Maui News

Mayor Michael Victorino is urging Maui County residents to shelter in place overnight and through Sunday due to Hurricane Douglas. County crews plan to assess damage and any additional safety concerns after the hurricane has passed.

Douglas has maintained its Category 1 status with 90 mph sustained winds, according to the latest 5 p.m. update from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.  The system is now 240 miles E of Hilo.  According to the latest cone of uncertainty, a portion of South Maui is no longer included in the cone of uncertainty.  

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Hawaii to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Douglas from July 23, 2020 and continuing. US Senator Mazie Hirono said that while the funding unlocks important resources, she continued to encourage Hawaii residents to finish up storm preparations.

The County of Maui, Department of Environmental Management strongly encourages the public to conserve water to minimize sewage from entering facilities and prevent potential sewer spills due to Hurricane Douglas.

Mayor Michael Victorino announced the County of Maui will open emergency shelters on Maui Island at 7 p.m. tonight (Saturday, July 25).  Shelters on Lanai and Molokai will open tomorrow (Sunday, July 26) at 7 a.m.  Opening times and locations may change depending upon the weather. Residents are strongly encouraged to shelter IN PLACE because space is limited at the emergency shelters due to physical distancing precautions. 

Hurricane Douglas briefing: (July 25, 2020, 1:30 p.m.) Douglas has weakened slightly to a Category 1 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 90 mph.  Douglas moving toward the WNW at 18 mph and is located about 325 miles East of Hilo (520 miles ESE of Honolulu).

Mayor Michael Victorino called upon Maui County residents to redouble their efforts to practice health and safety protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19.  The statement comes as the state posted its third consecutive day of record high single-day increases in COVID-19 Cases.

Due to the potential impacts of Hurricane Douglas and the Hurricane Watch issued by the National Weather Service, Haleakalā National Park will temporarily close starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2020 until further notice.

Based on the current forecast, Maui District has increased resources at Keanae for possible east Maui response. Roadwork previously scheduled on Hawaii Island and Maui for Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 has been cancelled.

Watch for downed power lines. Stay at least 30 feet away (about three car lengths) from downed power lines, as they may have electricity running through them and may be dangerous. If you see someone injured after touching a downed power line, call 9-1-1 for help; don’t try to rescue the individual.

The Maui Bus Fixed Route, Paratransit, Commuter and Human Services Transportation services will all be suspended starting on Sunday.

Douglas has weakened slightly to a Category 1 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 90 mph.  In the latest forecast issued at 12 p.m. Oahu remains under a Hurricane Warning.  Here on Maui, a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning remain in effect.  Douglas moving toward the WNW at 16 mph and is located about 298 miles East of Hilo (475 miles ESE of Honolulu). 

Today, DOH reports a new single-day record case count of 73, again with the majority of the cases on O‘ahu (68), and five (5) on Maui.Today, DOH reports a new single-day record case count of 73, again with the majority of the cases on O‘ahu (68), and five (5) on Maui.

On Friday night, Young Brothers filed a letter with the Public Utilities Commission to underscore the urgency of its pending request for an emergency rate increase by Aug. 17, 2020. Company representatives say the increase is needed so that the company may continue to provide its statewide interisland shipping services.

Hurricane Douglas underwent slight weakening overnight, but remains a Category 2 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.  The system was last located about 440 miles E of Hilo and 635 miles ESE of Honolulu. Present movement is toward the WNW at 18 mph.  

Douglas has weekend slightly to a Category 2 Hurricane, but continues on a path toward the Hawaiian Islands.  A tropical storm warning was issued for Maui and Hawaii Counties in addition to Hurricane Watches, which are already in effect for Maui and Hawaii Counties, as well as the island of Oahu.  

Currently, the HING has over 700 personnel executing specific duties for the counties and state in addressing COVID-19 needs. With the arrival of Douglas, the HING is standing by to respond to two fronts at the same time.

Q&A with Chris Brenchley Meteorologist in Charge at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center The questions were answered as part of the 5 p.m. update for Friday, July 24, 2020.

Numerous Hawai‘i State Parks and park activities are being closed until after Tropical Cyclone Douglas has cleared the state.  All State Parks on Maui will be closed on Saturday, July 25, until an all clear has been given and storm damage assessments have been conducted.

Hawaiian Airlines is canceling all Neighbor Island flights on Sunday, in addition to select flights Saturday evening between Honolulu and Maui and the Island of Hawaiʻi, due to adverse weather expected from Hurricane Douglas.