Spotlight Hawaii

Gov. David Ige rejoined us again today for a livestream video at 10:30 a.m. to take your questions during Spotlight Hawaii, a series from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that shines a spotlight on issues affecting our islands.

Hawaii Labor Department Director Anne Perreira-Eustaquio joined us today for a livestream video at 10:30 a.m. to take questions during Spotlight Hawaii, a series from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that shines a spotlight on issues affecting our islands.

State Sen. Chris Lee and Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii’s Gregory Tjapkes joined Spotlight Hawaii, a series from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that shines a spotlight on issues affecting our islands, today for a livestream video and took viewer questions.

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green said the state hopes to begin a vaccine passport program for inter-island travel, which would allow travelers with verified vaccines to bypass COVID-19 testing or mandatory quarantine, by May 1.

Green said this morning on Spotlight Hawaii that if all goes well, the state hopes to extend the program to trans-pacific travel by June 1.

Green said Hawaii is on track reach a milestone of one million vaccines delivered this week, with vaccines available to all adults on April 19.

He expects the state to reach herd immunity by this summer.

Green spoke about his skepticism of Maui’s recent move to do secondary coronavirus testing for arriving passengers. He also expressed his belief that parents should be allowed to stand on the sidelines at youth sporting events, which is currently not allowed on Oahu.

Anton Krucky, executive director of the Office of Housing and Homelessness joined Spotlight Hawaii to talk about what the Blangiardi administration plans to do differently to tackle the complex issue of helping people off the street.

Krucky discussed a program in development called CORE, which stands for Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement, which would create a task force of mental health professionals, social workers and medical personnel to respond to homeless individuals, rather than law enforcement, which he hopes to have up and running by this summer.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz joined Spotlight Hawaii this morning to voice his support for Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s decision to keep Oahu in the Tier 3 reopening plan.

Among the other topics:

>> Schatz discussed the economic relief that is now funneling into the state. President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan allocates roughly $6 billion for Hawaii.

>> He addressed the financial concerns of the Honolulu rail project.

>> Schatz urged residents to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.

Gov. David Ige joined Spotlight Hawaii, a series from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that shines a spotlight on issues affecting our islands, today for a livestream video and took viewer questions.

Manoa Valley Theatre’s Kip Wilborn, singer-songwriter Kimié Miner and Hawaii Symphony Orchestra’s Dave Moss and Blue Note Hawaii’s Martha Seroogy joined Spotlight Hawaii, a series from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that shines a spotlight on issues affecting our islands, today for a livestream video and took viewer questions.

Hawaii Department of Health Director Libby Char joined Spotlight Hawaii, a series from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that shines a spotlight on issues affecting our islands, today for a livestream video and took viewer questions.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green joined Spotlight Hawaii, a series from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that shines a spotlight on issues affecting our islands, today for a livestream video and took viewer questions.