U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide approximately $530 million to support the U.S. seafood industry and fishermen impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments. The funding will be provided through the Seafood Trade Relief Program and funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “Many nations have not played by the rules for a long time, and President Trump is the first President to stand up to them and send a clear message that the United States will no longer tolerate unfair trade practices,” said Secretary Perdue. “The Seafood Trade Relief Program ensures fishermen and other U.S. producers will not stand alone in facing unjustified retaliatory tariffs while President Trump continues working to solidify better and stronger trade deals around the globe.” Background: The Seafood Trade Relief Program funding will support the following seafood types: Atka mackerel Crab, Dungeness, King, Snow, Southern Tanner Flounder Geoduck Goosefish Herrings Lobster Pacific Cod Pacific Ocean Perch Pollock Sablefish Salmon Sole Squid Tuna Turbot Fishermen can sign-up for relief through the program from September 14, 2020 to December 14, 2020. Fishermen should apply through their local USDA Service Center. To find your local Service Center, visit www.farmers.gov/service-center-locator. The application can be found at www.farmers.gov/seafood. All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including some that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors are also required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Our program delivery staff will be in the office, and they will be working with our producers in the office, by phone and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

Gov. David Ige announced today that Dr. Bruce Anderson and Director Nolan Espinda will be retiring in September. “Both directors have served admirably under extremely challenging conditions, especially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I thank them for their many years of service to the people of Hawaiʻi and wish them well as they retire and are able to spend time with their families,” said Gov. Ige. “It has been an honor and pleasure to serve as Director under Gov. Ige, with Nolan and my other fellow cabinet members. In my retirement, I look forward to doing a lot more fishing and horseback riding with my wife, Debbie,” said Anderson. Dr. Libby Char appointed Director, Dept. of Health Gov. Ige has appointed Dr. Libby Char to serve as interim director of the Dept. of Health effective Sept. 16. Dr. Anderson’s retirement is effective Sept. 15 after 35 years of experience managing health and environmental programs in Hawaiʻi, including serving as the as director of the department under two governors. Char is an emergency physician and graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi, John A. Burns School of Medicine. After completing residency training in California, she returned to Hawaiʻi to the clinical practice of emergency medicine at The Queen’s Medical Center. She provided administrative oversight for the City and County of Honolulu EMS system for many years. Dr. Char currently focuses her efforts on developing systems of care, training, protocols and emergency response utilizing best practices in the pre-hospital environment. She provides medical direction for several EMS, Fire, and Ocean Safety agencies across the state of Hawaiʻi and is the current chair of the State of Hawaiʻi EMS Advisory Committee. “Dr. Char brings experience in medicine and administration to the department during a time of great stress on the state’s healthcare system. I’m confident that she will step into the role with energy and passion for ensuring the health of Hawaiʻi’s people,” Gov. “I am honored to fill the position of Director of Health for the State of Hawaiʻi. We are in a difficult position, with a heavy burden of COVID-19 affecting the health, well-being and livelihood of so many of us. We must move forward together, through collaborative efforts, caring for each other with a shared sense of purpose. In doing so, we will regain the health of our communities and our state,” said Char. Her appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. Dept. of Public Safety Dir. Espinda’s retirement is effective Oct. 1. Gov. Ige announced that Maria Cook, the deputy director for administration will b e temporarily assigned and has been granted signatory authority while Espinda is on personal leave through September. The deputy directors for law enforcement and corrections will continue in their capacities to oversee their division operations. Dir. Espinda will be available to provide advice remotely in the interim should the need arise. Gov. Ige will announce an interim appointment to lead the department in the coming weeks.

