The Hawai‘i State Senate is accepting job applications for the upcoming 2021 legislative session. Applicants interested in working for a dynamic organization, serving our community, and expanding your perspective of the legislative process should visit the Senate Jobs page at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sjobs.aspx for more details. Session jobs are temporary and require a 4-6-month commitment, depending on the position. Most will begin on January 4, 2021 and end on the last day of the legislative session. Senate employees working 20 hours or more per week are eligible for health insurance through the Hawai‘i Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund. To apply, please send a cover letter, position reference number, and resume to sclerk2@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Hawai‘i’s Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH) will launch an expanded COVID-19 dashboard on Monday, November 2, 2020 at 3 p.m. This expanded dashboard will update daily at 3 p.m. and provide access to daily COVID-19 case counts, seven-day case averages, positivity rates, and the number of deaths caused by COVID-19. The dashboard will also feature a county-by-county summary of hospital resources, including the availability of ICU beds and ventilators. It also includes graphics which depict the number of daily visitor arrivals, state tax revenues, unemployment claims, and bankruptcy filings. The expanded dashboard will also be accessible on mobile devices. “In addition to virus data, this new COVID-19 dashboard will provide a single site where users can find data on Hawai‘i’s economy, as well as additional information on travel, tourism and how hospitals are coping with the pandemic,” said HI-EMA Administrator Luke Meyers. HI-EMA will maintain and update the dashboard, which launched in early September, with content provided by DOH and its partners in the medical profession. “What began as a health dashboard is now evolving and maturing as we continue our fight against COVID-19,” said DOH Director Libby Char. “Measuring our progress, preparing, and planning for our entire state involves much more than counting positive cases. We appreciate HI-EMA’s work to enhance and maintain the data dashboard.” The new dashboard can be found at https://hawaiicovid19.com/dashboard/ which is linked to the state’s COVID-19 website https://hawaiicovid19.com/.

The Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the tax industry today warned of a new text scam created by thieves that trick people into disclosing bank account information under the guise of receiving the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. The IRS, states and industry, working together as the Security Summit, remind taxpayers that neither the IRS nor state agencies will ever text taxpayers asking for bank account information so that an EIP deposit may be made. “Criminals are relentlessly using COVID-19 and Economic Impact Payments as cover to try to trick taxpayers out of their money or identities,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “This scam is a new twist on those we’ve been seeing much of this year. We urge people to remain alert to these types of scams.” The scam text message states: “You have received a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment into your account. Continue here to accept this payment …” The text includes a link to a fake phishing web address. This fake phishing URL, which appears to come from a state agency or relief organization, takes recipients to a fraudulent website that impersonates the IRS.gov Get My Payment website. Individuals who visit the fraudulent website and then enter their personal and financial account information will have their information collected by these scammers. People who receive this text scam should take a screenshot of the text message that they received and then include the screenshot in an email to phishing@irs.gov with the following information: Date/Time/Timezone that they received the text message The number that appeared on their Caller ID The number that received the text message The IRS does not send unsolicited texts or emails. The IRS does not call people with threats of jail or lawsuits, nor does it demand tax payments on gift cards. People who believe they are eligible for the Economic Impact Payment should go directly to IRS.gov. People who do not have a filing requirement but who are eligible for EIP can use a non-filers tool on IRS.gov until Nov. 21 to claim their payment. Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit-partners-warn-taxpayers-of-new-covid-related-text-scam

