On June 15, 2020 The City and County of Honolulu released an “Emergency Order No. 2020-15” update regarding Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s new plans and precautions on reopening local establishments. The proclamation states: 

"The reopening of restaurants includes a prohibition on “indoor live entertainment,” which should be interpreted as prohibiting singing, playing of wind instruments, and other similar activities that increase the presence and propulsion of respiratory droplets in the air. Also, with respect to the Pilot Sidewalk/outdoor dining privilege, “[n]o live or amplified music is allowed on the utilized City property.” (06/15/2020)

This means that musicians, artists, establishments and venues are not allowed to have, perform, or play live music (indoor or outdoor), thus completely wiping out opportunity for local businesses (artists, small businesses, and locally owned establishments) to band together to revitalize the struggling economy. 

Why does this matter? Music is a vital source in Hawaii's local community. With the fall of the economy, establishments need valuable assistance to get back on their feet. One attribute that can enhance a patrons experience is the presence of live music. But with the mayors recent ban, this may prevent businesses from surviving in the long run and musicians from providing for their families.

What happened?

The Mayor held a press conference on June 16th, 2020 and was asked the question, "with bars reopening, will the city allow live entertainers indoors if social distancing is practiced?" Here is the video of Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Speech. Be sure to fast-forward to 24:15.

Caldwell responded by first referencing that when places of worship were allowed to reopen, they made amendments to not allow singing in choir or choir practices because of studies that showed rapid spreading of COVID19 from singing. "[We] do know it's a way to spread the virus, and in fact theres cases in other parts of the country and the world where there's been "super-spread" kind of situations because of singing." 

What study was he referencing?

"According to the Centers for Disease Control, there have been incidents of what they call the super spreading of COVID-19 during choir practices indoors. That has prompted Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell to pull the plug on live indoor entertainment." This is the case study he was referring to: High SARS-CoV-2 Attack Rate Following Exposure at a Choir Practice

What does this CDC article state?

This study is based on an incident that occurred in March 2020 (three months ago during the peak of COVID-19) in Skagit County Washington where a choir member informed the county’s public health that several members of a 122-member choir became ill. 

This data was pulled from a choir consisting of 122 members spanning from age 31-83 years with an average age of 69 years. Medical data was received when multiple members were diagnosed or showing symptoms from attending choir practice on March 10, 2020. The choir held a 2.5 hour long rehearsal with chairs arranged in six rows of twenty, individually spaced only 6"-10" inches apart. Also, it's important to state that during this rehearsal, the choir rehearsed in various sizes (by breaking into groups then coming together) with no distinct distance practices held in place.

What does this mean?

This information proves that the mayors decision to ban live music is irrational and unconventional. To equate live music to that of a choir rehearsal virus spread gone wrong due to no strict social distancing protocol, collected data was pulled from a time period of peak COVID19 spread, and most importantly where the average of these choir members were elderly, is illogical. To ban music altogether without solid evidence and data that proves a solo musician and/or small musical acts (far under 122 people) to be a danger to the health of society is an act of ignorance, poor planning, and is a detriment to the local music community.

So what now?

It is understood and supported that health safety is the number one priority for the sake of Hawaii’s population, However, I assertively ask that practical measures be set forth for this matter (ie. allowing music but making sure musicians are at a safe distance from patrons, using masks on all other occasions offstage, other alternatives, etc) rather than abolishing a communities source of income altogether. 

Live music is the livelihood for a large number of members of the Hawaiian and local community. We need far more effort and empathy from our local government and leadership and we ask for a repeal in the live music ban.

***PLEASE SIGN, SHARE, AND SPREAD THE WORD IF YOU ARE A MUSIC LOVER, SUPPORTER, ARTIST, MUSICIAN, AND WANT TO SUPPORT HAWAII BUSINESSES***

 

References

Mayor Kirk Caldwell. (2020, June 16). Mayor Caldwell to announce updates to the City’s Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund [Video file] Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/MayorKirk/videos/631370607587797/

Spangler, S. (2020, June 17). Honolulu’s live music ban pulls the plug on local artists, venues. KHON2. https://www.khon2.com/local-news/honolulus-live-music-ban-pulls-the-plug-on-local-artists-venues/

Hamner L, Dubbel P, Capron I, et al. (2020, May 15). High SARS-CoV-2 Attack Rate Following Exposure at a Choir Practice — Skagit County, Washington, March 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:606–610. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6919e6.htm