Dept. of Transportation Monthly Newsletter
Connecting the DOTs...
December 2020
Completing Kapalama Container Terminal
By: Davis Yogi
The commercial harbors have long been the hub of commercial activity with the import and export of goods like sandalwood, sugar, and pineapple with evidence of long history of commerce traced to old rail road tracks hidden and covered by roadways and brush. With the advent of Statehood on August 21, 1959, Hawai‘i’s economy changed and continued to grow with the State of Hawaii purchasing lands from the Oahu Railway and Land Company (established 1889 - 1947) and Hawaiian Dredging and Hawai‘i Contracting (1902 -1929 later merged into Hawaiian Dredging Construction, Ltd.) and work by the smallest of the three DOT divisions working to ensure the flow of commerce over the following decades.
2020 Master plan, the importance of cargo shipping to our State could not have been overstated. Based on the throughput of containers (counted in 20foot equivalent units or TEUs) the American Association of Port Authorities ranked Honolulu Harbor as the tenth busiest of all 75 North American container ports in 1995. Yet, in a selected study of thirteen of these comparable ports (SMS Research, 1996), Honolulu Harbor’s cargo acreage places it in the lower 31 percent of this range. This discrepancy between the large number of containers handled and the limited cargo acreage available suggests that Honolulu Harbor’s cargo handling efficiencies are constrained by a lack of space.
A 1994 DBEDT study revealed that about 80% of all goods used in Hawaii are imported (Size and Growth Potential of Hawai‘i’s Maritime Industry, Lee & Olive, 1994). And of this amount, 98.6% of the goods are brought in through our commercial harbors system. In its 1997 Honolulu Harbor
The evolution in the method of cargo to be delivered in containers and demand for goods shifted cargo to be ordered and scheduled to arrive “just in time” to replenish depleted stocks. See KAPALAMA CONTAINER TERMINAL page 11
CONNECTING THE DOTs
Editor-in-Chief: Lynn Araki-Regan
Managing Editor: Rae Nguyen Copy Editors: Juli Chun Daniel Garcia Column Writers: Darren Cantrill Rey Domingo Melanie Martin
Contributors: Jade Butay Derek Chow Rodney Gerard Martinez Jacobs Brian Kamimoto Yolanda MK Mau-Harding James McGuire Maaza Mekuria Marvin Moniz Ross Nakagawa Davis Yogi
Contents Completing Kapalama Container Terminal..................... 1 Message from our Director ... 3 Administration ............................ 4 Airports .......................................... 7 Harbors ........................................11 Highways .....................................13
©2020 Connecting the DOTs. All rights reserved.
Arrivals & Departures ............ 15
Interested in submitting for next month’s newsletter? Send your articles and high resolution photos to lynn.araki-regan@hawaii.gov.
January 11 is Wear Blue Day!.................................................16 Vaccination Update ................ 17 ISAC Award Nominees............19
Aileen Takayanagi Retires on December 30 By: Darren Cantrill
Please join Computer Systems & Services (CSS) Office in congratulating Aileen Takayanagi on her retirement, effective December 30.
• Aileen’s last role has been with DOT-ADMIN, working in CSS from 2006 to end of this year. Aileen plans to continue spending time on her farm, growing fruits and vegetables and doing all those chores she’s been putting off because of work.
When Aileen retires, she will have worked for a little over 30 years for the State of Hawai’i. • Aileen started working for the Department of Public Safety, Oahu Correctional Center, Special Needs section (1980–1991).
With everyone working from home, please stop by (while wearing a mask and social distancing) before the end of December to talk story and congratulate Aileen on her retirement.
