Kaneohe Neighborhood Board host "unofficial" meeting on Zoom

Aloha!  The Kaneohe Neighborhood Board is proud to have hosted a “first of it’s kind” virtual informal board meeting via Zoom on April 23, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.  The meeting was also simultaneously live-streamed via Facebook.  Eighty-eight (88) community members joined us on Zoom and Facebook for the meeting, including our Windward Community Legislators – Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Representative Scot Matayoshi, Representative Lisa Kitagawa and Council Chair Ikaika Anderson.  In light of the ever-evolving changes taking place in our community due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kaneohe NB feels it is vital to continue our regular monthly meetings in order to keep our community connected and informed.

Depending on how long this type of environment exists, it's more important now to make sure neighborhood boards remain relevant and stay connected to their respective communities.  Through formal letter, we are asking the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu to permit official meetings of neighborhood boards that desire to operate temporarily in this environment.

Mahalo nui loa for the impressive kokua of all who helped this meeting become a reality.

Here is a synopsis of the April 2020 informal meeting:

1.      HPD Update:  HPD provided us with its March 2020 tally of Kaneohe Reported Incidents.  The March 2020 statistics show levels of reported instances of motor vehicle theft, burglary, theft and UEMV consistent with the February 2020 reported incident statistics.  There were questions as to the number of COVID-19 related incidents and citations issued as well as insight into officer-training of handling COVID-19 related incidents, especially those concerning community members with mental illness.  We hope to follow up with HPD and report back on this at the next board meeting.

2.      HFD Update:  HFD provided us with its monthly incident statistics and provided us with the following Fire Department Safety Tips for Infectious Disease Control:

·       Following everyday preventative actions can prevent or slow down the spread of respiratory illness in the community.

·       Stay home if you start to feel ill.

·       Wash your hands often – use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

·       If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.  Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

·       Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

·       Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

·       Cover your coughs and sneezes.

·       Use a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash.

·       If you don’t have a tissue, use your elbow.

·       Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

·       Get the flu shot – people with seasonal influenza will exhibit similar signs and symptoms as COVID-10 (fever and cough).  If more people are protected against influenza, this will reduce confusion and the burden on our healthcare system.

3.      Senator Keohokalole:  Senator Keohokalole shared that he is on the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 that is monitoring the administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Senator Keohokalole provided various updates regarding the following issues:

·       Unemployment Claims:  The State is taking steps to more efficiently process unemployment claims by increasing manpower to assist with claims processing.  There is uncertainly as to whether unemployment insurance funds will be depleted by May 2020 and the State is working with federal delegation to get federal support to keep it sustainable beyond the month of May.

·       Legislative Session:  The Senator discussed updates regarding whether the Legislative Session will be reconvened.  If done, it will likely be very limited in scope – only to address managing the deficit and managing federal monies coming into the State.  The current projections show a $1.3-1.8 Billion shortfall in State revenue due to the COVID-19 closures.  Due to the budget shortfall, it is unlikely that the State will offer any stimulus checks for residents; any additional stimulus checks would need to come from the Federal government.

·       Governor’s Emergency Authority:  Under the Governor’s emergency authority, the Governor can distribute Federal CARES Act monies without the input and approval of the Legislature.  It is important for the Legislature to reconvene in order to have oversight and public input into how this nearly $1 Billion in federal funds are appropriated.

·       Tracking of Mandatory Quarantine:  The State is in discussions regarding the ease of restrictions and opening up economic activity within the State.  In order to do so, making mandatory quarantine more enforceable is a necessary step.

·       Return to Normalcy:  A return to normalcy is not likely for another 18-24 months – the time it will take to create a vaccine or before herd immunity (70% exposure) is accomplished.

·       Status of Existing Bills:  If the Legislature does not reconvene, any pending bills will die and will need to be reintroduced in January.   All potential new expenditures of money are on hold and unless the Legislature fully reconvenes and gives the budget the constitutionally-required three (3) reads and passes a Supplemental Budget, all potential appropriations on the table are at risk.  If the Legislature does reconvene to address the budget, it will likely not be granting requested appropriations but rather, will be making cuts.

4.      Representative Matayoshi.  Representative Matayoshi provided the following updates:

·       Visitor Monitoring.  Visitors are being monitored more carefully under new procedures enacted in the State, including verification of visitor accommodations and contact information prior to leaving the airport.  The State is in the process of exploring more stringent monitoring procedures.