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 (𝐃𝐁𝐄𝐃𝐓) 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐢‘𝐢: Calendar Year 2019 report produced by DBEDT’s Research and Economic Analysis Division (READ), in collaboration with the department’s Business Development and Support Division (BDSD) and the Study Hawai‘i Educational Consortium. Estimates in this report were based on the Hawai‘i International Education Survey (IES) conducted during the months of May-September 2020 which covered data for calendar year 2019. The data does not reflect the economic impact of international students due to COVID-19 pandemic. The 2019 direct spending of international students in the State of Hawai‘i was an estimated $185 million. This amount included tuition and fees plus living expenses. Based on this direct impact, the economic impacts of international student expenditures for calendar year 2019 were as follows: • $381.2 million in economic output generated, including direct, indirect, and induce effects; • $29.2 million in state taxes generated; • $168.4 million in household income generated; and • 3,756 jobs supported by international student spending. The overall average annual per student spending was $13,838, including living expenses and tuition and fees across all programs, for calendar year 2019. The state’s public higher education system, the University of Hawaiʻi 10-campus system, accounted for about 45.5% of the direct spending and total economic output generated by international students attending schools in Hawaiʻi. “International students have positively contributed to Hawai‘i and our economy for many years,” stated DBEDT Director Mike McCartney. “They have helped to expand our marketing and promotion efforts to reinforce the message that Hawai‘i is a place where the world comes to learn. In 2019 these students brought an international perspective to our communities as well as spending, tax revenue and jobs to our state. The growth of this industry sector is one of the strategic initiatives we intend to pursue for the state’s economic diversification and expansion.” “While the COVID pandemic has added a pause to travel to Hawai‘i, we are confident that international students will continue to seek educational opportunities in the state in the near future”, said Dennis Ling, administrator of BDSD. “Our department hopes to continue its efforts to attract international students to the state once the pandemic is controlled.” The 2020 IES received responses from 44 of Hawai‘i’s educational institutions, covering data for the 2019 calendar year. The responding institutions for the current survey represented 13,371 international students. The report is available at https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/economic/reports/2020-10-foreign-student.pdf

The Hawaiʻi State Senate today announced its 2021 leadership and committee assignments ahead of the Thirty-First Legislature that opens on January 20, 2021. “With the election now over, it is important to quickly organize members of the Senate so that we can begin the important work of preparing for the upcoming legislative session,” said Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English. “We are confident that these new committee assignments are reflective of our practice of making the best use of our members’ skills and experiences.” Leadership and members in the sixteen standing committees are: Leadership President: Senator Ronald D. Kouchi Vice President: Senator Michelle N. Kidani Majority Leader: Senator J. Kalani English Majority Caucus Leader: Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha Majority Policy Leader: Senator Les Ihara, Jr. Minority Leader/Floor Leader: Senator Kurt Fevella Committee Assignments Agriculture and Environment (AEN) Gabbard, Mike (Chair) Nishihara, Clarence (Vice Chair) Kahele, Kaialiʻi ** Rhoads, Karl Fevella, Kurt Commerce and Consumer Protection (CPN) Baker, Rosalyn H. (Chair) Chang, Stanley (Vice Chair) Misalucha, Bennette Nishihara, Clarence Riviere, Gil San Buenaventura, Joy Fevella, Kurt Education (EDU) Kidani, Michelle N. (Chair) Kim, Donna Mercado (Vice Chair) Dela Cruz, Donovan Kanuha, Dru Mamo Fevella, Kurt Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism (EET) Wakai, Glenn (Chair) Misalucha, Bennette (Vice Chair) Lee, Chris Riviere, Gil Fevella, Kurt Government Operations (GVO) Moriwaki, Sharon Y. (Chair) Taniguchi, Brian T. (Vice Chair) Chang, Stanley Gabbard, Mike Fevella, Kurt Hawaiian Affairs (HWN) Shimabukuro, Maile S. L. (Chair) Kahele, Kaialiʻi ** (Vice Chair) Ihara, Jr., Les Keohokalole, Jarrett Fevella, Kurt Health (HTH) Keohokalole, Jarrett (Chair) Baker, Rosalyn (Vice Chair) Moriwaki, Sharon Y. San Buenaventura, Joy Fevella, Kurt Housing (HOU) Chang, Stanley (Chair) Kanuha, Dru Mamo (Vice Chair) Moriwaki, Sharon Y. Rhoads, Karl Fevella, Kurt Higher Education (HRE) Kim, Donna Mercado (Chair) Kidani, Michelle N. (Vice Chair) Keith-Agaran, Gilbert S. C. Wakai, Glenn Fevella, Kurt Human Services (HMS) San Buenaventura, Joy (Chair) Ihara, Jr., Les (Vice Chair) Kahele, Kaialiʻi ** Misalucha, Bennette Fevella, Kurt Judiciary (JDC) Rhoads, Karl (Chair) Keohokalole, Jarrett (Vice Chair) Gabbard, Mike Kahele, Kaialiʻi ** Kim, Donna Mercado Lee, Chris Fevella, Kurt Labor, Culture and Arts (LCA) Taniguchi, Brian T. (Chair) Ihara, Jr., Les (Vice Chair) Chang, Stanley Keohokalole, Jarrett Fevella, Kurt Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs (PSM) Nishihara, Clarence K. (Chair) English, J. Kalani (Vice Chair) Baker, Rosalyn H. Riviere, Gil Fevella, Kurt Transportation (TRS) Lee, Chris (Chair) Inouye, Lorraine R. (Vice Chair) English, J. Kalani Shimabukuro, Maile S. L. Fevella, Kurt Water and Land (WTL) Inouye, Lorraine R. (Chair) Keith-Agaran, Gilbert S.C. (Vice Chair) Misalucha, Bennette Riviere, Gil Fevella, Kurt Ways and Means (WAM) Dela Cruz, Donovan M. (Chair) Keith-Agaran, Gilbert S.C. (Vice Chair) English, J. Kalani Inouye, Lorraine R. Kanuha, Dru Mamo Kidani, Michelle N. Moriwaki, Sharon Y. Shimabukuro, Maile S. L. Taniguchi, Brian T. Wakai, Glenn Fevella, Kurt ** Senator Kaialiʻi Kahele was recently elected to represent the 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. The process to fill his State Senate seat (as outlined in Hawaii Rev. Stat., §17-3) will begin immediately following his formal resignation.

