Hawaii Matters 2021

1/10/21 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. talks about his recommendation to pause social gatherings for two weeks. This is a response to the recent big rise in COVID cases this week. What does one do when citizens spot a gathering of more than the limit of five people. The LG talks about the variants of the coronavirus and the state’s efforts to identify it and the fact that it’s more infectious. He talks about the vaccination efforts. Will we be facing a health care worker shortage? He addresses the disparity of travel restrictions between islands. He concludes with mental health and domestic abuse in the world of COVID.  

1/17/21 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

Lt. Gov Josh Green provides his weekly update on COVID-19 in Hawaii. He talks about: the roll-out of the mass vaccine program; the prioritization of vaccine doses for Hawaii vs other states; the current state of vaccinations; the reported slowness of the vaccinations; vaccinations for those who already had COVID; the variants of the coronavirus; the anecdotal evidence of the safety of the vaccines; a review of the LG’s request for people to stay home for two weeks; the predicted time for a return for normalcy. 

1/24/21 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

Lt. Gov. Josh Green joins the show with an update on COVID-19 in Hawaii. The LG talks about: the new presidential administration and its effect on tackling COVID in Hawaii; vaccinations in Hawaii; will we get enough of the vaccines; the difference between the vaccines; what happens when you get vaccinated; the presence of variants in Hawaii.

1/31/21 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

Lt. Gov. Josh Green joins the show with an update on COVID-19 in Hawaii. This week subjects include: vaccination progress in Hawaii; the new Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine; side effects of the second shot; the use of pain relievers before and after taking the vaccine; the priority schedule for vaccine, especially when it comes to teachers; the concept of sterilization immunity and what it means for our society; the wearing of two or more masks; State House bill allowing travel to Hawaii without a test; the danger of gatherings during the Super Bowl. 

2/7/21 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. updates us on the state of the COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Hawaii. Topics include the number of vaccinations given to date; the practice of holding back some vaccine supplies for certain segments of the population; the logistics of the process in general; the practice of giving out shots in double doses vs a single dose to cover more people; the symptoms after receiving the vaccine shot; an update on the variants; the evaluation of the City’s tier system; a review of the Safe Travels program; a review of the basics of protection; a reminder of the limitations on gatherings especially with the potential for Super Bowl parties. 

2/14/21 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. updates us on the state of the COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Hawaii. The LG talks about the vaccine supply, logistics, and deployment; the vaccine tier system and how it’s working; gathering as a result of the Super Bowl; mental health in the wake of COVID and the state’s response; what would the LG like to see as a general response to the mental health crisis; the timeline for opening Hawaii’s economy; the response from the Federal government relative to Hawaii.

2/19/21 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. updates us on the state of the COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Hawaii. Subjects include: the possibility of Hawaii moving to Tier 3; concerns going forward despite the recent success in fighting the virus; reasons for the delay on receiving vaccines; the update on the number of Hawaii residents who’ve received the vaccine; when will Hawaii move to priority 1C with the vaccinations?; the status of the supply of vaccines in Hawaii; statistics on those who have been vaccinated in Hawaii; an update on the safe travel program in light of the storm on the mainland; the status of interisland travel and testing; the possibility of in-person graduations being allowed this year. 

2/28/21 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. updates us on the state of the COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Hawaii. He updates us on: Hawaii’s rank of success in deploying the vaccine relative to other states; the frustrations of some who have not been able to be vaccinated; the effects of the vaccinations on Hawaii’s COVID numbers; how long will it take for vaccinations to be easier to get; the Johnson & Johnson vaccine’s impact and who should get it; information dissemination from the Lt. Gov’s office; some people are refusing the second shot; pregnancy and the vaccine shot; the challenges of reopening of schools.. 

3/7/21 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. updates us on the state of the COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Hawaii. Subjects include: Hawaii’s trend with lower numbers of Covid cases over the last week; Texas’s removing all Covid restrictions; gatherings getting larger even though numbers are going down in Hawaii; the advancing of vaccinations into the 70 to 74-year old category; vaccinating tourism workers; the timeline for companies to get their employees vaccinated; the impact of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine; the possibility of opening up interisland travel; the government’s efforts to help keep businesses open; full reopening of schools; the possibility of live entertainment reopening.

3/14/21 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. of Hawaii, Josh Green, provides an update on how Hawaii is coping with COVID-19. He talks about the opening up of the vaccination process at level 1C. He talks about the pace of getting through the various groups within the different levels; the applications received by the state for the vaccine; he updates us on variants in Hawaii and the success of the vaccines against the variants; the category of caregivers of ill persons. The LG addresses the travelers who received the vaccination but still tested positive. He talks about the Mayor of Honolulu opening up the city to various activities and businesses. Will kids get vaccinated and when? He touches on the Pacific Islander segment of the population. What kinds of relief can Hawaii expect with the passage of the latest COVID relief package?

3/21/21 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. of Hawaii, Josh Green, updates listeners on the pandemic. Subjects include the new CDC guidance on physical distancing in schools; when might schools adopt these new guidelines and open fully; the AstraZeneca vaccine and the problem with blood clots; an update on the vaccination numbers in Hawaii; a clarification on the state moving to level 1C for vaccinations; the management of the vaccine supply; the possibility of implementing a vaccine passport; travel to and from Oahu; the disparity between ethnic groups’ coverage of vaccination.

3/28/21 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. of Hawaii, Josh Green, joins the show with an update on the coronavirus in Hawaii. Subjects include: the recent uptick in the statewide case count; the numbers of vaccinations to date; the effect of the influx of tourists on cases; the increase in cases on the mainland and how that affects Hawaii; vaccination of the Pacific Islander population; the rollout of the vaccines and the potential outlook on the next age groups to be eligible; the perceived popularity of the Pfizer vaccine; booster shots; vaccine passports.