Maui News

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) on Friday voted to pass HR 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act which will provide emergency relief to families and workers across America who are impacted by the global coronavirus pandemic.

Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura has cancelled her monthly talk story event at the Upcountry Farmer’s Market that was scheduled today; and her campaign has cancelled a fundraiser that was scheduled for March 18. 

Two visitors to the island of Kauaʻi tested positive for the coronavirus or COVID-19, becoming the third and fourth presumptive positive tests in Hawaiʻi.

The Molokaʻi meeting will be on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at 4 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center. The Lānaʻi meeting will be on Thursday, March 19, 2020, at 4 p.m. at the Lānaʻi Community Center.

As announced earlier this week the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health launched a statewide surveillance testing program to identify cases and community spread of the coronavirus. Testing on the first batch of samples was completed today and of the 31 random samples completed, all 31 were negative for COVID-19, according to officials with the DOH. 

Mayor Michael Victorino announced that County of Maui fields, pools, gyms and other facilities, including public restrooms, will be closed for the next 30 days starting Saturday, March 14, 2020, due to increased precautions regarding COVID-19. County community centers will close starting Monday, March 16, 2020.

Hale Makua Health Services announced today that it will be limited visitors starting Monday, March 16, 2020 to both Hale Makua Kahului (472 Kaulana Street) and Hale Makua Wailuku (1540 Lower Main Street). 

Hawaiian Airlines today announced it will reduce flight capacity systemwide in April and May in response to declining demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, all interscholastic competition will be suspended indefinitely based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat.

3/13/20 – Dr. Bruce Anderson, Director of Health, Dr. Sarah Park, Epidemiologist, Disease Outbreak Control Division & Hilton Raethel, President Hawaiʻi Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi discuss the state’s guidelines for families during spring break.

“We know that traditionally spring break is a time when families go on trips or spend more time at the malls, theaters, restaurants, and other places where the public gathers,” said Bruce Anderson, director of the Hawai‘i Department of Health. “We are urging families to be circumspect and exercise extra precautions to minimize the risks of COVID-19 transmission.”

Very High Exposure risk jobs are those with high potential for exposure to known or suspected sources of COVID-19 during specific medical, postmortem, or laboratory procedures.

Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation spokesperson Tim Sakahara responded to Maui Now’s request for information saying, “All HDOT harbors and airports in Hawaiʻi continue to be open and operational. Any reports of their closing due to Covid-19 are inaccurate.” Maston Operations Continue Uninterrupted: Matson intends to maintain all service schedules as normal with three arrivals a week to Honolulu and twice a week calls to each neighbor island port.

US President Donald Trump officially declared a national emergency. He said the declaration opens access to $50 billion for the shared fight against COVID-19.  In his address, President Trump urged states to set up emergency operation centers immediately and asked all hospitals to activate emergency preparedness plans. 

Maui Representative Tina Wildberger and fellow Rep. Amy Perruso joined in calling for a cruise ship moratorium.  The two join Lieutenant Governor Josh Green and Minority Leader Gene Ward in their urgent calls for an immediate 60-day moratorium on cruise ships docking in Hawaiʻi’s harbors.  

Tell your provider about your symptoms and any recent travel. Healthcare providers will discuss any possible cases of COVID-19 with DOH to determine if testing is needed. Consider utilizing tele-health services, if available. Avoid traveling or leaving home if you are sick, except for visiting your doctor after contacting them in advance.

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary is asking any potential juror who has a fever, cough, or other respiratory symptoms; has returned to Hawaiʻi within the last 14 days after traveling internationally; or who has COVID-19 or has been in close contact with a person who has or is suspected of having COVID-19 to call the court to reschedule jury service.

Effective today, March 13, 2020, and until further notice, all correctional facilities in Hawaiʻi will suspend inmate personal visits. At this point this action does not impact the continuation of other scheduled official and attorney visits.

All Maui Friday Town Parties have been cancelled until further notice due to increased precautions regarding COVID-19, county officials announced. This includes Wailuku First Fridays, Lahaina Second Fridays, Makawao Third Fridays, Kīhei Fourth Fridays and Lānaʻi Fifth Fridays.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is installing 250 hand sanitizing dispensers with more than 12,000 boxes of anti-bacterial solution that will be placed in high passenger volume areas throughout the airports statewide.