• Aileen then moved on to DOT-HWY’s, where she worked in the Technical Design Department (1991–2006). PAGE 2
Message from our Director Happy Holidays, HDOT! Who else is ready to say goodbye to 2020? Would it be the understatement of the century to say it’s been a crazy year? To close out 2020 on a positive note, I’d like to share that I have never been prouder to be a part of the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Every division has risen to the challenge of this pandemic, whether through accomplishing our missions through remote work tools, stepping up and helping another department at the unemployment call center, or by filling a short term need to contact returning residents and visitors. Please look back at 2020 with pride! Let’s look forward to a better year in 2021! With your support and dedication, we got things done. For example, our Harbors Modernization, Kapalama Container Terminal, Phase I, may be completed by the time you read this. At our State’s airports, we remain committed to improving and modernizing terminal facilities and runways to facilitate safe and efficient air travel. Highways will debut a Completed Projects tab on their program status map on our website, http://hidot.hawaii. gov, so anyone can go back and see all that’s been accomplished in a given year. I’d like to challenge all of you to think about a goal you’d like to accomplish in 2021. It doesn’t need to be work related. Personally, one of my goals 5 years ago was to complete the Honolulu Marathon (which I did 4 years in a row since 2016). Honestly, if I can do it, anyone can. With goals in mind, they help me focus on the positive and a better tomorrow. I hope you will consider the challenge. As always, thank you for your efforts every day! Let’s continue working together in fulfilling our mission as a Department of Transportation. Best wishes to you and yours for good health and prosperity in 2021! Jade Butay Director
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Administration
HDOT Holds Virtual Live Auction to Support AUW
By: Melanie Martin
As the Aloha United Way (AUW) campaign draws to an end on Oahu, the AUW Fundraising Committee “kicked it up a notch” by holding a virtual silent auction on December 8th. In less than an hour, HDOT raised $1,730 during the live auction emceed by Darren Cantrill (CSS) and Juli Chun (ADM). More money was raised at the live auction than all of HDOT’s special events combined. Approximately 30 participants bid on items such as air plants, bottles of wine, a Kate Spade purse, earrings, and gift cards to restaurants. Perhaps the most creative donations came from the top. A bidding war over Director Jade Butay’s three decadent Valentine’s Day New York Style cheesecakes was exciting to watch. Lynn Araki-Regan’s dinner for six paired with dining etiquette lessons blew everyone away with two bidders bidding over $500 apiece. In addition to the live auction, a weeklong virtual silent auction is estimated to bring in another $400 to $500 to support AUW. Silent
auction items included gift cards, face masks, air plants, holiday crafts, Starbucks merchandise, apparel, and more. Managers also answered the call and gave generous cash donations for this special event. Even in these uncertain economic times, the spirt of giving exemplified by our employees is incredible and commendable. While the Fundraising Committee projected to raise only $10,000 this year due to the pandemic, thanks to your generosity, HDOT is on track to nearly double this goal. Mahalo HDOT!
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Administration We Phish You a Merry Christmas Santa is on his way! With Black Friday and Cyber Monday over, you’re now on the hunt for the best Christmas deals. Opening emails from your favorite stores on smartphones, tablets, and computers, it’s easy to jump from email to email without really paying attention to see where that email came from. This year, more shoppers will be purchasing gifts online, but as online sales boom, so do cyber-attacks. With so many of us shopping online, we open ourselves to phishing attacks (see September newsletter), spam emails, malicious websites, viruses and other cyber-attacks attempting to steal our money and information. Cyber criminals will most likely be impersonating retailers, couriers, and payment services. It’s common for a cybercriminal to use emails to gain access to your financial or personal information. Criminals will send a phishing email, where they will copy a retailer’s sale or discount email and include a link to a false portal/website, requesting that you enter your information. Criminals are relying on you to be in a rush and to not pay attention in your quest for those cheap deals online! Pay attention to all emails! Sometimes you can spot these phishing emails by the strange email address of who sent it. You might even notice spelling errors and incorrect usage of grammar. Use common sense when submitting any personal or financial information and ask yourself why would any reputable organization request this type of information? But what happens if you ignore this advice and accidently click on a phishing link or download an attachment? Chances are pretty good that you just installed some type of malware, virus,
