April 2020

Governor’s Office: Governor Ige Joins People Statewide in Extending Condolences to Victim’s Families “We are saddened by these additional deaths and the toll the pandemic is taking on the families and friends of those affected,” said Gov. Ige. “This is a serious disease especially for those with pre-existing health conditions and older adults. It is critical that we all comply with the stay at home order, practice social distancing, and continue to wear a mask whenever we go out to protect others.” Maui Mayor Michael Victorino released the following statement on the fifth COVID-19-related death in Maui County: "A [...]

Governor’s Office: Governor Expresses Condolences to 10th Victim’s Family After the death of a Washington State visitor from COVID-19 over the weekend, Governor Ige offered condolences to the man’s family and friends and said this was another sign of the seriousness of this disease and continued adherence to his stay-at-home orders and other measures designed to flatten the curve of coronavirus infections in Hawai‘i. Economic Recovery & Resilience Update: Alan Oshima, the state Economic Recovery and Resiliency Navigator, appointed by Gov. Ige to help coordinate Hawai‘i’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery, laid out guiding principles during today’s media briefing at the [...]

Department of Health: Tenth COVID-19 Death Reported The State extends its condolences to the family and friends of the adult male visitor who is the 10th death in Hawai‘i associated with COVID-19. The individual was an adult male from Washington state in the 40-59-year age group who had no previous medical conditions and a history of travel. He had been hospitalized for an extended period in serious condition at Maui Memorial Medical Center. Six (6) new positive cases of COVID-19 were also reported by DOH Sunday, bringing the total number of cases to 580. Three (3) were on Oʻahu, [...]

Department of Health: 21 News Cases of COVID-19 Reported 21 new positive cases of COVID-19 were reported by DOH on Saturday. Most of those cases were from Hawai‘i County - where there was a cluster of COVID-19 cases among the McDonald’s restaurants in Kailua-Kona (see update below). There are also new cases on O‘ahu and Maui. LABORATORY* TESTING DATA Total Number of Individuals Tested by Clinical and State Laboratories Positive Negative 23,215 572 22,609 *Electronic Laboratory Reporting 34 test results were inconclusive.   Hawai‘i COVID-19 Counts as of 12:00 noon, April 18, 2020 Island of Diagnosis New Cases Reported [...]

Governor’s Office Fifth Supplementary Proclamation Addresses Face Coverings & Outdoor Activity Governor David Ige’s Fifth Supplementary Proclamation adds to existing emergency rules for the COVID-19 crisis. The governor is encouraging everyone to wear cloth face masks whenever in public places with the exception of exercising outside, as long as social distancing requirements are maintained. It also details limitations on activities outside your home or place of residence, including the closure of all state beaches (see more detail below under DLNR). The proclamation also directs all employees and customers of essential businesses to exercise social distancing and protective requirements: [...]

Office of the Governor: President Issues Guidelines For Re-Opening States President Donald Trump has issued guidelines for re-opening the State amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While there were only 11 new positive cases today, and it appears Hawai‘i is flattening the curve, the state currently doesn’t meet the criteria for a phased opening. The guidelines require a downward trajectory of cases for a 14-day period. Gov. Ige said, “We are not there yet, so please continue your hard work and perseverance. We will get through this together.” Governor Continues Working on Hawai’i Economic Plan Gov. Ige and his administration [...]

Governor’s Office: Governor Ige Sends Message to State Employees To all my fellow employees of the State of Hawaiʻi. These are very challenging times, and your efforts and dedication are helping to shepherd our community through the COVID-19 crisis. Many of you were informed recently by your union or read the news reports of proposed budget cuts. Let me be very frank with you, due to this crisis the main sources of state revenue have been drastically reduced. And state government needs to look very different going forward. I have begun initial conversations with the Legislature and the unions [...]

Department of Health: Clarification on McDonald’s COVID-19 Cluster Investigation A cluster of cases involving 7 employees at two McDonald’s locations, Kona Commons and the Walmart in Kailua Kona, have recently been identified. The Dept. of Health wants to remind everyone that those numbers may change as the investigation into the primary case and their contacts continues. Once the COVID-19 cases were confirmed the establishment closed its operations at both locations and is currently performing enhanced cleaning. All employees who have tested positive are in isolation and potentially exposed employees without symptoms are self-quarantined at their homes. In addition, 5 [...]