Updated: 4/26/2020, 1:30 p.m.
Kauai County plans to take its first steps loosening coronavirus-related restrictions on May 3, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said in his daily video briefing today.
Kawakami said he knows many on Kauai are concerned about Gov. David Ige's latest emergency order that requires counties to get Ige's approval or that of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency before issuing any new rules.
"I know many of you folks have concerns that he may be taking my powers away," Kawakami said. "It really doesn't. It's really to coordinate communication and to avoid future confusion as every county's rules vary to a degree that every county is unique."
He said the governor has given his assurances that he will make decisions on county orders within 24 hours.
Kawakami said the governor's latest mandate is not retroactive and that any existing county orders, including Kauai's curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., remain in place.
The mayor did not describe the kind of easing the county has in mind. But Kauai has had no new cases of COVID-19 for 14 days and "some loosening may be appropriate soon," he said.
Maui Mayor Michael Victorino issued a statement today saying the county agreed with the governor's extension of the stay-at-home order and appreciated the continuation of the quarantine order. He also noted that he had advocated for the reopening of beaches for exercise.
"In regards to the State’s authority and review of County rules, our existing rules for the County of Maui are still in place. Future rules and proclamations, however, will need to be sent to the Governor’s Office," Victorino said.
"The county mayors still need the flexibility and power to make immediate changes to protect the health and safety of our communities and we will continue to advocate for the needs of our people.”
--HPR's Sandee Oshiro
Where Hawaii stands
The total coronavirus-related case count rose to 606 today, up 2, according to the state Department of Health's latest update. Deaths stand at 14.
The two new cases are minors, one from Oahu and the other from Hawaii Island, according to the health department. The Oahu case count is now at 396, Maui County 112, Hawaii Island 70, and Kauai 21. No cases are pending determination of county and seven were diagnosed out of state.
The number of new cases has been in the single digits in recent days and Health Director Bruce Anderson has pointed out Hawaii has the lowest death rate in the country.
The health department said earlier this week that one of the deaths is an Oahu man, over 65, who had been hospitalized since early April. He had underlying medical conditions and had traveled to Las Vegas in March. The second is also an Oahu man, over 65, who was recently hospitalized and also had medical conditions.
His infection was the result of community spread, the department said.
Ige extends quarantine, stay-at-home order, eviction ban through May
Gov. David Ige has extended the mandatory 14-day quarantine, stay-at-home order and eviction moratorium through the end of May. Ige says he has no specific date for reopening the state and plans to err on the side of caution.
"We are flattening the curve, however, my greatest fear is that if we move too quickly to reopen we will see a sudden surge in new cases that would result in over-running our healthcare system and more deaths," the governor said yesterday at a media briefing.
He says the plan to reopen will depend on a decrease in COVID-19 cases and the state’s ability to test and conduct contact tracing.
Ige reversed his prior decision and said people can now use state beaches for exercise if they maintain social distancing,
The reversal appeared to be a concession to the counties that had opened beaches to walking and running, creating confusion about which policies applied.
But the governor is also requiring counties to first get his approval or that of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) before issuing any other emergency orders.
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says he agrees that there needs to be more consistency throughout the state. But he worries that the new order will make it difficult to quickly react to the coronavirus outbreak.
"We will work diligently to provide the Governor and HI-EMA with sufficient advance review of any orders or proclamations that we plan to issue that directly impact our residents. I look forward to the Governor’s expedited review and approval without delay so that we can continue to stay ahead of this pandemic," the mayor said in a statement.
The governor's latest order also extends a moratorium on evictions that prevents landlords from moving tenants out of their homes during the emergency. Those with questions and complaints relating to tenant-landlord issues may call the state Office of Consumer Protection hotline at 586-2634 and is open from 8 a.m. to noon on state workdays.
Ige also reversed a decision to allow flower deliveries for Mother's Day, saying he will make a decision on that issue later. He said the permission was granted prematurely and by someone not authorized to give it.
--HPR's Ashley Mizuo
Maui Memorial cluster increases by one
Staff and patients connected to Maui Memorial Medical Center testing postive now number 57, said State Health Director Bruce Anderson yesterday.
Anderson said the cluster includes 37 staff workers and 20 patients. He said the heath department is closely monitoring the situation and those impacted are in isolation or quarantine.
He said the department is seeing secondary infections in the cluster and that is why the numbers continue to rise. He said negative pressure rooms are now in place at the hospital to prevent the further spread of the virus at the facility.
On Hawaii Island, the cluster tied to three McDonald's restaurants in Kailua-Kona. Nineteen employees and 17 household contacts have tested positive.
Anderson said the department is working with the county to ensure those who test positive are in isolation or quarantine and that when employees return to work, they can do so safely.
More visitors arrive as quarantine extended
The Hawaii Tourism Authority said 542 people arrived to the islands yesterday, including 135 visitors who must abide by a mandatory 14-day quarantine along with others coming or returning to the state. Gov. David Ige yesterday extended the quarantine through May.
Of the total arrivals, 200 were returning residents; 99 were crew members; 57 are transiting travelers; and 51 intended residents.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Editor's note: We’d like to hear how you’re coping with the latest developments in dealing with the spread of the coronavirus. You can call our talkback line at 808-792-8217. Or e-mail us at talkback@hawaiipublicradio.org.
