Arlene Yamashiro, Bryan Talisayan and Rachelle Chang write in the Star-Advertiser: "We need to focus on creating a structurally sound mental health system to address the long-lasting impacts of COVID-19 and to ensure that a comprehensive continuum of care is maintained for the health and well-being of our consumers."

Catherine Chen, Hao Nguyen and Bettina Mok write in the Star-Advertiser: "Hawaiʻi legislators, we hope you choose to stand with your people when they need you the most and allocate the resources our immigrant families need right now."

The Star-Advertiser editorial board writes, "people here are suffering severe pain right now, and can do nothing but hope that help is right around the corner, soon to emerge from the state Capitol."

Families need more help with food, child care, health insurance, other essentials

HONOLULU, June 19, 2020 — The joint legislative proposal to spend $635 million in federal relief funds is a good first step, and the Hawaiʻi Working Families Coalition is urging the state to make further improvements to help families hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis.

Civil Beat reports: "In a press release, the Hawaii Working Families Coalition, a hui of businesses, progressive organizations, nonprofits and labor unions, called the spending plan a 'good first step' but noted that additional help for local families will likely be needed."

The UH Economic Research Organization (UHERO) worked with the Hawaiʻi Budget & Policy Center to come up with these figures. They form the basis of the Working Families Coalition's proposal.

The Star-Advertiser reports: "On Monday a group of nonprofit organizations called the Working Families Coalition released a plan to distribute $362 million including CARES Act funds 'to help families with rent and mortgages, food, health care, child care, domestic violence response, kupuna wellness checks, and more.'"

Senator Laura Thielen writes in Civil Beat: "The $632 million in federal COVID money should be used to keep residents, local businesses and nonprofits afloat."