Category: June-July 2021

  • Beware of COVID-19 Scams

    Now that COVID-19 vaccination is in full swing along with economic relief packages from the federal government, scammers are using phishing emails and texts, bogus social media posts, robocalls,  impostor schemes and more to prey on the public. Federal and state agencies are reporting a flood of vaccine scams, with phony websites and email campaigns promising easy and early access to coronavirus shots. They also anticipate a rise in financial stimulus scams targeting relief payments, unemployment benefits and small business loans.

    From the earliest beginnings of the COVID pandemic, fraudsters have been luring consumers with fake remedies; now they’re using the vaccine rollout as bait to lure unsuspecting consumers.

    The Hawai‘i Department of Health and Human Services says consumers should be on the lookout for the following signs of vaccine scams:

    • Requests that you to pay out-of-pocket to receive a shot or get on a vaccine waiting list
    • Ads for vaccines via websites, social media posts, emails or phone calls
    • Marketers offering to sell or ship doses of COVID-19 vaccines

    The FBI says con artists are still advertising fake COVID-19 antibody tests to mine personal  information to be used in identity theft or health insurance scams. This includes fake unemployment filings and even stealing one’s stimulus check.

    Other scammers claim to be selling or offering supplies such as masks, test kits and sanitizers, often in robocalls, texts or social media ads.

    Scammers are also impersonating banks and money lenders, offering bogus help with bills, credit card debt or student loan forgiveness.

    Beware of calls, texts or emails, and social media posts originating from what appear to be  government agencies that instruct you to click a link, pay a fee or confirm personal data (your Social Security number) to secure your stimulus check.

    The FTC and the Justice Department also issued an alert about phishing texts and phone calls that are supposedly from contact tracers, warning you that you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you click the text message link, malware downloads to your device. These messages will appear to be from actual businesses or government agencies, but clicking on links or downloading attached files could enable the theft of personal information and your identity. Messages from actual contact tracers will not include a link, or ask you for money or personal data.

    Also use care when conducting an internet search for coronavirus information. Are you going to the actual CDC or WHO website, or to a scam portal created by a cybercriminal?

    Christopher Duque | aikea808@gmail.com

    Now that COVID-19 vaccination is in full swing along with economic relief packages from the federal government, scammers are using phishing emails and texts, bogus social media posts, robocalls,  impostor schemes and more to prey on the public.

  • Finding Freedom Once More

    COVID-19 impacted this industry greatly — it may never be the same again. We had to stop large gatherings, monthly meetings and communal dining, restrict visitors, volunteers and even family members who uplifted our community on a daily basis, and social distance ourselves when hugs and closeness were once shared.

    Many administrators like myself had to take swift action to attain the balance of retaining the simple freedoms of our residents and fighting to keep our communities safe.

    Over a year later, the pandemic continues to defer our freedom — the freedom to do what we please, visit with others at any time and travel anywhere in the world to live our best life.

    Independence Day 2021 will be a period of reflection on our own personal freedoms and our nation’s. Don’t give up hope; we are turning a new leaf. It will take courage to gain back our freedom and a sense of peace.

    ROSELANI PLACE (501(c) 3 nonprofit)
    88 South Papa Ave., Kahului, Maui, HI 96732
    808-871-7720 | Toll Free: 800-554-9853
    info@roselaniplace.com | www.roselaniplace.com

    The overall mission for senior living communities is to provide socialization, wellness, a sense of community and independence. As the general manager for Roselani Place, my mission is to enrich the lives of our kūpuna and manifest my passion to enable them to live their lives to the fullest each and every day.

  • Dealing With Our Feelings

    No problem has ever been resolved through emotional upheaval.

    As I mentioned in my April/May column (“Nine Coping Skills For Managing Stress”), to find our way to productive solutions, we’ll first want to deal with our feelings.

