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Rep. Gabbard emphasized that the next round of emergency funding will be focused on helping state and local governments cover the catastrophic losses they have had due to COVID-19 to help protect public employee salaries.

“We are now receiving requests coming in from San Diego, New York, Maine and multiple countries including the U.K., India and Mexico,” Dr. O’Connell of HNu Photonics said. “We literally stopped work on our NASA contracts to develop this life support medical instrument to support Maui County’s needs to fight the coronavirus.”

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino provides his daily update on COVID-19 response in Maui County and offers some clarification on the Governor’s latest “Safer-at-Home” order for phased reopening of businesses in Hawaiʻi. 

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is coordinating the reopening of stations for Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspections (PMVI or Safety Checks) starting Friday, May 15.

Over the period, covering all of April and six days in March, Maui saw 1,621 air visitors on 61 trans-Pacific flights, including 358 visitors, 594 residents, 122 intended residents, 546 crew members and a single individual in transit to another location. A large portion of those who arrived said they came to visit friends or relatives.

As of noon on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, there are 626 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 1 new case on the island of Oʻahu. To date, 558 people have recovered including 93 in Maui County. Of the 116 cases in Maui County, at least 93 have been released from isolation, and 17 have required hospitalization. In Maui County, a total of 6,559 tests were returned negative to date. To date, there have been 17 COVID-19 related deaths in Hawaiʻi, including 11 on Oʻahu and 6 in Maui County.

The Sentry Insurance Foundation is donating $200,000 to Maui United Way, as part of a $1.07 million commitment to organizations across the country for coronavirus relief support.

With today’s announcement of the reopening of select DLNR Division of State Parks units across the state, park managers and aquatic biologists are reminding people to be respectful of the places that are shared with Hawai‘i’s marine creatures.

On Maui, state parks that are reopened for exercise and hiking only during restricted hours are: Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area and Mākena State Park (except Puʻu o Laʻi aka “Little Beach”). Areas on Maui that remain completely closed include: Puʻu o Laʻi “Little Beach” section of Mākena State Park; Halekiʻi-Pihana and ʻĪao Valley State Monuments; and Kaumahina, Wailua and Puaʻakaʻa Wayside Parks. 

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino reminds the public that May 3 through May 9 is Hurricane Preparedness Week 2020. Residents are urged to have a plan, build a kit and stay informed prior to hurricane season, which begins on June 1.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino provides his latest update for COVID-19 response on Maui, including information on the Governor’s latest “Safer-At-Home” order.  

Residents at Hale Makua Health Services were given a rare opportunity to reconnect with loved ones during a Cinco de Mayo celebration parade held at the Kahului campus today.  Hale Makua residents lined the campus driveway holding up colorful, hand-painted signs to greet family members who drove by in a parade of cars decorated with loving messages and festive themes.

Based on initial inspection, the infestation is just over one-quarter of an acre and limited to a section of potted plants brought to the campus several years ago as part of the school’s agriculture program. Staff suspected little fire ants were present in December and collected and submitted a sample of the pests to the Maui Invasive Species Committee in January. Two comprehensive treatments of the infestation have already occurred. The next treatment is scheduled for mid-June and treatments will continue for one year.

As of noon on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, there are 625 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 4 new cases on the island of Oʻahu. To date, 551 people have recovered including 92 in Maui County. *As a result of data cleaning, one case previously categorized as Hawaiʻi County was re-categorized to Honolulu County.

Governor David Ige today unveils his 7th Supplemental Emergency Proclamation relating to COVID-19, announcing Phase 1 of opening businesses and activities. The next phase includes the reopening of: non-food agriculture such as landscaping, floral and ornamental; astronomical observatories and support facilities; car washes; pet grooming services; healthcare and social assistance including elective surgery and non emergent services; some nonprofits; retail businesses including apparel and electronics; certain shopping malls; and wholesale and warehousing operations.  These businesses outlined in the proclamation may reopen under guidelines as of Thursday, May 7 at 12:01 a.m.

The Public Utilities Commission on Monday approved temporary emergency changes to Young Brothers’ sailing schedule for 30 days.  The changes take effect immediately and will result in an amended weekly sailing schedule for Maui and Hawaiʻi counties.  

Carl Bonham, Executive Director of University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO), said he expects visitors will begin returning to Hawaiʻi during the 3rd quarter at levels about 28% of those from previous years and that number could be up to 50% by the end of the year. He expects that we will have regained about 100,000 jobs by the end of the year but will still have double digit percentage unemployment.

A patient on Maui who was diagnosed with COVID-19 over a month ago and had been on a ventilator, was greeted with a celebratory exit from hospital staff who lined the halls upon her departure today.

Mayor Victorino COVID-19 Update, May 4, 4:30 p.m.

A Maui man suffered head and back injuries after falling about 20 feet while picking opihi at Waipio Bay east of Twin Falls in Haʻiku this morning.