This February, during Black History Month, I call on the American people to honor the history and achievements of Black Americans and to reflect on the centuries of struggle that have brought us to this time of reckoning, redemption, and hope. We have never fully lived up to the founding principles of this Nation –- that all people are created equal and have the right to be treated equally throughout their lives. But in the Biden-Harris Administration, we are committed to fulfilling that promise for all Americans. I am proud to celebrate Black History Month with an Administration that looks like America –- one that reflects the full talents and diversity of the American people and that heralds many firsts, including the first Black Vice President of the United States and the first Black Secretary of Defense, among other firsts in a cabinet that is comprised of more Americans of color than any other in our history. It is long past time to confront deep racial inequities and the systemic racism that continue to plague our Nation. A knee to the neck of justice opened the eyes of millions of Americans and launched a summer of protest and stirred the Nation’s conscience. A pandemic has further ripped a path of destruction through every community in America, but we see its acute devastation among Black Americans who are dying, losing jobs, and closing businesses at disproportionate rates in the dual crisis of the pandemic and the economy. We saw how a broad coalition of Americans of every race and background registered and voted –- more people than in any other election in our Nation’s history –- to heal these wounds and unite and move forward as a Nation. But also less than 1 month after the attack on the Capitol, on our very democracy, by a mob of insurrectionists –- of extremists and white supremacists –- a bookend of the last 4 years and the hate that marched from the streets of Charlottesville, and that shows we remain in a battle for the soul of America. We must bring to our work a seriousness of purpose and urgency. That is why we are putting our response to COVID-19 on a war footing and marshalling every resource we have to contain the pandemic, deliver economic relief to millions of Americans who desperately need it, and build back better than ever before. That is why we are also launching a first-ever whole‑government-approach to advancing racial justice and equity across our Administration –- in health care, education, housing, our economy, our justice system, and in our electoral process. We do so not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it is the smart thing to do, benefitting all of us in this Nation. We do so because the soul of our Nation will be troubled as long as systemic racism is allowed to persist. It is corrosive. It is destructive. It is costly. We are not just morally deprived because of systemic racism, we are also less prosperous, less successful, and less secure as a Nation. We must change. It will take time. But I firmly believe the Nation is ready to make racial justice and equity part of what we do today, tomorrow, and every day. I urge my fellow Americans to honor the history made by Black Americans and to continue the good and necessary work to perfect our Union for every American. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2021 as National Black History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth. JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR. Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/02/03/proclamation-on-national-black-history-month-2021/

This February, during National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, we stand with those who have known the pain and isolation of an abusive relationship, and we recommit to ending the cycle of teen dating violence that affects too many of our young people. Together, it’s on all of us to raise the national awareness about teen dating violence and promote safe and healthy relationships. Dating violence transcends gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. It takes many forms, among them physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, bullying, and shaming, which can occur in person or through electronic communication and social media. The spiral of violent dating relationships can lead to depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol use, as well as suicidal thoughts. Victims, especially young women, transgender, and gender nonconforming youth who face higher rates of violence, may suffer lifelong consequences. Many young people do not report the abuse for fear of retribution or unwarranted embarrassment. The pattern of abuse often continues to future relationships. My Administration encourages all Americans to lead by example by promoting healthy relationships, protecting our teens from abuse, and ensuring they have access to good help and support. If you or someone you know is involved in an abusive relationship of any kind, immediate and confidential support is available by visiting loveisrespect.org, calling 1-866-331-9474 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224), or texting “loveis” to 22522. For additional information and resources on dating violence, please visit VetoViolence.CDC.gov. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2021 as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. I call upon all Americans to support efforts in their communities and schools, and in their own families, to empower young people to develop healthy relationships throughout their lives and to prevent and respond to teen dating violence. It’s on all of us. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth. JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR. Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/02/03/proclamation-on-national-teen-dating-violence-awareness-and-prevention-month-2021/

Governor David Ige recently announced that his administration has released $1.075 million in funding for three Capital Improvement Projects at Kona Community Hospital. The funding allocations are as follows: • $600,000 to provide design, construction, and equipment funds to renovate and upgrade the central supply room. • $310,000 to provide construction and equipment funds to install a separate life safety electrical transfer switch. • $165,000 to provide construction and equipment funds to install and renovate a sewer line for maintenance cottage. “With an increased need for healthcare services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am very pleased that Kona Community Hospital (KCH) will be receiving much-needed upgrades to its facilities,” said Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha (District 3 – Kona, Ka‘ū). “KCH continues to play a critical role in West Hawaii’s response to the pandemic, including serving as a vaccination hub for our essential front-line workers and kūpuna. I’m thankful for the collaboration of my colleagues, including Representative Nicole Lowen for advocating for projects that move our community forward during this challenging time.”

