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Maui Coronavirus Impacts

Graduations to require proof of vaccination or negative test

The Maui News Hawaii public school graduations will be held outdoors with proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test required, the state Department of Education announced Wednesday. The DOE released guidelines for in-person school commencement and transition ceremonies, which have been held in drive-thru or hybrid formats over the past two years of the pandemic. “Graduations are such a special milestone for our students and families, especially in Hawaii, and I know it has been difficult having modified ceremonies for the past two years,” Interim Superintendent Keith ...

Ex-Hawaii official sentenced to 46 months for embezzlement

HONOLULU (AP) — A former Hawaii public official was sentenced to 46 months in prison for embezzling more than $38,000 from AmeriCops and offering a bribe in return coronavirus relief funds grants. Stacy Higa, a former Hawaii County Council member, spent the money on personal expenses, including $20,000 in “elective aesthetic dental care,” U.S. prosecutors said. From 2018 through his resignation in 2020 as executive director of the Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service, he embezzled money from AmeriCorps, a program for volunteers who receive stipends to work in ...

COVID-19 at a Glance

Latest developments: • State Department of Health on Tuesday reported 150 new confirmed and probable cases statewide, including 96 cases on Oahu, 26 on Hawaii island, 14 on Kauai, 10 on Maui, three on Lanai and one Hawaii resident diagnosed out of state. • There have now been 234,701 confirmed and probable cases statewide, including 162,819 on Oahu, 29,321 in Maui County (27,772 on Maui, 931 on Molokai and 618 on Lanai), 25,625 in Hawaii County and 11,318 on Kauai. A total of 5,618 Hawaii residents have been diagnosed outside of the state. • No new deaths were reported ...

Maui schools are big winners at national media competition

Maui Waena Intermediate School eighth grader Aaron Omuro said it felt like “a fairy tale” to see his Crazy 8s broadcast team’s video played to thousands of people while his school earned six awards in a nationwide media competition. “It was the greatest experience of my life, like I ...

Two inmates recover, 14 others in isolation

The number of active COVID-19 cases continued to decline at the Maui Community Correctional Center, with the recovery of two inmates reported Tuesday by the state Department of Public Safety. Fourteen inmates had active COVID cases and were in medical isolation at the Wailuku jail. The department also reported receiving 38 negative staff test results.

Warriors take down Chargers 2-1

PUKALANI — As the Kamehameha Schools Maui girls soccer team left the Kanaiaupuni Stadium turf Tuesday, junior Sienna Kamalani remarked how her team’s group dynamic out on the playing field was the best it’s been all season. No better timing for the Warriors. Under cloudless and sunny ...