#safer outside

Councilmember Michael J. Molina is urging Maui Mayor Michael Victorino to reconsider his mandate restricting parents from watching their children play sports.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino has sent a request to Governor David Ige to relax Maui’s Safer Outside Emergency Health Rules, which went into effect on Sept. 15, 2021.

A Mandate-Free Maui March and Rally drew thousands of participants that stretched in a walking line from War Memorial Stadium to the Kaʻahumanu Avenue intersection with Kahului Beach Road. Bystanders estimated the crowd at more than 1,000, while organizers said the event drew an estimated 3,000 individuals over the course of two hours, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

There were 101,199 successful uploads to the Hawai‘i SMART Health Card application, since it launched last week Friday.

Hospital administrators said test positivity is “moving in the right direction,” but urged vigilance saying the surge is not over.

Da Shrimp Hale at the Maui Mall and Da Shrimp Hale West at Lahaina Gateway, are offering takeout only for the interim. A note to patrons stated, “This was a hard decision for us to make. This new mandate will be a negative impact to us entirely. Not just as a locally owned family business, but to our staff and our community. We refuse to DENY anyone because of vaccination eligibility.”

Maui County’s “Safer Outside” program takes effect today, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. Under the new rules, restaurants are required to ask patrons 12 years and older proof of vaccination for indoor dining. Unvaccinated patrons must be served only in outdoor dining areas, takeout or drive-thru service.

“For clarification, bars, restaurants, gyms, fitness centers and other “high risk” businesses may operate at 50% capacity indoors, provided that all customers 12 years of age and older provide proof of full vaccination,” according to the Mayor’s office.

Though the recent announcement of Maui’s “Safer Outside” initiative will limit indoor capacities and put restrictions on those who can dine in, management at The Shops at Wailea says locals and visitors alike can still enjoy meals from their favorite restaurants with outdoor dining offerings or by utilizing takeout options.

Oʻahu’s “Safe Access” program for restaurants begins today; and Maui’s “Safer Outside” rules including vaccination guidelines for restaurants, bars and gyms, goes into effect on Wednesday.

State officials unveiled the new Hawaiʻi SMART Health Card, which launches on Sept. 10, 2021. The voluntary program enables individuals who received their COVID-19 vaccinations in Hawaiʻi to create a state-issued digital card that may be used to confirm their vaccination status to businesses and venues that require it.

County officials are calling Maui’s new set of rules “Safer Outside.” It includes the previously announced vaccine guidelines for eateries, and newly announced reduction in capacity for commercial recreational boating, ground transportation, and commercial tour operators. There will also be no spectators at indoor or outdoor sporting events.