Mayor Kirk Caldwell joined the COVID-19 Care Conversation to share updates from the City and County of Honolulu.

Caldwell said the increase in new coronavirus cases is concerning. While the increase is expected, he said the way we manage it is critical. He feels the state’s contact tracing capabilities should be “on board already.”

Beginning tomorrow, museums, gyms, movie theaters, and bars will be allowed to reopen, as well as playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment at parks. Caldwell said that it is incumbent on everyone to follow the protocols and guidelines, including wearing facial coverings as much as possible, practicing good social distancing and good hygiene. He shared that the liquor commission will be checking on bars to ensure that social distancing is enforced. Establishments that don’t follow social distancing requirements could face suspension or revocation of their liquor license.

Caldwell plans to be at ‘Iolani Palace tomorrow to celebrate its opening. He encouraged the community to visit the historic palace.

With regard to the city’s operating budget, he said that the Honolulu City Council did an “incredible job.” He shared that the council took their duties very seriously and continued to work on the budget throughout the pandemic. He felt the budget is “fiscally responsible to the conditions we face today.”

When asked about his opinion on police reform, Caldwell said that he is in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. “Systemic racism is not immune here in Hawaii. We all need to work to be better,” he said. He shared that the Honolulu Police Department comes from our community, from all parts of the island. Caldwell believes Chief Susan Ballard is changing the police department from warriors to guardians. He praised her for being a critical change agent who protects and is open and transparent.

Caldwell talked about the city’s small business grant program, which recently opened its second round of applications to provide an additional $25 million to Oahu small businesses. Businesses with up to 50 employees and up to $2 million in revenue are allowed to apply at OneOahu.org.

Caldwell said he was happy to see interisland travel reopen this week. He would like to see trans-Pacific travel reopen sooner rather than later, but believes we need to have “really strong procedures in place.” He shared details about an agreement with the film industry in which individuals must get tested within three days prior to arrival in Hawaii, receive a secondary test on arrival, and participate in a mandatory three-day quarantine until test results are received. Caldwell said that while this is in place within a small sector, he thinks it could be something to consider applying to broader travel groups. He said he “hasn’t been around the table where decisions are being made,” but would like to be.

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Join the COVID-19 Care Conversation, live every weekday at 10:30 a.m. Yunji de Nies and Ryan Kalei Tsuji will discuss the latest news, resources and community concerns about the coronavirus outbreak in Hawaii.

The COVID-19 Care Conversation, sponsored by Hawai’i Executive Collaborative and Hawaii Pacific Health, airs live every weekday at 10:30 a.m. on the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Facebook page. Yunji de Nies and Ryan Kalei Tsuji discuss the latest news, resources and community concerns about the coronavirus outbreak in Hawaii.