Hirono Introduces Admiral John C. Aquilino at His Confirmation Hearing to Serve as Next Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, Enthusiastically Endorses His Nomination Admiral Aquilino (left) and Senator Hirono at his confirmation hearing today. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, introduced and enthusiastically endorsed the nomination of Admiral John C. Aquilino to serve as the next commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command during his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee today. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO OF SENATOR HIRONO’S INTRODUCTION From Senator Hirono’s Remarks: “At a time when we are confronting an increasingly aggressive China, and looking to deepen our defense ties with allies in the Indo-Pacific, it is imperative we have an experienced leader at Indo-Pacific Command capable of meeting the urgency and sensitivity of this moment. With this in mind, I would like to introduce and enthusiastically endorse today’s nominee – Admiral John C. Aquilino – to serve as the next commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command… “I’ve gotten to work with Admiral Aquilino during his time in Hawaii and know first-hand he believes in the power of working together to find whole-of-government solutions, the importance of our alliances and partnerships, and the imperative for a well-trained and postured force “I’ve appreciated the interactions Admiral Aquilino and I have had on issues of importance to Hawaii and the Pacific region including the strategically vital Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. In operating the Red Hill facility, the Navy has a critical responsibility to protect Oahu’s drinking water and keep the community updated. The Admiral knows the importance of transparent and open community engagement. “Admiral Aquilino also has a personal appreciation of the significance of Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to our community. The shipyard is our largest industrial employer with thousands of military and civilian workers who support our forces and the broader Indo-Pacific region to advance our strategic interests. Admiral Aquilino participated in shipyard visits with Senator Kaine, former Senator Perdue, and me over the past 2 years. “As evidenced throughout his years of service, Admiral Aquilino has demonstrated a deep understanding of Hawaii’s strategic importance to our national security. And he advocates for capabilities and nurtures relationships to help Hawaii fully realize its role in America’s continued access and influence in the Indo-Pacific… “If you speak to those who serve in his command, you will find Admiral Aquilino has a deep and abiding care for his Sailors, civilians, and their families by working to instill an environment of dignity and purpose. “This care was evident in Admiral Aquilino’s actions after a gunman took the lives of Roldan Agustin and Vincent Kapoi Jr. – and injured another man – during the horrific shooting at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard on December 4, 2019. “Admiral Aquilino paid special care to the families of the victims and the shipyard community during this intense time of grief. A few months ago, he organized a memorial service marking the one-year anniversary of the tragic event and installed a memorial plaque to honor the lives and service of Mr. Agustin and Mr. Kapoi, Jr. “I am confident that after today’s hearing, my colleagues will join me in supporting Admiral Aquilino’s nomination to lead INDOPACOM. Thank you Mr. Chairman.”

Hirono, Capito, Whitehouse, Scott Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Seniors’ Access to All CDC-Recommended Vaccines Today, Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act of 2021, legislation that would provide Medicare beneficiaries access to all recommended vaccines at no additional cost, including shingles and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap). Immunization coverage currently varies by vaccine under Medicare. Some immunizations are covered under Medicare Part B without any out-of-pocket costs, while some vaccines covered under Medicare Part D require significant out-of-pocket costs, contributing to low uptake. Prior to the pandemic, more than 50,000 adults in America died from vaccine-preventable diseases every year, and the United States spent more than $15 billion annually treating Medicare beneficiaries alone for vaccine-preventable diseases. “This year has reminded all of us about the importance of vaccinations and removing barriers like access and cost that prevent communities from getting vaccinated. Inability to pay should not prevent our kupuna from accessing preventative medicine, including vaccines. I urge the Senate to swiftly consider this bipartisan bill,” Senator Hirono said. “Over the past months, we have all been reminded how important vaccines are, especially for our seniors,” Senator Capito said. “The Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act will help to increase awareness about recommended vaccines and reduce the financial hurdles – including high-cost sharing, which prevents too many seniors from this cost-effective means of reducing preventable diseases and saving lives.” “We should never force seniors on fixed incomes to choose between a life-saving vaccine and everything else they need,” said Senator Whitehouse. “This bill will help to cover burdensome costs, and spread the word about how important vaccination is.” “As Ranking Member of the Senate Aging Committee, I know the importance of getting life-saving vaccines into the arms of our nation’s seniors,” said Ranking Member Scott. “Aging Americans have given their all to make our nation strong, and we must do everything we can to ensure they are taken care of. