HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0970.012 2018-2020 1
Nancy Jo Campbell, LMT
56 Waianuenue Ave, St 211
Hilo HI 96720
www.campbelllmbt.com 3
COUNTY CLERK
July 7, 2020 COUNTY OF HAWAIII
RECEIVED
RE: resolution 666-20 Tima_ 10agn By
To whom it may concern,
DateJUL 2020 s
i
I'm very grateful our Covid19 case counts are very low and I'm able to resume business as of June 1.
After 2.5 months of unemployment, I am concerned that when travel resumes, it is inevitable that our
case numbers are going to spike. I will have to stand down once again if the numbers get too high. How
long will I, as a non-essential business, be mandated to close the second time? Will there be more
resources for us small businesses for another round? How many times can we close and reopen without
permanent financial strains on all parties?
I am a small business owner who does not rely on tourism for income. My private medical massage
therapy practice of 15 years caters to Hilo residents and their family's wellness. I am also a provider for
American Specialty Health who provides an alternative care rider to Hawaii Island residents who choose
to purchase and partake through their employers' insurance benefits.
Since there is no difference in massage practices in HI, I am not considered essential during pandemic
spikes even though residents have massage as a covered resource. I completely understand. The issue is
when I stand down, unfortunately, my expenses do not. My rent is still due, my electric is still due, as
well as all my other business expenses I cannot simply turn off. As a sole owner, overhead becomes a
huge burden.Yes, unemployment and small PPP loan helped a little to maintain costs of keeping utilities
and then to prepare for the extra expenses to practice with more PPE protocols than before. I gladly do
this because I care about my community.
There is not a huge job pool here on island during stand-downs, so getting alternate work is a difficult
option because by the time I could find one, get trained and start, I could feasibly be able to resume my
practice. Applying for financial assistance was almost a full-time job in and of itself. The processes were
ever-changing, frustrating, and I had to apply twice in some cases due to the changes. All businesses
were treated the same which was not a proportional way to handle matters. The heightened and
maintained stress for the whole community was/is unhealthy.
Other concerns/suggestions I have as a resident and business owner:
• Businesses are already closing due to low visitor counts, including tourist related endeavors.
Small Businesses that have been able to stay open should be helped to stay open if closures are
going to be mandated
• I believe some of the monies need to go toward a more self-sustaining work force and
community-supporting businesses first, then sole tourism focused entities
• Let's capitalize on our visitors through eco-tourism and participatory/educational attractions
which will help both residents and visitors
• Agriculture, Farming and other community-sustaining businesses should be promoted
Comm. No.
Ref. Date—JUL 0 8 2021
• Encourage high school students Lopursue fields that build our community here rather than
encouraging them toleave island toget jobs inanother state
* Monies could help recruit students unthe university level to either stay or come back to provide
crucial infrastructure jobs to our community like education, health fields, and information
technology, astronomy, and other sciences beneficial for healthy economies
w This is'a,health`'crisis effecting our business health as well as personal vxe||'being, promoting
health-r4|aLed, preventadve care, and mental health ofour community iy crucial
`
I hope the governing entities that plan the future of the grant monies don't take a duct tape or band aid
approach tofixing the economic and health issues we have in our community. All problems are solved
bygetting to the root, not by small fixes that don't promote change and an evolution towards a more
resilient self-sustaining community.
Thank you for all you do. My wish is that the county of Hawaii comes out of this pandernic stronger than
before,
N 'ncyx/Campbell, /I ».
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