Maui News

Yamada served six terms as a State Representative from Kaua‘i, starting in 1970 through 1982, serving as chair of the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee from 1972 through 1978. He also served as chair of the House Judiciary Committee from 1978 through 1980, and House Majority Leader from 1980 through 1982.

In addition to stimulus check scams, con-artists are also offering corona virus testing, sometimes even going door to door, in an attempt to steal your health insurance or Medicare information to submit false claims or to steal your money. Scammers are impersonating the CDC and even offering fake cures or vaccines.

Today’s guest is Dr. Lee Weiss, Regional Director of Emergency Medical Services.  In his interview, Dr. Weiss discussed how the virus is believed to have started, lack of immunity and the period of infection. 

The Hawai‘i National Guard is increasing its personnel to 1,200 Guardsmen today to help with the COVID-19 response. Last week, 400 Soldiers and Airmen were activated. An additional 800 Guardsmen will be brought on status to assist by today.

Drive through testing for COVID-19 will take place again on Thursday, April 16, at Keōpūolani Regional Park in Central Maui. The drive through testing on Molokaʻi that was canceled earlier this week due to inclement weather, has been rescheduled to Thursday, April 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauʻole Community Center.

West Maui food distribution takes place on Thursday, April 16, at the same site that was used for the Drive Through testing on Wednesday. County crews will be distributing an estimated 300 bags of food to individuals in need that are impacted by COVID-19 in West Maui.

Donations that are needed include non-perishable food, fresh food, produce, hygiene products, cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves.

Since the program started on Monday, April 6, at least 192 rooms were booked through the program in Maui County.  Statewide, nearly 1,000 rooms are being used including: 563 on O‘ahu; 151 on Hawai‘i Island; and 17 on Kaua‘i.

Bacolini was treated on scene and was later transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center for further treatment. A short time later, Bacolini died as a result of the injury he sustained in this incident.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino provides an afternoon update on Maui’s COVID-19 response. This includes updates on the Lahaina Drive Through testing that took place today.  Workers tested about 300 individuals at that site.

Hale Makua Health Services received word from the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) that one Home Health patient has tested COVID-19 positive, and that one of six of our nursing home residents who were potentially exposed to COVID-19 during their stay at MMMC prior to being admitted to Hale Makua Kahului has tested positive. The nursing home resident who tested positive for COVID-19 received a negative test result on April 9, 2020.

Among the teachers speaking today was Jodi Kunimitsu a math teacher at Maui High School who is married to another educator who works at Baldwin High School.  “When we first heard about the pay cuts last night, we were extremely disappointed… We just don’t understand why we would be looked at first as far as trying to balance the budget.  It always seems like the budget is trying to be balanced on the backs of the most essential workers,” said Kunimitsu.

Maui County has 4 new cases for a total of 92 confirmed positive. Of the 92 cases in Maui County, at least 42 have been released from isolation, and 7 have required hospitalization.

The Department of Education today announced that traditional commencement ceremonies at public and charter schools will be replaced with alternative celebrations for the class of 2020.

COVID-19 Testing is now underway at the Lahaina Drive Through site along the Honoapiʻilani Highway in West Maui near Launiupoko Beach Park.

Bill 50, was introduced by Councilmember Michael J. Molina and seeks to double current penalties. The bill would increase penalties for a lack of prominent display of the permit to “not less than $20 nor more than $100” and increase penalties for operating without a permit to “not less than $200 nor more than $1,000.” Both fines double the current penalty amounts.

Today’s guest is Jim Diegel, Chief Strategy Officer, Maui Health. Diegel spoke with KPOA’s Shane Kahalehau, discussing testing efforts in Maui County, caregiver isolation rooms, and volunteer work through Maui Health.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations released improved software to apply for and track unemployment claims. The IRS has launched a Get My Payment application where the public can check on the status of Economic Impact Payments.

State Farm agent Paul MacDonald from Kahului will be delivering 50 pizzas today, Wednesday, April 15 to grocery store workers in Central Maui. MacDonald will purchase the pizzas from Maui Lani Domino’s and will visit five grocery stores to coincide with the workers’ lunch breaks.

Maui police are on the scene of a reported shooting at a residence in the West Maui area of Nāpili.  Sources say the incident was reported at around 8:30 p.m. Updates will be posted here.