Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday May 7, 2021

TRANS-PACIFIC TRAVEL TESTING will be extended for arrivals to Hawai`i Island for those without proof of COVID-19 vaccines. The County of Hawaiʻi announced today that it will extend its post-arrival airport testing program for trans-Pacific travelers for up to 90 days. The program has been in place since late last year and saw a recent uptick in positive cases, prompting the island’s hospitality industry to seek partnerships to further fund the testing program. 

    The program under County contract is slated to end May 10, a day before the State transitions to its new interisland vaccine exemption program. "Airport testing for trans-Pacific travelers will continue to focus on travelers without proof of vaccination with the final vaccination date at least 14 days prior to arrival. Those with proof will be exempted from the post-arrival test, said a statement from the county.

     Mayor Mitch Roth said, “We are extremely grateful to our hospitality industry for taking the initiative to seek partnerships in a greater effort to keep our island safe. The level of care and aloha we’ve seen on our island over the past year continues to astound me. Every time there has been a cause for concern for our County, there have been vested community members and organizations there to do whatever it takes to keep our communities safe, and that is why we have been one of the best in the Nation at slowing the spread of COVID-19.” 

    Craig Anderson, Island of Hawaiʻi Chair for Hawaiʻi Tourism & Lodging Association, said, “As our island begins to see a steady influx of visitors, our hotels, small businesses, and other vested community
members felt that the added layer of protection at our airports is vital to the overall safety of our residents. 

    “Although we are excited to see the return of visitors to the islands, our number one priority always has and will continue to be the health and safety of our community. It’s what makes our island so special, unique, and truly the best place to visit in the State.” 

    County of Hawaiʻi will continue the program until the State’s vaccination exemption program rolls out for trans-Pacific travelers. To date, an average of over 60 percent of daily arrivals have been able to show proof of vaccination upon arrival, said the statement from the County.

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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAWAIʻI RELEASED ITS REVIEW OF THE 2021 HAWAIʻI LEGISLATURE TODAY:

    "The 2021 legislative session adjourned on April 29 with hundreds of bills passing the Legislature and moving on to Governor Ige for consideration. A number of these bills will impact businesses, employers, and employees either directly or indirectly. From the outset, there was tremendous pressure to stimulate the economy and bring people back to work, all while keeping government services operating and workers employed. With less state tax revenue and unemployed workers depleting the unemployment trust fund, the legislature had to consider a slew of revenue generating measures and even publicly announced them as necessary to get Hawaii out of the situation we faced.
    "The legislative body resisted the call to make changes that would cripple local non-profits, small business, and ultimately the economy with the help of renewed support from the Federal Government. The crucial federal funds from the 2020 CARES Act and 2021 American Rescue Plan Act have helped allow the state to maintain spending without imposing substantial business and economy-damaging cuts.
    "Most importantly, through their funding and budget bills, they shored up the unemployment system so that businesses would not have to lay off workers or shutter their doors. The business industry, and, by extension, all of Hawaii's economy, are in the process of recovering from a worldwide pandemic. As Hawai'i struggles to emerge from the severe COVID-19 downturn, let's work together to renew and rebuild a stronger Hawaiʻi."
    The Chamber pointed to its opinion on the the following bills:
    HB 676 Relating to the Minimum Wage: "The House did not schedule the bill for a hearing recognizing that the timing was not right to pass a bill that would increase the minimum wage."
    HB 200 Relating to the Budget: "The Senate and House agreed to use more than half of the American Rescue Plan funds to pay off the $700 million plus unemployment insurance loan that would have otherwise fell onto the employers' checkbook to pay off the loan. It is ultimately employers that are responsible for replenishing the unemployment fund but legislators felt that this would have been an extremely undue burden given the government proclamations and orders to close businesses and residents to stay home."
    SB 56 Relating to Revenue Generation: "The House did not schedule the omnibus tax bill that would have increased your personal income tax rate from 11 to 16 percent, increased capital gains tax rate from 7.25 to 11 percent, and increased conveyance tax rate for all real property transactions $1,000,000 or more. Ultimately, the legislature passed an increase in conveyance tax rate for only residential properties $4,000,000 or more."
    The State Budget, HB200, according to a statement released from Sen. Donova Dela Criz, Chair of the Ways & Means Committee and Rep. Sylvia Luke Chair of Finance, "curates the many needs of our state that rely on general assistance, Medicaid, and SNAP food benefits; ensuring that the state maintain programs that provide homeless services and needed re-housing and rent assistance; funding the unemployment system so that businesses would not have to lay off workers or shut their doors; establishing accountability and transparency to departments and agencies; connecting broadband infrastructure that crisscrosses our state; keeping our healthy keiki in our public schools who have had access to early learning opportunities with high quality teachers; and many more quality programs and opportunities."
    They called HB200 "a responsible financial plan that includes a budget that continues to fund critical services and programs. It is a balanced budget from general fund forecast, allocating federal funds, implementing revenue enhancements, sweeping excess special funds to the general fund, and strategic restructuring, reductions and cuts."

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