Hub Coworking Hawaii

Hawaii's Best Coworking Space

Nam Vu

New Vaccine Update for Hub Coworking Hawai’i

Aloha Hub Community,

To protect Hub members, in accordance with the updated mandates from the Safe Access Program at the City and County of Honolulu, effective 9/13/2021 the Hub will be requiring all employees and members, including all memberships, dedicated desks and offices, as well as all guests and non-members to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of negative FDA EUA approved COVID-19 test (within 48 hours) to enter the the space beyond the front desk.

Acceptable Proof of Vaccination:
– Hard copy of vaccination card
– Photo of vaccination card
– Safe Travels Hawaii application showing proof of vaccination

Exemptions & Considerations:
– Proof of negative FDA EUA approved COVID-19 test (within 48 hours) – Home tests are not accepted at this time. See available testing sites from the City & County Here.
– If you have 1 of 2 vaccinations for Pfizer or Moderna, we will extend a grace period until 9/20/21 for you to become fully vaccinated.
– If you are just picking up your mail at the front, you are exempt from this requirement. Masks are still mandatory to enter the space.

To learn more about the Safe Access Program Click Here. If you need to make changes to your membership please email info@hubcoworkinghi.com and we will work with you.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Please be safe.

Hub Team

Foreign Trade Zone

This morning I took a tour of the Foreign Trade Zone in Honolulu and the warehouse facilities there. I was quite impressed.

Some key points:

  1. It is run by the state, but is run like a business (they don’t get annual funding from the state).
  2. It’s kinda like coworking but for warehouse space. You pay for the warehouse space based on volume.  This means that you don’t need to pay for space you don’t need nor do you need to have staff, or a forklift, etc.
  3. Only goods that are imported or exported are allowed.
  4. You deliver goods there and store it and when you need to get some goods out you call them and they get it ready for pickup.
  5. Merchandise of foreign status  (before goods are cleared US Customs) can be stored in the warehouse for $.35 per cubic foot for the 1st month and $.15 thereafter.
  6. The FTZ is on US soil, but is outside of US Customs territory. If you import something and subsequently export it (internationally) you might be able to avoid paying customs import fees because technically it never reached the US. (This is my understanding of it.)

It sounds like a great program and fees seem really good.  So if anyone is importing goods or materials and needs storage space, look them up.

As always, let me know if you have any questions.

— Nam

SUPERPOWER KEIKI SUMMER CAMP

What is the Superpower Academy at the Hub?

Superpower Academy at the Hub is a collaboration between the Hub, a coworking space and Superpower Academy. The purpose of this program is to have an educational and fun summer camp for children while their parents take advantage of the professional work space at the Hub. The camp will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a flexible hands-on summer program for children and parents can take advantage of a professional work space to focus on their work. The camp curriculum is used by elementary teachers and combines STEM with social and emotional learning. Again, this camp is to help working parents with a flexible, educational and fun child care solution for their keiki now. All superpowers will be taught by Alicia Donnelly, a current Kindergarten teacher at Kamiol’iki Elementary. This program is compliant with Hawaii Department of Human Services Guidelines.  Learn more about Superpower Academy at www.superpoweracademy.org.

How does it work?

The purpose of this program is to have an educational and fun summer camp for children while their parents take advantage of the professional work space at the Hub.  Drop off and pick up anytime Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9am – 2 pm.  The program is first come first serve with a limit of 10 keiki per day. Parents can purchase day passes for flexibility around their schedule. Parents can also purchase a package of 5 days for a discount and select what days they want to have their keiki attend. Flexibility is offered based on your working schedule.  While you get your working hours in at the Hub, your keiki are engaged in friendly activities.

Upon registration or drop-off parents will have to sign a waiver & image release form.

Can you tell me more about the curriculum? 

