Proposed rule for tourism board members criticized
HONOLULU (AP) — A proposed rule for Hawaii Tourism Authority board members would have them resign before publicly opposing a board action.
The tourism authority’s new code of conduct is part of an effort to reorganize after facing legislative scrutiny and community pushback, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.
Some members of the agency’s Administrative Standing Committee, which reviewed the proposed changes last week, objected to the line in a draft that says a board member must “resign his/her position as a board member if she/he intends to publicly oppose a board action before doing so.”
HTA Vice Chairman David Arakawa likened it to a “gag order.”
“My major concern is this: Is HTA so paranoid that they want to propose a gag order on board members?” he said.
There was no intent to silence board members, said Keith Regan, the tourism authority’s chief administrative officer, who authored the draft proposal.
He said the line that some take issue with was inspired by the Society of Actuaries code, which he consulted while researching possible updates to the conduct code.
Public board members need to have freedom to state their views, said Keli‘i Akina, president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.
The proposed draft is subject to a full board vote.
COVID-19 vaccinations start at some public schools
HONOLULU (AP) — COVID-19 vaccinations for 5-to 11-year-olds started at some Hawaii public schools on Monday.
Kalihi Uka Elementary in Honolulu was to hold a vaccination clinic. It got underway at 8:30 a.m. with a group of first graders. About 60 students, or a quarter of the school’s eligible children, signed up.
Parents need to sign consent forms for their children to be vaccinated. It’s up to individual schools whether parents will be allowed to accompany their child.
Shots are also available at some doctor’s offices, pharmacies and larger vaccination sites.
Parent Elizabeth Lugo was excited to have her child vaccinated.
“Like every family, we all have our elderly parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles,” said Lugo. “Getting vaccinated and having my children vaccinated gave us that extra protection.”
“When I get sick, I will be protected from the virus.” added Elizabeth’s daughter, Milena Lugo.
The clinics come about a week after U.S. health officials gave final approval to Pfizer’s COVID-19 shot for children ages 5 to 11.
State Department of Health spokesman Brooks Baehr said the department hopes most of Hawaii’s 5- to 11-year-olds will get vaccinated in the next three weeks so they can be inoculated before the year-end holidays.