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Question: You’re a founder of the Hawaii Quarantine Kapu Breakers Facebook group, which now has thousands of members. How many quarantine breakers tracked down so far?
Answer: The latest tally statewide is around 70 people. … I’m a former TV news reporter. In my days at KGMB News (now Hawaii News Now), I often would dig up information for colleagues simply because I enjoyed being a super sleuth. For quarantine breakers, if a checked name comes back as someone who should be in quarantine, I then do a deep dig online. I use open source data and have complicated search tactics that help me dig up information.
The effort of my lead teams is incredible. We communicate via end-to-end encrypted texting daily. … We build a digital folder with photos, video, documentation and witness information. This is then handed off to a law enforcement partner at the state Attorney General’s Office. Within 48 to 72 hours the quarantine breaker is usually arrested. They must then post a 100% cash bail. In most cases quarantine breakers receive a $2,000 fine. Some choose to make a guilty plea and go home immediately.
Our highest fine was $4,000 for a Kazakhstani national who went sightseeing all over the island (Oahu) while posting photo after photo of himself in each location. He did an Instagram live on TheBus with a mask under his chin.
What are your thoughts on the state’s quarantine program and other virus-related requirements to date?
The quarantine program was poorly planned, horribly executed and created animosity in the local community. … We (the Kapu Breakers group) would like to see: a second-test system instead of just pre-travel testing; a statewide clear-cut mask mandate — so that, basically, you have to wear your mask when leaving the house; and a quarantine task force. Also, education via commercials starting in cities where there are direct flights to Hawaii; video and brochures on the planes; and pop-up videos via geofencing for visitors to remind them about the rules.
In addition, we would like to see distancing markers at airports along with signage and brochures. And a quarantine hotel could include Hawaiian entertainment viewable from lanai areas, and local foods — something to keep visitors entertained and to learn about Hawaii while they quarantine.
With travelers now able to bypass quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test, is it more difficult to spot a quarantine breaker?
With the partnerships we’ve built within the travel and tourism industry, it’s actually easier. We’ve never picked out (possible) quarantine breakers on the street or at the beach. … I’m adamantly against profiling people. We receive reports from our members. Among others, members include airline industry workers, Department of Transportation workers at airports, Uber/Lyft and taxi drivers as well as hotel workers. It’s now a question of whether the attorney general’s special investigators have resources or time to catch quarantine breakers. There are fewer than a dozen investigators in the AG’s Office.
The Facebook group is also on the lookout for illegal TVUs (transient vacation units) and other sorts of kapu-breaking?
Yes, it’s like plugging the holes in a bucket of water. As soon as you plug one hole, you’ve got to plug others. We don’t want to be reactive like the state; we want to be proactive. … We are hoping to work with the new Honolulu mayor to straighten out the TVU mess; there are many loopholes. … We’ve built a list of frequent violators among owners and others who break the rules with workarounds.
At the moment, though, we are concentrating on mask-wearing. We are pushing for a statewide mandate. Yes, mask-wearing is required, but each county’s requirements are different, and the mandate is loosely worded. The current mask mandate is a misdemeanor. This may need to be changed to give the violation more teeth, so to speak.
Our teams have done surveillance in tourist areas and we were shocked to learn so many visitors refuse to wear masks after they leave the airport. The misconception is that they feel they don’t have to wear a mask because they tested negative. This is a big misconception — one that has dangerous consequences. We know that a mask is one of the tools to help prevent COVID-19’s spread. Recent studies have shown that it’s one of the most important prevention tools.
Any other efforts on the horizon for the Kapu Breakers group?
What I can promise you is that we won’t go away. Kapu Breakers is here to stay. We have a great group of professionals, executives, physicians, medical experts and travel industry workers. All of us are concerned for the health and safety of our residents, our kupuna and our keiki. It’s one of the most unique groups on Facebook. We recently opened a merchant store at the request of our members. They know they are part of something great and they want to show their pride in helping to keep Hawaii safe during this pandemic.
The bio file
>> Personal: Born and raised in Nebraska
>> Education: Bachelor’s degree in communication studies with an emphasis in broadcasting, Hastings College in central Nebraska.
>> Professional: First job in broadcast, at age 18, spinning records and reading local news at oldies station. Later worked as a TV news reporter in Hastings. Landed a reporting job at KGMB-9 News in Honolulu, in 1994, and left TV news in 2007. In recent years: business development and marketing executive at Honolulu Shriners Hospital. Currently, laid-off at a new job due to COVID-19. “I am now a full-time volunteer until I find my next career move. It’s a pleasure giving my time back to a cause that helps my community.” I grew up with parents who were everyday philanthropists. In other words, they were always giving a hand up to people in need. This is how I also live my life.”
>> One more thing: “I’m a wedding officiant in my spare time … and would like to see our tourism get back on track.”
Favorite saying: pupukahi i holomua, which means to unite and move forward. “This is the chant of the paddlers in a canoe. It really means that we are in the canoe together. And if we place our oars in the water and paddle together, we can accomplish anything.”
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