By: Darren Cantrill
spyware, or ransomware on your device. If you suspect this has happened, immediately disconnect your device from the Internet, backup all your data, scan your device for malware and viruses, change your passwords, setup a fraud alert and continue with caution. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. To help reduce our risk to cybercrime over Christmas, you should take the following actions: • Be wary of new retailers. Always buy from vendors you trust. If that new vendor has an outstanding deal not found anywhere else, it’s probably too good to be true. • Use retailers with secured websites. Secure websites will display a closed padlock in the URL address bar. • Check bank statements regularly. You should do this all the time, not just during Christmas. • Keep all electronic device’s software up to date. Out of date software allows cybercriminals to take advantage of known exploits. Don’t forget about those smartphones and tablets. Christmas is a special time of year, and we need to be thankful for everything we have. Don’t let a cybercriminal take more from you than you’re willing to give. Don’t forget when you purchase that new PC or Apple product to include Antivirus Protection. Here are a couple of links to help you make that decision from PC Mag: PC: https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-antivirus-protection Mac: https://www.pcmag.com/picks/ the-best-mac-antivirus-protection
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Administration
How to Gather Safely During the Holidays It’s the holidays, and we all want to get together to celebrate with friends and family. Yet with COVID-19 still threatening our health and safety, we may want to reconsider how we gather this holiday season.
By: Melanie Martin Maui County: https://www.mauicounty.gov/ Hawai’i County: https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii-hawaiicountygis.hub. arcgis.com/
The Hawai’i Department of Health has launched a campaign on how to gather safely and provides a lot of information on the COVID-19 portal at https://hawaiicovid19.com/. These are some of their recommendations for gathering safely this holiday season:
3. Practice social distancing – You know what this means. Stay six feet apart from those who are not in your immediate household. Use blankets, pillows chairs, etc. to keep six feet apart. Watch da keiki, as they are not used to social distancing.
1. Know the risks - I’m so done with virtual celebrations! I want to see people in person! If you must celebrate in person, outdoor gatherings pose the lowest risk, so consider staying outside in the backyard, on the lanai, or at the beach. If your gathering is indoors, keep the windows and doors open. Better to have a few flies than to risk being infected with COVID-19.
4. Wear a mask – As much as possible, wear a mask, and take it off only when eating.
2. Know the rules - Every county has different rules in terms of how many people are allowed at gatherings, so be sure to visit the county’s websites:
6. Avoid hugs or kisses – We all know the local greeting is with a hug and kiss. Let’s all be “local” next year.
5. Don’t share food – Like the young woman on the public service announcement says, “keep YOUR hands off MY laulau.” It is recommended that food not be shared, and everyone have their own bentos.
Kauai County: https://www.kauai.gov/COVID-19
For more information on safe gatherings, go to https://hawaiicovid19.com/safe-gatherings/.
Honolulu County:
Happy Holidays!
https://www.oneoahu.org/
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Airports
First Graduates of Blue Card Command Training Program By: James McGuire
The State of Hawai’i, Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit recently certified eight (8) fire suppression supervisors in the “All Hazard Zone Command Program” from Oct 4 – 19, 2020 at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (DKI) Fire Station 1. Developed by Fire Chief Allan Brunacini of the Phoenix Fire Department, the Blue Card Command (BCC) training program is designed to instruct, train, evaluate and certify fire department officers who serve in the role of Incident Commanders (IC’s).
