The best time to prevent the next pandemic is now: countries join voices for better emergency preparedness COVID-19 will not be the world’s last health emergency and there is an urgent need for sustainable health emergency preparedness to deal with the next one. This was the strong sentiment shared by participants of the United Nations General Assembly side-event on ‘Sustainable preparedness for health security and resilience: Adopting a whole-of-society approach and breaking the “panic-then-forget” cycle’. The high-level virtual event was co-hosted by Finland, France and Indonesia, along with the World Health Organization (WHO). Past crises have shown that once an outbreak is under control, governments and donors tend to turn their attention to other pressing concerns. This cycle of “panic-then-forget” has prevented the development of effective health emergency preparedness across the globe. The world needs to break this cycle once and for all. This week, the world crossed a grim milestone with over a million lives lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, and many more expected to have died from unprecedented disruptions to the health systems. “Over the years we have had many reports, reviews and recommendations all saying the same thing: the world is not prepared for a pandemic. COVID-19 has laid bare the truth: when the time came, the world was still not ready,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in his opening address. He called for investing in preparedness, with an all-of-government and all-of-society approach. “This will not be the last pandemic, nor the last global health emergency. But with the right political and financial investments now, we can advance health security, prevent and mitigate future pandemics, and protect our future and the future of generations to come,” he said. Countries spoke of their commitment to health emergency preparedness. “We know that preparedness makes economic sense, and we have developed tools and models for multi-sectoral cooperation. Learning from the pandemic and building on the previous progress should guide our steps to strengthen Health Security and thus help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Päivi Sillanaukee, Ambassador for Health and Wellbeing, Republic of Finland. “There is an urgent need to leverage the response to COVID-19 to build, maintain and strengthen sustainable public health capacities for emergency preparedness […] France firmly believes that preparedness deserves to be placed much higher on the foreign policy agenda and we are willing to foster cooperation among Member States to ensure the continued visibility of this topic, whether here in Geneva or at the UNGA in New York,” said Stéphanie Seydoux, Ambassador for Global Health, French Republic. Health emergency preparedness is part of the larger vision of health for all. In her speech, Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Retno L.P. Marsudi, reminded participants that “the investment we must make at the national level now is ensuring affordable health care for all. Let us ask ourselves, how many times have we heard of people denying themselves of much needed medical health care due to costs.... The issue of affordable health care for all is at the heart of Indonesia’s chairmanship of the Foreign Policy and Global Health initiative.” Also sharing their countries’ experience with COVID-19 were the Ministers of Health of the Netherlands, Oman, Senegal and Singapore. Speaking to this issue as well were the Coordinator of the Group of African Ambassadors in Geneva, and Germany’s Deputy Director-General, Federal Foreign Office. The discussion was led by Ambassador Hasan Kleib of Indonesia in Geneva. Stressing the role of community empowerment was the President of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mr Francesco Rocca. He said his organization had learned from working with its network of responders in 192 countries that there is an urgent need to invest in preparedness at the community level, to “promote humanitarian action to be as local as possible, as global as necessary […] We call on governments, partners and donors to invest in preparedness at the community level to save lives and alleviate suffering in the next inevitable emergency.” The role of parliaments and the importance of a multisectoral approach was highlighted by the Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Mr Martin Chungong. The International Association of National Public Health Institutes, and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Development and Cooperation emphasized the important role played by partner organizations in country and global preparedness and financing. Mr Sami Kanaan, the Mayor of Geneva, stressed an all-of-society approach. “Local governments must not only be provided with the means to implement policies. They also need to be included in the international debates that eventually shape solutions to the humanity’s most pressing challenges,” he said. Closing the event, Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme, appreciated the participants’ remarks, and asked for them to be met with sustained commitment to preparedness. “We cannot, cannot, cannot let the world forget because the next one may not be anything but the worst one,” he said. “This (COVID-19) may just be a harbinger of what may come, we are living with too much risk.” This event marked a crucial dialogue among countries, donors and partners on building back better for future emergency preparedness during the current COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond. It comes on the heels of the release of a sobering report by the Global Preparedness and Monitoring Board that also called for urgent action in this area. According to the report, investments in preparedness would only cost US$ 5 per person annually, whereas the cost of this pandemic is already over US$ 11 trillion and counting.

