Gov. David Ige on Monday extended an eviction moratorium he implemented during the coronavirus pandemic for another two months, but he doesn't expect to keep it longer than that.
The existing emergency order instituting a pause on evictions was due to expire Tuesday, but Ige extended it for 60 more days. It's now due to expire on Aug. 6.
During an interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the governor noted the Legislature passed a bill encouraging landlords and tenants to work out payments for past rent to prevent evictions. He didn't say whether he would sign the measure but said he thought it was “important.”
“We are asking all of the advocates and stakeholders to help us implement the mediation programs and really help as many people as we can in that window,” Ige said. He also noted rent or mortgage relief was available.
Ige also extended the validity of all driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and state identification cards for 60 days beyond their expiration date. Credentials with expiration dates between March 16, 2020, and June 8, 2021, have been extended until Aug. 6.
Ige said he expects this extension to be the last.
“If current trends hold, I expect both the eviction moratorium and the driver’s licensing provisions to expire in August. We’ve learned a lot about acting with care, and I am hopeful these lessons will carry us forward,” Ige said.
Nola Miyasaki, director of Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services, said residents are encouraged to use the extra time to renew expired credentials.
For residents who cannot get an appointment, stand-by service is now available at all driver licensing centers and satellite city halls on O‘ahu. Customers can walk in without an appointment to fill appointment slots that become available from cancellations or no-shows.
O‘ahu residents can also download a printable letter from the website of the Department of Customer Services to use as proof that they have been given 60 extra days to renew credentials.
For more information, visit honolulu.gov/csd.