Alicia Donnelly our Superpower Academy leader has been using the curriculum in her Kindergarten classroom. She loves it because she see’s that this has helped her students with learning to deal with frustration, manage their emotions, and help them develop a “don’t give up” attitude. The curriculum is also used in older children up to 5th grade. The curriculum helps with the following:
  • Fun STEM projects help kids build proven skills for lifelong success
  • Comics and stories of real heroes gets kids READING!
  • Hidden messages and other surprises make learning fun
  • Kinds learn lessons about emotions, empathy and making good choices
  • Kids earn Superpowers as they learn real powers

How do I reserve a spot for my keiki? 

Purchase a spot through this link here: Eventbrite Link

If you want to buy a 5 day-pack for your keiki please contact the Hub team for the discount code!

When does it start and how long does it go for? 

The camp is now starting on July 1 , 2020 and runs until July 31, 2020. Drop off and pick up anytime Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9am – 2 pm.  Parents can choose day passes for added flexibility or multi day packs. Each week will have a theme and the Superpower Academy lessons will happen from 9:30am-11am.  If it is a success we may keep it going beyond July 31!

Who is this for? 

Keiki from Kindergarten through Fifth grade. Parents need to be working at the Hub while their children are at the camp. Parents can be members or purchase a day pass at the Hub.

How much is it and how do I pay? 

Flexible day passes are $50 per day. A five day package is discounted at $225. At this moment we are taking credit card and debit card purchases on site at the Host desk. We will be working on a way shortly to purchase online. Check back at this site for updates!

What about snacks and meals? 

The program will provide small snacks however parents are responsible for bringing lunch for their keiki.

Please check back on this page because there will be updates!

Comprehensive COVID-19 Emergency Loans & Grant Options

*Updates to this blog will be typed in RED. This post was last updated 4/16/20

The Impact Hub Honolulu team has been working hard to comb through the fury of Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, grants and unemployment insurance opportunities for small businesses, independent contractors, non profits, and self employed during this COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has helped push monies for the small businesses and individuals who are furloughed  or unemployed.

Below are summaries and links of: 1) SBA Grants and Loans for COVID-19, 2) Unemployment Insurance Options, 3) Employee Retention Payroll Tax Credit and 4) Payroll Tax Deferral for Employers

1.SBA GRANTS AND LOANS FOR COVID-19

  • If you are a small business and looking to furlough or layoff employees completely so they can receive unemployment insurance and save on payroll costs, weigh the option of maintaining them on payroll in order to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) described in the table below.
  • All individuals, small businesses, non profits, self employed and sole proprietors can apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) HERE and receive $10,000 within days. Update 4/16/20: SBA is giving a grant of $1,000 per employee to each small business up to $10,000. These funds can be used for payroll, rent, utilities and mortgage payments.
  • The SBA has a Google Folder that is open to the public HERE.
  • EIDL Loan Update: If you applied before March 30 and haven’t received a loan number, follow up with SBA by calling the info line at 1-800-659-2955. (4/6/20)
  • Typically SBA EIDL respond within 3 days, Expect delays (4/6/20)

Complete SBA Loan and Grant Comparison Table (Link)

Helpful Links:

US Chamber of Commerce PDF on the SBA PPP , Office of US Senator Brian Schatz on SBA PPP

Local HI Employment Lawyers Info (BrainGain) , All Save HI Jobs and Biz Webinars ,

Central Pacific Bank PPP App , American Savings Bank PPP App, First Hawaiian Bank PPP App, BOH PPP App

2. UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE OPTIONS FOR ALL 

The CARES Act allows the Department of Labor support the Unemployment Insurance  (UI) program with additional compensation. Remember, that if you are a small businesses with employees you will need to rehire them to maintain your average number for payroll in order to receive the PPP grant listed in the table above.

