Maui Coronavirus Updates

There were 211 new COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i today including 190 on O‘ahu four on Maui and 17 on Hawai‘i Island.   There were also four deaths linked to COVID-19 in Hawai‘i today, all on O‘ahu, bringing the state total since the pandemic began to 79. Details are pending release.

The carrier, which has been operating a reduced schedule since March due to the pandemic and resulting travel restrictions, will continue to cap cabin capacity at 70 percent through October to allow for onboard distancing.

This adds one additional week of a $300 plus-up for various types of unemployment benefits on top of the three weeks initially approved by Federal Emergency Management Agency on August 29.

The Realtors Association of Maui concluded its two-week-long “Got Rice?” virtual food drive on Aug. 15, raising more than $7,400 to support the Maui Food Bank. The COVID-19 pandemic has more than doubled the number of food-insecure people from 10,000 people per month to 35,000 people per month. 

Just as the event was scheduled to begin, news broke that Dr. Emily Roberson, the Department of Health’s new investigations branch chief and head of the state’s contact tracing program, had requested a leave of absence until chain of command issues can be sorted out.

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary confirmed a second positive COVID-19 case involving an employee at Hoapili Hale on Maui. There are now 12 confirmed positive cases for Judiciary employees statewide including: nine on Oʻahu, two on Maui, and one on Hawaiʻi island.

The County has committed $200,000 to support the ranching community, which includes the purchase of cattle from various independent ranchers. DeCoite Packing House will process the cattle into approximately 1,000 pounds of ground beef, per week. Feed My Sheep will receive the ground beef and distribute to qualified individuals, nonprofit agencies and community feeding programs.

The Imi Pono challenge is open to middle school and high school students in Maui County who have ideas for a new invention, service, technique, application or product that can help to build a sustainable and vibrant economy.

County of Hawai’i Mayor Harry Kim announced Wednesday afternoon the closure of all Hawai’i county and state beach parks from Sept. 4 through Sept. 18 to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The announcement comes amid a spike of coronavirus cases on Hawai’i Island with several clusters linked to social gatherings.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson today shared that he and his family have been recovering from COVID-19 over the past two-and-a-half to three weeks.  

There were 339 new COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i today including 302 on O‘ahu and two on Maui and 34 on Hawai‘i Island.  Today’s case count includes 90 previously diagnosed cases from between Aug. 20 and 31.  State Health officials say the reporting was delayed as the result of an error in lab reporting that has subsequently been corrected. There was one death linked to COVID-19 in Hawai‘i today on O‘ahu, bringing the state total since the pandemic began to 75.

Governor David Ige notified legislative leaders and key lawmakers on Monday of his intent to veto six measures. The Hawai‘i State Constitution requires the governor to notify the Legislature of the bills he intends to veto not later than the 35th day after adjournment, which was on Monday, Aug. 31.

Assistance through the County’s Kōkua Small Business Recovery & Relief Fund has been doubled with the addition of $3 million in CARES Act funds approved by Maui Mayor Michael Victorino on Tuesday.

Haleakalā National Park  is increasing access to park trails, by opening the first 2.5 mile section of the Keoneheʻeheʻe “Sliding Sands” Trail for use from Friday to Sunday.

The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney recently reported two positive COVID-19 cases, according to Maui Deputy Managing Director Josiah Nishida.  Both individuals are asymptomatic and in self quarantine until released by the Department of Health, which is monitoring them daily.

At about 2 p.m. Maui Community Correctional Center (MCCC) inmates in one module refused to go back into their cells.  Staff immediately activated their emergency response teams to deescalate the situation.  It was quickly contained and order restored by 2:45 p.m.   Maui Police were called to standby for assistance as a precaution.

A Hoapili Hale (Maui) employee, who was asymptomatic and took the test as a requirement for a new job, last worked on Aug. 31 and received a positive test result that night. The person has worked in the courtroom, always wearing a mask and adhering to CDC guidelines.

There were four deaths linked to COVID-19 in Hawai‘i today, including three fatalities on O‘ahu and one on Hawai‘i Island, bringing the state total since the pandemic began to 74. There were 181 new COVID-19 cases in Hawai‘i today including 157 on O‘ahu and five on Maui and 19 on Hawai‘i Island.

A total of 10 employees at Maui Police Department’s Wailuku Station have tested positive for COVID-19 since the first case was reported at the department on Aug. 27. All 10 of the COVID-19 positive individuals work out of the Wailuku Police Station and are a combination of sworn and civilian employees who have limited contact with the general public.

Hāna-Maui Resort (formerly Travaasa Hāna) announced it will be joining the Hyatt family, with Hyatt assuming management under the Destination Hotels brand.