To view video please click on photo or at this link: https://vimeo.com/479370473 While organizers always hope for more people to participate, experience has shown that the first meeting of community members, experts, and researchers, to discuss wildfire, always leads to good things. This morning a small group of people took the initial step toward developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for the north shore of O‘ahu, stretching from Ka‘ena Point to the edge of Kahuku and into the Ko‘olau Mountains. Elizabeth Pickett, the co-executive director of the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO), outlined the steps other communities have already gone through to prepare a CWPP. The Honolulu Fire Department and the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will be signatories of the plan, as primary wildland fire responders on O‘ahu. DOFAW is funding the development of the CWPP and HWMO is coordinating it. CWPPs are the result of 2003 federal legislation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) leads community wildfire protection planning nationally. The FEMA website says wildfire actions plans are one of the most important components of a wildfire safety strategy in a community. According to the U.S. Forest Service, less than 10% of communities at risk from wildfire have developed a CWPP. It is hoped, people from the broad north shore community will be inspired and energized to participate in the CWPP. Pickett said it is less of a plan and more the mechanism to start the conversation about wildfire. “We’ve seen this process lead to transformative change on the ground.” The workshop included three break-out sessions where participants could engage, collaborate, and discuss wildfire issues more specifically.” Statewide, sixteen Hawai‘i communities have CWPPs, including west O‘ahu. While that part of the island tends to be dryer than the north shore, Dr. Clay Trauernicht, an ecosystem fire expert with University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension, showed a series of slides depicting numerous wildfires within the boundaries of the proposed CWPP. He explained how the north shore, like many places here and across the world, are experiencing more severe wet and dry cycles. Fire seasons are longer, and fires tend to be more intense. Trauernicht said, “Climate change is now a factor and the north shore has a complex, diverse landscape; a mix of forest and grasslands.” Part of developing a CWPP is to do a risk assessment to identify the hazard levels for different areas and introduce site-specific actions to create more resilient landscapes, fire-adapted communities, and safe and effective firefighting. When a CWPP is in place, communities can apply for grants to help fund projects. Before participants clicked into three breakout groups, Pickett said, “It takes everybody doing their part to make sure that lands and waters are safe and resilient. That comes through thinking together.” Describing this first step toward having a CWPP plan for the north shore, she concluded, “This is what it looks like when we have an initial, engaged group.” Learn more about Community Wildfire Protection Plans at: https://www.hawaiiwildfire.org/

Mask mandate has been in place since April Gov. David Ige issued a 15th COVID-19 emergency proclamation that extends and clarifies the statewide mask mandate as agreed to by all four counties and the state. The proclamation states: All persons in the State shall wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when in public. The requirements of this statewide mask mandate are set forth in Exhibit J, which will be enforced in each county. All persons shall comply with applicable safety, hygiene and physical distancing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as with State, county, industry and regulatory practices for safety, hygiene and physical distancing, including standards and requirements adopted and issued by Hawaii Department of Health (DOH). The proclamation also specifies that “An owner or operator of any business or operation shall refuse admission or service to any individual who fails to wear a face covering, unless an exception applies under this section.” Those that do not may be subject to enforcement, including fines and mandatory closure. A face covering mandate has been in place in Hawaiʻi since April 25 when Gov. Ige signed the Sixth Emergency Proclamation. In addition, as the state’s visitor arrivals increase as a result of the pre-travel testing program, the 15th proclamation now requires all hotel operators in the state to adopt a COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan for each property. The plan must address guidance from the CDC, identify measures enacted in response to COVID-19 and what guests/employees may expect in terms of service, accommodations and safety protocols. The proclamation also makes clear that it is the responsibility of the hotel operator to accommodate guests (on or off site) who become COVID-19 positive or have been identified as a close contact of someone who is positive for COVID-19. Hotel operators are required to submit their plan to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and publish it on their website. The 15th Covid-19 emergency proclamation also extends the moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent until this proclamation expires on Dec. 31, 2020. The 15th COVID-19 emergency proclamation can be found here.

