HONOLULU –  Gov. David Ige has appointed Jovanie Domingo dela Cruz as executive director of the Office of Community Services (OCS) at the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR). The appointment is effective Dec. 2. Mr. dela Cruz has served at OCS since 2013 as a program specialist, program administrator and most recently as a program and evaluation administrator. Previously, he was a lecturer at the Department of Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where he taught beginning Filipino. De La Cruz earned a B.A. in political science, a B.A. in Philippine Language and Literature with a Certificate in Law and Society from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He fills the position previously held by Denise Iseri-Matsubara, who becomes the executive assistant to the executive director at the Hawai‘i Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC) on Dec. 2. The appointment of Jovanie dela Cruz is not subject to Senate confirmation.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced a new initiative to tackle Hawai‘i’s teacher shortage by providing incentives for educators teaching in critical areas. The first phase of this effort is a proposal to implement a pay differential to increase compensation for classroom teachers in areas that have faced the most severe shortages – special education, Hawaiian Language Immersion programs, and hard-to-staff geographic locations. Gov. David Ige offered his support for the proposal at a press conference today, stating, “This is just the first step of many that will be taken by the Board and Department, which I plan to support. Phase I addresses critical areas where students need the most attention and where we have seen the most prolonged periods of vacancies.” HIDOE is seeking approval from the Hawai‘i State Board of Education (BOE) for this proposal at a meeting scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 5. The recommended effective date for the implementation of the pay differential is Jan. 7, 2020. “We must take positive action now to address the growing gap of qualified educators who provide instruction to our students with the highest needs,” said Catherine Payne, BOE Chairwoman. “This is the first of several steps we need to take to support our talented educators. It will take strong policy direction from the Board to shift the Department’s trajectory and we appreciate Governor Ige’s support as we go forward with these efforts.” Under the proposal, classroom teachers in Phase I would receive the following annual differential in addition to their current salary: For example, a beginning 10-month special education classroom teacher with a bachelor’s degree who has completed a state approved teacher education program (SATEP), holds a license from the Hawai‘i Teacher Standards Board, and who currently earns $49,100, would now be eligible to receive an annual $10,000 differential. Additionally, a qualified Hawaiian immersion teacher with five or six years experience and a master’s degree working at a hard-to-staff school on Moloka‘i currently earning $54,619, would be eligible to receive an annual $16,000 differential (Hard-to-staff Tier 4 and Hawaiian Immersion). The Department estimates the special education pay differential would cost $8.45 million in fiscal year (FY) 2020, which ends June 30, based on 1,691 special education teachers who are currently eligible. The hard-to-staff differential is estimated to cost an additional $6 million in FY 2020, based on 2,109 teachers in all tiers of hard-to-staff areas. The Hawaiian immersion differential is expected to cost approximately $216,000 in FY 2020, based on 54 teachers who are currently eligible. Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto said this initiative is critical in addressing the achievement gap, adding, “There is no single solution to the teacher staffing challenges we’re seeing nationwide. The difficulties in recruiting qualified teachers for special education, Hawaiian Language Immersion programs and hard-to-staff areas have created an equity issue for our most vulnerable students. We have listened to the feedback of our educators and it’s time for bold action to unleash the promise and power of public education on behalf of our haumana.” Work is underway on Phase II of this strategic initiative. The Department anticipates introducing a subsequent proposal to the Board in January, which will coincide with the release of the results of the teacher salary study the Department commissioned earlier this year. Corey Rosenlee, president for the Hawai‘i State Teachers Association, said he supports the proposal and expressed his commitment to continuing to partner with the Department: “Today is the first step of a multi-phased plan to ensure that all our keiki, regardless of where they live, what their special needs are or their ethnicity, are taught by highly qualified teachers.” For more information, click here to view the BOE’s Dec. 5 meeting agenda.