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass the Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act and make recommended vaccines available to Medicare beneficiaries at no additional cost.” “On behalf of more than 60 organizations representing patient, public health, providers, and vaccine innovators, the members of the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition (AVAC) are proud to endorse the Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act of 2021 — and applaud the leadership of Senators Hirono, Capito, Whitehouse and Scott,” said Patricia D’Antonio, co-chair of AVAC. “By removing a cost barrier that has for too long prevented many Americans from accessing vital vaccines, this bill can truly save lives. We can’t wait another minute.” The Protecting Seniors Through Immunization Act would: • Reduce financial barriers by providing Medicare coverage of adult vaccines recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with no additional cost-sharing for beneficiaries. This would apply immediately to shingles and Tdap, and would apply to new vaccines as they are approved; • Improve patient education by including information about vaccine coverage in the Medicare & You Handbook; and • Require a study on vaccine uptake among Medicare beneficiaries. Senators Hirono, Capito, Whitehouse, Scott, and eight of their Senate colleagues wrote a letter last year to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator, asking that CMS make vaccines for preventable diseases more accessible to Medicare beneficiaries.

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 will 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 Saturday, March 27, 2021. This action is taken to honor the victims of a mass shooting on March 22 in Boulder, Colorado. “For the second time in as many weeks, our nation pauses to grieve for the lives of Americans who died in a senseless act of gun violence. The families and friends of the 10 Americans killed yesterday are forever changed by this tragedy, and the people of Hawaiʻi send them our Aloha,” Gov. Ige said. The president’s proclamation can be found here.

Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani (District 18 - Mililani Town, portion of Waipi‘o Gentry, Waikele, Village Park and Royal Kunia) and Senator Donovan Dela Cruz (District 22 - Mililani Mauka, Waipi‘o Acres, Wheeler, Wahiawa and Whitmore Village) are partnering with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health and Times Pharmacy to provide COVID-19 vaccination sites in Mililani for qualifying individuals. Distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccines will take place at the Mililani Town Association Recreation Center 5 (99-1101 ʻĀinamakua Drive, Mililani, HI 96789) on: · Thursday, March 25, 2021 (8:00am – 5:00pm) · Thursday, April 1, 2021 (8:00am – 5:00pm) · Thursday, April 8, 2021 (8:00am – 5:00pm) · Thursday, April 15, 2021 (8:00am – 5:00pm) “Senator Dela Cruz and I wanted to ensure that vaccine sites are also made available for residents living in areas outside of Honolulu,” said Senate Vice President Kidani. “To date, we have been able to coordinate vaccination efforts for our kūpuna at Olaloa Retirement Community and we look forward to working with other community partners to bring more vaccination sites to Central Oʻahu in the near future.” To be eligible, individuals must qualify under Phase 1C. For more information or to register for an appointment, please click here.

The County of Kaua‘i is moving forward with the issuance of approximately $28.5 million of General Obligation Bonds with the intent to refund certain outstanding General Obligation Bonds for economic savings. The Bonds are expected to be sold through a retail order period on March 23, 2021, and an institutional order period on March 24, 2021. The Bonds will pay semi-annual interest and will be sold in denominations of $5,000, or multiples thereof and will be secured by the full faith and credit of the County of Kaua‘i. The credit rating agencies Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings rated the Bonds “Aa2/AA,” respectively. Each agency also assigned a Stable Outlook to the Bonds. The Moody’s credit rating report cited the County’s “healthy reserve and liquidity levels, large and stable tax base and strong management” as factors that led to the affirmation of the rating. Fitch noted that “while tourism activity was subject to periodic declines, it has proven resilient over the long term, and unemployment rates were consistently below the U.S. average.” The Series 2021A bonds will be exempt from Hawai‘i and federal income taxes. The Series 2021B bonds will be federally taxable and exempt from Hawai‘i income taxes. The selling of the Bonds will be led by BofA Securities as the underwriter.

