Maui Discussion

On Thursday, Feb. 3, Maui Now released a survey asking its readers to share their opinions and attitudes toward current issues affecting Maui County. The survey questions included topics from booster shot requirements, the return of cruise ships to Maui, staff shortages, and commercial downhill bicycling tours on the roadways of Haleakalā.

Come Monday, Maui’s longstanding rule regarding proof of vaccination status to dine-in at restaurants or to visit other “high risk” businesses like bars and gyms, will be lifted as of Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.

Maui Now is conducting a survey focused on understanding the opinions and attitudes of its readers about booster shot requirements, cruise ships, staff shortages, and rising costs.

After jurisdiction at popular swimming spot Hāwea Point got a bit murky, Hawaiʻi Land Trust weighed in today, clarifying that a rule protects public use over a private homeowner’s attempts to encroach on the area. Further, the land trust said it requested that the homeowner’s private security guard no longer be situated at Cliff House, the rocky shoreline where people sunbathe, swim and jump.

Come Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, the “updated” vaccination records reflecting proof of having a booster, will no longer be required for these activities. County officials provided clarification, saying the booster will be recommended, not required; but a CDC card showing proof of vaccination is still required for these activities.

Come Monday, a booster shot will be required for eligible individuals in order to be considered fully vaccinated in Maui County.

In addition to the ship and balloon-type object hovering above, there was a “large jet flying low in big circles” and a submarine nearby, according to witness reports. 

The Grand Princess is the first with passengers to disembark from a cruise ship in 22 months, since the industry halt in March of 2020 amid pandemic concerns, according to Department of Transportation spokesperson Jai Cunningham.

Sen: Hirono: “…just because we don’t have armed militia members hanging from the rafters of the Senate chamber does not mean that our democracy is no longer under attack.”

“It’s 2022. This is the third calendar year that we’re dealing with COVID. And that might sound terrible and kind of depressing, but it actually can be viewed in an optimistic, positive way. And the reason for that is if you look across the history of mankind and respiratory pandemics, typically respiratory pandemics become endemic, meaning that we learn to live with them or coexist with these infections, about the third year. And this is now the third year,” said Dr. Mark Mugiishi, president and CEO of HMSA.

US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) spoke on the Senate floor today, reflecting upon the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol and “continued threats” to American democracy. 

57% of Maui Now survey respondents are very concerned about inflation, 36% are somewhat concerned, 5% are not very concerned and 2% are not at all concerned.

Maui Now is conducting a survey focused on understanding the opinions and attitudes of its readers about inflation, employment, real estate, and coronavirus.

“Omicron appears to be more easily transmitted, and it appears right now that it is less virulent. But don’t be fooled into thinking it won’t affect our hospitals and our families,” said Dr. Char.

“This is a long-standing issue. The tanks were built in the 1940s and were not made to last forever. Over the years, more than 180,000 gallons of fuel have leaked from the tanks and tests show they are corroding underground. A mere 100 feet below the leaking fuel tanks is the Southern Oʻahu Basal Aquifer – the primary source of drinking water for Oʻahu. This aquifer alone provides drinking water for over 400,000 Hawaiʻi residents and visitors from Hālawa to Hawaiʻi Kai.”

“I’ve had an opportunity to survey the storm’s impacts in person and by reviewing drone footage, so I can verify the damage is substantial,” said Mayor Victorino.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble said the adult individual under the age of 65 was not vaccinated and had been previously infected SARS-CoV-2 over a year ago. She said the individual had not traveled, and the transmission is believed to be community spread.

We have not seen the Omicron variant here in Hawaiʻi as of this morning, but we are closely monitoring the situation and will identify the variant as early as possible should it show up here.”

Both Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said they would be getting rid of the six-foot distancing rule currently in place for restaurants, allowing eateries to resume full capacity for dining indoors, starting Dec. 1, 2021. Mayor Victorino said indoor dining is still limited to those who show proof of vaccination or testing as is currently the case.

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi — a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and educational institute devoted to promoting individual liberty, economic freedom and limited, accountable government — conducted a survey of 933 people statewide about government regulations and found a majority think the state has too many regulations.