Senator Laura Acasio (District 1 – Hilo) released the following statement regarding the passing of former Hawaiʻi County Mayor Billy Kenoi: “My thoughts and prayers are with former Mayor Kenoi’s family and friends, who, as anyone who knew him can attest, number in the thousands. Billy, as he was fondly known, leaves behind him a legacy of improvements that will have Hawaiʻi Island residents and visitors enjoying themselves at county parks and beaches for decades to come. Mahalo, Billy, for your inspiration, infectious sense of humor and endless amount of aloha. We will forever miss having you and your charisma in the surf line-up.”

Beginning Thursday, Jan. 28, motorists and residents may see project staff working in vicinity of Waikakoi and South Wailua bridges The County of Maui Department of Public Works, in coordination with the Hawaii Department of Transportation, is beginning preliminary engineering and environmental compliance studies for the improvement of the Waikakoi and South Wailua bridges in East Maui. The bridges are located south of Hana town at mile markers 45.5 and 44.7 on Hana Highway (Route 31). The County is evaluating rehabilitation or replacement of these 110-year-old structures to address deterioration and load capacity deficiencies. The existing bridges carry posted load restrictions of 9 tons (South Wailua Bridge) and 12 tons (Waikakoi Bridge). The goal of the bridge improvement project is to maintain a safe and functional road for the community. Beginning Thursday Jan. 28, residents and motorists may see project staff in the vicinity of the bridges conducting project field work, including topographic surveys, roadway borings, cultural surveys and biological surveys. Boring activities within the roadway will require overnight road closures. These road closures will be announced in advance to allow for community members to prepare accordingly. A virtual public meeting will be held in the summer of 2021 to provide additional project information and gather public input. For more information or to share concerns, contact Ty Takeno, ty.takeno@co.maui.us, or 270-7745. To be placed on a mailing list for future project updates, please contact Charlene Shibuya at charlene@munekiyohiraga.com or 244-2015. See attachment for map of bridge project sites.

The Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i (FLH) has awarded Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran the Mahalo Award as the FLH 2020 Legislator of the Year. Senator Keith-Agaran represents Senate District 5 – Wailuku, Waihe‘e, and Kahului. The award was presented at the FLH Legislative Event held January 27, 2021 virtually. State Librarian, Stacey Aldrich, welcomed invited guests from the Hawai’i State Legislature, Hawai’i State Public Library System, and Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i Affiliates and volunteers. FLH Executive Director, Nainoa Mau, State Librarian Stacey Aldrich, and Senator Keith-Agaran were the featured speakers, sharing successful Friends and library accomplishments for 2020 and looking forward to 2021 when library services will remain critical for digital equity. Senator Keith-Agaran has served in the state legislature since 2009, beginning as a state representative and moving to the state senate in 2013. Senator Keith-Agaran is the Vice-Chair of the Senate Water and Land and the Senate Ways and Means Committees and is a member of the Higher Education Committee. Senator Keith-Agaran has been a lifelong public library user and has a keen interest in the success of our public libraries. He has been a strong supporter for increases in the 51-branch library system budget as well as supporting the Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i with their FY2020 grant-in-aid request. Senator Keith-Agaran has been important to the Maui public libraries and the current renovation of the Kahului branch. The Mahalo Award is presented annually to a State legislator who has demonstrated exemplary support of Hawai‘i’s public libraries. View the presentation below: Source: https://friendsofthelibraryofhawaii.org/category/awards/mahaloaward/

The City and County of Honolulu, through an agreement with the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i Consortium has expanded free COVID-19 testing to O‘ahu Educators at our Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and Waikīkī testing site. “Throughout this pandemic, our teachers have had to adapt to leading hours upon hours of video lessons for remote learners, doing all they can to make sure our students are not missing out,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “And now, with many returning to the classroom, the need to keep our teachers safe is more important than ever. Until enough of our community members are vaccinated, expanding COVID-19 testing opportunities to our educators is paramount for a safer and healthier O‘ahu.” “The National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i is pleased to be able to provide widespread and regular COVID testing so educators and students can maintain in-person learning,” added Glen Hayashida, President and CEO of the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai‘i. “Even after vaccines become more widely available, regular testing will be needed to avoid outbreaks and continue protecting our children.” The PCR mid-turbinate test, an industry “gold-standard”, will be processed and results provided to participants within six hours. To register please go to kidneyhi.org. Testing is open to all O‘ahu Educators. Those who register will be required to bring a valid ID as proof to the testing site. Testing Sites: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Diamond Head Tour Group Area (just pass baggage claim 31) Hours: 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Hawaiian Monarch Hotel 444 Nahua Street, Upper Lobby Honolulu, HI 96815 Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information on this testing program, please call (833)560-0997 or email CovidResponse@kidneyhi.org.