  • UI has been expanded its eligibility for Hawai’i residents. In other words, more people can receive UI than before.
  • Residents receive an additional $600 per week on top of what they would get for UI payments until July 31, 2020
  • UI benefits have been expanded for a longer duration of 39 weeks

Links:

UI Updates from Office of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz  (PDF Version HERE)

Apply for State of Hawaii Unemployment Insurance HERE and Benefits Estimator

Simplicity HR COVID-19 General Website: See Employee UI FAQs , See Employer UI FAQs

3. Employee Retention Payroll Tax Credit

The CARES Act created a tax credit that applies to small businesses as another option for those that do NOT participate in the PPP as mentioned above and keep their employees on payroll.

  • For employers with 100 or fewer full-time employees, they may claim a credit for wages paid to all of their employees, up to $10,000 a person.
  • Employers are eligible if they have been fully or partially suspended as a result of a government order (such as mayor and governor orders to stay at home), or if they experience a 50 percent reduction in quarterly receipts as a result of the crisis.
  • The credit can be claimed against the business or non-profit’s quarterly payroll tax liability and is fully refundable to the extent of excess.

Links:

Office of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz 

4. PAYROLL TAX DEFERRAL FOR EMPLOYERS 

CARES Act allows for employers to defer, or not pay payroll taxes for the rest of calendar year 2020, and have them pay later when things are “up & running” again. Employers will have to pay in 2 equal payments: at the end of 2021 and the end of 2022.

  • You cannot participate in this deferral if you receive a SBA PPP loan and or grant as mentioned above.

 

DETAILED SUMMARIES DONE BY OTHERS (Updated 4/9/20)

Guide to COVID Relief Programs PDF (ProService)

Save Hawaii Jobs and Business Resource PDF (Updated Regularly)

COVID-19 Update

Aloha Hub Members,

As things are developing very rapidly, we wanted to update you on what we are doing here at Impact Hub Honolulu.

It has been amazing to see the community that has been built here at the Hub where we all truly care about each other’s well being both professionally and personally.  It is with this caring for the community that we put these measures and recommendations into place.

1. We recognize that some of you may need to come in for meetings, or quiet space or other reasons.  For now, we will continue to operate but we will remain flexible and ask for your understanding and support if additional changes need to be made.
2. Many people are practicing social distancing (keeping a distance of at least 3 feet) which can look like working from home a bit more. If your home situation allows it, we suggest you try it out. It’s about keeping all of us safe.  I know, we will miss you too, but we need to take care of ourselves as well as others.
3. We are asking everyone to not shake hands or exchange kisses.  No need to feel guilty about not shaking hands with someone and no need to feel offended if someone does not shake your hand.  With what we know now about onset of symptoms and people having it without displaying any symptoms, this is the best practise.  I will be either doing the one-handed Buddhist greeting or the full on two-handed Namaste.
4. We will be removing the dish drying rack.  Please rinse dishes and put them in the dishwasher.  We will be running the dishwasher more frequently.  If the dishwasher is running (blue LED’s on) please rinse the dishes and leave them in the sink.  We’ll put them in the dishwasher when it is available again.
5. Please wash your hands thoroughly and often.  20 seconds is how long it takes you to sing Happy Birthday.  It’s ok to waste some water for now.  Soap and water is perfect.  Biologists say regular soap alone makes the virus explode.  This is good practise all the time anyways.
6. Please be mindful of others and be aware that you may be an asymptomatic carrier.  You may be strong and healthy and from what we have heard may be mildly affected.  However, it is the elderly and others who are more at risk that we need to think about and help to prevent them from getting the illness.

Lastly, we ask for your support during this time.  We love our community and feel that everyone looks after one another.  During this period, we ask for your support to minimize the affects to our business to help us weather this storm.

If you can, please continue to support us by not cancelling your membership.  We understand if you need to, or if corporate tells you to.  No explanations needed and no judgements made.

Mahalo,

Nam

Please refer to these websites for additional information:

Hawaii Department of Health website
https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/advisories/novel-coronavirus-2019

Center for Disease Control (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019