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management will hold a Hāna Metals and Electronics Recycling Event at the HānaLandfill for East Maui residents from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on December 3-5, 2020. Two previously scheduled events were postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Drop-offs of recycling materials is by appointment ONLY. To schedule an appointment, call (808) 270-6166. Appointments can be made through 4:30 p.m. Nov. 30. Residents are encouraged to make appointments as soon as possible to secure a reservation. When calling, be prepared to provide the list of items to be dropped off. Only items listed for the appointment will be accepted upon drop-off. In order to accommodate as many residents as possible and due to restricted capacity, quantities are limited to one load and one appointment per household. Additional load requests must be waitlisted for the next scheduled event in March, contingent on future COVID-19 related rules. All participants will be required to wear a face mask and stay within their vehicles. Staff will unload all vehicles. Complete instructions will be provided when making an appointment. Items accepted include large appliances, up to 15 auto tires (per household, per event), auto batteries, propane tanks, and scrap metals. Appliances accepted include refrigerators, freezers, A/C units, water coolers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges/stoves, and water heaters. Electronic items accepted include computers, keyboards, monitors, printers and TVs. For more information about metals drop-offs or businesses that would like to participate in this event for a fee, please call Refrigerant Recycling, Inc. at (808) 351-3504. For more information about computer drop-offs please call the county E-cycling hotline at (808) 280-6460. For other information about this event, please call the Hāna Metals Event Appointment Line at (808) 270-6166. For more information, please visit the Maui County website at: https://www.mauicounty.gov/2287/Hana-Metals-Recycling-Event

The State of Hawai‘i has added new trusted partners for its domestic transpacific and inter-county pre-travel testing programs. The state will accept COVID-19 test results from the new partners starting Nov. 17. Partners were selected based on their ability to administer the test and expand the testing network, with the goal of making it easier to safely travel to Hawai‘i. DOMESTIC TRANSPACIFIC PRE-TRAVEL TESTING PROGRAM Domestic transpacific travelers, five years and older, arriving in the State of Hawaiʻi may bypass the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine by taking a COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) from a trusted testing partner. The test must be taken no more than 72 hours prior to final leg of departure, and a negative test result must be uploaded in the Safe Travels digital platform or presented upon arrival. If results are not received prior to arrival, the traveler will be required to self-quarantine until a negative test result is reported to the state Department of Health. Eleven new trusted testing partners have been added for domestic transpacific travel: American Family Care American Family Care (AFC) – More than 200 AFC locations nationwide are confirmed Trusted Testing Partners with the State of Hawaiʻi. All travelers ages five and up are able to visit their local AFC location, no more than 72 hours before their flight departure time in compliance with travel requirements, for a pre-travel COVID-19 test. A printed version of test results will be provided to the traveler(s) prior to leaving the AFC center. Click Here for more information. American Samoa Department of Health The American Samoa Department of Health Clinical Laboratory is a CLIA-certified moderate complexity testing laboratory situated at the Tafuna Health Center Clinic. It provides necessary clinical laboratory testing services for the people of American Samoa, including the FDA-authorized Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) test required for passengers to participate in the State of Hawaiʻi’s pre-travel testing program. The AS-DOH website is https://www.americansamoa.gov/department-of-public-health. Atlas Genomics Atlas Genomics is a CLIA-certified, high complexity molecular diagnostics laboratory based in Seattle, WA. We are dedicated to providing our clients with premium quality service and timely results, both locally and across the nation. Travelers on their way to Hawaiʻi may schedule testing through our convenient online portal and visit one of our five Seattle area locations for sample collection. Expedited same-day results are available for those travelers utilizing our Renton or Bellevue locations. For additional information or to schedule a test, please visit: https://www.atlas-genomics.com. Capstone Clinic Capstone Clinic is eager to offer pre-travel testing to the residents of the State of Alaska in preparation for their visit to the Aloha State. Capstone has six full-service health care facility locations on Alaska's road system and at the Ted Stevens International Airport and numerous regional airports statewide. Capstone has over 250 employees and has performed over 125,000 COVID tests. For information visit: https://www.capstoneclinic.com/project/covid19-testing/. Clarity Lab Solutions Clarity Lab Solutions as Clarity Mobile Ventures (“CMV”), are supplying a COVID-19 testing and clinical laboratory facility at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This lab and test collection station will be located across from terminal 6 and will provide COVID-19 testing solutions for passengers, airport, and airline staff. In addition, Clarity Lab Solutions high throughput lab in Boca Raton, FL will be used for overflow testing if excess testing capacity is required for results within 24 hours of receipt. For more information visit http://www.claritylabsolutions.com/traveling-to-hawaii.html. Costco/AZOVA