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Maui County highlights in the House Finance Committee draft budgets for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 include $1.6 million in both fiscal years for Kamehameha III temporary school in Lahaina and $12 million in fiscal 2026 and $6 million in fiscal 2027 for Maui Health System.

The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives has approved all seven bills in the House Majority Package on third reading ahead of the first crossover deadline on Thursday. The bills move on to the Senate for further consideration. 

Kaibigan ng Lahaina, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Filipino and immigrant communities, has released findings from two community surveys highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by survivors of the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina wildfires.

The Hoʻokākoʻo Board of Directors has appointed Kaʻala Fay Camara as the next principal of Kualapuʻu School on Molokaʻi, effective July 1, 2025.

28-year-old Isaiah Kaleo Jiaan Fourshey allegedly shot and killed his ex-girlfriend’s 25-year-old sister Latisha Soares early the morning of March 4 at her Mountain View residence.

Four Honolua Surf Co. stores, two Quiksilver, two Billabong and two Volcom stores are set to shut down on Maui after their current inventory sells out, probably near the end of April.

Maui County’s economic recovery remains slower than other islands, particularly in tourism and employment, suggesting lingering effects from the August 2023 wildfires disaster that disrupted tourism and local businesses, according to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism the 2025 Statistical and Economic Report, published in this first quarter.

Residents are encouraged to attend a South Maui community meeting being held by Mayor Richard Bissen on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at the Kīhei Community Center, 303 E. Līpoa St.

Seventy-two golf enthusiasts participated in the second annual Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center golf tournament held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Mānele Golf Course.

Hirono said the Defending American Jobs and Affordable Energy Act would reassert America’s clean energy leadership, keep energy costs for families as low as possible, and unfreeze critical Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to protect jobs and support rural economies.

A team of researchers using data from W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawaiʻi Island, and NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has likely discovered a stable trio of icy space rocks in the solar system’s Kuiper Belt. If confirmed, the 148780 Altjira system would be the second known three-body system in the region, suggesting similar triples may exist and supporting a theory about the solar system’s history and early formation of Kuiper Belt objects.

Maui Preparatory Academy has announced the hiring of Drew Triplett, a 2022 graduate, as its new athletic director.

Two homestead communities were recognized at last Thursday’s wildfire summit for their efforts, commitment and contributions to the Firewise program.

The Executive Order does not impact Hawaiʻi’s recognition of both English and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi as the state’s official languages. The Judiciary reaffirms its policy of allowing people to communicate with the courts in either language.  

Zandra “Hoku” Dudoit has been named Maui Economic Opportunity 2025 Driver of the Year for “exemplifying what it means to be a dedicated and safe driver.”

Senate Bill 332 Senate Draft 1 would prohibit sellers of foreclosed homes from bundling properties at a public sale. Instead, each foreclosed home would be sold separately. Previous foreclosure crises have resulted in the replacement of owner-occupied homes with investor-owned rentals, prolonged vacancies and unmaintained residential properties.

The Maui County Council has confirmed more than two dozen citizen appointees to boards, commissions and committees, allowing those panels a better chance to conduct meetings with a required quorum.

The West Maui Greenway, which also could be used for evacuations during emergencies, received a $15.4 million federal grant in January that the county has nine years to use.

Through these legislative efforts, lawmakers aim to reduce the dangers posed by illegal fireworks and hold accountable those responsible for illegal activity.  

The Upcountry Energy Resilience Project, a community-led initiative, will host a discussion about “Understanding Your Electric Bill” on Thursday, March 6 at 4 p.m. via Zoom. This virtual meeting aims to address the systemic issues and common questions related to the high cost of electricity for Upcountry Maui residents.