HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0843.240 2018-2020 awi'i State Legislature
March 20, 2020
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAIvI
RECEIVED
Time t-r y V pin By d!ff
The Honorable Harry Kim, mate MAR 2 0 202
Mayor, County of Hawaii
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Request for Immediate Action in Response to the Public
Health Concerns Regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Dear Mayor Kim,
To protect the residents of the County of Hawaii and the long-term stability of our island
economy,we implore you to immediately order the shut-down of non-essential county government
operations and the sheltering-in-place of all people throughout the County of Hawaii.
As Mayor of the County of Hawaii,we strongly urge you to take the following immediate actions
through an Emergency Proclamation and Emergency Rule(s):
• Institute an immediate countywide shut down for the next fifteen (15) days.
• Order all people in the County of Hawaii to shelter-in-place for the next 15 days
and coordinate with the Joint Incident Center under the command of the Hawaii
Emergency Management Agency Director/Adjutant General Kenneth Hara to immediately
use his authority under the March 16, 2020, Emergency Supplementary Proclamation by
Governor Ige to take all necessary steps and required means to ensure that the supply chain
for basic necessities--such as food,medicine,water, communications, gasoline,cargo and
public safety throughout the County of Hawaii -- is secure.
• Request Director/Adjutant General Hara to secure and requisition any needed
hospital and medical supplies that are necessary to assist with the coming need to treat
individuals due to COVID-19, at all available Hawaii Island medical facilities.
Comm, o.
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The Honorable Harry Kim,
Mayor, County of Hawaii
March 20,2020
Page 2
• In coordination with Governor Ige, order the quarantine of all travelers arriving
from outside Hawaii at the Hilo and Kona International Airports for a minimum of 15
days.
• Prohibit all non-essential inter-island and out-of-state travel from Hawaii Island.
• In coordination with Governor Ige, require the immediate closure of all public and
private schools, daycare centers, preschools, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hawaii
Community College and Hawaii Community College Palamanui.
• Require the immediate closure of all County facilities and workspaces, and send
home all non-essential County of Hawaii personnel for the duration of the shut down.
• Limit County of Hawaii work to only essential personnel, provided they are
equipped with the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and adhere to spatial
distancing guidelines and preventive measures as recommended by the Center for Disease
Control and Hawaii Department of Health.
As Mayor, you are the only person who has the direct authority to institute these actions. As state
legislators, we passed and continue to support the delegated authority provided to the counties
under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 127,which grants you, as Mayor,the power to act
in emergency situations such as the unprecedented one we face today. The entire Hawaii Island
delegation is speaking with one collective voice, and we implore you to take immediate action for
the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the County of Hawaii.
Sincerely,
Senator Kaiali`i Kahele Representative Mark M Nakashima
Senator Russell E. Ruderman Representative Chris Todd
Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha Representative Richard KK Onishi
Senator Lorraine R. Inouye Representative Joy A. San Buenaventura
Representative Richard P. Creagan
Representative Nicole E. Bowen
Representative David A. Tarnas
cc: Hawai`i County Council Chairman Aaron Chung