That said, we have partnered with Community First to procure 2,000 rapid test kits for our on-island organizations to show that we mean business.

As part of this program, we are offering up to 20 rapid tests for any organization that signs up through our website. However, there is a catch…

The tests we will be distributing are solely for travel-related employee testing. In other words, we are asking that tests are only provided to employees who travel off-island. The reason for this is because we’ve seen the majority of community spread starting in the workplace, and more often than not, because of an employee who traveled and returned to the workplace carrying the virus unknowingly.

If we can catch positive cases before employees return to work, we ultimately reduce our case counts islandwide. In addition, we know that Omicron has created a myriad of staffing issues, both in public and private industries, and it is our hope this program can help with that.

Regardless, we sincerely believe that this is a start to a much healthier, more informed community – and it all starts with your organization.

 Join us today by filling out the form in the “Register Business” tab to the left of the page.

Instructions

The instructions are pretty straightforward. We are asking that:

• Employees are provided a rapid test before traveling off-island
• Employees test within 24-hours of their anticipated return to the workplace
  • If a negative result is provided to the employer, the employee may return to work
  • If a positive or inconclusive result is provided to the employer, the employee must take a lab test at one of our County supported testing sites OR quarantine for five days
• Employers record data and share the number of positives caught through this program to the County under the “Reporting Tab” on this webpage
  • **Please note that no names of organizations or employees will be required when reporting. We are simply asking for the data to better understand our program’s efficacy as it relates to keeping our community and organizations safe for everyone.

Why HOE?

We chose the acronym HOE because it is symbolic of our community’s resilience and effort throughout the pandemic. The word hoe in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi translates to paddle. In a canoe or waʻa, every person garners a critical role and is responsible for pulling their own weight.

With each paddle stroke, the waʻa gets closer to its desired destination. However, if every paddle does not move in perfect harmony with one another, the journey becomes much longer. Throughout this pandemic, we have seen every sector of our community paddling harmoniously, with one common goal – protecting each other and keeping each other safe. That is why we have been able to glide through the rough waters of this pandemic and are closer than ever to our destination.That said, let’s put our heads down, our paddles in the water, and pull our way back to a vibrant and thriving Hawaiʻi Island – together!

ʻEkahi, ʻelua, ʻekolu – HUKI! One, two, three – paddle!