Maui Coronavirus Updates

Blue lights illuminated the county’s Kalana O Maui Building last night in recognition of National Emergency Medical Services Week, May 17-23, 2020.

End of Day Recap: Emergency Shelters Built, 400+ Antibody and Diagnostic Tests Conducted, Phase II of DMV Opening, Interisland Travel Discussion, Mayor’s Office Call Center Hours Revised, Future Re-Openings in Maui County

A 51-year old woman from Moorpark, CA was arrested this morning by a team of Special Agents from the Investigations Division of the Department of the Attorney General for allegedly violating the State’s 14-day travel quarantine.

State Health officials have removed five cases from the state’s COVID-19 totals as a result of updated testing information, bringing the statewide positive count since tracking began in late February to 642. Two cases were removed from Oʻahu, one from Hawaiʻi Island, one from Maui and one from Kauaʻi. There were no new cases reported today. To date, 585 people (93.6%) have recovered including 105 in Maui County.  There are currently 40 active cases in the state, including six in Maui County. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health reports that there were 579 individuals released from isolation; and 84 cases (13%) that have required hospitalization. A total of 581 patients (91%) were residents. In Maui County there have been 117 cases, at least 105 have been released from isolation, 22 have required hospitalization, and there have been six deaths. The remaining 11 deaths were on Oʻahu.

Donovan Fayd, account executive for MauiNow interviewed Wakon and Jill Childers, owners of Bowman Termite & Pest Management to learn how the essential business is navigating the coronavirus pandemic. Wakon announced the availability of their disinfection and sanitization services for homes, businesses, restaurants, municipal and healthcare facilities. “If you’re just concerned about any kind of […]

“The first week of June will be a big week,” said Mayor Michael Victorino as he continues to make announcements surrounding the phased reopening of businesses in Maui County. 

A total of $532.94 million in Capital Improvement Project funds and General Obligation Bonds has been set aside for a wide assortment of projects in Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021 for their respective districts in the County of Maui.

Terry Fischer, President and CEO of Polynesian Adventure Tours speaks with Patty Lee, operations manager for Hawai’i Airport Advertising and on-camera host for Pacific Media Group to discuss the future of Hawai’i’s tourism industry. Fischer said that the coronavirus pandemic completely halted the operations of Polynesian Adventure Tours. “Our operations have come to a complete halt. We […]

The County of Maui begins construction tomorrow, May 22 on an estimated 20 temporary emergency shelters at Waiale Park in Wailuku for displaced families and individuals impacted by COVID-19.  The park is located between Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center and the Hale Makana O Waiale apartments.

During an afternoon press conference, Gov. Ige said, ”Health measures are pointing in the right direction to make this move..with infection levels appearing to be under control across the state,” however, he could not pinpoint a target date for making this happen and instead said he hopes to finalize a plan shortly.

Degraaf indicated she saw the social media post regarding her violating the 14-day travel quarantine. Degraaf provided a statement and is cooperating with authorities. Degraaf is voluntarily elected to return home to Colorado.

Hawai‘i has more than 38,300 tests on hand for COVID-19 tests and is performing an average of 690 tests each day, with test results available the same day or by the next day.

Maui Island went from tied for the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.1 percent in March to the highest unemployment at 36% in April. Molokaʻi’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 12% and Lānaʻi was 5.5% last month.

Effective May 26, 2020, Maui County Federal Credit Union (FCU)’s Kahului branch at Maui Marketplace will reopen, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Lahaina branch will go back to its normal hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Earlier this month, the Wailuku branch resumed normal hours of operation Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

As of noon on Thursday, May 21, 2020, there are 647 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with one new case on Maui, and three additional cases on Hawaiʻi Island. To date, 579 people (91.9%) have recovered including 98 in Maui County.  There are currently 51 active cases in the state. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health reports that there were 579 individuals released from isolation; and 83 cases (13%) that have required hospitalization. A total of 586 patients (91%) were residents.

Last week, we put out a “call-to-action” to our readers asking how they feel about the COVID-19 pandemic. There was strong participation with more than 2,000 verified responses. This was an over 400% increase in participation from our April survey.

The Board of The Oʻahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association together with the organizing committee of Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai announced their decision today to cancel this year’s championship canoe races: the “Hawaiian Airlines Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai” scheduled for Sept. 27, 2020; and “Hawaiian Airlines Molokaʻi Hoe” scheduled on Oct. 11, 2020.

Mayor Victorino said flags will still be placed on graves, but the traditional live ceremony and flower drop will not happen as many of those who usually attend are senior and elders who are at higher risk of impacts from the ongoing pandemic.

Mayor Victorino said that if things go well and churches are ready with social distancing, sanitizing and other aspects of health and safety, Maui County is looking at the following weekend, at the end of the month, as a possible start week for in-building church services throughout the county.

Mayor Michael Victorino announced a five-week extension of a farmer assistance and food distribution program to help provide food to community organizations that provide food to families and individuals in need.