Hawai'i COVID-19 Joint Information Center Daily News Digest for November 2, 2020

Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami announced that the county is launching a free COVID-19 surge testing program available every Sunday, and urged hospitality industry staff and uninsured residents to participate. “Free testing is open to everyone regardless of health insurance or symptoms,” said Mayor Kawakami. “We want to encourage our hospitality industry staff who work closely with visitors to get tested, to help protect their family and friends and our entire community. Tests are free to everyone, including those who are uninsured. Testing sites will rotate every Sunday between Līhuʻe, Kapa‘a, and Hanapēpē, beginning this weekend.” The County of Kaua‘i, in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Health, is providing free COVID-19 testing at rotating sites every Sunday through the end of the year. The program is intended to provide regular access for hospitality industry staff who work closely with visitors and are at an increased risk of infection. Testing is available every Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., through the end of 2020: • November 8: Līhuʻe - Vidinha Stadium • November 15: Kapa‘a - Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex • November 22: Hanapēpē Stadium • November 29: Līhuʻe - Vidinha Stadium • December 6: Kapa‘a - Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex • December 13: Hanapēpē Stadium • December 20: Līhuʻe - Vidinha Stadium • December 27: Kapa‘a - Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex Participants are asked to register in advance at doineedacovid19test.com. Limited on-site registration will be available for those who are unable to register online. Hospitality staff includes individuals of all ages working at hotels, restaurants/bars, tour companies, transportation companies, etc. Testing will also be available to those with poor access to COVID-19 testing, such as those who are under or uninsured. These tests are not part of the state’s pre-travel testing program and cannot be used for quarantine exemptions. For more information on pre-travel testing, please visit https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel/ This new surge testing program is separate from the previously announced post-travel testing program for out of state travelers. For more information on post-travel testing, please visit: Visitors: kauai.gov/visitorposttest Kaua‘i residents: kauai.gov/residentposttest

