GETTING KIDS OUTSIDE AND MOVING, INSTEAD OF SITTING AND LOGGING MORE SCREEN TIME.

SOME YOUTH SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS AND PARENTS SAY, "LET THE KIDS PLAY."

BUT OTHERS HAVE HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO HIGH CONTACT SPORTS.

SO, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO GET ATHLETICS GOING AGAIN FOR OUR KEIKI?

WE'LL HEAR FROM COACHES AS WELL AS THE HEAD OF THE STATE'S HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, ON COVID-19: YOUTH SPORTS.

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I START NOW.

¶ ¶ >> ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I...I'M LARA YAMADA.

IT'S A COMPLEX ISSUE HAPPENING ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HOW TO GET KIDS PLAYING SPORTS AGAIN WITHOUT CONTRACTING OR SPREADING COVID-19?

THE ENTIRE FALL AND WINTER SEASONS WERE ALREADY CANCELED FOR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, WRESTLING, SWIMMING AND VOLLEYBALL.

AND HERE ON O'AHU, WHERE POSITIVE CASE COUNTS HAVE BEEN THE HIGHEST, OTHER ORGANIZED OUTDOOR TEAM SPORTS ARE CURRENTLY NOT ALLOWED.

OUR PANEL TONIGHT WILL DISCUSS: WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO GIVE THE GREEN LIGHT ON YOUTH SPORTS?

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL, CALL OR TWEET YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU'LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

CHRIS CHUN IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HAWAII HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.

THE NON-PROFIT OVERSEES HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE, FOR BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

MITCHELL OTANI IS AN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBER WITH THE O'AHU INTERSCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATION, OR O-I-A.

HE'S IN HIS 11TH YEAR AS THE PRINCIPAL AT KALANI HIGH SCHOOL IN EAST HONOLULU.

CORA FONSECA IS THE OWNER OF THE RAINBOW GYMNASTICS ACADEMY IN 'AIEA.

THE FAMILY-OWNED AND OPERATED BUSINESS OPENED IN 1985.

CHRISTOPHER KEEM IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE O'AHU LEAGUE OF HAWAII YOUTH SOCCER.

THE LEAGUE IS COMPRISED OF MORE THAN TWO DOZEN CLUBS, WITH PLAYERS RANGING IN AGE FROM 6 TO 19.

AND LIEUTENANT TERENCE GOMEZ HAS BEEN WITH THE MAUI POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR 22-YEARS.

HE'S THE DIRECTOR FOR THE MAUI POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE, A NONPROFIT THAT OFFERS KIDS SPORTS PROGRAMS, FREE OF CHARGE, AS A WAY TO DETER DELINQUENCY.

THANK YOU TO MUCH, ALL OF YOU, FOR JOINING US.

WE KNOW IS THIS SO IMPORTANT TO SO MANY FAMILIES.

ALL OF YOUR VOICES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

LIEUTENANT GOMEZ, LET'S TALK ABOUT IMPEL.

RESUME SOME SPORTS FOR KEIKI ON MAUI.

TALK A LITTLE BIT AND SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME GUIDELINES AND PROTOCOLS THAT HAD TO BE PUT IN PLACE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

>> WE HAVE OUR OWN GUIDELINES.

WE USE THE MODEL FROM THE USA FOOTBALL AND MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO FIT WITH THE COUNTY RULES AND REGULATIONS.

>>L ARA : CAN YOU POINT OUT A COUPLE SPECIFIC THINGS THAT YOU HAD TO HAVE IN PLACE?

>> SO THE KIDS WHO REGISTER WITH US, COACHES ALONG WITH PLAYERS AND PARENTS, THEY'RE GIVEN AN APP.

AND THE APP, IT'S BASICALLY USED BY THEM TO DO THEIR HEALTH CHECKS PRIOR TO THEM STEPPING ON THE FIELD.

COACHES ARE REQUIRED TO LOOK OVER THE APP TO MAKE SURE ALL THE PLAYERS HAVE CHECKED THEIR HEALTH APP.

FROM THERE, PLAYERS ENTER THE FIELD.

WHEN THEY COME ON TO THE FIELD, THEY'RE GIVEN A TEMPERATURE CHECK.

WE SANITIZE THEIR HANDS.

AND PLACE A WRISTBAND ON THEIR WRIST.

THAT MEANS THEY'RE CLEARED FOR PLAY.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE ONLY HAVING FLAG FOOTBALL.

WITH THE CANCELLATION OF FOOTBALL, WE DECIDED TO OPEN UP FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL LEAGUE 7 AGAINST 7 FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

>>L ARA : INTERESTING.

>> WORKING ON PLANNING A FEW WEEKS FROM NOW.

PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOL IS EXTENSIVE.

FROM LIKE I SAID, CHECK-IN PROCEDURES TO THE ACTIVITIES ON THE FIELD.

COACHES AND PLAYERS HAVE TO WEAR THEIR MASKS UNLESS THEY'RE INVOLVED IN THE ACTIVITY.

THEY CAN TAKE THEIR MASKS OFF.

KIDS ON THE SIDELINES ARE SEPARATED SIX FEET APART.

WE SET CONES SO THERE'S NO QUESTION WHAT IS SIX FEET.

CONSTANTLY SANITIZING EQUIPMENT, WHETHER IT BE THE FLAGS, BALLS THROUGHOUT PRACTICE AND THROUGHOUT THE GAMES.

AS FAR AS SPECTATORS, ELEMENTARY LEAGUE IS PLAYED AT OUR CENTRAL MAUI REGIONAL PARK, WHICH IS OPEN PARK.

FOR PRACTICES PARENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED.

THEY CAN SIT IN THE VEHICLES.

DURING GAMES THEY'RE ALLOWED TO COME TO THE FIELD AND SIT WITHIN THEIR FAMILY PODS OF FIVE.

WITH COUNTY RULES, WE'RE ALLOWED 30 PLAYERS, INCLUDING THE COACHES.

WE RESTRICTED OUR TEAMS TO TEN WITH THREE COACHES.

THAT'S HOW WE HAVE BEEN RUNNING THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEAGUE.

>>L ARA : SO MANY THINGS TO THINK ABOUT.

IT STARTS TO TOUCH ON ALL THE DIFFERENT VARIABLES, DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION.

WE'LL GO THROUGH SOME OF THAT.

MAYBE WE'LL GO TO MR. CHUN.

SO IN YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS GOING AGAIN?

PUBLIC SCHOOL, MAYBE SOMETHING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> THAT'S THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.

THAT'S PROBABLY THE TOUGHEST QUESTION.

IF I KNEW THE ANSWER, WE'D ALL BE PLAYING NOW.

WE'VE DEVELOPED GUIDELINES.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO APPROVE OUR GUIDELINES AND DEVELOP THEIR OWN.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE GOING.

WE ESSENTIALLY AS OUR ORGANIZATION, WE WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SAID IF YOU FOLLOW THESE, YOU'RE ABLE TO PLAY.

YOU GUYS CAN PLAY.

WE ALLOW THE LEAGUES TO PLAY.

I THINK SOME PRIVATE SCHOOLS HAVE PLAYED, BUT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET BACK ON CAMPUS YET.

I THINK THAT HAS TO DO -- AND MITCH WILL PROBABLY BE ABLE TO ANSWER THIS BETTER.

HAS TO DO WITH GETTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROVAL TO START EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

>>L ARA : SHARE MORE ABOUT THE GUIDELINES.

LIEUTENANT GOMEZ BROKE IT DOWN A BUILT.

INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT PROTOCOLS ARE IN PLACE OR BEING DISCUSSED.

THAT FIELDS WOULD BE NECESSARY TO GET TO THAT POINT.

WHAT ARE SOME GUIDELINES YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?

>> WE BASED OUR GUIDELINES -- OUR GUIDELINES HAVE GONE THROUGH NUMEROUS CHANGES.

WE STARTED WITH THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF HIGH SCHOOLS.

THAT'S THE GUIDELINE THAT EVERY STATE ASSOCIATION WAS FOLLOWING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE DID OUR -- TAILORED OURS TO HAWAII AND HAWAII'S NEEDS.

THEY USED TO HAVE A TIER SYSTEM, AND THEIR TIER SYSTEM WAS LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

EVERY STATE HAS A DIFFERENT REOPENING PLAN.

WE ADJUSTED OUR TIER SYSTEM TO MATCH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S RETURN TO LEARN TIER SYSTEM.

IF A SCHOOL IS IN-PERSON LEARNING, WE SAID ALL SPORTS ARE ALLOWABLE.

IF A SCHOOL IS AT-HOME LEARNING, NO SPORTS ARE ALLOWED.

IF A SCHOOL IS BLENDED, WE ALLOW LOW RISK AND MODERATE RISK.

WE ADJUSTED OUR GUIDELINES.

ALL THE LEAGUES USE WEARING MASK, SOCIAL DISTANCING, THAT KIND OF THING.

WE GOT OURS APPROVED BY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN SET OF GUIDELINES AS WELL.

BUT YEAH, IT'S SET TO GO.

IT'S WORK TO GO.

WE JUST NEED APPROVAL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO GET STARTED.

>>L ARA : DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING OF A THIS TIME LINE AT THIS POINT OR BEST GUESS AS TO WHEN THAT WOULD BE?

>> SO RIGHT NOW, I CAN SAY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THEIR HANDS ON TIED.

I'M NOT SURE MAUI IS STILL AT AT-PERSON IN HOME LEARNING.

RIGHT NOW IN HONOLULU, PARKS ARE CLOSED.

EVERY HIGH SCHOOL DOESN'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF HAVING THEIR OWN FIELD TO PLAY ON.

ONCE THOSE REOPEN, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GIVES THEIR APPROVAL, THEN I THINK THEY CAN GO IMMEDIATELY.

WE CAN'T START PLAYING GAMES IMMEDIATELY.

KIDS HAVE BEEN OUT OF CONDITIONING FOR ALMOST A YEAR OR NEARLY A YEAR NOW.

THEY'RE GOING TO NEED A COUPLE WEEKS TO CONDITION, TRAIN, THEN WE CAN HOPEFULLY HAVE SOME KIND OF SEASON.

WE'RE RUNNING UP AGAINST GRADUATION.

SOME START AS EARLY AS MAY.

IT HAS TO START SOON.

OTHERWISE, THEY'LL LOSE THEIR SECOND SET OF SPRING SEASON.

>>L ARA : MR. OTANI, SAY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GIVES THE GREEN LIGHT TO RESUME SPORTS.

OVERALL, I DON'T KNOW IF WOULD BE A BLANKET DECISION OR BROKEN DOWN.

AS SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, WHERE ARE YOU ABLE TO JUMP IN AS FAR AS HOW IT'S HANDLED?

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT CONTROL, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD.

WHAT'S THE SITUATION RIGHT NOW?

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS A GUIDANCE DOCUMENT FOR RESTARTING ATHLETICS.

THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AS WELL AS PRINCIPALS ARE LOOKING AT IT.

GOES THROUGH DIFFERENT VERSIONS.

AND ALL SCHOOLS, I BELIEVE, ARE WORKING HARD FOR SETTING UP THEIR OWN PROTOCOLS FOR THEIR OWN FACILITIES THAT ABIDE BY THE GUIDELINES SET FORTH IN THAT GUIDANCE DOCUMENT.

BUT AGAIN, IT'S REALLY HARD FOR US TO PREDICT WHEN WE'RE GOING TO START.

WITHOUT HAVING -- NOT ALL SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO GET THEIR KIDS BACK ON CAMPUS.

THERE'S MANY SCHOOLS THAT ARE NOT RETURNING ANY STUDENTS BACK TO CAMPUS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT THAT WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN START AT LEAST SOMETHING SOON.

WE REALLY FEEL -- THE PRINCIPALS ALL FEEL FOR THE STUDENTS THAT WERE NOT ABLE TO HAVE A SPRING SPORTS SEASONS LAST YEAR.

WE REALLY DON'T WANT THEM TO GO THROUGH ANOTHER SPRING.

THAT WILL BE TWO SEASONS LOST FOR THOSE KIDS.

AGAIN, THERE ARE A LOT OF PROTOCOLS AND THINGS THAT WE'VE DEVELOPED, BUT WE'RE WAITING TO PUT THEM INTO PLAY AS SOON AS WE CAN.

>>L ARA : SO JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT, MR. OTANI, SO WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING AT THIS POINT?

SAY, IF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION COMES DOWN TO GREEN LIGHT.

THEY HAND PROTOCOLS TO YOU AND OTHER PRINCIPALS.

IS THERE SOME PLAY THERE THAT YOU CAN WORK WITH BASED ON WHAT YOU FEEL IS THE BEST SITUATION FOR YOUR SCHOOL OR IS IT GOING TO BE PRETTY STRICT AS FAR AS THIS IS WHAT THE PROTOCOL IS GOING TO BE, AND THAT'S IT?

>> I FEEL THAT SCHOOLS WILL HAVE THEIR OWN SET OF PROTOCOLS.

IN TERMS OF WHICH SPORTS START, WE WOULD RELY ON THE OIA.

LET ASSAY MAYBE THEY SAY WE CAN -- LET'S SAY THEY SAY WE CAN START GOLF.

AND IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL WITH THAT, MAYBE TWO WEEKS DOWN THE ROAD, WE CAN LOOK AT TENNIS.

I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD TRY TO LOOK AT INCREMENTALLY.

WE MAY NEVER GET TO JUDO BECAUSE OF THE CONTACT, BUT AGAIN, I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD TRY TO START SPORTS WITH THE ONES THAT ARE LOW RISK.

AND WE CAN DO SUCCESSFUL.

ONCE THE OIA -- ONCE THE DEPARTMENT GIVES US THE GREEN LIGHT AND OIA SETS UP SOME KIND OF SCHEDULE, WE CAN START PRACTICING AND DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE KIDS ARE SAFE.

>>L ARA : WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT COULD BE CONSIDERED LOW RISK, THAT TURNS ME TO MR. KEEM AND MS. FONSECA.

WITH CLUBS ON THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS IN YOUTH SOCCER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET SOME OF THE LEAGUES AND GAMES GOING.

WHAT HAVE THEY DONE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN?

AND DO YOU THINK IT'S WORKING?

SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING.

>> YEAH.

ON THE OTHER ISLANDS, THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO GO.

WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO BECAUSE EACH ISLAND HAS ITS OWN PROTOCOLS IN COMING BACK.

THEY'VE BEEN SOMEWHAT SUCCESSFUL ON MAUI.

AND BIG ISLAND.

GRANTED, THEY'RE MUCH SMALLER THAN WE ARE.

WE MAKE UP 96% OF HAWAII STATE SOCCER PLAYERS ON O'AHU.

>> WE'VE GOT ALL THESE STATISTICS THAT WE'VE GOT TO GO AGAINST.