This is a COVID-19 informational update for Sunday afternoon, September 6th. As of noon today, there are fourteen (14) new cases of Coronavirus on Hawaii Island. At this date, for Hawaii Island, the Hilo Medical Center reports a total of five deaths, all are from the Yukio Okutsu Veterans Home. Our sadness, our respect, our condolences and appreciation goes out to their families. In efforts to control the spread of the Coronavirus on Hawaii Island, the following are in effect: • All beach and shoreline parks are closed effective September 4th through the 19th. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. • Increased testing will continue throughout the Island and in the past two weeks testing has been increased by four times. Between the dates of September 2nd and September 5th, the County of Hawaii has sponsored 2 tests in Keaau, 1 in Milolii, and 2 in Pahoa. Remember the purpose of testing is to identify positive cases as early as possible and in this way help stop the spread of the virus and to provide early treatment. Thank you for your tremendous participation in testing. • The 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. If we all follow these policies this virus can be stopped. With your help, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. With the community’s involvement, we can keep Hawaii Safe. Thank you for listening and have a safe Labor Day Weekend. This is your Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.

City parks, botanical gardens, certain park facilities, and beaches will reopen on Thursday, Sept. 10 under their regular hours of operation and for the following limited use as described in Mayor Caldwell’s Emergency Order 2020-26: 1. Individual activities are allowed in these public areas, including: remaining in place, fishing, walking, running, or biking. Access to the ocean, stand-alone comfort stations, and outdoor showers remains available. 2. Group activities are NOT allowed with any number of people regardless of household. 3. Community Gardens will reopen to their designated gardeners only. 4. Park parking lots, bicycle paths, and the Koko Head Tramway will reopen following their regular schedule. 5. People’s Open Markets are expected to resume regular operations soon. An exact reopening date will be announced at a later time. Other commercial activities continue to be suspended in parks. 6. Other outdoor park facilities remain closed to the public, including: play courts (basketball, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, etc.), pools, playgrounds, exercise equipment, off-leash dog parks, skateparks, archery ranges, and the Koko Head Shooting Complex. 7. Indoor park facilities remain closed (for example gymnasiums and recreation rooms) 8. City campgrounds remain closed for permitted camping until further notice. These stipulations are in effect from Thursday, Sept. 10 through Wednesday, Sept. 23 or until this order is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended by a subsequent order. The State Department of Land and Natural Resources is expected to announce how this new order impacts the State parks, trails, and their park facilities. Accommodations are available upon request concerning this announcement for persons with disabilities. Please call (808) 768-3003 or send an email to parks@honolulu.gov for further information. Mahalo and stay healthy.

In August, Schatz Urged U.S. Department of Education Not To Delay Release Of Grant Funding, Citing Challenges Caused By COVID-19 Pandemic Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i will receive $26,992,923 in new federal funding to support grants under the Native Hawaiian Education Program (NHEP). This federal funding, secured by Senator Schatz through his work on the Senate Appropriations Committee, was awarded to 23 Native Hawaiian educational programs across the state. “This new federal funding will ensure that Native Hawaiian educational programs have the resources they need in time for the upcoming school year,” said Senator Schatz. “As we work through the appropriations process, I will keep fighting for more resources for the Native Hawaiian community." The release of these funds comes as schools are preparing to start the 2020-2021 school year. In August, Senator Schatz sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education urging them not to delay the release of this grant funding until late September, as previously announced. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Native Hawaiian education programs have been invaluable for families, and further disruption to these programs would leave many hard pressed to find an alternative option for their children. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Schatz has worked to preserve and expand grant funding for NHEP. While President Donald Trump has sought to zero out funding for these grants, Senator Schatz has fought to protect more than $100 million over the last three fiscal years. In addition, he has garnered bipartisan support to increase annual funding for NHEP each year by $3 million. These multi-year competitive grants will be used for early childhood education, family engagement, Hawaiian language education, creation of STEM pathways, curriculum and professional development, and more.