HIDOE teachers, students and families, your voice matters! Help the Department and your school better support you by sharing your first quarter experiences. The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) is currently seeking feedback from teachers, secondary students and families to learn more about first quarter experiences of the 2020-21 school year. This feedback is essential as we continue to assess system progress, identify areas where additional support is needed and coordinate resources. Return to Learn Survey - HIDOE Secondary Students (Hawaii public and charter middle and high school students in grades 6-12) Return to Learn Survey - HIDOE Families (Parents and guardians of any Hawaii public or charter school student) Teacher survey All HIDOE public and charter school teachers should receive an email with their unique survey link from Panorama Education on Oct. 1. Teachers who did not receive an email from Panorama Education can contact Teri Ushijima at teri.ushijima@k12.hi.us. Teachers can share their feedback now until Oct. 23, 2020. Survey questions can be viewed here. Secondary student survey Middle and high school students in grades 6-12 who are enrolled at any Hawaii public or charter school are invited to share their feedback now until Oct. 23, 2020. The survey is available in 14 different languages (select desired language via the drop down box at the top left corner). Survey questions can be viewed here. Family survey Parents and guardians of any student enrolled at a Hawaii public or charter school are invited to share their feedback now until Oct. 30, 2020. The survey is available in 14 different languages (select desired language via the drop down box at the top left corner). One survey may be completed per child. Survey questions can be viewed here. All surveys are completely confidential — no one at the school, complex area or state office will be able to connect responses back to the individuals. To help promote participation, please feel free to download and share this flyer. If you would like to participate but are unable to complete the survey online, please contact the Assessment and Accountability Branch at 808-586-3283.

Gov. David Ige announced today that he has appointed Edmund (“Fred”) Hyun to serve as the temporary acting director overseeing the state Department of Public Safety, effective October 1 through November 30. The appointment of an interim director is still to be determined. PSD Director Nolan Espinda announced his retirement in early September, effective at the close of business Sept. 30. “At the beginning of this month, I appointed Fred to serve as special master to the Department of Public Safety and conduct a top-to-bottom assessment of the department. He will continue that assignment through his new, temporary leadership role,” said Gov. Ige. “Maria Cook will continue assisting Fred in her capacity as deputy director for Administration.” Hyun will assess the operations of the administration, corrections and law enforcement divisions, including strengths and weaknesses. He is also tasked with investigating concerns raised by the unions about the department’s COVID-19 response. Following his assessment, Hyun will make recommendations to address any areas of concern and prioritize potential mitigation measures. “I’m ready to continue this assignment to help PSD identify areas of improvement and make the necessary changes to enable the department to operate more effectively,” says Hyun. Hyun is the current chair of the Hawai‘i Paroling Authority (HPA). Effective immediately, he will take a temporary leave of absence from his HPA position. HPA board member Fituina Fiapule Tua will fill in as acting HPA chair until Hyun’s return on December 1. Edmund “Fred” Hyun BIO: Hyun was born and raised on the island of O‘ahu where he attended the University Lab Schools. He graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with a degree in psychology, and later earned a master’s degree in social work. After completing his undergraduate requirements, Hyun served in the Hawai‘i Air National Guard. Following his initial active duty, he was hired by the Hawai‘i Youth Correctional Facility as a Youth Corrections Officer where he started the first halfway house for committed wards. He then was hired as a supervisor with the Oʻahu Intake Service Center to address jail overcrowding. Hyun became the Hawaiʻi Intake Service Center manager until his retirement from Public Safety in 2003. Upon his retirement, Hyun worked in private security until he was hired by the Honolulu Liquor Commission. Fituina Fiapule Tua BIO: Tua was born in American Samoa but raised on O‘ahu. He is a graduate of Saint Louis High School and San Jose State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. He also graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, with a Master of Science Degree. After completing his undergraduate work, Tua returned to Hawai‘i and was employed as a business agent for United Public Workers Union (UPW) representing Unit 10 members (Judiciary and State Corrections. Later, he returned to Boston and worked in Corrections for the State of Massachusetts and for the Trial Courts of Massachusetts in the Probation Department. Tua returned to Hawai‘i and worked at the Judiciary as a Family Court probation officer until he was hired as a United States probation officer with the Federal Judiciary for the District of Hawai‘i. After 20 years of federal service, Tua retired from the U.S. Probation Office in 2013 and was appointed to the State of Hawai‘i Parole Board by Gov. Neil Abercrombie for a 4-year term and later by Gov. David Ige to another 4-year term that is scheduled to expire in Feb. 2021.

