Honolulu County's COVID-19 Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge spotlighting just how interdependent our economic and social systems are in our world. Many continue to experience extreme hardships as we figure out a "new normal" post-pandemic. Fortunately, there have been extraordinary efforts from communities coming together to care for one another, especially for the most vulnerable amongst us. It offers us hope that there is a better way.
Honolulu City Council has created a Committee on Economic Assistance and Revitalization that will be meeting for the first time this week. Committee members plan to discuss our community's needs and how to use relief funds from the federal and state government.
It is critical our elected leaders use this turning point to start the long pivot to an equitable, carbon-neutral economy. We must move forward and see this is an opportunity to chart a path to a more equitable economy that better supports the health of our communities and island.
We can tackle the concurrent crises of unemployment, public health and climate change by creating good jobs, build clean and affordable public transit, modernize our grid, build and repair public housing, manufacture essential health and clean energy goods, upgrade stormwater systems, weatherize our buildings, promote electric vehicle usage, clean up hazardous waste, and strengthen communities’ disaster preparedness.
You can help - TAKE ACTION TODAY!
The Council Committee on Economic Assistance and Revitalization is meeting this Wednesday, May 13 at 10:30am. There is one item on the agenda, "discussion on community needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of federal and state funding received by the city to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
NEW OPTION- VIRTUAL ORAL TESTIMONY!
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Submit your written testimony on-line here.
Meeting Date: 5/13/20
Council/PH Committee: Committee on Economic Assistance and Revitalization
Agenda Item: 1
Position: Comment
SAMPLE TESTIMONY:
Aloha Chair Waters and members of the Committee,
My name is________and I am a resident of________ . I have been affected by the pandemic just as many have on our island. My experience has been (INSERT PERSONAL STORY HERE).
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a huge challenge and has exposed structural inequities that local residents have experienced for years. Thank you for your efforts in public health, safety, and immediate aid. And with unprecedented unemployment rates on top of an already high cost of living, we need policy action to meet the scale of the issue and protects from the dual crisis of pandemics and climate change. We need to focus on creating jobs, reducing economic burdens, and a localized food system. Those are the greatest needs.
Please use the federal and state funds to invest in a new way forward on Oʻahu. We need policy action now to make our island more resilient to climate impacts and transition to a localized sustainable economy
Mahalo for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Sincerely,
(Your name)