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Preliminary analysis suggests that the pink color of water at Keālia Pond appears to be the result of a single-celled organism called halobacteria. Officials with the US Fish and Wildlife Service say halobacteria are “salt-loving organisms” found in high salinity water bodies.

The 2023 Festivals of Aloha culminates this month with the 21st Richard Ho‘opi‘i Falsetto Contest on Saturday, and events next week on the island of Molokaʻi.

On Tuesday, contractors removed debris from a private property in Kula, marking the start of Phase 2 of the US Army Corps of Engineers’ debris removal program for Upcountry residents affected by the Aug. 8, wildfires.

A new recovery fund which will exceed $150 million, will distribute money to families of those who died, and to those who suffered severe personal injuries in the Maui wildfires.

Today, Upcountry system customers moved into a Stage 2 water shortage, with the most dire Stage 3 level likely to be implemented “soon” with reserves running low and drought conditions expected to continue.

Suspension of service disconnections for all Hawaiian Electric customers on Maui has been extended through at least Jan. 5, 2024, in accordance with the extension of Gov. Josh Green’s emergency proclamation. Maui customers who are financially challenged by the devastating wildfires will not have to worry about potential disconnection of their electric service.

A new Guinness World Record has been documented for Australia surfer Laura Enever for her ride at Outer Reef, the big-wave break on the North Shore of Oʻahu, on Jan. 22, 2023. The World Surf League measured and verified her wave to be 43.6 feet, breaking the world record for the biggest wave ever paddled into by a woman. 

For entertainment this week on Maui, there’s the Maui Veterans Day Invitational Kayak Clash, the 21st Annual Falsetto Contest, a free performance by The Voice contestant Jason Arcilla, debuts of Makana’s song “Lahainalalo,” and a recital by classical pianist Mahana Teave as part of a Wildfire Benefit Concert Series.

Officials with the US Army Corps of Engineers tell Maui Now that the $53.7 million base contract covers all the utilities, terracing, installation of the modular facilities and the first 6 months of leasing the buildings.

The Maui County Council will hold a special council meeting Thursday, Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. to consider Bill 114, which seeks to: fund the new Office of Recovery; and add new conditional language for a Lahaina Wildfire Final Disposition site in Olowalu.

County of Maui Disaster Area Restrictions will be lifted for owners and residents with vehicle passes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Friday, Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 11, in Zones 9E and 10E.

FEMA is announcing multiple job openings on Maui and Oʻahu that provide Hawaiʻi residents an opportunity to help their communities recover from the Maui wildfires and build resilience before, during and after disasters like this one. 

Maui Memorial Medical Center has again earned the distinguished Gold Plus and Target: Honor Roll Quality Achievement Awards from American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program for excellence in heart and stroke care. The national awards recognize MMMC’s demonstrated commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for treating heart disease and stroke, ultimately leading to more lives […]

Connect Kākou, a State of Hawaiʻi initiative to ensure that communities across Hawaiʻi have reliable and affordable access to high-speed internet officially launched today.

Children who lived through Maui’s wildfires may continue to feel trauma, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Behavioral experts say families can take steps to help children process their emotions and anxieties to help them heal.

The Shops at Wailea is hosting a variety of shows and events for the month of November. The list includes live music on Wednesdays and a concert on Nov. 24 featuring Kalani Peʻa.

The members of the Maui County Committee’s Senate District 5 selection body – comprised of the party’s district officers who reside in Senate District 5 – have selected three names to send to Governor Josh Green for his consideration to fill the Senate vacancy created by the Oct. 31 resignation of Senator Gil Keith-Agaran.

Ariella Kainrath, 28, of Kula, was located and found in good health on Nov. 8, according to the Maui Police Department.

Maui County’s boards and commissions are seeking volunteers to serve on more than 40 panels, including Council on Aging, Planning Commission, Police Commission, Salary Commission, Board of Water Supply and Fire and Public Safety Commission.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., today signed the Eighth Emergency Proclamation on Wildfires to continue state support for the recovery of the people of Maui.