YouTuber Mika Salamanca arrested in Hawaii for breaking quarantine rules

Filipina YouTuber and singer Mika Salamanca was arrested by Honolulu officials on Friday, July 24 for breaking Hawaii’s mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for foreign tourists and returning residents.

According to a KITV4 ABC Island News report, Mika arrived in Hawaii from Manila on July 6. Four days later, on July 10, the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) learned that she was seen dancing and dining out in public with friends, as proven by videos provided by witnesses. The owner of the establishment also confirmed she was there.

Prior to this, the 20-year-old social media personality posted an apology vlog on July 23, admitting her mistake of heading out right after arriving in Hawaii.

In her defense, Mika said that law enforcers went to her house and told her she wasn’t in trouble – if her swab test came out negative, which it did, then she would be allowed to go out.

However, the Special Agents from the Investigations Division of the Department of the Attorney General clarified that they never advise those with a negative COVID-19 test to break self-quarantine.

Mika also mentioned in her video a number that officials allegedly told her she could give out to those who wanted further information about her case. According to another KITV report, the state actually discourages such calls because it puts a strain on their operators.

“None of my investigators would convey that information, as it is incorrect. The fact that Ms. Salamanca has so many followers makes her actions that much more dangerous and concerning,” Attorney General Clare E. Connors said in a statement to KITV.

“The spread of misinformation can have very severe consequences during an emergency situation like we are in now.”

Mika, who is also from Alabama, was arrested in Waipahu, a town in O’ahu, Hawaii. Her relatives posted $2,000 bail to get her out. – Rappler.com