Officials in Maui, Hawaii, said a COVID-19 vaccine passport will be implemented in Maui County restaurants starting Sept. 15, said Maui Mayor Michael Victorino. The announcement comes just days after Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced a similar mandate. The vaccine passport in Honolulu, O’ahu, applies to bars, gyms, theaters, museums, restaurants, arcades, and similar establishments under the “Safe Access O’ahu” program, according to a news release from the Honolulu mayor’s office. The program is slated to start Sept. 13, mandating that customers show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to enter the business. “Given the continued high infection rates on O’ahu and the strain to our hospital and emergency medical systems, it is my belief we must take additional steps to reduce the spread of the virus,” Blangiardi said. “We want to create safe spaces for employees and customers so they can feel confident the people around them are either vaccinated or have …