Maui News

Maui Island went from tied for the state’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.1 percent in March to the highest unemployment at 36% in April. Molokaʻi’s non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 12% and Lānaʻi was 5.5% last month.

As of noon on Thursday, May 21, 2020, there are 647 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with one new case on Maui, and three additional cases on Hawaiʻi Island. To date, 579 people (91.9%) have recovered including 98 in Maui County.  There are currently 51 active cases in the state. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health reports that there were 579 individuals released from isolation; and 83 cases (13%) that have required hospitalization. A total of 586 patients (91%) were residents.

The Board of The Oʻahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association together with the organizing committee of Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai announced their decision today to cancel this year’s championship canoe races: the “Hawaiian Airlines Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai” scheduled for Sept. 27, 2020; and “Hawaiian Airlines Molokaʻi Hoe” scheduled on Oct. 11, 2020.

Mayor Victorino said flags will still be placed on graves, but the traditional live ceremony and flower drop will not happen as many of those who usually attend are senior and elders who are at higher risk of impacts from the ongoing pandemic.

Mayor Victorino said that if things go well and churches are ready with social distancing, sanitizing and other aspects of health and safety, Maui County is looking at the following weekend, at the end of the month, as a possible start week for in-building church services throughout the county.

Mayor Michael Victorino announced a five-week extension of a farmer assistance and food distribution program to help provide food to community organizations that provide food to families and individuals in need.

Maui police responded to 4 burglaries, 7 vehicle thefts and 10 vehicle break-ins in Maui County over a seven day period from May 10 to May 16, 2020.

Drive-through COVID-19 antibody blood testing and diagnostic nasal swab testing will take place: Thursday, May 21 at the South Maui Community Park Gym; and Friday, May 22, at Keōpūolani Regional Park in Central Maui.   Testing on both days will be open to the general public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center is predicting a near normal 2020 hurricane season. For the season as a whole, 2 to 6 tropical cyclones are predicted for the Central Pacific Hurricane basin. This number includes tropical depressions, named storms and hurricanes.

Representing the islands of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (District 8) and member of the Senate approved Senate draft House Bill No. 2725, HD1, SD1, totaling over $233.5 million for the district.

To date, 578 people (92.3%) have recovered including 97 out of 117 cases in Maui County.  There are currently 48 active cases in the state including 20 in Maui County. The outbreak at Maui Memorial Medical Center in Kahului is now considered closed; however one COVID-19 patient remained at the Maui hospital as of Tuesday afternoon.

The list of retailers that are now open at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului is growing since many were given the green light to resume operations under new guidelines last week.  The expanded list of stores that have since reopened for business is posted here…

A 72-year-old man who sustained injuries after being struck by a vehicle while walking on the Maui Veterans (Mokulele) Highway last month, has since succumbed to his injuries while hospitalized on Oʻahu. Maui police have identified the man as Billy Joe Theus of Kīhei. 

US Senator Brian Schatz has provided an update for stimulus funding including a special phone line established by the IRS for taxpayers with questions about their Economic Impact Payment (stimulus checks) issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security or CARES Act. Taxpayers with questions can call (800) 919-9835.

Lahaina Gateway in West Maui has announced updated retail hours for its various tenants and retailers as of May 20, 2020.  

The Shops at Wailea announced the reopening of retail activity at the Center, with current operating hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays until further notice.

The Hawai‘i State Senate unanimously approved all gubernatorial nominees passed out of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, chaired by Senator Rosalyn H. Baker (D-South and West Maui).

Maui United Way announced they have distributed $118,000 to 23 Maui nonprofits for “safety net” relief in response to the impact of the pandemic.  

This year’s recipients are JR Agmata and Samantha Padron.

Hawaiian Electric – Maui County has received the No Ka Oi Highway Hui award in recognition of its sustained and exemplary commitment to the State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation, Highways Division – Maui District’s (HWY-M) Adopt-A-Highway Program.