Measures include sex offender restrictions, health care, legal protections, telework As part of its ongoing efforts to protect and enhance the lives of women, children and families in Hawaiʻi, the bipartisan Hawaiʻi Women’s Legislative Caucus (WLC) held a virtual panel discussion on Wednesday, January 27 in partnership with the YWCA of Oʻahu to announce their 2021 legislative package of bills and resolutions. “As a member of the Hawaiʻi Womenʻs Legislative Caucus, I am proud to introduce this package to safeguard the health, safety and professional protections for women and children in Hawaiʻi. Throughout 2020, we have seen the devastating impact of the pandemic within the home with additional stresses placed on women. These bills and resolutions will provide the necessary support not only for their individual success but for that of their families as well,” said Senator Michelle Kidani The package includes five bills including measures to prohibit sex offenders from living near their prior victims or a victim's family; increases the categories of women required to be covered for mammogram screenings; remove the six-month residency requirement prior to seeking divorce in family court; expand the definition of abuse of family or household member to include coercive control; and require each state department to establish a telework and alternative work schedule policy. “I look forward to engaging my colleagues on these measures, especially those to expand protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns put many victims in a tenuous situation. These bills will give victims added protection and resources,” said Representative Linda Ichiyama. The Women’s Legislative Caucus co-conveners for 2021-2022 are Senators Rosalyn Baker (D-6, South and West Maui) and Michelle Kidani (D-18, Mililani Town, portion of Waipi‘o Gentry, Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia) and Representatives Lauren Matsumoto (D-45, Schofield, Mokulē‘ia, Waialua, Kunia, Waipio Acres, and Mililani) and Linda Ichiyama (D-32, Moanalua Valley, Salt Lake, and Āliamanu). New co-conveners are elected every two years. The House has 16 women Representatives. There are nine women Senators of the 25 members, more than one-third of that body. The caucus is dedicating its 2021 efforts to former State Representative Cynthia Thielen and her daughter, former State Senator Laura Thielen. Both women left elected office last year and are well known for their contributions to the betterment of women, children and families. “We are deeply grateful for the many years of service from Rep. Thielen and Sen. Thielen," said Representative Matsumoto. "They represent both the bipartisan spirit and heartfelt passion for improving the lives of women that are the hallmark of the Women’s Legislative Caucus." The WLC package includes two resolutions. The resolutions request the Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women to convene a task force to study missing and murdered Native Hawaiian women and girls; and to convene a task force to address implementation of Hawaiʻi's State Law Corollary to Title IX in light of recent changes to Federal Title IX Regulations. The caucus is also supporting four additional bills that are not part of the package, due to a limit on the number of bills that can be introduced by a caucus. The additional bills supported by the caucus would establish the felony offense of importation, sale, or possession of a childlike sex doll; expand the time period for commencing a civil action for childhood sexual abuse; expands the victim-counselor privilege under Rule 505.5 of the Hawaiʻi Rules of Evidence to include confidential advocates employed by the University of Hawaiʻi System; and authorize a prosecution for sex trafficking to be commenced at any time. “The Women’s Legislative Caucus has always advocated for issues that are important to women and their families,” said Senator Rosalyn Baker. “This year is no different. We will continue to champion efforts to ensure that their voices are heard here at the Legislature.” See the entire 2021 Legislative package

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER J. KALANI ENGLISH APPLAUDS PRESIDENT BIDEN’S EXECUTIVE ORDER RECOMMITTING THE UNITED STATES TO THE PARIS CLIMATE ACCORD Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English (District 7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe) issued the following statement applauding President Joseph R. Biden’s executive order recommitting the United States to the Paris Climate Accord: “We applaud President Biden for recommitting the United States to the Paris Climate Accord. In 2017, Hawaiʻi passed my bill - SB559 (Act 032) - making Hawaiʻi the first State in the union to implement the goals of the Paris Climate Accord. We are vulnerable to the ravages of climate change and Hawaiʻi must act now to protect our environment for future generations. I look forward to continue working with my colleagues to ensure that Hawaiʻi remains a global leader in the fight against climate change.”