    Feelings are important because they can tell us what we need to do. To deal with our feelings, we must name them, realize it’s ok to feel them and express them in a safe way. Then we can decide what to do to feel better.

    It’s ok to have negative feelings. But owning our feelings rather than blaming others for them is the key to a sustainable resolution.

    Using the “I feel” sentence is helpful, for example, “I feel lonely because I’m social distancing for my safety.” Remember, life is 10 percent what happens and 90 percent how we respond. No one makes us do or feel anything. We are responsible for our feelings or responses. So if we own our feelings and actions, we’ll be on our way to more reasonable outcomes.

    To change or break a negative response pattern, note these few physiological facts:

    • Our brain needs oxygen to think clearly.
    • Negative feelings like anger and fear trigger adrenaline, shifting oxygen from our brain to our air passages to provide our muscles with the oxygen needed for flight-or-fight responses.
    • Without oxygen, our brain focuses on familiar reactive, defensive response patterns rather than proactive, solution-oriented, productive outcomes.

    To relearn and find helpful stopgaps to break patterns, we’ll first need to agree there’s an issue we’d like to change. Once motivated to change, we’ll face the realization that change is a challenging process. But with patience, persistence and practice, anyone committed to change can break the habit of engrained negative response patterns.

    The simplest tool used to manage a stressful event is the STOP sign acronym technique: Stop, Think, Options, Plan.

    If we stop our undesirable emotions before they escalate, we’ll automatically think of options and create a more reasonable plan. By stopping, we’ll breathe, calm down and reach a better plan than if we fly out of control driven by emotions.

    Because we are all human, we all experience negative emotions. But it’s what we do with them that defines us. Working toward eliminating personal attacks or put-downs will enhance the quality of our relationships with ourselves and others. Learning to manage stressors also improves our physical and mental health.

    Accept imperfection, practice forgiveness, and give yourself and loved ones a break.

    RICK TABOR
    GM Community Development Director
    808-285-5936 | Rick@Generations808.com

    Feelings are important because they can tell us what we need to do. To deal with our feelings, we must name them, realize it’s ok to feel them and express them in a safe way. Then we can decide what to do to feel better. It’s ok to have negative feelings. But owning our feelings…

  • How to Navigate Travel Requirements & Restrictions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

    An interview with Kevin Kaneshiro, Sales & Promotions Manager at Vacations Hawaii

    How has interisland travel changed for Hawai‘i residents during the pandemic?

    With frequent changes to travel requirements, make sure to check for updates  prior to your travel. As of April 5, 2021, Neighbor Island travelers entering O‘ahu do not need a test and no quarantine is required. If you are entering Kaua‘i or Maui counties, you can avoid a 10-day quarantine with proof of a pre-approved negative test within 72 hours of your arrival. For Maui, you will also have to  download the AlohaSafe Alert app (www.alohasafealert.org). For the Big Island, visitors can either do the 72-hour pre-test like the other islands or they can quarantine until negative test results confirmed from a post-arrival test.

    How does the proof-of-vaccination process work for interisland, mainland and international travel?

    Whether traveling interisland or out of the state, you will first need to set up your Safe Travels account at www.travel.hawaii.gov before your arrival to Hawai‘i. You will then need to get a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) or NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test) from a State of Hawai‘i-approved testing site within 72 hours prior to your arrival. Most results take up to 48 hours, so you will want to take that into account when scheduling your test. Most COVID-19 test
    sites will direct you to the valid test dates to book when you submit your arrival date.

    Many testing locations require you to make a reservation online. Once you take your test, the company will email you a positive or negative test result in the form of a PDF. If negative, you can then upload the result to your State of Hawai‘i Safe Travels account or you can print a copy of your result to present upon arrival at your destination. I recommend both  uploading your result and printing a copy as a backup.

