Coronavirus in Hawai‘i: Two More Deaths Confirmed and Funds Are Released for Local Farmers

Your daily update of everything you need to know related to Covid-19 on April 10.

April 10, 2020

Brie Thalmann,

Kulani Correction Facility inmates sewing masks

Inmates at kulani correctional facility sew masks for state workers.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF hawai‘i department of public safety

Two more people in Hawai‘i have died, bringing the total to eight. One was an older woman on Oʻahu that the state said was “medically frail.” The other was an elderly male who was hospitalized in the chronic care unit at Maui Memorial Hospital. The Hawai‘i Department of Health is investigating to see if the death is linked to the cluster of Maui Memorial Hospital cases which increased to 19 employees and patients testing positive.

Twenty-three new cases increase the state’s total case count to 465. Nearly 17,000 tests have been conducted through the Islands to date.

Hawai‘i launched a new Safe Travels web application to collect traveler information. Starting today, those planning to visit Hawai‘i or travel within the Islands can go to safetravels.hawaii.gov to register themselves, their travel itinerary and their 14-day self-quarantine accommodations. Upon arrival, travelers can show airport screeners their confirmation page then need to check in daily via the application to report where they are and the status of their health. Paper forms will still be available.

Honolulu’s Easter weekend curfew goes into effect today. From Friday through Sunday, residents must stay off the streets between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Any vehicle on the road during those hours may be pulled over by HPD. First responders, security vehicles and people going to work, making deliveries, picking up medication or going to the hospital are exempt

Beginning Monday, April 13, Foodland will require anyone who enters its stores, including workers, to wear a mask. Customers will not be allowed to shop in groups larger than two people and the store will limit the number of people inside throughout the day.

The state freed up $250,000 for local farmers, ranchers and food producers. Individual farms and farmers may receive up to $2,000 and nonprofit agricultural groups may receive up to $10,000. The state Department of Agriculture is reviewing the applications which were accepted until March 27. Funds will be distributed later this month. The department will also seek approval on Tuesday, April 14, to establish an Emergency Agricultural Loan Program that will offer low-interest emergency agriculture loans for up to $150,000 and waive normal requirements.

Inmates at the Waiawa and Kūlani minimum correctional facilities are sewing masks for Hawaiʻi inmates, Public Safety Department staff and other state agencies. Since work began on April 1, the inmates have made 600 to 700 cloth masks a day. The plan is to increase to 1,200 masks a day.

Honolulu Hale will be lit red, white and blue (the colors of the Hawai‘i state flag) through April 30 to honor Honolulu’s medical personnel and first responders fighting COVID-19 and encourage residents to keep up precautionary measures—staying at home, social distancing and wearing masks in public.