Team,

You asked, Josh answered! Josh was so excited to see all of your questions and share his insights from his day-to-day work fighting COVID-19. Thank you for all of the wonderful submissions!

Here are Josh’s answers to your most asked questions:
 

Question #1: How do you think this omicron variant will affect Hawaii? Dr. Josh Green: We are watching and studying the omicron variant very closely. Right now the data suggests that it may be less dangerous than the delta variant, but we’re waiting for the science to determine if our vaccinations are fully protective against it. Our positivity rate and hospitalization rates haven’t increased since omicron was detected in Hawaii, and this is a good sign. Question #2: What is your short-term and long-term strategy to reopen our economy safely? Dr. JG: The Safe Travels program helped protect Hawaii’s economy during the worst of COVID, and helped put us on the road to recovery much more quickly. Without it our state would have been economically devastated for 3-5 years. My team and I were honored to lead that effort, and now we are putting together an economic recovery and diversification plan to renew and rebuild our economy and make us stronger going forward. Question #3: I am most concerned about the Red Hill fuel tanks. How can this be solved? Dr. JG: We can no longer tolerate the risk of our people being exposed to toxic leaks or spills. We must act immediately to move the fuel above ground and implement a full mitigation effort that includes the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers. Question #4: What is your plan to end homelessness in Hawaii? Dr. JG: We must attack the challenge of homelessness from every direction with solutions that actually work, like building more Kauhale communities like the ones we’ve already built over the last two years, creating more facilities and programs like the H4, expanding access to care for trauma, addiction, and mental illness, and implementing clear protocols that police, social workers, and healthcare professionals can follow every time someone lands on the street. Question #5: Plans to raise minimum wage? $15/hour is old news, go for $20 over 5 years. Dr. JG: My plan is to immediately call for an increase of the minimum wage to $15 per hour, then we should consider next steps to make sure that working men and women can afford the cost of living in Hawaii. More affordable housing, a true living wage, universal healthcare, debt-free community college, and creating more good jobs should all be part of making Hawaii more affordable.

We hope this information is helpful to you as you make plans for the holiday season. Josh is so grateful for the opportunity to answer your concerns directly as he continues to fight the pandemic on the ground.

Josh is honored to serve the people of Hawaii and is preparing to launch his campaign for Governor next year. You’ve been a critical part of his team for a long time and we would be honored to have your support in the future.

If you’d like to support Josh’s future campaign for Governor, please chip in or sign up to volunteer below →

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Mahalo and thank you for being part of our team!

Team Green