Aloha,
In the last month, we have seen a stark increase in COVID-19 cases on the Big Island. I recently called on Mayor Harry Kim to increase monitoring and enforcement of the current restrictions and to consider more extensive restrictions as necessary. Since then Mayor Kim has closed Hawaii Island beaches for two weeks and we have received notification that the Hawaii Police Department has stepped up enforcement.
Unfortunately, we have also seen an increase in deaths on our island due to COVID-19. My deepest condolences are with those who have lost loved ones. Our island, our families, and our health matter. Wear your mask and postpone celebrations until we can all enjoy them together.
If you should you need any assistance, please reach out to my office at (808) 586-7335 or seninouye@capitol.hawaii.gov.
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Kind regards,
Senator Lorraine R. Inouye
Senate District 4 | Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, and Kona |
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Governor Releases Intent to Veto List
and CARES Act Spending Plan
Governor David Ige notified legislative leaders and key lawmakers of his Intent to Veto the following 6 measures. The Hawai‘i State Constitution requires the governor to notify the Legislature of the bills he intends to veto not later than the 35th day after adjournment, which is August 31st.
On September 15, any measure that the governor has not signed or not vetoed will become law without his signature.
Intent to Veto List:
- HB1523 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BUDGET.
This measure provides funding to the Department of Education utilizing CARES Act funding to purchase devices for schools with student populations of fifty per cent or greater or reduced price lunch for the period from July 1, 20202 to December 30, 2020.
- HB1846 RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
This bill mandates that all State facilities with an area of ten thousand square feet or more (not including Aloha Stadium) implement all cost-effective energy efficiency measures by January 1, 2024; that the State Energy Office be tasked with collecting all utility bill and energy usage data for state-owned facilities monthly and making such information available in a publicly accessible format; and that beginning July 1, 2020, if feasible and cost-effective, designs for all new state building construction must maximize energy and water efficiency, energy generation potential, and use of building materials that reduce the project’s carbon footprint.
- HB2124 RELATING TO THE CODE OF ETHICS.
This measure amends the State Ethics Code to prohibit the Governor, Lt. Governor, and other high-level government officials from representing any person or business for a fee or other compensation regarding any legislative or administrative action for 12 months after termination from respective position.
- SB2206 RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
This bill authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to issue revocable month-to-month temporary permits for the emergency sheltering of homeless persons on state lands up until ninety days after the emergency relief period specified in the Governor’s final Supplementary Proclamation relating to the COVID-19 emergency, irrespective of any separate proclamation terminating the disaster emergency relief period in the Governor’s final Supplementary Proclamation relating to the COVID-19 emergency.
- SB2523 RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
This requires the Department of Public Safety to expend certain appropriated funds during fiscal year 2020-2021 for the community-based work furlough program for female inmates.
- SB2638 RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
This bill establishes a 5-year pilot program intended to strengthen government response to domestic violence and increase offender accountability; amends the offense of abuse of family or household members to provide for a petty misdemeanor offense; allows a deferred acceptance of guilty or no contest plea in cases involving petty misdemeanor or misdemeanor abuse offenses; requires the court to revoke the defendant’s probation or set aside the defendant’s deferred acceptance of guilty plea and enter an adjudication of guilt in specific instances outlined.
Coronavirus Air, Relief, and
Economic Security Act (CARES Act) Spend Plan
On July 31, 2020, Governor Ige returned SB126 with line item vetoes. Of the $321,000,000 that was struck from the bill the Governor intends to utilize the funding for the following priorities:
- Funding for State share of disaster response, as required by law
- Expanded supplies of personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies for entities that were not identified in the bill
- Public health education
- Personnel, testing and tracing related to the pandemic response
- Expanded capabilities of the public safety facilities and personnel to include, but not limited to treatment and quarantine facilities, medical staff and enhanced cleaning activities
- Additional support to counties for programs supporting residents and businesses
- Pay back to the unemployment trust fund to help reduce the burden to businesses
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All County and State Beach
Parks Closed through September 18
Mayor Kim recently announced that all County and State Beach Parks on Hawai‘i Island will be closed for two weeks from September 4 through September 18, amid a spike in COVID-19 cases. The intent of the closures is to prevent the further spread of the virus by limiting gatherings at the beaches.
Department of Health contact tracing has shown that large gatherings are a key source of the virus’s spread, with several clusters being linked to social gatherings.
Beach parks and coastal parks may be used for direct access to and from the ocean in order to engage in exercise, fishing and gathering food. Park restrooms and showers will be open during the hours of 7:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. daily.
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Back to School Update
The Hawai'i State Department of Education announced that it will continue the Learn from Home phase of distance learning for most students statewide through the first quarter, which ends October 2.
Ahead of the August 17 return of students for the 2020-21 school year, the Department announced most schools would shift the majority of instruction to distance learning for at least the first four weeks of the academic year. This extends that by three weeks for the remainder of the first quarter.
The extension applies to all O'ahu schools and most neighbor island schools. Hāna High & Elementary on Maui and Kilohana Elementary and Maunaloa Elementary on Moloka'i will continue their current models.
During the Learn from Home phase, schools will continue offering learning hubs on campus to provide connectivity for students who need it. Schools will also continue educational programming for vulnerable students as previously identified.
Complex area superintendents will work with school principals to develop transition plans for the second quarter, with considerations for community-specific needs.
The Department will continue to work closely with state, county and health officials to assess if and when students can safely return to in-person blended learning models. As decisions are made, schools will communicate with families.
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Live with No Regrets Campaign
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Hear real patient stories of why we must prevent COVID-19.
Hear from people that want you to Live with No Regrets.
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The Hawai'i Learning Resource Fund at Hawai'i Community Foundation recently distributed $40,000 to help four Hawai'i Island schools address COVID-19 impacts in the coming school year. The recipient schools were Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School, Waimea Elementary School, Kanu O Ka ‘Aina New Century Public Charter School and Waimea Country School.
“The need to effectively support state-of- the-art teaching and learning in our community has never been greater,” said Sharon Vitousek, former board chair of Hawaii Learning Resource, about the recent distribution.
For more information on the Hawaiii Learning Resource Fund of the Hawaiii Community Foundation, please contact Sharon Vitousek, sharon.vitousek@gmail.com and Malu Debus, mdebus@hcf-hawaii.org.
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