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Of today’s 3,929 cases, there are 3,274 cases identified as confirmed, and +655 probable cases were added to the count.  The confirmed cases included: 2,431 on O‘ahu (+595 probable); 179 on Hawai‘i Island (+61 probable); 401 on Maui (-4 probable); 196 on Kaua‘i (+2 probable); 20 on Molokaʻi; 17 on Lānaʻi; and 30 Hawai‘i residents diagnosed while out of state (+1 probable).

The state’s request for surge medical staffing was updated to 955 clinicians to address the recent spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations because of omicron.

In 2019, the developer entered into a settlement agreement with project opponents. Because of that settlement agreement, the state Land Use Commission increased the number of workforce housing units in the project from 280 to 400. The department reports that the developer has taken the position that Maui Oceanview, LP, should receive 120 workforce credits for the increase in units that resulted from that agreement.

In May of 2021, the state received $1.6 billion from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. The funds were to be used to respond to the state’s emergency needs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spring 2022 courses that were shifted online for the first two weeks of the semester at the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system will remain online for one more week, according to a letter shared today with students, faculty and staff.

There are now 41 people hospitalized in Maui County with COVID-19, the same amount as reported during the height of the delta surge in August 2021.

Residential households in the US can order one set of four free at-home tests from USPS.com. Tests are free and orders usually ship in 7-12 days.

An ʻOnipaʻa Peace March was held on Oʻahu on Monday to commemorate the 129 years since the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day honoring the civil rights leader, who fought against inequality, seeking justice for all. 

There are 4,700 new COVID-19 cases reported today, including 495 cases on Maui, 23 on Molokaʻi, and five on Lānaʻi.

In Maui County, the seven day average for new cases daily is 469. The countyʻs test positivity rate was last listed at 23.9% on Saturday, Jan. 15, before a bottleneck in testing temporarily suspended reporting of this metric. For every 100,000 residents in Maui County, there have been an average of 280.0 newly reported cases per day over a seven day period.

One man was able to walk away from the wreckage. Engine 7 personnel utilized vehicle extrication equipment to free the second individual from entrapment within the plane.

Two people were displaced following a home fire in the 800 block of Hāliʻimaile Road on Maui, Friday night.

“The number of cases Hawai‘i is experiencing is unprecedented, leading to a tremendous demand for testing. As testing data flows through the electronic reporting system, the system is stressed. Our essential DOH employees are also wrestling with tremendous challenges. We must adapt to address these circumstances,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP.

There are 5,977 new COVID-19 cases today, including 913 cases on Maui, 23 on Molokaʻi, and 20 on Lānaʻi.

The Maui County Emergency Management Agency reports this morning that tsunami waves lifted a boat from its moorings in Mānele Harbor, Lānaʻi, and washed debris ashore in the East Maui area of Hāna, closing a road near Hāmoa Beach Park. Assessment of impacts is ongoing.

“Things are starting to increase significantly and quickly… One good thing is we’re not seeing the level of severity of illness that we had seen previously. But with the sheer numbers of positives we’re seeing, people are ending up hospitalized, so it’s keeping us very busy,” said Dr. Shea.

There are now 36 people hospitalized in Maui County with COVID-19, according to counts last updated at 9 a.m. on Jan. 14, 2022, from Maui Health. Thatʻs up from 28 reported yesterday morning, and 26 reported on Thursday afternoon.

The future of public beach parking at Keawakapu in South Maui surfaces for consideration before the state Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday.

With staffing impacts and a steady count of COVID-19 hospitalizations on Maui, measures to stay ahead of the latest surge are in motion.