator Bennette Misalucha (District 16 - Pearl City, Momilani, Pearlridge, ‘Aiea, Royal Summit, ‘Aiea Heights, Newtown, Waimalu, Hālawa and Pearl Harbor). “Both women were chosen as unsung heroines and demonstrated their dedication and commitment to the betterment of their community.” Plans are underway to plan the 2022 ʻAiea and Pearl City Community Heroes Award after the success of this year’s inaugural project. ###