Maui News

The first closure is slated to run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from March 30 to April 3.

This wide-ranging legislation will inject $2 trillion into boosting funding to our medical system, providing economic support to workers, small businesses, and state and local governments that are bearing the brunt of the necessary but difficult measures being put in place to combat the coronavirus.

Maui non-profit organizations Aloha House, (including Maui Counseling Group), Mālama Family Recovery Center, and Maui Youth and Family services, are seeking the public’s help to obtain personal protective equipment, so their staff can help clients with critical substance abuse and mental health treatment needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Launched with $75,000, the safety net funding will respond to the following areas impacting residents of Maui County: food, rental and utility assistance, education and medical. These funds will be offered in individual grants to non-profits supporting these specific areas within Maui County.

Effective now, all DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation restrooms statewide at small boat harbors and boat ramps across the state will reopen, to observe CDC guidance for ensuring availability of toilets and hand washing facilities for people experiencing homelessness during this COVID-19 emergency.

The percentage drop of arriving passengers is down 87 percent from the same period last year (4,131 arriving passengers as of 3-24-20 compared to 32,330 on the same day in 2019).

The Victorino administration has already requested a Fiscal Year 2020 budget amendment for an appropriation of $4 million from the Emergency Fund and $2 million for the HELP program. The HELP program will help residents meet their basic financial needs.

He said the $2 trillion legislative package will help with jobs and families.  “The Senate bill as you know includes $350 billion in job retention loans for small businesses, with loan forgiveness available for businesses that continue paying their workers,” said President Trump. 

The Hawai‘i Department of Health is waiving routine TB clearance requirements for selected groups to support COVID-19 mitigation efforts.  The suspension will remain in effect through May 31, 2020.

As of noon on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the state total count of positive coronavirus cases was 95, including 4 new cases on Oʻahu; and one new case each on Maui and Kauaʻi.  Maui’s island count is now 13.  

The list of hotels around Maui and across the state are rolling out plans to address the reduced visitor load and mass cancellations as mandatory quarantines for arriving travelers, and newly implemented stay-at-home orders go into effect.  The newly announced temporary suspension of operations are a result of actions being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 and avoid overburdening limited medical resources. 

Grand Wailea is preparing care packages for employees and the community, including Feed My Sheep and the Maui Food Bank, using the hotel’s perishable food stock. The hotel’s current inventory of toilet paper is being shared with team members.

“We just need people to slow down.  There’s so much less people on the road right now. Speeds have doubled.  If motorist continue doing this, tragedy will happen,” said Lt. Hankins.   With law enforcement tied up with other concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lt. Hankins said, “I just don’t feel it’s right to focus on one particular area when we are dealing with this.” 

“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.”

South Maui’s Kīhei Charter School has been added to the list of Grab & Go Meal pickup sites for children 18 years of age and under. Breakfast and lunch meal service is available at the location starting today, Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

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.

Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply of all four counties in February, according to a report from the Hawai’i Tourism Authority.