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US Senator Brian Schatz has provided an update for stimulus funding including a special phone line established by the IRS for taxpayers with questions about their Economic Impact Payment (stimulus checks) issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security or CARES Act. Taxpayers with questions can call (800) 919-9835.

Lahaina Gateway in West Maui has announced updated retail hours for its various tenants and retailers as of May 20, 2020.  

The Shops at Wailea announced the reopening of retail activity at the Center, with current operating hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays until further notice.

The Hawai‘i State Senate unanimously approved all gubernatorial nominees passed out of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, chaired by Senator Rosalyn H. Baker (D-South and West Maui).

According to the Google Doodle description, Kamakawiwoʻole was selected in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the US and in celebration of his 61st birthday.

“We are pleased that the JIC (Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Joint Information Center) has officially closed the MMMC cluster,” said Maui Health spokesperson Tracy Dallarda. “It is a testament to our team of caregivers and our community in following state and county guidelines in an effort to ‘flatten the curve.'”

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters today hosted a flower drop over the Maui Memorial Medical Center in Kahului in a special gesture, giving thanks to all of the health care heroes, Emergency Medical Service workers and frontline first responders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of noon on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, there are 641 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with a new case on Hawaiʻi Island   To date, 578 people (92.6%) have recovered including 97 in Maui County.  There are currently 46 active cases in the state.  The outbreak at Maui Memorial Medical Center in Kahului is now considered closed.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino is providing updates on Pacific Media Group’s network of Maui stations as the County continues to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Today, the mayor spoke with Ed Kanoi and Charly Espina-Takahama of 99.9 KISS FM on Maui, and shared his condolences on the passing of Hawaiian music icon Willie K, and Maui’s transition to the governor’s latest 8th Supplemental Emergency Proclamation.

Legendary Maui Musician and Hawaiian music icon Willie K died on Monday night after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 59. A message to his fans notes he passed away in his home in Wailuku, surrounded by his ʻohana.

Update: 6:23 a.m. 5.19.20: The Honoapiʻilani (Hwy 30) is now OPEN in both directions. It was closed earlier this morning near Mile 11 at Papalaua Wayside Park due to a motor vehicle accident. Motorists are advised of significant delays and are asked to drive with caution.

Governor David Ige provided information on next steps for the state’s emergency orders as more businesses are added to the list under future phases and the 14-day travel quarantine for mainland and interisland travel is extended to the end fo June.

“Shipping prepared foods and distributing them to sometimes remote communities on the Neighbor Islands in a timely manner poses unique challenges. The last thing anyone needs is a widespread outbreak of food poisoning on top of concerns about COVID-19,” said Bruce Anderson, Director of the Department of Health.

An asymptomatic resident who had tested positive has since received two consecutive test results showing they are negative for COVID-19. As for the two home health cases, one client has been released from isolation and had recovered in April; and the other client has recently received two negative COVID-19 tests so has been released from quarantine as well.

Starting this Friday May 22, and continuing through Memorial Day, the Maui Police Department Traffic Division will be conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols at various locations to address impaired driving over the Memorial Day and High School graduation weekends.

For the third time this month, there have been no new reported cases of coronavirus in Hawaiʻi. As of noon on Monday, May 18, 2020, there are 640 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with no new cases in the state.  This is the fourth time since the outbreak was tracked at the end of February that the new case tally has been zero.  Zero cases were also reported on Thursday May 14, Friday, May 8 and on Friday, March 13. To date, 574 people (92.1%) have recovered including 96 in Maui County.  There are currently 49 active cases in the state.  Mayor Victorino said that as of Friday, May 15, there were two active cases at the Maui Memorial Medical Center.

Police say Ashley Ruth Degraaf, 31, arrived on Maui on May 15, 2020. According to police, Degraaf acknowledged the 14-day quarantine, and indicated she would be staying at a North Shore Hostel; however, police were later contacted regarding Degraaf having immediately canceled her reservations at the hostel.

The Maui Police Department continues their search for John Kahalehoe III, who also goes by the name of “John Boy.” Authorities say he is wanted for several outstanding felony arrest warrants. Kahalehoe is described as 27-years-old, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.  

Maui Crime Stoppers reports that Keahi K. Acasia is known to frequent the Moʻomomi, Hoʻolehua, and Maunaloa areas of Molokaʻi.

Today, Mayor Victorino spoke with Kawika-Veeka of HI92 FM Maui, and shared his thoughts on: the Maui Fair vs Made in Maui County Festival; CARES Act Allocation ($6M); Early Retail Assessment; DMV Open Today; and Weekend Park Openings.