Maui News

Governor David Ige took a moment today away from meetings, conference calls, and administrative work associated with the state’s management of the COVID-19 crisis, to join others around the state in recognizing the sacrifices of the healthcare community.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said he supports a 14-day quarantine for interisland travel to be extended through June 30.  He said this will protect the residents of O‘ahu and ensure that COVID-19 does not spread between the islands.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee today approved House Bill 117 SD1, a bill to defer salary increases as recommended by the State Commission on Salaries for executive, judicial, and legislative government officials. The bill aims to help close the $1 billion deficit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and now moves to the full Senate for second reading.

Maui’s Richelle Thomson was sworn in on Thursday as First Deputy Corporation Counsel. She succeeds Edward Kushi, who retired recently after 21 years of service.

The state Department of Health reports that one Hawaiʻi resident who was diagnosed outside of the state was removed from the state count, resulting in new total of 637 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi since the state began identifying cases on Feb. 28, 2020. The last time before today that zero new positive cases were reported was last week on May 8. Prior to that, there was an eight week period of increase in new cases.  As of noon on Thursday, May 14, 2020, there are 637 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with no new cases in the state. To date, 564 people have recovered including 92 in Maui County.

A outbreak of invasive coqui frogs reported in plants outside the Home Depot store in Kahului on Tuesday night, was identified and assessed before sunrise thanks to a social media post and rapid response from community members and experienced field workers.

Anyone interested in “Drive-by photo-shoots” can e-mail Shannon Sayles at [email protected] or Angelina at [email protected]

Maui Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English joined fellow Senator Roz Baker, Chair of the Senate Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee in a media briefing on Tuesday.  The two discussed the abbreviated session, which is designed to take care of vital legislation amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

CIP highlights for Maui include: $3 million for plans and designs of a new middle school in Central Maui; $500,000 for perimeter fence at ʻĪao Intermediate School; $9 million for Lealiʻi parkways and highways improvements; $11 million for Kāʻanapali Beach Restoration and Berm Enhancement; $3 million for a ferry pier at Lahaina Boat Harbor; $4 million for improvements Waiʻanapanapa State Park in East Maui; $5 million for the Maui Regional Public Safety Complex; and $40 million for the widening of Puʻunēnē Avenue from Kamehameha Avenue to Kūihelani Highway.

Hawai’i Lieutenant Governor Josh Green sits down with Pacific Media Group COO and MauiNow director, Jack Dugan to answer questions regarding tourism’s role in Hawai’i’s economy, future and the laid-off residents of the state. Hawai’i has the lowest mortality rates in the nation and has flattened the curve for phase one in dealing with the COVID-19 […]

According to a 2007 report published in the scientific journal Ecological Applications, Molokini Marine Life Conservation District was considered the most effective marine protected area in Hawaiʻi1,2. However, during the past decade, Molokini’s ecosystem health has declined, likely related to pressures from intensive tourism at this mid-ocean reef system. 

Mayor Michael Victorino announced the reopening of additional County parks and beach parks will take place on Saturday, May 16. The reopening of parks facilities includes select tennis and pickleball courts. County parks and beach parks included on the list below will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The County of Maui hosts a food distribution event in Central Maui at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, at the War Memorial Gymnasium parking lot in Wailuku.

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami today announced that he has signed Emergency Rule 9, which extends the mandatory quarantine for incoming travelers to the island of Kauaʻi through the month of June. The state’s 14-day travel quarantine remains in effect through May 31, 2020. It is still undetermined what Gov. Ige’s plans are beyond that point.

Case said: “Simply put, if passengers do not feel safe coming to Hawai‘i because they fear contracting COVID-19 on the flight or in Hawai‘i, or if Hawai‘i residents do not feel safe with passengers getting off planes in Hawai‘i, air travel to Hawai‘i will not recover leading to many consequences to include FAA and airport-supportive revenues. The same is true throughout the country and so the necessity of safe travel is in all respects a national one which FAA should better face now.”

A team of volunteers with the Maui Humane Society distributed more than 2,600 pounds of dog food and supplies to Maui community members in need this past weekend.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health reports that there were 563 individuals released from isolation; and 81 cases (13%) that have required hospitalization. A total of 577 patients (90%) were residents. Maui County’s count remains unchanged from yesterday. Of the 117 cases in Maui County, at least 92 have been released from isolation, and 22 have required hospitalization. As of today, there were more than 38,881 individuals tested by clinical and state laboratories.  Of that number, 38,243 were returned negative. In Maui County, a total of 6,858 tests were returned negative to date.  There were 33 tests returned on Maui since yesterday.

The Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act would invest $1 billion for the creation of an emergency fund to support college and graduate students now studying from home.  

US Senator Brian Schatz who serves as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the funding encouraging state leaders to “move at the speed of the virus” in establishing a contract tracing program that is fully operational as soon as possible.

The Hawai‘i Air National Guard and 15th Wing Active Duty Airmen from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam will perform a flyover throughout the State on Thursday, May 14, at around 11 a.m.