Disney+ Production Transforms UH Cancer Center to Fictional Hospital Set Yesterday Kahu Kordell Kekoa presided over a blessing in a Waimānalo neighborhood to mark the first day of filming for the Disney+ original series, Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., a reboot of the beloved 90s dramedy Doogie Howser M.D. The new Doogie series will star Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha, the teenage child prodigy doctor; Jason Scott Lee as Benny Kamealoha, her Hawaiian father; and Kathleen Rose Perkins, as Dr. Clara Hannon, the Doogie character’s spit-fire Irish mother who is an M.D.as well and chief of staff at the fictional hospital which is using the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center facilities on the Kaka‘ako campus adjacent to the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). “We’re so pleased that the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center and its team are working on this series, showcasing how collaboration of community and production can work together to the benefit of economic recovery, while creating a medical series which will deliver a new perspective for viewers that embraces our island home,” said Mike McCartney, DBEDT director. McCartney added that he is “very proud that this new television series will add to the resiliency of our state’s economy while sharing our aloha spirit with the world.” Hawai‘i State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson added that “the excitement has been building for the Doogie Kamealoha, M.D series. We are so thrilled that the show’s creator and writer, Hawai‘i born Kourtney Kang, is using her love of Hawai‘i, its culture and its people to create a powerful and humorous Hawaiian-infused story with talented multi-cultural characters and a strong female lead.” The Benny Kamealoha character in the show gives up a financial career on the continent to simplify his life and to spend more time at home in the Islands with his three kids. “Jason himself is a father of three and I’m sure will bring his own uniquely local style to the role,” Dawson said. The number of shows in production at the same time in Hawai‘i has not happened since 2004. Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. is joined by two other major television shows on O‘ahu, one on Maui and one on Hawai‘i Island. This points to the benefits of Hawaii’s COVID19 protocols which has made Hawai‘i, as a filming destination, one of the safest in the world. More film productions are heading to the islands due to the labor union and studios adoption of the extensive protocols required to become a COVID-19 safe location. Health experts and industry across the U.S. created ‘The Safe Way Forward’ preliminary plan which was ratified by all parties late summer of 2020, setting a ‘gold standard in COVID-19 testing and safe working protocols to keep film productions safe in their work environment.

Information about the characteristics of these variants is rapidly emerging. Scientists are working to learn more about how easily they spread, whether they could cause more severe illness, and whether currently authorized vaccines will protect people against them. WHAT WE KNOW: Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants emerge and persist. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus, a large family of viruses. Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like spikes on their surfaces. Scientists monitor changes in the virus, including changes to the spikes on the surface of the virus. These studies, including genetic analyses of the virus, are helping scientists understand how changes to the virus might affect how it spreads and what happens to people who are infected with it. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are circulating globally: The United Kingdom (UK) identified a variant called B.1.1.7 with a large number of mutations in the fall of 2020. This variant spreads more easily and quickly than other variants. In January 2021, experts in the UK reported that this variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared to other variant viruses, but more studies are needed to confirm this finding. It has since been detected in many countries around the world. This variant was first detected in the US at the end of December 2020. In South Africa, another variant called B.1.351 emerged independently of B.1.1.7. Originally detected in early October 2020, B.1.351 shares some mutations with B.1.1.7. Cases caused by this variant have been reported in the US at the end of January 2021. In Brazil, a variant called P.1 emerged that was first identified in travelers from Brazil, who were tested during routine screening at an airport in Japan, in early January. This variant contains a set of additional mutations that may affect its ability to be recognized by antibodies. This variant was first detected in the US at the end of January 2021. These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19. An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on health care resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths. So far, studies suggest that antibodies generated through vaccination with currently authorized vaccines recognize these variants. This is being closely investigated and more studies are underway. Rigorous and increased compliance with public health mitigation strategies, such as vaccination, physical distancing, use of masks, hand hygiene, and isolation and quarantine, is essential to limit the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 and protect public health. WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW: Scientists are working to learn more about these variants, and more studies are needed to understand: How widely these new variants have spread How the disease caused by these new variants differs from the disease caused by other variants that are currently circulating How these variants may affect existing therapies, vaccines, and tests WHAT IT MEANS: Public health officials are studying these variants quickly to learn more to control their spread. They want to understand whether the variants: Spread more easily from person-to-person Cause milder or more severe disease in people Are detected by currently available viral tests Respond to medicines currently being used to treat people for COVID-19 Change the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines WHAT THE CDC IS DOING: CDC, in collaboration with other public health agencies, is monitoring the situation closely. CDC is working to monitor the spread of identified variants, characterize emerging viral variants, and expand its ability to find new SARS-CoV-2 variants. CDC is collaborating with EPA to confirm that disinfectants on EPA’s List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19external icon) inactivate these variant viruses. As new information becomes available, CDC will provide updates. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html

