Maui Coronavirus Updates

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard says she has advocated with Congress and the White House for the last two weeks, pushing for greater support for Hawai‘i as communities continue to struggle with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Deadline is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22 at 6 a.m. Hawaiʻi Time.

When asked when Maui will reopen, Mayor Victorino said, “It’s based on health issues as well as timetables… How are we doing as far as the outbreak is concerned? Do we have enough masks… There are some services that have been deemed unessential, that now become essential… we’re looking at all of these different aspects… Overall, I feel it should be in the not-too-distant future.”

“Many small businesses in Hawai‘i were unable to access the first round of PPP funding, so this additional $310 billion will help those who didn’t get their loan approved in time,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Banking Committee.

The pair were reported by a manager at the LayLow Waikīkī Hotel, after being notified by an “irate” citizen that Tien was allegedly “posting on Instagram showing her being out of her hotel room in violation of the State’s 14-day-self-quarantine law for people arriving in Hawai‘i.”

Sen. Mazie K. Hirono announced that the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health received $2 million in emergency grant funding from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand and strengthen access to substance abuse and mental health treatment.

As of noon on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, there are 586 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 2 new cases, both in Maui County. Of the 110 cases in Maui County, at least 60 have been released from isolation, and 7 have required hospitalization. Maui also reported its 5th COVID-19 related death. It was one of two confirmed in the state overnight for a total of 12 across the state since Feb. 28, 2020.

Right now, the public can donate to Food Banks and go online to sign up to Volunteer for the future in case of emergency or Essential Volunteer Needs weekly at www.handsonmaui.com and statewide with Kanu Hawaiʻi.

On Monday, April 20, a total of 444 people arrived in Hawaiʻi from out-of-state including 111 visitors and 151 residents, according to new data compiled by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. There were no flights to the neighbor islands from out-of-state yesterday.

Maui County Federal Credit Union donated a care package with $30 Starbucks gift cards, healthy snack bars and workout towels to the 26 Hale Makua Home Health Care staff. “It’s part of saying mahalo to our community that are in the medical field,” said Gary Fukuroku, President and CEO with Maui County Federal Credit Union.

On Maui, the man who passed also had underlying health conditions. He had been in the hospital at Maui Memorial Medical Center (MMMC) since late last year. This person’s death is considered related to the MMMC cluster, which as of yesterday had 36 staff and 20 patients under investigation as potentially associated with the cluster.

“The beach issue… I’m not letting it go,” said Mayor Victorino.  “I want clarification. I want our people to be able to use our beaches–to walk, run, exercise and swim… We don’t want congregating, but the rest, I’m all for it… If he (Gov. Ige) gives me the authorization to let people exercise and walk on our beaches… I will be the first Mayor to do that immediately,” he said.

The House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness moved from research and planning for Hawaiʻi’s economic recovery post-coronavirus to focusing on the implementation of those plans. Under the plan, Hawaii is in the first of a three phase effort with any move to the next phase tied to healthcare readiness.  The group is currently setting timelines to ensure containment for screening, testing, tracking, and quarantine measures.

On Sunday, April 19, a total of 441 people arrived in Hawaiʻi from out-of-state including 123 visitors and 184 residents, according to new data compiled by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. On Maui, there were 31 individuals who arrived from out-of-state including six crew members, 13 residents and 12 visitors.

“At this time it is under investigation.  And we are doing the proper steps.  Trust me, I believe Garrett has done a great job helping us, but there are laws that still exist and has to be abided by.  At this point, let the investigation take its course.  I’m saying that we will make it a fair investigation, and whatever we can do to resolve it as quickly as possible is what I’m asking for.”

Hale Makua Resident Completes 14-Day Quarantine But Will Undergo Additional Tests to Confirm Recovery. Of the two home health clients who had tested positive, one has been released from isolation and is recovering. The other home health client is currently in quarantine.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino provides an update on the latest information on COVID-19 as it relates to Maui County. Haʻikū / Pāʻia Drive Through Food Distribution – Thursday, April 23: Drive through food distribution will be held on Thursday, April 23 for individuals in need in the Haʻikū/Pāʻia area. An estimated 300 bags of food will be distributed at the event. Start time is at 10 a.m. at the Old Maui High School located at 1000 Holomua Road.  Drivers must enter off of the Hāna Highway and exit onto Baldwin Avenue. 

Alan Oshima, the state Economic Recovery and Resiliency Navigator, appointed by Gov. Ige to help coordinate Hawai‘i’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery, laid out guiding principles during today’s media briefing at the State Capitol.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) is returning to Washington, D.C. tonight in preparation for anticipated votes on Wednesday for the next wave of federal coronavirus relief funding for small businesses and hospitals.

“We extend a big mahalo nui loa to those who have donated: Pau Maui Vodka and Maui Gold Pineapple for hand sanitizer, Aloha Surgery Center for PPE, Hale Makua for PPE, Adventist Health Castle for PPE, Structural Concrete Bonding & Restoration Inc. for masks, and Mask of Maui for cloth masks. We also thank the following companies for their donations to our employees: Sun Fresh Hawaiʻi LLC for various produce items, Mahi Pono for potatoes, and Honolulu Cookie Company for cookies,” said Alakai.