Hawaii House Bill HCR113

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/14/22

Caption

Requesting The Governor And Mayor Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Affirm The Safe Access Oahu Program Will Not Be Unnecessarily Extended Beyond The March 5, 2022, Sunset Date.

Impact

The resolution reflects deep concerns among legislators regarding the ongoing extensions of the Safe Access Oahu program, which have caused confusion and added burdens on local businesses already struggling due to the pandemic. Reports indicated that Hawaii experienced one of the highest business closure rates in the U.S., exacerbating the plight of small enterprises. As of early January 2022, a significant portion of the population in Honolulu had been vaccinated, leading to questions about the necessity of extending these stringent requirements any further.

Summary

HCR113 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the Thirty-first Legislature of Hawaii, introduced in 2022. This resolution calls on the Governor and the Mayor of Honolulu to ensure that the Safe Access Oahu program does not extend beyond its initial sunset date of March 5, 2022. The Safe Access Oahu program was implemented to manage the COVID-19 Delta variant infections by requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for workers and patrons in various businesses. The program had significant implications for the operation of many small businesses during a critical period in the pandemic.

Contention

Notably, HCR113 highlights the tension between public health measures and economic stability. While the intent of the Safe Access Oahu program was to safeguard public health, there were significant criticisms regarding the government's handling of emergency declarations and the rapid retroactive extensions of these measures. Opponents voiced concerns about potential abuses of governmental power and the erosion of public trust stemming from a lack of clarity in the continued enforcement of health protocols.