(BIVN) – The Hawaiʻi Department of Health at noon on Tuesday reported 18 new cases of COVID-19 statewide. The majority of the cases were identified on Oʻahu, up 14 from yesterday’s count. One case was removed from the Honolulu count as a result of updated information. New cases were also identified on Kauai (1) and Maui (1).

There were no new cases reported on Hawaiʻi island. Both State and County officials say there are three (3) active cases on the Big Island.

Hawaiian Electric Extends Moratorium On Disconnections

There will be a continued moratorium on power disconnections for nonpayment through September 1, the Hawaiian Electric utility company said in a June 29 media release. The release reads:

Hawaiian Electric will extend the moratorium on disconnections for nonpayment through Sept. 1, and urges customers who are having difficulty paying their bill to contact the company well before September to consider payment options.

Hawaiian Electric suspended collection efforts in March to ensure customers’ electric service was not disrupted during COVID-19-related orders to stay at home. On Friday, the Public Utilities Commission gave utilities the option to hold off disconnections through Sept. 1.

Hawaiian Electric wants to work with Oʻahu, Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island customers with past due accounts to find the best options to make their payments manageable. While customers are responsible for paying their bills, a variety of public and nonprofit assistance, and Hawaiian Electric payment arrangements are currently available as a result of COVID-19. Additional payment arrangement options for customers are in the works and will become available in mid-July. The company website provides useful, up-to-date information for both residential and business customers:

Residential customers can visit [hawaiianelectric.com] to check whether they qualify for programs available to households experiencing financial strain.

For commercial customers, go to [hawaiianelectric.com] for programs geared to help businesses.

Hawaiian Electric’s Payment Arrangement Request Form, which is the quickest way to start the payment arrangement process, is available at the above-listed URLs.

The company’s walk-in payment centers remain closed, but there are several payment methods available to customers.

Visit [this website] for payment methods. Customers who prefer to pay in person may do so at no charge at many convenient Western Union payment locations in grocery stores and other retailers throughout Hawaiian Electric’s service territory. The company website provides a list of locations.

For assistance managing energy costs, Hawaiʻi Energy is a trusted resource for tips and rebates to help offset the costs of energy-saving equipment and services. Visit [this website] for more information.

Passenger Arrivals By Air (Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority)

Yesterday, 1,750 people arrived in Hawaii. During this same time last year approximately 35,000 passengers arrived in Hawaii daily, including residents and visitors. The state’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine started on March 26th for all passengers arriving in Hawaii from out of state. This table shows the number of people who arrived by air from out of state yesterday and does not include interisland travel. This data was collected from the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Mandatory Travel Declaration Form.