Today the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 geographic support products for Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. These geographic products are provided to support redistricting efforts by state and local governments and contain newly created 2020 Census blocks and updated block groups, census tracts, voting districts, and current boundaries for legal governments and school districts referenced to Jan. 1, 2020. Geographic products are being released on a flow basis from Jan. 22-Feb. 28 for all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The following are also available: Released Jan. 19: Arkansas, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia Released Jan. 26: California, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Ohio and Oregon Scheduled release dates: Feb. 9: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia Feb. 17: (delayed one day due to the federal holiday) District of Columbia, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wyoming and Puerto Rico *States may be available prior to their scheduled date. A 2010 to 2020 block crosswalk is also available to assist data users in comparing data between censuses. The shapefiles and geographic products are in the same format as 2010. All products can be accessed from the Census Redistricting Data Program website.

The Department of Health’s State Laboratories Division (SLD) continues to work in partnership with private sector laboratories to collect and examine specimens of the SARSCoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. To date, nine samples of the L452R variant have been identified and four specimens that exhibit a molecular clue associated with the UK B1.1.7 have been found. This indicates the B1.1.7 variant may be present in Hawai‘i. Expedited whole genome sequencing (WGS) is being performed on the specimens containing the molecular clue to determine whether they are the B1.1.7 variant. Sequencing is expected to be completed late this week. The Department of Health will announce results immediately upon completion. The B1.1.7 variant is highly transmissible. It has not previously been detected in Hawai‘i. Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc. (DLS) provided two specimens to SLD with the B1.1.7 molecular clue and SLD found two specimens with this clue among the samples it proactively collects. Of the nine L452R variants identified so far, one was from Maui, one from Kaua‘i, and seven were from O‘ahu. Four individuals carrying the L452R variant had a history of travel to or from the U.S. mainland (3 California, 1 Utah), including two returning residents. Investigation is ongoing into one Maui case and four O‘ahu cases that had no history of travel. Overall, 3.4% of 264 specimens that had WGS completed in the month of January were identified as having the L452R variant. Three of the samples that yielded the L452R variant had been collected in late December, indicating the variant has been present in the state for at least 5-6 weeks. The L452R mutation is considered “under investigation” by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It has not been proven so far to be associated with increased transmissibility of COVID-19, and it is not associated with vaccine failure or decreased effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines. SLD and the DOH’s Disease Outbreak Control Division (DOCD) continue to proactively collect specimens from all parts of the State. SLD began performing WGS in June 2020 and now performs WGS on approximately 300 samples per month. More than 900 samples from all of Hawai‘i’s counties have been analyzed. DOH is grateful to DLS and all the laboratories that collect and send samples as part of this program. DOH encourages everyone to continue practicing community mitigation measures. Mask wearing, physical distancing and avoiding large crowds help slow the spread of COVID-19 variants. It is also important to get a COVID-19 vaccine when eligible under the state’s vaccination program.

