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The District Health Office on Maui is reporting some pushback in their contact tracing efforts from individuals who have expressed fear of being identified on Social Media or in the community.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorio said any closures “would really depend on a number of factors,” but narrowed the scope to a sustained period of seven days of double digit increases in Maui County.

Two O‘ahu men, both over 60-years-old are the latest COVID-19 related deaths reported in Hawai‘i. There are a total of 355 newly diagnosed cases today, a record single day case count since the beginning of the pandemic. This includes 85 cases that are part of a cluster at the O‘ahu Community Correctional Center facility.  Today’s case count includes 343 cases on O‘ahu, seven on Maui, four on Hawai‘i Island and one on Kaua‘i. 

In all, approximately 110 inmates were tested Tuesday with 70 testing positive and 40 negative.  Another 63 inmates were tested yesterday and those test results are pending.

County and state officials are projecting a bump in COVID-19 cases reported Maui in the coming days as the state Department of Health is expected to release data accumulated over the past week.  

The County of Maui Division of Motor Vehicle and Licensing will provide modified road tests beginning next week for motorists to demonstrate basic vehicle control skills and obtain their driver’s licenses. Appointments will be taken beginning today, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020.

The Kamehameha Maui campus transitions to a full distance learning program today, through at least the end of the month.   The decision was shared with the school community last night after three days of hybrid or blended learning had already begun.

The state has reported another triple digit increase in new COVID-19 cases with 202 new cases today including 197 on Oʻahu, two each on Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island, and one on Maui.  There were also four deaths on the island of Oʻahu.

The state Department of Education is defending itself from criticism after the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association pressed the department over an alleged delay in reporting of COVID-19 cases and lack of transparency–claims the department rejects.

NY Governor Andrew Cuomo made the announcement on Tuesday saying “we cannot go back to the hell we experienced a few months ago, which is why we are adding Hawaiʻi, South Dakota and Virgin Islands to the travel advisory.”

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino thanked the traveling public for exercising patience as the County of Maui works to improve and streamline its implementation of the newly reinstated interisland quarantine.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino is asking for around-the-clock county access to the Wailuku sewage pump station located off of Kahului Beach Road, citing serious public safety and environmental concerns.

Motorists traveling to or from Lahaina are advised of a motor vehicle accident on Honoapiʻilani Highway in Māʻalaea. At 5:46 p.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 Emergency Medical Services personnel were on scene and the area was coned off to approaching traffic.  Motorists can expect delays in the area and area advised to drive with caution. 

“STEM education is needed to prepare our state’s youth for high-growth, high-demand careers in computer science, engineering, cyber security, health, life and physical sciences, and math fields,” said Mayor Victorino.

Public schools on Kaua‘i, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui County – with the exception of Moloka‘i schools and Hāna High & Elementary – will transition to full distance learning for the first four weeks of the 2020-21 school year.

A recount of votes cast in the Primary Election race for the District 13 House seat, confirms incumbent Rep. Lynn DeCoite has defeated challenger and long-time Hawaiian Rights advocate Walter Ritte. Under the recount, DeCoite won by just 93 votes.  Saturday’s tally had DeCoite ahead by just 91 votes.

The state has reported another triple digit increase in new COVID-19 cases with 118 new cases today including 112 on Oʻahu, three on Maui and one on Hawaiʻi Island.  Twelve of the past 14 days have been in the triple-digits for new cases in the state.   More than 96% of the active cases statewide are on the island of Oʻahu.

The new Kōkua Maui County Small Business Recovery and Relief Fund has already received 443 applications to date after launching last week online. Small businesses can apply for grants of as much as $7,500 to assist them with the impacts of COVID-19.

A new 18,500 square foot HouseMart ACE Hardware store celebrates its grand opening next weekend, on Saturday, Aug. 22 at Lahaina Gateway in West Maui.

The iconic store, known for its strawberry and pineapple flavored sherbet, initially closed on March 14 for two weeks as pandemic related closures went into effect.