Hawaii County Civil Defense this morning issued a message urging people to get tested at one of three testing sites today. The County says these tests are open to anybody, symptoms or not, and that the County will cover any costs.
- Saturday, December 5, Civic Auditorium, Hilo, 8:00 a.m. -Noon
- Saturday, December 5, Kea‘au High School, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, December 5, West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Kona, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
There will also be County-sponsored testing Monday at Keauhou Shopping Center, behind Regal Cinemas, conducted by Ali’i Health.
These are all drive-through tests. Please wear a mask. Bring some form of identification, your insurance card if you have insurance, your own pen, and a hard surface (clipboard, magazine) to make it easier to fill out the form.
Mayor Harry Kim said last Monday that the expenses of testing are being covered right now by Federal CARES funding. That funding partially stops on Dec. 15 and completely stops at the end of the month.
It’s unclear whether any funding will be available for these county-sponsored tests in the future, as both County and State budgets have been cut. Expenses have been higher because of COVID-19, and revenues from General Excise Tax and other tax collections have been lower. In addition, once the COVID-19 pandemic began, the State took back Hawaii County’s $19 million share of the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT), sometimes called a hotel tax.
Photo is U.S. Representative-elect, currently State Senator, Kai Kahele getting a drive-through test (he tested negative).