Costco Wholesale, in collaboration with AZOVA, is offering at-home, observed FDA-authorized COVID-19 saliva rt-PCR testing for travelers (Costco members and non-members) for ages five years and older from anywhere in the United States. Tests are delivered via UPS overnight delivery and electronic shareable results are available in 24 to 48 hours from the time the lab receives the test sample. Information and pricing can be found at https://www.costco.com/.product.1509147.html. In addition to our e-commerce traveler solution, Costco will be launching an in-Pharmacy COVID-19 traveler testing solution in select markets coming in December. Go Health Urgent Care Rapid COVID-19 Testing—with results in 15 minutes—is available at our designated centers in the greater New York metropolitan area, the Portland, Oregon & Vancouver, Washington area, the San Francisco Bay Area, Hartford and South Eastern Connecticut, Winston-Salem and Charlotte, North Carolina, St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Northwest Arkansas and Delaware. We also offer testing on Level 1 of the International Terminal at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). To learn more about travel testing in your area, please visit Gohealthuc.com/Travel-Testing or select your location above. UC San Diego Health UC San Diego Health offers COVID-19 PCR testing at several convenient drive-up locations throughout San Diego County. When your test is scheduled, you will get information on the testing location and address. Tests are available for ages 3 and older and performed by a friendly and welcoming team of experts. Results are typically available within a day. Website coming soon. University of Washington Medicine UW Medicine – The University of Washington Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology offers approved testing for travelers to Hawaiʻi at specific UW Medicine and community testing collection locations. Please visit https://testguide.labmed.uw.edu/public/guideline/hawaii_safe_travels for more information. WestPac Labs WestPac Labs is now offering COVID-19 Testing Services as an approved partner of the State of Hawaiʻi’s Trusted Testing and Travel Partners Program. Travel testing services are only available through select participating providers. A list of these select providers is located atwww.westpaclab.com/covid-19/hawaii. WestPac Labs is part of Sonic Healthcare USA. Sonic Healthcare USA is a leading provider of state-of-the-art laboratory and pathology services throughout the USA with eight operating divisions and nearly eight thousand US-based employees, 330 Pathologists and serving 30 million patients per year. For more information, visit our website at www.westpaclab.com. XpresCheck XpresCheck™ is a multi-state, airport-based wellness center specializing in Covid-19 testing. We offer PCR tests with results within 72 hours, and Rapid Molecular Covid tests with results while you wait. Locations and appointment scheduling can be found at www.XpresCheck.com with Hawaiʻi-specific information at https://xprescheck.com/hawaii. These trusted testing partners will provide reports on a TTP Results Form that will include the state seal, the logo of the local lab and a unique identifying number assigned by the lab to the individual test result. Travelers without a form from a trusted testing partner will be required to quarantine until the trusted partner provides the traveler with the TTP Results Form. INTER-COUNTY PRE-TRAVEL TESTING PROGRAM Inter-county passengers arriving in Kauaʻi and Maui counties may bypass the mandatory 14-day quarantine if they take an FDA-authorized Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) up to 72 hours prior to departure, and the traveler receives a negative result. If results are not received prior to arrival, the traveler will be required to self-quarantine until a negative test result is reported to the state Department of Health. Inter-county travelers to Hawaiʻi County who wish to avoid the 14-day quarantine can follow this protocol or elect to get a post-arrival test from a trusted partner. This would require the traveler to remain in quarantine until the negative test is reported and verified. Two new trusted testing partners have been added for inter-county travel: Testing is available with the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaiʻi’s Consortium, through an agreement with the City and County of Honolulu, at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (test site is at the Diamond Head Tour Group area just past Baggage Claim 31) and the Hawaiian Monarch Hotel on the island of O‘ahu. Pre-register online at www.oahucitypass.lumisight.com or walk-in on site. We offer “gold standard” FDA EUA PCR based mid-turbinate tests. Results are provided in 3-6 hours and are available for ages 5 and older at a cost of $125. Health insurance accepted subject to the policies of your insurer S&G Labs Hawai‘i LLC – Testing services are available throughout the state for walk-ups and appointments. All lab tests processed locally with fast 24- to 36-hour turn-around time. Kamaʻāina rates available for travelers. Tests available for ages 5 and older. Find more information, including locations and testing availability, or to schedule appointments, visit www.sglabshawaii/covid19.com or call 808-329-9675. Additionally, inter-county passengers arriving in Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi and Maui counties may bypass the mandatory 14-day quarantine if the test sample is taken within 72 hours of departure and processed by one of three local laboratories, regardless of where the sample was taken. The result must be reported on the TTP Results Form. Clinical Labs of Hawai‘i – Testing available at many locations statewide (Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Mauʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island). A lab order from a licensed healthcare provider in the State of Hawaiʻi is necessary. Appointments required. For more detailed information, please visit clinicallabs.com/covid. Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc. (DLS) – Testing requires a lab order and collection by a licensed healthcare provider in the State of Hawaiʻi. Test results from DLS Guam also accepted. More information at dlslab.com/covid-collection. S&G Labs Hawai‘i LLC – Testing services available throughout the state for walk-ups and appointments. All lab tests processed locally with fast 24- to 36-hour turn-around time. Kamaʻāina rates available for travelers. Tests available for ages 5 and older. Find more information, including locations and testing availability, or to schedule appointments, visit www.sglabshawaii/covid19.com or call 808-329-9675. The new TTP Results Form will include the state seal, the logo of the local lab and a unique identifying number assigned to the individual test result. Travelers must register and upload their test results to their Safe Travels Hawaiʻi account and inter-county travelers must have the test result with them upon arrival so airport screeners can review the result. Travelers arriving in Kauaʻi and Maui counties who did not get tested by a trusted partner and do not have the TTP Results Form must quarantine for 14 days. Travelers arriving in Hawaiʻi County may obtain a post-arrival test. Travelers must check with their healthcare provider to ensure that one of the three local labs listed will be used to process/report the test results. Tests conducted in the state of Hawaiʻi may require an order by a licensed physician or healthcare provider. Please contact lab/pharmacy in advance to confirm requirements prior to scheduling tests. The pre-travel testing program is one layer of the state’s comprehensive Safe Travels Hawaiʻi program that makes every step of the travel process safer – from pre-arrival testing to post-arrival accommodations and experiences. Those who do not choose to take a pre-travel test or who do not arrive with a negative test result from a trusted testing or travel partner will be subject to the existing 14-day quarantine. Travelers may seek an exemption from the county they are traveling to. In the future – trusted testing and travel partners added to the Safe Travels Hawaiʻi program will be uploaded to www.hawaiicovid19.com.The website also includes more information on inter-county pre-travel testing and the Safe Travels Hawaiʻi program. Safe travels Quick Facts Safe Travels Hawaiʻi Quick Facts

Hawai‘i Restaurant Card To Arrive in Mailboxes For Eligible Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Individuals Just In Time For Thanksgiving Starting tomorrow, businesses across the State of Hawai‘i can now play a part in supporting the recovery of the local economy by purchasing the Hawai‘i Restaurant Card (HRC) for employees this holiday season. Additionally, more than 32,000 eligible PUA individuals will receive a preloaded, prepaid card containing $500 in the mail beginning November 20, just in time for the Thanksgiving weekend. “The launch of the Hawai‘i Restaurant Card was a resounding success, with more than 105,000 eligible individuals activating their cards and spending more than $26.5 million at eateries across the state over the last three weeks,” said Mike McCartney, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. “The multiplier effect on the restaurant industry supply chain as a result of this Program has been tremendous and with this new expanded program, it gives additional opportunity to keep the momentum going after the December 15 deadline to use the Cards.” Organizations can complete an HRC – Business Holiday Card order form online from November 13 through December 10 and purchase Cards in denominations from $5 to $1,000. All card printing, processing and operational costs will be underwritten by the State using Federal CARES Act funds. The Cards will be mailed in bulk directly to the organization, and like the initial HRC, will be a preloaded, prepaid debit cards that can be used at Hawai‘i restaurants, eateries, bakeries and food caterers that accept Debit Mastercard®. The Cards ordered through the HRC Program – Business Holiday Card must be used by March 31, 2021. The idea of extending the HRC Program to include the private sector came from local attorney Gordon Arakaki when he approached the State with the possibility of incorporating private businesses in this economic stimulus initiative. “We are happy to support such a terrific program that will infuse millions of dollars into our local restaurant industry and supply chain,” said Rich Wacker, president & CEO of American Savings Bank, who is coordinating the production and distribution of the HRC – Business Holiday Card for organizations to purchase. “We hope businesses will take advantage of this unique opportunity to boost our local economy while showing appreciation for their employees and clients this holiday season.” Several businesses have already committed to ordering the HRC – Business Holiday Card, including American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, City Mill, First Hawaiian Bank, HMSA, Hawai‘i Business Roundtable, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Hawaiian Telcom, InSynergy Engineering, ‘Iolani School, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, Servco and Territorial Savings Bank. The overall HRC Program, and now expansion of the original initiative to include the HRC – Business Holiday Card, would not have been possible without the support of Representative Sylvia Luke, House District 25 and Chair of the House Committee on Finance. The card is supported by Money Network from First Data, now Fiserv. The card will not be accepted at grocery or convenience stores or for grab-and-go prepared meals. To obtain the HRC – Business Holiday Card order form, visit moneynetwork.com/everywherereward. For more information about the HRC – Business Holiday Card, visit The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii at www.cochawaii.org.

