MAUI COUNTY, Hawaii -- Larger gathering sizes and a later closing time at bars are a few of the anticipated rule updates Maui Mayor Michael Victorino announced Tuesday.
"We are expecting Gov. Ige's signature and approval on these requests at any time now and he has verbally okayed it with me, but until I get that signature on that paper, that makes it legal, I'll go back and say we've not gotten final approval," Victorino said during a press conference.
Ige signed the proclamation on Wednesday, allowing the relaxed restrictions to go into effect on Oct. 17 at 12:01 a.m.
Here is a list of Victorino's proposals:
- Like O'ahu, Maui County would allow for unvaccinated patrons to dine in, as long as they show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken 48 hours before entering.
- Indoor social gatherings would be capped at 10 instead of 5, and from 10 to 25 for outdoor groups.
- The closing time for bars and restaurants would be extended from 10 p.m. to midnight
- 10 guests would be allowed at a table at establishments, instead of 5.
"I think it'll make a huge difference, we've had to turn a lot of people away," bartender Lareesa Butters said.
Butters works at Kitchen 5315 inside the Napili Shores Resort, which does not have outdoor seating options, so all guests must show proof of vaccination to dine in under current COVID restrictions.
Most of the restaurant's customers, Butters said, are out-of-state visitors who follow more lenient COVID rules.
"We have a lot of people that get angry and walk out and leave because they don't want to follow it (the mandate)," Butters added.
Megan Kanekoa, the owner of Wailuku Coffee Company, disagrees with the county's proposed restriction requiring patrons to provide tests or vaccine cards.
"I'm glad that there are more options for people and that it's opening up a bit, but as a restaurant owner, I personally don't feel comfortable asking people for their medical information," Kanekoa explained.
Down the road from Kanekoa's cafe, Esters Fair Prospect bar owner Jessica Everett agrees with Kanekoa that businesses should not have to face the financial burden of turning away patrons based on their vaccination or testing status.
However, Everett does support efforts to encourage vaccinations on the Valley Isle, where the vaccination rate trails behind the rest of the state at 62 percent.
"If it (the vaccination requirement) did result in more people getting vaccinated because it meant that their lives were inconvenienced, then that was a good thing," Everett added.
Everett hopes Ige will approve the two-hour closing time extension and understands why officials may not want to go beyond that.
"I understand that people without inhibitions that are inebriated are less likely to be smart about social distancing and wearing masks," Everett said.
After previous rules went into effect nearly a month ago, Butters said she went from making a couple of hundred dollars a night, to around $40 to $80.
"It's definitely much tighter for sure. We're still kind of hanging on. Luckily, there's been enough of the COVID funds coming through the state to help out with that difference but it's been a lot tighter for sure," Butters said.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Thank you. Your purchase was successful.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
