The County of Hawai‘i has released the Hawai‘i Island Tourism Strategic Plan 2020-2025 (https://www.rd.hawaiicounty.gov/economic-development/tourism) . This is a guiding document for the County to ensure Responsible Tourism, which is respectful to communities, and natural and cultural resources. To develop the Hawai‘i Island Tourism Strategic Plan, the County conducted research and gathered input from over 400 representatives from the visitor industry, community, and public and private sectors to integrate a range of perspectives on the future direction of tourism on Hawai‘i Island. “If we are going to share with visitors, it must come from a place of abundance,” said a community member from Hāmākua. An industry stakeholder also shared: “Educating people before they get to the Island is important. People should know quickly what to do and what not to do. They need to be a part of the solutions.” The Plan fosters the concept idea that successful tourism starts with a high quality of life for residents defined by Ola ka ‘Aina, Ola ke Kanaka (Healthy Land, Healthy People), and sets it as the vision for the future. The Plan incorporates recent sentiments of members of Hawai‘i Island communities, visitor industry stakeholders, businesses and government officials who will guide the County in achieving four goals related to Responsible Tourism, Pono-Based Communication, Place-Based Communication, and Infrastructure. For further information, contact Frecia Cevallos, Tourism Specialist, Department of Research and Development at (808)961-8505 or Frecia.cevallos@Hawai‘icounty.gov

Due to current circumstances because of COVID-19, the Board of Education ("Board") will be holding a virtual Special Meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2020. Please click here to view materials for the Special Meeting. There is no physical location for the meeting. Please click here to view the Governor's Tenth Supplementary Proclamation, issued July 17, 2020, which suspends provisions of Sunshine Law due to COVID-19. The Board encourages members of the public to submit written and/or oral testimony. Please submit written testimony to Testimony.BOE@boe.hawaii.gov. To sign-up to testify orally, please click here. For further instructions regarding how to submit written and/or oral testimony, please click here. Please find the WebEx link to register to join the meeting here. The meeting number is:  126 109 6264 The meeting password is:  joinmeeting To join by phone, call 1-844-621-3956 (Call-in toll-free number (US)) The meeting access code is:  126 109 6264 The attendee id number is:  # (pound key) Please click here to access a PDF with step-by-step instructions. For more detailed instructions on how to access the live broadcast, click here. The live audio broadcast is audio only for both Board members and the public. Nothing will be shown on the screen. Persons requiring an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability should contact the Board Office at BOE.Hawaii@boe.hawaii.gov or at (808) 586-3334 as soon as possible. Requests made as early as possible will allow additional time to fulfill your request. We will try to obtain the accommodation, but we cannot guarantee that the request will be fulfilled. For questions, comments, or concerns, please contact the Board Office at BOE.Hawaii@boe.hawaii.gov or at (808) 586-3334.

Today marks 18 weeks since the state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine started for all passengers arriving in Hawai'i from out of state. Yesterday, 2,380 people arrived in Hawai'i. During this same time last year approximately 35,000 passengers arrived in Hawai'i daily, including residents and visitors. 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/