County officials would like to inform Wastewater Management Division customers that the 2021 sewer credit applications will be mailed out to all residential sewer customers on Nov. 6, 2020. The deadline for customers to apply for the sewer credit program is Dec. 31, 2020. If you do not receive an application by mail, the sewer credit application is also available on the County of Kauaʻi’s Wastewater Management Division website (www.kauai.gov/publicworks/wastewater). The Division’s sewer credit program requires qualifying customers to reapply annually. As such, customers who currently receive a sewer credit will need to reapply to be eligible for the sewer credit in 2021. To protect Division employees and our customers in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all completed applications and required associated documents must be submitted via email or mail. Customers may submit their completed applications via email to pwww@kauai.gov or via mail to: County of Kauaʻi Department of Public Works Wastewater Management Division 4444 Rice Street, Suite 500 Līhuʻe HI 96766 Please note that email applications must be sent by 4:30 P.M. on Dec. 31, 2020, and mailed applications must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2020. Anyone with questions may contact the Department of Public Works, Wastewater Management Division at 808-241-4082 or via email at pwww@kauai.gov.

Hanapēpē Bridge on Hanapēpē Road will be closed intermittently from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for waterline work through Feb. 5, weather permitting. Access will be limited to pedestrians and bicyclists. The work to be performed will be for the Kaua‘i Department of Water and will include the installation of new water facilities and site restoration. A detour route is attached to facilitate vehicular traffic within the area. Vehicles westbound may take routes through Hana Road and Hanapēpē Road, while vehicles eastbound may take detour routes through Pu‘olo Road and Hanapēpē Road. Anyone with questions may contact Ryan Mountcastle with Goodfellow Bros., LLC at 658-1151 or ryanm@goodfellowbros.com.

The Kaua‘i District Health Office reports one new positive case of COVID-19 on Wednesday. Additionally, three cases have been released from isolation today, including one person who was hospitalized. Kaua‘i now has six active cases and a cumulative case total of 68 plus one probable. Today’s case is a female resident who recently traveled off island. She became symptomatic after returning home and was tested through her medical provider. There is also a new case in a male visitor who recently traveled from the mainland and whose positive pre-travel test was reported after arrival on Kaua‘i. This case will not be added to Kaua‘i’s total case count because it was diagnosed out of state. Both individuals are in isolation and close contacts are being identified, offered testing, and instructed to quarantine. The Department of Health is continuing its contact tracing investigation. One active case remains hospitalized, and a second active case was hospitalized today. Post-travel testing is available to both residents and visitors who traveled to Kaua‘i from the mainland and participated in the state's Safe Travel Program. Testing is available no sooner than 72 hours after arrival and up to 14 days, but the preferable time is five to seven days after arrival for best results. Many travelers are not on island that long and in those cases, a test three days after arrival is encouraged. For more information on the post-travel testing program, visit www.Kauai.gov/COVID-19. For more information on the state’s COVID-19 cases or the state's Safe Travels program, visit www.hawaiicovid19.com

𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞: Governor David Ige and the Department of Public Safety today announced the appointment of Jordan Lowe to serve as the Deputy Director for Law Enforcement in the Department of Public Safety, effective November 5, 2020. “Jordan has decades of experience in federal and state law enforcement. I am confident in his ability to provide effective leadership for PSD’s Law Enforcement Division during these critical times, and I believe he will serve the department and our state well,” said Gov. Ige. One of his biggest tasks will be to bring about the accreditation of the Department of Public Safety Sheriff Division through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA). “Jordan brings a broad-based foundation and commitment to law enforcement. I’m confident he will satisfy the CALEA requirements and ensure completion of this national accreditation of our Sheriff Division,” says Fred Hyun, PSD Acting Director. “I look forward to joining the Department of Public Safety and providing a positive impact for the department’s Law Enforcement Division,” said Lowe. Lowe most recently worked at the Honolulu Department of Prosecuting Attorney as the Chief Investigator for the Investigative Services Division. Jordan began his thirty-nine (39) years of public service as an internal auditor for the Office of Regional Inspector and conducted operational reviews for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He subsequently became a Special Agent with the Criminal Investigation Division for the IRS and conducted complex financial investigations. As his career continued, Jordan transferred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives where he served as a Certified Explosives Specialist, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) lead agent, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force Commander, Assistant Team Leader for Crisis Negotiation – Special Response Team, and Team Leader at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Thailand. Jordan retired from the Bureau as the Resident Agent in Charge of the Honolulu Field Office and the Hawaiʻi County Office. After retiring from federal service, Jordan came full circle and began working for the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Taxation (DOTAX) as a Supervisory Special Agent for the Criminal Investigation Section. Upon his departure from DOTAX as the Chief Special Agent, Jordan joined the Honolulu Department of Prosecuting Attorney as the Chief Investigator for the Investigative Services Division. The current Deputy Director for Law Enforcement, Renee Sonobe Hong, will be transitioning to her new position at the Department of the Attorney General where she will serve as the supervising deputy attorney general for the Criminal Justice Division, effective November 5, 2020. The Public Safety Department deputy director appointments are not subject to Senate confirmation.