HONOLULU – Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general fighting to support transgender rights in an antidiscrimination lawsuit against the Gloucester County School Board in Virginia. Gavin Grimm, a former student at Gloucester High School, sued the local school board in 2015 — when he was still a student — for discrimination that banned him from using the common male restrooms at his high school. The coalition filed an amicus brief in the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in support of Grimm in the case of Gavin Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board. “The school board’s actions violate both Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution,” said Attorney General Connors. “Our state has a longstanding commitment to protect the rights of the transgender community, and joining this brief reflects this policy.” Grimm not only sued to challenge the Gloucester County School Board’s policy of banning him from using the common male restrooms at his high school, but also the board’s refusal to update his educational records to correspond with his updated birth certificate that reflects his male gender. The federal district court in Virginia ruled in Grimm’s favor in August 2019, finding that the school board’s actions discriminated against Grimm on the basis of his sex in violation of Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The coalition of attorneys general argue, first and foremost, that transgender individuals have the right “to live with dignity, be free from discrimination, and have equal access to education, employment, housing, public accommodations, and other necessities of life.” They go on to argue that policies that prevent transgender individuals from using gender-segregated facilities consistent with their gender identity cause stigma, isolation, and exclusion. Additionally, the brief highlights how policies that allow students and members of the public to use gender-segregated facilities consistent with their gender identity promote safe and inclusive communities, workplaces, and schools, and benefit the people of the states without harming personal privacy or safety interests, or without incurring any substantial costs. Finally, the brief highlights that the school board’s restroom policy preventing transgender people from using common restrooms consistent with their gender identity and its refusal to update Grimm’s school records do nothing to further legitimate governmental interests and only serve to stigmatize transgender persons in violation of the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause. Nearly 1.5 million people in the United States — including approximately 150,000 teenagers — currently identify as transgender. Attorney General Connors joins the attorneys general of New York, Washington, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and the District of Columbia in filing the brief.

(Honolulu) – A new beach improvement and shoreline stabilization project for Waikīkī Beach is complete. The effort between the DLNR Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands (OCCL) and the Waikīkī Beach Special Improvement District demonstrates a successful public-private partnership with the district funding half of the project cost and providing logistical and technical support through the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant Program. The project consists of a 95-foot-long sandbag stub groin and the transfer of approximately 1000 cubic yards of beach sand from the Diamond Head swim basin of Kuhio Beach. The groin and beach sand serve to stabilize the Diamond Head (Southeast) end of Kuhio Beach park fronting the Duke Kahanamoku statue.  The work is intended to fix an erosion hot spot in the far eastern corner of Royal Hawaiian Beach until a more comprehensive master planning effort for Waikīkī Beach can be completed. “This project demonstrates the successful outcome of public-private partnerships and is an important component of a longer-term vision for comprehensive beach management and maintenance in Waikīkī,” said Sam Lemmo, OCCL Administrator. “The Waikīkī Beach Special Improvement District is proud to be a partner in this important beach management effort, but also pleased to see the commencement of the first new beach improvement construction project in Waikīkī in a generation,” said Rick Egged, President of the special improvement district. One half of the $700,000 state project was funded by a special tax assessment from Waikīkī commercial properties. The UH Sea Grant College Program will have continued involvement with weekly project monitoring, evaluation, and monthly technical assessments to evaluate the performance of the groin and beach restoration.  The City and County of Honolulu is also a project partner since the work falls within the boundary of Kuhio Beach Park. The C&C is providing access and staff support. The project was completed on Tuesday after three weeks of construction. The project consultant and engineering designer was Sea Engineering Inc. and the contractor was JS International, Inc. RESOURCES For project webpage and construction photos: https://www.wbsida.org/kuhio-beach-sandbag-groin

HONOLULU — The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, coordinated with the test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System, is scheduled for Monday, December 2, 2019 at 11:45 a.m. During this monthly test, all Statewide Outdoor Warning Sirens will sound a one-minute Attention Alert Signal (Steady Tone). A simultaneous test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System is conducted with the monthly siren sounding, in cooperation with Hawai'i’s broadcast industry. There will be no exercise or drill accompanying the test. The all-hazard Outdoor Siren Warning System for Public Safety is one part of Hawai'i’s Statewide Alert & Warning System used to notify the public during emergencies. If you hear this siren tone in circumstances other than a test, follow emergency information and instructions provided by official government channels. This may be in the form of a local radio, television station broadcast, and/or cellular Wireless Emergency Alert. Wireless Emergency Alert delivers sound-and-text warnings to compatible mobile cellular phones. The Emergency Alert System & Wireless Emergency Alert’s notifications are managed by FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, the nation’s alert and warning infrastructure. Oahu residents in areas surrounding Campbell Industrial Park may also hear a “whooping” tone following the siren test. These areas include portions of Kalaeloa, Makakilo, Nanakuli, Kapolei, and Ewa Beach. The “whooping” tone is a test of the Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) siren warning group that will be activated in the event of an actual HAZMAT incident requiring emergency notification of businesses, schools and residents within the vicinity of Campbell Industrial Park. Contact the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management at (808) 723-8960 for more information on the HAZMAT warning group siren test. Emergency management and disaster preparedness information is located at the front section of telephone directories in all counties. The public may contact emergency management and county civil defense agencies to report siren operation issues: City and County of Honolulu (808) 723-8960 Maui County (808) 270-7285 Kaua'i County (808) 241-1800 Hawai'i County (808) 935-0031

