Aloha,
I am writing to you from my 14-day mandatory quarantine after traveling to Oahu for legislative business. As the spread of COVID-19 appears to be slowing in other parts of the country, Hawai'i has seen a considerable increase in recent weeks. This is a wake-up call for all of us that COVID-19 is still a serious concern in Hawai‘i. We must not let our guard down and continue to social distance, wear masks, and wash our hands.
In the meantime, 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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Gov. Ige Signs Emergency Proclamation Reinstating Partial Inter-Island Travel Quarantine
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Governor David Ige announced that a partial inter-island travel quarantine would be reinstated starting on Tuesday, August 11.
During an afternoon news conference, the governor said that he would reinstate the quarantine for all interisland travelers, although details were still being developed. However, after further discussions with Attorney General Clare Connors, Gov. Ige decided to approve the inter-island travel quarantine only for travelers arriving on the islands of Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, Maui and Kalawao. The quarantine requirement applies to any person traveling to these islands and between these islands. It does not include inter-island travelers arriving on O‘ahu. The period of self-quarantine will begin immediately upon arrival and last 14 days or the duration of the person’s stay on the island, whichever is shorter.
Governor Ige signed the 11th emergency proclamation in response to the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases on O‘ahu, which is the result of large gatherings in uncontrolled environments.
The inter-island quarantine continues through Aug. 31 unless it is terminated or extended by a separate proclamation.
The previous inter-island travel quarantine affecting all inter-island travelers took effect on Apr. 1 and was lifted on June 16.
For additional COVID-19 travel related information and resources, visit the Department of Transportation's website.
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County of Hawai‘i
Inter-Island Quarantine Guidance
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Effective Tuesday, August 11, 2020, all travelers arriving in the County of Hawai‘i must follow Governor David Ige’s Eleventh Proclamation related to a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for travelers to Kaua’i, Hawai‘i, and Maui. The period of self-quarantine shall begin from the date of entry onto the Island, and shall last 14 days or the duration of the person’s stay, whichever is shorter.
Persons traveling for a same-day medical appointment or those traveling to Hawai‘i County to perform critical infrastructure functions, as identified in Exhibit B of the Governor’s Tenth Emergency Proclamation Related to the COVID-19 Emergency, must complete the required travel forms to request modification or exemption from the quarantine requirements. The forms can be found on the County of Hawai‘i’s COVID-19 Resources website; click on the COVID-19 banner link here.
These travel forms must be filled out at least five days prior to scheduled arrival date.
At this point in time, there will be no other travel exemptions. Examples of requests that do not qualify for exemption:
• Travel to visit family or friends
• Funeral services
• Personal tasks, such as work on a property
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Complex area superintendents (CAS) on the neighbor islands announced the distance learning models that schools will be implementing on August 17.
Public schools on Hawaiʻi Island 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.
All schools in Hawai‘i County will follow the three-phase plan for distance learning below.
First phase, in-person training (August 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 August 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 (August 24 - September 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 (September 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 September 8 by each complex area superintendent.
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2020 Hawai'i Primary Election
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According to the Hawai'i State Office of Elections' records, Hawai'i voter turnout was way up for Hawai'i’s first all-mail primary election.
Statewide:
- Total Registration: 795,248
- Total Turnout: 406,425 = 51.1%
- Mail Turnout: 400,952 = 50.4%
- In-Person Turnout: 5,473 = 0.7%
Hawai'i County:
- Total Registration: 122,125
- Total Turnout: 65,034 = 53.3%
- Mail Turnout: 63,831 = 52.3%
- In-Person Turnout: 1,203 = 1.0%
Our new vote by mail law broke all records and increased people voting by more than 60% over the 2016 primary election. 406,425 votes were cast statewide, by far the most since the previous statehood-era record of 309,700 primary votes set in 1994.
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2020 Census Operational
Adjustments Due to COVID-19
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The Census Bureau announced that it will end field data collection by September 30, 2020. Self-response options will also close on that date to permit the commencement of data processing. About 347,240 Hawai'i households have filled out the census form on their own. That means about 238,320 homes need to visited by a census taker to count everyone else in-person (or determine if housing units are vacant). This "nonresponse followup" will take place until September 30. During this time you can still fill out the form on your own so a census taker won't need to knock on your door to count you in-person.
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Keiki O Ka Aina (KOKA) is currently taking applications for their HELP Child Care Tuition Assistance Program.
Parents working from home, essential workers, teachers, school staff, etc. now have the option of applying for tuition assistance to compensate extended family members and friends who are providing in-home childcare.
If you have any questions about the HELP and HPP Program, please email "help@koka.org" or "hpp@koka.org."
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The Kiwanis Club of Kailua-Kona is offering to help disadvantaged youth who attend school within 30 miles of the Kona area with the cost of school supplies for the new school year.
Requests must be submitted by an agency, organization, or school and will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is a limited amount of money for this project.
Please submit your request to Linda Takai at lktakai49@gmail.com.
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