Administration
Admin Employees Commended for Contacting Quarantining Residents Since April
By: Lynn Araki-Regan
Mother Teresa once said, “Together, we can do great things.” We are grateful that, together, employees from Hawai’i Department of Transportation (HDOT) Administration Division, went over and beyond their job duties over the past 4 months to do great things. Two dozen employees from the administration division of HDOT, along with one employee from the Dept. of Agriculture, received training from staff from the Hawai’i Tourism Authority and Hawai’i Visitors & Convention Bureau and immediately thereafter made calls and texted residents who were subjected to the 14-day quarantine. Understanding the importance of keeping our community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, they, including Director Jade Butay, made calls, answered incoming calls, and sent texts -- even during most evenings and weekends.
Melanie Martin
Juli Chun
Neither Martin nor cocoordinator Juli Chun expected how much time and effort this assignnment would consume until they were well into the “thick of things.” The team was challenged by the ever-changing rules and the sheer volume of returning residents; yet, they persevered without complaint and much challenge. Since the team started on April 13, 2020 until its mission concluded due to the state launching its new all-digital platform, rough estimates of their contacts are as follows:
Natasha Torres
Jazelle Aolahiko
# of Residents Successfully Contacted: 44,861 # of Escalations to Law Enforcement: 158 Mahalo to the following employees for making the resident contacting mission a success:
Karen Awana
“We saw the various needs arise in our communities and we stepped up to the plate to help,” said Melanie Martin, coordinator of the resident calling mission.
Melanie Martin, Co-Chair Juli Chun, Co-Chair Hanna Edwards Ryan Aguilar Jazelle Aolahiko Lynn Araki-Regan Karen Awana
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See RESIDENT CALLERS on page 9