On August 8, 2020, President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum authorizing the “Assistance Program for Lost Wages” which provides for an additional benefit of a $300 payment per week, to eligible claimants from the week of unemployment ending August 1, 2020.  The department received approval from FEMA to participate in the program on August 29, 2020.  The $300 additional benefit amount will be retroactively added to eligible weeks of unemployment once program modifications are completed. You have until September 20, 2020 to certify for LWA PDF version below: Frequently asked questions Q: What is LWA? A: LWA is a federal program that adds $300 of unemployment benefits for up to five weeks, so far. Q: Is the LWA the same program that paid the extra $600 per week under the CARES Act? A: No. The $600 per week available under the CARES Act expired at the end of July. LWA has different eligibility requirements and is a limited pool of money to be shared among all states that apply and are approved. Q: How do I know if I’m eligible for LWA benefits? A: To be eligible for LWA benefits, you must be the following requirements: (1) your weekly benefit amount (WBA) must be at least $100; (2) you must certify that your unemployment or partial unemployment (had hours reduced) was due to disruptions caused by COVID-19; and (3) otherwise qualify for benefits. Q: Do I need to receive more than $100 in weekly unemployment benefits in order to receive the extra benefits? A: Yes. Your weekly benefit amount (WBA) must be at least $100. If your WBA is more than $100 but you receive less than $100 each week because money is being deducted from your weekly benefit payment, you will still be eligible for the entire $300. Q: If I’m eligible, when will I receive the LWA benefits? A: We will start processing payments for this new program in October. The payments will be staggered for each week you are eligible. Payments will be retroactive for all the weeks for which you are eligible. Q: How many weeks of LWA funds are available? A: At this time, LWA is available for five weeks only. The weeks that LWA is available are the following week ending days: (1) August 1, 2020; (2) August 8, 2020; (3) August 15, 2020; (4) August 22, 2020; and (5) August 29, 2020. Q: How do I apply for LWA? A: If you are a regular UI/PEUC claimant, beginning Saturday, September 12, 2020, you can certify that your unemployment or partial unemployment was due to a disruption caused by COVID-19 by logging into your HUIClaims account at https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/#/ and answering the question about asking if your unemployment or partial unemployment was due to a disruption caused by COVID-19. If you are a PUA claimant, you have already certified that your unemployment or partial unemployment was due to a disruption caused by COVID-19. You will receive the additional $300 for the weeks that you qualify for, even if you already submitted your claim certifications for the weeks in August. For assistance with the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, please go to: https://lbr.force.com/PUASupport/s/contact and submit a help desk ticket. Please use the link and refrain from contacting and providing sensitive information, including Social Security numbers, to other offices for PUA assistance as they are not a part of the PUA support team. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance website is available 24/7. UI Division: (833) 901-2275 All DLIR Buildings Are Closed Due to COVID-19 Source: https://labor.hawaii.gov/