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige and first lady Dawn Amano-Ige, together with the Washington Place Foundation, are inviting the public to a special Christmas Open House from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2019. Christmas trees and holiday decorations will be on view throughout Washington Place, and walk-through docent tours will be offered. Guests may enjoy the galleries and exhibits featuring the life of the Queen, the Dominis family, the home’s history, and the lives of the governors in residence. The Priory Chamber Choir from St. Andrew’s Schools, directed by Bowe Souza, will perform a musical program from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Reservations are required for this event and can be made through eventbright only. All adult guests may be required to present a picture ID upon entrance to the property and may be subjected to a bag inspection. No large bags will be permitted. Free parking (on a first come first serve basis) will be available at the State Department of Health (Kinaʻu Hale Building) parking lot by entering off Miller Street. Click here and here for photos from past Christmas events at Washington Place.

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Airports Division notifies the public it is replacing the existing PVC height clearance pipes with new steel bars at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). The bars are being replaced to help prevent damage to personal vehicles and airport property. The clearance pipes alert a driver if their vehicle is too tall to enter the structure, however drivers either did not notice or disregarded the height clearance warnings when entering. The new steel bars will prevent over height vehicles from entering the facility and may cause severe damage if it comes in contact with the vehicle. Motorists should take precautions and know their vehicle height before attempting to enter the airport property. The clearance heights will remain the same and are listed below: Terminal 2 Parking Structure: 6 feet 2 inches Terminal 1 Parking Structure: 7 feet International Parking Structure: 8 feet Roadway clearance: 13 feet The installation of the new height clearance bars will be conducted nightly beginning Monday, Dec. 2 through Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 from 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. Some entrances may not be accessible during construction. Temporary lane closures and traffic control measures will also be necessary to replace the bars over the ground level and second floor roadways. To view pictures associated with this announcement, including a damaged sign caused by an over height vehicle click here.

HONOLULU – Acting Gov. Josh Green today issued an 11th supplementary emergency proclamation, extending the emergency relief period for last year’s Kaua‘i floods. The proclamation extends authority to spend state funds as appropriated to protect the health, safety and welfare of Kaua‘i residents and visitors. The proclamation supports the state’s efforts to provide quick and efficient relief of suffering, damage and losses caused by the flooding. Gov. Ige signed the initial emergency proclamation for the Kaua‘i floods on April 15, 2018, followed by: Supplementary proclamation issued April 18, 2018 Second supplementary proclamation issued June 17, 2018 Third supplementary proclamation issued by Acting Gov. Douglas S. Chin on Aug. 16, 2018 Fourth supplementary proclamation issued Oct. 15, 2018 Fifth supplementary proclamation issued Dec. 14, 2018 Sixth supplementary proclamation issued Feb. 12, 2019 Seventh supplementary proclamation issued April 12, 2019 Eighth supplementary proclamation issued June 7, 2019 Ninth supplementary proclamation issued Aug. 6, 2019 Tenth supplementary proclamation issued Oct. 2, 2019 The 11th supplementary proclamation continues until Jan. 29, 2020, unless it is terminated by a separate proclamation. The governor is traveling on personal leave. Lt. Gov. Josh Green is serving as acting governor until Gov. Ige’s return on Nov. 30.