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted visitor arrivals to the Hawaiian Islands in June 2020. Visitor arrivals were down 98.2 percent compared to a year ago, according to preliminary statistics released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s (HTA) Tourism Research Division. All passengers arriving from out-of-state during June were required to abide by a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine. Exemptions include travel for essential reasons like work or healthcare. The interisland quarantine was in effect for the first half of June, ending on June 15. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also continued to enforce its “No Sail Order” on all cruise ships. In June, a total of 17,068 visitors traveled to Hawaii by air service compared to 951,628 total visitors (by air and cruise ships) during the same period a year ago. Most of the visitors were from U.S. West (10,149, -97.8%) and U.S. East (5,596, -97.7%). A few visitors came from Japan (40, -100.0%) and Canada (57, -99.7%). There were 1,226 visitors from All Other International Markets (-98.9%). Many of these visitors were from Guam, and a small number of visitors were from Oceania, Other Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Islands. Total visitor days dropped 94.6 percent year-over-year. A total of 110,570 trans-Pacific air seats serviced the Hawaiian Islands in June, down 90.6 percent from a year ago. There were no direct flights or scheduled seats from Japan, Canada, Oceania, and Other Asia, and very few scheduled seats from U.S. East (-94.5%), U.S. West (-88.4%) and Other countries (-54.5%). Year-to-Date 2020 In the first half of 2020, total visitor arrivals decreased 58.5 percent to 2,156,234 visitors, with significantly fewer arrivals by air service (-58.4% to 2,126,443) and by cruise ships (-61.0% to 29,792) compared to the same period a year ago. Total visitor days dropped 55.2 percent. Year-to-date, visitor arrivals by air service decreased from U.S. West (-59.0% to 927,890), U.S. East (-55.3% to 523,780), Japan (-59.9% to 294,295), Canada (-49.8% to 155,821) and All Other International Markets (-64.7% to 224,657). Other Highlights: U.S. West: In June, 7,442 visitors arrived from the Pacific region compared to 358,030 visitors a year ago, and 2,606 visitors came from the Mountain region compared to 88,264 a year ago. Through the first half of 2020, visitor arrivals declined substantially from both the Pacific (-60.1% to 700,877) and Mountain (-55.2% to 206,772) regions compared to the same period year-over-year. U.S. East: Through the first half of 2020, visitor arrivals dropped considerably from all regions. The three largest regions, East North Central (-53.2% to 110,578), South Atlantic (-61.4% to 96,217) and West North Central (-41.3% to 94,467) saw significant decreases compared to the first half of 2019. Japan: In June, 40 visitors arrived from Japan compared to 126,592 visitors a year ago. Year-to-date through June, arrivals declined 59.9 percent to 294,295 visitors. Canada: In June, 57 visitors arrived from Canada compared to 19,239 visitors a year ago. Year-to-date through June, arrivals dropped to 155,821 visitors (-49.8%). ___________ [1] Aggregate number of days stayed by all visitors.

NEW RECORD NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES REPORTED DUE TO TESTING DELAYS Number of COVID-19 Cases Top 100 The number of COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday have hit another single-day record, although the State had been anticipating the increase due to lab closures on Sunday and Monday after Hurricane Douglas. The case count for today stands at a total of 109; 98 on O‘ahu, nine (9) on Maui, and two (2) on Kaua‘i. A total of 5,160 tests were processed between Saturday and today. Normally, about 1,000-2,000 tests are processed each day. “The dramatic increase in cases reported today was anticipated based on recent trends since the Fourth of July weekend, which continue,” said State Health Director Dr. Bruce Anderson. “We are seeing an increase in small and large social gatherings, including gatherings on beaches and in our parks, at homes and in workplaces. We have also recently seen an increase in cases associated with bars, gyms other establishments where physical distancing and masking is not regularly practiced. Based on data collected on cases through our investigations and contact tracing, we are recommending that strategic actions be taken to further restrict activities associated with these cases,” said Anderson. Venues where multiple clusters have been identified, such as in bars and gyms, will obviously be targeted, said Anderson. Multiple household and other clusters have been associated with social interactions such as house parties, beach parties/gatherings, birthday parties, father’s day and 4th of July gatherings, religious functions, co-workers sitting in prolonged meetings while removing masks to eat or drink, shopping, funeral events, meeting for drinks and socializing at bars. “We’re seeing relaxed rules around our community and in businesses where people stop wearing masks and don’t practice physical distancing. We all have to take personal responsibility to protect ourselves as well as others. Masking and physical distancing not only protect us but also those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. As we anticipate schools to re-open, our children are going to need to look to adults to set an example and we can’t let out guards down right now.”

