Message from our Director

Aloha HDOT ‘Ohana,

Thank you for opening this special February edition of our Connecting the DOTs newsletter. This edition is special because it includes profiles on the excellent HDOT employees recognized through the 2020 Incentive and Service Awards (ISAC).

Although we are recognizing a small segment of our approximately 2,600 employees through the ISAC, I’d like to thank all of you for working towards our mission to provide a safe, efficient, accessible, and sustainable inter-modal transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, and enhances and/or preserves economic prosperity and the quality of life. I know that’s a mouthful, which is why I’m glad I’m writing it instead of saying it. Our mission statement does capture the tremendous responsibility we have, and I like to remind myself of this responsibility frequently. Thank you for being a part of this system with me.

Typically, we gather together at our annual Ho‘olaulea to celebrate not only the ISAC awardees, but the work of the entire Department. The year 2020 was different; however, we won’t let that hold us back from celebrating the accomplishments of our coworkers and friends. Please read through this month’s newsletter to learn more about the impressive initiatives and tasks that we made happen together in 2020. Click here to access the video of the virtual awards ceremony, if you were not able to join the live event.

Deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine will make it possible for us to gather once it has been widely distributed and the pandemic is considered under control. In support of this I am reiterating the Governor’s recent message about the COVID-19 vaccination. I strongly encourage you to get the vaccine when the tier and group you belong to is notified. Last week, we provided the Department of Health a list of all employees, categorized by tier with subcategories in each tier:

Tier 1a: Health care workers, Nursing homes Tier 1b: First responders, Frontline essential workers, Kupuna 75+, Correctional facilities Tier 1c: Individuals 65+, Individuals over the age of 16 with a high-risk of COVID complications, Other essential workers

You will be contacted through email, or through your supervisor or HR office, by the vaccination provider should more information be needed or when an opportunity to receive the vaccine is available.

As you may have heard, the vaccination rollout has been very challenging due to supply and coordination. We’ve all been impacted by COVID so we hope the vaccine will get us to return to a life of normalcy soon. As I mentioned in a recent email, the goal is to have everyone vaccinated and your cooperation in this effort is much appreciated!

As the vaccine makes its way in our communities, let’s continue to observe safety practices every day and follow the recommendations to avoid gatherings.

Of course, February is also when we recognize Valentine’s Day, Black History Month, and the Lunar New Year. Some of you have shared what you love in this edition and I am almost as excited to read about what you’re passionate about as I am to eat some nian gao to celebrate the Year of the Ox. Let’s celebrate the New Year as we look back at our amazing accomplishments!

As always, signing off with aloha for you and appreciation for the work you do for HDOT!