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Hawaii

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on June 9, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in Hawaii, we recommend that you visit Resilient Hawaii or KITV's Coronavirus Tracker.

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Description of Program and Relief

Guidance Regarding Social Distancing, Essential Businesses and Reopening Strategy

Governor David Ige issued the Eighth Supplementary Proclamation for COVID-19, which replaces all prior Proclamations. It includes a directive that persons may only leave their home or place of residence for permitted activities or to engage in essential businesses or businesses and operations in accordance with guidance outlined by the state and implemented county by county, effective Thursday May 18, 2020. Businesses should check for any additional city or county guidance or restrictions.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of essential businesses:

  1. Healthcare services and facilities

  2. Stores that sell groceries and medicines

  3. Food, beverage, cannabis production, and agriculture (this includes animal shelters)

  4. Education institutions

  5. Organizations that provide charitable and social services

  6. Media

  7. Gas stations and businesses needed for transportation

  8. Financial institutions

  9. Hardware and supply stores

  10. Critical trades (including plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and janitorial staff)

  11. Mail, post, shipping, logistics, delivery, and pick-up services

  12. Laundry services

  13. Restaurants for consumption off-premises

  14. Sellers, manufacturers, and suppliers of products needed to work from home

  15. Supplies for essential business and operations

  16. Transportation

  17. Home-based care and services

  18. Residential facilities and shelters

  19. Professional services (including legal, accounting, insurance, and real estate services)

  20. Child-care services

  21. Manufacture, distribution, and supply chain for critical products and industries

  22. Critical labor union functions (including the administration of health and welfare funds)

  23. Hotels and motels

  24. Funeral services

  25. Government functions

The following is a non-exhaustive list of permitted activities outside the home:

  1. Travel for health and safety, including to care for elderly or dependents

  2. Travel to engage in, or obtain goods or services from, an essential or a designated business

  3. Travel to ensure minimum basic operations of non-essential businesses

  4. Travel to depart the state

  5. Travel mandated by law or court order (e.g., transport children pursuant to a custody agreement)

  6. Outdoor exercise activities, as long as social distancing requirements are maintained

  7. Walking pets on a leash

All essential or designated businesses and persons engaged in permitted activities identified shall exercise the following non-exhaustive social distancing requirements to the fullest extent possible:

  1. Maintain six feet of physical separation among all persons, to the extent possible

  2. Make hand sanitizer and sanitizing products readily available to employees and customers

Businesses should check with their local county regarding which businesses are open for operation other than essential businesses.

Government or Lead Agency

Office of the Governor of Hawaii

Dates Available

Effective May 18, 2020 through June 30, 2020.

List of Additional Information

Click here for the full text of the eighth supplemental proclamation.


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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