This is a COVID-19 informational update for Saturday afternoon, August 29th. On testing today, due to the great turnout and need for continued testing a drive up testing will be conducted at the Prince Kuhio site in Hilo tomorrow, Sunday from 9 in the morning ‘til 1 in the afternoon. Thank you all for participating as the program of testing is to identify positive cases as early as possible and in this way help stop the spread of the virus. We need your help in following the prevention policies of face coverings, distancing and gatherings. The Hawaii Police Department will be increasing their patrols and enforcement of the preventive policies of wearing face coverings, distancing and gatherings. The situation in Hilo is a serious one and we all need to do our part to keep Hawaii safe. With your help we will stop the spread of the virus and make Hawaii a safe place. Thank you for listening and take care. This is your Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.

Gov. David Ige announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the state’s application to participate in the unemployment insurance plus up program called the Lost Wages Assistance Program. “We pursued the additional funds because we know the added $300 per week will help many in our community who are struggling. I have directed the department to implement the program as quickly as possible while maintaining the program’s integrity,” said Gov. Ige. Additional information on the program and how to apply will be announced shortly.

Yesterday, 1,527 people arrived in Hawaii. During this same time last year approximately 28,000 passengers arrived in Hawaii daily, including residents and visitors. The state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine started on March 26th for all passengers arriving in Hawaii from out of state. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out of state yesterday and does not include interisland travel. This data was collected from the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Mandatory Travel Declaration Form.

The Department of Public Safety (PSD) received 61 OCCC inmate test results. Of the 61 results reported, 30 were positive and 31 were negative. The facility received testing reports on 80 staff. Of that number, 4 were positive and 76 were negative. Halawa Correctional Facility also reported a positive test result for an employee. The employee last worked on 8/17/20. The department is working with DOH on contact tracing at the facility. The total number of active inmates is 79 and recovered is 208. There are currently no inmates hospitalized. The total number of active PSD staff is 49 and recovered is 15. Professional deep-cleaning/sanitization services are underway to address several housing units. All units that housed tested positive inmates will be addressed through this process. This necessary measure is for the safety and well-being of staff and inmates alike and will be an ongoing process as needed. The inmate releases directed through the Hawaii Supreme Court (HSC) orders are on-going. The lists of names/criminal case numbers for defendants from OCCC, MCCC and KCCC, released 8/28/20, per HSC court order, are attached.The HSC order requires that PSD provide a list of all inmates released under the order no later than the next day following the release. The HSC order requires that PSD provide a list of all inmates released under the order no later than the next day following the release. All transports to court from all Oahu facilities are suspended through Friday, September 4. Video hearings will still be accommodated to the extent possible and as legally permissible. PSD is in constant contact with the Judiciary to assure the safety of all staff and inmates involved. PSD will continue to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 and make additional operational and preventative decisions as the situation evolves. For more information on PSD’s planning and response to COVID-19, inmate testing data, and information detailing the efforts made to safeguard the inmates, staff and public, visit our webpage at: http://dps.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/03/17/coronavirus-covid-19-information-and-resources/

The Kaua‘i District Health Office today reports that a Kaua‘i resident who is currently on O‘ahu has tested positive for COVID-19. Health officials confirm that the resident has been on O‘ahu for several weeks. Due to the timing of illness, this individual poses no risk to Kaua‘i residents and no Kaua‘i close contacts have been identified. This case is not considered an active case for Kaua‘i but will be counted toward the island’s cumulative total, bringing the total to 57. There are currently no confirmed active cases of COVID-19 on Kaua‘i. For local updates, visit the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency page at www.kauai.gov/COVID-19.

