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LIVE STREAM: Four Island Mayors Join in Governor’s COVID-19 Discussion
Live Stream: Governor Ige and all four county mayors discuss the reopening of businesses and activities in their respective counties.
Three New Cases on O‘ahu Brings COVID-19 State Total 647; 95.8% Recovered
Hawaiʻi’s COVID-19 case count increased by three to 647, with all new cases reported today coming from the island of Oʻahu. To date, 604 people (95.8%) have recovered including 106 in Maui County. There are currently 26 active cases in the state.
State to Implement Blanket Extension to End of September for Driver’s Licenses, State IDs
According to the TSA: “If your driver’s license or state-issued ID expired on or after March 1, 2020, and you are unable to renew at your state driver’s license agency, you may still use it as acceptable identification at the checkpoint. TSA will accept expired driver’s licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration.” (See https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus, accessed on May 27, 2020).
HTA: Maui Visitor Days Decreased 99.3% in April 2020
In April, total visitor days decreased 99.3 percent from a year ago. On Maui, there were 647 visitors in April 2020 versus 248,042 visitors a year ago. Year-to-date, Maui arrivals dropped 38.4 percent to 603,835 visitors.
Mayor Announces Maui County’s First Hired Archaeologist
Dr. Janet L. Six has been selected as the first archaeologist to be employed by the County of Maui in a position created to protect the County’s significant natural, cultural and historical resources. She begins work on June 1.
State Monitoring for Fraudulent Unemployment Claims
The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is warning consumers about attempts made by criminals to file imposter claims in order to receive unemployment benefits.
55th Annual Makawao Parade, 4th of July Stampede Rodeo Canceled Due to COVID-19
The 2020 Inaugural Makawao 4th of July Stampede rodeo and 55th Annual Makawao Parade are canceled this year due to COVID-19 concerns.
Mayor’s Request for “Broad Reopening” on June 1 Approved by Governor
“It’s still safer to be at home. The lockdown is not finished, but we’re acting prudently. We’re ‘acting with care’ right now. And we want people to know that we don’t believe you should stay home 100% of the time; and as you get back to work, and you get back to the new norm that we talk about, you can enjoy life but be prudent and be careful.”
National Guard Troops on Maui Reduced, Hāna Hwy Checkpoint to Remain in Place
The reduction in force from 200 individuals last week to around 100 individuals next week has already started. Mayor Victorino said troops will continue to man the checkpoint along the Hāna Highway, which was put in place to restrict traffic to residential motorists only in an effort to protect one of Maui’s rural communities from infection.
One New Case on Hawai‘i Island Brings COVID-19 State Total 644; 95.6% Recovered
Hawaiʻi’s COVID-19 case count increased by one to 644, with a single new case reported on Hawaiʻi Island. To date, 600 people (95.6%) have recovered including 106 in Maui County. There are currently 27 active cases in the state.
HTA: Maui Vacation Rentals had 3.8% Occupancy in April, Down -74.7%
Vacation rentals in Maui County saw a -74.7 percent decrease in occupancy to 3.8 percent in April, as county officials across the state announced rules deeming the short-term vacation rentals as non-essential.
Maui Hospital Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19 After Obtaining Antibody Test
Hospital representatives say it’s too soon in the process to determine a source of the infection but have stated that the case is not related to the hospital cluster of 52 individuals that was deemed closed on May 19.
June 1 “Broad Reopening” of Maui Businesses is Pending Ige’s Approval
Maui Maui Mayor Michael Victorino is awaiting the governor’s approval for an earlier reopening date of June 1st for many businesses and services in Maui County.
Young Brothers Seeks $25M in Financial Relief from State Amid COVID-19 Slowdown
Maui Mayor Michael Victorino called Young Brothers the “lifeline for the state of Hawai‘i.” He continued saying, “The neighbor islands depend on Young Brothers tremendously. Some of us do not have big harbors that could bring in larger ships to off load, and so we depend on Young Brothers to bring in almost 90% of all the produce, all of our food and other necessities that this county, this island, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi exist off of.”
Mayor Extends Condolences to Family of Former South Maui Rep. Joe Bertram III
The late former South Maui state Rep. Joe Bertram III was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2006 and 2008, and he served on the Maui Planning Commission.
Water Cutbacks Canceled for Wailuku-Kahului-Pā‘ia Domestic System
The County of Maui Department of Water Supply has canceled water cutbacks for customers on its Wailuku-Kahului-Pāʻia system.
New Guidance for Child Care Facilities Puts Limit on Child to Staff Ratio at 9:1
The new guidance includes cleaning, sanitation and safety measures; child and parent expectations; employee support; physical distancing; limiting childcare groups to nine, plus one staff member; room dividers; staggered meal times; health and safety temperature checks; face masks; physical distancing to the extent possible; and facility safety (ventilation systems; trained backup staff; and protocols).
Increased Public Access in Haleakalā National Park to Begin Wednesday
The National Park Service today announced that it will begin increasing public access to Haleakalā National Park on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. Sunrise or sunset viewing is not available at this time.
DBEDT Report: “It Will Take Six Years for Visitor Arrivals to Recover to the 2019 Level”
According to the report, Hawaiʻi could see a return to 2019 visitor arrivals (to 10.4 million) in 2025. That’s based on a list of facts and assumptions that also takes into account the timing of the resumption of cruise visitors the reopening of visitor industry business, among other economic factors.
Third Consecutive Day with No New COVID-19 Cases in Hawai‘i: Total Remains 643; 94.7% Recovered
For the third consecutive day, Hawaiʻi’s COVID-19 case count remained unchanged at 643, with no new cases reported. To date, 593 people (94.7%) have recovered including 106 in Maui County. There are currently 33 active cases in the state.
