Mufi's Message - March 12, 2021

​Vaccinations

Aloha,

Earlier today, HTA President & CEO John De Fries and I met with Department of Health Deputy Director Cathy Ross to discuss the logistics of the vaccine roll-out for hospitality workers which is slated to begin on Monday to coincide with the transition to Phase-1C. After conferring with her, it was ultimately decided that all HLTA members- including Allied members- should submit their lists of prioritized employees to our office as soon as possible. Please include the legal name, phone number, email address, and the home zip code for every employee as this will help DOH schedule these workers for an appointment at a vaccination pod near their residence. 

Lists may be submitted to covidupdates@hawaiilodging.org at any time.

**Note: Even if you have already submitted an employee list to DOH, please email your list to HLTA anyway. This will help to lessen any possibility of your employees inadvertently slipping through the cracks.

As I reported earlier this week, HLTA had been working closely with HTA and DOH to prioritize our workers in the State's vaccination schedule and were keenly focused on the actual logistics of the vaccine roll-out. We had scheduled and confirmed two webinars with Deputy Director Ross that were to be aimed at providing GMs and HR directors with the information needed to schedule upcoming vaccinations for their staff. However, in light of the recent announcement by the State regarding the vaccination schedule, these webinars will now take a slightly different tack, and Deputy Director Ross will not only cover logistics, but also field any questions regarding the vaccination process.

​These webinars have been scheduled in conjunction with HTA for March 18, 2021 at the following times:

• Webinar 1 - Lodging Members - 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  • Presenter: DOH Deputy Director Cathy Ross
• Webinar 2 - Allied Members - 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Presenter: DOH Deputy Director Cathy Ross

If you cannot attend, or cannot send a representative to these meetings, please rest assured that both sessions will be recorded, and we will share the recording with our members.

Tier 3 Amendments

Yesterday, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced adjustments to Tier 3 in Honolulu's recovery plan. Per his announcement, there are several significant changes:

• Bars are now allowed to re-open under the same conditions as restaurants
  • Both can now serve alcohol until midnight
• Funerals will no longer have a limit on attendants, but social distancing and masks are still required
• Weddings are still prohibited
• Outdoor youth sports will resume on April 12
  • Spectators are not allowed
  • Potlucks are not allowed
  • Participants are required to wear masks and practice social distancing where viable
  • The permitting process fee has been waived for the time being
  • Violators of COVID-19 mandates will have permits revoked
• Structured events like graduations and seminars are now allowed at venues like the Hawai'i Convention Center so long as social distancing is maintained
  • Kudos to our Chair Cheryl Williams, Hawai'i Events Coalition, Hawai'i Convention Center General Manager Teri Orton, HVCB, and others for their efforts to work with our local elected officials and drive this progress in the meetings and conventions realm of our industry

As a whole, these are significant changes that stand to positively affect numerous businesses in a positive way, but it still places personal responsibility above all. Despite these laxed COVID-19 mandates, it will be critical that businesses and patrons alike continue to practice the public health mandates that have got us this far.

VPSC

​We are less than a week away from our 3rd Annual Visitor Public Safety Conference, and we are pleased to see so many of you have already registered for the event. This year, we have an especially outstanding cast of speakers and panels, and it stands to be our most successful VPSC to date. In addition to our individual speakers which include Lt. Gov. Josh Green, Mayor Rick Blangiardi, HPD Chief Susan Ballard, Council Chair Tommy Waters, Senate Tourism Chair Glenn Wakai, and House Tourism Chair Richard Onishi among others, attendees will also be able to view and participate in the following discussion panels:

• COVID-19
• Homelessness & Mental Health
• State Legislature Update
• Prosecuting & Reporting
• Open Q&A Session
  • Human Trafficking
  • Missing Children
  • Crimes Against Visitors
  • Youth Crime
  • Crime in Waikiki

To register and view the entire agenda for the day, please click the image above or the "Register Here" button below. As a reminder, this event is free for all HLTA members as well as the members of any of the organizations that have helped to plan and execute the conference.

Mahalo,
​Mufi