UNDER 1% AND UNDER 20 CASES IN A SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE BEFORE WE CAN START.

WE PUT THEM BACK IN AUGUST WHEN WE WERE HOPING TO START PLAYING.

THEY'RE A LOT MORE STRICT THAN CAME OUT IN THE STATE GUIDELINES THAT CAME OUT LAST WEEK, WHICH THE GOVERNOR HASN'T APPROVED.

OUR CLUBS HAVE BEEN PRACTICING IN PARKS WITHOUT PERMIT.

THERE'S LOTS OF DANGER.

INSURANCE RISKS.

CLUBS ARE FLYING TO THE MAINLAND TO PLAY GAMES NOW.

WE'VE RAISED THE COST FOR ALL OF OUR FAMILIES.

THAT'S A MAJOR ISSUE.

WE'RE GOING TO PRICE KIDS OUT OF PLAYING SOCCER.

WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY ON O'AHU.

>>L ARA : SO A BIG PROBLEM THEN FOR O'AHU IS THE VOLUME, HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE VOLUME OF KIDS, IS THAT RIGHT?

AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU IS STRICTER WITH THEIR PROTOCOL?

>> YEAH.

MAYOR BLANGIARDI HAD GONE TO GOVERNOR IGE LAST WEEK, I BELIEVE, WITH THE PLAN THAT COUNCILMEMBER TUPOLA AND CHAD OWENS WORKED ON WITH 180 OTHER SPORTS CLUBS ON O'AHU.

THEY CAME OUT WITH A 44-PAGE GUIDELINE.

RIGHT NOW WE'VE ASKED ALL OUR MEMBERS AND ALL THE OTHER SPORTS HAVE ASKED THEIR MEMBERS TO WRITE TO MAYOR BLANGIARDI TO PUT TOGETHER AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO MOVE SPORTS INTO TIER 2 OR 3 SO WE CAN ACTUALLY START TRAINING AT LEAST.

SO KIDS CAN BE COVERED BY INSURANCE SO EVERYONE'S SAFER, AND WE START TO PROVIDE A MORE SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

WE'VE PUT IN OUR PROTOCOLS TO HELP GET THAT GOING, SO.

>>L ARA : LET ME ASK YOU, MS. FONSECA.

I WOULD IMAGINE IT'S BEEN TOUGH WITH IT BEING FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS.

WE CAN GET DO THAT MORE, BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SPORT OF GYMNASTICS AND LOOKING AT THESE TYPES OF SPORTS WHERE, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY'RE PERFORMING ON SEPARATE APPARATUS.

GENERALLY AS INDIVIDUALS.

THIS IS A SPORT WHERE, I WOULD IMAGINE FOR THE MOST PART, YOU CAN BE ASSURED THERE WILL BE MORE SEPARATION WHEN THE ATHLETES ARE PERFORMING OR COMPETING.

DO YOU THINK A SPORT LIKE GYMNASTICS OR OTHERS THAT HAVE LESS INTERACTION SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE RIGHT NOW?

>> I DEFINITELY FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE.

I DEFINITELY -- I THINK WE'VE DONE ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF DOING, YOU KNOW, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SAFETY OF THE STUDENTS COMES FIRST.

WE'RE ABLE TO, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AS TENNIS AND SWIMMING AND GOLF, THOSE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES IN RELATIONS TO GYMNASTICS, OUR FACILITIES ARE INDOOR BUT OUR EQUIPMENT IS SPACED.

THE REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS OF OUR EQUIPMENT HELPS US IN MAKING SURE THE STUDENTS ARE SEPARATED.

DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF ATHLETES THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR FACILITY AT ONE TIME.

AND THE SIZE OF YOUR FACILITY AS YOU COULD SAY BECAUSE WE ARE AN INDOOR SPORT.

>>L ARA : HOW HAS IT BEEN FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

>> WE KNEW THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE WHEN WE DECIDED THAT WE WERE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, KEEP THINGS GOING.

IT'S BEEN SLOW, BUT WE'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF INTEREST AS PARENTS ARE REALIZING WHAT WE DO, AND WE'RE KEEPING OUR CLASSES REALLY SMALL.

AND THE ACTIVITIES THAT THEY DO ARE PRETTY MUCH SPREAD OUT.

WE HAVE OUR -- GUIDELINES FROM OUR USA GYMNASTICS AS WELL AS SAFETY GUIDELINES FROM HERE TO HELP MAKE SURE THE STAFF AND COACHES ARE DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO AFTER EVERY CLASS.

AND PARENTS ARE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON WHEN THEY INTEND TO ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN.

>>L ARA : SO WHEN IT COMES TO RESUMING SPORTS, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT AVENUES BUT I WANT TO TOUCH ON SOMETHING THAT MR. CHUN, YOU HAD TOUCHED ON AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO RESUME SPORTS BASED ON WHAT'S HAPPENING WITHIN THAT SCHOOL, THAT DISTRICT.

IF THEY'RE ALREADY ALLOWING IN-PERSON EDUCATION FOR THE STUDENTS, THEN MAYBE THOSE SCHOOLS OR WOULD YOU SAY DISTRICTS WOULD ALLOW SPORTS TO HAPPEN?

EXPAND A LITTLE BIT MORE.

AND IF ANYBODY ELSE WANTS TO JUMP IN AS WELL AS FAR AS WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH SCHOOL LEARNING IN GENERAL AND WHICH SCHOOLS OR DISTRICTS ARE ALLOWING STUDENTS TO INTEND IN-PERSON.

SHOULD THAT BE TIED TO WHAT SHOULD BE ALLOWED FOR SPORTS?

>> SO WE WANTED TO MAKE OUR GUIDELINES AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE.

AT THE BEGINNING, IT GOT CONFUSING WHEN THE STATE HAD A TIER PLAN, AND ALL THE COUNTIES HAD DIFFERENT TIER PLANS.

ONLY THING WHERE WE SAW WAS CONSISTENT WAS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S PLAN FOR RETURN TO SCHOOL.

SO WE FELT THAT MATCHING IT WITH THAT WAS THE BEST WAY, AND THE D.O.E.

GUIDELINES FOLLOW THAT.

THEIRS IS MATCHING ACCORDING TO WHERE EVERY COUNTY LEVEL IS, AND THEIR RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN.

WHAT WE FELT WAS -- WHEN WE TALKED TO THE PRINCIPALS AND STUFF, IT'S LIKE IF YOU'RE NOT EVEN IN SCHOOL, THEIR PRIMARY FOCUS SHOULD BE WORRIED ON GETTING KIDS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM.

IF THEY'RE LEARNING FROM HOME, OBVIOUSLY THE SCHOOL ISN'T READY TO HAVE KIDS COME AND PRACTICE AND PLAY GAMES.

ON CAMPUS AS WELL.

WE WANTED TO BE FOR US, IT'S FOCUSING ON THE STUDENT ATHLETE ASPECT.

STUDENTS FIRST.

IF IT'S SAFE ENOUGH FOR KIDS TO COME HOME, HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE SAFE ENOUGH TO DO EXTRACURRICULAR, WHETHER IT BE FIELD WORK OR THROUGH THE TEAM PROCESS.

>>L ARA : MR. OTANI, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

ALSO TAKING A LOOK AT THE FACILITIES THEMSELVES, SCHOOLS THEMSELVES AND HOW WE THINK ABOUT WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER SAFE.

YOU HAVE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS IN EVERY SCHOOL ON EVERY CAMPUS.

