Maui News

Maui County residents are reminded that the Governor has reinstituted the mandatory 14-day quarantine for any travel other than arrival on Oʻahu. The quarantine includes travel from Maui to Hawaiʻi Island or Kauaʻi, as well as travel to and from Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

A new inmate housed at the Oʻahu Community Correctional Center tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the first confirmed inmate case within the Hawaiʻi Department of Public Safety. In unrelated cases, one adult correctional officer at the Hālawa Correctional Facility and two ACOs at the Waiawa Correctional Facility have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Administrators at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College continue to prepare the campus for student arrival on Aug. 24, 2020.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health Clean Air Branch issued Notices and Finding of Violation and Orders against four companies, including two on Maui.

Public schools on Oʻahu will go to complete distance learning for students for the first four weeks of the new school year.  Schools will start on Oʻahu on Aug. 17 as previously announced.  This change does not effect existing plans on the neighbor islands.  

Maui Police Chief Tivoli Faaumu released a video message about crisis support in the day following the death of a Maui Police Officer.  Preliminary reports indicate the 44-year-old off-duty male officer died after sustaining what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  

All but one of the 201 newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases, reported by the state Department of Health today, are from O‘ahu. Maui has a single new case.  There were also two deaths reported today: Both of the latest victims are men, and both are from O‘ahu.

Maui County residents that have yet to submit their ballots for tomorrow’s Primary Election can do so at drop off locations countywide. Maui also has four voter service centers that provide accessible in-person voting, same day voter registration and collection of voted ballots. 

Governor David Ige this afternoon announced he is reinstating the mandatory 14-day interisland travel quarantine for travelers arriving in Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, Maui and Kalawao Counties.  This takes effect on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020.  In making the announcement, he said, “There’s no question the virus is surging in the state.”   He said the decision came amid record high numbers and an increase in hospitalizations.

Governor David Ige holds a media briefing this afternoon, starting at 2:30 p.m. to discuss COVID-19 related updates.  

The state recorded 53 new COVID-19 cases today, but state officials say the figure is an undercount as a result of technical difficulties with their electronic laboratory reporting system.  State officials plan to update the count as soon as the issues are resolved.

Amazon Air begins operations today at Kahului Airport on Maui and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole on Hawaiʻi Island. Both locations are identified as new regional gateways and will service daily flights originating from Amazon Air’s mainland regional gateway at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California.

Two O‘ahu residents are the 28th and 29th casualties of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i.  The cases include: An elderly female, with underlying medical conditions, had been a resident at a Pearl City nursing home, but then was hospitalized. An elderly man, also with underlying health issues, was also in the hospital when he died.

Phase 2 of the project will install the temperature scanning equipment at the remaining gates by Aug. 20. Phase 3 expects to have the facial imaging equipment installed by Dec. 31, 2020.

Citing concern over ongoing triple digit daily COVID-19 counts on the island of Oʻahu, Maui Mayor Michael Victorino is renewing his request to reinstate the interisland travel quarantine. He’s also asking the governor to delay the planned reopening of public high schools and universities.  And he’s encouraging those who don’t have to travel to refrain from doing so, citing an incident on Lānaʻi last week in which two Oʻahu contractors ended up testing positive after returning home.

An investigation is underway into the death of a 44-year-old male officer with the Maui Police Department. Police say the officer was off-duty at the time of the incident. 

State health officials say the recent escalating disease rate may potentially require the state to resume tighter controls and restrictions to prevent the spread of the disease. Department officials say this will be especially important as Hawai‘i prepares for the opening of schools and, potentially, the welcoming of trans-Pacific travelers.

In Hawai‘i, nearly 100,000 people are employed by such restaurants — nearly 15% of the workforce — and they account for billions in sales. The first 14 days of the grant’s availability is only available to restaurants with annual revenues of $1.5 million or fewer, ensuring that the smallest restaurants are prioritized.

The number to call is 1(800)753-6879—the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741. 

A Battalion Chief assigned to the 2nd Battalion headquartered at the Waikoloa Fire Station on Hawai‘i Island has tested positive for COVID-19. Also, a South Kohala District Court employee tested positive for COVID-19. It is the only confirmed case of any Judiciary employee statewide.