DBEDT’S CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AND THE MECHANICAL LICENSING COLLECTIVE HOST WEBINAR FOR HAWAI‘I’S SONGWRITERS Digital Royalties Help to Increase Revenues Noteworthy changes to the way songwriters are paid digital royalties start January 2021 with the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s (DBEDT) Creative Industries Division and The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) partnering to host a free webinar for Hawai‘i’s music community to share information with local artists regarding receiving the revenue streams they are owed. All self-administered songwriters, composers, and lyricists are particularly encouraged to learn about The Future of Digital Audio Mechanical Royalties from Digital Service Providers in the United States and the game-changing efforts of The MLC on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 11 a.m. HST. Registration is now open to the public at: https://themlc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2xMeYKcWS6G2e2-drZb_Xg “This important national initiative, which aligns with the 2018 Music Modernization Act, will provide a more substantial framework by which these artists can be compensated for any licensing of their works that are streamed, downloaded or placed in all forms of media,” said Mike McCartney, director of DBEDT. A nonprofit organization designated by the U.S. Copyright Office following the landmark Music Modernization Act of 2018, The MLC is responsible for administering the blanket mechanical licenses for streaming and download services effective January 1, 2021—and for collecting the royalties due under those licenses to pay songwriters, composers, lyricists, and music publishers in a more efficient manner. Georja Skinner, Chief Officer of DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division (CID), added that “Many self-administered artists in Hawai‘i, especially independent songwriters, have opportunities available through recent legislation and The MLC to ensure they are getting the digital audio mechanical royalties they are entitled to be compensated for their music, be able to access unclaimed royalties, and maintain control of their musical works in the digital age.” Self-administered artists, those that have retained the right to register their own musical works and collect their own mechanical royalties directly or through a representative/agent (instead of a music publisher or administrator), must register for their free membership directly with The MLC to benefit from this new system at: https://portal.themlc.com/login Said Amy Hānaiali‘i, president of the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) and Hawai‘i’s top-selling female vocalist of all time, garnering 6 Grammy nominations and 18 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, “Thanks to the work of dedicated advocates speaking up for songwriters, and the innovative improvements made through The MLC and Music Modernization Act we can usher in a brighter and more equitable future for our artists—many of whom had faced challenges collecting all their entitled payments from these important income streams.” In addition to the efforts of CID and Hawai‘i’s music industry in support of local artists, Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) has been instrumental in introducing legislation to address IP protections and improvements at the U.S. Copyright Office. Hirono championed efforts to ensure that small, independent artists receive the royalties they deserve—and that they are also a key audience for The MLC’s outreach campaign to engage and educate musicians about the new licensing framework. The Senator conducted community meetings with local creatives at the Entrepreneurs Sandbox and remains a voice for the Hawai‘i creative community in Washington, D.C. to ensure their content and creative work is adequately compensated. Further complementing these initiatives to better export and compensate creative works from Hawai‘i’s entrepreneurs, the state is developing a robust broadband infrastructure that will increase connectivity for everyone in the community. The added accessibility will help to ensure business in Hawai‘i is conducted in an equitable manner, and advance diversification of the local economy in the digital and broadband space. The January 28 webinar will outline how local self-administered songwriters can join The MLC free of charge and submit their musical works data to The MLC Portal to be eligible for the first distribution of royalty payments next spring. Attendees will also get an understanding of how The MLC can further identify unclaimed songwriter and publisher royalties, and the benefits of its publicly accessible musical works database. All music publishers, administrators, self-administered songwriters, composers and lyricists will need to become Members of The MLC to access their data via The MLC Portal and receive payments. Artists that have assigned their rights to register and collect their mechanical royalties will not need to become a Member of The MLC—their publisher or administrator will handle registration and collection. Songwriters or composers should check to ensure that all their works are properly registered with The MLC. About Creative Industries Division (CID) CID, a division within DBEDT, is the state’s lead agency dedicated to advocating for and accelerating the growth of Hawai‘i’s Creative Economy. Through initiatives, program development, and strategic partnerships, the division and its branches implement activities to expand the business development, global export and investment capacity of Hawai‘i’s arts, culture, music, film, literary, publishing, digital and new media industries. About The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) was designated by the U.S. Register of Copyrights in July 2019 pursuant to the Music Modernization Act of 2018. The MLC is responsible for administering the new blanket compulsory license for the use of musical works by digital music services. For more background on The MLC and the Music Modernization At of 2018, go to www.TheMLC.com and www.copyright.gov/music-modernization/ About Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) DBEDT is Hawai‘i’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation and foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawai‘i economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawai‘i’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments, and promotes innovation sector job growth.

The Senate Committees on Agriculture & Environment, Water & Land and the House Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection, Agriculture and Water & Land will hold a joint informational briefing to receive an update on the state’s efforts to address threats posed by invasive species and to learn more about what challenges are expected amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The briefing will be held on Monday, January 25, 2021 at 1:00pm via Zoom. The committees will be meeting with the following agencies: Department of Agriculture Department of Land and Natural Resources University of Hawaiʻi – College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Because the building is closed to the public during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the briefing will be streamed online on the Senate YouTube Channel. To view the informational briefing notice: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2021/hearingnotices/HEARING_AEN-WTL-EEP-AGR-WAL_01-25-21_INFO_.HTM For further information, please call the committee clerk at 808-586-6693.