Hawaiʻi celebrates the 115th year of Arbor Day in November by distributing thousands of free trees across the state during socially distanced giveaways Although 2020 has no doubt been a challenging year, the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program (part of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife) and their partners are committed to continue the state’s annual tradition of planting and giving away trees in their 115th year celebrating Arbor Day Hawaiʻi. Each November, Arbor Day Hawaiʻi events distribute thousands of trees to residents across the state to create a greener Hawaiʻi. This year will be no exception, though it will look a bit different. Instead of gathering events, many of the giveaway locations will be switching to a drive-thru model where you can reserve a time to come pick up your tree of choice, or something similar. To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/297862533 “Safety is a top priority this year, we are working to ensure that all of our events enforce smart health-conscious protocols while still allowing the community to celebrate Arbor Day. This year has been exceptionally tough, but we felt that we needed to continue our tradition of distributing trees, increasing our tree canopy, and raising awareness about the importance of trees now more than ever,” said Shannon Noelle Rivera, project consultant with Arbor Day Hawaiʻi. Individuals can make a tangible impact on their family and community well-being by planting and maintaining trees in their neighborhoods, donating to forestry organizations, and volunteering in restoration projects. Hawai’i residents have an opportunity to get involved directly each year by participating in Arbor Day Hawaiʻi. November marks the beginning of the rainy season in Hawai‘i, which is the perfect time to plant trees. Thousands of trees and dozens of species are scheduled to be given away on November 7th, and Arbor Day Hawaiʻi is looking for people committed to planting these trees in hopes of a brighter, greener, and healthier future. “With global health being a main theme of this year, it’s imperative for everyone to know about the connections between trees and our health. We want the people participating in Arbor Day to know that even by planting just one tree, they are helping,” Rivera further stated. This year, Arbor Day Hawaiʻi tree giveaways supported by Kaulunani will be held on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and Maui. Find the giveaway nearest you for a chance to plant a much-needed tree by visiting www.ArborDayHawaii.org. Arbor Day Hawaiʻi trees are free, one-per-family, will be in one-gallon pots, and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Masks and social distancing will be required at every site. Please visit the website for specific details on each island location. The 2020 Arbor Day Oʻahu giveaways are presented in partnership by the Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program, USDA Forest Service, City & County of Honolulu, Hawai’i State Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Additional support in thanks to Smart Trees Pacific, the Waimea Valley, Aloha Arborist Association, Women’s Community Correctional Center, O’ahu Urban Garden Ohana, University of Hawai’i Master Gardener Program, Malama Learning Center, Girl Scouts of Hawai’i, Blue Zones Project, Alexander and Baldwin. Tree giveaways on Kauai and Maui and in Kailua and West O’ahu are managed by local partners and supported by the Kaulunani Urban & Community Forestry Program. For more information on Arbor Day Hawaiʻi, please contact: Heather McMillen, Kaulunani UCF Coordinator. (808) 286-7218. Email: Heather.L.McMillen@hawaii.gov