As part of National Fair Housing Month in April, the Kaua‘i County Housing Agency, along with other state and county agencies, will be providing free training opportunities for landlords and tenants to learn about the most current federal and state Fair Housing laws. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s training will be held virtually via Cisco Webex Meetings at the following schedule. • April 1, 2021 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Fair Housing 101: An Overview • April 8, 2021 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Eviction Moratorium and Fair Housing Experts Panel • April 15, 2021 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Race, Color & National Origin: Fair Housing Protections Training and Panel Discussion • April 22, 2021 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Sex, Gender, Familial Status: Fair Housing Access and Safety • April 29, 2021 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Disability & Reasonable Accommodation The theme for this year’s Fair Housing Month is “More than Just Words.” Experts from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) and Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i will present the most current information and answer questions regarding the most current federal and state Fair Housing laws. Various topics will be covered in each weekly session. To sign up for these free sessions, please register online starting Monday, March 22, at www.kauai.gov/housing If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, you may request this when you register. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy. If you have any questions, please contact Jocelyn Marie at 808-241-1977.

More Economic Impact Payments set for disbursement in coming days; taxpayers should watch mail for paper checks, debit cards The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the next batch of Economic Impact Payments will be issued to taxpayers this week, with many of these coming by paper check or prepaid debit card. For taxpayers receiving direct deposit, this batch of payments began processing on Friday and will have an official pay date of Wednesday, March 24, with some people seeing these in their accounts earlier, potentially as provisional or pending deposits. A large number of this latest batch of payments will also be mailed, so taxpayers who do not receive a direct deposit by March 24 should watch the mail carefully in the coming weeks for a paper check or a prepaid debit card, known as an Economic Impact Payment Card, or EIP Card. No action is needed by most people to obtain this round of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs). People can check the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov on to see if the their payment has been scheduled. "The IRS continues to send the third round of stimulus payments in record time," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Since this new set of payments will include more mailed payments, we urge people to carefully watch their mail for a check or debit card in the coming weeks." Following enactment of the American Rescue Plan Act on March 11, the IRS moved quickly to start delivering the third round of Economic Impact Payments. The IRS initiated the first batch of the $1,400 stimulus payments, mostly by direct deposit, on March 12. Today marks the second batch of payments, with additional payments anticipated on a weekly basis going forward. The vast majority of taxpayers receiving EIPs will receive it by direct deposit. In addition, the IRS and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service leveraged data in their systems to convert many payments to direct deposits that otherwise would have been sent as paper checks or debit cards. This accelerated the disbursement of these payments by weeks. Watch the mail for paper checks, EIP Cards Taxpayers should note that the form of payment for the third EIP may be different than earlier stimulus payments. More people are receiving direct deposits, while those receiving them in the mail may get either a paper check or an EIP Card – which may be different than how they received their previous stimulus payments. IRS and the Treasury Department urge eligible people who have not received a direct deposit to watch their mail carefully during this period. Paper checks will arrive by mail in a white envelope from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. For those taxpayers who received their tax refund by mail, this paper check will look similar, but will be labeled as an "Economic Impact Payment" in the memo field. The EIP Card will also come in a white envelope prominently displaying the seal of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The card has the Visa name on the front and the issuing bank, MetaBank, N.A. on the back. Information included with the card will explain that this is an Economic Impact Payment. Each mailing will include instructions on how to securely activate and use the card. It is important to note that none of the EIP cards issued for any of the three rounds is reloadable; recipients will receive a separate card and will not be able to reload funds onto an existing card. EIP Cards are safe, convenient, and secure. EIP Card recipients can make purchases online or in stores anywhere Visa Debit Cards are accepted. They can get cash from domestic in-network ATMs, transfer funds to a personal bank account, and obtain a replacement EIP Card if needed without incurring any fees. They can also check their card balance online, through a mobile app, or by phone without incurring fees. The EIP Card provides consumer protections against fraud, loss, and other errors. The EIP Card is sponsored by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service