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“After a long and careful review of various options, it’s with a heavy heart that we have made the decision to close temporarily and help keep our tight-knit community safe,” said Marni Aina, resident manager at Travaasa Hāna. “We feel it is our responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and hope that the uncertainty passes soon so we may be able to welcome guests back to our beloved Hāna town.”

In an afternoon press conference, Mayor Victorino provided specifics on what’s open and closed, announced a county call center (available M-F, 7:45 to 4:30 p.m. at 270-7855), and discussed the possibility of designating a portion of a hotel property where returning residents could carry out their 14-day quarantine.

CANCELED: Hawaii Tsunami Watch CANCELED After 7+ Kuril Islands Earthquake

The state Department of Health is currently reevaluating its first reported COVID-19 death in the state after encountering what they called “procedural issues.”

The DOE plans to begin distributing packets for students with no computer access starting next week, in a staggered approach, with drop of for some rural areas planned.  This will not be a generic distribution system, but will be done by individual schools who will oversee and monitor their group of students.

There are now 90 total positive cases of COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi.  This includes 12 new cases on Oʻahu, bringing that island total to 64; and one new case each on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, bringing their island totals to 12 and 5 respectively. The new cases include 10 Hawaiʻi residents, 3 US non-Hawaiʻi residents, and one pending case, which officials have yet to classify into existing categories. Although earlier figures released by the Department indicated a decrease in cases on the neighbor islands from previous day counts, the discrepancy appeared to have been from an attempt to provide greater clarity in terms place of residency with non residents moved to a different category.  

An employee with Maui Health is among those confirmed as COVID-19 positive, according to information confirmed this morning. “Per CDC infection control protocol, we can acknowledge we have an employee confirmed by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health as having COVID-19,” Maui Health said in a statement this morning.

“Our public school system will not close.  We continue our efforts as a statewide team, maximizing our telework approach or providing individualized small group support,” said Dr. Kishimoto.

Hawaiʻi Sea Spirits llc, makers of OCEAN Organic Vodka, is devoting some of its production to make hand sanitizer to help combat the spread of coronavirus. The effort is made possible in partnership with other local companies including: Maui Babe, Mokulele Airlines, the Maui Food Bank, and Ali‘i Kula Lavender.

About 75 people were tested Monday for COVID-19 on the first day of testing at the drive-through site at the War Memorial Gym parking lot on Maui, according to the Maui District Health Office.

Governor David Ige this afternoon issued a statewide Stay At Home Order that will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday morning, March 25, and remain in effect until April 30th. 

With many travelers opting to leave before a mandatory quarantine takes effect on Thursday, and stay-at-home order take effect on Wednesday, the overflow of returned rental vehicles is starting to pile up around Kahului Airport.  The actions are taken as state and county officials attempt to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent an overburdened medical system.  

New positive results were received today for 16 individuals–including 12 more cases on O‘ahu bringing that island total to 53, two more cases on Maui brining the Valley Isle total to 11, and two more Hawai‘i Island cases for a total of 5 on the Big Island.

Police say those arrested allegedly took “substantial steps” to meet up with those “minors” for the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual acts with them.  However, instead of minors, these offenders were actually met and arrested by law enforcement officers, police said.

FEMA is distributing eight million N95 respirator masks, and 13.3 million surgical masks across the country right now. Focusing on the areas with the greatest need, FEMA has shipped 73 pallets of Personal Protective Equipment to New York City and 36 pallets to the state of Washington.  

As of noon on Monday, March 23, 2020, there is a total of 77 confirmed or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. New positive results were received today for 16 individuals–including 12 more cases on O‘ahu bringing that island total to 53, two more cases on Maui brining the Valley Isle total to 11, and two more Hawai‘i Island cases for a total of 5 on the Big Island.  Kaua‘i’s case load remains at 3.  Health officials note that further information is still pending of five of the new cases. 

During the​ ​extended Spring Break period​, a total of 38 Hawaiʻi public schools will be providing breakfast and lunch to children who are 18 years or younger. They will be able to stop by one of the designated schools (see list below) to pick up a grab-and-go meal. Adults who come to pick up a meal must be accompanied by their child.

US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced legislation to force President Trump to implement the Defense Production Act of 1950 and federalize the manufacture and distribution of scare in-demand medical supplies in order to cure the growing inefficiencies of 50 states and thousands of hospitals that he says are competing against each other for medical supplies.

MAUI STAY AT HOME ORDER STARTS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25: Mayor Michael Victorino announced an update to Public Health Emergency Rules ordering everyone in Maui County to stay at home and work from home, effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020. This order will be in effect until April 30.

Hawaiian Airlines website is now posting an advisory that it will begin suspending long-haul flights to and from Hawaiʻi, effective Thursday, March 26, 2020. The company website states that Hawaiian Airlines will keep a network that will continue to provide vital connectivity for guests traveling “within the state.”