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The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity is reminding travelers attending the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo next week that quarantine restrictions remain on the transport of ʻōhiʻa from Hawai‘i Island due to the fungal plant disease, rapid ʻōhiʻa death, which is devastating to native forests. The Merrie Monarch Festival takes place from April 5 – 11.

County of Maui offices, facilities and services will be closed or modified on Good Friday, April 3, 2026.

The deadline to submit artwork for the annual Maui Matsuri Art Contest has been extended to April 16. The Maui Matsuri Art Contest – sponsored by HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts Maui – is for eligible students who can win up to $100 in cash prizes.

“For years, the Olowalu area has faced a critical gap in emergency response coverage. When seconds matter most, distance can mean the difference between life and death. This new fire station will change that reality. Once completed, it will allow our firefighters to respond to emergencies in this region at least 15 minutes faster than from the nearest station in Lahaina. That is not just an improvement—that is lifesaving,” said Chief Bradford Ventura.

The County of Maui Department of Public Works is restricting general public access to Kapaʻakea Cemetery in Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi, following significant impacts from the March 2026 kona low storms.

Coach Soichi Sakamoto Pool in Wailuku will close from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 2, 2026, for pool guard recruitment testing, according to the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation.

The research reveals that the collision, which began 440 million years ago, has ignited star formation up to 10 times the normal rate while dramatically scrambling the chemical composition across both galaxies.

The Friends of Haleakalā National Park is accepting applications for three $2,000 scholarships aimed at Maui County students pursuing careers in biology, ecology or conservation.

Department will conduct precautionary sampling and testing of nearshore waters — as well as flood-carried mud and sediment — to understand contaminant levels in the environment; personnel also actively monitoring mosquito populations and taking targeted action in impacted areas.

Citizen scientists on Hawai’i Island observed 37 humpback whales March 28; a total of 435 whales were observed from shorelines at 37 sites throughout the islands.

“These rankings highlight the exceptional work and commitment of our faculty, students and staff,” said University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos in a university release. “They showcase the university’s global standing and reinforce that [University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa] offers outstanding educational opportunities and experiences for both our local community and those joining us from around the world.”

The Walmart Foundation highlighted relief efforts in Kahului and on Molokaʻi in announcing a commitment on Friday of up to $250,000 in grants to Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and Lāhui Foundation to support disaster relief and long-term recovery across Hawaiʻi.

Kīhei Charter School will host its 9th Annual Hawaiian Lūʻau benefit fundraiser on April 11 to support the school’s athletic program and student athletes.

Residents are encouraged to attend the monthly County of Maui Lahaina Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria.

The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary is warning the public about a new wave of scam text messages falsely claiming to come from the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary and alleging that recipients have unpaid traffic fines.

Now, as green sea turtle populations recover, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is advancing a conversation that many island leaders say is long overdue: what recovery could mean not only for conservation, but also for the possible return of cultural stewardship and sustainable use in the Western Pacific.

Hawai‘i’s family caregivers now provide $4.9 billion worth of labor each year, according to a new AARP report. Most of this work is unpaid, yet it forms the backbone of the nation’s long-term care system that is essential to helping millions of older adults live independently at home.

Eight of the nine residents at Kula Hospital’s Hale Makamae, a facility for developmentally disabled individuals, had to be moved off island.

Recent global events led two-thirds of American travelers to reconsider international trips, with 85% identifying Hawaiʻi as their top domestic alternative, according to a survey released by Hawaii.com.

Tickets for the 15th annual Maui Brewers Festival are on sale online as the Maui Arts & Cultural Center prepares for its signature fundraiser featuring more than 50 craft brews.