Director Message

Message from Director Jade Butay

By: Jade Butay

With reported cases of coronavirus in the United States and the Federal government’s declaration that the virus is a public health emergency, I want to update you on developments with the coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, and to ask for your help in continuing to ensure the health and safety of our department. Your safety and health are our top priorities. While we will never be able to eliminate all risk, we must mitigate the known risks as much as possible.

We are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Hawaii Department of Health as well as multiple federal, state, county and private agencies regarding the Coronavirus. The Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is one of 20 airports in the country with a CDC Quarantine Station. As such, many of our Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) units have received Coronavirus training in the event they will need to assist CDC and AMR personnel when responding to passengers who may have the symptoms.

We follow the direction and guidance of the CDC regarding additional screening practices at any of the airports in the state. HNL is one of 11 airports in the country that may accept passengers from China. Those passengers include U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents or their immediate family members. Effective on February 2, 2020 Chinese nationals are not allowed entry into the United States. Currently, there are no direct flights from China to Hawaii.

Similarly, effective on February 2, 2020 the United States Coast Guard will deny entry to any ships that have been in any port in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) in the previous 14 days. Additionally, if any crew, passenger or other person aboard a vessel arriving to a port or place within the navigable waters of the United States has been in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) in the previous 14 days, that vessel will also be denied entry via issuance of a Captain of the Port (COTP) order. Fortunately for Highways, there will be no one driving from China to Hawaii.

There are no cases of 2019 novel coronavirus identified in Hawaii at this time and the risk to the general public here is low. Hence, there’s no need for panic. We can take some reasonable steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, just as we can with the common cold. Wash our hands frequently and sneeze into our elbow. If water isn’t available, use hand sanitizers. If you are sick, then it’s better you stay home. Take all recommended precautionary measures. Our Airports have been providing briefings to employees, tenants, and stakeholders to share information on how to protect ourselves and what to do to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Equally significant is that there’s plenty of information online and social media, but there’s also a great deal of misinformation or “fake news.” The best source is from experts whose mission is to protect public health.

It is important that we act responsibly, individually and collectively, in order to protect HDOT. We’re doing everything we can to assure the traveling public that our transportation system is the safest it can possibly be. Thank you for your efforts in facilitating our preparation and response.