    At your destination, present your negative test result on your Safe Travels account and you’re done. If you don’t already have it uploaded to your account, you would then need to process your negative test result at the airport with a representative. Lastly, within 24 hours of your arrival, you will want to fill out the 24-hour health questionnaire on the Safe Travels Hawaii site. Once complete, you will receive a QR code that will save you time at the airport.

    What kinds of protections have been put in place for kūpuna visiting Las Vegas?

    On Omni Air charter flights and at all Boyd Gaming Hotels, enhanced cleaning, disinfecting and sanitization measures have been put in place. An electrostatic fogging sprayer further sanitizes the aircraft. Boarding protocols to allow for social distancing have been established. All flight attendants and passengers wear masks or face coverings during the flight. Pillows and blankets have been removed from the planes, so you may want to bring your own and/or warm outer apparel. Bottled water, canned soda, coffee or tea will be offered only with meal service. Customers are encouraged to bring their own beverages.

    At Vacations Hawai‘i hotel properties, temperature checks are being conducted upon arrival. All guests are required to wear facial coverings. Hand sanitizer is available and complimentary for all guests. Guest spaces are cleaned and disinfected multiple times daily with EPA-approved products. This includes slot machines, chairs, table games, restaurants, kitchens, restrooms, doors, handrails, counters, ATMs, kiosks and Team Member areas. The frequency of air filter replacement and HVAC system cleaning has been increased. Slots, table games, and restaurant and bar seating are configured, and limited to adhere to social distancing recommendations. Guest occupancy limits are followed in retail shops, and banquet and meeting spaces.

    Hawai‘i-bound travelers can bypass the 10-day quarantine by receiving a negative COVID test result within 72 hours of their return to Hawai‘i. Convenient COVID testing in Las Vegas provided by Worksite Labs is available at the Main Street Station for Vacations Hawaii and Hawaiian Airlines customers.

    These PCR nasal swab tests do not require assistance. All customers must be scheduled no later than 72 hours before the departure of the last leg of the journey. The price per test starts at $90.

    To qualify for a test, you must have an upcoming Hawaiian Airlines or Vacations Hawaii flight with a Hawaiian destination in the next 72 hours and proof of a ticket.

    Hours of operation are 6am to 2pm, seven days a week. An appointment is required and can be made at www.schedulecovidtesting.com.

    Walk-up testing will take place in the Main Street Station Social Club; drive-through testing will be held in the parking area immediately outside the Social Club (around the Main Street garage entrance).

    Is there any way to arrange special meals?

    Due to COVID restrictions, we cannot accommodate special meal requests at this time. Current meals consists of prepackaged items such as sandwiches, chips and candy. You may also bring your own food onboard for a long trip.

    What accommodations can be provided for someone who requires a wheelchair?

    You have the option of bringing your own wheelchair on Omni Air charter flights. There is no charge for transporting the wheelchair. Airport wheelchair service is available curbside; travelers will also receive assistance boarding the plane.

    The same service in reverse will be provided upon arrival. Should you need a lift bus to eliminate walking up the steps of the bus or an aisle chair to be transported to your seat on the airplane, let us know and it will be arranged. We can also assist you with wheelchair rental.

    What travel safety tips do you recommend for kūpuna traveling to Las Vegas?

    Do your research prior to travel as to COVID restrictions and requirements for your destination. If you don’t have a mobile phone for uploading your test result, make sure you have access to a place to print a hard copy. Most hotels will assist or will direct you to a location that can help, like an internet café, FedEx or UPS store.

    What changes do you foresee in your industry?

    A vaccination passport, which would allow vaccinated people the ability to travel and interact with others with less  restrictions, is gaining support. As more become vaccinated, I believe this could work. After you get vaccinated, keep your vaccination card handy. That card may become a requirement for some venues.

    Whether traveling interisland or out of the state, you will first need to set up your Safe Travels account at www.travel.hawaii.gov before your arrival to Hawai‘i. You will then need to get a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction) or NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test) from a State of Hawai‘i-approved testing site within 72 hours prior…