This is important. If you live on a neighbor-island, HB1286 will impact you and the health of your island. HB1286 will be scheduled for hearings soon and your testimony is vitally important.
HB1286 – RELATING TO TRAVEL
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1286&year=2021
If HB1286 passes into law – Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii County will no longer have the power to choose their own level of COVID health protections.
HB1286 is a one-size-fits-all COVID policy for incoming travelers, that says Honolulu rules, rule.
“Notwithstanding chapter 127A or any other law to the contrary, this Act shall take precedence over all conflicting statutes concerning this subject matter and shall preempt all contrary laws, ordinances, rules, orders, or proclamations adopted by the State, a county, or any department or agency thereof.”
HB1286 further proposes that “…the department of health shall establish conditions under which persons may be deemed automatically exempt from the pre‑travel testing requirements and mandatory self-quarantine.”
We all know how pleased everyone was with the DOH leadership during the first months of the pandemic, so yes, let’s take control away from elected leaders who actually live in the County and give it to the “professionals” in Honolulu.
Auwe!
State law and DOH rules should set a floor of protections and not a ceiling. If a County desires stronger health protections, they should be allowed to put them into place.
How many more Honolulu centric policies do we need? The blatant disregard for the different needs and circumstances of the neighbor-island communities is astonishing but sadly predictable.
Please contact your State House Representative and say “no thank you.” A list and contact information is here: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/members/legislators.aspx?chamber=H
HB1286 Introducers: SAIKI, AQUINO, BELATTI, CULLEN, ELI, GATES, HASHEM, HASHIMOTO, HOLT, ICHIYAMA, ILAGAN, JOHANSON, KAPELA, KITAGAWA, B. KOBAYASHI, D. KOBAYASHI, LOWEN, MATAYOSHI, MCKELVEY, MIZUNO, MORIKAWA, NAKASHIMA, ONISHI, QUINLAN, TAM, TARNAS, TODD, YAMANE, YAMASHITA
GaryHooser's Blog 
Thank you for this message! I have already sent my proposal to say NO THANK YOU To this proposed Bill HB1286. Included all Kaua’i Island Representatives (Tokioka, Nakamura, and Morikawa) in my email with my mana’o. I think that I’m order for change to happen, we must use our voices in Kapu Aloha and speak our mana’o. Mahalo NUI again, Gary Hooser!
Thank you Jerilyn for taking this action. It’s important and adding your voice makes a difference.
mahalo nui for sharing this vital information 💯👏🏽will be doing our best to spread this news and pray for protection of our rights in all areas of life 🙏🏽mahalo ia Iesu
Mahalo for taking action and helping to spread the word!