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Hawaiʻi recorded another triple-digit record breaking day for new COVID-19 infections with a total of 124 new cases in the state on Thursday.  Today’s cases include: 121 new cases on Oʻahu and four new cases in Maui County. This marks the second consecutive day that new cases have risen into the triple-digits.  It’s also the state’s highest case count for a single-day since the pandemic began.

Dr. Lee Weiss, Regional Director of Emergency Medical Services discussed the logic behind proper masking, the cause of the recent uptick in cases, and why deaths from COVID-19 are not attributed to preexisting conditions.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea gifted more than 800 employees with gift cards to locally owned restaurants and markets on Wednesday. The Resort’s monthly act of care aims to support employees financially or with essentials, while aiding local businesses as well.

Mayor Victorino said structures like tents and umbrellas lead to congregating and gathering. More than 200 COVID-19 tests were administered today during a drive-through event at Keōpūolani Park in Central Maui.  Mayor Victorino said, “Many of them, according to the staff that was there, many of them were the same faces they saw on Facebook at that drum ring celebration.”  

Special Agents from the Investigations Division of the Department of the Attorney General arrested 57-year-old Tiny Nitro Tadani at a vendor booth on Ward Avenue this morning.

Governor David Ige this afternoon discussed the state’s triple-digit case count today, calling for limits on social gatherings, a look at the potential closure of bars (which has already been requested by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell), and considering limitations on gatherings at beaches and parks. 

The case count for today stands at a total of 109; 98 on O‘ahu, nine (9) on Maui, and two (2) on Kaua‘i. A total of 5,160 tests were processed between yesterday and today. Normally, about 1,000-2,000 tests are processed each day.  

Council Chair Alice Lee disagrees with Mayor Michael Victorino’s suggestion, that the council return to in-person meetings in the Council Chamber. She said the Council and its standing committees will continue to meet exclusively via video conference, at least as long as the governor’s emergency proclamation on COVID-19 remains in effect and perhaps longer if state law is amended.

A 30 year-old Massachusetts man is dead following a taser struggle with Maui police in which he allegedly disarmed an officer of a Taser and proceeded to use the device on three different officers.

The $3.15 million project broke ground at the end of April and was completed within three months, five months ahead of schedule. The project was initially set to be completed at the end of this year.

The nonprofit Maui Nui Marine Resource Council reports that oysters destined for a research project were stolen last week and may have subsequently been sold at below-market prices on Maui. The stolen oysters were being used to clean polluted water and are unsafe to eat.

Since Saturday, the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture has received five reports of unsolicited seed packets being received by Hawai`i residents. If you receive a package that fits this description, department officials advise the public not to open, throw away, or plant any of the seeds to help ensure that new invasive species are not introduced into the state.

There are currently 526 active cases in the state, including 23 on Maui. This comes after record high daily totals reported on Thursday (55), Friday (60) and Saturday (73). There were also 64 cases reported on Sunday and 28 cases on Monday.

Once complete, Kuaʻāina Mauka will be composed of 16 cottages and 16 houses. The project consists of seven workforce housing homes and 25 market-priced homes. The first sales have already closed; there are currently a number of pending sales, and more than 20 houses and cottages are still available.

Mayor Victorino will deliver a presentation titled “Maui County Outlook in 2021.” Dr. Chan’s presentation is titled “Taking a Closer Look at Local and National Housing Market Trends as they are Impacted by the Domestic and Global Economic Outlook.”

The Hawaiʻi Board of Education will review a proposal on Thursday afternoon that seeks to move the start date for students from the previously announced Aug. 4 date to Aug. 17 instead.

Hawai‘i is the only destination in the United States being considered for Japan’s resumption of international travel. Other destinations that Japan has begun discussions with include China, South Korea, Taiwan, and several European countries.

Public health authorities from the state Department of Health are advising anyone who may have been patrons at two Honolulu bars to step forward and contact their physicians for follow-up. This is to facilitate COVID-19 contact tracing efforts on the Island of Oʻahu.

There is no tsunami threat to Hawaiʻi after a 4.7 (revised by scientists from 4.4; preliminary magnitude was 4.8) earthquake reported at 6:06 a.m. on Hawaiʻi Island, about 75 miles SW of Hilo, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

After three consecutive days of record high one-day totals, Hawaii’s case count for new COVID-19 infections decreased, but remained in the double digits with 64 new positive cases on Sunday, July 26.