A COVID action plan and leadership team for Hawai‘i

Posted on Sep 29, 2020 in Capitol Connection, Featured

Gov. Ige and his COVID-19 leadership team: Dr. Char, Director Hara, Dr. Pressler, and Lt. Gov. Green.

To fight the pandemic on all fronts, deploying the best community resources available, Governor Ige and his team are implementing a plan to help us navigate the pandemic in the months ahead. The Hawai‘i Pandemic Action Plan lays out in simple terms what the top three priorities are for the state. The priorities — protect public health, revive the economy and strengthen our community — cover the key actions we as a community need to take to strike a crucial balance between public safety and economic recovery.

The complex, interconnected actions involving the whole community.

Governor Ige’s new leadership team will oversee the state’s COVID-19 public health response and the Oct. 15 launch of a pre-travel testing program for trans-Pacific travel. “This new, realigned team gives us a stronger operational structure, stronger leadership, and clears the way for stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors,” said the governor. The team includes Dr. Libby Char, new Department of Health director; Lt. Gov. Dr. Josh Green, who will spearhead the pre-travel testing program and planning for the state’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy; Maj. Gen. Ken Hara, Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency director and incident commander; and Dr. Virginia Pressler, former DOH director, who will lead the Laulima Alliance, a public-private group to ensure a community voice in policy making in response to the pandemic.

Dr. Char, who has been nationally recognized for her work in emergency care, said, “This is a critical time in the health of our community. It’s important for us to work hand in hand with government, private healthcare partners and the community to respond to the pandemic.” Director Hara underscored those sentiments, especially with the recent support provided by the Hawai‘i National Guard’s Joint Task Force in numerous areas, including contact tracing and community testing.