Maui Discussion

Councilmember Michael J. Molina is urging Maui Mayor Michael Victorino to reconsider his mandate restricting parents from watching their children play sports.

Today, NOAA Fisheries finalized a rule authorized under the Marine Mammal Protection Act that prohibits swimming with, approaching or remaining within 50 yards of a Hawaiian spinner dolphin.

Since the cleanup began on Monday, social workers were able to assist eight individuals to move into shelter with support services, and 11 have moved out of the area. As of Wednesday, county officials say five occupants remain temporarily camped on “privately owned land.” Two are planning to move into shelter on Thursday and the other three will relocate by Friday at the landowner’s request, according to a county press release.

Maui Now is conducting a survey focused on understanding the opinions and attitudes of community members about Maui County’s economy, leadership, and coronavirus response.

After much speculation, the Sears Maui store is officially scheduled to close on Nov. 14, 2021, company officials tell Maui Now.

Maui County’s “Safer Outside” program takes effect today, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. Under the new rules, restaurants are required to ask patrons 12 years and older proof of vaccination for indoor dining. Unvaccinated patrons must be served only in outdoor dining areas, takeout or drive-thru service.

County officials are calling Maui’s new set of rules “Safer Outside.” It includes the previously announced vaccine guidelines for eateries, and newly announced reduction in capacity for commercial recreational boating, ground transportation, and commercial tour operators. There will also be no spectators at indoor or outdoor sporting events.

Op-Ed: Maui County Councilmember Yuki Lei K. Sugimura provides information about the approximately $35 million that is still available for Maui County residents who need help with their rent, mortgage or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a second letter defending himself and his job, Maui District Health Officer, Dr. Lorrin Pang took on a third-person perspective, describing his role in the pandemic response and calling legislative actions to seek his removal “reckless.” Both Dr. Pang’s response letter and the initial Legislative Letter to Governor Ige are included.

The Safe Access O‘ahu program requires restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, museums, arcades and other similar establishments, to ensure their employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to operate. Customers will also have to provide proof they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to enter the business.

Hawaiʻi had 9,790 cases over the past two weeks, which accounts for more than 16% of the total confirmed cases for the state of Hawaiʻi’s since March of 2020. Maui’s reported new cases reported over the last 14 days is 1,124.

Senator Roz Baker of Maui is calling for the termination of Maui’s District Health Officer amid comments made regarding unapproved treatments for COVID-19 in Maui County.

Mayor Victorino is asking residents and visitors to Maui County to voluntarily curb non-essential activities including gatherings for 21 days.

Governor David Ige today called upon Hawaiʻi residents and visitors to delay non-essential travel through the end of October 2021 due to the recent, accelerated surge in COVID-19 cases that he said is now burdening the state’s health care facilities and resources.

Participants in today’s sign waving demonstration in Wailuku continued to advocate for medical freedoms amid mask and vaccine mandates. The demonstration also comes as the state deals with its largest COVID surge since the start of the pandemic with nearly 700 new cases per day over the past week, and nearly 9,200 new cases over two weeks.

On Maui, there were 39 cases reported last week, including 11 at Kahului Elementary on Maui, the most of any in the state. This resulted in quarantine for multiple students and classrooms, according to HSTA representatives.

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations on Maui dropped from 39 yesterday to 31 today, but the recent surge in cases is taking a toll, hospital executives said.

For the second time this week, hundreds of people gathered for a demonstration in Wailuku advocating for medical freedoms amid vaccination mandates.

“When we have hospitals that are really worried about being able to take care of people, that is a crisis. When we see this exponential growth in the amount of people that are getting infected with COVID everyday–2,000 people in the past three days–that is a crisis. And at the point at which we overwhelm our resources, that’s a disaster, and that’s where we’re heading, and we’re trying really hard not to get there and that’s why we’re trying to work with the hospitals.”

The Hi-Tech surf store in Kīhei was left in shambles on Wednesday afternoon when a motorist reportedly drove through the back door, through the front window, and went “back and forth” within before exiting. According to initial reports, the front windows, back doors, inventory and fixtures were destroyed in the incident.