Drive-through COVID-19 testing will be held on Friday, July 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Lahaina Aquatic Center. The Lahaina Aquatic Center will be closed all day Friday due to the drive-through testing event. The Lahaina Recreation Center will be closed Friday morning and open at 2 p.m. Minit Medical will be administering the drive-through, with diagnostic and anti-body testing available. Minit Medical will call individuals with all results, which are expected to take one to three days. “We want to mahalo, again, Minit Medical for partnering with us and quickly mobilizing drive-through testing for our West Maui community,” Mayor Victorino said. “We know there are concerns in our community regarding recent cases and events, so please get tested if you are sick or may have been exposed. We also encourage anyone who would like to get tested to call their doctor or visit their local medical care provider. “We need everyone to do their part to keep COVID-19 cases low by avoiding large gatherings, maintaining physical distance with others and frequent hand washing.” Participants can pre-register for the drive-through testing on Minit Medical’s website at www.minitmed.com. They can do same-day registration, but pre-registration saves time and avoids paperwork. Antibody tests are NOT covered by insurance. Those who get antibody testing will receive a bill from Clinical Labs of Hawaii for about $45. “We are pleased to partner with the County to help provide this drive-through testing event in West Maui,” said Justin Prouty, owner of Minit Medical. “Keep in mind, though, that you don’t need to wait for a drive-through to get tested. If you are experiencing symptoms, please call your doctor and get tested.” People who get tested are asked to bring: • Insurance card • Identification • Facial covering / mask Criteria for Molecular testing: • Symptomatic: o Fever/chills o Body aches o Short of breath o Difficulty breathing o Cough o Loss of taste or smell o Diarrhea o Sore throat o Headache o Nausea o Runny nose • Asymptomatic (with possible exposure): o Recent travel to Mainland/International o Positive/possible exposure contact o First responders/essential workers o Pre-operative, pre-procedure testing o Required for travel (costs might be incurred) For more information on the drive-through testing event, call Minit Medical Urgent Care at (808) 667-6161. For more information on COVID-19 in Maui County, visit www.MauiCounty.gov

Department of Health: 47 New Cases of Coronavirus Reported All but one of the newly diagnosed coronavirus cases reported by DOH are on O‘ahu. There was a single new case on Maui. Of the 46 total cases, 41 are among adults and six are pediatric cases. Community-associated infection has been identified in eight (8) of the new cases, while travel-association is in two (2). The source of infection for the remaining 37 cases is still under investigation. For more tables, charts and visualizations visit the DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division:https://health.hawaii.gov/coronavirusdisease2019/what-you-should-know/current-situation-in-hawaii

The public is advised that Waha Road Bridge will be closed for construction work on Aug. 3, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weather permitting. The scope of the work will be to replace the wood decking of the bridge . During the bridge closure, motorists are advised to seek alternate routes to get to their destinations. Anyone with questions may call Scott Suga with the Roads Division at 241-4844.

Yesterday, 875 people arrived in Hawai'i. Some of the airlines canceled flights in anticipation of Hurricane Douglas. 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/ About the Hawaii Tourism Authority The Hawaii Tourism Authority is the State of Hawaii agency responsible for strategically managing its support of the tourism industry. Established in 1998 to support Hawaii’s leading industry and largest employer, HTA continually strives to help ensure tourism’s sustainability and the benefits it brings to residents and communities statewide. Follow updates about HTA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@HawaiiHTA).

Mayor Kirk Caldwell met with staff in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) this morning to debrief on the response to Hurricane Douglas. The Emergency Operations Center has been deactivated as of 12 p.m. today. "During my time as mayor, we have been very lucky to have been missed by every hurricane that passed our way,” said Mayor Caldwell. “That lucky streak continues with Hurricane Douglas, which passed 35 miles north of O'ahu, closer to us than any hurricane in modern history, even closer than Hurricane Dot in 1959, which, adjusted for inflation, caused $50 million in damage. I'd like to thank the people of O'ahu for their continued vigilance against hurricane threats such as this, in spite of so many near misses. If there comes a time when our luck runs out, your preparations will keep our community safe when the moment comes." 768-CITY If anyone has questions about closures or city services, they are asked to visit oneoahu.org or call 768-CITY (2489). The call center closed at 12 p.m. on Monday, July 27. Starting on Tuesday, July 28, the call center will resume normal hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. BUS SCHEDULE The City’s Department of Transportation Services announced it resumed TheBus and TheHandi-Van service by 6 a.m. Monday, July 27. Services were paused at 12 p.m. on Sunday, July 26 as O‘ahu braced for the potential impacts of Hurricane Douglas. The Handi-Van is accepting reservations again today, Monday, July 27. CONTRAFLOW SUSPENDED On Monday the City Department of Facility Maintenance has suspended contraflow coning operations. This will affect the a.m. Kalanianaole Hwy contraflow, along with Kapi‘olani/Ward Ave and p.m. Kapi‘olani contraflow coning operations. Contraflow operations will continue as normal tomorrow. TRASH PICKUP Trash pickup (manual and 3-cart collection system) and all bulky pickup is canceled for Monday, July 27. Gray carts missed Monday will be collected starting Tuesday, July 28, so place it curbside tonight. Manual collections missed, hold until the next scheduled collection date. Blue and Green carts missed Monday will NOT be collected, so the public should hold those items until the next scheduled collection day. Bulky item appointments for Monday will be made up the following days, so replace your Monday items this evening and our crews will be by in the next several days to collect. All refuse convenience centers, transfer stations and Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill will be closed Monday, July 27, and reopen Tuesday, July 28. For more information go to opala.org. DEPARTMENT OF PARK AND RECREATION Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) facilities and programs open prior to Hurricane Douglas preparations will reopen on Tuesday, including: Honolulu Botanical Gardens, beach parks, Summer Fun Programs, People’s Open Market, City pools (for lap swimming only), and permitted park events. However, camping at City campgrounds will resume operations on Friday, July 27. There will be no permitted camping Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Campsites are closed on Wednesday and Thursday due to maintenance. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve and indoor park facilities not previously reopened, such as gymnasiums and recreation buildings, remain closed to the general public at this time. ZOO AND GOLF COURSES: The Zoo and all golf courses are closed Monday