and is issued by Treasury's financial agent, MetaBank, N.A. The IRS does not determine who receives a prepaid debit card. More information about these cards is available at EIPcard.com. How will taxpayers receive their stimulus payment? Taxpayers with direct deposit information on file with the IRS will receive the payment that way. For those without direct deposit information on file with the IRS, the IRS will use federal records of recent payments to or from the government, where available, to make the payment as a direct deposit. This helps to expedite payment delivery. Otherwise, taxpayers will receive their payment as a check or debit card in the mail. If the direct deposit information is sent to a closed bank account, the payment will be reissued by mail to the address on file with the IRS. The IRS encourages taxpayers to check the Get My Payment tool for additional information. Highlights of the third round of Economic Impact Payments In general, most eligible people will get $1,400 for themselves (those filing joint returns will get $2,800) and $1,400 for each of their qualifying dependents claimed on their tax return. Eligible families will get a payment based on all of their qualifying dependents claimed on their return, including older relatives like college students, adults with disabilities, parents, and grandparents. Unlike the first two payments, the third stimulus payment is not restricted to children under 17. Because these payments are automatic for most eligible people, contacting either financial institutions or the IRS on payment timing will not speed up their arrival. The amount of an eligible individual's EIP3 will be based on the taxpayer's latest processed tax return from either 2020 or 2019. This includes anyone who registered online at IRS.gov using the agency's Non-Filers tool last year or submitted a special simplified tax return to the IRS. If the IRS has received and processed a taxpayer's 2020 return, the agency will instead calculate the amount of the individual's EIP3 based on that return. If a taxpayer's payment is less than the full amount and is based on their 2019 return, they may qualify for a supplemental payment after they file their 2020 return. The IRS will automatically reevaluate their eligibility. If the agency determines that they are entitled to a larger payment or the full payment, it will send them a supplemental payment covering the difference between what they originally received and the larger amount. If the re-evaluated amount is smaller, they won't need to pay back the difference. Aside from filing a 2020 tax return, no action is needed on their part. In addition, the IRS will automatically send EIP3 to people who didn't file a return but receive Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Veterans Affairs benefits. This is similar to the first and second rounds of Economic Impact Payments. Social Security and other federal beneficiaries will generally receive this third payment the same way as their regular benefits. The IRS is working directly with the Social Security Administration, the Railroad Retirement Board, and the Veterans Administration to obtain updated 2021 information for recipients to ensure it is sending automatic payments to as many people as possible. More information about when these payments will be made will be provided on IRS.gov as soon as it becomes available. While payments will be automatic for many people based on their federal benefits information, some may need to file a 2020 tax return, even if they don't usually file, to provide information the IRS needs to send payments for any qualified dependent. People in this group should file a 2020 tax return to be considered for an additional payment for their dependent as quickly as possible. Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal benefits may qualify for these stimulus payments. This includes those experiencing homelessness and others. If you're eligible and didn't get a first or second Economic Impact Payment (that is, an EIP1 or EIP2) or got less than the full amounts, you may be eligible for the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit, but you'll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return. Free tax return preparation is available for qualifying people. The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this new round of stimulus payments have changed. This means that some people won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for married filing jointly); people above these levels are ineligible for a payment. More information is available in Fact Sheet 2021-05, Updated details about the third round of Economic Impact Payments.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is launching a splash page for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal today in anticipation of opening applications for the much-anticipated critical economic relief program on Thursday, April 8, 2021. “Help is here for venue operators hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBA has worked diligently to build the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program from the ground up to assist and address the diverse eligibility requirements of each type of applicant and we will open for applications on April 8,” SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman said. “The SBA knows these venues are critical to America's economy and understands how hard they've been impacted, as they were among the first to shutter. This vital economic aid will provide a much-needed lifeline for live venues, museums, movie theatres and many more.” Prior to the official SVOG application opening, the SBA will host a national informational webinar to highlight the application process