January 30th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
By Wendy Osher © 2009
Maui Police say a visitor suffered massive head injuries from a fall from a 10 story balcony yesterday. The woman was found unresponsive near the poolside area of the Westin Kaanapali Hotel in Lahaina. Authoritites have since identified the woman as 52-year-old Laurie J. Brunner-Chapple of Sunnyville, California. Lt. Chad Viela of the Maui Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Divison said although foul play has been ruled out, the incident remains under investigation to determine exact circumstances. An autopsy was conducted this morning, with results pending release.
Tags: 52 year old, balcony, California, Criminial Investigation Division, fall from balcony, Laurie Brunner Chapple, Laurie J. Brunner-Chapple, Lt. Chad Viela, Maui, Maui Police, Maui Police Department, MPD, News, Sunnyville, Today, TV, video, Wendy Osher, Westin Kaanapali Hotel
Posted in MauiNOW | 1 Comment »
January 30th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
By Wendy Osher © 2009
Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares will present her third State of the County Address on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers on the 8th Floor of the County Building in Wailuku. The public is free and open to the public, however seating is limited.  The address will be broadcast live on Pacific Radio Group’s KNUI AM-900 and on AKAKU Community Television Ch. 53. Video taped coverage of the event will be available online immediately after the conclusion of the Mayor’s address at www.mauicounty.gov/mayor.
Tags: 2009 State of the County Address, AKAKU, AKAKU Maui Community Television, Channel 53, Charmaine Tavares, Council Chambers, County Building, Fox News 900, Kalana O Maui Building, KNUI AM 900, Maui, Maui Mayor, Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares, Maui State of the County Address, mauicounty.gov, News, Pacific Radio Group, third state of the county address, Today, TV, video, Wailuku, Wendy Osher
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January 30th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
(Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009)
Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
The County celebrated Chinese New Year today with a Lion Dance and Martial Arts demonstration on the front lawn of the county building. The public exhibition featured members of the Au’s Shaolin Arts Society. The playful lions were fed a head cabbage from Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares as dozens of school children looked on.
Chinese Lion Dancing is an ancient tradition that used to express the festive celebrating of auspicious occasions. Many who know the tradition will feed the lion money in the hopes of securing good fortune. For a complete history of the Lion Dance and its origins click on the following LINK.
If you missed this morning’s performance, you’re in luck! The group is also scheduled to perform later today (January 30, 2009) at 10:30 a.m. at the Maui News, at 2 p.m. at the Aloha Mixed Plate Restaurant in Lahiana, at 2:30 p.m. at the Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center, and at 5 p.m. at the Front Street/Banyan Tree area.
Tomorrow, Saturday January 31st, Au’s Shaolin Arts Society will perform at 9 a.m. in Makawao Town, at 10 a.m. at Long’s in Kihei, at 2 p.m. at the Lahaina Cannery Mall, at 3:30 p.m. at the Wo Hing Temple in Lahaina, at 5 p.m. t the Piilani Shopping Village in Kihei and at 7 p.m. at Topaz in Kihei.
On Sunday, February 1st the group will visit the Kaanapali Beach Hotel at 8:30 a.m., then return for a second showing at 10:30 p.m. Later that afternoon, the group will visit the Jodo Mission Hara at 2 p.m., the Old Wailuku Inn at 4 p.m. and the Maui Chinese Association’s Dragon Dragon Event in Kahului at 7:45 p.m.
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Chinese New Year, Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Photo by Wendy Osher copyright 2009
Tags: ASAS, Au Shaolin, Aus Shaolin Arts Society, cabbage, Charmaine Tavares, Chinese Lion Dancing, Chinese Lion Dancing Maui, Chinese New Year, Ka Lana O Maui Building, Lahaina Cannery Mall, lion dance, Longs Kihei, Makawao Town, Maui Chinese New Year, Maui Managing Director, Maui Managing Director Sherri Morrison, Maui Mayor, Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares, News, Piilani Shopping Village, Sheri Morrison, Today, Topaz Kihei, TV, video, Wendy Osher, Wo Hing Temple, Year of the Ox, Year of the Ox Maui
Posted in Featured Articles, MauiNOW | No Comments »
January 30th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
By Wendy Osher © 2009
The newly constructed Honua Kai Resort & Spa in Kaanapali officially opened the doors on Phase One of the property this week. The Hokulani tower officially opened on Wednesday, but will be available for public viewing during a community open house tomorrow (Saturday, January 31, 2009). The luxury tower tour runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features story stations with an explanation of the resort’s vision, culinary, arts, and community initiatives. The Honua Kai’s other Konea tower is scheduled to open in the summer of 2010.
