Interview: Mayor Asks for Earlier Re-Opening Date for Dine-In Service on Maui

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino this morning said he’s asking that the resumption of dine-in restaurant services on Maui be moved from the previously announced June 5th date to an earlier June 1st date instead; but he’s awaiting approval from the governor’s office.

“I’ve sent down a request to the governor to change it to June 1st for those who want to… Let me say it this way–this is not ‘should’ or ‘shall,’ it’s ‘may.’  If they would like to open up, if they feel ready, if they want to test out certain systems, certain seating capacity (or) seating arrangements… this would be a good time to test it,” said Mayor Victorino who likened the idea to a “soft opening.”

“They don’t make a big fanfare.  They open and they call or they tell people they know–family, friends–and let them come in and help put together the system so they can find out how it works (and) how effective it is,” said Mayor Victorino.

Hair and nail salons on Maui resumed operation yesterday (on Monday, May 25) as the latest phase of Maui’s reopening, and drive-in religious services resumed on Friday, May 22.

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 the Memorial Day weekend, interisland travel assessment, and Maui’s transition to the governor’s latest 8th Supplemental Emergency Proclamation.