Maui News
High surf warning in effect for north-facing shores of Maui
For most of Hawaiʻi, surf will build to 20 to 30 feet along north-facing shores and 15 to 20 feet along west-facing shores.
Surfer from Haʻikū dies after being bit by shark at Maui’s Pāʻia Bay
Maui County closed Baldwin Beach Park and Lower Pā’ia Park (Baby Beach) due to the shark encounter.
350 minor earthquakes have rumbled near Kīlauea summit; but no imminent eruption expected
Earthquake swarms like this can precede eruptions, but there is no lateral or upward migration of earthquakes that would suggest magma is moving toward the surface at this time.
Akakū hosting Community Connection Day on Jan. 12
Radio and TV personality Kathy Collins is hosting Akakū Maui Community Media’s free 2024 Community Connection Day, with live entertainment from Homestead, on Jan. 12 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Hotel circulator shuttles to cease on Tuesday, Jan. 2 in West Maui
The Maui County Department of Transportation announced that the hotel circulator shuttles in West Maui will be discontinued effective 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.
Task Force confiscates 17.5 tons of illegal fireworks in third large seizure in two weeks
This is the third shipping container within the last two weeks discovered during routine tariff inspections to have contained illegal fireworks. To date, the task force has seized nearly 105,000 pounds of illegal fireworks since its inception about five months ago.
HVO reports elevated unrest, increased seismicity to the south of Kīlauea summit
The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory issued an information statement on Friday evening reporting elevated unrest and increased seismicity to the south of Kīlauea’s summit. The HVO reports that Kīlauea is not erupting, but that the increased unrest started at around 1:10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, and is continuing.
Retired Fire Battalion Chief Amos Lonokailua-Hewett selected as new Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator
Amos Lonokailua-Hewett has been selected as the new administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency, effective Jan. 1, 2024. He brings to the position 25 years of service with Maui Fire Department before retiring in 2019 as a battalion chief.
DOH reports travel-related dengue virus case in Hawai‘i
The Hawai‘i Department of Health has received a report of a travel-related dengue case in Hawai‘i, on the island of O‘ahu, in an individual who had recent travel to countries where dengue is commonly found. The last confirmed case of locally acquired dengue in the state was in 2016.
Drivers reminded it is illegal to stop or park on highways to view fireworks
This year to date there have been 93 fatalities on Hawai‘i roads. The HDOT is asking all roadway users to place a priority on safety, so everyone returns home to their family and friends as we close out 2023 and enter 2024.
First Day Hike at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline set for Jan. 1
This year marks the 12th anniversary of the shoreline hike in Hawai‘i, and the second First Day event since COVID caused its cancellation in 2021 and 2022.
State of Hawaiʻi seeking landowners in Maui County to harvest non-indigenous Axis deer
To help curb axis deer populations in Maui County, the Hawaiʻi State Division of Forestry and Wildlife is launching a program that will incentive eligible private landowners and lessees to harvest the non-indigenous animals.
Scottie Scheffler heads The Sentry’s field of 59 for upcoming PGA Tour event on Maui
Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler and Justin Rose are among the final field of 59 set to tee it up Jan. 4-7 at The Sentry tournament, which kicks off the 2024 PGA Tour season.
Lahaina wildfire recovery could impact legislative funding allocations in other areas
The Hawaiʻi State Legislature announced that the Grants-In-Aid process for the 2024 Legislative Session is now open, and interested parties are asked to submit their applications to the Legislature by the Jan. 19, 2024 deadline.
State to patrol Ahu O Laka over the New Year’s holiday to deter illegal bonfires
Department officials say illicit Christmas tree burning at the sandbar has subsided over the last few years, in part from a better community understanding of its negative environmental effects, and from the presence of DOCARE officers patrolling the area after the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Hawaiian Home Land leaders convene on Maui, Jan. 12-14
The three-day convening is the first time since before COVID, homestead leaders will meet in person for their annual convention and election of coalition leaders.
Mayor Bissen thanks Hawaiʻi National Guard for five months of wildfire response on Maui
Mayor Richard Bissen thanked the Hawaiʻi National Guard for five months of responding to the Maui Wildfire Disaster as members complete their last request for assistance (RFA) for Maui on Dec. 31, 2023.
State airport parking rates increase, effective Feb. 1, 2024
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announced increases in parking rates at four neighbor island airports, including Kahului Airport on Maui. Starting on Feb. 1, 2024, the new maximum daily charge will be $24, up from the current $15 rate; an the monthly rate will increase to $189, up from the current $160 rate.
Wildfire survivors on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island can apply for Maui Relief TANF benefits
Maui County residents impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfires who relocated to Kaua‘i, O‘ahu or Hawai‘i Island may apply for the Maui Relief TANF Program for families with dependent children through Community Action Programs on those islands.
New rules on Maui Police Department’s concealed carry weapon policy go into effect
The Maui Police Department’s new rules for firearms will go into effect in January 2024. These rules are specific to General Order 303.6, License to Carry a Concealed/Unconcealed Weapon, and General Order 303.8, Permit to Acquire a Firearm.