Courtesy Photo: Honua Kai Resort & Spa Hokulani Tower
Courtesy Photo: Honua Kai Hokulani Tower
Tags: hawaii, Hokulani Tower, Honua Kai, Honua Kai Resort, Honua Kai Resort & Spa, Kaanapali, Kaanapali Resort, Konea Tower, luxury tower, Maui, summer 2010, Today, TV, video, Wendy Osher
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January 30th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
(by Wendy OSHER © 2009)
A stretch of West Maui coastline is proposed for protection as a Herbivore Fisheries Management area. The nearshore waters from Keka’a Point near the Sheraton Resort to Honokowai Park to the north, are proposed for designation as the Kahekili management area. DLNR officials say the rule is intended to maintain the population of algae-eating fish and sea urchins that help to control overgrowth and degradation of coral reefs. Under the proposal, the take of surgeonfish, parrotfish, rudderfish and sea urchins would be prohibited.
Studies by marine scientists have found that overgrowth of coral reefs by algae is a severe and growing problem in Hawai`i. DLNR officials say Kane`ohe Bay, Waikiki, Maunalua Bay, and much of west and south Maui are all areas where previously healthy reefs have become largely dominated by algae.
Once established, researchers say algae prevent new coral from competing for space on reefs, transforming coral-dominated habitats to algae-dominated habitats. Researchers believe that maintaining healthy populations of herbivorous fishes on the coral reefs is critical to maintaining a reef’s biological diversity.
By establishing an herbivore management area, DLNR hopes this management approach will resolve the algae problem, and intervene in rapid coral reef degradation that has been documented offshore of Maui’s north Ka`anapali Beach.
A public information meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.., followed by the public hearing from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center, 1840 `Honoapiilani Highway, in Lahaina.
The proposed new administrative rule may be viewed and downloaded from the Division of Aquatic Resources website: www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar.
(Images Courtesy The Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative Research Program, NOAA & Celia Smith, May 2008 Progress Report and Report Figures)
Tags: algae, algae overgrowth, biological diversity, Celia Smith, coral, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, habitat, Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative, Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative Research Program, healthy reefs, Herbivore Fisheries Management area, Honoapiilani Highway, Honokowai Park, Kaanapali Beach, Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries, Kaneohe Bay, Kekaa Point, Lahaina, Lahaina Civic Center, Maunalua Bay, News, NOAA, parrotfish, prohibit take, reef, rudderfish, sea urchins, Sheraton Maui Resort, surgeonfish, Today, video, Waikiki, Wendy Osher, West Maui
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January 30th, 2009 by mauirican
<p>For fans of University of Hawaii athletics, this has been a winter of discontent.  A last-gasp victory last night over LaTech ended a streak of 18 combined losses by UH teams.</p>
<p>Following an encouraging start, the men’s basketball team had lost five in a row and nine straight on the road. But a 54-53 win thankfully ended those droughts. The Bows will then play at New Mexico State on Saturday.</p>
<p>Things have gone worse for the Rainbow Wahine basketball team. Much worse. Following a pair of turnover-filled performances in home losses to Fresno State and Utah State, Hawaii’s record plunged to a dismal 3-16 overall and 0-6 in the WAC.   The women are on a seven-game skid as they go on the road for games against Utah Sate on Friday and Idaho on Sunday.</p>
<p>Even the men’s volleyball team, generally one of the stronger programs at the school, is suffering through an awful year. The Bows are 1-6 overall, 0-4 in the MPSF and have lost six straight going into home matches on Friday and Saturday against second-ranked Cal State Northridge.</p>
Tags: University of Hawaii basketball, University of Hawaii volleyball
Posted in Sports | 1 Comment »
January 29th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
By Wendy OSHER © 2009
Photo of Lahaina Lighthouse by Wendy Osher
Graphic image of Recreational Renaissance courtesy: Hawaii DLNR
A list of 39 Maui County projects including long awaited repairs of the small boat ramp at Maliko Gulch, are included in a $240 million Recreational Renaissance Plan unveiled by the state today. The Maui portion of the plan totals $40.9 million and includes $35.6 million for 32 projects on the Valley Isle, $770,000 for 1 project on Lanai, and $4.49 million for 6 projects on Molokai.
