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Mayor Victorino said the tour allowed him to see the hospital’s upgrades and changes.  “I was quite pleased at what I saw, but the proof is in the pudding and we’re going to work hard.  They’re working hard to make sure you would be safe if and when you need to go to the hospital–whether it’s the ER or any other services provided.”

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino provided a glimpse into the thought process for reopening businesses on Maui saying, “Public health has to be the priority… followed by community–that our communities open up with some resiliency… and of course the economic part… That is the triangle that needs to be put together.”

The County of Maui is partnering with Project Hoʻomana to distribute food bags to those in need in the  East Maui community of Hāna.  The distribution will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, April 29, at the Hāna Ball Park starting at 3 p.m.  About 300 bags of food will be distributed (one bag per vehicle).

Donovan Fayd, account executive for MauiNow interviewed Gary Fukuroku, president and CEO of Maui County Federal Credit Union to learn how the coronavirus pandemic has affected his business operations.

An announcement on the phased reopening of businesses for Maui County is expected tomorrow, according to an afternoon update provided by Maui Mayor Michael Victorino.  Mayor Victorino described the Lānaʻi woman as an elderly individual, over the age of 65, who is from Lānaʻi, but contracted COVID-19 while she was hospitalized at the Maui Memorial Medical Center. Mayor Victorino said he believes the case is linked to the Maui Hospital cluster, which as of today, stands at 58 individuals, including 38 staff and 20 patients.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino provides his daily weekday update and answers media questions.

As of last Friday, across the state, officers with the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement issued a total of 107 citations for various violations associated with emergency rules.

The University Hawaiʻi Maui College will hold a virtual commencement this year.  The tentative date for the Maui College Virtual Commencement is Wednesday, June 3, at 5:30 p.m.  There are an estimated 430 to 450 graduation applicants that are currently being vetted, as well as an estimated 70 individuals from the University Center which houses students who are registered with other University of Hawaiʻi colleges through distance education. 

As of noon on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, there are 609 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 2 new cases, both located in Maui County.  State Health officials say one case involves a Lānaʻi resident who was exposed on the Island of Maui, and who will be remaining on Maui Island for the interim. There are 104 active cases in the state and 35 active cases in Maui County. Of the 115 cases in Maui County, at least 80 have been released from isolation, and 14 have required hospitalization.

US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaiʻi) led an effort with Senators Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) urging the US Department of Agriculture to immediately reconsider its denial of waiver requests and allow college students continued access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits if they have become unemployed due to the pandemic.

To date, a total of about 350 individuals have been tested on Lānaʻi, which remains the only island in Maui County with zero confirmed cases.

The County of Maui Department of Water Supply declared a Stage 1 water shortage Monday for its domestic water system serving residents of Wailuku, Kahului and Pāʻia. Because of a water pump failure over the weekend, the department is requiring residents of Wailuku, Kahului and Pāʻia to cut back water usage by at least 10 percent beginning May 3 and until further notice.

Maui Health today confirmed that a Maui Medical Group provider who provides care to patients at Maui Memorial Medical Center has tested positive for COVID-19. The provider was tested for COVID-19 two weeks ago by Maui Medical Group, was asymptomatic, and the results were negative. This week the Maui Medical Group provider became symptomatic and then self-quarantined at home.  On Friday, a repeat test was performed and yesterday, Sunday April 26, the results returned positive for COVID-19.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino provides his daily weekday update and answers media questions.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino today sent a letter to Governor David Ige saying he hopes residents will be able to call or go online to place flower deliver orders for Mother’s Day on May 10, 2020. Under the Governor’s Sixth Supplementary Proclamation, county mayors must now seek approval before issuing any emergency rules, orders or proclamations.

The 16th death is an Oʻahu woman who is over 65-years-old and had underlying conditions and had been hospitalized since early April. As of noon on Monday, April 27, 2020, there are 607 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 1 new case located in Maui County. To date, 493 people have recovered including 78 in Maui County.  This means there are 114 active cases in the state and 35 active cases in Maui County.

“This will be a defining week for us,” said Mayor Victorino.  “The last two weeks have set the tone… I’m looking at opening parks and I’ll probably be announcing that tomorrow, depending on if the governor approves it or not.”

Out of the $200,000 donation, $40,000 went to our local food banks on four islands–$10,000 each to Hawaii Foodbank, Hawaii Foodbank Kaua‘i, Maui Food Bank and The Food Basket on Hawai‘i Island.  In addition, the Alaska Airlines Foundation contributed $20,000 to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Hawai‘i Resilience Fund.  

38-year-old Brandon Butihi is described as approximately 5’6” tall and 170 pounds. It is unknown what type of clothing he was wearing at the time he was last heard from. Police say Butihi does not own a vehicle, commutes by walking and may still be in the Kahului area.

Hand washing stations are available for staff and public; Recycling “sorting” barrels are disinfected after each use; Customers are asked to keep a safe distance of at least six feet between each other; Operators highly recommend that customers wear a mask and gloves while recycling and redeeming HI-5 bottles and cans; and Staff wear masks when interacting with the public.