Mayor Michael Victorino announced a food distribution event for Moloka'i residents beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, October 2, at the Mitchell Pau'ole Center in Kaunakakai. Volunteers will pass out 150 boxes of ground beef, fruits and vegetables on a first-come, first-served basis. To maximize social distancing, food distribution will be done in a grab-and-go drive-through (no walk up). Motorists will have the option of getting boxes placed in their vehicle’s trunk or rear cargo area. Recipients are required to wear face masks. Mayor Victorino thanked Moloka'i Community Liaison Stacy Crivello and Department of Parks and Recreation Moloka'i District Superintendent Darin Kimoto for making this food distribution event possible. “Mahalo for all you do to help Moloka'i families impacted by COVID-19,” Mayor Victorino said. “It’s encouraging to see our `ohana pull together to help each other in times of need.”

GOV. IGE ANNOUNCES 98% OF $863M FROM CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND HAS BEEN DESIGNATED TO PUBLIC HEALTH, ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Gov. David Ige announced today that 98% of the $863 million of the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) received by the state in April has been set aside to assist with COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. Gov. Ige added that all remaining CRF funds have been designated and will be used to support the three priority areas of the Hawaiʻi Pandemic Action Plan, which aims to protect public health, revive the economy, and strengthen our community. The CRF has already helped to support: $100 million for rent and mortgage relief $14 million to bring in nurses and healthcare workers from the mainland to support our local healthcare industry $10 million for job re-training programs $31 million for devices and connectivity to support schools $61 million for PPE and supplies for schools, hospitals and businesses The CRF must be spent by Dec. 30, 2020. Any funds unspent at year’s end will be placed in the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund and used to help repay a $1 billion loan that was secured to pay unemployment benefits to local residents. “The state will not leave any of the federal funding unused as these funds provide a crucial lifeline to our residents and businesses. We are going to use every penny,” said Gov. Ige. “I want to extend my appreciation to the House and the Senate for working closely with my administration, as well as the counties, nonprofit partners and businesses that have stepped up to help get this money disbursed into our community.” The governor announced that about $5 million of the CRF is being used by the state unemployment office to staff a new 200-person call center, which begins operating today. Anne E. Perreira-Eustaquio, director, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, said the call center will put claimants in contact with a live person who can assist with a claim, resolve issues, answer questions about pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA), and process applications and payments more quickly. Unemployment Insurance Call Center numbers are: (833)-901-2272 (833)-901-2275 Serving all claims: regular Unemployment Insurance (UI), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) and Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Service members (UCX) The governor also announced a new dining card program funded by $75 million from the CRF, that assists both Hawaiʻi’s unemployed and restaurants. Sherry Menor McNamara, president and CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i, and Denise Hayashi Yamaguchi, executive director, Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation, said the dining card program offers displaced workers a pre-paid $500 dining card for use at any Hawai‘i restaurant. A portion of the CRF, $175,323,979, has also been distributed to the neighbor island counties and is already being used to assist individuals, households, businesses, and will also support the reopening of schools and the protection of public health. Gov. Ige also spoke about the need to get the CRF into the community quickly and to ensure transparency. Jill Tokuda, special advisor to the Hawai‘i Data Collaborative, is monitoring and tracking federal funds awarded to the state with assistance from the State Department of Budget and Finance. To learn more about federal dollars received by Hawaiʻi and grants available under the CARES Act, please visit the State Department of Budget and Finance website at federalawards.hawaii.gov/featured/managing-coronavirus-federal-aid or the Hawai‘i Data Collaborative website at hawaiidata.org. LINKS TO NEWS CONFERENCE GRAPHICS: PDF Video Photos