The State of Hawaii is implementing its new, mandatory online Safe Travels system, beginning Sept. 1. The Safe Travels System will modify the current County of Maui application process. “This modified process enforces travel quarantines and protects our communities from the spread of COVID-19,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “This new procedure is a welcome step toward a more efficient, streamlined process to speed up traveler processing at airports. We want to ensure that everyone is safe and healthy while traveling, and I appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as our quarantine screening and enforcement procedures evolve.” Travelers to Maui County airports are reminded that they must submit applications for limited travel quarantine online at mauicounty.gov by clicking on the “requested for limited quarantine form” icon. Requests should be completed at least 3 days prior to the requestor’s departure. For those applying for a Limited Quarantine Exemption, the application should be completed BEFORE submitting the separate online Safe Travels application. The new state form has a field to input a traveler’s limited quarantine application number. This is provided to a traveler after applying for it online. All air travelers need to fill out the online Safe Travels application at https://travel.hawaii.gov, regardless of whether they are seeking a limited quarantine. Travelers between Lahaina and Manele harbors will continue to use paper mandatory travel form. A traveler seeking a limited quarantine for home-to-work exemption must first go to mauicounty.gov. Click on the orange “Request for Limited Quarantine Form.” Please read all the information carefully, and be sure to provide ALL necessary documentation. Needed information, including what travelers need to prepared to provide, specifically: A medical letter from a treating physician Essential Work Letter from employer on business letterhead, including dates of travel, jobsite/workplace in Maui County Copy of a government-issued ID If traveling for medical reasons and returning to Maui for an essential job, travelers must submit both of the above documents. Travelers need to take pictures of needed documents for uploading as a photo on the Request for Limited Quarantine Form. (Only .png and .jpg photo types can be uploaded. The system does not accept .pdf files.) The address sought is the location of a jobsite or location of place of lodging for quarantine. Requests for limited quarantine that do not qualify include: Trips to see family and/or friends or attend funerals COVID-19 negative test Travel identified as personal errands

Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair of the Agriculture and Environment Committee, made the following statement today praising Governor David Ige for signing HB 1819 into law to legalize the growing, processing, and sale of industrial hemp in Hawai‘i: “Given the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our economy, the signing of HB 1819 is a bright spot that has big potential for local agriculture. Soon, we’ll have local farmers applying to the USDA for licenses to finally move forward with commercial hemp operations. It’s been a long time coming since former Governor Ben Cayetano declared Dec.14, 1999 as Hawai’i Industrial Hemp Day and unfortunately our government fell asleep, as it tends to do sometimes. At the request of a dear friend who passed away recently, I introduced four bills from 2014 to 2018 that became law, which included a U.H. hemp research study and setting up a pilot hemp research program. Hemp is an amazing crop that can create over 25,000 products. The key is developing a cottage industry with Hawai‘i branding that will set us apart from the global competition. I’m hopeful hemp will help diversify our economy and create opportunities amid and beyond these extremely difficult times. Hemp, hemp, hooray!” Governor Ige signed the bill into law as Act 14 on August 27, 2020.

The City and County of Honolulu and State of Hawaii will be partnering to provide a surge testing location to the Oahu community that will minimize impacts to the public and improve safety. The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Police Department, City and County Department of Transportation Services, and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) are coordinating a full closure of the H-3 Freeway between the Halawa Interchange and the Halekou Interchange to facilitate COVID testing on Tuesday, Sept. 1 and Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. The closure must be coordinated with the federal government and notice will be provided once this is confirmed. The closure of H-3 in both the Halawa bound and Honolulu bound directions would begin at 7:30 a.m. and continue to 6 p.m. on both days to allow time to set up the closure. During testing hours the inside lanes of the H-3 at the Harano Tunnels will be used to queue vehicles of those seeking to be tested for the COVID-19 virus. The outer lane would serve as access for emergency vehicles. To maximize testing efficiency, test stations will be set up on both the Kaneohe and Halawa sides of the tunnel to service both the north and south bound directions. After testing, drivers will be asked to continue on H-3 to the end of the closure, and can use alternate Koolau routes if necessary. “This surge testing will help us flatten the curve once more,” said Gov. David Ige. “We’re all working together for the health and safety of our whole community. Use of the H-3 will provide space to allow as many people as possible to be tested.” “One of the most important parts of this surge testing effort is making sure everyone who wants a test has access to a testing site,” said Mayor Caldwell. “Testing on the H-3 is a historic, first ever endeavor that will make a significant difference in getting more people tested. This will be made possible by all of our Federal, State, and County teams working together to make sure traffic in and out of these sites can flow smoothly. It’s not a small task to coordinate these sites, and I want to thank our partners at HDOT for clearing a path for as many of our residents as possible to get tested for COVID-19.” HDOT has reached out to emergency services, TheBus, and Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) to notify them of the planned closure. The queuing will be monitored by City and State personnel at the Joint Traffic Management Center (JTMC), and information will be provided to the public on closure times and anticipated wait times. HDOT encourages motorists to take alternate Koolau routes such as Likelike Highway or Pali Highway. Estimated travel times and camera views for all Koolau routes can be found on GoAkamai.org

