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As of noon on Friday, April 3, 2020, there are 319 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 34 new cases.  State officials are also saying Hawaiʻi now has a third COVID-19 death, confirmed just a short while ago. Maui has nine new cases for a total of 36 confirmed positive. Of the 36 cases on Maui, 11 have been released from isolation and one has required hospitalization. The Maui count also includes a resident of the rural community of Hāna in East Maui and a resident of Molokaʻi who is being treated on the island of Oʻahu.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is reporting the death of a third individual with COVID-19. The elderly Oʻahu resident had been hospitalized in critical condition on life support for several weeks after returning from travel to Washington state.

The rural community of Hāna in East Maui has its first confirmed case of COVID-19 according to new information released by Maui Mayor Michael Victorino.  

In a continuing effort to help the island-wide healthcare system and the Maui community, Minit Medical Urgent Care announced today that it will be accepting HMSA Quest members in all three Maui clinics, effective Friday, April 3, 2020.  

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino continues to urge the public to comply with the stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines amid news that Molokaʻi reported its first case of COVID-19.

Maui Now News Director Wendy Osher speaks with Steve Uyehara at Hawaii News Now about COVID-19 impacts in Maui County.  All your latest updates at: https://mauinow.com

The Expeditions ferry operation between Maui and Lānaʻi is requiring all passengers to fill out the State Declaration Form before departure, and is implementing a reduced schedule.

The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands today shared details of emergency food basket distribution and meals-to-go locations throughout Hawaiʻi and Guam in the battle against the COVID-19 outbreak.

A new farmer assistance and food distribution program to help farmers and community members impacted by COVID-19 in Maui County was announced today by Mayor Michael Victorino. The County of Maui is committing $30,000 per week for the next four to five weeks, to purchase food from local farmers and facilitate community distribution.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino issued a statement this evening saying the adult male had possible travel history and is currently hospitalized on Oʻahu. “The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is currently investigating the matter and any close contacts made by the individual,” said Mayor Victorino.

The Board of Education (BOE) unanimously voted today to approve the Hawaii State Department of Education’s (HIDOE) request to modify high school graduation and commencement requirements under Board Policy 102-15 for the graduating class of 2020.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino announced the launch the Farm Product Purchase Program which will allow for the distribution of produce to families in need on Maui. The County of Maui is contributing $30,000 a week for the next four to five weeks to farmers for the purchase of produce locally. That food will be offered at five distribution centers to be set up, initially on the island of Maui.

Two University of Hawaiʻi community members have tested positive for COVID-19, including an employee at UH Maui College.  The other involves a graduate student at UH Mānoa.

LIVE: Maui Police Department Q&A, 40+ Violations of Stay-At-Home Orders. The Maui Police Department held an informational Question and Answer session with the public this afternoon to help address frequently asked questions.   Police also held the session in an effort to better inform the public about stay-at-home and work-from-home orders, and their implications for law enforcement and the community amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Hawaiʻi officials this afternoon confirmed a second COVID-19 related death in the state. “Today, our community received the tragic news of the passing of a second Hawai‘i resident from the COVID-19 virus. Dawn and I express our deepest condolences to the victim’s  family and friends,” said Governor David Ige in a statement.

Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English (Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i and Kaho‘olawe) announced today that public restrooms along the Hāna Highway will remain closed until further notice while the highway is restricted to local traffic only.

As of noon on Thursday, April 2, 2020, there are 285 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 27 new cases. Maui has one new case for a total of 27 confirmed positive. Additional new cases were identified on Oʻahu where there were 24 new cases for a total of 206 on that island.  Hawaiʻi Island had no new cases for a total of 18.  Kauaʻi’s count also remained unchanged from yesterday at 12 COVID-19 positive cases.

A new radio feature runs this week featuring executives and doctors with Maui Health who will provide updates and answer questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s guest is Dr. Lee Weiss, Regional Director of Emergency Medical Services with Emergent Medical Associates.

The Hawaiʻi Emergency Laulima Partnership or H.E.L.P. program provides essential needs such as food, personal hygiene, medicine, rent, mortgage, utility services, phone or internet services, car payments and other necessities to affected residents. 

Testing was the dominant theme of the evening, but the Congresswoman also fielded questions from Hawai‘i residents on topics ranging from protective measures for healthcare workers and medical supplies to social distancing and economic assistance.