Maui News

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.

Maui Health announced that beginning April 1, 2020, air ambulance helicopters can now land at Maui Memorial Medical Center’s helipad at night.

In light of safety and health concerns and after serious consideration, the organizers and sponsors of the 2020 Merrie Monarch Festival announced today that the event will not be held.

Mayor Victorino said he would be seeking a moratorium of 60 days minimum on cruise ship travel to Maui County. He also said he is asking county employees to stay home if they are sick out of consideration to others in the work place.  Triage at Maui Memorial Medical Center is being moved outside.

Hawaiʻi President David Lassner provided details about the planned transition to online classes and other changes at the university amid response to COVID-19 concerns.

The event, will tentatively be rescheduled to June 27; however that date is pending community impacts of the ongoing COVID-19.  The school will continue to monitor and assess the situation as the new date approaches. 

A total of 39 Hawaiʻi VEX IQ teams from Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Molokaʻi, and Oʻahu participated in the state middle school robotics championships, which has been sponsored by Hawaiian Electric since 2013.

Due to the dramatic international spread of the novel coronavirus, the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) has sharply lowered its economic forecast for the state.

The Valley Isle Keiki Fest that was scheduled to take place on April 11, 2020, has been cancelled due to growing concerns of COVID-19. 

Disneyland Park in California will close on Saturday morning, March 14, through the end of the month amid concerns over COVID-19 also known as the coronavirus.

The University of Hawaiʻi will be moving classes online after spring break, effective Monday, March 23, 2020 according to an email communication from UH President David Lassner to students this morning.

Starting this Friday, March 13 and continuing through St Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, March 17, the Maui Police Department Traffic Division will be conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols at various locations.

A Brown Water Advisory has been issued at West Maui and North Shore (Waiheʻe to Hoʻokipa Beach Park) on Maui.

Police say the 27-year-old Kihei man operating the moped sustained life threatening injuries in the crash that was reported at 6:16 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.