Featured

All agreed the decision was a difficult one with one member calling the choice a “lose-lose situation.” Another criticized the administration, saying the council was left out of the site selection process, and now felt pressure to approve or lose funding.

The Kula Community Association meeting will explore ways to better manage Upcountry lands to both prevent wildfires and to contain those that get started. 

Maui Arts & Cultural Center presents Sense of Place / Place of Sense, an exhibition exploring the multi-faceted meaning of community at a critical moment of change for Maui by looking at who we are in the present time and the promise we hold for the future. The exhibit opens to the public Tuesday, Jan. 23 and the gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health is alerting residents to a voluntary recall of Rizo Bros. California Creamery’s Cotija Aged Mexican Grating Cheese, batch number 4DW-23318, for potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.

Governor Josh Green, M.D., has nominated veteran government attorney Ryan Kanaka‘ole as Department of Land and Natural Resources first deputy, effective Tuesday, Jan. 16. The nomination is subject to confirmation by the Hawai‘i State Senate.

Maui Firefighter Tanner Mosher was honored with a ceremonial resolution on Friday for his heroism during the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire in Lahaina. Mosher extended his gratitude to the community and apologies to the people of Lahaina saying he felt like it wasn’t enough. “I don’t feel like I would have made the choices I made if it wasn’t for my friend and coworker Tre’ Evans-Dumaran,” said Mosher.

The year 2024 is for the forest birds, thanks to a proclamation signed by Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green, M.D., on Friday.

“It is unconceivable to think that someone would selfishly take these signs, especially now, when Lahaina has suffered so much,” said Theo Morrison, executive director of Lahaina Restoration Foundation.

The Maui County Council today confirmed Mayor Richard Bissen’s appointment of Josiah Nishita to head the Department of Management. 

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health Food and Drug Branch is alerting residents to an expanded voluntary recall alert by the Quaker Oats Company of additional granola bar, cereal, and snack products because of potential Salmonella contamination. These products were sold nationwide, including most retailers and supermarkets in Hawaiʻi.

The first Hawaiian Music Series of this year will take place on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m., at Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House Museum in Wailuku. This free event will feature local musicians Ikaika Blackburn and Kaulike Pescaia.

Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers will hold a car wash fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 27 at ‘Ohana Fuels, 85 S. Wakea Avenue in Kahului. The event is part of the nonprofit agency’s partnership with ‘Ohana Fuels and its “Fuel Up. Do Good.” Program.

The Summit District of Haleakalā National Park has reopened. The Headquarters Visitor Center at 7,000 feet is open until 4:30 p.m. 

The County of Maui Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Working Group, in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and the multi-agency Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response team, will hold free training sessions Tuesday, Jan. 16, and Wednesday, Jan. 17, to equip attendees with information to identify, report and treat infestations of CRB. 

The Maui Fire Department is encouraging the public not to hesitate to call 911 when they see flames, see or smell smoke. The reminder was issued as numerous hotspots have emerged in the Upcountry area in recent months, that have been smouldering underground since the August wildfires.

A Hollywood director, Maui County Board of Supervisor and state House member, an influential labor and community leader, a couple who support students and their college aspirations, and a longtime athletic director are members of the 2023 Class of the Maui High School Hall of Honor. Congratulations to: Top (L to R): Destin Daniel Cretton: The Award of Excellence; Bruce Uʻu: The Spirit of Maui; and Charles and Mitch Ota. The Saber Spirit Award. Bottom (L to R): Tom Tagawa. The Silversword Heritage Award; and Michael Ban. The Inspiration Award.

The National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration have completed an Air Tour Management Plan for Haleakalā National Park, which authorizes up to 2,224 air tours per year, a 54% reduction from the existing average of 4,824 flights per year. It identifies no-fly days as  Sundays and Wednesdays.

around two to three tenths of an inch are in the forecast, with winds gusting as high as 60 mph.

The Summit District of Haleakalā National Park will close beginning at 3 a.m. HST on Jan. 12, 2024 due to hazardous and severe weather conditions until further notice. All sunrise reservations for Jan. 12 are canceled. 

Mayor Richard Bissen has appointed former senior County of Maui planner Kate Blystone as the new director of the Department of Planning.