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health is pleased to announce Raymond Alejo as the recipient of the 2019 Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award, for his outstanding contributions in providing HIV/AIDS services in Hawai‘i. The award will be presented during the annual World AIDS Day ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Honolulu on Sunday, Dec. 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. “For the past 19 years, Raymond has dedicated his life to working with people living with HIV in Hawai‘i,” said Peter Whiticar, Chief of the Department of Health’s HIV/AIDS program. “His advocacy and loving care for people living with HIV has helped reduce the stigma, fear and unknowns that can keep vulnerable patients from receiving care.” Mr. Alejo began his career in the field of HIV services while in Seattle, as a nurse at Harborview Medical Center. He returned to Honolulu in 2000 and worked as an HIV case manager at the Life Foundation, now known as the Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC). Mr. Alejo currently serves as an HIV registered nurse case manager and community HIV educator at HHHRC. In this role, he provides community-based medical services and education to ensure that people living with HIV obtain necessary medical services that are important for their well-being and for preventing the transmission of HIV infection to others. Besides his primary work with people living with HIV, Mr. Alejo also offers presentations on HIV and hepatitis C prevention and treatment. He has developed several curricula, including cultural competency trainings which help healthcare providers to better serve the Native Hawaiian and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities. His focus on cultural competency and HIV is especially important given that many Native Hawaiians delay accessing needed HIV care. In addition, for more than 15 years, Mr. Alejo has offered the oli (opening chant) at the annual World AIDS Day ceremony and other public events, helping to ground the occasion in the spirit of the Hawaiian culture, and often brings his hālau and family to contribute to the positive energy of such occasions. Dr. Caroline Mee, Medical Director at the Hawai’i Department of Public Safety, said “Raymond has channeled his own personal experiences of stigma and navigating health care access into a keen sense of justice in his work as a community nurse, which makes him a tenacious and effective advocate for our community’s most vulnerable. His drive to ensure Native Hawaiian and LGBTQ populations are adequately served is a shining example of a provider who honors and respects the unique needs of every patient he meets.” The Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award is given annually to a community member who has made outstanding contributions in the provision of HIV/AIDS services. Suzanne Richmond-Crum passed away in August 2004 after serving for more than 10 years as director of the Hawai‘i Seropositivity and Medical Management Program (HSPAMM), in the Department of Health’s Harm Reduction Services Branch. The award program was established in honor of the competence and compassion she demonstrated in her HIV/AIDS work and is currently in its 16th year. This year’s World AIDS Day will be commemorated at a community event on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 5:30 pm at the Cathedral of St. Andrew, located at 229 Queen Emma Square in Honolulu. In addition to the award presentation there will be music, a hula hālau presentation, and a guest speaker panel. The event is open to the public. For more information on this event, visit https://worldaidsdayhawaii.org/. PDF: Raymond Alejo to Receive 2019 Suzanne Richmond-Crum Award on World Aids Day

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced today that it will be making available to all employees free introductory Hawaiian language courses through a partnership between its Office of Hawaiian Education (OHE) and the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges (UHCC). “We are excited to announce this new learning opportunity aimed at honoring the essential role that ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language) plays in our educational system,” Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto said. “Mahalo to the University of Hawai‘i for partnering with us as we work to increase the relevance and awareness of Hawai‘i’s unique educational context.” Beginning with the university’s Spring 2020 semester all HIDOE employees will have two options to take Hawaiian language courses: enrollment in scheduled courses at UHCC campuses statewide or creation of custom courses for a group of HIDOE employees. Introductory courses are offered at all seven UHCC campuses and in a variety of formats. “This collaboration will support the advancement of Hawaiian language across public education," UH President David Lassner said. “UH faculty have been at the core of the revitalization of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi through decades of amazing work. This project is an important extension of the foundation across the Department of Education and our public schools statewide." Upon successful completion, teachers who are part of Bargaining Unit 05 will be able to receive professional development credits and all other HIDOE employees will be able to earn college credit. The Department has over 22,000 salaried employees, including nearly 13,000 teachers. For more information about enrolling, see here.