(L-R): Lt. Dean Okamura, Lt. Larry Duclayan, Asst. Chief Ronnie Arevalo, and Asst. Chief Christopher Fortuno
IC’s supervise and manage emergency and hazard zone operations for every day National Incident Management System (NIMS) Type 4 & 5 events. Members selected must pass and complete the following:
edy,
n Kenn misugi, Fire Chief Joh (L-R): AFEO Wade Ka Lt. Kaipo Onekea Captain Ken Kidani &
1. Pass the entire 40-50-hr on-line training program with a 70% grade or higher on the cognitive and knowledge-based classroom. Eligible students will be allowed to attend a 3-day BCC simulation evaluation lab. 2. The BCC simulation lab will evaluate each student in the role of the initial arriving Incident Commander and second arriving Incident Commander. Students will fill both IC positions and be evaluated for each of the programs 5 basic building types: Residential, multi-unit residentials, strip malls, commercial buildings, big box structures and a specialized aircraft module. 3. After successfully passing the evaluation lab and obtaining their local Type 4 & 5 Incident Commander certification the student will be required to attend 12-hrs of Strategic See BLUE CARD on page 8
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Airports BLUE CARD continued from page 7
& Tactical Command, Continuing Education (CE’s) per year to be valid for 3-yrs. At the end of the 3-yr certification period, the students will need 36-hrs of Blue Card Command CE’s and successfully pass Incident Command evaluations to recertify and maintain Blue Card Command IC Certification. The Blue Card Command program will greatly enhance the Airports Division’s Emergency Response Plan, inter-agency communications, All-Hazard Zone management and responder safety. BCC is compliant with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1021 Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications and NFPA 1561 Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System.
Introduced to our Islands by the Maui County Fire Depart-ment, the Honolulu Fire Department, Kauai Fire Department and now the Airports Division utilizes the BCC System to train fire suppression supervisors in the art of managing and mitigating NIMS Type 4 & 5 incidents. The Blue Card Command System is endorsed by the International Fire Chief’s Association, Great Lakes Division, International Association of Fire Chiefs Safety, Health & Survival Section, and the Texas Fire Chief’s Association.
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Airports In Loving Memory of Denise Texeira Last month on November 23rd, Purple Day, airport employees donned the color purple in remembrance of Denise Texeira. Denise committed 26 years to the state forming long lasting friendships with coworkers, taking responsibility and providing oversight for many crucial tasks, and showing others that with a positive attitude and tireless work ethic anything can be achieved. Denise started her career at the HDOT Airports Division on September 16th, 1994 as a Clerk Typist covering all property management issues along with state property inventory. She then got promoted to office assistant in the maintenance section covering Maui, Moloka‘i, Kalaupapa, Lana’i, Hana and Kapalua. Her great, positive, can-do attitude got her promoted to the Human Resources Department where she was able to help expedite the filling of vacancies at the six Maui Airports. With the opening of the Business Services Supervisor (BSS) position she was determined to push herself even more. Through her hard work and commitment to excellence she was able to qualify and attain the position. She then found herself responsible for working with management on budgets, day to day operations in and out of the office, and keeping an eye on all the office functions. Covid-19 has posed many unexpected
By: Marvin Moniz
challenges for the Airports Division. Denise helped Airports overcome this adversity by using her unique talents to coordinate with many departments and organizations to build and implement COVID-19 procedures. These procedures have been implemented at the Kahului Airport and throughout the other Maui District Airports as well. Denise’s passing has not only affected the Airports Division, but the community as well. Denise also worked at the Maui Raceway Park and was the vendor chairperson for the Kamehameha Schools Ho’olaulea for many years. When not at work, she enjoyed relaxing with family and friends. Denise was a go getter and worked hard to provide for her family. She was the glue that held things together. Denise will be greatly missed and will always be in our memories!