Drive-through COVID-19 testing will be held on Thursday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Shops at Wailea, and on Friday, Feb. 5, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Haiku Community Center parking lot. “Ours is the only county to offer free COVID-19 testing for residents and visitors,” said Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino. “Early detection followed by isolation and contact tracing helps to contain spread. Our partnership with Minit Medical Urgent Care has made testing simple, quick and easy for the 18,604 people who’ve been tested so far.” All participants in the free testing events must pre-register by visiting www.minitmed.com. Participants in the Wailea event should click on Minit Med’s “Voluntary Transpacific Traveler 2nd Test Program” tab, and those in the Haiku event should click on the “Free Maui County Residents Drive Through Testing” tab. For the event in Wailea, motorists are asked to enter from the Shops at Wailea’s South (Makena side) parking lot entrance off of Wailea Alanui Drive and exit at the North gate. Participants do not need to have insurance or meet any criteria to get tested for free. Participants must wear a face mask, and they are urged to come at their scheduled time. Results will be reported on the same day as testing. Minit Medical is administering the program sponsored by the County of Maui. If you have any problem pre-registering, please call (808) 667-6161 ext: 7, for help and more information. NOTE: The free testing cannot be used for the State’s Pre-Travel Testing Program.

The County of Maui waiver of credit card convenience fees and transaction fees will end on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. The waiver of credit card convenience fees was applied to payments for residential trash service, water/sewer bills, and vehicle registration renewals paid online or at self-service kiosks. Beginning Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, the convenience fee for credit card payments and a flat fee for debit card payments will be added to each online or kiosk transaction. Also, customers are reminded that the County of Maui Service Center has moved to its new location in Kahului at 110 ‘Ala‘ihi St. (The Center is located between Lowe’s and Safeway off of Hookele Street.) Department of Finance divisions now located at the new Service Center include the Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing, Real Property Assessment and Treasury. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on holidays. Customers’ vehicle registration renewals can be done online at www.mauicounty.gov or at kiosks located at all Maui Safeway stores and in the lobby of the Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku. For more information, call (808) 270-7722.

The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, coordinated with the test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for Monday, February 1, 2021 at 11:45 a.m. During this monthly test, all Statewide Outdoor Warning Sirens will sound a one-minute Attention Alert Signal (Steady Tone). A simultaneous test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System is conducted with the monthly siren sounding, in cooperation with Hawai'i’s broadcast industry. There will be no exercise or drill accompanying the test. The all-hazard Outdoor Siren Warning System for Public Safety is one part of Hawai'i’s Statewide Alert & Warning System used to notify the public during emergencies. If you hear this siren tone in circumstances other than a test, follow emergency information and instructions provided by official government channels. This may be in the form of a local radio, television station broadcast, and/or cellular Wireless Emergency Alert. Wireless Emergency Alert delivers sound-and-text warnings to compatible mobile cellular phones. The Emergency Alert System & Wireless Emergency Alert’s notifications are managed by FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure. Oahu residents in areas surrounding Campbell Industrial Park may also hear a “whooping” tone following the siren test. These areas include portions of Kalaeloa, Makakilo, Nanakuli, Kapolei, and Ewa Beach. The “whooping” tone is a test of the Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) siren warning group that will be activated in the event of an actual HAZMAT incident requiring emergency notification of businesses, schools and residents within the vicinity of Campbell Industrial Park. Contact the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management at (808) 723-8960for more information on the HAZMAT warning group siren test. Emergency management and disaster preparedness information is located at the front section of telephone directories in all counties. The public may contact emergency management and county civil defense agencies to report siren operation issues: City and County of Honolulu (808) 723-8960 Maui County (808) 270-7285 Kaua'i County (808) 241-1800 Hawai'i County (808) 935-0031

