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(By Wendy OSHER © 2009) About 40 residents showed up at the Paukukalo Community Center last night for the second in a series of statewide hearings hosted by the House Committee on Hawaiian Affairs. Committee Chair and Representative Mele Carroll of Maui explained progress on a bill that would give $200 million in past due […]

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009) The historic lighthouse in Lahaina was converted to a “green” house after crews from the U.S. Coast Guard switched out its power to solar energy earlier this month. The 93-year-old structure is the third lighthouse in Hawaii to be converted to solar power. It stands on the site of […]

(Story & Photos by Wendy Osher © 2009) More than 150 people showed up at a rally in front of the Queen Kaahumanu Shopping Center in Kahului this afternoon to voice their opposition to a proposed pit bull ban in the state of Hawaii. Senate Bill 79 was introduced by Colleen Hanabusa on January 23rd […]

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009) Maui Humane Society officials had to go only as far as their back yard to catch an iguana. The creature was found climbing a chain-link fence adjacent to the Humane Society property in Puunene at around 2 o’clock yesterday (Thursday, February 5, 2009) afternoon. The 2-foot-long iguana, had been […]

By Wendy Osher Maui could be the site of a medical enterprise zone under a bill being considered at the state legislature. The 7-year pilot program would be based on the West side of the Valley Isle a region that has long been the focus of discussion for a second island hospital. Rep. Angus McKelvey […]

(By Wendy Osher © 2009) Council Vice Chair Mike Molina is supporting a statewide ban on plastic bags, similar to the one he introduced at the county level last year. The county plastic bag reduction bill is set to go into effect on January 11, 2011, and prohibits the distribution of plastic bags at the […]

(Story & Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009) The Maui Fire Department added two new vehicles to its fleet yesterday-an engine for West Maui and an Air/Light Truck for large scale incident response. The new Engine 3 will be stationed at the Lahaina Fire Station and will be used in protecting the West Maui Community. […]

(Photos and story By Wendy Osher © 2009) Mokulele Airlines’ inaugural Flight 215 from Kahului Airport marks the beginning of expanded service for the interisland carrier. The Airlines’ Kahului Station Manager Ipo Mossman said the Kahului to Honolulu route helps to meet passenger demands following the exit of Aloha Airline’s passenger service nearly one year […]

(Photos and Story By: Wendy OSHER © 2009) Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares joined officials from Taiwan’s Ping Tung Province today in commemorating the town’s 27th year as a Sister City of Maui County. A plaque was unveiled at the Sun Yat Sen Park in Kula marking the occasion. The sister city partnership was formed in […]

(By Wendy OSHER © 2009) Volunteers across the state counted an average of 8 whales every 15 minutes during a statewide count conducted by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. 650 volunteers collected data from 56 sites with the most sightings reported off of Kahoolawe where 14 whales were sighted every 15 minutes […]

(Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009) The County celebrated Chinese New Year today with a Lion Dance and Martial Arts demonstration on the front lawn of the county building. The public exhibition featured members of the Au’s Shaolin Arts Society. The playful lions were fed a head cabbage from Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares as dozens […]

(by Wendy OSHER © 2009) A stretch of West Maui coastline is proposed for protection as a Herbivore Fisheries Management area. The nearshore waters from Keka’a Point near the Sheraton Resort to Honokowai Park to the north, are proposed for designation as the Kahekili management area. DLNR officials say the rule is intended to maintain […]

By Wendy OSHER © 2009 Photo of Lahaina Lighthouse by Wendy Osher Graphic image of Recreational Renaissance courtesy: Hawaii DLNR A list of 39 Maui County projects including long awaited repairs of the small boat ramp at Maliko Gulch, are included in a $240 million Recreational Renaissance Plan unveiled by the state today. The Maui […]

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)  Maui’s visitor count was down 19 percent in December from the same time last year.  The county’s outer islands saw even deeper declines of 37 percent for Lanai and 49 percent for Molokai.  Total expenditures on Maui also experienced double digit decreases, down 28.3% to $243.4 million.  The per […]

ALL-CLEAR: TRANSPORT COMPLETE, EVACUEES ALLOWED TO RETURN HOME (Updated by Wendy OSHER @ 1:46 p.m.) Authorities have since completed the transport of a leaky propane gas tanker from Kihei to the Central Maui Baseyard. All roadways are now open and all evacuees have been allowed to return to their residences and businesses. County crews thank […]

Posted by: Wendy OSHER © 2009 Photos by:  Wendy OSHER © 2009 WAI`ANAPANAPA, HANA, MAUI – State workers will begin construction Monday on a $500,000 water system improvement project at Wai’anapanapa State Park in East Maui. Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) officials say the work will include the replacement of the potable water […]

By Wendy OSHER LAHAINA-Six young women on Maui earned titles in the 37th Annual Miss Maui Scholarship Pageant held over the weekend at the Ulalena Theater in Lahaina.  The winner of the island’s new Miss Maui 2009 title is 19 year old Cierra Rauch of Kula.  Cierra is the daughter of Matthew Rauch and Georgette Batoon.  […]

Two members of Maui’s legislative delegation joined state leaders this afternoon in announcing a statewide Highway’s Modernization Plan.  Senate Transportation Chair J. Kalani English of East Maui and House Transportation Chair Joe Souki of Central Maui, joined in presenting the six-year plan at the state capitol, as part of an effort aimed at reducing traffic […]

Today is opening day of the 25th Hawaii Legislative Session.  Ceremonies get underway at 10 a.m. in the House and Senate chambers.  Rep. Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, who was appointed by the Governor after the passing of Maui Rep. Bob Nakasone, has been added to the directories, and Rep. Pono Chong has been named Housing (HSG) […]

MAUI DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S SPECIAL GATHERING TO WATCH THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA There will be a number of celebrations on Maui on Tuesday to mark the inauguration Celebration for President-elect Barack Obama.  The Democratic Party of Maui begins the day with an inauguration viewing party at 6:30 a.m. at Charley’s Saloon & Restaurant in Paia.  Interested […]