HONOLULU — The Hawaii state health director could declare a public health emergency, order quarantine and contact tracing, and temporarily close schools and businesses through a measure under consideration by lawmakers.
The proposal would also allow the Department of Health director to prohibit the sale of coronavirus tracing information. The bill would grant the director with some responsibilities currently held by the governor.
Health Director Bruce Anderson said he supports the proposal spearheaded by Attorney General Clare Connors.
“I’m sure we’re going to see more pandemics and being ready to respond quickly and appropriately is going to be key to keeping these incidents under control,” Anderson said.
The bill would give the director more flexibility in dealing with health emergencies, Anderson said.
“It gets you around the politics,” he said. “You’re taking actions that are appropriate.”
Kauai Councilwoman Felicia Cowden said she worries about abuses of power.
“It’s a very big taking of authority, and what we’ve seen in the past in the four months is the governor already has the power that’s being asked for in the bill,” Cowden said.
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii said the bill grants too much authority to the health director and raises concerns about accountability and civil liberties.
Hawaii’s emergency power statute already allows the governor to delegate responsibilities, while the bill would give some of the governor’s powers to an unelected official, institute Policy Director Malia Hill said.
“That lack of accountability is an issue,” Hill said.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
