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With many schools closed due to the virus, the Department of Education will not be enforcing standardized testing requirements, according to new information today provided during a White House press briefing.

Preparations are underway to ready the War Memorial Gymnasium parking lot in Wailuku as Maui’s drive-through testing site for COVID-19. Details of the operation will be announced on Friday, with the goal of tests to start as early as next week.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino’s will deliver a live video update on Maui County’s COVID-19 response at 5 p.m. today, Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Our Malika Dudley interviewed Executive Director of the Maui Food Bank, Rich Yust, as increased demand for food grips our community. The organization is fully operational at this time and they are taking the necessary precautions of sanitation and social distancing. Currently, staff is working to gather product to create boxes of food that could […]

Hawai‘i State Senator Clarence K. Nishihara was informed today that he has tested positive for COVID-19, and he has since informed his colleagues and staff.

Hawaiʻi’s presumptive positive cases for COVID-19 has risen to 26 with 10 additional cases added including eight more on Oʻahu (bringing their total to 18) and two more on Maui (bringing the Valley Isle total to 5).  The remaining cases are on Kauaʻi (2) and Hawaiʻi Island (1). 

Calling it a “difficult decision,” University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner announced the cancellation of all traditional commencement ceremonies at all 10 campuses in the US system, including the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College in Kahului.  

In countries where commercial departure options remain available, US citizens who live in the United States are advised that they should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. 

Today, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard announced her decision to suspend her campaign for US President and offer backing to Joe Biden “in his quest to bring the country together.”

Senator J. Kalani English (D-Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi and Kaho‘olawe) thanked Governor David Ige for implementing his recommendation to close the Hāna Highway to non-residents to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and Mayor Mike Victorino for closing the back side county road through Kaupō to non-residents.

“As we race to develop a vaccine, we’re also developing anti-viral therapies,” said President Trump noting that treatments will help reduce the severity or duration of the symptoms.  The president named several prospective therapies including chloroquine, which has been used in the past for the treatment of malaria.  The drug has gained FDA approval for testing as a potential COVID-19 treatment.

Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating missing person, 51-year-old Wade Marwood, who failed to return home to Canada.

The County requests that general inquiries to the departments be made by phone or email to limit in-person interaction, and personnel will strive to respond within one business day.

Hawaiian Airlines is reducing its flight schedule systemwide by nearly 40 percent in April as the state of Hawai‘i deals with increasing COVID-19 cases and resulting government restrictions and pronouncements impacting travel.

Mayor Michael Victorino announced a number of Public Health Emergency Rules effective as of 7:45 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2020, directed toward limiting the gathering of groups of people and curtailing vehicular transportation except for essential activities or operation of essential business or government functions, such as travel to and from work and medical appointments.

Kepaniwai Park at ʻĪao Valley is closed until further notice for cleaning and maintenance, according to a county notice issued on Wednesday afternoon.

As of March 18, 2020, noon, there is a total of 16 confirmed or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. New positive results were announced today for two O‘ahu residents who traveled outside Hawai‘i. The Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring these individuals and supervising their isolation as well as the self-quarantine of their family members.  One of the O‘ahu cases announced this past Monday, March 16, was a Kualoa tour operator who had not traveled, but was exposed to travelers daily. Three family members from the individual’s household were tested with negative results. All cases who tested positive in Hawaiʻi are travel related. Although the Governor said Hawaii was on the “edge of community-spread” over the weekend, state Health Officials today say “There is no evidence of community spread in Hawai‘i at this time.”

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek S.K Kawakami has implemented, via emergency rule, an islandwide nighttime curfew beginning Friday, March 20. The curfew will be in effect from 9 p.m. through 5 a.m. daily until further notice. Every individual within the County of Kaua‘i must remain in their residence during these specified hours.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation informs the traveling public that Hāna Highway (Route 360) between Kapakalua Road and Hāna Town is restricted to local traffic until further notice beginning March 18, 2020.

In an effort to create a safe environment for our kupuna to grocery shop, Foodland announced that it will set aside the first hour of business on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to serve only seniors (age 60 yrs. and above) and an accompanying caregiver or assisting family member at all stores statewide.