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Airports
Kahului ARFF Raises Funds to Help Cancer Foundation
By: Brian Kamimoto
October is The PacifBreast Cancer ic Cancer Awareness FounMonth, and dation’s Assistant Fire mission is Engine Opbuilt upon erator Brad the conIrimata and cept that Aircraft Restogether, cue and Fireour ‘Ohana fighting (ARFF) is Stronger stations across than the Maui Cancer. District, help We beto increase lieve that attention and it is Pacific Cancer Foundation, Executive Director, Nancy La Joy, is presented a check support for through for $2,877 from members of Red shift. the awareness, one-onearly detection one supand treatment as well as palliative care of this port for our patients that they are able to face disease by fundraising tee shirts all year round. the challenges that can come with a cancer diBrad’s original design, big-heartedness, and the agnosis. This is especially true in the times of the salesmanship of Kahului ARFF Station resulted in COVID-19 pandemic. a $2,877 donation to the Pacific Cancer Foundation. The Pacific Cancer Foundation provides free support services to Maui’s cancer community. All Nancy La Joy, its Executive Director, commentdonations help bring in much-needed funds for ed, “The Pacific Cancer Foundation is so grateful the foundation’s programs and outreach. The for the continuous support from Airport Fire each Pacific Cancer Foundation is unique in that 100% year during the GO PINK Campaign. This year, of donations stay in Maui County. All monies we would not have had a campaign without your raised go directly to programs to improve the excitement and encouragement. Airport Fire got quality of life of Maui County cancer patients, the ball rolling and we can’t thank you enough. survivors and their families. COVID doesn’t stop cancer and this year our Maui Ohana needs the support more than ever! ARFF’s community based projects are not conYour contributions are having a direct impact fined to October. ARFF personnel also provide on people with cancer in Maui County. When free year round CPR, AED and Stop the Bleed cerour nonprofit partners with a local community tification to the community. Next time around, agency our entire cancer Ohana benefits. Mahajoin Brad and his fellow firefighters by purchasing lo Airport Fire for all you support! PS: The shirt’s a tee shirt. design was really cool and sold like hot cakes.” PAGE 10
Harbors KAPALAMA CONTAINER TERMINAL continued from page 1
“Just in time” shipping reduced the need for retailers to have individual storage facilities and placed the burden of timely delivery on the cargo carriers transforming the piers into the State’s “warehouses,” further complicating the orchestration of cargo movements. Almost ten years after the findings of the 2020 Honolulu Master Plan, the Hawaii Harbor Users Group, comprised of 11 members, was formed to ensure the economic security of the State and the maritime industry. With HHUG’s support, findings and the presentation of the Mercator Transport Group report (2006), a blue print for the development of the Kapalama Container Terminal was created and embodied in Act 200 in 2008. During 2009 the Harbors Division adopted rules to increase its tariffs to fund the Act 200 capital improvements and support the sale of $160 million in revenue bonds. Status of Kapalama Container Terminal Phase I of the Kapalama Container Terminal will be completed during November 2020 due to the work efforts of Dung Vo, Harbor Modernization Development Manager and William Makanui, Project Engineer, and the work efforts of the Harbors fiscal office by paying the contractors on a timely basis and the work efforts to manage the Harbors cash by the Harbor Modernization
project funding.
Development Treasurer. The final stage of the Phase I development culminates a true team effort, thanks to the staff within the Engineering Branch to ensure all the planning, environmental reviews, and design work was done properly to meet the needs of our Operations team. And behind the scenes, a critical part of the whole project development process is the
But how are these projects financed and move forward to break ground? Like the Airports and the Highways Division, the smallest of the three DOT divisions earns its money without general fund support. Capital Improvement Projects receive funding from tariffs on containers, passengers, pipeline fees, land rent, and the sales of bonds. To complete the Kapalama Container Terminal and $350 million needed to award the construction contract, Kendrick Au, Harbor Modernization Development Treasurer, instilled financial discipline as the Fiscal Officer and Administrative Services Officer, as he developed and proposed Harbor fee increases since 2015. The increases in revenue provided the financial basis for the Harbors Management team as well as the team of legal and financial advisors to lead a successful bond sale. The additional sale provided an
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See KAPALAMA CONTAINER TERMINAL page 12
Harbors
KAPALAMA CONTAINER TERMINAL continued from page 11