Maui’s Waianapanapa State Park is included on the list of major initiatives included in a $240 million Recreational Renaissance plan unveiled by the state today. DLNR Chairperson Laura Thielen said the projects come at a key time for Hawaii. Improvements at East Maui’s Waianapanapa State Park include the expansion and enhancement of recreational opportunities, specifically the replacement of 12 existing cabins and the relocation of the campgrounds with a new comfort station.
Park and trail improvements slated for Maui County include earmarks for Pua`a Ka`a State Wayside; Wai`anapanapa State Park; Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area; Makena State Park; `Iao Valley State Monument; Halekii-Pihana Heiau State Monument; Palaau State Park; Ho’olehua Wetlands; and Wahikuli Off Highway Vehicle Trail. Ocean Recreation Improvement for Maui under the Recreational Renaissance initiative include projects at Lahaina Small Boat Harbor; Ma`alaea Small Boat Harbor; Kahului Small Boat Harbor; Kihei Small Boat Harbor; Mala Small Boat Ramp; Maliko Boat Ramp; Manele Small Boat Harbor; Kaunakakai Small Boat Harbor; and Kahului Boat Ramp.
One of the signature initiatives is the creation of a new Ocean Recreation Park at Sand Island. The project includes the construction of a 500 slip marina with a floating breakwater that will allow ocean events to take place without damage to boats moored in the area. Plans also call for a boat ramp, club pavilion, canoe sheds, a kayak launch area, camping and day picnic areas, walking and bike trails, a fishing pier and boat storage areas.
A concept that was presented today is a Sting of State Parks in the West Hawaii area of the Big Island by linking three existing state parks with the establishment a network of trails. The 20 mile stretch of park includes 12 miles of already established coastal parks at Hapuna, Kiholo and Kekaha Kai. Although the parks are separated by private lands, the state hopes to link the parks into a string by establish a network of trails and designated ocean landings. DLNR officials say the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail will offer a long-distance hiking experience connecting wilderness camping areas, shelters and interpretive signs.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources created a website with detailed information of each project, challenges, strategies and goals for the initiative. The website can be accessed at: http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/recreate.
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Image courtesy DLNR.
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Haili land formation at Waianapanapa State Park. Photo by Wendy OSHER © 2009.
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Waianapanapa Cabin. Image Courtesy DLNR.
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Piihana Heiau in Wailuku. Photo by Wendy OSHER © 2009
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Wailea Restrooms after improvements. Photo Courtesy DLNR.
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Iao Valley State Park. Photo by Wendy OSHER © 2009.
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Lahaina Comfort Station after improvements. Photo Courtesy DLNR.
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Lahaina Light House. Photo by Wendy OSHER © 2009.
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Kahului Boat Ramp after improvements. Photo Courtesy DLNR.
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Kihei Pier after improvements. Photo courtesy DLNR.
Tags: Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, cabins, comfort station, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, DLNR Chairperson Laura Thielen, East Maui, Governor Linda Lingle, Halekii Pihana Heiau State Monument, Hana, Hawaii DLNR, Hoolehua Wetlands, Iao Valley State Monument, Kahului Boat Ramp, Kahului Small Boat Harbor, Kaunakakai Small Boat Harbor, Kihei Small Boat harbor, Lahaina Small boat Harbor, Lanai, Maalaea Small Boat Harbor, Makena State Park, Mala Small Boat Ramp, Maliko Boat Ramp, Maliko Gulch, Manele Small Boat Harbor, Maui County, Molokai, Ocean Recreation Park, Plaau State Park, Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area, Puaa Kaa State Wayside, Recreational Renaissance, Sand Island, small boat ramp, Today, TV, Valley Isle, video, Wahikuli Off Highway Vehicle Trail, Waianapanapa State Park, Wendy Osher, West hawaii String of state parks
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January 29th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009) Maui’s visitor count was down 19 percent in December from the same time last year. The county’s outer islands saw even deeper declines of 37 percent for Lanai and 49 percent for Molokai. Total expenditures on Maui also experienced double digit decreases, down 28.3% to $243.4 million. The per person per day spending on Maui in December was $159, down 18.9%.
