Maui Coronavirus Updates

A total of 162 samples were taken over the course of two days at the drive-through testing site, earlier this week. Monday’s drive-through testing, which will have 100 test kits, is a collaboration between the Hawaiʻi Department of Health Maui District Health Office, the County of Maui, Kaiser Clinics, Maui Memorial Medical Center and Clinical Labs of Hawaiʻi.

As of noon on Thursday, March 26, 2020, the state total count of positive coronavirus cases was 106, including 8 new cases on Oʻahu; one new case on Maui; and two cases of residents of the state of Hawaiʻi who were diagnosed outside of the state.  Maui’s island count is now 14.

Hawaiian Electric has received dozens of fraud reports from across its five-island service area since late last week, with “many more likely going unreported.” On Wednesday alone, there were 23 fraud reports received on Oʻahu by 1 p.m.

The Hawaiian Homes Commission approved an emergency postponement of mortgage payments for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands direct loans and loans assigned to DHHL during a special emergency meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, as the State faces the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two Maui companies are joining the fight against COVID-19 by teaming up to produce hand sanitizer in order to best support those on the front lines of the pandemic. Pau Maui Vodka and Maui Gold Pineapple are focusing on maximizing impact by providing sanitizer directly to healthcare workers, government employees and community entities. The companies have produced their first run of hand sanitizer which will be available by the end of the week.

The data shows there were 4,131 arrivals in the state on Tuesday, March 24.  The majority, 3,334 were to the island of Oʻahu. While neighbor island totals were not provided, the remaining arrivals within the state (outside of Oʻahu) totaled 797 passengers. 

Funds made available by the first emergency relief bill that passed in Congress are now being allocated to Hawai‘i, including over $750,000 granted to 14 community health centers across the state.  

Effective Monday, March 30, 2020, Maui County Federal Credit Union will have new hours to include the following: Kahului branch – closed; Wailuku and Lahaina branches – Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The University of Hawaiʻi is extending the deadline to apply for admissions to UH Mānoa, UH Hilo, and UH West Oʻahu to Aug. 1, 2020, the same deadline as the seven UH community colleges.

Effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Hawaii State Federal Credit Union (Hawaii State FCU) will reserve the first hour of branch operations for seniors and those living with serious pre-existing conditions to protect this high-risk group from potential exposure to COVID-19.  

The first hour of each day, from Monday through Friday at Central Pacific Bank, is now designated as a time for kūpuna and those most at risk for COVID-19 to complete their banking. 

This wide-ranging legislation will inject $2 trillion into boosting funding to our medical system, providing economic support to workers, small businesses, and state and local governments that are bearing the brunt of the necessary but difficult measures being put in place to combat the coronavirus.

Maui non-profit organizations Aloha House, (including Maui Counseling Group), Mālama Family Recovery Center, and Maui Youth and Family services, are seeking the public’s help to obtain personal protective equipment, so their staff can help clients with critical substance abuse and mental health treatment needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Launched with $75,000, the safety net funding will respond to the following areas impacting residents of Maui County: food, rental and utility assistance, education and medical. These funds will be offered in individual grants to non-profits supporting these specific areas within Maui County.

Guests traveling on Hawaiian’s Neighbor Island network will continue to have flight options throughout the day with 41 daily roundtrip flights scheduled for April. From Honolulu there will be 38 daily flights, including 13 to Maui, eight to Kona, seven to Kaua‘i, six to Hilo, and two each to Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i. From Maui there will be one roundtrip each to Hilo, Kaua‘i and Kona in addition to Honolulu service.

Effective now, all DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation restrooms statewide at small boat harbors and boat ramps across the state will reopen, to observe CDC guidance for ensuring availability of toilets and hand washing facilities for people experiencing homelessness during this COVID-19 emergency.

The percentage drop of arriving passengers is down 87 percent from the same period last year (4,131 arriving passengers as of 3-24-20 compared to 32,330 on the same day in 2019).

The Victorino administration has already requested a Fiscal Year 2020 budget amendment for an appropriation of $4 million from the Emergency Fund and $2 million for the HELP program. The HELP program will help residents meet their basic financial needs.

He said the $2 trillion legislative package will help with jobs and families.  “The Senate bill as you know includes $350 billion in job retention loans for small businesses, with loan forgiveness available for businesses that continue paying their workers,” said President Trump. 

The Hawai‘i Department of Health is waiving routine TB clearance requirements for selected groups to support COVID-19 mitigation efforts.  The suspension will remain in effect through May 31, 2020.