Maui must do more to prevent another devastating COVID shutdown

Mayor Mike Victorino
Office of the Mayor
200 S. High St.
Wailuku, HI 96793

FORMAL LETTER TO THE MAYOR re: Reopening Maui to tourism during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Dear Mr. Mayor,

In your words, Mr. Mayor, "We still need to unite and work together in Maui County." We believe that with the Oct 15th Reopening to Tourism, Maui County is at a critical point in being able to effectively manage the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on both our resident population and on our economy.

We all agree that we need to keep our resident population safe AND keep our economy open.
However, it is also apparent that not all the elements necessary for success are being implemented.

Not to diminish any of the many good things your office has already accomplished, we, the undersigned, call on you to immediately adopt the following policies and procedures. In this way we can work together to manage existing resources in ways that will immediately enhance Maui County’s mitigation of the COVID-19 threat:

1. The establishment of a Rapid Response Covid-19 Task Force with the authority to plan for and execute emergency responses to inevitable hot spots and other unforeseen events in collaboration with the Maui State Health Dept. The Task Force can be headed by your Managing Director with the participation of at least two Council Members, a State House Rep, Dr. Lorrin Pang, Dr. Stephanie Yan, and three community members who have professional expertise and are qualified to assist and advise.

2. The implementation of the PERSEUS Phone App for anonymous contact tracing within Maui County. The app can have successful mitigation results even if the participation is just 10% and, it has already been approved by our County Council.

3. Upgrade the secondary test we currently offer travelers and visitors from voluntary to mandatory, as has already been permitted by Governor Ige. The current Kama'aina Card, you thoughtfully created, can be used then, instead, as an incentive for use of the PERSEUS App.

4. Launch a public education media campaign to promote Maui's existing rules on gatherings, social distancing, and mask-wearing for all. Everyone adhering to these rules is essential for our success.

The State estimates that one of every 1,000 visitors coming to Maui will be infected with Covid-19, which is approximately 35 to 56 people who are arriving to Maui every week. Just one super-spreader will have a devastating impact on our community. We need to be better prepared in order to avoid another shutdown.

Dr. Fauci stated unequivocally that Hawai'i's success at reopening is only as good as the mitigation strategies that are implemented locally and effectively.

What we love, we protect. Thank you for trusting and believing in our community enough to implement the above mitigation strategies to ensure Maui's success in reopening. Let us together, Malama Maui.

Sincerely,