additional $175 million of bond cash proceeds to fund half of the construction project at the debt repayment level just above or at the same level in 2019 and 2020. What is remarkable is Kendrick has incredible credibility with Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investor Service, the rating agencies for Harbors bonds. These agencies analyze the financial results and projections of the Harbor Division’s revenues and expenses to determine a credit rating and outlook for the Harbors bonds. Interestingly, Moody’s Investor Service requested for its recent ratings analysis, Kendrick’s detailed financial workpapers (Excel worksheets) to conduct a stress test of the Harbors Division’s financial forecast, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, to determine if there were any flaws in the forecast. The result of the Moody’s Investor Service stress test and their rating analysis as well as the rating analysis performed by Fitch Ratings is that both credit rating agencies reported no change in the Harbors Divisions’ high-grade ratings of AA3- and AA- and assigned “stable outlooks” on the future outlook of the Harbors Division’s finances, all in spite of the negative financial impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Backed by Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investor Service high-grade ratings, the demand for the 2020 Harbors Division Revenue Bonds was tremendous, measured by the high demand for these harbor bonds compared to the available supply of the bonds. The market demand was 13 times the amount of supply that resulted in investors willing to take less yield for the bonds. The high-grade ratings allowed these 2020
Harbor Division Revenue Bonds to be issued with a shorter term than customary bonds, i.e., 20-year bonds were issued as opposed to the customary 30-year bonds, which coupled with the high-grade ratings resulting in saving the Harbors Division total debt repayments over the 20-year bond term of approximately $62.2 million, which includes reduced interest costs of approximately $49.7 million. Mahalos! In serving the public and constructing important infrastructure for the residents and harbor customers like HHUGS, we wish to spotlight Kendrick and to say thanks to all in Harbors fiscal, property management and to each of the district personnel in operations that generate revenue and collect the cash, as well as the Harbors Engineering staff and former HDOT Deputy Director for Harbors Darrell Young and current HDOT Deputy for Harbors Derek Chow, who contributed to the 2020 Master Plan to build Kapalama Container Terminal. We are finally able to meet HHUGS need for added container yard capacity, delivering a conceptual plan idea from design through construction, and turning it into a functional reality. As Kendrick has said during ZOOM meetings conducted for the purpose of executing this 2020 Harbors Revenue Bond transaction, it takes all of us on the Harbors Team, including Director Jade Butay, DBEDT, B&F and the Harbors legal and financial advisors to “make this bond sale and the projects that are being funded a reality.” Mahalo to all!
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Highways HDOT Virtually Delivers 2020 Protect Our Water Conference
By: Rodney Gerard
The Highucts and service ways, Harofferings. bors, and Finally, to encourAirports age engaging with Divisions’ speakers and venStorm Water dors on the virtual Management platform, HDOT Programs gamified the expecollaborated rience by allocating to host the points to certain 2020 Protect actions including Our Water attending sessions, Conference chatting with venon Wednesdors, and downday, Novemloading vendor Director Jade Butay issues a welcome message to the ber 18, 2020. documents. Prizes attendees of the 2020 Protect Our Water Conference. The Protect are awarded to Our Water top point earners, Conference is held annuincluding our very own, ally to provide instruction Kevin Pang, from HWY-O! on best management practices and how to Mahalo to all of the speakminimize pollution in ers, vendors, and particstorm water runoff from ipants who made this virtuconstruction related actival conference a success. If ities. In consideration of you missed the conference current restrictions due to or would like to revisit any COVID-19, this year the of the sessions, recordings conference moved online, The 2020 Protect Our Water Conference of the presentations can be virtually bringing togeth- was held using a virtual format to found at www.stormwaterer the construction indus- protect attendees from the ongoing hawaii.com from December try for a full day of storm COVID-19 pandemic. 18, 2020. water training. For more information on The conference welcomed approximately 500 the 2020 Protect Our Water Conference, please attendees, including state and federal employvisit https://protectourwater2020.vfairs.com/. ees, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and other municipal separate storm sewer system We look forward to hosting everyone again next permittees. In addition to the 14 offered training year! sessions, attendees were also able to engage with 20 vendors to learn more about their prodPAGE 13
Highways HWY-O(hana) - Challenge Accepted!