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and The American Cancer Society is urging women to talk to their doctors to find out what's best for them. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, elective medical procedures, including cancer screening, were largely put on hold to prioritize urgent needs and reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19 in healthcare settings. One consequence of this has been a substantial decline in cancer screening. As states re-open businesses and ease restrictions, many healthcare facilities are starting to offer elective procedures again, including cancer screening. Restarting cancer screening requires careful consideration of the risks and benefits of screening, along with ensuring safety for both patients and healthcare personnel. Decisions about restarting screening depend on many factors, and they may not be the same for every person. They will likely vary by community while the pandemic continues. If an appointment was made for screening that was postponed or canceled, patients should talk to their healthcare team about when to reschedule. Providers can discuss balancing the risks and benefits of being screened now or postponing for a later date, considering personal and family history, other risk factors, and the timing of the last screening test. "Finding breast cancer early and getting high-quality cancer treatment are the most important strategies to prevent deaths from breast cancer. Getting regular screening tests is a critically important part of finding breast cancer early," said Dr. Laura Makaroff, Senior Vice President, Prevention and Early Detection for the American Cancer Society. "Breast cancer screening disparities are already evident and without focused attention, are likely to increase as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts to promote breast cancer screening and overcome barriers for populations with low screening prevalence must be at the forefront of our focus," said Makaroff. Many women get an annual mammogram for breast cancer screening. However, leading organizations that issue screening guidelines recommend that average risk women ages 55 and older can be screened every two years. Women 55 or older who had a normal mammogram within the last year could choose to have their next mammogram up to 24 months after your last one. As your regular facility for health care returns to providing cancer screening, it's important that it is done as safely as possible. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommendations for healthcare facilities to reduce the risk of COVID transmission: Screening centers should be available to answer questions from patients via phone or web portal before and/or after the screening procedure. Patients should be pre-screened for COVID-related symptoms before screening appointments. Scheduling of appointments should allow for physical distancing between patients, and longer appointment times, if needed, to avoid crowding in waiting rooms and patient care areas. There should be limitations on visitors other than patients and/or their caregivers into the screening facility. If not done in front of the patient, the screening center should be able to explain how often equipment and surfaces are disinfected and cleaned. Everyone, including patients and staff, should wear a face covering or face mask, where appropriate. There should be frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizer by staff, patients, and visitors. SOURCE American Cancer Society

Gov. David Ige has received a list of four nominees from the Judicial Selection Commission, for associate justice on the Supreme Court, State of Hawai‘i. The seat has been vacant since Associate Justice Richard W. Pollack retired in June 2020. The four nominees are: Todd W. Eddins has served as a judge with the First Circuit Court since 2017. He has previously worked in private practice, specializing in criminal, civil and appellate litigation. He also worked in the Office of the Public Defender and as a judicial law clerk for the Hawai‘i Supreme court under Justice Yoshimi Hayashi. Eddins earned his BBA from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and his J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He has coached youth athletics and the Hawai‘i Youth Correctional Facility/Olomana High School mock trial team. David M. Forman is the director of the Environmental Law Program at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He is also a faculty specialist at Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law. Previously, Forman worked as interim director, lecturer and pro bono faculty advisor at the law school. He attended Harvard College where he earned a B.A. and later a Graduate Ocean Policy Certificate from UH Mānoa. Forman has a J.D. from UH Mānoa’s William S. Richardson School of Law. Darolyn Lendio Heim currently serves as a District Court judge in Honolulu. Her first job -- a field worker for Del Monte Pineapple in Kunia. She was a staff reporter at Good Housekeeping Magazine and the Wall Street Journal, L.A. Bureau. As an attorney, she worked in private practice, and as an extern for Hawai‘i Supreme Court Justice Yoshimi Hayashi. In addition, Lendio Heim served as director of the Department of the Corporation Counsel, City and County of Honolulu; vice president for Legal Affairs and University General Counsel, University of Hawai‘i System; interim executive administrator and secretary for the UH Board of Regents. Benjamin E. Lowenthal is a deputy public defender at the Office of the Public Defender in Wailuku, Maui. He has served as a law clerk for the Hon. Judge Corinne K.A. Watanabe, Intermediate Court of Appeals in Honolulu and worked as an attorney in private practice. Lowenthal also writes the column “The State of Aloha” for The Maui News. He attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, Maui Community College and San Francisco State University where he earned his B.A. In 2003, Lowenthal received his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law. The public is welcome to submit comments on any of the nominees here. Gov. Ige has 30 calendar days to make his appointment.

PLEASE NOTE the following update regarding the current lowering of the flag to honor the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Justice Ginsburg’s interment was scheduled today, Sept. 29, 2020. Accordingly, all flags shall return to full staff at sunset today.

On today’s update of COVID-19, the number of new active cases, on Hawaii Island, reported and monitored by the Department of Health is three (3). At this date, for Hawaii Island, fifteen (15) are hospitalized. The Hilo Medical Center reports a total of twenty-eight (28) deaths for Hawaii Island. For your information, there is one Covid testing site for today in Puna at the Keaau High School. Hours are from 9 this morning ‘til 1 this afternoon. In efforts to control the spread of the Coronavirus on Hawaii Island, increased testing will continue throughout the Island. When you are tested know that you are helping to stop the spread of the virus. The cooperation and participation by residents throughout the island has been tremendous. Thank you. Hawaii County Police Department will continue their enforcement of the preventative polices of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. Know that these policies are mandated and will be enforced. While on patrol, Police Officers will provide face coverings to people they encounter who do not have one. Please accept this kuleana to make Hawaii Safe. Thank you for listening and have a safe week. This is your Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.

