Maui News

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino thanked the traveling public for exercising patience as the County of Maui works to improve and streamline its implementation of the newly reinstated interisland quarantine.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino is asking for around-the-clock county access to the Wailuku sewage pump station located off of Kahului Beach Road, citing serious public safety and environmental concerns.

Motorists traveling to or from Lahaina are advised of a motor vehicle accident on Honoapiʻilani Highway in Māʻalaea. At 5:46 p.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 Emergency Medical Services personnel were on scene and the area was coned off to approaching traffic.  Motorists can expect delays in the area and area advised to drive with caution. 

“STEM education is needed to prepare our state’s youth for high-growth, high-demand careers in computer science, engineering, cyber security, health, life and physical sciences, and math fields,” said Mayor Victorino.

Public schools on Kaua‘i, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui County – with the exception of Moloka‘i schools and Hāna High & Elementary – will transition to full distance learning for the first four weeks of the 2020-21 school year.

A recount of votes cast in the Primary Election race for the District 13 House seat, confirms incumbent Rep. Lynn DeCoite has defeated challenger and long-time Hawaiian Rights advocate Walter Ritte. Under the recount, DeCoite won by just 93 votes.  Saturday’s tally had DeCoite ahead by just 91 votes.

The state has reported another triple digit increase in new COVID-19 cases with 118 new cases today including 112 on Oʻahu, three on Maui and one on Hawaiʻi Island.  Twelve of the past 14 days have been in the triple-digits for new cases in the state.   More than 96% of the active cases statewide are on the island of Oʻahu.

The new Kōkua Maui County Small Business Recovery and Relief Fund has already received 443 applications to date after launching last week online. Small businesses can apply for grants of as much as $7,500 to assist them with the impacts of COVID-19.

A new 18,500 square foot HouseMart ACE Hardware store celebrates its grand opening next weekend, on Saturday, Aug. 22 at Lahaina Gateway in West Maui.

The iconic store, known for its strawberry and pineapple flavored sherbet, initially closed on March 14 for two weeks as pandemic related closures went into effect.

Doctors On Call, Maui’s Urgent Care, will be offering Rapid drive-up COVID-19 testing at The Shops at Wailea on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Patients are asked to remain in their cars while a nurse conducts the test.

“I am going to put a letter together to the governor that we take the same action as they did for Oʻahu with distance learning for whenever and wherever possible for the first four weeks; and then look at reopening once we get our numbers under control or get some kind of procedures in place,” said Mayor Victorino.

“Do not be surprised in the next couple of days we jump astronomically.  I’m looking at 15 to 18 new cases that they call ‘are in the queue’ and have not been confirmed, but are probably positive,” said Mayor Victorino.

The Department of Water Supply announced it will install new valves, including a pressure regulator valve, in Kula on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. The project will require water to be shut off for about five hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Mandatory Travel Declaration Form for Maui County and other transportation-related information is now available online.

The Maui Nui Marine Resource Council has installed new coral reef information signs at 39 Maui beaches.  The signs feature large colorful photos of sea turtles, corals and marine life, and the headline, “Protect Maui’s Coral Reefs.”

While Honolulu Hale remained open for Saturday’s Primary Election, it is closing for business this afternoon as city officials conduct COVID-19 testing on an estimated 1,000 employees amid news of a cluster of cases identified at the property.  Mayor Caldwell headed home to self-quarantine after the press briefing this morning, as he awaits his own results.

The state Department of Health is reporting three additional COVID-19 related deaths on the island of Oʻahu.  Details surrounding the cases is still forthcoming.  This also comes as the state reports another triple digit increase in new cases with 140 new cases today including 138 on Oʻahu and one case each on Maui and Kauaʻi.

After more than two months on leave, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations director, Scott Murakami has resigned.  Governor David Ige today announced today that his post will be temporarily filled by Anne E. Perreira-Eustaquio, who will serve as acting director for 60 days, or until the position is filled.

The 68 lot subdivision features 10 homes built and sold by Habitat.  It is projected to be completed by the end of the year.