Director’s Message

Message from the Director

Aloha HDOT ‘Ohana,

We blinked, and now it’s October! I wish you and yours good health and happiness as we enter Fall and the start of the holiday season, I would like to update you on several new developments impacting the Department. On Sept. 30, Governor David Ige announced three priority areas in response to the COVID pandemic: 1) Protect Public Health 2) Revive the Economy 3) Strengthen our Community I believe HDOT has a role in all three. On Sept. 1, our Highways Division supported the public health effort by shutting down the H-3 Freeway for joint surge testing— servicing over 8,000 people over a two-day period. On Sept. 1 and 3 , the Airports Division conducted testing for all employees who work at the airport. On Sept. 14, the Harbors Division facilitated a testing site at Pier 2. It was a remarkable effort that demonstrated what government can do when we all work together. Our Airports Division is a critical part of the pre-testing travel program that will aid in reviving our economy. Following the City & County’s second stay-at-home and the community’s observance of the safety measures we are now in a position where we can contemplate the safe re-opening of travel for the benefit of our communities and economy. This comes as welcome news to our staff who continue to volunteer at the Unemployment Insurance call center and who have witnessed the devastation that has been wrought on our tourism-based economy by the pandemic. We continue to work with Lieutenant Governor Josh Green, the Department of Health, and the Office of Enterprise Services to create a solution that allows us to welcome back tourists while ensuring their safety and the safety of our communities. Additionally, HDOT is the expending agency for nearly $240 million in federal CARES Act and Coronavirus Relief Funds. These funds will be used to carry out airport operations, support operations of neighbor island transit systems, and facilitate health screening at major airports. Thanks to your hard work, we can ensure that our transportation infrastructure and services remain available when the worst of the pandemic has passed. To view a comprehensive report on the CARES and CRF spending, visit hawaiidata.org/federalfunds.

On the topic of budgets and our state economy, Department Directors were informed in late September of a likely 10% furlough taking effect Dec. 1 to help the state make up the anticipated $2 billion budget shortfall. Please know that this has not been finalized and may be avoided if the federal government passes the HEROES bill. Of course, when we receive any news, we will let you know. Until then, know that I am continuing to advocate on behalf of the Department and the critical work you do. Mahalo for giving your best to our communities as we operate, plan, and maintain the transportation systems that connect all of us and with the world!

Jade T. Butay

Director