Rep Cedric Gates FB Page 11:58pm April 2, 2020 (point of origin for rumor)

Waianae residents gather to protest rumored housing of inmates with coronavirus at police substation

SA: … Waianae residents gathered around the Waianae police substation starting at around midnight in protest after rumors began spreading that inmates showing symptoms of the coronavirus were being transported by the Honolulu Police Department to the substation.

Honolulu City Councilwoman Kym Pine is urging Waianae residents gathered at the Waianae police substation this morning to disperse and return home.

Another group of people had apparently gathered on Farrington Highway near the entrance to Waianae to try to form a blockade against motorists driving in, she said….

Pine, who represents the Waianae Coast, said she spoke to a top HPD official who said the Waianae substation was one of a number of locations under consideration as part of a plan to deal with the growing pandemic.

“They’re not just going to go there; they’re going to other places too, it’s just that Waianae is empty and they need to spread everybody around,” Pine said. She and her staff are trying to gather more information, she said.

Pine posted a video on her Facebook page, pleading with her constituents to return home. She also posted separately “Attention Wai’anae residents: We have covid spreading in our community. Please leave the Wai’anae police station and get back to your homes immediately. You are risking your life and your family’s life by protesting at the police station. Let me handle this situation. Thank you.”

Pine said she learned both Hawaii fatalities to date have come from within her West Oahu district…

read … Waianae residents gather to protest rumored housing of inmates with coronavirus at police substation

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HPD responds after coronavirus concerns trigger protest at Waianae police station

HNN: … The protests came after former state lawmaker Andria Tupola said police would start transferring arrestees from around the island to that site if they tested positive for COVID-19.

“How many times have we been dumped on? How many times have we been used as this holding place for whatever’s going on on the island,” Tupola said, in a video posted on Facebook….

read … Tupola?

Tupola April 3, 2020: Mahalo to our elected officials for jumping in and making the calls! (reposts Cedric Gates)

FB Tupola April 3, 2020: It was not a rumor

FB Gates Video: April 3, 2020

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Attention Wai’anae residents:

From Kym Pine FB Page, April 3, 2020

We have covid spreading in our community. Please leave the Wai’anae police station and get back to your homes immediately. You are risking your life and your family’s life by protesting at the police station. Let me handle this situation. Thank you.

Back story: Concerns are spreading that they are bringing COVID positive arrestees to Wai’anae Police Station. We are looking into this now. Whether it’s true or not please do not go there. Do not sign wave or gather. You can contact HPD by submitting a form online using this link: http://www.honolulupd.org/contact/index.php?page=contact or http://dps.hawaii.gov/frequently-called-numbers/ to express your concerns.

Let us handle this. Stay safe!

VIDEO: Kym Pine April 3, 2020 Video on Waianae Protests

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Honolulu Police Department (Official Site)

Statement on Waianae Police Station

As part of the department’s overall emergency response plan, we looked at how to house infectious detainees, including whether to transport them to a single police facility. After considering different options, it has been decided to keep the detainees in the same facility where they were booked. Until such time that the cellblocks can be retrofitted to accommodate infectious detainees, these individuals will be kept in separate cells apart from the other detainees. Appropriate precautions, including the use of PPE and sanitization of the cellblock and booking area, will be taken. HPD is currently working with the Mayor’s Office to obtain federal funding to retrofit the cellblock at the main station and other locations to be determined.

Chief Susan Ballard

FB: HPD Statement April 3, 2020  

NOTE: This HPD statement clearly explains that there is no scheme to transport COVID patients to the Waianae Coast, yet the rumormongers are acting as if it validates their rumors.  For instance: FB Tupola April 3, 2020: "It was not a rumor" 

Apparently the politicians are hoping that the swirling mass of hysterical people cannot or will not understand the HPD statement.  They may be right about this. 

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Totally Relevant: Kahuku and Waimanalo Protests show why Hawaii Needs Municipal Government