The State of Hawaii is announcing that the new online Safe Travels form will be mandatory for all travelers on Sept. 1. This new digital form, which collects the required health and travel information, is critical to protecting the health of our residents and visitors alike. Safe Travels is one part of a multi-layered screening process which includes arrival temperature checks, and secondary screening for those with symptoms or temperatures of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. The digital form can be found at https://travel.hawaii.gov. “I am pleased to launch this digital form which will allow our travelers to provide their required health and travel information before they arrive at the airport,” said Gov. David Ige. “It will also help us keep in contact with those who are required to be in quarantine. This is an important step in preparing to reopen our economy.” Safe Travels digitizes and simplifies the current paper-based process. Currently, there are two different types of forms – one each for interisland and transpacific – for travel to and within Hawaii. This platform provides a one stop shop for both type of travelers. This new online form will provide the State Department of Health (DOH) access to the mandatory health information that passengers need to provide to monitor and protect public health in real-time. It can also be used by the Dept. of the Attorney General and county law enforcement officials to enforce the quarantine rules. Travelers are encouraged to enter their information and trip details well in advance of their flight. Once their health information is entered 24 hours before departure, travelers receive a QR code via email. The QR code on their mobile device or printed on paper gets scanned by the airport screener upon arrival. “Compared to paper processing, this digital form will save travelers time at the airport and will speed up distribution of information to state and county officials who need it to keep us all safe,” said Douglas Murdock, chief information officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, State of Hawaii. This new digital platform was developed in partnership with Google and its premier partner, SpringML, at a cost of $638,000 for the initial implementation. A platform to collect, aggregate, display, and analyze data is provided by ESRI. Funding for this project is provided by the Federal CARES Act. Key features of the new app include: The ability to login using Email, Google or Facebook logins. A highly secured platform built on Google cloud. The verification of passenger contact information before arrival to speed up their processing at the airport. Collection of health and contact information needed for arrival screening and public health monitoring. Creation of a QR code which airport screeners scan to review the traveler’s information for clearance or secondary screening. Automated generation of quarantine check-in reminders as emails and text messages. New features and data elements will be added in future phases, as the Safe Travels process and State travel requirements evolve. Travelers without smart phones or computers can ask a friend or relative for assistance or receive assistance at the arrival airport. Travelers without email addresses will need to create one on an email service to comply with the conditions of quarantine. This project is being spearheaded by the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, in collaboration with the State Department of Transportation, DOH, Dept. of the Attorney General, Hawaii Tourism Authority and the counties. Broll: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k4385cx2c2yiimx/AAAk0mCxntwOfDNLawN8y5sMa?dl=0 Courtesy: Hawaii State Department of Transportation For more information on Safe Travels: https://ets.hawaii.gov/travelhelp/ https://ets.hawaii.gov/travelhelp/additional-safe-travels-faqs/ If you need further assistance: Safe Travels Application Service Desk (10 a.m. to 10 p.m. HST): 1-855-599-0888 Calls outside of working hours will go to voicemail and be returned the next business day. You may call our partners at Aloha United Way, 2-1-1. There are multiple ways you can reach them from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. HST In Hawaii, you may call 2-1-1 Out of State: Toll free number: 1-877-275-6569 Chat: www.auw211.org Email: info211@auw.org Search their online database 24/7 at auw211.or/Search.aspx For State Quarantine Information: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/coronavirus/ For Travel to Hawaii: https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/covid-19-updates/ https://www.gohawaii.com/special-alerts-information 1-800-GO-HAWAII

State Has Issued $2.9 Billion in Benefits Since March 1 HONOLULU — The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) today announced updated unemployment insurance claims information, including paying $2,918,251,462 and 2,874,671 weeks claimed since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic on March 1, 2020. “We are still experiencing a significant increase of workers still attached to an employer being fully released from employment. These individuals will need to report the separation when filing a weekly claim certification. Claimants can review the correct way to do this at https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui/main/reactivate-your-claim-and-report-job-seperation/ before filing their weekly claim certification,” said Acting Director Anne Eustaquio. No. of claims filed statewide: 275,621 No. of invalid claims filed statewide: -95,367 No. of valid claims awaiting claimant to verify: -9,520 No. of valid claims requiring DLIR action 180,254 No. of claims paid: 169,882 No. of claims requiring DLIR action 8/26/20 10,372 With the assistance of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), the DLIR yesterday applied to participate in a new unemployment insurance plus up program called the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program. The program, under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was created by the President via a memorandum earlier this month in response to the July expiration of the unemployment $600 weekly benefit. “We’re diligently building a new program within the unemployment computer system to implement and pay LWA benefits as soon as possible,” said Acting Director Eustaquio. “To qualify for the $300 plus-up, recipients must be eligible for at least $100 in weekly benefits and must certify that they are unemployed or partially unemployed due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19. Payments would be retroactive to August 1, 2020.” The DLIR continues to experience a high volume of attempts at fraud in the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. As of August 24, the department received 112,874 applications and processed 102,165 or 91% of the applications. The department has denied 72,212 claims or 64% of the claims filed and has 15,676 or 14% of the applications pending for ID verification, COVID-19 eligibility, or both. For more information about unemployment insurance and other labor issues please visit: https://labor.hawaii.gov/covid-19-labor-faqs/.

