Governor David Ige today issued a Proclamation and announced Alan M. Oshima as the Hawaii Economic & Community Navigator. The newly created position in the Office of the Governor will be responsible for the planning and implementation of the Hawai`i Economic Stabilization, Recovery & Resiliency Plan, which will include three phases to recover from COVID-19: 1) Stabilization; 2) Recovery; and 3) Resiliency.
The plan is a blueprint not only for saving critical economic and community pillars, but also charting a roadmap for Hawai`i’s new economic future. The Economic and Community Recovery plan can be as significant as the initial Hawai`i State Plan, Ch. 226, HRS, enacted in the 1970’s which charted a course for a post-WWII, modern Hawai`i.
Also, as part of our nation’s effort to address the economic impact of COVID-19, the Federal government appropriated US$2 trillion to provide financial assistance to state and county governments, businesses, nonprofits and individuals.
It is anticipated that Hawai`i will receive US$4.0 billion from the CARES Act for the following:
- US$1.25 billion for state and county government response efforts
- US$1.14 billion in estimated unemployment assistance
- US$1.24 billion in estimated direct cash payments to Hawai`i residents
- US$130 million in estimated funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- US$53 million for local schools and colleges
- US$11 million for the state’s community health centers
- US$8 million in community development block grants
Of the US$1.25 billion to Hawai`i governments (above), the State will receive US$900 million, and the City & County of Honolulu will receive US$350 million as part of Hawai`i’s economic relief and recovery efforts. Future Federal stimulus packages appear on the horizon.