Hawai‘i honored to be considered by Japan in list of global destinations to resume safe international travel Governor David Ige and House Speaker Scott Saiki today expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi for Hawai‘i being mentioned along with an exclusive list of 12 countries and regions that are being considered to resume safe international travel with Japan. Prime Minister Abe and Foreign Minister Motegi announced that international travel between Japan and the 12 destinations is being considered in the near future with Europe and Hawai‘i to follow in the next step. Hawai‘i is the only destination in the United States mentioned for consideration for Japan’s resumption of international travel. Other destinations that Japan is considering discussions with include Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Singapore and Taiwan. Governor Ige stated, “On behalf of the State of Hawai‘i, we are honored that Prime Minister Abe and Japan’s policy makers are considering Hawai‘i for resuming safe and responsible international travel. Japan and Hawai‘i enjoy longstanding cultural ties and a deep-rooted friendship that has enriched the lives of many generations. It’s important that we restore travel between Japan and Hawai‘i and we see this program as a way to make this possible, while also preventing the further spread of infections from COVID-19.” Governor Ige noted that details for the Japan-Hawai‘i safe travel program are still being resolved and no timetable has been set for when it would take effect. The governor stressed that public health will be the overriding factor in determining how the program is carried out to support the state’s economic recovery and the tens of thousands of residents who depend on the travel industry for their livelihoods. “Providing safe travel for both residents and visitors is vital to strengthening our state’s economic health and long-term recovery. Protecting the public’s health will always be our first priority and the foundation for which any economic recovery program is built upon, including trans-Pacific travel,” said Governor Ige. Speaker Saiki was instrumental in Hawai‘i being included on Japan’s list of travel destinations through his discussions with Japan’s top policy makers as the chair of the Japan Hawai‘i Legislators Friendship Association. The association provides a forum for legislative-level interactions between Japan and Hawai‘i lawmakers to share information and initiatives to strengthen relationships, policies and economic opportunities. Speaker Saiki commented, “We are thankful for this expression of confidence by Japan for the eventual renewal of travel with Hawai‘i. It’s just as important for Hawai‘i residents to be able to travel again to Japan to connect with family members, conduct business, and experience historic cultural sites, as it is for us to welcome the people of Japan back to Hawai‘i. “Similar to Japan, a lot of work has been accomplished to make Hawai‘i as safe as possible from the spread of the coronavirus since international travel was suspended in March. We are getting closer to the point where travel between Japan and Hawaii can be restarted, while staying focused on protecting people’s health. When that occurs, it will be a big step forward to reviving a segment that is important to the overall economic health of Hawai‘i and its people.”

The Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation announces that all County beach and shoreline parks that were closed this weekend due to Hurricane Douglas have reopened effective 7:00 a.m. Monday. County beach parks on east-facing shores were closed effective Friday, July 24, as the storm approached. Field reports showed that the hurricane had minimal impact on Hawai‘i Island. If there are any questions or concerns, please call Parks and Recreation at 961-8311.