On Tuesday, September 8th, Mayor of Honolulu, Kirk Caldwell, announced that his stay-at-home order will open beaches, parks, and trails, but only for solo activity "by oneself."  

The Civil Beat reported on the same day that: "The mayor said his order prohibits people, even those living in the same household, from visiting parks or beaches together. That means that parents are not allowed to bring their kids to the beach, he said, and couples may not hike together, even at a distance."

This articles goes on to explain the Mayor's reasoning for the order: "The reason is not about COVID-19 risk but instead about making it easier for the Honolulu Police Department to enforce, Caldwell said."

_ _ _ _ _  

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, demand that the order dated September 8th, 2020, be immediately AMENDED to allow for members of the same household to access beaches, parks and trails together. Specifically, this could look like permitting a group of 2, with an exception for a caregiver with minors.

This amendment would allow parents to go to the park with their children.  It would allow a husband and wife to hike together. It would allow roommates to sit together on the beach. It would also allow parents with more than four children to be in nature with their immediate family.

As the order currently stands, children are not allowed to access beaches, trails, or parks, because they cannot be alone, and it would be unsafe for them to do so.  Minors should NOT be included in this restriction when they are with their immediate caregivers (such as parents and babysitters).   

The purpose of the Stay-At-Home order is to protect public health.  It is not to make the police's job easier.  Children and Families MUST have equal access to beaches, parks, and trails to maintain their mental and physical health.  Police can check IDs to determine whether a group is from the same household.

Such policies erode the public trust, and only increase fear and resentment of law enforcement. Excluding families and children from this order is detrimental to our state's public health. Keiki deserve to have access to nature - they need it more now than ever with our schools in virtual learning.  We must allow children to play outside and have free access to nature in a safe way.

This order MUST be AMENDED NOW.

Please sign, and if you have specific ideas about how the Mayor should implement his order, please comment below.