Maui News

Among the teachers speaking today was Jodi Kunimitsu a math teacher at Maui High School who is married to another educator who works at Baldwin High School.  “When we first heard about the pay cuts last night, we were extremely disappointed… We just don’t understand why we would be looked at first as far as trying to balance the budget.  It always seems like the budget is trying to be balanced on the backs of the most essential workers,” said Kunimitsu.

Maui County has 4 new cases for a total of 92 confirmed positive. Of the 92 cases in Maui County, at least 42 have been released from isolation, and 7 have required hospitalization.

The Department of Education today announced that traditional commencement ceremonies at public and charter schools will be replaced with alternative celebrations for the class of 2020.

COVID-19 Testing is now underway at the Lahaina Drive Through site along the Honoapiʻilani Highway in West Maui near Launiupoko Beach Park.

Bill 50, was introduced by Councilmember Michael J. Molina and seeks to double current penalties. The bill would increase penalties for a lack of prominent display of the permit to “not less than $20 nor more than $100” and increase penalties for operating without a permit to “not less than $200 nor more than $1,000.” Both fines double the current penalty amounts.

Today’s guest is Jim Diegel, Chief Strategy Officer, Maui Health. Diegel spoke with KPOA’s Shane Kahalehau, discussing testing efforts in Maui County, caregiver isolation rooms, and volunteer work through Maui Health.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations released improved software to apply for and track unemployment claims. The IRS has launched a Get My Payment application where the public can check on the status of Economic Impact Payments.

State Farm agent Paul MacDonald from Kahului will be delivering 50 pizzas today, Wednesday, April 15 to grocery store workers in Central Maui. MacDonald will purchase the pizzas from Maui Lani Domino’s and will visit five grocery stores to coincide with the workers’ lunch breaks.

Maui police are on the scene of a reported shooting at a residence in the West Maui area of Nāpili.  Sources say the incident was reported at around 8:30 p.m. Updates will be posted here.

24-year old Kainoa Kaoni is 5’11” tall and weighs 200 lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He is serving time for Theft 2, Burglary 1, Forgery, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, Unauthorized Possession of Confidential Personal Information, Attempted Burglary and Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle.   He now faces an additional escape charge when found.

On Hawaiʻi Island, a cluster at a fast food restaurant in Kona has resulted in 12 positive cases–including seven workers and five family members of two of the employees.

Mira Image Construction LLC will be performing work on the County’s water system on Thursday, prompting a water shut-down from about 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for homes in the Wailuku area. 

The bill aims to require that 201H affordable housing projects submitted to the county must consist of a minimum of 75 percent of the total units for individuals and families within very low, low, low-moderate, and moderate-income households.

On Wednesday, April 15 at 4 p.m. HST, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) will host her next COVID-19 tele-town hall update.

Maui Mayor provides an update on Maui’s COVID-19 response at a 4 p.m. press conference on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.

Governor David Ige holds a press conference at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.  In addition to the governor, updates will be provided by: Lt. Governor Josh Green; Dr. Bruce Anderson, Director, Hawai‘i Dept. of Health (latest numbers); and Hilton Raethel, President & CEO, Healthcare Association of Hawai’i (Medical Reserve Corps, PPE supply).

General public access to the testing site will be on Honoapiʻilani Highway eastbound fronting Launiupoko Beach Park. The portion of the highway between Kai Hele Kū St. and the bypass connection will be closed to traffic in both directions.

Maui County has 2 new cases for a total of 88 confirmed positive. Of the 88 cases in Maui County, at least 41 have been released from isolation, and 7 have required hospitalization.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino is providing updates on Pacific Media Group’s network of Maui stations as the County continues to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Today, the mayor spoke with Ed Kanoi and Charly Espina-Takahama of 99.9 KISS FM on Maui, and shared his thoughts on rural response, increased testing this week, and issues surrounding the hospital cluster at Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Dr. Lee Weiss, Regional Director of Emergency Medical Services said he anticipates seeing antibody testing in Hawaiʻi within the next week to 10 days, if not sooner. Dr. Weiss also answers questions about droplet transmission, anticipated arrival of rapid antigen test kits, and further explanation of IGM (the body’s initial response to the infection) and IGG (the specific antibody produced after more time).