Maui News

The cluster of COVID-19 positive cases at Maui Memorial Medical Center has increased to 41 individuals.  State Health officials say these cases are under investigation as potentially associated with the cluster identified at the hospital and includes 26 staff members, 14 patients and one undetermined. 

The “STEM Imagineers” of Pukalani Elementary were heading to the VEX Robotics World Championship in Louisville, Kentucky on April 24th, but due to the COVID19 virus, the competition was canceled. Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura in partnership with teacher Debbie Hisashima will do a virtual showcase on Zoom with these Imagineer students to learn about their Robotics project.

The finalists for this year’s 43rd Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards include names from among Hawaiʻi’s most talented musicians, songwriters and producers. On this year’s final ballot are the top five artists, singles or albums in 36 different categories selected by more than 500 members of the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts.

More than 500 bags of food were distributed today, April 16, to individuals impacted by COVID-19 in West Maui. The next food distribution will take place tomorrow, Friday, April 17 on the Island of Lānaʻi.

Hale Makua Health Services has a newly confirmed COVID-19 positive case.  This brings the total to two individuals who are Home Health patients that are positive; and one who is a nursing home resident at the Kahului facility, who tested positive but is asymptomatic and recovering.

Drive-through COVID-19 testing will take place in Hāna on Friday, April 17, in the parking lot across from the tennis court at the Hāna Ball Park.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino holds his daily press briefing, starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2020.

Governor David Ige said that while the number of new cases is promising, the state does not yet qualify for the President’s phased in reopening of the economy. He said Hawaiʻi would need a downward trajectory in cases for a 14-day period.

The Lifeline program extends access to internet and television services to low-income Americans for free or at a reduced cost.

As of noon on Thursday, April 16, 2020, there are 541 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 11 new cases. Maui County has 3 new cases for a total of 95 confirmed positive. Of the 95 cases in Maui County, at least 44 have been released from isolation, and 7 have required hospitalization.

Round Table Pizza Kīhei and Lahaina have been delivering meals to essential workers and first responders in the Maui community.  

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.