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Former Mayoral Candidate Chris Hart says he will remain neutral, refraining from endorsing either of the remaining two candidates in the race for Mayor.  The announcement was made this morning during an interview with Pacific Radio Group. “Recently I was invited to meet with Charmaine Tavares and also with Alan Arakawa, and we discussed the […]

By Wendy Osher (Update: 6:28 p.m. 9/21/10) An elderly couple was pulled to safety after their home accidentally caught fire Tuesday afternoon. The fire was reported at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the couple’s single-story home located at 237 Molokai-Hema Street in Kahului. “It’s always sad to see,” said Acting Batallion Chief […]

7:55 a.m. 9/17/10:  Broken fire hydrant at Wakea Ave./Onehee intersection near the Kaahumanu Shopping Center. Area is flooded. Avoid travel. Clean up crews are on scene.

(2:20 p.m. Update 9/3/10) Maui firefighters are battling a brush fire reported at around 1 p.m. this afternoon in Puamana.  The blaze was burning in the mountainous terrain above the Puamana area in West Maui.  The fire fighting efforts included ground crews as well as air support with water drops from the Department’s Air One helicopter.  MauiNOW crews […]

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will close ‘Iao Valley State Park on Tuesday, August 31 and Wednesday, September 1 while it is painting railings along the main walkways and bridge that lead to the garden area, lookout shelter and stream trail.  State officials say the park closure is needed to ensure […]

By Wendy Osher There will be three less polling sites on Maui this election year.  The precinct consolidation will result in the closure of polling places at the Ulupalakua Ranch workshop, the Kaulana Pueo Church in Huelo and the Kahului Hongwanji in central Maui.  That leaves Maui County will at total of 40 polling sites.  […]

A brush fire that was first reported at 1:50 p.m. today (Friday, August 20, 2010) burned an estimated 4 acres of vacant land.  The fire was located approximately 1/2 mile from the Mokulele Highway in Kahului.   Shortly before 6 p.m., Acting Battalion Chief Sheldon Holokai said the fire is 100% contained and crews were conducting mop-up operations.  Fire […]

By Wendy Osher The County of Maui Department of Water Supply is proposing to construct two new replacement water tanks along Omaopio Road in Kula.  Currently, residents living along the road have a limited storage capacity of potable water for their domestic and agricultural use.  In addition to increasing storage capacity, the project is also […]

Maui Electric Company will host a community meeting tonight to provide information on a proposed electrical line extension project in South Maui.  The meeting will include a presentation on the project from representatives at Maui Electric and planning consultants with the firm Munekiyo & Hiraga, Inc. Company officials will discuss alternative routes for the new 69 kV […]

(Update: 4 p.m. 8/9/10) Fire officials have called the flare-up extinguished at 3:00 p.m. An estimated one acre was burned. No injuries or damage to structures are reported. Maui police re-opened South Alu Road at shortly after 3:00 p.m. There were no evacuations ordered of the area. (Update 3:11 p.m. 8/9/10) AUGUST 9, 3:11 PM: […]

By Wendy Osher (Update 4:39 p.m. 7/30/10) A dead sperm whale continues to float in waters off of Hana Maui.  The carcass was observed in waters near Makaalae Thursday afternoon, but residents say the dead whale was first seen on Tuesday, July 27, 2010. Crews from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources were […]

By Wendy Osher  Video of Happy Valley Fire, interview with Battalion Chief Jeff Shaffer:  (Update 3:30 p.m. 7/12/10) Maui fire officials this afternoon confirmed that fireworks caused a 25 acre blaze that came dangerously close to homes in the Happy Valley subdivision.  Battalion Chief James Kino said the determination suports the numerous reports the department […]

Click here to view video of Happy Valley Fire By Wendy Osher (6:15 a.m. 7/12/10) Firefighters will assess the extent of damage today caused by a fire overnight in the Happy Valley subdivision of Wailuku on Maui.  A storage shed was burned, but homes were saved in the densely populated area.  The fire was first […]

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares will sign a new ordinance into law today, restricting use of cell phones and mobile electronic devices while driving.  Maui becomes the last county in the state to implement such a ban.  The law allows the use of cell phones if they are operated with a hands-free device, such as Bluetooth […]

The Lanai Community Association holds the 18th annual Pineapple Festival on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at Dole Park in Lanai City.  The island of Lāna‘i used to be known as the largest pineapple plantation in the world and the event honors the island’s pineapple history. Activities begin at 3 p.m. and end by 8 p.m.  […]

By Wendy Osher [flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNrNk57liWI /] The Maui County Council today congratulated Maui’s Halau Ke’alaokamaile for the honors they won at the 47th Merrie Monarch Hula Festival held in April in Hilo.  Kumu Hula Keali’i Reichel and accepted the honor for the halau saying, “everything that we do, we do to hopefully make our island, […]

(Update 8 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 2010) The National Weather Service issued a Wind Warning for the summit of Haleakala on Maui.  The warning remains in effect until 6 p.m.  A separate Wind Advisory for the island of Kahoolawe has been continued until 6 p.m. as well. Winds on Haleakala summit will be 35 mph […]

Firefighters returned to the hills above Maalaea last night to monitor a second brush fire in as many days.  The fire was reported at around 10 p.m. Monday about a quarter-mile mauka of the Honoapiilani Highway in a remote area with rugged terrain near the utility road.  Because of darkness and the possibility of downed […]

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) filed a petition today urging the Hawaii State Supreme Court to require legislation on past due public land trust revenue claims for ceded lands. OHA is requesting that the court require the state to enact legislation on past due public land trust revenue claims during the 2011 session. “As […]

A wastewater overflow on Market Street Monday night has since been cleared and disinfected.  The 630 gallon spill was caused by a blockage in a mainline and flowed from the street into a storm drain that connects to an open ditch.  No wastewater reached the ocean. The incident was reported at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, […]