Five Actions to Combat COVID-19 in Hawaii

A data-driven approach is needed to figure out how the disease has spread in the islands and what can be done to contain it.

2 minute read

August 25, 2020, 6:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


Downtown Honolulu as seen from the top of Diamond Head

John Fowler / flickr

In this editorial, Karl Kim, a professor of urban and regional planning at the University of Hawaii, critiques and expresses his frustration with the state's response to the pandemic. As Hawaii struggles to get a handle on the crisis, he makes the case for much more data-sharing and a more data-driven approach to tackle COVID-19.

Kim indicates that there is "a crisis of data, analysis, and risk management" and that there needs to be "a renewed call-to-arms for data scientists, modelers, geo-spatial and statistical analysts to study, map, and figure out how the disease has spread and what can be done to contain it."

He recommends five actions that would help the State of Hawaii do a better job in fighting the pandemic: (1) establish a data clearinghouse for current integrated COVID-19 test, contact tracing, hospitalization, and medical insurance claims data, (2) perform focused quick analyses on the behavioral and locational attributes of those infected and spreading the disease, (3) form interdisciplinary teams of researchers, statisticians, and data scientists who are funded to conduct risk analyses but also review, critique, and share analytical capabilities, (4) integrate mapping, modeling, and risk assessment with planning and decision-making, and (5) ensure widespread community engagement in all phases of data collection, analysis, implementation, and evaluation of mitigation strategies.

Kim knows a thing or two about disasters and ways to mitigate and recover from them. He has spent much of his career studying disasters, and he is the executive director of the Pacific Urban Resilience Lab and the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center.

Thursday, August 20, 2020 in Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Aerial view of Eugene, Oregon at dusk with mountains in background.

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums

In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

December 3, 2023 - NBC 16

Green Paris Texas city limit sign with population.

How Paris, Texas Became a ‘Unicorn’ for Rural Transit

A robust coalition of advocates in the town of 25,000 brought together the funding and resources to launch a popular bus service that some residents see as a mobility lifeline—and a social club.

November 30, 2023 - Texas Monthly

Diagram of visibility at urban intersection.

How ‘Daylighting’ Intersections Can Save Lives

Eliminating visual obstructions can make intersections safer for all users.

November 27, 2023 - Strong Towns

View of wetlands with lilypads at dusk.

States Scramble in Wake of Clean Water Act Ruling

The removal of federal oversight of wetlands has left millions of acres unregulated and erected major hurdles for lawmakers seeking to protect them.

December 5 - Pew Stateline

Rendering of white, yellow, and purple Brightline West high-speed rail train speeding along highway median with blurred cars in foreground.

Brightline West Awarded $3 Billion in Federal Funding

The high-speed rail line will cut travel time between Southern California and Las Vegas roughly in half.

December 5 - Fox 5

Rapid bus at station at night in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

OKC Celebrates New Rapid Bus Line With Free Rides

The agency wants to showcase the benefits of a recently opened BRT line connecting the northwest part of the city to downtown.

December 5 - The Oklahoman

Senior Planner

City of Kissimmee - Development Services

Planner II

City of Kissimmee - Development Services

Senior Travel Demand Modeler

Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.