I WOULD IMAGINE SOME ARE BUILT IN A WAY WHERE IF I THINK THERE ARE SURVEYS PLAYING OF THE GAMES THEMSELVES, THERE ISN'T ALL THAT MUCH RISK OF TRANSMITTING COVID, BUT WHEN YOU'RE IN TRANSITION, WHETHER IT BE IN THE LOCKER ROOM OR WHEN YOU'RE TRAVELING, THAT MIGHT BE THE TIME WHEN YOU MIGHT BE AT HIGHER RISK.

HOW DO YOU THEN THINK OF THAT AS A PRINCIPAL FOR THE CAMPUS, FOR THE SCHOOL, HOW YOU ROLL THIS OUT?

SHOULD THAT BE ONE OF THE LEADING FACTORS?

WHAT IS THE ACTUAL LAYOUT AND THE ABILITY TO SEPARATE PEOPLE?

>> WELL, WE LOOK AT THE SPORTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN THE SPRING FOR US THAT WE HOPE TO START.

GOLF SHOULD BE RELATIVELY SIMPLE.

PARENTS OR STUDENTS CAN DRIVE THEMSELVES OR DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO GET THEM TO THE MATCH.

BUT IF YOU START LOOKING AT A BASEBALL TEAM OR IF YOU GOT TO TRAVEL WITH A TRACK TEAM THAT HAS 150 RUNNERS, YOU CANNOT PUT THEM ON THREE BUSES.

IT CREATES A LITTLE BIT -- CREATES MORE RISK IF YOU DO THAT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF LOGISTICAL THINGS WE GOT TO WORK ON AS TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN DO THIS.

ACTUAL PRACTICE ON YOUR SCHOOL SITE.

MOST SCHOOLS, IF THEY'RE BACK IN SCHOOL AND IN-PERSON LEARNING HAVE THE PROTOCOLS DURING THE DAY.

AND THAT KIDS ARE FOLLOWING IT, TO REMAIN.

AND WE HAVE TO EXTEND IT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ADD ON ADDITIONAL PROTOCOLS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RISKS -- SOME OF THE COACHES ARE NOT FACULTY MEMBERS, SO WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THE PROTOCOLS, INCLUDING MAKING SURE EVERYBODY HAVE COMMUNICATION DOCUMENTS.

SO A LOT OF LOGISTICAL THINGS, BUT I THINK MOST SCHOOLS AND MOST PRINCIPALS WITH THEIR ATHLETIC DIRECTORS PLANNED ACCORDINGLY, AND THEY HAVE THINGS THAT ARE READY TO GO ONCE WE CAN GET THE GO-AHEAD TO START OUR SPORTS.

BUT AGAIN, FOR KALANI, WE DON'T HAVE OUR OWN BASEBALL FIELD.

WE DON'T HAVE OUR SOFTBALL FIELD.

WE HAVE TO RELY ON THE CITY AND COUNTY.

>>L ARA : TO A QUESTION HERE FROM A CONCERNED PARENT.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHO TO DIRECT THIS TO.

THIS COULD BE THOSE WORKING WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE QUESTION, ARE AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS COACHING AND STAFF, ATHLETIC TRAINERS CURRENTLY NOT ALLOWED TO SOCIAL DISTANCE?

HAVE CONTACT WITH STUDENTS, SAY, IF THERE'S A NONEMERGENCY SITUATION?

THEY'RE SAYING THEIR CHILD ATTENDS PRIVATE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

PARTICIPATES IN CROSS-COUNTRY, TRAINING THAT HAPPENS AND STRETCHING THAT HAPPENS AFTERWARDS WITH COACHES AND STAFF.

WHEN YOU THINK THE OTHER SITUATIONS THAT HAPPEN OUTSIDE OF THE GAME ITSELF WHERE THERE'S INTERACTION OF SOME KIND, LIEUTENANT GOMEZ AND MR. KEEM, WHETHER YOU TALKED ABOUT MR. KEEM, THE TRAVEL.

FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO PLAY.

AND LIEUTENANT GOMEZ, YOU TALKED ABOUT DIFFERENT PROTOCOLS IN TRANSITION AND OUT THERE ON THE FIELD.

WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE, A PARENT SAYING, WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHERS?

ALL THE OTHER TOUCH POINTS THAT CAN HAPPEN OUTSIDE OF THE GAME AND OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL, HOW IS THAT BEING MONITORED?

HOW IS THAT BEING, YOU KNOW, WATCHED TO MAKING SURE IT'S A SAFE SITUATION?

>> FOR US, AS FAR AS OUR LEAGUE, WE HAVE OUR OFFICERS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

MAYBE ABOUT FIVE TO SIX OFFICERS PER GAME.

THEY REGULATE THE PLAYERS.

WE ALSO ASSIGN COACHES TO BE THE COVID MONITORS, MAKING SURE KIDS ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

AS FAR AS IN THE PAST, AT THE END OF THE GAME WHERE EVERYBODY SHAKES HANDS, WE DO A SHAKA TO THE OPPONENTS AND FAMILIES.

WE REGULATE THE FIELD BECAUSE WE'RE THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIELD.

AND WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KIDS.

WE'RE ACTUALLY OUT THERE IN FULL FORCE AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY STAYS SAFE.

WE HAVE A CHECK-IN POLICY WHERE KIDS CAN'T COME TO THE FIELD UNTIL THEY'RE ESCORTED BY THE COACH.

THEY WALK IN A LINE, CHECK IN ONE BY ONE AND WRISTBANDS ARE APPLIED.

THAT'S HOW WE DO IT.

WE'RE FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO PLAY.

AND LISTEN TO A LOT OF CONCERNS THAT O'AHU HAS AND WHATNOT.

WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, COUNTY PARKS, OUR MAYOR.

>>L ARA : MR. KEEM, WHAT PROTOCOLS HAVE YOU PUT IN PLACE?

YOU GUYS ARE DOING WHAT YOU CAN TO BE ABLE TO SORT OF FIGURE OUT HOW THE KID CAN GET SOME PRACTICE AND GET SOME PLAY TIME.

WHAT PROTOCOLS DO YOU HAVE IN PLACE AND WHAT HAVE YOU STRUCTURED TO PROVIDE SAFETY FOR THE KIDS?

>> YEAH.

SO WE PUT IN PLACE -- WE'RE GOING TO EXTEND THE INTERVALS TO FAMILIES CAN COME INTO WAIPIO SOCCER PARK AND EXIT.

THAT CUTS DOWN ON THE AMOUNT OF GAME TIME.

AND IN BETWEEN THAT, NO HANDSHAKES, NO POTLUCKS AFTER THE GAMES ANYMORE.

THAT'S A BIG THING.

I LOVE THAT.

BUT WE HAD TO SAY NONE OF THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO BE HIRING MORE STAFF TO MANAGE GAME DAYS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

WE PUT IN PLACE THERE WILL BE NO SPECTATORS, BUT WE'RE REVIEWING WHEN WE GET TO START TO GO BACK OUT.

ARE WE GOING TO ALLOW LITTLE PODS OF FAMILY OR NOT?

WE BEEN OFF SINCE MARCH 13.

>> WE HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO DO ANYTHING SINCE MARCH 13 LAST YEAR.

IT'S HYPOTHETICAL NOW THAT WE'RE TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER.

LISTENING TO TERENCE HERE.

WE'LL TAKE IDEAS FROM WHAT HE'S GOT.

>>L ARA : MS. FONSECA, TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENS WITH THE SPORT.

THERE'S A LOT OF SPORTS, WHETHER IT BE GOLF, SURFING, DIRT BIKE.

