Maui News

Kim traveled from New York City to Honolulu while asymptomatic and reported exhibiting symptoms upon his arrival back home in Hawaiʻi. According to a personal video Kim posted, he’s been home since last Sunday, and tested positive on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

With many schools closed due to the virus, the Department of Education will not be enforcing standardized testing requirements, according to new information today provided during a White House press briefing.

Preparations are underway to ready the War Memorial Gymnasium parking lot in Wailuku as Maui’s drive-through testing site for COVID-19. Details of the operation will be announced on Friday, with the goal of tests to start as early as next week.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino’s will deliver a live video update on Maui County’s COVID-19 response at 5 p.m. today, Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Hawai‘i State Senator Clarence K. Nishihara was informed today that he has tested positive for COVID-19, and he has since informed his colleagues and staff.

Hawaiʻi’s presumptive positive cases for COVID-19 has risen to 26 with 10 additional cases added including eight more on Oʻahu (bringing their total to 18) and two more on Maui (bringing the Valley Isle total to 5).  The remaining cases are on Kauaʻi (2) and Hawaiʻi Island (1). 

Effective tomorrow, guests checking in for Hawaiian’s international flights will use Lobby 3, while guests on North America and Neighbor Island flights will check-in at Lobby 2.

Calling it a “difficult decision,” University of Hawaiʻi President David Lassner announced the cancellation of all traditional commencement ceremonies at all 10 campuses in the US system, including the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College in Kahului.  

In countries where commercial departure options remain available, US citizens who live in the United States are advised that they should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. 

Today, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard announced her decision to suspend her campaign for US President and offer backing to Joe Biden “in his quest to bring the country together.”

Senator J. Kalani English (D-Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi and Kaho‘olawe) thanked Governor David Ige for implementing his recommendation to close the Hāna Highway to non-residents to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and Mayor Mike Victorino for closing the back side county road through Kaupō to non-residents.

“As we race to develop a vaccine, we’re also developing anti-viral therapies,” said President Trump noting that treatments will help reduce the severity or duration of the symptoms.  The president named several prospective therapies including chloroquine, which has been used in the past for the treatment of malaria.  The drug has gained FDA approval for testing as a potential COVID-19 treatment.

Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating missing person, 51-year-old Wade Marwood, who failed to return home to Canada.

The County requests that general inquiries to the departments be made by phone or email to limit in-person interaction, and personnel will strive to respond within one business day.

This afternoon, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) hosted a telephone town hall for over 10,000 Hawai‘i residents where she was joined by Hawaiʻi Lt. Governor Josh Green, a practicing physician who has served as the state’s lead official coordinating its COVID-19 coronavirus response.

Representatives say in light of Mayor Kawakamiʻs curfew announcement, the Līhuʻe location will close at 8 p.m. All other Hawaiʻi stores will close at 8:30 p.m. 

Hawaiian Airlines is reducing its flight schedule systemwide by nearly 40 percent in April as the state of Hawai‘i deals with increasing COVID-19 cases and resulting government restrictions and pronouncements impacting travel.

Mayor Michael Victorino announced a number of Public Health Emergency Rules effective as of 7:45 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2020, directed toward limiting the gathering of groups of people and curtailing vehicular transportation except for essential activities or operation of essential business or government functions, such as travel to and from work and medical appointments.

Kepaniwai Park at ʻĪao Valley is closed until further notice for cleaning and maintenance, according to a county notice issued on Wednesday afternoon.

A 71-year-old male visitor has died Wednesday morning after an apparent drowning incident near Black Rock, or Pu’u Keka’a in Lahaina.