Last week, we put out a "call-to-action" to our readers asking how they feel about the COVID-19 pandemic. There was strong participation with more than 2,000 verified responses. This was an over 400% increase in participation from our April survey.

To gain a better understanding of how the Maui community feels about the COVID-19 pandemic, we recently put out a survey. Here are the results.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino today sent a letter to Governor David Ige saying he hopes residents will be able to call or go online to place flower deliver orders for Mother's Day on May 10, 2020. Under the Governor's Sixth Supplementary Proclamation, county mayors must now seek approval before issuing any emergency rules, orders or proclamations.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino today sent a letter to Governor Ige urging him to reconsider or clarify rules "to expressly allow exercise activities to occur on the beaches."  The letter comes on the heels of Governor Ige’s latest proclamation that includes an order that closes all state beaches.

Op-Ed: Maui Councilmember Tamara Paltin Calls for More Transparency Amid Covid-19: "Transparency is key!  People need to be able to trust leadership on all levels and in every arena, and leadership needs to be held accountable for the decisions they make."

"In the interest of open government and to allow meaningful community deliberation, dealing with a proposal that makes wide-ranging changes to our County Charter (which is unrelated to the public health crisis) is not prudent or fair to the community when safety and well-being is a primary focus."

LETTER: "This man's action, generosity and aloha made our month.  He didn't know me. He knew I was a visitor.  But gave it to us regardless."

Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Scott Seu issued an open letter to customers today in light of the rapidly changing environment surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.  On Tuesday, the company announced it would suspend service disconnections for 30 days “so customers who are financially challenged by the coronavirus pandemic don’t have to worry about losing electric service." 

Senator J. Kalani English (D-Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi and Kaho‘olawe) thanked Governor David Ige for implementing his recommendation to close the Hāna Highway to non-residents to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and Mayor Mike Victorino for closing the back side county road through Kaupō to non-residents.

Rep. Lynn DeCoite issued an open letter on Monday evening to visitors, tourists and tour operators in the East Maui community of Hāna, and the outer islands of Moloka‘i and Lana‘i. The letter asks visitors and tours to do their part to help keep communities healthy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.