Republican State Representative Val Okimoto (R-36, Mililani Mauka, Mililani, Waipi‘o Acres) issued the following statement opposing Mayor Blangiardi’s “Safe Access Oahu” Program:

“Vaccine passports made through unilateral decisions are doubling down on the idea that Government knows best. Has this attitude worked so far? No. Common sense tells me that beating the same exhausting talking points to death is literally insanity.

“Common sense tells me that if you implement a policy that segregates the vaccinated with the unvaccinated, we’re inadvertently incentivizing the unvaccinated community to gather and spread COVID within their own communities.

“As a vaccinated individual and elected official, I will continue to encourage those who have not been vaccinated to do so, to protect their loved ones, their ‘ohana, and their communities. We need to lead by example, not by mandates. Pithy slogans from politicians just aren’t working.”

Okimoto has received both doses of the Moderna vaccine earlier this year. Yesterday, she wrote to both Mayor Blangiardi and David Ige opposing vaccine passports. Her letter can be found here: 08-29-21 VO Letter to Ige, Mayor Blangiardi.

On the other side in a statement by House Speaker Commends Mayor Blangiardi for Implementing the Safe Access O’ahu Program

In response to Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s announcement of the Safe Access O‘ahu program that requires employees and patrons of indoor establishments to be vaccinated or tested regularly, House Speaker Scott K. Saiki stated:

“I commend Mayor Blangiardi for implementing a Safe Access Oʻahu program. I know that it was a difficult and complicated decision. The Mayor is being a leader and his decision will reduce COVID infections and avoid a complete statewide shutdown.”

House Speaker Scott K. Saiki on August 13, 2021, footed the idea with his message to David Ige.

To control COVID-19, the Governor needs to do more than requesting the public’s cooperation. The Governor should implement a health pass that will require persons to show proof of full vaccination to enter establishments, such as restaurants, gyms, and stores. I am confident that Hawaii residents will support such a move because they want to protect their children, families, and friends.

Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said he is trying to do what’s best for his community and isn’t sure a vaccination passport is it.

“We are assessing the situation from all different angles,” Roth said. “How it looks for us as far as people in their jobs, Will this cause people to lose their jobs? We don’t have the ability in the past to get unemployment, PPE, the things that the government had last year. Will this actually make a difference and get those extra people vaccinated and bring down those counts at our hospitals? Does that separate our community more or does it bring them together? Really we’re trying to bring people together to do the right thing.”

But he said it is a possibility if things don’t improve.

Now more than ever is the importance of voting is relevant.