The Elections Division of the Office of the County Clerk will be offering drive-thru voter registration services in the back parking area between the Historic County Annex Building and State Department of Human Services Kaua‘i Processing Center (former courthouse) Services will be offered from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2 and Monday, October 5, 2020 near the pop-up tent immediately behind the Elections Division back entrance. The deadline to register to vote for the 2020 General Election is October 5, 2020. To protect the health and safety of voters and Election Division staff, voters are asked to remain in their vehicles, wear a mask, and use their own black or blue pen. Election Division staff will approach the vehicle with a Voter Registration Application and clipboard. To register to vote, you must be a U.S. Citizen, Hawai‘i resident, and at least 16 years old. Individuals at least 16 years old can pre-register to vote and will be eligible to vote when they turn 18. Voters can register to vote or update their voter registration online at elections.hawaii.gov or by submitting a Voter Registration Application to the Elections Division. To use the Online Voter Registration System, voters will need to log in with their Hawai‘i Driver License or Hawai‘i State ID. Otherwise, voters can fill out a paper Voter Registration Application, available at election offices, post offices, and online at elections.hawaii.gov. Finally, voters are advised to contact the Elections Division directly if they have any questions and/or concerns regarding elections related matters. Official election information will only be disseminated through the Elections Division of the Office of the County Clerk, the State Office of Elections, or via the Public Information Officer of the County of Kaua‘i. Election Officials cannot assure the accuracy of election information obtained through social media or related sources. For additional information, please contact the Office of the County Clerk, Elections Division at 241-4800.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today issued final regulations updating the federal income tax withholding rules for certain periodic retirement and annuity payments made after Dec. 31, 2020. Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), if no withholding certificate was in effect for a taxpayer’s periodic payments, the amount to be withheld from the payments was determined by treating the taxpayer as a married individual claiming three withholding exemptions. The TCJA amended this rule to provide that the rate of withholding on periodic payments when no withholding certificate is in effect (the default rate of withholding) would instead be determined under rules prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. The final regulation issued today provides guidance for 2021 and future calendar years. This guidance specifies that the Treasury Department and the IRS will provide the rules and procedures for determining the default rate of withholding on periodic payments in applicable forms, instructions, publications and other guidance. In July 2020, the IRS released a draft of a redesigned 2021 Form W-4P and instructions intended to align with the redesigned Form W-4, “Employee’s Withholding Certificate.” The draft 2021 Form W-4P also proposed a new default rate of withholding on periodic payments that begin after Dec. 31, 2020. Based on comments received on the draft Form W-4P, regarding the time required by payors to implement the new form and a new default rate of withholding, the IRS will postpone issuance of the redesigned form. Instead, the 2021 Form W-4P will be similar to the 2020 Form W-4P. The IRS also intends to provide in the instructions to the 2021 Form W-4P and related publications that the default rate of withholding on periodic payments will continue to be determined by treating the taxpayer as a married individual claiming three withholding allowances. The Treasury and IRS will continue working closely with the tax community on the redesign of Form W 4P, with the intention of making the withholding system more accurate and transparent for taxpayers. For more information about this and other TCJA provisions, visit IRS.gov/taxreform

The Planning Department’s front counter at the Kapule Building in the Līhu‘e Civic Center will be closed from Sept. 28 to Oct. 12, while the area undergoes construction. During this period, services will be held remotely and by appointment only. During the closure, the public is advised of the Planning Department’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which have been temporarily amended as follows. 1. All applicants and members of the public must contact the department at planningdepartment@kauai.gov or at 241-4050 to submit any zoning inquiries, including but not limited to zoning permit submittals, zoning determination requests, and zoning violation complaints. A representative from the department will return any phone or email message Monday through Thursday within 24 hours of receipt. 2. All payments to the Planning Department, including but not limited to zoning applications, enforcement actions, and permit fees shall be: • Mailed to Planning Department, Kapule Building, 4444 Rice Street, Suite A473, Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i, 96766; or • Submitted through the mail slot located outside of the Real Property Tax Assessment Office, on the right-hand side of the Kapule Building. Any payments that are submitted to the Planning Department shall be in an envelope clearly marked “Planning Department,” and it shall have the respective zoning application number and/or Tax Map Key. 3. All remote appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance by visiting the Planning Department’s appointment system at https://planningdepartment.setmore.com