NEWS & UPDATES FROM BIA-HAWAII
BIA-Hawaii Election Conference featuring City Council Candidates

Join us beginning Monday, October 12 for a full week of daily forum discussions featuring candidates addressing the issues facing the building industry.

This is a great opportunity to hear directly from the candidates on priorities and issues that matter to you. Each day we will feature a candidate addressing the questions you want to know the answers to - the important issues that matter to our industry.

During this week-long conference, you will gain a better appreciation of each candidate's understanding of the building industry's importance to the Hawaii economy and how construction is going to help us through recovery. For example, do they understand that policy getting pushed through now will impact that recovery?

Other hot button issues to be discussed are affordability vs. sustainability and global warming and climate change vs. affordable housing. We will hear directly from the candidates where they stand on these complex issues.

The Daily Lineup for the Election Conference

Monday 10/12: Will Espero
Tuesday 10/13: Jacob Aki
Wednesday 10/14: Greg Thielen
Thursday 10/15: Augie Tulba
Friday 10/16: Radiant Cordero

The conference is free, but requires pre-registration.

Register Now for this Exciting Election Conference!
Virtual Blood Drive

Please consider a plasma donation to the Blood Bank of Hawaii. COVID-19 has put stress on our Blood Supply. Only 2% of Hawaii’s population are blood donors, and our state’s blood supply is strained. Every day 200 units of blood are needed. Every 2 seconds someone needs blood. That’s 1 out of every 7 patients going to the hospital who will be in need of blood products. Please donate!

Learn more and donate at www.bbh.org
Streamlined Forgiveness for PPP Loans Under $50,000.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced companies receiving Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under $50,000 can now access a new forgiveness application designed to simplify the forgiveness and loan review process. Instructions and Forgiveness Form
Hawaii Prepares for Tourism Re-Opening on Oct 15 and plans to welcome out-of-state passengers coming into Hawaii, tourists and returning residents alike, to skip the state’s 14-day quarantine by showing a negative test result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to their flight to Hawaii. Read more...

COVID-19 Data Dashboard. The State of Hawaii maintains a comprehensive website designed to inform residents and businesses on current data, rules and resources regarding Hawaii's fight againt COVID-19. Learn more...

Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) invites the public and small businesses to apply for FREE PPE through its distribution program funded by the CARES Act. Officials still have inventory and are urging people to apply. Orders will be accepted through Nov.15. Learn more about the program and apply today. Read more...
Honolulu's Tiered Reopening Plan. Oahu is currently in Tier 1, the most restrictive level of the plan. Oahu can graduate to the next tier if it meets the metrics set for Tier 2 by October 31. If case counts and positivity rates remain high, Oahu will remain in Tier 1. Read more...

City & County of Honolulu offers $75 million in grants for Oahu small businesses. City & County of Honolulu replenishes the Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund which will distribute the money in the form of reimbursement grants, which will not need to be repaid. Learn more...
The Kokua Maui County Small Business Recovery & Relief Fund can assist small businesses to cover reimbursable business expenses for rent/lease payments, utility payments and COVID-19-related safety precautions, up to $7,500. Note: businesses that have received funds from the County of Maui Micro Business Loan Program are not eligible. Read more... 

Maui County Adaptability Fund, a new program funded by the CARES Act, provides grants to eligible Maui County Small Businesses to support costs required to conduct business in compliance with health and social distancing guidelines, to modify operations, and to invest in technology infrastructure to expand their virtual platforms, web-based marketing, and E-commerce. The fund is intended to allow flexibility to customize investments to retool and restructure for their unique business needs. Grants may range from $5,000 to $25,000. Read more...
Hawaii County's Mayor Harry Kim signed emergency rule #12, which reopened all county and state beaches on October 1st, though camping remains prohibited. It also covers mandatory face coverings, physical distancing, and gathering limits of no more than 10 people. Read more...

The County of Hawaii Small Business Relief & Recovery Fund will provide county businesses a one-time reimbursement of up to $10,000 for costs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more...

Hawaii County Rent/Mortgage and Utilities Assistance Programs offer funding under the CARES Act that helps Hawaii Island residents pay their rent and utilities - apply today. Read more...

Hawaii County Rent Relief Program. This program will provide rent or mortgage payments not to exceed $2,000 per month (March-December 2020) for eligible households at or below 140% of the area median income who were affected by Covid-19. Learn more...
Rent Relief Program for Hawaii Residents. The State of Hawai‘i’s Rent Relief and Housing Assistance Program provides assistance to Hawai‘i renters and homeowners who have experienced a reduction in income due to the COVID-19.The program provides grant funding to Oʻahu households up to $2,000 per month and neighbor islands up to $1,500 per month. Read more...
WEBINARS & EVENTS
Requesting Member Suggestions
BIA-Hawaii committees and staff are working hard to add value to your membership. We need your ideas and comments on the types of programs that are of interest to you and what you would like to see offered at BIA. Please take a moment to share your thoughts to help shape our future events!