Maui News

As of noon on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, there are 592 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 6 new cases, three each on Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu. Maui County has no new cases. Of the 110 cases in Maui County, at least 60 have been released from isolation, and 9 have required hospitalization.

A radio segment featuring executives and doctors with Maui Health runs daily at 7:19 a.m. on KPOA 93.5 FM.  The series providing updates and answers questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s guest is Dr. Lee Weiss, Regional Director of Emergency Medical Services.  In his interview, Dr. Weiss discussed supplements, boosting the immune system, safety related to ibuprofen and social distancing.

“I believe it is the scheduling of the airlines that made that happen… But there is a concerted effort to cut down to as little as possible Trans-Pacific flights to our island and to Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island.  However, there will be–as far as I know–four flights a week to Maui County,” said Mayor Victorino.

Mayor Victorino said he’d likely report this coming Friday on the likelihood of extending Maui’s stay-at-home orders.  “I think it’s a very strong probability of extending on through May, maybe to May 31st… I know this is really not news people wanted to hear, but I’ve got to be honest. Also we’re looking at phasing in other businesses,” said Mayor Victorino.

COVID-19 drive-through testing will be available to the residents of Lānaʻi from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at the Old Dole Administration Building in Lānaʻi City.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said he will not be issuing citations for people that run or walk on the beach because there is no clear delineation on what’s a state beach and what’s a county beach.  

The Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) approved two actions that will provide Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) Applicant Waiting List beneficiaries, as well as lessees, licensees, and permittees on land managed by the Department, relief amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard says she has advocated with Congress and the White House for the last two weeks, pushing for greater support for Hawai‘i as communities continue to struggle with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. 

On September 7, 1981, hikers discovered the skeletal remains of an unidentified person while hiking to “The Cross” in Wailuku Heights on Kapilau Ridge.

A portion of the funds will go to repair Highway 137, Pohoiki Road, Leilani Avenue, Hinalo Street, Lauone Street, Honuaula Street, and Lighthouse Road.

The County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns’ Volunteer Center is recognizing 13 outstanding Volunteer Heroes for 2020. These are individuals who help make up the backbone of nonprofits.

Deadline is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22 at 6 a.m. Hawaiʻi Time.

When asked when Maui will reopen, Mayor Victorino said, “It’s based on health issues as well as timetables… How are we doing as far as the outbreak is concerned? Do we have enough masks… There are some services that have been deemed unessential, that now become essential… we’re looking at all of these different aspects… Overall, I feel it should be in the not-too-distant future.”

“Many small businesses in Hawai‘i were unable to access the first round of PPP funding, so this additional $310 billion will help those who didn’t get their loan approved in time,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Banking Committee.

The pair were reported by a manager at the LayLow Waikīkī Hotel, after being notified by an “irate” citizen that Tien was allegedly “posting on Instagram showing her being out of her hotel room in violation of the State’s 14-day-self-quarantine law for people arriving in Hawai‘i.”

Sen. Mazie K. Hirono announced that the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health received $2 million in emergency grant funding from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand and strengthen access to substance abuse and mental health treatment.

As of noon on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, there are 586 cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawaiʻi with 2 new cases, both in Maui County. Of the 110 cases in Maui County, at least 60 have been released from isolation, and 7 have required hospitalization. Maui also reported its 5th COVID-19 related death. It was one of two confirmed in the state overnight for a total of 12 across the state since Feb. 28, 2020.

Right now, the public can donate to Food Banks and go online to sign up to Volunteer for the future in case of emergency or Essential Volunteer Needs weekly at www.handsonmaui.com and statewide with Kanu Hawaiʻi.

On Monday, April 20, a total of 444 people arrived in Hawaiʻi from out-of-state including 111 visitors and 151 residents, according to new data compiled by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. There were no flights to the neighbor islands from out-of-state yesterday.

Maui County Federal Credit Union donated a care package with $30 Starbucks gift cards, healthy snack bars and workout towels to the 26 Hale Makua Home Health Care staff. “It’s part of saying mahalo to our community that are in the medical field,” said Gary Fukuroku, President and CEO with Maui County Federal Credit Union.