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- Governor Ige extends COVID-19 emergency period through September
Gov. David Ige today signed a twelfth supplementary emergency proclamation that extends the COVID-19 emergency period through Sept. 30. The emergency proclamation leaves in place the 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers and the inter-island travel quarantine only for travelers arriving in the counties of Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, Maui and Kalawao (Kalaupapa). The proclamation also empowers the counties to establish an Enhanced Movement Quarantine (EMQ) through agreements with resort or hotel facilities. Participating travelers would be required to stay in clearly defined geographical areas and ensure limited contact with those not subject to self-quarantine. “We continue to work on digitizing and refining the travel screening process as well as developing enforceable, safe alternatives to self-quarantine,” said Gov. Ige. The proclamation also: Mandates that all persons must wear masks in compliance with the county orders, rules and directives approved by the governor. Extends the prohibition on evictions for non-payment of rent until Sept. 30.
- Beat the School Jam 2020: New podcast, road construction will continue
In consideration of continued lower than normal traffic volumes and distance learning models being applied around the state, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) will not suspend road work on Oahu as it has traditionally done for Beat the School Jam. Instead, HDOT is launching a new podcast about the systems moving and connecting our island communities. The first episode is on Public transportation and pandemics and can be found at https://anchor.fm/hidot “With the number of cars on the road still tracking roughly 20-percent below typical volumes and classrooms opening virtually we wanted to take a different approach to the start of the school year,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Deputy Director for Highways Ed Sniffen. “We’re lucky to have two extremely knowledgeable guests, Dr. Brian Wu from HMSA and Jon Nouchi, Deputy Director of the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services, for our first podcast. Dr. Wu and Jon share how to reduce risks while using public transportation.” The podcast is called HDOT Moves. It will feature discussions on topics relating to transportation in Hawaii and will be uploaded on a monthly basis. To see scheduled road work for state routes, visit https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork/
- Kaua‘i RSVP hosts collection drive for frontline workers
The Kaua‘i Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (Kaua‘i RSVP) sponsored by the County of Kaua‘i Agency on Elderly Affairs is hosting a collection drive by appointment only on Sept. 4, Sept. 8, and Sept. 9, to honor Kaua‘i’s frontline hospital workers. “We are putting together care packages for about 360 of Kaua‘i’s frontline workers as part of the Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance,” said Kealoha Takahashi, Executive for the Agency on Elderly Affairs. “We are asking for the public’s assistance in making this project a success, so that we can show our true appreciation for our first responders and their vital role in the current pandemic response.” The Kaua‘i RSVP Advisory Council is requesting donation items from the public such as prepackaged snacks and gift cards. Anyone wishing to donate items is asked to schedule an appointment with RSVP’s Grace Domingo Delos Reyes by emailing rsvp@kauai.gov or calling 241-4479. Appointments for the collection drive will be scheduled for Sept. 4, Sept. 8, and Sept. 9. All volunteers and employees administering the collection drive will be wearing masks and physical distancing will be observed. Officials are also asking participants to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth during their scheduled drop-off or pick-up of donated items. The Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance is an annual tribute to the 9/11 victims and survivors, and the remarkable community response that followed. Through this day of service, participants commemorate the tragedy by demonstrating kindness and generosity to one another. The Kaua‘i RSVP began in 1973 under the sponsorship of the County of Kaua‘i Agency on Elderly Affairs. Kaua‘i RSVP is a SeniorCorps program under the Corporation for National and Community Service and provides volunteer opportunities for persons 55 and older to remain active, contributing members of the community through volunteer involvement. For more information about the Kaua‘i RSVP and its collection drive, or if you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, please contact Grace Domingo Delos Reyes at 241-4479 as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy.
- Wailua Beach parking off Kuhio Highway to close temporarily for bridge repair project
Note: Bridge repair will take place at the Makai Bridge, and not the Mauka Bridge. The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is constructing additional protective measures at the Wailua River Bridge (Mauka Makai Bridge) on Kuhio Highway (Route 56). The Wailua Beach Park lot makai (oceanside) of Kuamoo Road will be used as a staging area for the work and will be closed to the public starting Monday, Aug. 24. The protective measures will include the installation of rip rap to protect the existing bridge piers and north abutment. The Wailua River Bridge was damaged during the heavy rains on March 27 and 28, 2020. This work will complement the scour countermeasures installed following the April 2018 floods that largely protected the piers on which they were installed. HDOT anticipates needing the parking lot for a period of five to six weeks.
