Maui Coronavirus Updates

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, all interscholastic competition will be suspended indefinitely based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat.

3/13/20 – Dr. Bruce Anderson, Director of Health, Dr. Sarah Park, Epidemiologist, Disease Outbreak Control Division & Hilton Raethel, President Hawaiʻi Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi discuss the state’s guidelines for families during spring break.

The Bozich Center Opening Celebration featuring Shin Lim on March 28, 2020 will be postponed and rescheduled for Sept. 12, 2020.

“We know that traditionally spring break is a time when families go on trips or spend more time at the malls, theaters, restaurants, and other places where the public gathers,” said Bruce Anderson, director of the Hawai‘i Department of Health. “We are urging families to be circumspect and exercise extra precautions to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission.”

Very High Exposure risk jobs are those with high potential for exposure to known or suspected sources of COVID-19 during specific medical, postmortem, or laboratory procedures.

Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation spokesperson Tim Sakahara responded to Maui Now’s request for information saying, “All HDOT harbors and airports in Hawaiʻi continue to be open and operational. Any reports of their closing due to Covid-19 are inaccurate.” Maston Operations Continue Uninterrupted: Matson intends to maintain all service schedules as normal with three arrivals a week to Honolulu and twice a week calls to each neighbor island port.

The Maui County Farm Bureau’s board of directors announced today it will postpone its General Membership meeting scheduled Wednesday, March 18. The new meeting will be on Wednesday, April 15.

Due to concerns over spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus in the United States, St. Joseph Church and School, has postponed the annual St. Joseph Feast for this year.

US President Donald Trump officially declared a national emergency. He said the declaration opens access to $50 billion for the shared fight against COVID-19.  In his address, President Trump urged states to set up emergency operation centers immediately and asked all hospitals to activate emergency preparedness plans. 

Maui Representative Tina Wildberger and fellow Rep. Amy Perruso joined in calling for a cruise ship moratorium.  The two join Lieutenant Governor Josh Green and Minority Leader Gene Ward in their urgent calls for an immediate 60-day moratorium on cruise ships docking in Hawaiʻi’s harbors.  

Tell your provider about your symptoms and any recent travel. Healthcare providers will discuss any possible cases of COVID-19 with DOH to determine if testing is needed. Consider utilizing tele-health services, if available. Avoid traveling or leaving home if you are sick, except for visiting your doctor after contacting them in advance.

Hawaiʻi Medical Assurance Association (HMAA) announced that costs associated with physician-ordered COVID-19 diagnostic testing will be 100% covered for their members under HMAA’s medical plans when performed by an in-network provider.

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary is asking any potential juror who has a fever, cough, or other respiratory symptoms; has returned to Hawaiʻi within the last 14 days after traveling internationally; or who has COVID-19 or has been in close contact with a person who has or is suspected of having COVID-19 to call the court to reschedule jury service.

Effective today, March 13, 2020, and until further notice, all correctional facilities in Hawaiʻi will suspend inmate personal visits. At this point this action does not impact the continuation of other scheduled official and attorney visits.

Maui-based Rising Sun Solar issued an open letter assuring customers and the community at large of the company’s commitment to follow public health emergency guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The director of the Maui Film Festival issued a statement on Thursday evening addressing the Coronavirus challenge facing Maui, Hawaiʻi, the US mainland and beyond.  The festival is currently scheduled for June 17-21, 2020 in Wailea, Maui.

All Maui Friday Town Parties have been cancelled until further notice due to increased precautions regarding COVID-19, county officials announced. This includes Wailuku First Fridays, Lahaina Second Fridays, Makawao Third Fridays, Kīhei Fourth Fridays and Lānaʻi Fifth Fridays.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is installing 250 hand sanitizing dispensers with more than 12,000 boxes of anti-bacterial solution that will be placed in high passenger volume areas throughout the airports statewide.

Maui Health announced that beginning April 1, 2020, air ambulance helicopters can now land at Maui Memorial Medical Center’s helipad at night.

In light of safety and health concerns and after serious consideration, the organizers and sponsors of the 2020 Merrie Monarch Festival announced today that the event will not be held.