A Message for Our Community On the Pandemic Extended Unemployment Compensation Program from Anne Perreira-Eustaquio, Director-DLIR I wanted to personally reach out to all of you and acknowledge that we at the DLIR have heard your concerns and frustrations over the processing of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) claims. The PEUC provides an additional 13 weeks of benefits to claimants whose UI claims expired after July 1, 2019 and have a zero-dollar ($0) balance. To apply for the PEUC program, claimants need to answer five prequalification questions. If any of those questions are answered incorrectly, the application will need to be reviewed by the Unemployment Insurance Division. As I know that many of you have been waiting to have your PEUC claim processed, I would like to share with you the four most common reasons why your PEUC claim may be pending. As mentioned above, a prequalification question was answered incorrectly. There is a potential overpayment of benefits. This issue typically arises when your reported earnings and your employer’s report of your earnings differs after you have already received benefits. This may occur, for example, if you reported that you did not have earnings and were paid benefits, but your employer reported that you earned $600 (because it paid you vacation pay). Because vacation pay is considered reportable earning, your PEUC claim will be in a pending status because you have a potential overpayment of benefits. There are pending issues on your claim. For example, if your employer reported that you did not accept all work offered to you, that issue needs to be addressed before your PEUC claim is processed. You may qualify for a new UI claim either in Hawaii or another state if you have earnings that were not used for a prior claim. Once these issues are addressed, each PEUC claim is processed manually by a UI staff member due to the limitations of the State’s Mainframe computer system. If it is found that you may have an overpayment of benefits, before establishing your PEUC claim, the following steps must be taken: A UI claims examiner must speak with you to obtain factfinding regarding the possible overpayments. If it is determined by the claims examiner that there is a valid overpayment, the overpayment must be established on your claim. The application for your existing PEUC claim must be cancelled. The original UI claim must be reopened since it has not yet been exhausted because of the overpayment. The overpayment must then be off set by the additional open weeks on your original claim. Staff must then establish a new PEUC claim with a new start date. I understand that having your PEUC claim pending is frustrating. However, the issues above need to be addressed so that the State can adequately ensure that the claimants receiving benefits are eligible for such benefits or the U. S. Department of Labor has the authority to terminate the agreements with Hawaii and jeopardize the PEUC program. I hope this has provided you with information about the PEUC claim process and help you to understand your claim better. Many of you have reached out to me and I send you all a heartfelt thank you for your support and kind words of encouragement to the staff here at DLIR. I assure you we are continuing to work tirelessly to process your claims. We are committed to doing whatever it takes within our power to diligently process every claim so that assistance is provided to all of you. We will get through this together. Take care, Stay Safe and Aloha. Anne Perreira-Eustaquio source: https://labor.hawaii.gov/blog/main/a-peuc-message-for-our-community/

State of Hawai‘i Weekly COVID-19 Cluster Report November 12, 2020

Hawai‘i’s businesses are invited to apply for e-commerce and digital marketing support offered under technical assistance for businesses funded by the Hawai‘i Business Pivot Grant program. The program matches companies with specialized consultants who help improve the company’s digital presence and expand their market during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of application, companies applying for assistance must be registered with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). If successful, the company will be matched with a partner vendor who will provide 3 hours of complimentary consulting to answer questions or assist with e-commerce and digital marketing. This application process is separate from the application for the Pivot Grant. The Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) will be accepting applications on a first-come-first-serve basis and opportunities are limited so businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. This program is administered by HTDC in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i and the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT). In addition to consulting opportunities, HTDC also has a series of webinars and workshops to guide businesses through the fundamentals and best practices of e-commerce and digital marketing. Anyone is welcome to register and attend. For more information and to apply, visit HTDC’s website at https://www.htdc.org/pivot-grant-ecommerce. Contact info@htdc.org for additional assistance.

