On the recordDecember 9, 2020
during the last year Americans everywhere have experienced the health, social, and economic impacts of COVID-19. Millions of workers and families have experienced unemployment or underemployment, and millions more have struggled to cover rent, utilities, groceries, and other everyday living expenses. People in Hawaii have fully experienced these challenges. We went from having one of the lowest to one of the highest unemployment rates in the United States. At the height of the pandemic in May, Hawaii's unemployment rate reached 23.5 percent--an unprecedented number for our state. Family-owned businesses have closed, in many cases permanently, putting pressure on those families, their employees, and the communities they serve. Larger and medium-sized businesses have also closed, meaning furloughs, fewer hours, and reduced wages for their employees. Because of this, many families have had to make difficult decisions regarding their household finances. Some families have had to use whatever limited resources they have saved over the years, including retirement savings, to keep their heads above water. Others have had to find different ways to make ends meet and pay their bills--despite fewer hours and reduced wages. Simply put, the economic downturn has been widespread, deeply-felt, and shared. 2020 has been a difficult year, and businesses, workers, and families will continue to feel its effects for many years to come.…
