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The County of Maui observes its first government imposed furlough Friday on July 16, 2010.  It is the first of 12 scheduled furlough days in the new fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. Furloughed employees also includes all managerial staff. One day per month furloughs were proposed by Mayor […]

Although not yet considered extinguished, Fire Department officials report that as of 2:30 p.m. today the Happy Valley fire is under control with 100% containment. Firefighters will monitor the burn area and perimeter tonight. The fire was sparked by fireworks on Sunday night at Mokuhau Road.  The fire initially resulted in road closures and a […]

Firefighters gained 80 percent containment on a fire that has burned 24 acres since it first started Sunday night.  Officials confirmed the Happy Valley fire was sparked by fireworks.  No homes were damaged and firefighters continue to monitor the burn area. According to the Department of Water Supply, a safe water level for the tank […]

(Updated 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 12, 2010) The Happy Valley fire that was sparked by fireworks Sunday night is now 60 percent contained. After 22 hours of firefighting efforts focused on the Mokuhau area where the blaze began, officials from the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety say they were able to reach 60% […]

  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 […]

By Wendy Osher  Video of Happy Valley Fire, interview with Battalion Chief Jeff Shaffer:  (Update 3:30 p.m. 7/12/10) Maui fire officials this afternoon confirmed that fireworks caused a 25 acre blaze that came dangerously close to homes in the Happy Valley subdivision.  Battalion Chief James Kino said the determination suports the numerous reports the department […]

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 […]

Liberty Dialysis-Hawaii today broke ground for a 250 kilowatt emergency generator system for the Maui Dialysis Facility, designed to assure patients throughout Maui Nui have access to life-preserving services in the event of a natural disaster. It fulfills one patient’s appeal after a severe storm battered Maui on Dec. 5, 2007, knocking down power lines […]

Expressing his appreciation for the array of programs in higher education established at University of Hawaii Maui College, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye offered his help during a luncheon meeting Thursday. Inouye offered his help with an air of caution letting administrators know that programs he can support with grants and allocations should eventually be self-sustaining. […]

By Wendy Osher [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnBkAd6Qn4o[/youtube] The County of Maui added three new buses to its fleet today, bringing to 18 the number of large capacity buses in the Maui fleet. Transportation Director Don Medeiros said Maui recorded over 2.3 million boardings in FY 2010, marking yet another milestone for public transportation on Maui. Last year, an […]

The ‘Ahihi-Kinau’u Natural Area Reserve in South Maui will remain under restricted access for two more years under a plan approved by the state Board of land and Natural Resources.  “The most popular and well-used portions of the reserve will remain open for use during visitor hours as they have for the last two years, […]

By Wendy Osher Governor Linda Lingle today vetoed the controversial Civil Unions bill saying the decision, “should be made by all of the people of Hawaii behind the curtain of the voting booth.” “After months of listening to Hawaii’s citizens express to me in writing and in person, their deeply held beliefs, and heartfelt reasons […]

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares will sign a new ordinance into law today, restricting use of cell phones and mobile electronic devices while driving.  Maui becomes the last county in the state to implement such a ban.  The law allows the use of cell phones if they are operated with a hands-free device, such as Bluetooth […]

(Updated: 5:40 p.m. 7/6/10) Fire officials report that the fire above the Lahaina Civic Center that began just before midnight Sunday evening is now at 90% containment and remains at 130 acres. Fire crews continue to conduct mop up operations and monitor the area for hot spots. (Updated: 2:15p 7/5/10) A fire that was reported […]

By Wendy Osher The Maui Chamber of Commerce hosts the 10th Annual 4th of July Fireworks Celebration in Lahaina on Sunday. The event includes food, shopping entertainment, and the only public fireworks display on Maui beginning at 8 p.m. Front Street will be closed from 4 to 9 p.m. on Sunday to accommodate the celebration. […]

One person is in critical condition and two others are in serious condition following an early morning accident on Maui today (Saturday, July 3, 2010). The single-car accident was reported at 2:04 a.m. on the Honoapiilani Highway between Kuikahi Drive and Waiko Road. According to police reports, a 2005 Infinity G35 sedan, operated by a […]

The monthly First Friday event in Wailuku Town takes place tonight (Friday, July 2, 2010) from 5:30 to 8 p.m. featuring a Maui Thing Fashion Show and Willie K performing live.  There will also be an ‘awa bar and fried fish plate for sale at Native Intelligence, live music by Gene and Shea Arge fronting […]

Changes in fees and services approved for the FY2011 budget begin Thursday, June 1, 2010 with the start of the new Fiscal Year.  The changes include bus fare increases, electrical permit violation fees, reduced landfill hours, changes to real property taxes, and a one-day-per month furlough schedule for county workers.  BUS FARE INCREASES Commuter Fee:  […]

Maui Drivers have one week to prepare for a new law that goes into effect on Tuesday banning the hands-on use of cell phones and mobile electronic devices while driving.  Bill 40 gained unanimous passage by the Maui County Council on June 18th and takes effect upon the Mayor’s signature on July 6, 2010. “As […]

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public information meeting on Thursday July 1, 2010 on Maui to explain plans by the Division of State Parks to begin charging entry fees for non-residents and commercial tour vehicles going to ‘Iao Valley State Monument. The meeting runs from 5 to 6 p.m. […]