- Statement from Supt. Christina Kishimoto on HSTA's proposed legal action
The Hawaii State Teachers Association today threatened to sue the state and the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE), alleging that our school reopening plan is “reckless” — a plan they jointly helped to build — and that our campuses are not safe for students. Despite the Department’s efforts to work collaboratively and productively with the teachers union, its president Corey Rosenlee continues to work against what is in the best interest of Hawaii’s children under the false pretense of “Schools Our Keiki Deserve.” What our keiki deserve is time to train and connect with their teachers to prepare before we shift to full distance learning for the next few weeks. The union’s misleading claim that “tens of thousands” of students will be receiving face-to-face learning on campuses next week is a scare tactic that follows multiple publicity stunts to create further anxiety at a time when we need sound leadership. As previously announced, our school leaders have designed plans to have students return to campus in a coordinated manner next week, as needed, to connect with their teacher, receive training on distance learning platforms if necessary, and address issues with connectivity and access to technology. In many cases, schools have designated one hour a day for certain grade levels to accomplish this, while enforcing safety protocols around social distancing and face coverings. Mr. Rosenlee encouraged teachers to show up for paid training days over the past two weeks, and now he is telling teachers not to show up for students. The union demanded this additional training for teachers, at a cost of nine fewer instructional days for students, but is trying to prevent students from having the same opportunity. Teachers have been back on campus full time since July 29, and we have no evidence of widespread transmission on any of our campuses. We have had individual cases at individual campuses, as we reported earlier this week, and will continue to report on weekly moving forward. Over the summer months, when we had over 8,000 students engaging in some type of face-to-face or blended summer program, in addition to staff who supported these activities, we saw one case each at six campuses. We will not allow Mr. Rosenlee to script out the work our principals need to do to lead, nor drive a wedge between our principals and their staff. Our students have physically been out of school since spring break. It’s time we all put the futures of our students first. That’s what our keiki truly deserve.
- Neighbor Island schools announce distance learning models to start 2020-21 school year
Public schools on Kaua‘i, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui County – with the exception of Moloka‘i schools and Hāna High & Elementary – will transition to full distance learning for the first four weeks of the 2020-21 school year. Complex area superintendents (CAS) on the neighbor islands today announced the distance learning models that schools will be implementing on Aug.17. Public schools on Kaua‘i, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui County – with the exception of three Moloka‘i schools and Hāna High & Elementary – will transition to full distance learning for the first four weeks of the 2020-21 school year. During the transition, school leaders will assess plans for the rest of the quarter. Schools will provide in-person special education services as appropriate and will serve as a learning hub to support students who lack internet access. Students and families are encouraged to utilize the ‘Ohana Help Desk, the nation’s first statewide, comprehensive technology support help desk to assist with distance learning. “This transition prioritizes the health and safety of our students and staff while ensuring equity of access for high-needs and underprivileged students,” Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area Superintendent Esther Kanehailua said. “Student engagement and family needs during distance learning will be important factors in our decision-making as we move ahead.” Kaua'i Kapa‘a-Kaua‘i-Waimea Complex Area (CAS Paul Zina) All Kauai schools will implement 100% distance learning for at least the first four weeks of school. Hawai‘i Island Hilo-Waiākea Complex Area (CAS Esther Kanehailua) All HW schools will implement 100% distance learning for at least the first four weeks of school. Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area (CAS Keone Farias) All KKP schools will implement 100% distance learning for at least the first four weeks of school. Honokaʻa-Kealakehe-Kohala-Konawaena Complex Area (CAS Janette Snelling) All HKKK schools will implement 100% distance learning for at least the first four weeks of school. Maui County Updated: Baldwin-Kekaulike-Maui Complex Area (CAS Kathleen Dimino) All BKM schools will implement 100% distance learning for the first quarter. Updated: Hāna-Lahainaluna-Lānaʻi-Molokaʻi Complex Area (CAS Lindsay Ball) Lāna‘i High and Elementary and schools in the Lahaina Complex will implement 100% distance learning for the first quarter. Hāna High and Elementary School will implement face-to-face learning for grades K-5 and a hybrid model for upper grades. On Molokai, Kilohana Elementary, Maunaloa Elementary and Molokai Middle will implement face-to-face and blended learning as previously announced for the first quarter; Kaunakakai Elementary and Molokai High will implement distance learning until Sept. 8. All schools on Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i