for potential eligible entities from 2:30 to 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Those interested in participating can register here. The SVOG program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, which appropriated $15 billion for it. The American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, appropriated an additional $1.25 billion, bringing the program funding to a total of $16.25 billion, with more than $16 billion allocated for grants. To ensure eligible venues do not miss a window to receive assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program, the American Rescue Plan Act also amended the SVOG program so entities that apply for a PPP loan after Dec. 27, 2020, can also apply for an SVOG, with the eligible entity’s SVOG to be reduced by the PPP loan amount. The PPP loan applications have been updated to reflect this. As the SBA builds and prepares to open the program, the dedicated SBA website, www.sba.gov/svogrant, which includes frequently asked questions, video tutorials and other SVOG details, is the best source for information for those looking to apply for a grant. To prepare in advance of the SVOG application portal opening on April 8, potential applicants should get registered in the federal government’s System for Award Management (SAM.gov), as this is required for an entity to receive an SVOG, and reference the preliminary application checklist and eligibility requirements. About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start and grow their businesses. It delivers services to people through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

The Hawai'i Department of Transportation (HDOT) will open Kuhio Highway (Route 560) on the north shore of Kauai at mile marker 1 approaching Hanalei Bridge (“Hanalei Hill”) for scheduled public access beginning Saturday, March 20, 2021. The schedule for public access will be: Saturday, March 20 through Friday, March 26 • Morning access: 5:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. • Afternoon access: 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. every day except Wednesdays • Wednesday afternoon access: 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. • Evening access: 5:45 p.m. to 10 p.m. • (Note, afternoon access was planned around Hanalei School schedule) Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28 5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. During access hours the highway at Hanalei Hill will be open to single lane, alternating traffic for passenger cars and light trucks. These vehicles will be escorted through the work zone by a pilot vehicle. A detour for heavy trucks (e.g., those with payloads exceeding ¾ ton such as Ford Super Duty F-350, Ram 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 or larger) has been established via Ka Haku Road, Lei O Papa Road, and Hanalei Plantation Road. Heavy trucks will not be allowed at Hanalei Hill until further notice due to concerns with loads on the highway near the landslide. On March 29, the contractor will be on a 10-hour workday, six days a week. Public access will continue to follow the morning, afternoon, and evening schedule posted above. On Sundays, when there will be no work at the site, access will be from 5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. The public access schedule will ensure safety, efficient single lane alternating movement through the area, and necessary construction hours for the emergency repairs and long term mitigations. Updates and the public access schedule will be posted at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/2021-hanalei-hill-landslide/ .

Mayor Michael Victorino expressed his disappointment and frustration today after receiving the Hawaii Department of Health’s report of 41 new COVID cases in Maui County. “After reviewing today’s cluster report, it appears the majority of cases are attributed to a new cluster of 24 in a place of worship, 8 new cases in an educational setting, additional infections in a cleaning company cluster and two new clusters from bars and nightclubs,” said Mayor Victorino. “This is quite different from the community-wide spread we witnessed after the holiday season. This pattern suggests groups of people have become complacent and are not following public health guidelines. Although vaccines are here, herd immunity is still months away. Please continue to wear masks in public and avoid gathering in groups.” Mayor Victorino added that he is hesitant to order more restrictions that will harm residents and businesses, because the irresponsible behavior seems to be confined to specific settings. However, he continues to assess the situation with the County’s medical advisers.

Three-phase effort includes immediate safety improvements with removal, replacement of steel platform to be addressed in separate project Following discussions between the City and County of Honolulu, City Council Chair Tommy Waters, and the volunteer group Kokonut Koalition, a resolution has been reached on how to address safety concerns atop Koko Crater. “I’m proud of our teams in the Parks & Recreation and Design & Construction departments for taking the time to listen to tramway users, and the Kokonut Koalition, to find a pathway moving forward where all parties are in agreement,” said Mayor Rick Blandgiardi. “Safety is always our top priority, but we must also be aware of how our public facilities impact the community. There is no doubt that this hike is growing in popularity, so having good partnerships that can help us deal with perpetual maintenance is very helpful.” “I really want to thank David Nixon and the other members of the Kokonut Koalition who continue to demonstrate their passionate advocacy for the Koko Crater Stairs,” said