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises motorists statewide of the potential for coastal flooding along all shores of the main Hawaiian Islands from Tuesday, Nov. 26 through Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement alerting Hawaii residents and visitors of potential coastal flooding impacts (available at https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=hfo&wwa=special%20weather%20statement). Drivers on Kauai and Niihau should also note that there is also a Flash Flood Watch in effect for Kauai County from 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26 though late Wednesday, Nov. 27. HDOT reminds drivers of the following when driving in adverse conditions: Never go through standing or moving water on the road. There may be dangers you can’t see beneath the water such as a road washout, debris, tree branches, or power lines. Flood waters can also affect a vehicle’s mechanisms years after the initial contact and may not always present a problem right away. If you are driving through an area with shallow ponding, slow down to avoid hydroplaning and allow for increased stopping distance. If you cannot see the road or road markings through the water, do not try to drive through. Remember, stopping distance (the length of road your vehicle travels between when you press on the brake and your vehicle comes to a complete stop) increases when roads are wet. HDOT crews are on standby to respond to reports of debris caused by overtopping on state roadways. By island, roads that are typically affected by coastal flooding include, but are not limited to: Hawaii Island – Bayfront Highway (Route 19) in Hilo. Maui – Honoapiilani Highway (Route 30) between Ukumehame and Olowalu Oahu – Farrington Highway (Route 93) in Nanakuli and Makaha; Kamehameha Highway (Route 83) from Hauula to Kualoa Kauai – Kuhio Highway (Route 560) in the vicinity of the Hanalei Bridge; Kuhio Highway (Route 560) at Waikoko HDOT recommends that all drivers check weather reports before getting on the road and sign up for emergency notifications for their respective City or County. The links to the counties’ emergency notification systems are: County of Hawaii (Big Island) - https://countyofhawaii.bbcportal.com/ County of Maui - https://www.mauicounty.gov/AlertCenter.aspx City and County of Honolulu - https://hnl.info/ County of Kauai - https://countyofkauai.bbcportal.com/ In the case of substantial, sustained closures of state routes (e.g., full emergency closure of a state highway lasting more than a couple hours), HDOT will issue emergency closure information through GovDelivery, Twitter, and Facebook. To sign up for GovDelivery notifications from HDOT, visit https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/hidot/subscriber/new Source: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/HIDOT/bulletins/26e7a76

The 2019 hurricane season featured five tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) area of responsibility, which is near the season average. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The Central Pacific basin extends from 140°W to the International Date Line. Four to five tropical cyclones occur during an average year. Hurricane Erick was the first tropical cyclone of the season in the Central Pacific, moving into the basin from the east on July 30. Erick rapidly intensified to a major hurricane (category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale) later that day, then steadily weakened as it passed far south of the main Hawaiian Islands. Tropical Storm Flossie entered the basin on August 3 and approached Hawaii from the east, eventually dissipating before reaching the islands. Tropical Depression 12-E entered the basin on September 4 and strengthened to Tropical Storm Akoni. Akoni was the first tropical cyclone to be named from the Central Pacific list of names since Hurricane Walaka in 2018. Tropical Depression Kiko entered the basin on September 24 and immediately dissipated. Tropical Storm Ema, the second cyclone to be named from the Central Pacific list of names, developed southwest of the main Hawaiian Islands on October 12. Ema dissipated over the southern portion of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument shortly before crossing between French Frigate Shoals and Maro Reef. Impacts to the State of Hawaii: Swells from Tropical Cyclone Barbara, which dissipated just before crossing into the Central Pacific basin, led to high surf along east facing shores of the state during July 6- 9. Remnant moisture from Barbara also led to heavy rain across Maui and Hawaii Counties during July 8-11. Swells generated by Tropical Cyclones Erick and Flossie led to high surf along east and south facing shores during August 1-6. Moisture associated with Erick also contributed to heavy rain over Hawaii County on August 2, and across Kauai County during August 4-5. Hurricane Season Outlook: NOAA’s 2019 hurricane season outlook issued on May 22, 2019, called for five to eight tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific basin, with a 70% chance of above-normal tropical cyclone activity, a 20% chance of near-normal activity, and a 10% chance of below-normal activity. The 2019 season started with an El Niño event that was expected to last through the fall. Instead, steady cooling commenced early in the summer leading to neutral conditions by the heart of the hurricane season. The following table outlines tropical cyclone names and highest classification, life cycle dates, and maximum wind speeds while in the central Pacific basin. Additional graphics from our social media links: NWS Honolulu Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NWSHonolulu NWS Honolulu Twitter - https://twitter.com/NWSHonolulu Other useful web links: NOAA Central Pacific Hurricane Center - https://www.hurricanes.gov/cphc NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office Honolulu - https://www.weather.gov/hawaii CPHC Tropical Cyclone Product Archive - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2019/ CPHC Annual Summaries - https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/?basin=cpac NOAA Atlantic Hurricane Season Summary for 2019 - https://www.noaa.gov/media-release/active-2019-atlantic-hurricane-season-comes-to-end More information: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutcphc.php