Hawai‘i Department of Health shares new weekly data on COVID-19 clusters under investigation Data window shift on Sunday will adjust daily reporting schedule The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is releasing weekly COVID-19 cluster reports to illustrate COVID-19 trends across the state. The DOH will also adjust its practices for collecting and reporting daily COVID-19 data. The Weekly COVID-19 Cluster Report highlights recent incidents in which the virus occurred at one time, in the same geographic location, or among people with the same or similar shared exposures. For example, this week’s report includes information on clusters related to college students attending parties, a cluster connected to a group of co-workers who ate lunch together, and a cluster at an O‘ahu school. Public health officials study disease clusters to identify risk factors, design intervention strategies, and prevent further infection. A new Cluster Report will be posted every Thursday on the DOH web site at https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/. The Cluster Report documents COVID-19 cluster investigations during the past 14 days. A comprehensive cluster report will be published after the end of the calendar year once all 2020 cluster investigations have concluded. In addition, DOH will shift its data window this weekend. This adjustment will change the time regular updates are available on the COVID-19 dashboard at https://hawaiicovid19.com. Daily updates on the dashboard will appear at 12 p.m. rather than the current 3 p.m. time. This change will also mean no new data, including the number of new COVID-19 cases, will be available on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. The data that would be reported Sunday at 3 p.m. under the current schedule will now be reported Monday at 12 p.m. This additional time provides DOH and its partners a more sustainable data timeline and allows for greater accuracy in reporting COVID-19 statistics. It also makes Hawai‘i’s data timeline more consistent with the timeline of other states, counties, and municipalities across the country.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate is scheduled to convene its second special session of 2020 to review Governor David Ige’s appointment for a vacancy on the Hawaiʻi State Supreme Court and Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald’s appointment to the District Family Court of the Fifth Circuit. Hawaiʻi State Supreme Court Associate Justice Richard Pollack retired in June after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70; the special session will consider the Governor’s appointment of First Circuit Court Judge Todd Eddins to fill the vacancy. The Senate will also consider the Chief Justice's appointment of Deputy Public Defender Stephanie Char to fill a new District Family Court judge position in the Fifth Circuit, which encompasses the islands of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. In preparation for this special session, the Chief Justice administered the oath of office on November 5 to the fourteen members of the Senate who were recently elected in the general election. Four of the fourteen members participated via Zoom; marking the first time that the oath of office was administered to members of the Senate virtually. The process will begin with a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, chaired by Senator Karl Rhoads and vice chaired by Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, on Monday, November 16 2020, beginning at 1:00 p.m. The Senate will be welcoming live remote public testimony via videoconference, as the Capitol building remains closed to the public due to COVID-19. This remote testimony option will also allow neighbor island residents to testify without traveling to Honolulu. Members of the public who wish to testify via videoconference should use the Legislature's website (www.capitol.hawaii.gov) to submit their written testimony and select "yes" when asked if they will be testifying remotely for the hearing. Written testimony is required to participate via videoconference and must be submitted at least 24 hours before the hearing. Additional information and details are on the hearing notice and capitol website. The Senate will convene in a floor session on Wednesday, November 18 at 10:00 a.m. This will be followed by a separate decision-making meeting of the Judiciary Committee at 10:30 a.m. Final Senate votes on the appointments are expected on Thursday, November 19 at 11:30 a.m. To allow access to the proceedings while the State Capitol building is closed to the public, the Senate will live stream all Senate hearings and floor sessions over the internet. Selected proceedings will also be broadcasted on ‘Ōlelo and neighbor island cable networks. The public is encouraged to participate by submitting written testimony or testifying remotely. No in-person testimony will be allowed at this time due to COVID-19. This special session will only address the two pending judicial appointments.

