Maui County today announced that non-essential workers are released from reporting to work Friday because of the possibility of severe weather.

However, employees in the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney are expected to report to work since the courts will be open.

The announcement was made by county Managing Director Sheri Morrison, who is serving as acting mayor while Mayor Charmaine Tavares is attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in Washington D.C.

The Department of Education announced earlier the closure of all public schools on all islands except for the Big Island.

State offices in all Counties except the Big Island will release non-essential employees as well.

The Maui County Council's regular meeting scheduled for 9 am has been canceled as well as a 2 p.m. meeting of the County of Maui Affirmative Action Advisory Council.

The following County of Maui services and facilities are affected:

NO SERVICE

All residential refuse collection scheduled for pick-up on Friday, on Maui, Molokai and Lanai - residents are advised to not to leave their trash cans and automated carts on the curb until the expected high winds end and to place them in a secure place to

protect them from blowing onto the streets

Kaunoa Senior Center's Meals-on-Wheels delivery services

Kaunoa Senior Center's Assisted transportation services

CLOSURES

All landfills on Maui, Molokai and Lanai

The Customer Service Center at the Maui Mall and all Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing (DMVL) satellite offices are closed

All Kaunoa Senior Center programs and services

All senior centers on Maui, Molokai and Lanai

All Congregrate Nutrition Sites

All County of Maui swimming pools

Waiehu golf course

Kepaniwai Park

Kalepolepo Beach Park

4th Marine Park

All County of Maui campgrounds

EVENTS CANCELLED

All County of Maui programs sponsored by the County's Department of Parks and Recreation

NOT AFFECTED

Public bus schedules

Any impact to scheduled Saturday events including the Wailuku Winter Junior Sectional Tennis Tournament, Maui Expo baseball clinic, and the MIL high school canoe regatta will be announced Friday after the current weather conditions are assessed.

For updated information, visit www.mauicounty.gov and click on Latest News.