State Representative Nicole Lowen says all the Hawaii Island State Representatives and State Senators have co-signed a letter to Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim urging him NOT to opt out of the start date of October 15th for the pre-travel testing program.  They are concerned for the state of the economy, and issuing this directive only a week and a day prior to the pre-travel test program will further damage the merchants and attractions that have been preparing for the Oct. 15 opening.

Kim issued a press release on Tuesday saying he wants to have all people flying into the island take a second COVID-19 test after they arrive.  On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Star Advertiser reported that Mayor Kim was “opting out” of the pre-travel testing program and was interested in a second and possibly a third test.

This morning the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that Kim wants two or three tests for arriving passengers and that Hilo Medical Center Center would be able to process up to 1,000 tests a day.  Inquiries to the Hilo Medical Center spokesperson and to the Chief Executive Officer haven’t been answered, yet.

The island’s state legislators say they support the implementation of secondary testing as soon as that program can be made ready, but feel that further delays for allowing some visitors to return are not tenable for our island residents and businesses. 

Mayor Kim has not released any details about how, or whether, he has been able to get a supply of effective tests that could be used for a second or third on-island test, though he has said 1,000 tests will be arriving from Tennessee.

Lowen says “Public health and safety must remain the top priority, but we cannot continue to use shutdowns as the only pandemic management tool now that we are seven months in to this. With no relief from the federal government in sight, we must allow for more economic activity to resume. The key to doing this safely is to ensure that everyone is wearing masks correctly, keeping distance, adhering to public health guidelines and following the rules. This will take cooperation from our local employers, business owners, residents, and better enforcement efforts from the county.”

The letter is here:

10.7.20-Mayor-Kim-Pre-Travel-Testing