#Maui County

The balance of power on the council could come into play on critical issues that include the mayor’s proposal to phase out thousands of short-term vacation rentals.

Gov. Josh Green has extended a state emergency proclamation, now in its 18th incarnation, to help fight prolific herds of voracious axis deer that damage farm crops, overgraze pasture lands and threaten fragile watersheds.

The programs, which started during the first year of the pandemic, aim to help students develop skills for jobs they’re interested in while they finish their schooling.

The Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation will be begin accepting applications next month for the Summer 2025 Tri-Annual Permits period. The applications are for recreational use of pools, gyms, fields, stadiums and tennis courts during the summer activity period of April 16 to July 31, 2025.  

The first two families to finish rebuilding in Lahaina are both on Komo Mai Street, one of the earliest neighborhoods to take shape after the wildfire. Residents say it was a close-knit neighborhood and that the reconstruction and slow return of the community is a hopeful sign.

Public comments are due Jan. 22 for a proposed installation of a “geotextile, sand-filled burrito” as erosion control at the Kanai A Nalu, a nearly 50-year-old, four-story condominium in Māʻalaea.

The Bears’ win on Friday evens the season series 1-1. The two teams are tied atop the Maui Interscholastic League Division I standings and appear poised to make another run at the state tournament.

A 47-unit, $20 million educational workforce housing project is set to open with its first units available in July 2025. Full completion is expected by spring 2026. Students, staff members and administrators at the four public West Maui schools are encouraged by the news.

A decision made under the 2019 Trump administration could impact the fees cable companies pay to the state for public programming.

The Maui County Council has approved the Bissen administration’s proposed acquisition of 79 acres for a permanent wildfire debris and ash disposal site and Central Maui Landfill expansion.

The US Senate has unanimously passed the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, a bill introduced by US Sen. Mazie Hirono and US Rep. Jill Tokuda.

Approximately 70 keiki, teens, and families were partnered at the Kahului Target store with members of the Hawaii National Guard, US Coast Guard, Maui Fire Department, US Army, Maui County, Kaiser Permanente, Maui Health and AMR paramedics. Each youth was given a $100 Target gift card for their Christmas shopping.

The 55th annual Garner Ivey Maui Invitational Wrestling Tournament brought the Forest Grove High School teams from Oregon, led by Baldwin High School alumnus Guy Takahashi. Also at the meet was Frank Johnson, the Linfield University head coach, who was recruiting the talent at the meet that also included high school teams from around the state.

The Board of Land and Natural Resources voted 5-0 Friday evening to issue a revocable permit to Alexander & Baldwin and subsidiary East Maui Irrigation Co. for the use of East Maui stream water, much of it for Upcountry drinking water and for nearly 10,600 acres of Mahi Pono farm lands.

Imua Family Services says it’s getting harder to find child care facilities on Maui in the wake of the 2023 wildfires.

The Seabury Hall boys basketball team is off to an 8-1 start as it chases the school’s first state championship in the sport. Seniors Bromo Dorn, Sebastian Peterson and Keahi Sjostrand are leading the charge.

The tournament will be the largest event that the Maui Rugby Union has ever taken part in, and they will be among the youngest competitors.

With the rebuilding of homes underway and the commercial cleanup nearly finished, businesses say the timing is crucial to rebuild and provide jobs for returning residents.

The Maui Invitational has been away from the Lahaina Civic Center for three of the past four years. It returns with an impressive field next week.

The Ah Hees are days away from their final inspection and plan to spend Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones more than a year after they were displaced by the August 2023 fire.