Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, March 17, 2020

NEW POLITICAL PARTY ALOHA ʻĀINA is eligible to field candidates for the 2020 elections. Last Thursday, the state Office of Elections certified Aloha ʻĀina, which gathered 1,600 signatures of registered voters – exceeding the 757 required, and passing the mandatory 20-day review and objection period.

     Aloha ʻĀina is founded by three native Hawaiians who are members of the Order of Kamehameha. Don Kaulia, Pua Ishibashi, and Desmon Haumea organized Aloha ʻĀina on "traditional Hawaiian values," says the Aloha Aina website. They call it the "first Hawaiian political party in over 108-years," but say it is "open and inclusive to everyone and will address the needs and concerns of all the people of Hawaiʻi." The founders declare that Aloha ʻĀina "represents a new and better way that will challenge and change how politics and governments currently do business."

     The five foundational principles of Aloha ʻĀina are "recognition of the Divine; to Aloha the People; Malama (care for) the ʻĀina (land); demand government Accountability and Transparency; and advocate for Hoʻoponopono, to make right what is wrong, regarding the Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi in 1893."

     Aloha ʻĀina plans to secure candidates for every elected office in the state of Hawaiʻi for the 2020 Elections, at the county, state, and federal level. "Then we begin the needed change, to huli from the inside out to benefit our keiki, ourselves, our kūpuna, and future generations."

      Alternatively, Aloha ʻĀina plans to field some candidates and endorse others. 

     The Aloha ʻĀina Party is one of five political parties recognized in Hawaiʻi: Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, and the Green Party.

     "Creating a new political party is a major undertaking and requires time and money. We are a very small grass roots movement with very limited resources. Contributions are needed and appreciated. Please KŌKUA," states a message on the website. See alohaainaparty.com.

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     Ige encouraged visitors to postpone vacations for at least the next 30 days and reschedule for a later date. Effective this Friday, March 20, all passengers disembarking cruise ships will be screened. "Our airports are working on implementation plans for screening arriving visitors," said the governor.

     Also shut down are state facilities such as Pāhala and Nāʻālehu Libraries, along with the Old Pahala Gym and Nāʻālehu Gym, and those around the state that are used for school and community activities.

Storybook Theatre of Hawaiʻi with its marine education supported by inflatable ocean characters will be unable to offer its program in April at the Old Kaʻū Gym, due to restrictions concerning possible  spread of COVID-19. Photo by Julia Neal

     Ige said that stability is critical in this unprecedented situation. "Accordingly, the following steps have been taken: All utilities have been directed to take necessary measures to ensure that they can continue to operate in the normal course."
     The governor said that Kenneth Hara, Director of Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, has full authority to determine what constitutes critical infrastructure or essential services that will continue operations. This includes utilities, fuel producers, shipping facilities and industry, financial institutions, financial services, telecommunications companies, wholesaler or distributors, grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and other industry vital to the community. For both the utilities and essential services, government resources and support can be deployed as necessary, he said.
     The one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance benefits is waived for those unemployed because of COVID-19.

Family nights and other community functions at Nāʻālehu and all the public school gyms will be cancelled or postponed until after the COVID-19 scare. Photo from Nāʻālehu School

     The Office of Consumer Protection is working with its Landlord Tenant Center, and has instituted emergency provisions applicable to tenants. During the emergency, additional steps are being discussed with community's business partners and non-profit organizations to maintain stability for families, said the governor. They include: Ensuring employees have benefits, even if employees are not at work; halting eviction for non-payment of rent; halting foreclosures; and working with public and private utility providers to avoid shut-off of service to critical utilities such as electric, gas, water, internet, landline telephone, and cell phone.
     The governor directed all state department and state agency heads to review employees and identify the following: Essential-functions – will be required to report to work); Non-essential – able to work remotely via telework (work from home); and Non-essential – unable to work remotely via telework or otherwise. These employees could be re-assigned to work that could be done remotely, as long as it's in the employee's job description and classification.
     For the next 15 calendar days, the governor is directing the departments in state government to have all non-essential staff stay home. Essential workers will continue to report to work. All employees will continue to be paid and will still be eligible for sick leave, vacation, and other benefits. Every employee should look to their respective department for detailed instructions.
     Ige has also banned all non-essential travel for state workers, including to the Neighbor Islands.
     "It is essential that our government operations and services continue during this time, but we must keep all of our employees and community safe and healthy. We expect more stringent actions in the days to come. These are difficult times, but Hawaiʻi has a history of coming together when faced with challenges. I'm confident that together we will rise to the task," said Ige.

Kīlauea Visitor Center is closed, but Park rangers and volunteers will be outside the center daily to answer general  questions about the Park. NPS photo

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