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM AND THE NATURAL ENERGY LABORATORY OF HAWAIʻI AUTHORITY The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority’s (NELHA) Hawaiʻi Ocean Science and Technology (HOST) park is home to the island's newest manufacturing facility – an outdoor factory that molds large plastic products using 100% solar energy. Built and operated by LightManufacturing, Inc. (LMI), the factory uses patented technology to mold high-capacity water tanks using pollution-free solar thermal energy. The company reports the system can also mold aquaculture tanks, road barriers, kayaks and other products which are typically imported into Hawai‘i. LMI deployed its equipment in mid-October to a one-acre site at the HOST Park and had the solar-powered factory up and running by December, when the firm molded its first 290-gallon water tank using the power of the sun and without burning any fossil fuels. The company's Solar Rotational Molding system uses an array of silent, sun-tracking mirrors called 'heliostats' to reflect more than 100,000 watts of free solar heat directly into the molding chambers. A national leader in solar power, Hawaiʻi derives nearly 16 percent of its power from the sun, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, and is a perfect environment for this breakthrough use of 'raw' solar energy for industry. Gov. David Ige said, “Manufacturing is critical to diversifying our economy away from its dependence on tourism and enhancing the resiliency of our islands. NELHA shows that government can create the conditions for innovative businesses to work with Hawaiʻi’s natural resources in a way that makes Hawaiʻi better. LightManufacturing’s innovation with solar energy to manufacture needed goods without having to ship them here and ultimately reduce waste is an important step along this transition.” LightManufacturing, Inc. CEO Karl von Kries added that “large capacity, commercial-grade water storage and septic tanks in Hawai‘i are expensive for two reasons: the cost of expensive imported fossil fuels for traditional on-island molding, or the well-known costs to import bulky products from the mainland. By eliminating fossil fuels, we can reduce costs, massively improve sustainability, and improve access for customers to critical products like water tanks". He added that one of LMI’s long-term goals is to use plastic, such as what washes up on Hawaiʻi beaches that community groups clean up regularly, that would otherwise find its way into landfills and mold it into useful products, thereby addressing another one of Hawai’i island’s challenges with waste. "We have some prototype solar-powered plastic recycling systems which show good promise," says von Kries. With no fossil fuels required for power, the Solar Rotational Molding system is designed to make sustainable manufacturing a practical reality, especially once plastic can be sourced from a renewable resource. “We are excited to host this new containerized technology project which is easily deployable on a small footprint. This will be LMI’s first facility based on the successful demonstration site in California. Its innovative use of solar heat through sunshine to manufacture important items locally addresses several ongoing Hawai’i Island waste and cost challenges.” said Gregory Barbour, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority executive director.

Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation today declaring the County of Maui, which has suffered under drought conditions since March 2019, a disaster area. The proclamation enables the state to provide relief from disaster damages, losses, suffering caused by the disaster, and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people. Due to persistent drought conditions, ranches and farms operating in Maui County have suffered significant economic loss. In addition, large numbers of axis dear have migrated into agricultural and developed areas seeking food and water, devastating farms and contributing to crop loss. Hundreds of deer have died, and decomposing carcasses threaten to contaminate streams and the ocean. “The drought has hit Maui County hard, and I am declaring it a disaster area so we can take immediate measures to reduce and control the axis deer populations and to remove and dispose of the carcasses quickly,” said Gov. David Ige. Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino said: "Maui County’s farmers and ranchers are very grateful to Governor Ige for signing the emergency drought proclamation. Since this drought started nearly two years ago, our agricultural sector has sustained substantial pasture and crop damage from Axis deer in search of food. Molokaʻi has especially been impacted by starvation and death in its deer population. This proclamation helps us to overcome regulatory barriers and it can unlock state and federal funding to mitigate some of their financial losses. We appreciate the governor’s help in solving these problems." “Given the severity of this issue, Rep. DeCoite and I have been working hard to get the deer situation on Molokaʻi and in other areas of Maui County under control. I appreciate the swift actions of both Governor Ige and Mayor Victorino in helping to find solutions,” said Sen. J. Kalani English (SD-7, Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaho‘olawe). "I am very grateful to Governor Ige for working with us to address this dire deer crisis on Molokai. This proclamation will give all state and county departments and agencies the resources and flexibility they need to get this unhealthy and unsafe situation under control," said Representative Lynn DeCoite (D-13, Ha‘ikū, Hāna, Kaupō, Kīpahulu, Nāhiku, Pā‘ia, Kaho‘olawe, Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, Molokini). "I would like to thank John Medeiros the DoFAW Maui Wildlife Manager for his swift movement and tireless efforts in helping coordinate the response to get this situation addressed." The emergency proclamation will be in effect through March 28, 2021. Link to Maui County emergency proclamation here.