By: Maaza Mekuria
The HWY-A family however, there was wishes Chris de la a talk in the group Torre a tremendous about how to bring future with HWY-O him back or at least as he begins work use his services while with the HWY-O he is still assigned at administration. He HWY-O, just a talk. has accepted the This is where the challenge to assist “One Ohana”, not the District Office “One Oahu”, principle and will be working would come into with the Oahu District play. So, we are leadership, headed looking forward to by Mike Medeiros. working with Chris Chris’ short tenure at from a bit of a HWY-A (AP – Section) chained link, but still was very impactful to a link nonetheless. HWY-A’s performance. HWY-A would From day one, Chris like to show their was thrown into a very continued support is journey h n o s rk a b challenging assignment rre em ome for Chris just as Chris De la To ce and overc fa to -O y w H where he worked on the he has supported to pport from Hwy-A e continued su th h it w s implementation of the Lane HWY-A this past e g new challen Closure system that is used year and a half across the Hawaiian Islands. and look forward to a This included creating continued working relationship. innovative ways to make several presentation maps and user friendly web applications for lane Highlights of some of the excellent work Chris closure data entries. Chris also travelled to other did while at HWY-A may be found at the islands to train users and created automation following links. Lane Closure Public Access scripts using the Python (not the charming (arcgis.com) , HDOT Highways Program Status snake) language to make the related processes (arcgis.com) and Lane Closure Conflicts Review more standalone and responsive to user needs. Dashboard (arcgis.com). These are just a small sample of all the fine tools he built to help the If you read the article written about a year ago One Ohana. welcoming Chris, you may remember that he is a member of the Hawai’i National Guard Godspeed and good success to Chris as he and has done tours overseas as part of his closes a chapter and opens a new one. military duties. He will be missed at HWY-A, PAGE 14
ARRIVALS and DEPARTURES and Each month, we feature this section in our newsletter called “Arrivals and Departures,” spotlighting new employees (Arrivals) and departing/retiring employees (Departures). It is an honor to welcome the new employees and congratulate the retiring employees and wish both groups the best in their future endeavors.
ARRIVALS NAME BRENT K.K. CHING SCHAMARRA SMITH MICHAEL DUPRE
E Komo E Komo Mai! Mai! TITLE ENGINEER V OFFC ASST III HEAVY VEH/CONST EQUIP MECH I
DEPARTURES NAME WENDY L. GUSHIKEN RAMON LAZO SANDRA C. ROSSETTER DENISE TEXEIRA
DE-
TITLE ACCOUNTANT IV HWY CONST & MNT SUP II PLANNER IV BUS SVCS SUP II
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DIVISION/ISLAND DATE HWY/OAHU 11/09/20 HAR/OAHU 11/16/20 HWY/ HAWAII 11/16/20
Mahalo Nui Loa!
DIVISION HWY HWY HAR AIR
ISLAND OAHU MAUI OAHU MAUI
DATE 11/01/20 11/01/20 11/14/20 11/11/20
January 11 is Wear Blue Day! Get your blue clothes ready for #WearBlueDay on Monday, January 11th – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Join the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign and other organizations and individuals across the country in wearing blue to encourage greater public awareness about human trafficking. Participating in #WearBlueDay is easy. You just need to: • Wear a piece of blue clothing on Monday, January 11th and encourage your colleagues, friends, and family to do the same. It can be a hat, shirt, dress, tie, or uniform – anything blue! • Post a photo of yourself or with others on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram) wearing blue with the hashtag #WearBlueDay.
Note: If you gather in-person for a #WearBlueDay photo, practice social distancing, wear a mask, and follow local guidelines to keep each other safe. Consider utilizing a virtual meeting to take a screen shot of yourself and others wearing blue to post on January 11. • Tag @DHSBlueCampaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram so we can see how you’re participating. Check out how other organizations have participated in #WearBlueDay and ideas on how you can get involved here. For updates leading up to #WearBlueDay, follow @DHSBlueCampaign on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. We look forward to seeing you in blue on January 11th and thank you for your support!