IT PROVIDES MORE SEPARATION OR OPPORTUNITY FOR SEPARATION.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING WITHIN YOUR SPORT, AMONGST YOUR FAMILY OF GYMNASTS THAT IS HELPING THEM FIGURE OUT HOW TO KEEP THE SPORT ALIVE?

WHAT THEY'RE COMFORTABLE WITH AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE SPORT.

>> I BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF WHAT OUR JOBS ARE, ARE TO PROVIDE WHATEVER WE'RE DOING FOR THE STUDENTS.

IT'S THE COACHES' JOB.

LEADERS' JOBS.

WE'RE DOING WHAT WE HAVE TO TO MAKE SURE WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE'RE DOING.

BASICALLY BUILT ON THAT, ALL OF US HAVE ELIMINATED THE THINGS THAT WE KNOW THAT WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO OUR COMPETITORS.

FOR US IN GYMNASTICS, COMPETITION PROGRAM AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

I THINK THAT'S THE TOPIC OF WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING WITH THE COMPETITIVE PROGRAM.

WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO TRAIN IN OUR GYMS AND GET OUR GYMNASTS BACK ON THE EQUIPMENT AND ON THE FLOOR.

WE HAD TO DO THE GRADUAL COMEBACK.

THE GRADUAL COMEBACK BECAUSE IT INVOLVES HEIGHT AND ROTATION, NO CONTACT BUT INDEPENDENCY OF BUILDING ATHLETICISM.

WE'VE BEEN BACK FOR THREE AND A HALF MONTHS.

WE MISSED OUR SEASON, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR GIRLS AND BOYS IN GYMNASTICS THAT ARE PURSUING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP IN THEIR SOPHOMORE AND JUNIOR YEAR.

BY THE TIME THEY'RE SENIORS, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT, DONE THEIR VIDEOS AND COMPETE AT REGIONAL AND NATIONALS TO SHOW THEIR COMPETENCY.

>> OUR SEASON STARTS AT JANUARY.

ENDS IN MARCH.

REGIONALS AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN APRIL AND MAY.

AND WE'RE IN FEBRUARY.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ANYTHING GOING ON WITHIN HAWAI'I, BUT IN NORTH AMERICA, THE OTHER 49 STATES, THEY'RE REALLY GOING.

THEY'RE GOING.

THEY ARE GOING.

THEY'RE PROTOCOLS SET DOWN.

THEY GOT GOVERNMENT BACKING THEM, WHICH IS -- I ALWAYS TRY TO SAY YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR VISION HERE.

TRUST THE PROCESS.

THIS IS OUR HOME, AND WE DO WHAT WE IT TO BE POSITIVE AND DO WHAT WE CAN DO.

THAT HAS BEEN VERY, VERY HELPFUL.

BUT AS FAR AS THIS SEASON'S CONCERNED, I THINK HAWAII IS LOOKING AT PRETTY MUCH ANOTHER DISADVANTAGE BECAUSE EVEN WITH OUR REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, WE'VE HAD TO DECIDE AS BUSINESS OWNERS IF WE ARE GOING TO TRAVEL.

IF WE ARE GOING TO RISK TAKING OUR STUDENTS TO UTAH, TO MONTANA, TO FLORIDA TO COMPETE AT REGIONALS AND WESTERNS AND NATIONALS.

FOR OUR PROGRAM, WE'VE DECIDE THAT WE WILL NOT TRAVEL.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE HAD TO DO.

HOWEVER, WE'VE PUT IN PLACE A SEASON OF OUR OWN WITHIN OUR GYM.

AND THE COMMUNITIES ARE COMING TOGETHER WITH USING ZOOM AND HAVING OFFICIALS VIEW THEIR ROUTINE THAT'S WAY.

ELABORATE THE SCORES SO STUDENTS CAN STILL QUALIFY TO TRY TO SHOOT FOR WHATEVER POTENTIAL THAT THEY COULD IF THEY WERE PARTICIPATING AS A MEANS OF SOME NORMALCY OR SEASON THAT WE CAN INCORPORATE NOW SO WE CAN TRACK AND PROJECT FOR 2022.

SO BASICALLY THAT'S WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

BUT EVERYONE'S BEEN REALLY EXCITED.

THE KIDS ARE HAPPY EVEN IF IT'S WITHIN OUR OWN HOME.

AND SO WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN.

>>L ARA : THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX WITH DIFFERENT SPORTS.

I WANT TO CIRCLE BACK TO A LITTLE BIT WITH SOME OF YOU AS FAR AS SCHOLARSHIPS MOVING AHEAD.

A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

NOT SURPRISINGLY, MATT AND ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL SIMILAR QUESTION ON TESTING.

ASKING, WILL THE D.O.E.

REQUIRE COVID TESTING OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY BEFORE RESTARTING SPORTS?

IS THE STATE GOING TO PROVIDE DAILY COVID TESTING TO STUDENT ATHLETES?

CHRIS MAYBE?

YOU HAVE SOME INSIGHT?

>> WHEN WE'VE BEEN MEETING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THEY SAID A COMPREHENSIVE TESTING PROGRAM WILL NOT BE NEEDED FOR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS.

BASICALLY, YOU NEED A RAPID TEST BEFORE AN EVENT, AND YOU NEED IT TO BE 99% ACCURATE.

THERE'S NO SUCH THING THAT WOULD BE COST EFFECTIVE.

WE'RE NOT TAKING KIDS AND PUTTING THEM IN A BUBBLE, TAKING A TEST AND HAVE THEM PLAY.

THAT WOULDN'T BE FEASIBLE IN A HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

>>L ARA : THIS IS MAYBE GOING TO GO TO YOU AGAIN.

JENNY FROM WAIPAHU SAYING WHY ARE SPORTS -- PLAYING SPORTS TIED TO CLASSROOM ATTENDANCE?

CAN'T WE LET THE KIDS PLAY?

BEING ON A BASEBALL FIELD IS SAFER THAN BEING IN A CLASSROOM AS FAR AS PHYSICAL SPACE.

WHY DID IT NEED TO BE TIED WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE ATTENDING IN-PERSON?

>> PERSONALLY, I AGREE.

SPORTS IS PROBABLY SAFER THAN BEING IN A CLASSROOM.

TO ME, AND I'M A STAUNCH SUPPORTER.

WE'RE EDUCATION-BASED ATHLETICS.

KIDS ARE STUDENTS FIRST.

THEY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET IN A CLASSROOM.

MY SON IS A SENIOR.

HE PLAYS BASEBALL.

HE MISSED HIS JUNIOR SEASON.

IF PUBLIC SCHOOLS DON'T START AGAIN, HE'S GOING TO MISS HIS SENIOR SEASON.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SCHOOLS HAVE TO OPEN THEIR CLASSROOMS FIRST BECAUSE THE PRINCIPALS LIKE MITCH WILL FIELD A TON OF CALLS SAYING, WHY ARE THESE KIDS PLAYING SPORTS BUT MY KID CAN'T ATTEND A CLASS IN PERSON?

SO THEIR PRINCIPALS, SCHOOL LEADERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FIRST SO THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY TAKE CARE OF WHAT GOES ON IN THEIR CLASSROOM FIRST.

>>L ARA : DID YOU WANT TO RESPOND?

MR. OTANI?

YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF HAWAII REALIZE AND UNDERSTAND HOW ESSENTIAL IT IS FOR THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING OF OUR STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE TO RETURN TO SOME KIND OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION.

