Maui Coronavirus Updates

Maui Mayor Michael Victornio is looking at potential reinstatement of restrictions with a focus first on gatherings if Maui’s COVID-19 community response does not improve by Monday.

Maui Health today confirmed nine more COVID-19 positive cases, bringing the total cases since Thursday at the Maui facility to 45.  This includes 24 patients and 21 health care workers.   

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino confirmed the planned arrival of cast and crew this weekend for the filming of Temptation Island over the next two months at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.

The state has reported another triple digit increase in new COVID-19 cases with 261 new cases today including 233 on Oʻahu, 20 on Maui and seven on Hawaiʻi Island. More than 96% of the active cases statewide are on the island of Oʻahu. The state is also reporting another death today of an individual on O‘ahu.  This is the 42nd COVID-19 death since the start of the pandemic.

Six of the individuals were residents of Maui and the rest were from various states across the mainland including California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, Georgia and Illinois. 

The Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission approved Young Brothers’ emergency request to increase rates by 46 percent with several conditions over the next 12 months. As a result, Young Brothers will resume a full “pre-COVID” sailing schedule by Sept. 1, 2020, which will restore an additional sailing from the ports of Hilo and Kahului to Honolulu.

Several clusters on Maui are being tracked by the state Department of Health, including small clusters arising from activity at a construction site. In another cluster, DOH officials say five Maui residents held a party on Oʻahu.  One case from the party attended another gathering while ill and symptomatic.  Nine cases were later associated with this party.

The number of COVID-19 cases at the Maui Memorial Medical Center has risen to 36 as of noon today.  Maui Health confirmed that there are 19 health care workers and 17 patients at Maui Memorial Medical Center who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Governor David Ige this afternoon announced a delay in the start of the state’s pre-travel testing program to October 1, 2020.   This pushes the perviously announced Sept. 1 date to October 1, 2020 at the earliest.  Gov. Ige said he will continue to monitor key markets on the mainland and here in Hawaiʻi.

This marks the 15th consecutive day that the daily count has been in the triple digits, with a record breaking 355 cases reported on Thursday.  More than 96% of the active cases statewide are on the island of Oʻahu.

According to the report, 41% of Maui businesses surveyed said they anticipate more staff cuts and other reductions if tourism reopens on Oct. 1, 2020.  An estimated 24% of business in Maui County believed their business would not survive a reopening if it were delayed to October; while 18.5% said they already made reductions to survive a potential delay.  

Maui police arrested two Chicago women at a Maui Airport on Monday night for allegedly violating state and county mandatory orders relating to the 14-day quarantine on arriving travelers.

Governor David Ige and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell met at length yesterday and have agreed that additional targeted restrictions will be needed to stem the spread of COVID-19 on O‘ahu.

Hawaiian Airlines is further enhancing its health measures throughout its system by requiring travelers two years of age and older to wear face coverings at check-in, boarding and during the flight.  Face coverings with mesh, sheer material or equipped with valves will be rejected.

The number of COVID-19 cases at the Maui Memorial Medical Center has risen to 28 as of noon today.  Maui Health confirmed that there are 17 health care workers and 11 patients at Maui Memorial Medical Center who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The state has reported another triple digit increase in new COVID-19 cases with 174 new cases today including 163 on Oʻahu, nine on Maui and two on Hawaiʻi Island.  Of the 235 cases in Maui County, at least 161 have been released from isolation, and 30 have required hospitalization.  Based on the current numbers, there are 68 active cases in Maui County.

The Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Association executive board unanimously approved the extension of the “no-contact period” for the high school sports calendar through Sunday, Sept. 13, which means there shall be no instructional or developmental sport specific activity allowed between high school coaches and student-athletes.

Hale Makua Health Services received word from the State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Health that one resident has tested positive for COVID-19 at Hale Makua Kahului and one Hale Makua Home Health patient has tested positive as well.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino says he’ll look at potentially closing beach parks and reinstating other restrictions if the county continues to see double digit new cases over the next few days.

Mayor Michael Victorino today addressed “rumors and misinformation” he said is spreading on social media about resort bubbles and public beach access. “There has never been any consideration to privatize beaches. All beach parks, beaches and public access to beaches are open and will remain open,” he said.