Over 160 companies on Oahu are violating new COVID-19 mandates

Sep 29 – As Safe Access O’ahu’s mandates stretch into its third week, over 160 Oahu executives have been cited, warned or arrested for alleged violations of new requirements that include evidence of tests or vaccinations for employees and customers .

Honolulu Police have issued subpoenas or arrests on 44 cases, and Honolulu Liquor Commission investigators, who regulate alcohol-serving businesses, have reported six violations for the following since Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s new mandates came into effect on Sept. 13 Continue 60 days to contain the spread of COVID-19 on Oahu.

City officials on Tuesday were unable to immediately break down the number of arrests versus quotes made by HPD because they are grouped under the same record category, HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu said.

“But the majority of enforcement actions were citations,” Yu said in an email to the Honolulu Star Advertiser. “There have been very few arrests.”

The majority of the 44 arrests or citations from HPD – 17 – were for lack of face coverings and 11 were for noncompliance with social or physical distances, according to city data requested by the star advertiser.

Violations carry a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of $ 5,000.

In addition, according to the city, HPD officials have issued over 100 written warnings for a large number of violations and issued an unspecified number of “oral, non-written warnings”.

Written warnings included violations by more than 10 people gathering indoors (13), more than 25 people gathering outdoors (33), lack of social and physical distancing (11), and lack of face covering (16).

In a statement, city spokeswoman Tim Sakahara told the star advertiser: “The vast majority of companies adhere to Safe Access Oahu requirements. When potential violations are reported, officials, investigators or trainers react and take appropriate action.

The story goes on

“We have heard from numerous companies that have reported the Safe Access O’ahu program was effective and we appreciate it because it provides guidance and gives people added confidence that the facilities are safe,” said Sakahara. “We have also heard from companies that are under no obligation to implement the program but have voluntarily issued guidelines for safe access because they believe in the effort and want to take similar security measures.”

Between August 30 and Monday, the city’s call center had received 1,820 calls and emails related to Safe Access O’ahu.

31 people who called or emailed reported possible violations, 117 said the program was too strict and 32 said it was not strict enough.

Two days after Safe Access O’ahu went into effect, Honolulu Liquor Commission investigators began on: Sept. 3pm to the Kinyo Karaoke Lounge because alcohol is available after 10pm, a violation of Safe Access O’ahu rules. – Sept. 17 to the Waikiki Yacht Club for failure to conduct contact tracing. 5 pm to Little Joe’s Steakhouse, also for alcohol after 10 pm – Sept. 21 to Baci Bistro Kailua because they did not check the vaccination status. – Thursday to Kalo Hawaiian Food because alcohol is available after 10 p.m. – Saturday to Beer Lab HI for not checking vaccination status.

Any violation of the Liquor Commission could result in a maximum fine of $ 2,000 and loss of license, according to the Liquor Commission. Companies that have received evidence of a violation can appeal this to the Liquor Commission.

The deputies of the State sheriff, willing to assist Honolulu law enforcement agencies in enforcing Safe Access O’ahu, have not issued subpoenas or arrests.

Sherry Menor-McNamara, president and CEO of the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, admitted that law enforcement efforts are limited to investigating O’ahu Safe Access violations.

However, the number of subpoenas and arrests to date suggests the majority of companies are complying, she said.

“Given the total number of companies in these various industries well over 60, we are not talking about a majority that is against the law,” said Menor-McNamara. “Most know that there will be consequences if they don’t do it, and most companies want to do the right thing.

Liquor Commission investigators’ reports of violations may result from “unannounced compliance inspections or self-initiated investigations,” said Melissa Pampulov, information specialist at the Liquor Commission.

The infringement notice issued to Baci Bistro was in response to a complaint “from the public,” she said in an email to the star advertiser.

Baci Bistro wrote on his Instagram account on September 22nd that his quote the night before was due to the fact that “a customer called and complained that we did not look at the vaccination record”.

“First of all, I would like to apologize to the 3 birthdays, 1 anniversary and 1 special date that made reservations for tonight, but for this reason we had to cancel their reservations. We apologize for the inconvenience. …

“Second, we’re not sure the person who complained what your motive was or if you were just angry because we didn’t check your passport, but didn’t you think about the impact your call would have? himself if the employees are hourly wage earners and some only earn the minimum wage? What impact will this have on your business? Because of this, 9 people are unemployed for tonight, which means they have a daily wage. … Small businesses on this island have been hit very hard in the past 18 months and they’re all just struggling to make ends meet. What was the purpose of calling and complaining because we didn’t check your vaccination record? …

“For those who have been vaccinated and those who have not been vaccinated, this is great too. It is a choice and we must respect your choice. I’m not writing this to have a debate about what we should or shouldn’t do, this is (America) the land of the free, we need to remember and start acting like we are free people and taking back our freedom. “