BUT THAT BEING SAID, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN DO IT AND DO IT IN A SAFE MANNER.

WE WANT TO OPEN OUR SCHOOLS FIRST.

FOR US AT KALANI, WE'RE LUCKY TO BE IN A LITTLE BIT -- IN THAT AREA WHERE THERE HAVE NOT BEEN AS MANY CASES AS OTHER PARTS OF THE ISLAND.

WE HAVE RETURNED STUDENTS TO CAMPUS.

WE HAVE ALL STUDENTS IN A HYBRID MANNER NOW.

>> OTHER SCHOOLS ARE STRUGGLING TO GET THEIR KIDS BACK BECAUSE THEY MAY BE IN A HOT SPOT AREA WHERE THERE ARE A LOT MORE CASES.

THEIR PRIORITY FOR THOSE PRINCIPALS ARE TO GET THEIR KIDS BACK ON CAMPUS.

THEY'RE GETTING CALLS.

WHY CAN'T THEY COME BACK.

THEY HAVE POSITIVE CASES ON CAMPUS, AND IT HAS BEEN HARD FOR THEM TO GET.

>> UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE TO BALANCE ALL OF THIS AND TRY TO LOOK AT WHAT IS BEST AND SAFEST FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.

WE GET THE SAME QUESTION, WHY CAN'T WE START UP ROBOTICS OR THIS CLUB OR THAT CLUB?

WE GET THE TWO SIDES OF THE COIN.

WE HAVE PARENTS THAT WANT TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY BECAUSE MY CHILD IS STRUGGLING AT HOME.

WE HAVE THE OTHER PARENTS THAT SAY, I'M NOT GOING TO SEND MY KIDS TO SCHOOL BECAUSE WE DON'T FEEL SAFE YET.

WE CONTINUALLY TALK TO PARENTS ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE COIN.

WHEN WE LOOK AT IT, HEALTH AND SAFETY TRUMPS ALL.

>>L ARA : YEAH.

HERE'S A QUESTION THAT REALLY -- IT'S ASKING ABOUT HHSAA BUT IT APPLIES TO ALL OF YOU.

CHRISTINE FROM WAIPAHU ASKING, WHAT IS THE HHSAA DOING TO HELP HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR ATHLETES GET SCHOLARSHIPS TO COLLEGE?

ARE THEY LOSING OUT TO KIDS IN OTHER STATES?

MR. CHUN, BUT IT'S KIND OF FOR ALL OF YOU.

I WANT TO ASK MR. KEEM.

YOU THINK ABOUT A SPORT WHERE IT'S NOT -- YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO GET AS MUCH PRACTICE IN NOW.

>> YOU'RE HAVING TO POSSIBLY GO TO THE MAINLAND TO BE ABLE TO GET SOME PLAY.

AND YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT THESE KIDS ARE TRYING TO DO IN THE INTERIM TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A FUTURE IF THEY WANT TO IN SPORTS.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT TO TRY AND HELP THEM MAKE SURE THAT THEY STILL HAVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES?

>> YEAH.

EVERYONE KEEPS SAYING WE'VE BEEN DOING VIRTUAL TRAINING AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

THERE'S ONLY 7% INCREASE FROM PRE-COVID LEVELS.

15 TO 18-YEAR-OLD AGE GROUPS, DOING THE SHOWCASING.

THEY'RE GETTING 65% IN REDUCTION IN GAME TIMES, PRACTICE TIMES, ANY TYPE OF FREE PLAY.

SO THEY'RE LOSING OUT TREMENDOUSLY, ESPECIALLY ON O'AHU.

WHAT CAN WE DO RIGHT NOW?

WE RUN A GIANT SHOWCASE CAMP.

WE BRING COACHES FROM DIFFERENT DIVISIONS.

JUNIOR COLLEGES AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

PLAYERS GET IDENTIFIED TO MAKE THE REGIONAL TEAM AND INTO THE NATIONAL TEAM LEVELS.

WITH O'AHU, WE HAVE A HIGH RATE OF PLAYERS GOING ON TO COLLEGE FROM SOCCER.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST PER CAPITA FROM DIVISION I WOMEN'S SOCCER.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PROFESSIONALS.

THIS IS REALLY HURTING US.

WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE LONG-TERM RAMIFICATIONS, NOT JUST SHORT TERM.

TEST SCORES, THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

ALL THESE THINGS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

ARE THEY GOING TO BE HEALTHY ADULTS IF THEY TAKE THIS OFF?

RIGHT NOW, THREE IN TEN PARENTS, ABOUT 30% SAY THEIR CHILDREN ARE NO LONGER INTEREST IN SPORTS COMING BACK.

LONG TERM, WE'RE DOING DAMAGE.

WE CAN'T FIGURE A SAFE WAY.

IT'S ALL OVER EVERY STATE.

THERE HAVEN'T BEEN MASS SUPER SPREADER EVENTS.

TEAMS FROM HAWAII HAVE GONE TO ARIZONA AND TEXAS, WHERE THERE'S MASSIVE CASES OF COVID.

THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO RUN SAFELY.

WE NEED TO RUN SPORTS SAFELY HERE TO CHANGE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS FOR THESE KIDS.

HEALTHY KIDS MAKE ACTIVE ADULTS.

>>L ARA : SOME SCHOOLS HAVE ROLLOVERS.

ALLOWING A PAD YEAR.

HAVE YOU SEEN THAT?

>> I HAVEN'T HEARD THAT.

>>L ARA : MR. CHUN, YOU WANT TO RESPOND?

THAT WAS TO YOU AS FAR AS HHSAA, WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO HELP WITH SCHOLARSHIPS.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?

WHAT ARE YOU ABLE TO DO?

>> I WANT TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS, MAJORITY OF STUDENT ATHLETES WILL NOT GET A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP.

OUR GOAL IS TO SAFELY RESUME SPORTS.

NOT JUST ONES THAT GET SCHOLARSHIPS.

I SYMPATHIZE THAT NEED THE SEASON TO RECRUIT.

OUR MISSION IS TO GET EVERY KID BACK OUT THERE.

NOT JUST THE ONES THAT THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION DEPENDS UPON IT.

YEAH.

>>L ARA : GOOD POINT.

THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.

MR. OTANI, OBVIOUSLY, SAME WOULD APPLY TO YOU, BUT FOR SOME, I KNOW THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO AS FAR AS TRYING TO GET A SCHOLARSHIP OR REACH FOR THAT.

IS THERE SOME ASSISTANCE OR WHAT ARE YOU SEEING AS FAR AS OPTIONS?

>> WITH REGARDS TO A LOT OF THE STUDENTS, LIKE OUR KIDS ARE GOOD GOLFERS.

THEY'RE STILL GOLFING.

THEY'RE STILL OUT THERE.

THEY CAN ENTER TOURNAMENTS AND WHATEVER.

AGAIN FOR SOCCER, IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH.

THE ONES THAT ARE -- HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.

THEY'VE BEEN IDENTIFIED FROM A YOUNG AGE.

THEY ARE TRAVELING TO THE MAINLAND AND GETTING THOSE THINGS.

WHAT I FEEL FOR IS THE SENIORS THAT DID NOT HAVE A JUNIOR SEASON LAST YEAR FROM THE SPRING.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANY TAPE OF THEM PLAYING VARSITY SPORTS, AND IF THEY GET THEIR SEASON TAKEN AWAY THIS YEAR IN THE SPRING, THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AS A VARSITY ATHLETE.

I FEEL FOR THEM.

