#community spread

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is monitoring a positive wastewater sample for the measles virus, the first-ever wastewater detection of the virus for Maui County. The samples were collected Nov. 18, 2025, at two sites in Central and West Maui County, and tested through the National Wastewater Surveillance System. The virus detected is the naturally occurring type that spreads from person to person, not the weakened form used in vaccines. No suspected measles cases have been identified on Maui.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health has confirmed one additional case of pertussis (also known as whooping cough) in a third distinct region on Hawaiʻi Island which is unrelated to previous cases. This new case closely follows 10 recently reported cases and brings the total to 11 pertussis cases on the Island from March – April 2024. Several of the recent cases have occurred in infants too young to be fully vaccinated. 

The “evidence of community transmission” has begun on the island of Oʻahu where 10 COVID-19 cases were reported yesterday and 11 more cases were reported today for a total of 28 on the island, and 37 total across the state, according to state Health officials.

“We are starting to see the edge of community spread of the COVID-19 virus here in the islands. We are taking unprecedented actions to protect the vulnerable in our community, and ensure that medical resources are available to those who most need them,” said Gov. Ige.