and Maui County will follow the three-phase plan for distance learning below, with the exception of Moloka‘i schools and Hāna High & Elementary as noted. First phase, in-person training (Aug. 17-20) During the first week of school, students will physically return to campus on a coordinated and scheduled basis, determined by each individual school, to connect with their teacher, receive training on the distance learning platforms, and address issues with connectivity and access to technology. Special considerations will be given to vulnerable students and their families for more in-person access to the school and teachers. Starting on Aug. 17, School cafeterias will be serving only grab-and-go meals for their enrolled students; in-person dining will not be allowed. After-school programs will be suspended until students return to in-person blended learning models. Second phase, ready to learn (Aug. 24-Sept. 11) For the remainder of the four week period, full distance learning will be implemented. Staff will report to their designated work sites for continued distance learning instruction. Special education services that cannot be provided in a distance learning format will be available in person. Supervised in-person learning labs at schools will be available for students who do not have WiFi access. Third phase, transition to blended learning or continue distance learning (Sept. 14) HIDOE will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with the Governor’s Office and the Hawai‘i State Department of Health to assess whether or not students can safely return to in-person blended learning models. If distance learning will continue for the remainder of the first quarter of school, an announcement will be made on Sept. 8 by each complex area superintendent. On Aug. 7 HIDOE announced a modification to school reopening plans for all O‘ahu public schools to implement full distance learning models for the first four weeks of the school year. All HIDOE buildings remain open for faculty and staff, and employees are expected to follow all health and safety protocols. Plans are subject to change as the COVID-19 situation evolves.
- Mayor Victorino announces delay of television show production amid surge in COVID-19 cases
Mayor Michael Victorino announced that production on the television show Temptation Island has been delayed due to current COVID-19 health and safety concerns in Maui County. Mayor Victorino provided the following statement: “After speaking with the production company, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, the ILWU hotel worker union and our County Film Office, we all agreed to delay production of the show at this time. This was a very difficult decision due to the financial impacts to our local union film workers and hotel workers as well as to the film production company. However, considering the recent surge in cases on our island, all parties agreed to delay the show before production began. We appreciate the leadership of Andaz, ILWU, IATSE Local 665, the production team and the Governor’s Office for working with our office to address these concerns. We look forward to supporting the film production and other projects for our local workers and economy once case numbers decrease in our community.”
- Hawai'i Passenger Arrivals by Air Report for August 19, 2020
Yesterday, 2,096 people arrived in Hawai‘i. During this same time last year approximately 35,000 passengers arrived in Hawai‘i daily, including residents and visitors. The state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine started on March 26th for all passengers arriving in Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Mandatory Travel Declaration Form. For Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and state updates regarding COVID-19 visit: https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/
- Mayor signs sixteenth supplementary emergency proclamation for April 2018 flood
Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami has signed a sixteenth supplementary emergency proclamation on Wednesday, Aug. 19, for the County of Kaua‘i, extending the emergency relief period for damages sustained during the April 2018 flood. The sixteenth supplementary emergency proclamation further declares the provisions of all previous emergency proclamations. The disaster emergency relief period shall now continue until terminated 60 days after Aug. 19, 2020, or by a separate proclamation – whichever comes first. The purpose of the emergency proclamation is to provide continued relief for disaster damages, losses, and suffering, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Kaua‘i residents and visitors. To view a copy of the sixteenth supplementary emergency proclamation and previous emergency proclamations, visit the County of Kaua‘i’s online “April 2018 Flood Recovery” page at www.kauai.gov.
- Governor Ige extends disaster period for Kaua‘i for March flooding
Gov. David Ige today issued a second supplementary emergency proclamation for Kaua‘i, after heavy rains caused flooding and extensive damage on Mar. 27 and 28, 2020. The declaration provides relief for disaster damage, losses and suffering, and serves to protect the health, safety and welfare of Kaua‘i residents. It also implements emergency management functions as allowed by law and authorizes the expenditure of state funds as appropriated for the quick and efficient relief of damage and losses that have resulted from the floods. The governor issued the initial emergency proclamation on April 21, 2020 and a supplementary emergency proclamation on June 20, 2020.
