#price gouging

This price freeze, which is scheduled to remain in effect until Nov. 6, 2023, unless terminated or superseded by separate emergency proclamation, does not extend beyond the Island of Maui. During this declared emergency, the price freeze now in effect for the Island of Maui means that the essential goods and services that are subject to the price freeze must be sold at pre-emergency price levels.

Gov. Josh Greenʻs Seventh Emergency Proclamation Relating to Wildfires welcomes the return of visitors to West Maui effective Oct. 8, fully restores the State Water Code, restores most historic preservation measures, and limits the prohibition of price increases to specific essential commodities.

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined a bipartisan coalition of 30 states and Washington, DC in filing an amicus brief in the US Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. The brief supports states’ authority to enforce price gouging regulations to protect consumers during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hawaiʻi public is being urged to beware of, and report, scams and price gouging related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

With Lane continuing its approach toward the Hawaiian Islands, there’s lots of closures and cancellations being announced. 

Any price increase of commodities since severe weather warnings began through at least Aug. 16, 2014, is a violation of state law and merchants found in violation may be subject to severe fines and penalties