AT THE SAME TIME, I AGREE WITH WHAT CHRIS SAID.

MY GOAL REALLY IS TO TRY TO GET OUR KIDS TO AN IN-PERSON GRADUATION.

I WANT THAT FIRST AND FOREMOST.

I WOULD OF LOVE TO HAVE ATHLETICS, BUT THAT IS A RITE OF PASSAGE FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII AS WELL AS ACROSS THE NATION.

WHY LOVE TO GET OUR KIDS SO WE CAN GET FACILITIES TO OPEN AND DO AN IN-PERSON GRADUATION FOR OUR GRADUATES.

AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US.

>>L ARA : MR. KEEM, YOU'VE TOUCHED ON THAT.

QUESTION FROM DAVID, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE MENTAL STATE OF KIDS AND HOW THIS IS AFFECTING THEM.

AND DAVID'S QUESTION, DOES ANYONE KNOW IF JUVENILE CRIME AND SUICIDE RATES HAVE RISEN DURING THIS TIME WHEN THE KIDS HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO PLACE?

>> ANSWER THAT?

>>L ARA : PLEASE.

>> COMMON TRENDS THAT WE'RE SEEING, I WORK FOR THE JUVENILE SECTION.

WE BEEN SEEING IS JUVENILE CRIME IS DOWN.

DRUG CASES ARE DOWN.

JUVENILE ARRESTS ARE DOWN.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN ARE BEYOND PARENTAL CONTROL BASIS.

CHILDREN WHOSE BEHAVIOR CAN'T BE CONTROLLED BY PARENTS.

THEY CALL THE POLICE TO PARENT THEM.

MAYBE INJURY THEMSELVES OR OTHER.

CHILDREN REFUSE TO ATTEND SCHOOL.

WE HAD TO PUT TEAM MALAMA TO VISIT KIDS WHO AREN'T LOGGING IN.

JUST THE START OF THE SCHOOL, WE DID 150 HOME VISITS.

>> SUICIDE CASES WE FOLLOW UP WITH KIDS AND IT'S COMMONLY HEARD.

THEY'RE CONFUSED, THEY'RE HAVING THEIR FRIENDS.

LAST YEAR OF ALL THE SUICIDES THAT MAUI'S HAD, 68% WERE JUVENILES.

ARE WE DOING ENOUGH FOR OUR KIDS?

I LISTEN TO ALL THE BROADCASTS PBS PUT OUT AND NEWS.

I'VE ATTENDED NUMEROUS MEETINGS.

HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND WE HEAR THE SAME THING.

WE'RE EXPLORING OPTIONS.

EXPLORING IDEAS.

WE GOT TO PUT OUR KIDS' NEEDS FIRST ABOVE OUR OWN.

LAST YEAR WE LOST ONE OF OUR STUDENTS TO SUICIDE.

IT STRUCK ME REAL HARD.

A LOT OF MY FELLOW OFFICERS ALSO.

AND THAT STUDENT LEFT A NOTE ON THE LAPTOP COMPUTER ISSUED BY THE SCHOOL.

IN SUMMARY, HE WROTE, THEY'RE SORRY.

COULDN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

MISSED THEIR FRIENDS AND MENTORS AND JOYS OF BEING SOCIAL.

WE HEAR THAT ALL THE TIME.

LAST BROADCAST, KIDS WILL PULL THROUGH.

WE ALL WANT TO BELIEVE THAT'S TRUE AND SOME DO.

A LOT DO.

BUT COMING FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO WORKED WITH JUVENILES MOST OF MY CAREER.

I LEARNED NOT ALL KIDS ARE RESILIENT.

WE NEED TO SAVE AND BRING BACK SPORTS.

A LOT FOR THEM, THIS IS THEIR OUT.

WE'RE A FREE LEAGUE.

A LOT OF KIDS THAT COME THROUGH US, THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO PLAY REGULAR YOUTH SPORTS THAT YOU CHARGE.

SO WE MAKE SO MANY PROMISES OR -- WE PUT EVERYTHING -- WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT.

MAKE A DECISION AS FAR AS SPORTS AND LIVE BY THAT DECISION.

SEEMS LIKE WE'RE GOING AROUND AND AROUND.

WHO'S SUFFERING?

OUR KIDS.

OUR KIDS.

THAT'S WHO'S SUFFERING.

THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY.

SORRY.

>>L ARA : MRS. FONSECA, I WOULD IMAGINE WITH A LONG TIME FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS, YOU KNOW THESE FAMILIES REALLY WELL AND KIDS REALLY WELL.

WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN SAYING?

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN HEARING?

HOW ARE THEY DOING?

>> I DO AGREE WITH LIEUTENANT, AND I FEEL THAT THE BIGGEST THING FOR US RIGHT NOW IN THE LEADERSHIP ROLE AND SEEING WHERE WE'VE COME FROM LAST YEAR UNTIL NOW AND WHAT'S HAPPENING, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO COMPARE THE MAINLAND TO HAWAII, BUT I REALLY FEEL THAT WE'RE HURTING OUR STUDENTS AND CHILDREN BY KEEPING THEM FROM BEING ACTIVE IN SPORTS.

AND I THINK THEY RELY ON US.

WE'RE THE ONES THAT THEY'RE COUNTING ON TO BACK THEM, AND IT HAS BEEN VERY INCONSISTENT.

IT'S BEEN ZIGZAGGING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

TO OWN A BUSINESS AND TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THAT ZIGZAG, YOU KIND OF LOSE FAITH A LOT, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE STRENGTH TO GET UP ON YOUR FEET AND PROTEST OR SAY OUR YOUR FEEL OR GO TO A RALLY OR WHATEVER.

I UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPAL'S POINT OF VIEW AS WELL, KNOWING THAT THERE ARE THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS AND THE NEEDS AND THE PRIORITIES OF THE EVENTS THAT ARE CUSTOMARY NATURE TO US.

PROMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

I THINK HEALTH AND FITNESS IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY TIE TOGETHER.

THEY NURTURE EACH OTHER BOTH.

IF IT'S AN ORGANIZED SPORTS, THEY'RE AROUND PEOPLE WHO CARE.

MENTORS.

PART OF THE VILLAGE THAT BUILT THE CHARACTER FOR THE CHILD THAT THE CHILD WILL RELY ON AND REMEMBER FOR YEARS TO COME BECAUSE WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT WE DO.

IT'S MORE FOR THE KIDS.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

WE DO IT FOR THEM.

BASICALLY, I THINK THAT THEY'RE COUNTING ON US, AND I'M FORTUNATE TO HAVE OUR ATHLETES IN THE GYM.

AS A GYMNASTICS COACH, WE RAISED THEM FROM WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG.

IT DOES TAKE YEARS TO PROGRESS.

ANY SPORT TO BUILD THE SKILL TO GET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO.

THEY'RE DEVOTED.

THEY COUNT ON US, AND I THINK WE'VE REALLY KIND OF PROCRASTINATED FOR QUITE A WHILE ON WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH THIS.

IT IS A PRIORITY JUST AS IMPORTANT AS EDUCATION.

IT'S ESSENTIAL.

SO WHERE WE'RE GOING, HOPEFULLY, WE'RE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN SOON SO WE CAN DO WHAT WE CAN THROUGH MARCH, APRIL AND MAY.

>>L ARA : NO DOUBT SOME PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED.

ALIKA SAYING, IF GETTING STUDENTS BACK IN SCHOOL IS TOP PRIORITY, WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG?

FRUSTRATION OUT THERE.

