While the stay-at-home order in the State of Hawaii had been in effect, essential workers of Hawaii had not had the opportunity to shelter at home. Members of the community and campus tell their stories of the experiences while working amid the global pandemic. They said they are grateful to have jobs throughout the pandemic and also said by following safety protocols, people can remain safe.
Community member and Foodland employee Dani Strader said, “I do feel gratitude to still have a job … which is considered essential. I feel a desire to help people, and I have a good feeling when I go into work every day.”
Strader said she does not feel too worried about going to work every day. She said if she sanitizes everything around her, she thinks she will be okay. “People coming in really do try to take every precaution that they can and not touch any unnecessary things. Seeing that gives me a less-worrisome opinion about the whole thing.”
Marco Marcello, who also works at Foodland, shared the fears he has experienced while working in an environment with many people. “I think it’s because a lot of [people] didn’t care in the beginning, and I was the first employee to start using masks. People would look at me as an alien, but I didn’t care. I am fine now, and I hope to make it through the whole thing without getting sick.”
Marcello continued, “I have concerns about getting sick because I’m over 50, and I have had respiratory problems before, but I take good care as far as hygiene goes.”
Spencer Hauata, a junior from Tahiti majoring in business management who works for campus Safety & Security, said, “I think that social distancing is the wrong term. I think that it should be called physical distancing because we still need to be social, even if it is through messaging. As long as we respect the guidelines, everything should be fine,” said
Hauata said employees at the Polynesian Cultural Center are now working for Safety and Security during the day. This means security officers who previously had day shifts, such as Hauata, work during the night shift now. He said, “I now work from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m.”
Reflecting on being optimistic while working during this time, Strader said, “Every once in a while I think that maybe it is not the best idea to have many people in the same place, but I think that everyone is taking the most precautions they are able to with their masks, gloves and sanitizers.”
Marcello explained why he decided to continue working during the coronavirus pandemic. “When I was looking for an extra job, I thought about working somewhere that people would need to come to in case of a natural disaster. Although, I never thought that such an event like this one would ever happen.”
At Foodland, screens have been erected at the registers to prevent cashiers and customers from coming into direct contact, said Strader.
“Because it is a grocery store, we do need people to come to feed themselves and their families. It is necessary and not too scary, in my opinion.”
Hauata expressed his gratitude for being able to work during this time. “I have worked for Campus Safety and Security for more than two years, and continuing to work during this time has not been a hard decision. I am blessed to still have a job and to feel useful.”