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A study confirms that Homo erectus, the direct ancestor of modern humans, appeared in Yunxian, China 1.7 million years ago, about 600,000 years earlier than previous studies indicated.

One of Maui’s brightest young athletes, Victoria Hansen, continues to excel on both the tennis court and on the baseball field. At just 12 years old, Hansen has earned her place among the Top US Tennis Association players in the State of Hawaiʻi for the 12-and-under division, firmly establishing herself as one of Maui’s most accomplished young tennis players.

Esteemed kumu hula Nālani Kanakaʻole, whose life’s work transformed Native Hawaiian cultural traditions globally, was honored in a traditional Hawaiian ceremony, underscoring her far-reaching influence in hula and Hawaiian values.

From 10 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27 to 3:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, there will be intermittent holds of traffic of around 10 minutes on the highway in Ukumehame. The traffic holds will allow crews to replace and adjust the barriers on the makai shoulder of the highway.

Two recruits joined the ranks of the County of Maui Ocean Safety Officers during a graduation ceremony on Friday. Kelson Lau and Kevin Smallwood completed the 12-week-long training program that covered not only an extensive variety of ocean rescue skills, but also Emergency Medical Responder and CPR skills, ATV/UTV and RWC operation, and communication protocols.

Among this year’s Huakaʻi Awards honorees is David Sellers who is credited with helping to mobilize resources and advocate for families facing loss following the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.

The community is invited to attend the 2026 State of the County Address, which will be presented by Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s Castle Theater. Doors open at 4 p.m.

The Flood Advisory for the island of Maui was canceled at 1:29 p.m. A Flood Watch remains in effect until 6 p.m. for Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Maui, and Molokaʻi.

TSA PreCheck remains available at Hawai‘i airports. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has been advised by US Customs and Border Protection that the Global Entry lanes are closed until further notice.

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for Kīpahulu in East Maui until 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. The system is brining wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa announces the return of its popular Nashville Nights songwriter series, unveiling a thoughtfully curated lineup of celebrated country artists and singer-songwriters who will bring the art of storytelling from Music City to Maui’s oceanfront stage for the third consecutive year.

Prospective international students can now learn about the world-class education and unique opportunities at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in their own language.

US Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i secured $2 million in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations deal for construction of the new Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae homeless village. The funding will be used to construct water, sewer and road infrastructure for the permanent supportive site that will house 250 homeless individuals and provide wraparound services. 

Recently, more than 30 students participated in planting 15 trees and transplanting over 100 saplings, which will be cared for by agricultural students until they are ready to be donated to homeowners engaged in rebuilding efforts. 

Up to $350 in grocery assistance is available for eligible Native Hawaiian SNAP recipients with minor dependents who experienced financial hardship during the 2025 government shutdown.

Maui Ocean Center will present the 15th annual Maui 5K from 7 to 9 a.m. Sunday, March 1. Online registration, including new youth rates for ages 5 to 17, ends Feb. 26.

The County of Maui marked the completion of Lahaina wildfire debris transfer with a pule at the Permanent Disposal Site in Central Maui.

Maui’s ‘Oko’a Farms is one of 43 Hawai’i farms enrolled in the Transition to Organic Partnership Program, which is trying to help as many farmers as it can before the program ends this year, cut short by federal changes.

Council Member Tom Cook will host a South Maui community town hall on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Malcolm Center to gather input on the council’s budget priorities.

The Flash Flood Warning has been canceled for the island of Maui. Flood waters have receded. The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat.