Maui Police: No Citations Yet Relating to Emergency Stay-at-Home Declaration

As of March 27, 2020, Maui Police Department has not issued any citations or had any arrests regarding the emergency declaration calling for stay-at-home orders.

“Maui Police Officers have been educating the public on the rules and orders set forth, to gain voluntary compliance,” police said in an afternoon press release. “Unfortunately, there are those within the community that continue to violate the rules and orders. Maui Police Department will be taking progressive action to ensure compliance.”

The stay-at-home order is in effect and vehicular travel is for essential activities only, as described under the Public Health Emergency Rules set forth by Maui Mayor Michael Victorino.

“Maui Police Department is committed to the safety of the entire community. As law enforcement officers we will continue to work to achieve this through compassion and best practices by law enforcement agencies nationwide,” police advised.

Police said they would be trying to gain compliance first through education, utilizing resources available such as public service announcements, social media posts, press releases, radio announcements, magnetic signs on their own vehicles and flyers.

The next step will be through warnings and reprimands in efforts to gain voluntary compliance.

A third step in trying to gain compliance, is through the issuance of citations, Under Hawaiʻi Revised Statue 127A-25. Violation of this statute can result in a fine up to $5,000. “During this hard economic time, this can be avoided by voluntary compliance, and again through education,” police said.

The final step will be arrest. “This is not ideal. Under 127A-25 you can be fined, arrested or both. A violation can lead up to one year in jail. This too can be avoided by voluntary compliance of the rules and orders set forth,” police said.

“Please help stop the spread of Covid-19, do your part, stay home, if it is not essential for you to go out, then please don’t. If you are sick don’t go out, adhere to the guidelines of social distancing, and remember you may not get sick yourself or show signs or symptoms but you may spread it to others and your family if exposed,” police advised.