Maui Coronavirus Updates

The Department of Education today announced that traditional commencement ceremonies at public and charter schools will be replaced with alternative celebrations for the class of 2020.

COVID-19 Testing is now underway at the Lahaina Drive Through site along the Honoapiʻilani Highway in West Maui near Launiupoko Beach Park.

Today’s guest is Jim Diegel, Chief Strategy Officer, Maui Health. Diegel spoke with KPOA’s Shane Kahalehau, discussing testing efforts in Maui County, caregiver isolation rooms, and volunteer work through Maui Health.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations released improved software to apply for and track unemployment claims. The IRS has launched a Get My Payment application where the public can check on the status of Economic Impact Payments.

State Farm agent Paul MacDonald from Kahului will be delivering 50 pizzas today, Wednesday, April 15 to grocery store workers in Central Maui. MacDonald will purchase the pizzas from Maui Lani Domino’s and will visit five grocery stores to coincide with the workers’ lunch breaks.

On Hawaiʻi Island, a cluster at a fast food restaurant in Kona has resulted in 12 positive cases–including seven workers and five family members of two of the employees.

On Wednesday, April 15 at 4 p.m. HST, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) will host her next COVID-19 tele-town hall update.

The loans are available to 7,500 companies across the islands.

Maui Mayor provides an update on Maui’s COVID-19 response at a 4 p.m. press conference on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.

Governor David Ige holds a press conference at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.  In addition to the governor, updates will be provided by: Lt. Governor Josh Green; Dr. Bruce Anderson, Director, Hawai‘i Dept. of Health (latest numbers); and Hilton Raethel, President & CEO, Healthcare Association of Hawai’i (Medical Reserve Corps, PPE supply).

Named “Building Bridges, Not Walking on Backs: A Feminist Economic Recovery Plan for COVID-19,” organizers say it is the first effort of its kind in the nation. 

General public access to the testing site will be on Honoapiʻilani Highway eastbound fronting Launiupoko Beach Park. The portion of the highway between Kai Hele Kū St. and the bypass connection will be closed to traffic in both directions.

Maui County has 2 new cases for a total of 88 confirmed positive. Of the 88 cases in Maui County, at least 41 have been released from isolation, and 7 have required hospitalization.

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 rural response, increased testing this week, and issues surrounding the hospital cluster at Maui Memorial Medical Center.

In our continuing series called ‘Talking Story’, Patty Lee interviews her sister, South Korean resident Bo Son, to gain some insight on how our neighbor to the East is handling the COVID-19 pandemic.    Throughout the interview Bo clarifies some common misconceptions on South Korea’s handling of the pandemic.

Dr. Lee Weiss, Regional Director of Emergency Medical Services said he anticipates seeing antibody testing in Hawaiʻi within the next week to 10 days, if not sooner. Dr. Weiss also answers questions about droplet transmission, anticipated arrival of rapid antigen test kits, and further explanation of IGM (the body’s initial response to the infection) and IGG (the specific antibody produced after more time).

Senator Kaiali‘i “Kai” Kahele (D-Hilo) voluntarily answered the call to state active duty this morning as a member of the Hawai‘i National Guard’s COVID-19 Joint Task Force response.

In Maui County, the funds include: $23,656,740 for Kahului Airport; $1,497,842 for Molokaʻi Airport; $1,302,047 for Lānaʻi Airport; $69,000 for Hāna Airport; $69,000 for Kalaupapa; and $1,000 for Kapalua Airport.

As of last night, 34 people at Maui Memorial Medical Center had tested positive for COVID-19. This includes two healthcare workers and one patient.

Maui photographer Chris Archer of ArcherShoots shares this six part video series of the past 24 days spent at home in isolation.  He said he hopes it offers people a peaceful and calming break.