The U.S. Census Bureau is implementing the President’s Executive Order “Ensuring a Lawful and Accurate Enumeration and Apportionment Pursuant to the Decennial Census,” released January 20, 2021. The 2020 Census data products including the P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Summary Data File will not include information on citizenship or immigration status. The Census Redistricting and Voting Rights Data Office will reengage the Department of Justice Voting Section to confirm that Citizen Voting Age Population (CVAP) data produced from the American Community Survey (ACS) continue to meet its statistical needs. The Census Bureau has released this product annually since 2011. All work on the immigration status of the population of the United States regarding the 2020 Census was suspended on January 12, 2021. Source: https://bit.ly/3sUAmiL

Please find below, the link of the WHO Director-General's statement as well as other materials from the COVID-19 media briefing on January 22, 2021 and more: https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19-22-january-2021 Yesterday, the United States of America announced that it plans to retain its membership in WHO. We welcome President Biden’s commitment not just to remaining part of the WHO family, but to working constructively with WHO, its Member States and the multilateral system to end the pandemic and address the many health challenges we face globally. Today I’m glad to announce that COVAX has signed an agreement with Pfizer/BioNTech for up to 40 million doses of its vaccine. COVAX is on track to deliver 2 billion doses by the end of year. It’s important we all remember that vaccines will complement, but not replace, the proven public health measures that have been shown to suppress transmission and save lives. Media briefing audio link (Length 1hr 08 mins): https://terrance.who.int/mediacentre/presser/WHO-AUDIO_Emergencies_Coronavirus_Press_Conference_22JAN2021.mp3 News edit link (TRT 4 mins 24 sec): https://who.canto.global/b/V456T

Statement by Governor David Ige: Due to the pandemic and subsequent reduction in revenues, we anticipated that the Dept. of Education, which is the largest general funded department, would have to take a 10% cut to its budget. However, with additional federal funds and more optimistic revenue projections by the Council on Revenues, we are able to reset the department’s target reductions to 2.5%. This represents about $123 million dollars that we can now restore to our public-school classrooms so our students can be set on the path to prosperity and success.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Policy. Ensuring the health and safety of workers is a national priority and a moral imperative. Healthcare workers and other essential workers, many of whom are people of color and immigrants, have put their lives on the line during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It is the policy of my Administration to protect the health and safety of workers from COVID-19. The Federal Government must take swift action to reduce the risk that workers may contract COVID-19 in the workplace. That will require issuing science-based guidance to help keep workers safe from COVID-19 exposure, including with respect to mask-wearing; partnering with State and local governments to better protect public employees; enforcing worker health and safety requirements; and pushing for additional resources to help employers protect employees. Sec. 2. Protecting Workers from COVID-19 Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Secretary of Labor, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, in furtherance of the policy described in section 1 of this order and consistent with applicable law, shall: (a) issue, within 2 weeks of the date of this order and in conjunction or consultation with the heads of any other appropriate executive departments and agencies (agencies), revised guidance to employers on workplace safety during the COVID-19 pandemic; (b) consider whether any emergency temporary standards on COVID-19, including with respect to masks in the workplace, are necessary, and if such standards are determined to be necessary, issue them by March 15, 2021; (c) review the enforcement efforts of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) related to COVID-19 and identify any short-, medium-, and long-term changes that could be made to better protect workers and ensure equity in enforcement; (d) launch a national program to focus OSHA enforcement efforts related to COVID-19 on violations that put the largest number of workers at serious risk or are contrary to anti-retaliation principles; and (e) coordinate with the Department of Labor’s Office of Public Affairs and Office of Public Engagement and all regional OSHA offices to conduct, consistent with applicable law, a multilingual outreach campaign to inform workers and their representatives of their rights under applicable law. This campaign shall include engagement with labor unions, community organizations, and industries, and place a special emphasis on communities hit hardest by the pandemic. Sec. 3. Protecting Other Categories of Workers from COVID-19. (a) The Secretary of Labor, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health and consistent with applicable law, shall: (i) coordinate with States that have occupational safety and health plans approved under section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Act) (29 U.S.C. 667) to seek to ensure that workers covered by such plans are adequately protected from COVID-19, consistent with any revised guidance or emergency temporary standards issued by OSHA; and (ii) in States that do not have such plans, consult with State and local government entities with responsibility for public employee safety and health and with public employee unions to bolster protection from COVID-19 for public sector workers. (b) The Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the heads of any other appropriate agencies, shall, consistent with applicable law, explore mechanisms to protect workers not protected under the Act so that they remain healthy and safe on the job during the COVID-19 pandemic. (c) The Secretary of Labor, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health, shall consider whether any emergency temporary standards on COVID-19 applicable to coal and metal or non-metal mines are necessary, and if such standards are determined to be necessary and consistent with applicable law, issue them as soon as practicable. Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR. THE WHITE HOUSE, January 21, 2021 Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/21/executive-order-protecting-worker-health-and-safety/