- Hawai'i COVID-19 Joint Information Center: Update on COVID-19 case Investigations
Risk Factors • Yesterday, there were 158 adult cases and 16 children. Today, there are 129 adult cases and 5 children. Child cases are household contacts of adult cases, indicating the virus is spreading within households. • Based on the information available today for today’s new cases, 105 cases were exposed by community spread, 23 are unknown sources, and 7 cases have a travel-related exposure, which means they likely obtained the disease while outside of the state or their county of residence. • Of all cases since March, 93% are Hawaii residents and 2% are non-residents from other states or countries, information is pending for 5%. • Investigations/contact tracing are continuing to identify cases connected to gatherings or “hanging out with close friends” or co-workers. There are also cases of residents who traveled recently or hosted out of state visitors. One of the three cases on Hawaii Island has a history of travel to Oahu. On Maui, there are small clusters arising from activity at a construction site. In another cluster, five Maui residents held a party on Oahu; one case from the party attended another gathering while ill/symptomatic and nine cases were later associated with this party (5 primary, 4 secondary). In another cluster, a healthcare worker went to work while ill. As a result, the facility has 13 positive staff and 11 positive patients. In Honolulu, many cases are new and unassociated with other known positive cases. • 27 pending residence location • 0 nonresidents • 53 in Honolulu and at least 10 in Ewa Beach with smaller numbers scattered in other areas of the island. [Note: DOH receives antibody testing results from clinical laboratories. Individuals with positive antibody results are investigated and advised to undergo PCR testing if they’ve not already been tested previously. If findings suggest a confirmed new case (i.e., PCR positive), that count is added to the reported tables. DOH not receiving antigen or other point of care reports from providers as they are failing to report them.] Honolulu Clusters In Honolulu over the past month: • Circuit gym cluster—4 cases; report of inconsistent masking; investigation ongoing • Preschool cluster in one bubble—teacher (index case; associated with previously confirmed cases in the teacher’s household) and 3 students. • Health plan offices—at least 31 cases; investigation ongoing • Homeless shelter—20 cases; quarantine implemented facility-wide; investigation ongoing • 5 distinct restaurant clusters, each involving multiple employees at a single location; no transmission to customers identified. • City & County office—11 cases; located on 2 floors, potluck gatherings mentioned by employees being investigated as potential transmission source • Strip club worker with potential exposures to coworkers and clientele; clarification of place of work pending. • Oahu Community Correctional Center—287 cases; facility areas in lockdown; additional facility-wide testing continues, conditions challenging. • Automotive cleaning and detailing service location—16 cases; investigation ongoing • 3 fire stations—10 confirmed cases in firefighters; investigation ongoing. • Large funeral cluster—75 confirmed cases linked to a series of funeral events. • Bar clusters involving at least 5 people and 2 bars, Brix & Bones and Arena 808 (period of concern, July 16–26); possibly up to 7 cases downstream of this cluster • Construction company—10 cases; investigation ongoing High-Risk Situations Based on information gathered from disease investigations and contact tracing, the following circumstances are increasing the likelihood of community spread because of inconsistent mask use and inconsistent physical distancing protocols: Multiple household and other clusters associated with social interactions—e.g., house parties, beach parties/gatherings, birthday parties, father’s day and 4th of July gatherings, religious functions, mahjong, spectating a boxing fight (several instances of gathering at a person’s home to watch), co-workers sitting in prolonged (~2hr) meeting and removing masks to drink water, co-workers eating lunch together without distancing, retail establishments, warehouse and delivery personnel, funeral events (multiple gatherings, visitations, etc. without adhering to safe practices), meeting for drinks / socializing at bars (still), and retirement celebrations. These events occurred with inconsistent mask use and inconsistent physical distancing. COVID-19 Cases in Long Term Care Facilities and Community Care Homes in Hawaii (March 1 – present)
- DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY COVID-19 UPDATE FOR 8/18/20
Thirty-four (34) additional Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) inmates and 4 staff tested positive for COVID-19. PSD coordinated with the Department of Health (DOH) to conduct mass testing of all OCCC inmates in each of the 19 individual housing units there. 116 more inmate test results were received today. 34 were positive and 82 negative. All remaining inmates will be tested in the coming days. 16 OCCC staff test results have also been reported. Four (4) were positive, 11 negative and 1 inconclusive. Total PSD positive COVID-19 test results as of 8/18/20 * Numbers are subject to change as pending results are received. 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/









