Person treated for COVID-19 visits DMVL office
Individual not a risk but Kihei site closed for cleaning
The Kihei Division of Motor Vehicles at the Kihei Aquatic Center was abruptly closed Wednesday for cleaning after a customer indicated being treated for COVID-19 on an intake form Tuesday.
Managing Director Sandy Baz said Wednesday at an afternoon news conference that the customer indicated on his or her intake form getting treatment for the virus. After consultation with the Health Department’s Maui District Health Office, it was determined that the individual did not pose any risk to employees or customers. Despite the lack of risk, Baz said the office was closed Wednesday for cleaning and sanitizing in “an abundance of caution.”
County officials did not provide any more identifying information about the individual.
People who showed up at the Kihei DMVL office Wednesday were surprised to see it closed; a news release was sent out by the county Tuesday night. At midmorning, the doors were locked and the lights off.
Signs at the office did not indicate the reason for the closure, referring customers to the Kahului or Lahaina DMVL offices.
“I’m surprised that the DMV is closed, yes,” said Cheiko Garland, who recently moved from Oahu. “Really simple. I wanted to change my driver’s license address, update my car, all that kind of stuff. It seems real simple, but I took the time out of the day and hired a babysitter. So, I’m like what?”
“I’m not going to go to Kahului,” she continued. “I’m going to look online and see if there’s a way I can do it online, but I wanted to come in and talk to somebody in person. Like, I feel that you can’t always get the answers online.”
Seth Herrick drove his wife, Ivy Herrick, to the office to take her learner’s permit written test that she had been studying for.
“There’s no notification of it,” Seth Herrick said. “And she’s been down here several times in the last few weeks and there was never any issues . . . . I don’t think we’re going to try (Kahului or Lahaina). We might try again tomorrow, but maybe we’ll call ahead first.”