Maui News

Despite news surrounding supplies of medical-grade filter face-masks arriving on island, leaders with The Maui Filter Face Mask Project say they continue to receive requests daily from clinical staff at both county hospitals and health agencies for assistance.

The equipment was delivered to the hospital this week, tested, and distributed to the floors to be used as needed. The Foundation purchased seven ventilators and the remaining three were donated by MultiCare Health System, a not-for-profit health care organization in Washington.

A 72-year-old Kīhei man suffered life-threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle on the Maui Veterans (Mokulele) Highway last night. Police say the man was illegally crossing the highway, walking westbound within the southbound lane of travel, when he was struck by a 2011 Kia Optima that was traveling southbound (towards Kīhei).

“The Governor stated that his proclamation only allows water activities, and does not allow walking or running on the beaches for exercise purposes,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “My proclamation previously allowed exercise on the beaches, so this is a notable change for residents.”

Two Permanent checkpoints to make sure only residents are traveling to Hāna: (1) after Twin Falls and (2) past Kēōkea. This will start on Saturday, April 18, 2020. Governor’s office and Attorney General clarified today that people are NOT allowed to walk and run on the beach for exercise. This is stricter than Maui County’s rules.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education announced today the continuation of enrichment and distance learning through May 28, the last day of the 2019-20 school year. The decision was made based on the latest guidance and information from health officials and elected leaders.

Under these new rules, all beaches are closed, which means no sitting, standing, lying down, lounging, sunbathing, or loitering on beaches and sandbars.  People can still cross beaches to access the ocean for outdoor exercise like surfing, solo paddling and swimming as long as social distances are maintained.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino is providing updates on Pacific Media Group’s network of Maui stations as the County continues to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Today, the Mayor spoke with Shane Kahalehau of KPOA 93.5 FM on Maui, and shared his thoughts on new cases, mask use in Maui County and unemployment.

Gov. David Ige signed a fifth emergency supplementary proclamation that includes an eviction moratorium — which prevents any eviction from a residential dwelling for failure to pay rent. Previously, all eviction proceedings and pending eviction orders were suspended with the closure of the Hawai‘i State Judiciary during the COVID-19 crisis.

Maui County has 7 new cases for a total of 102 confirmed positive. Of the 102 cases in Maui County, at least 52 have been released from isolation, and 7 have required hospitalization.

Today’s guest is Dr. David Ulin, Chief Medical Director at Maui Health.  In his interview, Dr. Ulin discussed antibody testing, new requirements for the public to wear cloth masks at the hospital and ways to keep kids entertained and hone new skills.

Two individuals from the Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center on Waiale Road in Wailuku on Maui have been moved to a Department of Health quarantine facility after one of them tested positive for COVID-19 and the other is awaiting test results.

On Wednesday, 764 people arrived in Hawai‘i including 105 visitors and 480 residents. The returning resident count is particularly high for Wednesday because it includes about 300 National Guard Soldiers who returned from a deployment. On Maui, there were 39 individuals who arrived from out-of-state including nine crew members, 23 residents and seven visitors.

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.