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As part of its ongoing wildfire safety strategy, Hawaiian Electric will begin this month using unmanned aircrafts, or drones, for aerial inspections of its electrical infrastructure in identified wildfire risk areas throughout Moloka‘i. Inspections will continue through May 2026. The drones play a critical role in the inspection process in Maui County, and on Hawai‘i Island and Oʻahu as the technology enables Hawaiian Electric to more quickly identify issues to prevent or lessen the risk of wildfires.

Two schools on Maui will be closed today, Wednesday, April 8. In East Maui, Hāna High & Elementary School is closed due to heavy rains and flooding conditions affecting safe access to the campus. In Wailuku, Henry Perrine Baldwin High School is also closed due to a lack of running water caused by issues related to a nearby construction […]

A winter and spring of record-setting rainfall in Hawaiʻi likely is linked to record-breaking heat on the U.S. West Coast, the National Weather Service said.

The inaugural season will culminate in the state championship, scheduled for May 1-2 at Hoʻokipa Beach Park on Maui’s north shore. A total of 174 student-athletes will qualify for the championship meet, representing the top surfers from across the islands.

*****Disclaimer/Graphic Content: Discretion is advised due to graphic and violent content.*****. The trial for a Maui doctor accused of trying to kill his wife while on a hike on O’ahu last year, nears completion as closing arguments wrapped, and jury deliberations began on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.  

The Maui community and extended ʻohana pause to honor and celebrate the life of Mercer “Chubby” Vicens, a respected community leader, dedicated volunteer, and beloved friend.

County of Maui officials are urging residents to prepare for a third kona storm that may bring heavy rainfall to Maui County – just weeks after two back-to-back kona storms hit parts of Maui Nui in March. Meanwhile, County departments are taking steps to prepare while responding to damages from recent storms.

The community is invited to celebrate creativity, sustainability, and talent at the upcoming Art of Trash 2026 event. Opening day is April 18, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Maui Mall Village.

There were no overflows from either of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruptive vents in the past 24 hours, according to the daily update from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

The inaugural Wailuku Film Festival (WFF) is announcing its first wave of selections and key partnerships ahead of its debut, June 17 to 21, 2026, in historic Wailuku. Over five days, the County-supported festival will connect filmmakers and audiences to celebrate storytelling rooted in place, culture and collaboration.

The evening budget meetings scheduled for Wednesday in Kīhei and Thursday in Lahaina have been rescheduled to April 14 and 17, respectively, because of the island’s current flood watch, Council Vice-Chair Yuki Lei K. Sugimura announced.

A family of three was returned to Chuuk State, part of the Federated States of Micronesia, following search and rescue operations conducted by the Legend-class cutter USCGC Midgett crew on April 6, 2026.

South Kīhei Road will be closed between North Kīhei Road and Ohukai Road starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, and continuing through April 15, 2026, to repair damage from recent kona storms, according to the County of Maui Department of Public Works.

Organizations in Maui County receiving OHA funds for flood recovery include: $20,000 to Maui Rapid Response; $10,000 to Molokaʻi Cares; and $10,000 to Hoʻakā Mana on Molokaʻi.

Increased moisture will bring periods of heavy rain and a risk of flash flooding to the entire state by the end of this week and possibly into the weekend, with the most likely period of significant impacts during a period from Wednesday night, April 8, through early Friday, April 10.

The County of Maui has released its proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Affordable Housing Plan, outlining a $79,491,899 budget to support the development, acquisition and rehabilitation of nearly 800 affordable housing units across Maui County.

On or about April 12, 2021, a woman submitted a CFAP application to Shitanishi that falsely claimed she operated a farm with $685,500 in commodity sales in 2019. The woman also claimed the farm was in the County of Maui, which was the responsibility of another County Executive Director, who was located on Maui and familiar with the farms there. The woman asked Shitanishi if he would accept her application, rather than require her to submit her application to the Maui County Executive Director.

The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is offering a special Summer/Fall 2026 Culinary “Launchpad” Scholarship designed specifically for those eager to get trained and start working in the culinary industry quickly.

Maui County Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura called for a “disciplined” fiscal year 2027 budget Monday, citing the strain high gas and grocery prices have placed on local residents. Sugimura, who chairs the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee, said the move is necessary as inflation continues to squeeze household pocketbooks across the islands. “Our […]

With the severe weather including thunderstorms and flash flooding forecast to arrive this week, Hawaiian Electric is proactively preparing to respond as it monitors developing weather conditions.