·       Hand Sanitizers.  Announcement of a partnership with local breweries and distilleries to create hand sanitizers for distribution to first responders and the public.

5.      Representative Kitagawa.  Representative Kitagawa shared the following updates:

·       Farm to Car.  The Windward Legislators have worked hard to bring “Farm to Car,” a local drive-thru farmers’ market, to the Windward community.  The first Windward Farm to Car event will take place on April 30, 2020 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Windward Mall (Sears bottom floor).  Four (4) different produce box options containing local produce will be offered.  Purchasing for this first Windward Farm-to-Car will go live on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.  In order to place an order, patrons need to create an account on the Hawaii Farm Bureau website:  https://hfbf.org/farm-to-car/

·       Unemployment for Independent Contractors.  There is unemployment available for independent contractors, but funding for independent contractors is separate and is not being run through the same system as other unemployment claims.

·       Unemployment Claims.    Volunteers from the State Department, including Rep. Kitagawa herself, have been assisting with the backlog of unemployment claims.  The Convention Center has opened a center for additional volunteers to assist with the backlog – 420 volunteers are currently working throughout the day to process claims.  The Department recommends that if it has been over three (3) weeks since a claim has been filed, to file another claim.  Next week, the Department will also be opening up an additional call center to expand the amount of people taking calls.  This will hopefully help reduce the current wait time community members are experiencing.

6.      City Council Chair Ikaika Anderson.  Chair Anderson shared the following updates:

·       City Council.  The Honolulu City Council is still open for business and members/staff are currently working remotely. 

·       Opening of Parks.  The new mayoral proclamation has opened parks for community use, with social distancing requirements still in place.  Dog parks, however, have not yet been reopened at this time.

·       Request for City Services.  If there are any requests for increased city services, the Council is asking the neighborhood boards to put their priorities in writing for the Council to address.

·       Proposed Salary Raises.  The Salary Commission started their process for salary recommendations in late 2019/early 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Inasmuch as the situation has since changed, Chair Anderson (joined by councilmembers Kobayashi and Fukunaga) have sent a letter to the Salary Commission informing them that it would be inappropriate to have any salary increases for City elected officials/department heads at this time, and informing the commission that it would be very likely that the Council would reject any salary recommendation at this time.

7.      Status of Neighborhood Board Meetings.  On March 13, 2020, the Mayor announced that all Neighborhood Board Meetings would be cancelled effective immediately in an effort to stop the potential spread of COVID-19.   On March 16, 2020, the Governor issued a proclamation allowing for boards to meet remotely in order to continue board business.  The Kaneohe Neighborhood Board feels it is incredibly important for elected officials and board members to maintain connectivity with the community and so we will be pursuing the ability to conduct official board meetings virtually. 

·       All of the Governor’s COVID-19-related emergency orders can be found at:  https://governor.hawaii.gov/emergency-proclamations/

·       All of the Mayor’s COVID-19-related emergency orders can be found at:  https://www.honolulu.gov/mayor/proclamations-orders-and-rules.html

8.      State Hospital Construction.  Prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, construction on the State Hospital was 2-3 months ahead of schedule.  Because construction is still considered an essential service, the State Hospital remains on track to finish on time or a little ahead of schedule.  The crane that remains on the property is scheduled to be removed by this Summer or Fall.

9.      DPP Website Update.  The DPP has created a website to provide notice of all proposed projects that usually require Neighborhood Board input.  The new page is called “Neighborhood Board Material” and can be found at http://www.honoluludpp.org/Home.aspx  

10.  Kaneohe Joint Outreach Center.  The Kaneohe Joint Outreach Center is currently closed in an effort to stop the potential spread of COVID-19 and due to the shortage and PPE.  The planned renovation of this space is currently on hold.

11.  Haiku Stairs.  The Board of Water Supply’s board members will take up the issue of Haiku Stairs at their April 27, 2020 board meeting at 5:00 p.m.  UPDATE - The Board of Water Supply voted unanimously to turn the Haiku stairs over to the C&C of Honolulu with the caveat that an operator is in place within 18 months or demolition will commence then.

Once again - Mahalo!  The Board would like to thank our Windward Community Legislators for making themselves available for our virtual meeting.  We truly appreciate everything you folks are doing for our community.  A special mahalo goes out to Representative Matayoshi and his staff for all of their assistance in making our virtual meeting a reality.  Lastly, mahalo to all of our community members that joined our virtual meeting and who allow us to continue serving our community!