Maui News

Kouchi backs governorʻs plea to visitors to reschedule visits.

Seabury Hall will roll out its distance learning program on April 1 in response to COVID-19 advisories for student and community safety, the school announced today. 

As of March 18, 2020, noon, there is a total of 16 confirmed or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. New positive results were announced today for two O‘ahu residents who traveled outside Hawai‘i. The Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring these individuals and supervising their isolation as well as the self-quarantine of their family members.  One of the O‘ahu cases announced this past Monday, March 16, was a Kualoa tour operator who had not traveled, but was exposed to travelers daily. Three family members from the individual’s household were tested with negative results. All cases who tested positive in Hawaiʻi are travel related. Although the Governor said Hawaii was on the “edge of community-spread” over the weekend, state Health Officials today say “There is no evidence of community spread in Hawai‘i at this time.”

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek S.K Kawakami has implemented, via emergency rule, an islandwide nighttime curfew beginning Friday, March 20. The curfew will be in effect from 9 p.m. through 5 a.m. daily until further notice. Every individual within the County of Kaua‘i must remain in their residence during these specified hours.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation informs the traveling public that Hāna Highway (Route 360) between Kapakalua Road and Hāna Town is restricted to local traffic until further notice beginning March 18, 2020.

In an effort to create a safe environment for our kupuna to grocery shop, Foodland announced that it will set aside the first hour of business on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to serve only seniors (age 60 yrs. and above) and an accompanying caregiver or assisting family member at all stores statewide.  

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education will close its offices except for essential functions effective Thursday, March 19. Schools will close March 30 following the extension of spring break. Employee return dates will be staggered. Students are anticipated to return to school April 7, pending any additional developments.

Schatz: Bill will provide some relief, but it is not enough.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) and Lt. Gov. Josh Green will host a live telephone town hall this afternoon to talk about the local and national response to the coronavirus.

The State Department of Health has issued a brown water advisory for the island of Maui after heavy rain has led stormwater runoff to enter coastal waters. 

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association filed a prohibited practice complaint with the Hawaiʻi Labor Relations Board over Governor David Ige’s plan directing teachers to return to public schools on March 23, while all other non-essential government employees are being asked to stay home for 15 days.

Trilogy Excursions is suspending all regular tour operations for two weeks, according to an announcement today from company President Gabe Lucy

“This does not include essential travel or the transit of goods, but it was through mutual discussion that took place this morning between the president and Prime Minister Trudeau.  The Department of Homeland Security will be effectuating that decision,” said Vice President Pence.

According to the NWS, “A Kona Low west of the state will continue to produce bands of heavy rain and thunderstorms across portions of the island chain through Thursday. While all islands could experience flooding rainfall, the greatest risk for flooding will be on Kauaʻi and Oʻahu where soils remain saturated due to recent heavy rain. Another large heavy shower band forming just west of Kauaʻi will move into the western half of the state later this morning.”

The Maui Police Department announced changes to its normal business hours in the Records Section due to the precautionary health and safety measures that are being taken with COVID-19.

At 1:40 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Honolulu watchstanders received notification from a good Samaritan reporting they found the surfboard washing up to the shore with no signs of the owner.

Superintendent Dr. Kishimoto scheduled a meeting on Wednesday with key leaders to do some “critical decision making.”

Boyd Gaming will temporarily close all Nevada properties due to Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s order. Vacations Hawaiʻi announced it is suspending all Las Vegas charter departures March 18 through April 30, 2020. Anyone traveling prior to May 1, 2020 will get a full refund, according to the company. Boyd Gaming today announced it will temporarily […]

The County of Maui will be providing COVID-19 updates to Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi residents on Friday via a live stream on Akakū Maui Community Television, Channel 53 and the County of Maui Facebook page. The stream has been rescheduled to 2 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2020.

The Old Lahaina Lūʻau is temporarily closing its lūʻau event starting March 18, 2020 due to precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to suspend the lūʻau also takes into consideration measures recommended by federal, state, and county officials to cancel or postpone events with large gatherings of people through the end of the month.