Maui News

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is now capable of in-state testing for COVID-19 and, on average, results can be ready within 24-48 hours of a sample being collected.

One direction at a time of Hāna Highway will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. between Monday evening, March 2 and Saturday morning, March 7. The night work will involve pavement milling and resurfacing of Hāna Highway between Kaʻahumanu Avenue and Dairy Road.

A fire that was first reported on Saturday, Feb. 22, has burned just under 9,000 acres on the island of Kahoʻolawe, according to an update from the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission.

Fire officials say the man, described as a 22-year-old from Minnesota, was attempting to hike from Hāna Bay around Kaʻuiki Head to Kaihalulu when the incident occurred.

HOUSE PASSES KEY MEASURES ON THIRD READING: Gun violence prevention, women’s rights, Hawaiʻi Promise bills move to Senate

As alleged in the Indictment[1]: From at least June 2019, and continuing to in or about January 2020, Arthur Brun (aka “Ata”), Maluelue Umu (aka “Malu”), Kelvin Kauwila Kai (aka “Kauwila”), Steven Keliikuli, Kaniu Huihui, Sheena Millare, Efren Yanos, Kirsten Makanoe Ayau (aka “Makanoe”), Orlando Manuchei (aka “Ole”), Robby Silva, Haidee Sueyasu and Phrystal Bacio, the defendants, and others known and unknown, co-spired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

A portion of homes on Lower Waiehu Beach Road in Wailuku will have their water shut-off from approximately 9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2020.

Presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard (US Rep. Hawaiʻi) issued an update this evening, saying Hawaiʻi will now be able to start testing for COVID-19 next week, and will no longer need to get test kits from Japan. However, she said, there are still “major questions” she has as to why it’s taken so long for the state Department of Health and the CDC to make this possible.

The Hawai‘i Senate Ways and Means Committee today advanced a bill to provide Governor David Ige’s request for an emergency appropriation of $10,568,750 to the Hawai‘i Departments of Health and Defense for prevention and mitigation of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

The Maui Police Department is asking for the Public’s assistance in locating John Kahalehoe III. Kahalehoe is wanted on two warrants for allegations that include: second degree assault, first degree criminal property damage, fourth degree arson and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.

Japan has ordered all elementary, junior high and high schools nationwide to close from Monday through spring break, which typically ends in early April. Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 in California in a person who reportedly did not have relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient with COVID-19.

Teams from Pukalani Elementary and Kaunakakai Elementary qualified for the 2020 VEX IQ World Championships in Louisville, Ky., in April. 

Police have lifted the “shelter in place” that was in effect earlier at ʻĪao Intermediate School.  The action was taken at around 12:03 p.m., and lifted at 12:31 p.m.  Police have not yet released details about the reason for the shelter, which is a term used to describe a type of “lockdown” situation.

“The suspects under indictment today were identified as part of a major drug trafficking organization that has been supplying a significant amount of methamphetamine throughout the community,” said Chief of Police Todd G. Raybuck

The monk seal, Pōhaku, was rescued by federal wildlife officials in January near Ko Olina. She was diagnosed and is being treated for toxoplasmosis, a disease that results from infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, one of the world’s most common parasites. 

State health officials are urging the public to prepare now for potential risks associated with COVID-19, also known as the Novel Coronavirus.

Visitor spending on Maui increased 7.7 percent to $510.7 million in January 2020, year-over-year, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

Maui motorists are advised of nightly closures on the Hāna Highway (Route 360) between Huelo and Hāna Town beginning Monday, March 9, 2020 for slope stabilization work.

Maui highlights include: $40 million for the widening of Puʻunēnē Avenue from Kamehameha Avenue to Kūihelani Highway; $11 million for Kāʻanapali Beach Restoration and Berm Enhancement; and $4 million for the acquisition of Nā Wai ʻEha as part of the CIP budget for the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) is calling for the suspension of flights from Japan and South Korea to prevent the spread of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus.