Maui man serving time for carjacking, sentenced to additional 10-years in prison for kidnapping, terroristic threatening

An estimated half acre of brush burned in an area between East Līpoa Street and Hale Kūʻai Street in Kīhei on Friday afternoon, Sept. 4, 2026. The fire was reported at around 1:31 p.m., in an area behind multiple businesses.

Two people suffered minor burn injuries and five people were displaced as a result of a home fire in Pukalani, Friday morning, Sept. 4, 2026. Damage estimates are still ongoing.

Maui resident Christopher Steven Helmer, 37, was sentenced today to a 10-year prison term for kidnapping, terroristic threatening, and related firearms and drug offenses, with the term ordered to run consecutively to a prison sentence he is already serving for a separate armed carjacking.

The critical updates will help families throughout the state, including Hawaiʻi County, who experienced food loss because of impacts from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Lala.

Hawaiʻi leaders joined to provide an update on Category 4 Hurricane Lowell and preparations for possible impacts to Hawaiʻi, particularly Kauaʻi and Ni‘ihau.

Following a successful return last year that drew more than 100 entries, the Maui Fiber Arts Show will return Oct. 1-4, 2026, bringing together fiber artists from across Maui County for four days celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, tradition and community.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce is reminding community members that nominations are open for the 2026 Mayor’s Small Business Awards, with nominations due Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. Nominations are being accepted for businesses, nonprofits, or individuals who are making a difference in Maui County.

(Update: 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, 2026) Hurricane Lowell regained category 5 strength Friday afternoon. Watches could be required for portions of the westernmost Hawaiian Islands on Saturday.

Maui County’s housing market saw increased sales activity in August, with closed sales rising for both single-family homes and condominiums compared to the same month last year, while median sales prices declined, according to the REALTORS Association of Maui. In August, 64 homes sold for a median price of $1.2 million, while 68 condo unit sold for a median of $564,950.

Community, connection and local resources come together this Saturday, Sept, 5, at A Hoʻolawa Kine A Day, a free kamaʻāina community gathering from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wailele Farm at Twin Falls.

Hale Makua Health Services invites the public to attend a meeting regarding its proposed workforce housing project at Maui Lani. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 at Maui Economic Opportunity’s Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Family Center in Wailuku.

Hawaiʻi drivers are paying near-record prices at gas pumps heading into the Labor Day weekend, with little relief in sight, according to AAA Hawaiʻi’s Weekend Gas Watch. On Maui, Kahului hit $5.44 (up a full dollar from the same time last year).