Maui News

Maui Health today acknowledged that per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol, it is treating its first patient confirmed by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health as having COVID-19.

As of noon on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, there are 258 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 34 new cases. Maui has one new case for a total of 26 confirmed positive.

Maui police are responding to a report of a vehicle over a cliff in West Maui along the Honoapiʻilani Highway near DT Fleming Beach.  At around 11:26 a.m., the highway was temporarily closed in both directions at the location.  Maui Now has received police confirmation that the accident involves a fatality. *This is a developing story. Check back for updates, which will be posted as they become available. 

The Hoʻāla Assistance Program, funded by the Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund is providing one-time emergency financial assistance of up to $1000 per household to Hawaiʻi residents facing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maui police arrested and charged a 37-year-old Maui man with three counts of Burglary of a Dwelling during a Civil Emergency and Habitual Property Crimes. Due to the County of Maui being in a Disaster Emergency Relief Period, the Burglary of a Dwelling offense becomes a class “A” felony. 

US Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaiʻi hosts a live telephone town hall this afternoon to provide updates on the national and state response to the coronavirus. She will be joined by Dr. Scott Miscovich, a physician who has been leading COVID-19 response efforts, who will give an update and answer questions about testing in Hawai‘i.

“Our state and local law enforcement and first responders have been on the front lines with our health care professionals in confronting this pandemic, and they need the appropriate tools, equipment, and resources to keep themselves safe as they assist others,” Senator Hirono said. “This funding will help ensure that these first responders are able to continue protecting our community during this challenging time.”

The Special Committee points out in the letter that South Korea officials found that emergency texts sent three to five times a day were effective in reducing community spread, as the text messages detailed exact locations and movements of people who have tested positive for COVID-19.

A new radio feature runs this week featuring executives and doctors with Maui Health who will provide updates and answer questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s guest is Mike Rembis, Chief Executive Officer with Maui Health.

Effective April 4, Hawaiian will be providing a total of 16 daily roundtrip flights with Boeing 717 aircraft between Honolulu (HNL) on O‘ahu and Hilo (ITO) and Kona (KOA) on the Island of Hawai‘i, Kahului (OGG) on Maui, and Līhu‘e (LIH) on Kaua‘i. For travelers not originating in or bound for O‘ahu, the schedule was carefully created to offer three daily roundtrips via HNL to all Neighbor Islands.

Those who must travel to perform an essential function, including those providing and seeking medical care, will have to fill out and sign an Interisland Declaration Form, wear appropriate protective gear – primarily masks, and follow all social distancing requirements.

Effective Wednesday, the County of Maui Department of Transportation is suspending three Maui Bus commuter routes and adjusting schedules for others due to significant decreases in passengers caused by COVID-19.

Effective immediately, new hospital protocol for personal protective equipment (PPE) allows Maui Health employees and providers to wear their own masks.

Hawaiian Electric’s Maui County operations released surveillance images of a man who the company says, broke into its Lahaina Substation along Lahainaluna Road on Friday, March 27 around 7:20 p.m.

Governor David Ige today offered condolences to the family of an individual, as the state reported it’s first death linked to the COVID-19 virus.  Today’s press conference comes ahead of tomorrow’s start of a 14-day mandatory self-quarantine for interisland travelers.  

Maui police responded to a call this afternoon in which a caller reported hearing gunfire in a Makawao neighborhood.  Maui Police Lt. Audra Sellers tells Maui Now that one individual is currently in custody.

As explosive as this thing can be, if you shut it down with hygiene and spreading out, you will lead those” potentially positive individuals “to a dead end,” said Dr. Pang. A second round of testing at the War Memorial Gym drive-through site on Maui was conducted on Monday, March 30, with 83 tests submitted for review.

As of noon on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, there are 224 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 20 new cases. Maui has no new cases for a total of 25 confirmed positive. Of the cases statewide, 6% have required hospitalization, and over 80% were residents returning from other areas. There have been no deaths.

“This pandemic can only stop when we utilize social distancing, quarantines and areas where we’ve never gone before (working from home, staying at home).  This is the only way he said that “we’re going to really flatten the curve and start to see a decrease.”

Mayor Victorino reiterated the need for social distancing and refraining from travel unless absolutely necessary.  If medical treatment is needed off-island, medical transport is still permitted, but self-quarantine would be required upon their return home.  Most medical facilities are not doing elective surgeries at this time, according to Mayor Victorino.