TALKING ABOUT GETTING KIDS BACK TO PLAYING AGAIN.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS TO THINK ABOUT.

ONE BEING WEARING A MASK AND WHEN THEY SHOULD BE WEARING A MASK.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS, MAYBE THERE MR. CHUN OR MR. OTANI.

WHEN SHOULD KIDS BEING WEARING MASKS?

IT'S DIFFICULT TO BREATHE.

>> INITIALLY OUR GUIDELINES SAID KIDS HAD TO BE WEARING A MASK WHEN THEY'RE ON THE SIDELINES.

LIKE WHAT LIEUTENANT GOMEZ'S LEAGUE.

I THINK THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IF THEY APPROVE A RETURN TO SPORTS, THEY HAVE TO WEAR MASK AT ALL TIMES IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS EXPECT FOR WATER SPORTS.

IF THEY'RE PLAYING BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WEAR A MASK.

IF THEY'RE PLAYING VOLLEYBALL, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WEAR A MASK.

I GUESS THEY WENT THROUGH THEIR DOCTORS AND SAID THE OXYGENATION ISSUE ISN'T AN ISSUE.

MIGHT BE FOR KIDS WITH HEALTH ISSUES, BUT THAT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE KIDS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET USED TO IF THEY'RE GOING TO RETURN TO SPORTS.

AND I BELIEVE THERE'S 14 STATES RIGHT NOW THAT ARE PLAYING ALL SPORTS WITH MASKS ON.

>>L ARA : LET ME ASK YOU, MR. KEEM.

SOCCER IS AN OUTDOOR SPORT.

DO YOU FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUTDOOR SPORTS AND INDOOR SPORTS AS FAR AS CERTAIN PROTOCOLS LIKE WEARING MASK?

>> NO.

SOME STATES LIKE MASSACHUSETTS, I THINK THAT CLUB SOCCER LEAGUE AND HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SOCCER LEAGUE, THEY RAN WITH MASKS ON.

I'VE SEEN PEOPLE IN THE U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS RUN THE 10K OR WHATEVER WITH THE MASK ON.

IF THEY'RE RUNNING OLYMPIC TRIALS WITH MASKS ON, I THINK KIDS CAN WEAR MASKS FOR ALL SPORTS.

LET'S JUST BE SAFE.

WE'RE HERE, LIKE THE PRINCIPALS HAVE SAID, TO RAISE FUTURE ADULTS.

GOOD UPSTANDING CITIZENS.

>>L ARA : LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT COACHES AND STAFF.

HOW ARE THEY ABOUT RESUMING PRACTICES AND GAMES?

>> ONES THAT I'M IN CONTACT ARE FACULTY COACHES.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO START.

THEY'RE E-MAILING KIDS, AND KIDS HAVE BEEN TRAINING ON THEIR OWN.

THEY ARE AT LEAST IN CONTACT WITH THE KIDS.

THEY'RE TALKING TO THEM.

NOW THAT THE KIDS ARE BACK ON CAMPUS, THEY'RE ABLE TO INTERACT WITH THEM.

IT'S BEEN NICE.

THEY WANT TO COME BACK, AND THEY WANT TO GO TO NEXT LEVEL AND HAVE THE STATE OPEN UP ATHLETICS FOR KIDS.

I THINK ACROSS THE BOARD MANY OF OUR TEACHERS, COACHES ARE ADVOCATES FOR ATHLETICS.

AND THEY BELIEVE IN THE VALUE OF ATHLETICS AS LONG AS IT CAN BE DONE SAFELY.

THEY'RE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE PROTOCOLS, AND THEY CAN GO THE EXTRA NINE YARDS TO MAKE SURE IT'S ENFORCED.

KIDS ARE FOLLOWING IT.

THEY WILL BE SAFE OUT THERE.

FOR US, ONES THAT I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH, THEY'RE ALL IN FAVOR OF RESTARTING ATHLETICS.

>>L ARA : WE HAVE A COUPLE MINUTES LEFT.

MR. CHUN, CURRENTLY GOVERNOR IGE INDICATED HE'S HESITANT TO LOOSEN RESTRICTIONS ON O'AHU.

DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE ENOUGH SUPPORT TO CHANGE HIS MIND?

>> I WISH.

I MEAN, WE HAVE COUNCILMEMBER TUPOLA.

I THINK ALL THE MAYORS WERE IN SUPPORT.

THEY'RE ON THAT CONFERENCE CALL WITH HER.

BUT REALLY, IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO THE GOVERNOR AND SUPERINTENDENT.

THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS TO ALLOW IT ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND THE GOVERNOR HAS TO ALLOW IT STATEWIDE, SO THOSE ARE THE TWO MAIN DECISION-MAKERS THAT ULTIMATELY WILL HAVE TO GIVE THE GO-AHEAD FOR US TO START.

>>L ARA : I WANT TO TURN IT OVER TO YOU, LIEUTENANT GOMEZ.

VOLUNTARY POLICE OFFICERS, WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE THESE PAL PROGRAMS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THIS WAY?

>> IT'S BUILDING RAPPORT WITH THE CUSTODY.

BRIDGING THAT GAP.

TARGETING AT-RISK KIDS.

AND PROVIDING A SAFE VENUE FOR KIDS TO LEARN CORE VALUES.

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, INTEGRITY, SPORTSMANSHIP AND LEADERSHIP.

FOR US, WE SEE THE IMPACT.

>> AS THEY GET OLDER, KIDS REMEMBER.

HE WAS MY COACH.

AND YOU SEE THOSE STORIES.

I'VE HAD A KID THAT PLAYED FLAG FOOTBALL.

HE PLAYED HIGH SCHOOL BALL AND MADE IT TO THE PROS.

WHEN CAME BACK, HE REMEMBERED ME AND NOW HE'S SOMEBODY.

IT'S SO WORTHWHILE FOR US OFFICERS TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND GIVE BACK.

THEY ENJOY IT.

NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

EVERY SINGLE ONE WITH SMILES ON THEIR FACES.

IT'S WORTH IT.

>>L ARA : MS FONSECA, YOU WANT TO SHARE WHAT YOU SHARE WITH YOUR STUDENTS AND ATHLETES TO GIVE THEM A LITTLE MORE HOPE?

>> IT'S BEEN TO TRUST THE PROCESS.

IF WE CAN GET THE GUIDELINES AND IF WE CAN SET THE PROTOCOL, KNOWING EVERYTHING THAT WE DO NOW.

>>L ARA : EDUCATED, WE'RE SMARTER NOW.

WE'RE ON THE RIGHT PATH.

WE HAVE THINGS HAPPENING THAT ARE REAL POSITIVE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE WANT, AS A COMMUNITY, TO GET GOING.

WE WANT OUR LIVES, OUR KIDS' LIVES TO GET GOING.

>>L ARA : ALL RIGHT.

>> THAT'S THE DIRECTION.

>>L ARA : THANK YOU.

AND MAHALO FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

ALL OF YOU.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION, CHRIS CHUN.

O-I-A COUNCIL MEMBER AND KALANI HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, MITCHELL OTANI.

CORA FONSECA, OWNER OF THE RAINBOW GYMNASTICS ACADEMY.

CHRISTOPHER KEEM, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE O'AHU LEAGUE OF HAWAII YOUTH SOCCER.

LIEUTENANT TERENCE GOMEZ FROM THE MAUI POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE.

THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, WE'RE TACKLING THE CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSAL BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOMELANDS TO BUILD A CASINO IN KAPOLEI.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I'M LARA YAMADA FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

A HUI HOU.