New State COVID-19 Dashboard now available for public Information from multiple sources in one location At an afternoon briefing to legislators, Gov. David Ige and representatives from the Hawai‘i Department of Health and the University of Hawai‘i unveiled a new COVID-19 dashboard for anyone interested in tracking local data associated with the coronavirus pandemic. This dashboard can be accessed at www.HawaiiCOVID19.com “This is a tremendous step forward in providing vital information in an easy-to-read and understand format. It immediately improves our ability to provide key metrics about how Hawai‘i is performing in our fight against COVID-19 and offers data to aid in decision-making,” Governor Ige stated. The new metrics now available include: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed and ventilator use by COVID patients: total number and % of capacity Occupancy and capacity of Isolation and Quarantine facilities (for those who cannot isolate or quarantine at home) Contact tracing capacity and currently active/trained tracers, by County Testing capacity and turn-around time Personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies and distribution Modes of transmission with number of cases and clusters for each Mask-wearing behavior (Honolulu; all islands in process) Data for the dashboard is being pulled from multiple sources and will be updated daily or weekly, depending on the sources from which the information is derived. The dashboard will continue to be a collaborative process involving DOH and key partners sharing timely and accurate information with the public. Kaua‘i District Health Officer Dr. Janet Berreman, one of numerous collaborators who developed the dashboard, said the dashboard responds to several needs. “There are many places where the public and policy-makers can obtain different pieces of the data. This is a central, go-to source for information from multiple sources,” Berreman explained. Additionally, she says the dashboard provides the ability to monitor COVID-19 indicators across the full spectrum of disease control actions: prevention, detection, containment, and treatment, rather than focusing narrowly on just one. Edward Mersereau, deputy director of the Dept. of Health’s Behavioral Health Administration, provided more detail on the four action areas. He said, “While we know there is currently no cure or vaccine to control spread, every success we experience in prevention, detection, containment and treatment means less burden on public health and the health care system. Tracking the impact of measures in the four areas helps to guide where our efforts are effective and where they are not. People will be able to see whether or not policies and strategies are having the intended impact and will be more empowered to make informed decisions for their personal wellbeing in this pandemic.” “This dashboard is an all hands-on deck effort that aims to sync up multiple data sources into a single location. Our aspiration is to have data that are accurate, timely, and granular to help make individual and public decisions through a collaborative partnership with data providers,” said Dr. Victoria Fan of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Myron B Thompson School of Social Work. The dashboard seeks to inform the community and policy makers on four key action areas essential to stopping the pandemic: Prevention: depicts the impact that individual and community behaviors such as mask wearing and physical distancing on keeping the virus from spreading. Prevention is essential in fighting the pandemic but often the most difficult to track because they largely relate to personal behavior and choices. Detection: depicts how much disease is present in Hawai‘i, the types of activities or venues that are resulting in disease transmission, and whether it is increasing or decreasing and how rapidly. This information allows policy makers to tailor their actions and the public to engage in safe practices. Containment: pulls together various parts of a complicated system to help people understand the status of contact tracing, lab testing results, quarantines, and other disease-limiting measures. These measures, taken together, are an important part of controlling the pandemic. Treatment and health care: shows data on hospital & ICU beds, ventilator use and availability of personal protective equipment. From this information the public and policy makers can understand how burdened the health care system is, and how prepared it is to manage an influx of COVID-19 patients. Gov. Ige concluded, “This dashboard is a multi-faceted depiction of all the moving parts associated with pandemic management and response in one place. My hope is this will provide greater understanding and appreciation of the complexity of dealing with this unprecedented public health crisis and help get Hawai‘i back on the road to health and economic recovery as soon as possible.” PDF: New Dashboard Becomes Central Hub for COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 update as of noon today. The number of active cases, on Hawaii Island, reported and monitored by the Department of Health is two hundred and twenty-seven (227). There are seventeen (17) new cases of Coronavirus on Hawaii Island. All individuals associated with a gathering at Milolii have been identified and contacted by the Department of Health. All positive cases from this cluster are now isolated and being monitored by the Department of Health. The investigation of this cluster is ongoing. At this date, for Hawaii Island, eight (8) are hospitalized and four deaths have been reported. In efforts to control the spread of the Coronavirus on Hawaii Island, the following are in effect: ·Effective September 4th through September 19th all beach and shoreline parks are closed. The activities of exercising, fishing, food gathering, use of restroom, shower facilities and access to the ocean will continue to be allowed. Call Civil Defense at 935-0031 for more information. Increased testing will continue throughout the Island. Remember the purpose of testing is to identify positive cases as early as possible and in this way help stop the spread of the virus and to provide early treatment. Turn-out and the patience of the public has been very good. Thank you! The Hawaii County Police Department will continue their enforcement of the preventative polices. We need everybody to be responsible and follow the preventive policies of face coverings, distancing, and gatherings. With your help, we can stop the spread of the virus to keep your family, friends, and neighbors safe. Thank you for listening and please take care. This is your Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.

