Maui County citations, arrests low since restrictions tightened

Oahu enforcement higher since enacting its own rules

Maui County residents and businesses seem to be complying with COVID-19 rules, with few citations and arrests in the wake of the stricter “Safer Outside” mandate enacted on Sept. 15, which includes requiring proof of vaccination for indoor activities at restaurants, bars and gyms.

Since the “Safer Outside” rules went into effect, Maui police have issued five citations and arrested one, said spokeswoman Alana Pico Thursday morning. The arrest was for violation of the travel quarantine, while four of the citations were for not wearing masks and one citation was for having a gathering of more than 10 people while outside.

Under the “Safer Outside” rules, indoor gatherings can only be up to five people and outdoor gatherings are limited to 10.

The Safer Outside mandates require proof of vaccination to dine indoors, but unvaccinated may dine outdoors or do takeout. There continues to be a 50 percent maximum capacity for restaurants, bars, gyms, recreational boating, ground transport and commercial tours.

“They are being very creative, (in) the ways they are dealing with the requirements,” Maui County Liquor Control Director Layne Silva said Thursday. “Ultimately, the main thing is they are taking the steps that need to be taken.”

He pointed out how some establishments have gone to full outdoor dining, alleviating the need to check vaccination status, and said that even at the places he goes to on his personal time, he is seeing businesses complying and adequately posting signage.

“I would have to say, for the most part, it seems like everybody is willing to do their part. The compliance rate is high,” Silva said.

He did not immediately have any statistics on citations for emergency rules throughout the pandemic, but said he would have been aware if any major issues arose among the estimated 450 or so liquor licensees in the county.

Silva said liquor officials conduct inspections to ensure licensees have proper procedures in place to comply with both liquor rules and the county’s emergency rules.

On Oahu, Honolulu Liquor Commission investigators have issued six notices of violation in the weeks following Honolulu’s new imposed rules, which also require proof of vaccination to enter certain establishments.

The violations include three for serving alcohol after 10 p.m., two for not checking vaccination status and one for failing to conduct contact tracing.

Honolulu police have issued citations or made arrests in 44 cases since the new mandates went into effect Sept. 13, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.

The greatest number of arrests or citations, 17, were for lack of face coverings, and 11 were for not following social or physical distancing.

Mayor Michael Victorino said this week that he is asking Gov. David Ige for approval to loosen some of the emergency rules. Victorino said he did not want to say what they were to avoid any confusion if the changes were not approved.

But a county spokeswoman confirmed this week that Victorino would like to allow spectators at children’s sports with health precautions such as masks and distancing.

There was no immediate comment from a county spokesman on Thursday regarding the status of Ige’s approval.