PLEASE NOTE: Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting. — KUHIO HIGHWAY (ROUTE 56) — 1) KAPAA (24-HOUR WORK) Traffic on Kuhio Highway (Route 56) near mile marker 10 is shifted to the temporary Kapaa Stream Bridge 24-hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. For safety during the shift to the temporary bridge, right turns off Kuhio Highway onto Mailihuna Road are not permitted. Access to Kapahi is recommended via the Kawaihau Road or Hauala Road detours. 2) ANAHOLA (NIGHT WORK) Single lane closure on Kuhio Highway (Route 56) in both directions between mile markers 15.5 and 16.7, Papaa Road and Kahiliholo Road, on Sunday evening, August 30, through Friday morning, September 4, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., for rumble strip installation and striping work. Alternating traffic will be routed through the open lane. 3) KILAUEA (NIGHT WORK) Single lane closure on Kuhio Highway (Route 56) in both directions between mile markers 21.5 and 24.5, Wailapa Road and Koolau Road, on Sunday evening, August 30, through Friday morning, September 4, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., for paving work. Alternating traffic will be routed through the open lane.

Mayor announces CARES Act collaboration to create new healthcare jobs and expanded services for kupūna and families Mayor Michael Victorino announced today a new countywide collaboration with various organizations to create healthcare jobs and expand services for kupūna and families using CARES Act funds. The County of Maui’s new HealthCARES Hui is the first initiative that has emerged from Mayor Victorino’s Economic Recovery Task Force, which was comprised of industry leaders to help identify opportunities for relief through CARES Act funds. The County is allocating roughly $1.5 million for the program, which will be spent on hiring and training staff, expanded nutritious food delivery and providing resources and care management. The program also will assist nurses and healthcare workers earn certifications and licenses to allow them to begin working at local medical providers. Administered by Hale Makua, the effort is in collaboration with Hui No Ke Ola Pono, Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center, Habitat for Humanity, Hale Mahaolu, Kula Hospital, East Maui Kupūna Hui and Maui Medical Group. “COVID-19 has rocked Maui County’s economy to its core and left us among the highest unemployment rates in the state,” Mayor Victorino said. “Through this new collaboration, we plan to create approximately 50 full-time positions for certified nurses, community health workers and other jobs for our displaced workers and school graduates. The partnership also focuses on taking care of our kupūna, who are extremely vulnerable to this virus and are still in need of services.” “We want to mahalo the HealthCARES Hui organizations and all our partners for their work to plan and prepare this program for our community.” The HealthCARES Hui has three primary goals: Create job opportunities for recent high school grads and displaced workers to start a healthcare career to earn a living wage. Expand food delivery options with local, nutritious, prepped meal delivery to high-risk families and kupūna. Adapt the care management model by expanding home health services, personal care programs and home improvements. The full-time positions to be created include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Community Health Workers (CHW), and positions in housekeeping, dietary, nutrition, social work and resident aides. Workers would be trained and hired by agencies in the HealthCARES Hui. More information on the job opportunities will be posted as it becomes available. Meal delivery service expansion will focus on kupuna in Hawaiian Homes and families and kupuna in affordable housing developments who may not be able to attend grab & go food pick-up locations. Meal prep will be done by local chefs/restaurants and include Maui ingredients and produce. Along with meal delivery, other care management resources will be provided including health assessments, critical home repairs, unemployment services, COVID-19 prevention and other assistance. Hale Makua CEO, Wesley Lo, closed the announcement saying, “On behalf of this hui of Maui organizations, we want to thank Mayor Victorino, his staff and the community volunteers who have been working around the clock to support all of us during this difficult time. We are hopeful that as we come together to care for each other, the health and well-being of our Maui community will be rebuilt and will emerge stronger than ever.”