Maui News

Maui lawmakers are among those selected for leadership roles in the upcoming legislative session. Sen. Lynn DeCoite was named Assistant Majority Floor Leader and Sen. Troy Hashimoto was selected as one of five Assistant Majority Whips.

On Nov. 1, 2023, the final phases of reopening West Maui (except Lahaina) after the Aug. 8 wildfires started, resulting in increased unit night supply and unit night demand in Kā‘anapali, Nāpili and Kapalua when compared to the previous month.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency warns the public of online classified advertisements that are luring Maui wildfire survivors with false offers of available rental units. “People are learning too late that the cash they paid for a security deposit went to a scammer instead,” according to a FEMA news release.

“What Day Are You” has continued to receive praise for its message of being in the present and embracing life fully, as well as serving as a beacon of guidance and encouragement for young adolescents seeking solace and direction in their lives.

The nonprofit foundation, For Children to Flourish, is funding and organizing Trilogy Catamaran trips for families impacted by the August wildfire in Lahaina.

Recommendations include: extra training for personnel responding to residents’ questions and concerns; development of pamphlets outlining sampling and testing processes and use of the JBPHH Safe Waters website; and a plan to extend the LTM program beyond its originally planned end date of March 2024. 

The National Weather Service has issued a High Surf Warning for the north and west facing shores of Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu and Molokaʻi, and the north facing shores of Maui.

Crews from the US Coast Guard assisted a stranded vessel off Guam on Christmas weekend. Coast Guard personnel joined the crews from Guam Fire Rescue in locating the Rascal recreational vessel with six adults aboard after it was disabled and was running adrift off Tanguisson Beach, Dec. 23, 2023.

Maui County, Hawaii is currently in Moderate Drought (D1), according to the US Drought Monitor, and conditions are expected to persist over the next three months.

The app can be found by searching “Libraries Hawaii” in the mobile app store or stop by a nearby public library for assistance. HSPLS is relaunching its original app, and app provider ChiliFresh is working with the HSPLS to add features that patrons have grown to love – like being able to provide access to multiple library accounts.

Aloha Petroleum has launched a “Free Gas for a Year” sweepstakes. Now through December 31, 2023, Hawaiʻi residents can enter to win the grand prize, valued at $3,000, via the My Aloha Rewards App on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi and Maui. 

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has awarded a contract to the Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau for island-based visitor education and brand management support services for Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.

The Sentry announced Tony Finau, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, and Jordan Spieth will make their return to the event on Maui from Jan. 4-7, 2024, at The Plantation Course at Kapalua.

Despite losing two stores to the Lahaina fires, local clothing brand KaiAloha Supply, continues outreach in the community.

The NTSB is investigating the crash of a Cessna 172 airplane near Kahului Airport on Saturday morning, Dec. 23, 2023.

During one week in December 2023, Island of Hawaiʻi residents and visitors were treated to an assortment of earthquakes resulting from a variety of different geologic processes.

Under terms of the partnership, Meet Hawai‘i will enter in a yearlong partnership with HIS Japan, targeting HIS corporate clients to promote Hawaiʻi as a premier destination for corporate meetings, conventions and incentive travel, boosting citywide and single property bookings.

Hawaiian Telcom and its employees set a new record for their annual United Way fundraising campaign in the company’s 140 anniversary year, raising more than $210,000 for Hawai‘i’s four United Way organizations: Kaua‘i United Way, Aloha United Way on O‘ahu, Maui United Way and Hawai‘i Island United Way.  Of the total, nearly $40,000 was designated for Maui relief efforts.

Maui Economic Opportunity distributed 45 refurbished laptops, provided by AT&T and the nonprofit Human-I-T, to families in need on Maui and Moloka‘i last month.

United Airlines hosted a Christmas Carnival for the keiki of Lahaina on Maui in December.  This year, the airline brought the festivities to Maui to spread the joy of the holidays to more than 150 keiki and their families.