City Council Chair Tommy Waters. “I also want to extend a warm mahalo to Mayor Blangiardi, DPR Director Laura H. Thielen, and DDC Director Alexander Kozlov, who have all demonstrated flexibility and a keen desire to work with community stakeholders. With this mutual understanding reached, we can continue to dedicate ourselves towards restoring the Stairs for future generations.” “Thank you to everyone who took the time to post their reactions, write their representatives, and city officials,” said Kokonut Koalition President David Nixon. “We’re doing this whole thing together. That same unobstructed 360-degree view we’ve enjoyed at the end of the brutal hike up the stairs is going to remain a part of the Koko Crater experience for you, your kids, and their kids through this resolution with the City to rebuild rather than simply remove the platform.” The agreement involves breaking up the previously approved Capital Improvement Project into three phases: Phase 1: Proceed with the majority of the safety mitigation efforts without removal of the steel platform, including: • Removal of debris from tunnels and shafts • Sealing the shafts, vents, and tunnels • Installing signs at the summit, steel platform, and tramway trestle to warn visitors of the conditions The project was originally scheduled to begin on Monday, March 29, and take approximately three weeks to complete. However, due to the recent change in scope this schedule is being re-evaluated. We will provide updates to the public as they become available, including details on the closures for the summit, tramway, and adjacent park facilities. Phase 2: Conduct a separate project to remove the existing steel platform, and replace that structure with a safe viewing area designed to support foot traffic for enjoyment of the panoramic view. Because of the short-term nature of this project, the specific design of the new viewing platform would not be open for public comment, but would focus on safe access and the intended purpose of providing ample space for enjoyment of the view. The anticipated timeframe for the implementation of this project is in the 12 to 18-month range. Phase 3: Continue the investigation into a long-term solution for future management and maintenance of the tramway and summit to support public use for decades to come. Further updates on the progress of these phases will be provided as they become available. Mahalo to all of the vested parties who worked hard to reach this agreement. Stay healthy.

MAUNA LOA VOLCANO (VNUM #332020) 19°28'30" N 155°36'29" W, Summit Elevation 13681 ft (4170 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW ACTIVITY SUMMARY Mauna Loa Volcano is not erupting. A small swarm of shallow seismicity, that began at 1:00 a.m. HST this morning, is occurring beneath the upper Ka‘ōiki seismic zone, under Mauna Loa’s southeast flank and northwest of Kīlauea's summit. Other Mauna Loa monitoring data streams remain stable and show no signs of increased activity. OBSERVATIONS On March 18, 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has recorded over 40 earthquakes beneath the upper Ka‘ōiki seismic zone, about 21 km (13 mi) WNW of Volcano. These earthquakes are occurring in a cluster about 2 km (1 mi) wide and 0.5–6 km (0.5–4 mi) below the surface. The largest event in the sequence, so far, was a magnitude-3.5 earthquake, with the bulk of the events being less than magnitude-2 and not widely reported by residents. Reported felt events were described as weak shaking, with a maximum Intensity of II on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. Clustering of shallow earthquakes in this region does not mean an eruption is imminent. HVO has recorded shallow earthquakes in this area for many decades across several eruptive cycles at both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. These earthquakes do not show any signs of magmatic involvement and are part of normal re-adjustments of the volcano due to changing stresses within it. Other monitoring data streams for Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, including ground deformation, gas, and imagery, show no signs of increased activity. HVO continues to closely monitor geologic changes, seismicity, deformation, and gas emissions at Kīlauea and Mauna Loa Volcano’s. HVO will issue additional messages and alert level changes as warranted by changing activity. For more information on earthquakes in the Kaʻōiki Pali area, please see the Volcano Watch article titled, “Why do swarms of earthquakes occur around the Ka‘ōiki Pali?” published by HVO scientists on March 1, 2012: https://www.usgs.gov/center-news/volcano-watch-why-do-swarms-earthquakes-occur-around-ka-iki-pali. For information on recent earthquakes in Hawaii and eruption updates, visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory. MORE INFORMATION: Mauna Loa activity summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8866 Other Hawaiian volcanoes summary also available by phone: (808) 967-8877 Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/ Mauna Loa webcam images: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/webcams Mauna Loa photos/video: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna-loa/photo-video-chronology Mauna Loa FAQs: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/faq_maunaloa.html Summary of volcanic hazards from eruptions: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hawaii_hazards.html Recent earthquakes in Hawaiʻi (map and list): https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hawaiian-volcano-observatory/earthquakes Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/volcano-hazards/about-alert-levels CONTACT INFORMATION: askHVO@usgs.gov The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawaiʻi.