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If red-vented bulbuls become established on Maui, they pose a severe threat to native forest ecosystems and Mauiʻs watersheds. 

Physician retention has been an issue at Kula Clinic but Tracy Dallarda, communications officer for Maui Health, sees it as part of a broader piece to the healthcare picture.

As of 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 7, Hawaiian Electric crews are responding to a new outage affecting Pukalani to East Maui and parts of Makawao and Haʻikū in addition to the existing outages in parts of Kula, Wailuku, and Lahaina.

A follow up inspection was rescheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 due to ongoing weather and road conditions.

Multiple breaks, including approximately 80 feet of 12” waterline, have been reported in difficult-to-reach locations

“I’ve had an opportunity to survey the storm’s impacts in person and by reviewing drone footage, so I can verify the damage is substantial,” said Mayor Victorino.

Of today’s 55 cases, there were 40 cases identified as confirmed, and +15 probable cases were added to the count.  The confirmed cases included: 20 on O‘ahu (+8 probable); four on Hawai‘i Island (+3 probable); one on Maui (+2 probable); 11 on Kaua‘i (+2 probable); and four Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state.

All Hawaiʻi Department of Education public schools and offices are scheduled to be open today, Tuesday, Dec. 7, with the exception of three Oʻahu schools.

Maui resident Glade Feike woke up this morning to a milestone reached by only .0004% of the world’s 7.8 billion people: Her 100th birthday. She attributed her longevity to “Living on Maui.”

The Hawai‘i Department of Health reports two additional confirmed Omicron variant COVID-19 cases and several possible points of exposure in Hawai‘i. Health officials in Hawai‘i are urging attendees of a New York Anime Convention and attendees of Christ Embassy Hawai‘i events to get tested for COVID-19.

Six individuals were arrested and charged during the state’s Operation Keiki Shield 10 enforcement effort that was conducted between Friday and Sunday, Dec. 3-5, 2021 on Maui. All six are accused of first degree Electronic Enticement of a Child.

Both lanes of Kekaulike Avenue between Mile 8 (vicinity of Maui Wedding Flowers) and Alae Road are closed. Major utility repairs to remove fallen trees from power lines and replace downed poles have been completed, additional utility work is ongoing.

In Maui County, the seven day average for new cases daily is 16, with a 1.6% test positivity rate over 14 days. This is -7% from Nov. 21 to Dec. 4, 2021. For every 100,000 residents in Maui County, there have been an average of 9.6 newly reported cases per day over the last seven days.

Below are storm photos from what the National Weather Service reported as Maui County’s “heaviest rainfall.” The rainfall was expected to cause “catastrophic flooding and affect areas that do not usually flood.”

The National Weather Service reports that flood waters have receded. Piʻilani Highway remains closed at Pahihi Gulch due to earlier flood damage. A Flood Watch remains in effect for Maui County through Tuesday afternoon.

The Maui Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the American Red Cross has opened the Kīhei Community Center as an emergency shelter to those affected by the heavy rain and flooding in South Maui.  The shelter is located at 303 East Līpoa Street in central Kīhei.

Maui Traffic Updates: This is an ongoing list of traffic advisories resulting from flooding, debris on road, downed trees and other storm related impacts to area roadways.

Efforts Continue to Restore Power to Upcountry Area by This Evening. Pi‘iholo, Olinda, pocket outages asked to prepare for overnight outage.

Emergency power is back up. Kahului Airport is now resuming operations.

BREAKING: in Maui County — Maui, Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i — will be closed for students and staff tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 6, due to severe weather conditions.