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Hawai‘i Ramps Up Effort to Vaccinate 81,000 Individuals in December By: Department of Health
Governor David Ige, Hawai‘i State Director of Health Dr. Elizabeth Char, and other stakeholders today laid out the first steps of Hawai‘i’s COVID-19 vaccination effort, including plans to distribute an expected 81,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations in the month of December to highrisk health care workers and long-term care facilities across the state.
on who can be vaccinated. ACIP guidance is expected in the coming days.
“This pandemic has cost Hawai‘i residents so much—the lives of loved ones, our health, and our economic security,” said Governor Ige. “The recommendation by the FDA panel to approve the Pfizer vaccine is a vital step in keeping our situation from becoming worse and beginning Earlier today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administra- our road to recovery. Once final approval is tion (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Prod- granted, I am confident in the Department of ucts Advisory Committee recommended EmerHealth’s ability to distribute vaccines across Hagency Use Authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech wai‘i.” COVID-19 vaccine. This recommendation must be adopted by the FDA, which is expected in the “Just hours ago, the FDA’s committee of experts coming days. voted overwhelmingly in favor to recommend Emergency Use Authorization of the Pfizer-BiPfizer will pre-position the first shipment of 4,875 oNTech COVID-19 vaccine. We are optimistic doses of vaccine in Hawai‘i, but providers will not that the FDA will grant the Emergency Use Aube able to begin to vaccinate groups in the first thorization soon,” said Health Director Dr. Char, phase until the U.S. Centers for Disease Control “However, we know that our work is just beginand Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides guidance PAGE 17
VACCINATION continued on page 18
VACCINATION continued from page 17
ning. After months of planning, we are prepared to join with our partners to distribute the first shipments of a vaccine. As there will not be enough vaccine for everyone at first, we must first care for those who cared for us—essential healthcare workers and kupuna in long-term care facilities.”
of exposure; and residents and staff of congregate long-term care facilities. Following the vaccination of these groups, Phase 1b and 1c populations include first responders and essential workers, adults with high-risk medical conditions, and adults 65 or older.
The first phase of Hawai‘i’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan is divided into three groups:
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is scheduled to be evaluated by the federal Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee on Dec. 17. If approval is granted, Hawai‘i is expected to receive 36,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine, in addition to nearly 46,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the month of December alone.
Phase 1a – Essential healthcare workers Phase 1b – Essential workers Phase 1c – 65 years and older and adults with high-risk medical conditions Upon ACIP approval and guidance being issued on the Pfizer vaccine, Hawai‘i will move into Phase 1a. ACIP guidance could also lead to changes in prioritization. As new information and guidance becomes available, the state plan may be adjusted based on the national recommendations from ACIP, which is expected within a few days. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health is working in close coordination with federal partners, the Hawai‘i National Guard, the Healthcare Association of Hawai‘i, and medical providers to accept and dispense the first shipments of COVID-19 vaccines. Hawai‘i’s Phase 1a distribution focus will begin with high-risk health workers involved in direct patient care and workers who provide transportation, environmental services, and other healthcare facility services and who are at risk
Essential health care workers will be vaccinated at Points of Dispensing (PODs) across the state. Vaccinations will be administered to long-term care facilities through a federal partnership with Walgreens and CVS. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require a two-dose regimen. The second dose must match the brand of the first dose. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine needs to be administered not less than 21 days after the first dose, while the Moderna vaccine needs to be administered at least 28 days following the first dose. Following the administration of the first dose, the state will be able to order additional supply. Additional vaccine supply is expected in the first half of 2021.
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ns Congratulatio to all of this ees! year’s nomin t Details abou an awards l ceremony wil d be announce shortly!
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