Honorable David Ige

March 19, 2020

Re: Request for Immediate Action

Dear Governor Ige:

The handling of this COVID-19 pandemic has been utterly chaotic and there is mass confusion among the public. The number of positive test results is exponentially increasing on a daily basis. To protect people and the long-term stability of our economy, I implore you to immediately order the shut-down and sheltering-in-place of all people in the State of Hawaii.

On behalf of the House of Representatives and the people of Hawaii, I am calling on you, as Governor of the State of Hawaii, to take the following immediate actions:

• Institute an immediate statewide shut down for the next 15 days.

• Order all people in Hawaii to shelter-in-place for the next 15 days and direct the Joint Incident Center under the command of Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Director/Adjutant General Kenneth Hara to immediately use his authority under the March 16, 2020, Emergency Supplementary Proclamation to take all necessary steps to ensure that the supply chain for basic necessities such as food, medicine, water, communications, gasoline, cargo and public safety is secure.

• Order HI-EMA Director/Adjutant General Hara to secure and requisition any needed hospital and medical supplies that are necessary to assist with the coming need to treat individuals due to COVID-19, and work in full cooperation and coordination with the United States Indo-Pacific Command and all of our military partners.

• Quarantine all travelers arriving from outside Hawaii for 15 days.

• Prohibit all nonessential inter-island and out-of-state travel.

• Close all public and private schools, daycare centers, and preschools.

The directives from the Lieutenant Governor and Mayors are mere recommendations.

As Governor, you are the only person in this state who has the direct authority to institute these actions. I implore you to take immediate action for the health, safety, and welfare of all the people of Hawaii.

Sincerely,

Scott K. Saiki

Speaker of the House

cc: Members of the House

Link: Original Letter  

HNN: Governor’s Office responded to Saiki with this statement:  “Gov. Ige continues to work through all the options, including their potential benefits and consequences, to secure our islands and do what’s best for our communities.”  

CB: Saiki To Ige: State’s Handling Of COVID-19 ‘Has Been Chaotic’