Pandemic in Paradise
An Insider’s View of COVID Corruption in Hawai’i
As a virologist with subject matter expertise in respiratory viruses and having served on the front lines of the pandemic response in Hawaii, Dr. Jennifer Smith is uniquely positioned to comment on and address the public health response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
About the Book
In late 2019, the world was rocked by the emergence of a “novel” coronavirus. Within months,
this deadly virus had spread across the globe, quickly gaining pandemic status. But when
COVID-19 began ravaging Hawai’i, the state failed to respond effectively to protect its residents.
As the number of cases began to skyrocket, the few epidemiological specialists tasked with
investigation and contact tracing quickly became overwhelmed. Meanwhile, leadership at the
Hawai’i Department of Health (HDOH) falsely reported to the media and general public that
staffing was adequate.
Pandemic in Paradise is the historic account of the COVID-19 response in Hawai’i—a
response that will go down alongside the burning of Chinatown in 1900 as one of the
worst civic disasters in state history. In its pages, Dr. Jennifer Smith, trained virologist
and former epidemiological specialist at the HDOH, recounts the failed response efforts
and corruption of state leadership she witnessed as a frontline worker during the
pandemic. With unflinching honesty, Jennifer reveals how her determination to blow the
whistle on that failure and corruption led to her dismissal without cause.
Science. Politics. Lies. And one shining light of truth. This story has it all—and you won’t be able to put it down.
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About the Author
As an epidemiological specialist at the Hawai’i Department of Health (HDOH), Jennifer had a front-row seat for the public health response to COVID-19. During the pandemic, she worked on the front line of response efforts, monitoring travelers, investigating cases, and executing contact tracing. That all ended when she came forward to expose corruption by HDOH leadership, was put on administrative leave, and ultimately was discharged from her position without cause.
Jennifer lives in Hawai’i with her husband and their two shih tzus, Allie and Fozzie. She loves to read and hang out on the beach, enjoys sewing tote bags and purses, and will continue to pursue truth via honest, good science.