#Wendy Osher

  Maui firefighters remain on the scene of a 25 acre fire, battling a flare-up in the burn area at around 3 p.m. today (Monday, July 12, 2010). Fire crews with the assistance of water drops from Air One, were able to put out the flare-up approximately 30 minutes later. Earlier today, Maui fire officials […]

Two Maui community groups today appealed the state Water Commission’s decision on in-stream flow standards at Nä Wai ‘Ehä, or “The Four Great Waters” of Waihe‘e River and Waiehu, ‘Ïao, and Waikapü Streams in West Maui. The groups say the 12.5 million gallons per day (mgd) of water restored, is less than what they had […]

(Update: 3:51 p.m. 7/12/10) Maui police are investigating the cause of a structure fire in Kahului that destroyed an Ano Street home this afternoon.  The fire was first reported at 11:58 a.m. on Monday, July 12, 2010 at 408-A Ano Street in Kahului.  When officers arrived on scene, the structure was engulfed in flames.  The […]

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 […]

Posted by Wendy Osher (Update: 5:50 a.m. 7/12/10) A 15-year-old Kahului female suffered life-threatening injuries when she was ejected from a vehicle involved in a weekend accident at the main Hana Highway, Dairy Road intersection in Kahului. The accident was reported at around 7:10 p.m. on Sunday, July 11, 2010 and involved two SUV vehicles.  […]

Posted by Wendy Osher This year’s Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa’u Parade & Ho’olaulea each year honors the Kamehameha rulers of Hawaii.  This year, the event helped to mark 200 years of unification after Kamehameha the Great brought most of the major Hawaiian Islands under one rule. [flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li-z4cHFQ4s /] Part 1 of the parade features […]

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_zrGybsZrw /] The 18th Annual East Maui Taro Festival is a favorite for many who take pride in the culture and lifestyle found in Heavenly Hana.  The event featured vendors from across the island, and food booths selling favorite flavors including furikake crusted mahi, poke balls and fresh pounded poi from Kipahulu.  Our very […]

By Wendy Osher The state legislature did not vote before Friday’s deadline on a proposal to take the county’s share of the Transient accommodation tax or TAT.  Now it’s a wait and see situation as county mayors across the state monitor the latest developments. “We’re not out of the woods quite yet,” said Maui Mayor […]

Governor Linda Lingle today announced that the State is moving forward with plans to build an estimated $235 million jail facility in Puunene, Maui.  The project, planned for location within the former Puunene Airport area along Mokulele Highway, is aimed at replacing the aged and overcrowded existing Maui Community Correctional Center and provide for anticipated […]

By Wendy Osher Local celebrities will bag groceries this Saturday in celebration of Earth Day, and in advance of a plastic bag ban that is set to go into effect on January 11, 2011. The plastic bag reduction bill prohibits the distribution of plastic bags at the point of sale.  When the council passed the […]

The Hotel Hana-Maui is being sold to a Denver-based real estate investment and development company.   Amstar Group LLC confirmed its intent to purchase the 70-room hotel from Ohana Hotel Company for an undisclosed price. Amstar’s subsidiary, Green Tea LLC will manage the property with the transfer of ownership anticipated for completion in May.  The sale […]

By Wendy Osher Lanai Councilman Sol Kahoohalahala is the latest contender to express interest in the Mayor’s race.  He made the announcement of his intent to run before a small gathering of kupuna on Maui on Sunday. Kahoohalahala currently serves as Chair of the council’s Planning Committee and vice-chair of the council’s committee on Economic […]

By Wendy Osher The County’s Air Ambulance could be saved under a proposal raised today before the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee. After initially requesting the elimination of the service last month, Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares issued a follow up request to utilize real property revenues combined with emergency funds to cover the county’s share […]

(Update: 9:10 a.m. 4/19/10) Kaupakalua Road is now open.  It was closed earlier this morning because of a downed Hawaiian Tel Com pole.  Maui police say work has since been completed and the road is open for travel. __________________ (Update:  3:06 a.m. 4/19/10) On the roadways, motorists are advised of a road closure in the […]

Lahainaluna celebrates its 41st Annual David Malo Day Ho’olaulea this Saturday, Apirl 17th.  The event opens at 5 p.m. with a paina and poi supper followed by a sunset pageant at 6 p.m.  Unique this year is the return of students from the class of 1960 who will be celebrating their 50th reunion, and members […]

By Wendy Osher Maui Halau Ke’alaokamaile under the direction of Kumu Hula Keali’i Reichel swept the wahine hula titles at the weekend Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo.  The 47th Annual event included a solo competition and men’s and women’s divisions for traditional and modern hula. Eighteen women from the halau performed He Mele Inoa No […]

(Posted by Wendy Osher) The county’s Department of Public Works will close a portion of South Kihei Road for one week beginning Monday, April 12, 2010, in the Maui Isana and Maui Lu area. Crews will work with Cultural Surveys Hawaii to restore sand inadvertently removed last year during roadway clearing.  County officials say the […]

By Wendy Osher The bitter ‘awa root is often seen in ceremonial protocol throughout the Pacific, but is used in social settings as well.  Cultural practitioner Kapono’ai Molitau, who also sells the product at his Native Intelligence store in old Wailuku Town explains the different levels and protocols associated with the drinking of ‘awa. [flashvideo […]

The words resonate in the hands of stone carver Hoaka Delos Reyes. For him, there is depth in the stone and nourishment in knowing its spirit.

Cultural Practitioner Bula Logan utilizes all of these, combined with prayer, protocol, and chant in explaining traditional Hawaiian medicine.