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The US Department of Labor recovered $134,000 in tips, overtime wages and damages and assessed nearly $5,700 in penalties after an investigation found that the owner of Maui’s L&L Hawaiian Barbecue at 270 Dairy Road, shorted employees’ tips and other pay.

Today, Gov. Josh Green, M.D. expressed confidence that positive progress is being made in the transition of wildfire survivors from hotels to long-term housing, making a moratorium on short-term rentals “not likely.”

Starting Monday, Feb. 12, a new system will take effect to allow private property contractors to access the Lahaina Wildfire Disaster zone for rebuilding, while keeping the area safe during debris removal, officials announced.

About half of Maui residents impacted by the August wildfires say their health is worse now compared to a year ago and more than half say they lost their jobs because of the fires, according to a new report issued by the University of Hawaiʻi. Over at least the next 10 years, the study aims to document the acute and chronic health impacts and social conditions caused by one of the most deadly and destructive natural disasters in Hawaiʻi history.

The public is invited to join the County of Maui Office of Innovation & Sustainability today for the launch of the ‘Mayor Sustainability Series.’ Featuring individuals dedicated to caring for the planet, this series seeks to facilitate critical conversations on climate change and how to come together to create a more sustainable Maui Nui and collective world.

A judge has granted summary judgment in favor of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), thwarting efforts by an advocacy group to restrain the use of the Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) to control mosquito born avian malaria on East Maui.

Six months after the August’s wildfires on Maui, the American Red Cross continues to care for nearly 5,000 affected residents in the temporary emergency non-congregate sheltering program.

The 212-unit, low-income Aikanaha rental housing project underwent review Wednesday morning by the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee. The project could be the first buildout in the Waikapū Country Town development.

State Rep. Mahina Poepoe has introduced Bill 2544, which provides dependable non-emergency medical transportation for residents of medically underserved rural communities such as Molokai and Lāna‘i. The measure makes chartered flights to seat patients, as well as health care providers.

Maui Powerhouse Gym, known for its modern amenities, expert trainers and welcoming atmosphere, is now commencing community-based fitness programs at its facility in Kīhei.

Lahainaluna High School football coaches Dean Rickard (co-head coach), Garret Tihada (associate head coach) and Bobby Watson (former head coach) will join players Morgan “Bula” Montgomery, Teva Loft, Kaulana Tihada and Kuola Watson as honorary coin toss captains at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas on Sunday, Feb. 11. 

AlohaCare awarded academic scholarships to seven students in the state, three of whom are students from Maui and Lānaʻi. The application portal has opened for the 2024-2025 school year.

Kamehameha Schools Maui high school senior Kealoha Baricuatro has been named a finalist for the 2024 Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award. Baricuatro, who tragically lost her father due to COVID-19, and lost her home during the Maui wildfires, was selected as one of 10 national finalists.

The CDC estimates that if menthol cigarettes were no longer available, an estimated 4,400 adults in Hawai‘i who smoke would quit smoking.

The Hawai’i Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced the appointment of the new Deputy Director for Correctional Institutions, Pamela Sturz.

Hawaiʻi-born nonprofit Child & Family Service, in collaboration with The Parent Line, invites the public to nominate parents statewide who have shown leadership in their homes and communities.

The International Kitesurfing Association officially measured and certified the wave, and Guinness approved the new record on Jan. 22, 2024, a year to the day after McLaughlin conquered the wave.

In 2021 and 2022, lead was detected in about 15% of drinking water sources at elementary schools across Hawaiʻi. A new website now allows the public to track progress of fixture replacements and lab results.

Kate Blystone won a recommendation for confirmation as Department of Planning director in an 8-1 vote Tuesday afternoon from the Maui County Council’s Government Relations, Ethics and Government Transparency Committee.

The severe-weather hardening of island power grids will cost approximately $190 million, with half paid by the federal government and half coming from Hawaiʻi power consumers, according to an announcement from Hawaiian Electric Co.