Maui News

The bipartisan $2 trillion CARES Act is the largest aid package in American history and was signed into law on Friday.

A new radio feature starts Monday featuring executives and doctors with Maui Health who will provide updates and answer questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The feature runs daily at 7:19 a.m. on KPOA 93.5 FM, starting on Monday, March 30, 2020.

“Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine can cause severe cardiac toxicity, and in high doses over a long duration, can cause retinal damage and lead to permanent blindness,” said Dr. Alvin Bronstein, DOH Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch Chief. “Individuals using these medications without physician supervision run serious risks of side effects and potential overdoses. Other medications are being touted, but nothing has been proven to be effective and may even do more harm than good.”

Drive-through testing for COVID-19 will take place again on Monday, March 30, at War Memorial Gym parking lot (700 Halia Nakoa Street in Wailuku).

Mayor Michael Victorino expressed his appreciation to members of the Maui County Council for final passage of bills to purchase land to expand the Central Maui Landfill and to acquire property to preserve open space on Maui’s north shore.

Maui had a total of 87 passengers arriving on the Valley Isle, including 49 crew members, 24 residents and 14 visitors, according to new numbers compiled by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Association.

As of noon on Saturday, March 28, 2020, the state total count of positive coronavirus cases was 151, including 17 new cases on Oʻahu; 6 new cases on Kauaʻi; 3 new cases on Hawaiʻi Island; and 3 cases pending residency determination.  Maui’s island count remains at 16.  The Maui District Health Office notes that as test results come in (expected early this coming week), there may be a spike in the number of new reported COVID-19 cases in the Valley Isle.

The jail population across the state has experienced a marked decrease in inmates as the Department of Public Safety finds ways to temporarily reduce the number of people in jails and prisons amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  

All public library locations and bookmobile services will be suspended from March 18  to May 5, 2020.

In response to the coronavirus crisis, Kamaʻāina Kids is offering special programs for the children of essential workers. They are offering flexible three-day programs and five-day programs at 21 locations on Oʻahu and Maui.

As a result of the recently-passed coronavirus aid legislation, there are new federal resources to help individuals, families, and businesses during this time.  This includes information about the direct payments to individuals.  

As of March 27, 2020, Maui Police Department has not issued any citations or had any arrests regarding the emergency declaration calling for stay-at-home orders.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education is seeking approval to modify high school graduation and commencement requirements asking for flexibility in awarding a diploma or certificate to graduating seniors, based on approval from individual school administrations.

LIVE: Mayor Victorino COVID-19 Update, March 27, 2 p.m.: “Most of the facilities that we looked at were private and they’ve asked for anonymity at this time,” said Mayor Victorino, noting that the two public facilities being considered on Maui are the War Memorial Gymnasium and the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center, both in Wailuku. “Beyond that, the rest of the seven other sites are private,” said Mayor Victorino.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino announced the installation Friday of a secure drop box at the front entrance of the Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku for payments of County of Maui services, including refuse and water bills, and real property taxes. This box is for payments by check; please, no cash.

As of noon on Friday, March 27, 2020, the state total count of positive coronavirus cases was 120, including 9 new cases on Oʻahu; two new cases each on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island; and one new case that is pending residency determination.  Maui’s island count is now 16.

Maui had a total of 136 passengers arriving on the Valley Isle, including 81 crew members, 44 residents and 11 visitors, according to new numbers compiled by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Association. 

Below is an updated list (as of 9 a.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020) compiled by the Maui Police Department, detailing what items are out-of-stock at Maui stores and grocery chains.  

The church is among the many religious sites and congregations that have transitioned to online services as they seek creative alternatives amid stay-at-home orders and social distancing precautions.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino provides an update in an on-air interview with Pacific Media Group’s KPOA 93.5 FM.  Shane Kahalehau gets the latest information affecting Maui County and some advice from the Mayor on how the public is navigating the recently implemented county and state stay-at-home orders.