New county mask rule strikes gaiters

Mandates may be revised; confusion abounds with change

Some residents are confused about appropriate masks to wear and possible fines as Maui County COVID-19 rules continue to change.

The county recently banned neck gaiters as a COVID-19 facial mask -- though that rule may be amended soon, county officials said Thursday.

"I had no idea gaiters were restricted," said Nichole Viteri, a Makawao resident. "Clarity would be really nice."

Meanwhile, Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino asked the governor to institute a statewide mandate for masks to be worn in Hawaii, county officials said Thursday. Victorino joins Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Lt. Gov. Josh Green, who have recently called for a statewide mask-wearing mandate.

Gov. David Ige has allowed each county to draft its own COVID-19 mask rules.

In Maui County, masks are required in public, except when exercising, eating, drinking or smoking. When asked whether masks must be worn on beaches or in inland parks when social distancing is possible, the county did not offer a clear answer Thursday.

Maui police have begun issuing citations to people who are not wearing masks, 34 so far, police spokeswoman Lt. Audra Sellers said Thursday.

Violating mask rules carries fines of up to $5,000. County businesses not enforcing mask rules may be subject to fines and mandatory closure.

Masks for Maui County are defined as "facial coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth, have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric and fit snugly against the sides of the face without gaps." Also, pleated, multilayer masks are allowed.

Gaiters and bandannas were added Oct. 23 to a Maui County list of "unpermitted masks," according to a Maui Police Department news release Thursday. Other unpermitted masks or facial coverings include those with exposed external valves and face shields without a permitted mask underneath.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not restrict gaiters, except to note "evaluation of mask and gaiter materials and structure is ongoing." The coverings are popular among local law enforcement, fishers, hunters, construction workers and landscapers.

Patricia Artates of Waiohuli, whose husband wears a gaiter, said the coverings should be allowed for COVID-19 mask mandates.

"People that work outside in the hot sun and do hard labor need them," she said.

County officials on Thursday said the recent gaiter restriction may be re-evaluated.

"There are discussions that the rule is going to change again to permit gaiters that can be doubled up or two ply," Sellers added.

County spokesman Brian Perry said county officials are currently reviewing rules on masks and facial coverings for safety and efficacy.

"Specific conditions related to face masks may be revised in the future, but the general rule residents and visitors should remember is that they must wear their face mask anytime they are in public," he said.

Maui is the least compliant of all main Hawaii islands when it comes to wearing a mask, according to the state Department of Health. Mask wearing for Honolulu is 84 percent; Kauai and Hawaii island are 79 percent; and Maui is 74 percent.

Victorino's request that the governor implement a statewide mask mandate will help with clarity and compliance, Perry said.

"This mandate would provide consistency across all counties and increase mask compliance by our visitors, who may be arriving from states without mandatory mask laws," he said.

The County of Maui also continues to push its mandatory mask rule, with digital signs placed on Haleakala and Hana highways, as well as on Airport and Dairy roads, Perry added. Additional signs at Kahului Airport and videos played in the baggage claim area also remind travelers of the face mask rule.

The Maui Police Department news release Thursday listed situations when masks and other facial coverings are not required:

• At or inside a private residence. 

• Inside a private automobile, provided the only occupants are members of the same household or residence. 

• Inside a hotel, motel or commercial lodging establishment guest room or inside any apartment. 

• People who cannot wear a mask or facial covering due to an existing medical condition. 

• People who are hearing impaired or communicating with an individual who is hearing impaired. 

• Where federal or state safety or health regulations prohibit the wearing of facial coverings. 

• People actively engaged in strenuous outdoor physical activity, provided adequate social distancing is both possible and practiced. 

• People swimming or engaged in other activities that may cause the facial covering to become wet. 

• People who are actively eating, drinking or smoking. 

• People receiving services that require access to that person's nose or mouth. Businesses or designated operations shall refuse to allow entry to people not wearing face coverings, unless an exception applies.

* Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@mauinews.com.