Maui Business

Governor David Ige said that while the number of new cases is promising, the state does not yet qualify for the President’s phased in reopening of the economy. He said Hawaiʻi would need a downward trajectory in cases for a 14-day period.

The Lifeline program extends access to internet and television services to low-income Americans for free or at a reduced cost.

Nick from Premier Restoration Hawai’i goes over the steps needed for structural drying and dehumidification after a water damage to a residential property. Water damage is a common concern for properties in Hawai’i due to strong storms and downpours from the tropical climate. Premier Restoration advise calling professionals to assess damages from flooding to prevent […]

Today’s guest is Dr. Lee Weiss, Regional Director of Emergency Medical Services.  In his interview, Dr. Weiss discussed how the virus is believed to have started, lack of immunity and the period of infection. 

Since the program started on Monday, April 6, at least 192 rooms were booked through the program in Maui County.  Statewide, nearly 1,000 rooms are being used including: 563 on O‘ahu; 151 on Hawai‘i Island; and 17 on Kaua‘i.

Hale Makua Health Services received word from the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) that one Home Health patient has tested COVID-19 positive, and that one of six of our nursing home residents who were potentially exposed to COVID-19 during their stay at MMMC prior to being admitted to Hale Makua Kahului has tested positive. The nursing home resident who tested positive for COVID-19 received a negative test result on April 9, 2020.

Among the teachers speaking today was Jodi Kunimitsu a math teacher at Maui High School who is married to another educator who works at Baldwin High School.  “When we first heard about the pay cuts last night, we were extremely disappointed… We just don’t understand why we would be looked at first as far as trying to balance the budget.  It always seems like the budget is trying to be balanced on the backs of the most essential workers,” said Kunimitsu.

Bill 50, was introduced by Councilmember Michael J. Molina and seeks to double current penalties. The bill would increase penalties for a lack of prominent display of the permit to “not less than $20 nor more than $100” and increase penalties for operating without a permit to “not less than $200 nor more than $1,000.” Both fines double the current penalty amounts.

Today’s guest is Jim Diegel, Chief Strategy Officer, Maui Health. Diegel spoke with KPOA’s Shane Kahalehau, discussing testing efforts in Maui County, caregiver isolation rooms, and volunteer work through Maui Health.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations released improved software to apply for and track unemployment claims. The IRS has launched a Get My Payment application where the public can check on the status of Economic Impact Payments.

The loans are available to 7,500 companies across the islands.

Named “Building Bridges, Not Walking on Backs: A Feminist Economic Recovery Plan for COVID-19,” organizers say it is the first effort of its kind in the nation. 

A new online platform is asking Hawaiʻi residents to contribute information that will help experts monitor the spread of COVID-19 in real time.

Air arrivals to Maui totaled 22 on Saturday with a single flight arriving from out-of-state. This included 6 crew members, 8 residents and 8 visitors.

Premiere Medical Group’s Dr. Scott Miscovich speaks with Annalisa Burgos of KITV4 this morning, detailing COVID-19 testing efforts on Maui, protocols for frontline workers, concerns among hospital employees and frustrations with leadership at the state level. 

Mokulele Airlines expanded its Grocery Airlift on Friday to include flights to Lāna‘i, Hāna and Waimea.  The offer for free shipping is good for up to 50 pounds of groceries per customer and is valid for the rest of the April.

The Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is currently reviewing requests for assistance under the COVID-19 Emergency Farmer Relief Program which offers some financial assistance to qualified farmers, ranchers and producers who have experienced damage to their operations due to COVID-19.

The state launched a new web-based app called “Safe Travels.”  It is being rolled out as a way to monitor travelers who are subject to the 14-day quarantine in the State of Hawaiʻi. State officials say they believe the process will expedite and improve the ability of counties to conduct enforcement related to quarantine violations. 

State Health Director Bruce Anderson says one of the three deaths in Maui County is being investigated to determine if there were any ties to the cluster of COVID-19 positive employees identified at the Maui hospital.

The cluster of COVID-19 positive cases at Maui Memorial Medical Center increased from 15 to 19 today with news that there are three additional employees and one patient confirmed to have the virus. Maui Health tested 126 patients, caregivers and physicians this week, for COVID-19 infection.