Mayor Michael Victorino confirmed today that three members of the “Love Has Won” group were intercepted at Kahului Airport on Sunday afternoon and hours later took a flight to San Francisco and on to Colorado. The group members flew from Kauai to Maui, arriving at Kahului Airport on Sunday afternoon. They did not leave the airport. Maui police reported that airport screeners discovered that the three members had reservations at a location not approved for quarantine. Another 11 members were traveling from Kauai to Maui, but they were stopped on Oahu and diverted to Colorado. To see the Maui Police Department press release on this incident, visit https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=10369

The City and County of Honolulu will be setting up COVID-19 testing for the residents of West Loch Elderly Village in ‘Ewa Beach after two individuals living at the property recently tested positive for the coronavirus. “Detecting this virus at West Loch Elderly Village as soon as possible is key to preventing it from spreading to more of our kūpuna, loved ones, and friends living and working at the property”, said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “As this virus continues to spread on O‘ahu, please be considerate of these high-risk members of our island ‘ohana. Continue to wash your hands often, wear a face covering, and keep a safe physical distance in public to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.” “I am deeply troubled and concerned that residents at the West Loch Elderly Village, which is in my district, have tested positive for the coronavirus,” said Council Chair Emeritus Ron Menor. “This is especially so because our kūpuna are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. It is my hope that City officials will follow up to ensure that those who were infected receive the appropriate care. I also urge the Department of Health, if they haven’t done so already, to proactively and immediately implement appropriate testing and contact tracing at the apartment complex to prevent the spread of the virus.” The property manager of West Loch Elderly Village, Locations, Inc., sent out notices to tenants to inform them of the situation and its sanitation protocol. Management will be doing a thorough cleaning of all common areas including the laundry room, in addition to regular cleaning and maintenance.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell today announced that Governor David Ige has approved the City and County of Honolulu’s amended Order that extends the Second Stay at Home / Work from Home Order through Wednesday, September 23. This Order requires all individuals anywhere in the City to shelter in place — that is, stay at home and work from home — except for certain essential activities and work to provide essential business and government services or perform essential public infrastructure construction, including housing. Under the amended Emergency Order, City parks, botanical gardens, trails, beaches, and community gardens will be re-opened beginning Thursday, September 10 for the limited use of walking, running, biking, sitting, fishing, and other lawful activity, but only by oneself. No group use or group activities are allowed. Basketball and tennis courts, swimming pools, and playgrounds shall remain closed. State parks/trails and beaches are reopened for the above limited use as announced by the State Department of Land and Natural Resources consistent with this Amended Second Stay at Home / Work from Home Order. Regular park closure hours remain in effect and social gatherings of any type and any number of people are still prohibited, both indoors and outdoors. All other State or City restrictions related to COVID-19 must be followed, including, but not limited to, any applicable quarantine restrictions. A signed version of the Amended Emergency Order No. 2020-26, will be posted at honolulu.gov. If you have any questions on Mayor Caldwell’s Amended Second Stay at Home / Work from Home Order, the City and County of Honolulu COVID-19 information call center remains open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on holidays. O‘ahu residents are encouraged to visit the website, oneoahu.org to get answers to frequently asked questions. If they do not find an answer to their questions on the site, residents can call the 768-CITY (2489) information hotline or email covidresponse@honolulu.gov.

Firefighters contained a 100-acre brushfire that broke out near the makai side of Līhu‘e Airport on Monday afternoon. One firefighter was injured and was later released from Wilcox Hospital. The fire broke out at around 2:30 p.m. near Ninini Point, along the makai side of the Līhu‘e Airport. Firefighters from the Līhu‘e, Kapa‘a, Kalaheo, and Hanapēpē fire stations; Air 1 and Air 2; Rescue 3; the on-duty Battalion Chief; Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (AARF); the Kaua‘i Police Department; and the County of Kaua‘i Roads Division responded to this incident. Quick action by firefighters ensured that the blaze did not reach nearby structures before it could be contained at 7:45 p.m. After firefighters from the County of Kaua‘i and the state battled the fire for nearly six hours, crews from the Department of Public Works Roads Division utilized a bulldozer to cut off fire from spreading further and damaging nearby structures at the Līhu‘e Airport. KFD personnel continues to monitor hot spots in the area and will reach out to the Housing Agency should houseless individuals in the area are in of assistance. The cause of the brushfire remains under investigation.