On the dimly-lit bright side, much of the growth in Canadian arrivals in 2008 was on Maui, which reported a 3.4% increase. Canadian visitors also stayed the longest during their visit, spending 12.17 days on island when visiting Maui. The amount of time visitors spent on Maui overall, was positive-up 9% for December and 7% for the year, with the average visitor’s length of stay being 9.04 days in December and 7.84 days for the year.
Visitors by Cruise Ship dropped significantly with all counties reporting 49% and 50% declines in cruise ship passengers. The decline in cruise visitors for December 2008 largely resulted from the departures of the Pride of Hawai`i (in February 2008) and the Pride of Aloha (in mid-May 2008).
State Tourism Liaison, Marsha Wienert said, “Hawai`i experienced an exceptional first quarter in 2008 which helped offset the challenges that the world economic crisis has had on the visitor industry and our economy.” The results for the year and for December, she said, “were expected, however we continue to believe that in spite of the challenges opportunities exist.”
Tags: Canadian arrivals, Cruise Ship arrivals, DBEDT, December 2009, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, hawaii, Lanai, Marsha Wienert, Maui, Molokai, News, Pride of Aloha, Pride of Hawaii, Today, Tourism Liaison, TV, video, visitor count, visitor count down, Visitors, Wendy Osher
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January 29th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
(Posted by Wendy Osher © 2009)
The Hale Makua long-term health care facility on Maui will benefit from a $700,000 grant released by the Governor’s office today. The capital improvement funds will be used to equip the agency’s Wailuku facility with a water sprinkler system.
Hale Makua’s 124-bed facility in Wailuku was built in 1966, when automatic sprinkler systems were not required. This project will equip the one-story building with a sprinkler system that meets state and federal requirements for long-term care homes.
“Hale Makua’s long-term care facilities in Wailuku and Kahului have enhanced the quality of life of countless Maui seniors and given their families hope and peace of mind,” said Governor Linda Lingle. “This project will ensure that the organization’s Wailuku residents have an environment that is both comfortable and safe,” she said.
The total project cost is estimated to be $791,860, which includes $41,860 raised by Hale Makua. The project is in addition to the $1.87 billion, public infrastructure construction plan unveiled by Governor Linda Lingle in December 2008 to stimulate the economy and create jobs.
Design is scheduled for completion in February. The first phase of construction, involving the connection of the facility to the county water line, will start in July and is set for completion in April of 2010. The complete project including installation is slated for completion in April of 2011.
(Photo Courtesy: Hale Makua @ http://www.halemakua.com/)
Tags: capital improvement project, cip, Governor Linda Lingle, Hale Makua, Kahului, long-term health care, Maui, sprinkler system, Wailuku, Wendy Osher
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January 29th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
FRONT 9 HOLES AT WAIEHU GOLF COURSE CLOSED
The front nine holes at Waiehu Golf Course will remain closed today due to wet course conditions. The Department of Parks and Recreation initiated the closure yesterday (January 28, 2009) at 1:35 p.m. due to the extended rainy weather. Officials will reopen the rest of the course as soon as conditions allow.
DMVL OFFICE HAS PROBLEMS WITH INTER-ISLAND DATA CIRCUIT
The  DMVL office on Lanai has been closed since Tuesday, January 27, because of problems with an interisland data circuit. The office is expected to reopen for regular hours next week Tuesday after personnel from Hawaiian Telcom travel to the island to troubleshoot. Motorists whose vehicle registrations expire on January 31st will not be assessed penalties if paid on Tuesday (February 3) or Wednesday (February 4) next week. For more information, call the DMVL at 270-7363. From Lanai, dial 1-800-272-0125 and request extension 7363.
<p.REFUSE COLLECTION ON LANAI DELAYED
Refuse customers on Lanai are advised that trash collection may be delayed due to mechanical problems with the automated truck, which is still operating but at a slower pickup rate. While it may take an additional day or two to pick up all refuse containers, staff will make every effort to service all accounts. Questions may be directed to the County of Maui’s Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division, at 270-7875. From Lanai, dial 1-800-272-0125 and request extension 7875.
(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)
Tags: closed today, Department of Environmental Management, Department of Parks and Recreation, extended rainy weather, front nine holes, Hawaiian Telcom, interisland data circuit, Lanai Division of Motor Vehicles and Licensing, Lanai DMV, Lanai DMVL, Lanai refuse, Lanai trash, Maui, Maui County, mechanical problems, refuse collection delayed, Solid Waste Division, Waiehu golf Course, wet conditions, wet course conditions
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