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Maui Mayor Michael Victorino continued to express frustrations over large gatherings and drum circle activity as the state continues to record new COVID-19 activity.  His comments come on the heels of new rules that went into effect in Maui County on Friday that limit indoor and outdoor social gatherings to no more than 10 people, and prohibit the use of large structures that may attract gatherings, such as tents and pavilions at parks and beaches. 

Maui fire crews remain on the scene of a brush fire in the remote Kahikinui area of Maui that forced evacuations overnight and a road closure. The Piʻilani Highway from Mile 22 to 28 remained closed this morning while crews continue firefighting efforts.  

Police say Stanga was last seen by friends snorkeling in the area of the Kūʻau Bay Beach, beach below Mama’s Fish House in Pāʻia, sometime around 3 p.m. on Friday, 

Today there were a total of 45 new COVID-19 cases in Hawaiʻi for a total of 2,242 reported over the course of the pandemic. The new cases include 44 on Oʻahu and one on Maui.  There are currently 922 active cases in the state, including 32 on Maui. To date, 1294 people have recovered including 133 recovered in Maui County.

A Kīhei man remained in police custody at last report with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the hand after a barricade situation in Pāʻia early Sunday morning, police said. 

The revised rules took effect July 31 and include a limit of indoor and outdoor social gatherings to no more than 10 people. Face coverings are required, and physical distancing of at least six feet between separate groups must be maintained.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health is reporting  87 new positive COVID-19 cases diagnosed on O‘ahu today for a cumulative total of 2,197 cases in the state, reported since March. Reporting of test results is delayed 5-7 days. This delay may make case numbers appear lower than actual disease activity. 

A search is underway for a missing spearfished off of Pāʻia, Maui.   Officials say 53-year-old Scot Williams was last seen wearing dark board shorts.   He had gone spearfishing at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2020, but his friends contacted 911 to report he was overdue when he failed to return.  The Coast Guard was alerted to the situation at 10 p.m. on Friday.

There is no tsunami expected following a 4.2 (preliminary magnitude 4.0) earthquake reported in the SW rift zone of the Kīlauea Volcano on Hawaiʻi Island.

County officials say the resort will be renamed to Hāna-Maui Resort and expects to resume operations once travel restrictions are lifted.

Maui fire crews are battling a brush fire in gulch below Hāliʻimaile Road on Maui.   At around 5 p.m. precautionary evacuations were being conducted for homes along Aoiki Street and the makai side of Leie Street.  

Officials have ruled the death of a federal law enforcement agent on Maui as an accidental line of duty death.  Special Agent John Bost III died July 28 at the Kīhei Police station, where he was employed with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

For the third consecutive day, Hawaiʻi recorded another triple-digit single-day total for new COVID-19 infections with a total of 123 new cases in the state on Friday.  Today’s cases include: 119 new cases on Oʻahu and four new cases in Maui County.

United Airlines plans to resume service between the US mainland and Hilo and Kauaʻi; and increase flying to Honolulu, Kona and Maui in the Hawaiian Islands.

“I know this hurts a number of groups, and I’m having calls and people are really anxious because they had parties and other things planned.  My response to them has been very simple–don’t do it.  We’re at an all-time high in the state and Maui is having its second worst month on record.  To date we have 42 new cases.  We didn’t have 42 cases when you add March, May and June together–we only had 32 cases. Does that not tell all of us something is wrong,” said Mayor Victorino.

To report a suspected violation of the state’s 14-day quarantine order on arrivals from out-of-state the public can email mpdquarantine@mpd.net. In addition to the police department, the Maui Visitor’s Bureau is operating a hotline for people to report violations of the 14-day visitor quarantine.  The number to call is (808) 468-9952.

The Hawaiʻi Board of Education today voted to postpone the start of school year by two weeks to Aug. 17, 2020.  

Updated Public Health Emergency Rules that limit indoor and outdoor social gatherings to no more than 10 people, starting this Friday, July 31, 2020. The use of large structures that may attract gatherings, such as tents and pavilions, will be prohibited.

Gov. Ige said the suggested changes would give the state maximum flexibility to ensure funds are not left unused.

Visitor arrivals to Maui in June totaled 1,929 individuals, compared to 297,449 visitors a year ago, according to new data compiled by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. The data was part of the HTA’s monthly visitor report which points toward severe impacts of he COVID-19 pandemic on visitor arrivals to the Hawaiian Islands.