Rumors that shipments to Hawaii by Matson would be curtailed prompted the company to issue a statement that there are no interruptions in its operations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“All Matson operations continue uninterrupted,” the company said.

“Matson intends to maintain all service schedules as normal with three arrivals a week to Honolulu and twice a week calls to each neighbor island port. Matson is committed to taking all appropriate steps to ensure the continuation of services, including the deployment of reserve vessels if necessary to continue meeting the needs of our customers.”

The company said it is monitoring developments closely.

The rumor, spread largely by text messages last night and this morning, exacerbated the already-intense demand at many island retailers and big-box outlets for essential supplies, such as canned goods, toilet paper and cleaning wipes.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation also tried to squelch the rumors with a tweet that said, “All HDOT harbors and airports in Hawaii continue to be open and operational. False reports of their closing due to Covid-19 are inaccurate. #Covid19 #Coronavirus.”

All HDOT harbors and airports in Hawaii continue to be open and operational. False reports of their closing due to Covid-19 are inaccurate. #Covid19 #Coronavirus

— Hawaii DOT (@DOTHawaii) March 13, 2020

Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, state officials have consistently urged residents to get their information from official sources, and not from rumors spreading on social media or via text messages.