Mayor Michael Victorino announced today that Maui County has received approval from the Governor to issue a “Safer At Home” order for Lanai residents and visitors, beginning Thursday, Nov. 12. The Governor’s approval allows the County of Maui to amend its Public Health Emergency Rules to move the island of Lanai from the current “Stay At Home” rule to “Safer At Home” order in response to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 on the island. “We have seen fewer positive cases on Lanai and believe the outbreak has been contained,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “Due to the vigilance of Lanaians, the restrictions on movement now can be lifted, although I still encourage residents and visitors to stay at home or at their place of lodging as much as possible. We continue to monitor cases on Lanai very closely, and I’m encouraged by the great amount of community testing by island residents to protect themselves and their community from the spread of COVID-19.” The rule amendment encourages all residents and visitors to stay at their residence or place of lodging. Individuals may leave to conduct essential activities and government functions, or to patronize or operate essential businesses and designated businesses and operations. Travelers to Lanai will still be required to quarantine, unless exempt by pre-travel testing for COVID-19 or approved for an essential work-related limited quarantine. Another Maui County rule amendment allows masks or facial coverings to include neck gaiters, provided they are made from at least two layers of fabric or worn doubled-over across the nose and mouth. The amended rule remains in effect until Nov. 30, 2020.

The nonprofit Bizgenics Foundation has been awarded a contract by the State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism’s Creative Industries Division (CID) to operate and manage the ID8 Studios soundstage at the Entrepreneurs Sandbox, located at 643 Ilalo St. in Honolulu. Designed as a hub for creative content, including photography, film, video, and music production, ID8 Studios consists of a digital media studio and a cowork/training space totaling 1,400 square feet alongside existing offices and meeting rooms within the larger coworking and tech hub building developed by Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation (HTDC). Bizgenics Foundation plans to open the soundstage for productions later this year. Future plans include adding acoustic treatment and lighting to the space, with video editing, software for creative entrepreneurs in the media, music and design space, as well as access to high speed internet. “Opening the doors of opportunity through this resource for our creative community has been a long-held vision for Creative Industries and HTDC” said Georja Skinner, division chief of CID. “With Bizgenics at the helm, they not only bring a proven track record but align with our philosophy that creative, tech, entrepreneurship, and innovation are foundational elements of Hawai‘i’s economic recovery strategy.” Bizgenics Foundation has named Dennis Burns to be operations consultant for the ID8 Studios. Burns is the founder of Pacific Focus Inc. dba 1013 Integrated, known for its full-service production facility in Kaka‘ako, providing creative services, studio operations and post-production video editing services. “ID8 will serve local media artists and content creators with flexible professional facilities.” said Burns. “This new studio space, located in the exciting Entrepreneurs Sandbox, will support the diverse creative community while welcoming professional photographers and video producers.” The facility’s mission is to support and grow Hawai‘i’s creative production community, including developing career pathways for students, building a community of industry professionals, providing production capacity for Hawai‘i businesses, and supporting associations and nonprofits. Bizgenics’ Chairman Steve Sue said, “We’re excited to combine media production, entrepreneurship, and education programs in a way that supports both traditional and new forms of creative production.” Sue also noted, “Interest in the space is proving strong, despite the threat of COVID-19, as we have already received inquiries for commercial, learning, and virtual venue production.” ID8 Studios will be available to community members as well as commercial clients. A membership program will offer discounts for students, nonprofits, educators, startups/accelerators, and the cowork community. In addition, the space will be available to rent for events, meetings, and workshops. Bizgenics Foundation also plans to offer in-house programs in creative arts, technology, and entrepreneurship to train a skilled workforce which will diversify and grow Hawai‘i’s economy. Program partners already include Montaj9, AIM Aloha, ImprovHI, Creative Lab Hawai‘i, ‘Ohina Filmmakers Lab and the Hawaii Filmmakers Collective. Interested users may book time or sign up at www.id8.org to receive information about the opening. About Bizgenics Bizgenics Foundation is a Hawai‘i-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that seeks to empower all people to discover unique personal skills and learn positive social values to catalyze a bright future. Bizgenics specializes in creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship programs including Lemonade Alley, Project Lemon Tree, and BizzyB. Learn more at bizgenics.org. About Creative Industries Division (CID) CID, a division within the State of Hawai‘i’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, 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 Entrepreneurs Sandbox The Entrepreneurs Sandbox is Hawai‘i’s community hub to inspire creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship. Located in Kaka‘ako, the Sandbox is a two-story 13,500 square-foot state-owned innovation center featuring offices for technology focused teams, coworking, conference rooms, and event space managed by partner BoxJelly.