COVID-19 News Update: April 9, 2021

Aloha, 

Here's the latest COVID-19 news and issues facing Hawai'i that you need to know this week.

Elected officials opt to stay in Tier 3 with looser restrictions, despite a rise in COVID-19 case counts. 

  • Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Governor David Ige have agreed to leave Oʻahu in Tier 3 for the next four weeks at minimum to allow businesses to continue operations. 
  • A commentary piece published in Honolulu Civil Beat criticizes Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi's loose following of their tier system despite rising cases, accusing him of trying to cater to local business.

Hawai‘i is on track to meet President Biden’s vaccine distribution timeline, but the federal government is sending fewer shots to the state. 

  • Hawaiʻi News Now reports that the federal government is decreasing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine allocation to Hawai‘i by 85%. Meanwhile, the supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are expected to stay steady rather than increase as previously anticipated.
  • Beginning on Monday, those ages 50+ will be eligible to receive the shot on O‘ahu. Kauaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Counties have already opened their vaccine eligibility to all residents 16 or older. 
  • A Star-Advertiser editorial credits the state's multiple public and private partners' creation of a broad vaccination network for a smooth vaccine distribution as residents continue to fill up appointment sign-ups.

Hawai‘i refines its plans to safely welcome more visitors to the islands as tourism continues to rebound. 

  • According to the HTA, visitor bookings for the fourth quarter of this year — 49,394 — already are above the fourth-quarter performance of 44,364 bookings in 2019. 
  • House Speaker Scott Saiki requested to kill a bill to create a statewide Hawai‘i travel policy, explaining it is no longer necessary given Kauaʻi's rejoining of the program and vaccine availability across the state. 
  • On Thursday, Mayor Michael Victorino announced that trans-Pacific travelers participating in the Safe Travels program would be subject to an additional rapid COVID-19 test upon arrival at the Kahului Airport. 

Mahalo,

Your Bennet Group Team

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About Bennet Group Strategic Communications

About Bennet Group Strategic Communications
As strategists and management consultants for in-house communications and community relations teams, Bennet Group Strategic Communications assists businesses, organizations and their leaders build effective, motivating corporate cultures and campaigns that present corporate identity at every level of public interaction. Founded in 1997 in Hawaiʻi, the firm provides strategic planning and program execution across a full range of advisory, public relations, public affairs, crisis management, stakeholder engagement, advertising and digital strategies services. Their portfolio includes industry leaders in development, energy, education, healthcare and human services, transportation, tourism, technology, the arts and land conservation. Professional honors include PRSA Koa Anvil Awards for outstanding work in public affairs, multicultural communications and integrated strategies. The firm provides pro bono services to local nonprofits working to improve our state’s cultural, social, economic and environmental well-being. For more information, visit www.bennetgroup.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

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