Masks Surpass Cig Butts as Most-Tossed Item on Island

In a stunning development, some stores on Maui are reducing orders for new masks because of suspected market saturation.

A recent study indicates they might be on to something.

“People have been buying and hoarding masks for two years now,” said Hans Guettnech of the Pacific Environmental Coalition, which studied discarded trash found around the Valley Isle. “Not only do they have enough at home or work, in a pinch they just have to look down.”

“We’ve noticed a drop in mask sales, yeah,” said Kai Billingham, manager at an XYZ Store in Kihei. “So we stopped ordering new ones. Just too easy to find free on the ground.”

Guettnech said his organization’s study says more masks are found in parking lots and road sides than cigarette butts.

Maui County officials said initially they were alarmed by the development, but that at least the President promised to send out 4 billion masks for free.

“We should get a glut of free masks in, oh, another month or so,” said Joanne Pritzy, a county public health manager. “You know, supply chain stuff. Maybe by Easter.”

Billingham said not to worry, that his store should have enough masks to last until the next pandemic.

“We’re running out of space in storage for beer,” he said. “Something had to give.”

More News from Kahului

• 5 Best Places for Maui Buses to Stall Next From Puunene to Waikapu, Paia, and beyond, here are ideas for most entertaining spots for Maui buses to break down.
• 7 Things on Maui for the ‘No Kings’ People to Protest Next Hey Maui 'No Kings' Peeps: We could use a little help locally