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A measure that would legalize adult-use cannabis in Hawaiʻi, passed the Senate Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means on Thursday, and now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.  

“We’re looking for equitable, humane care for residents and visitors to West Maui, where more than 50% of the county and state income on Maui is derived from taxes,” said Joseph Pluta, president of the West Maui Taxpayers Association. Maui Now’s Gary Kubota interviewed Pluta, who is working to ensure West Maui gets its fair share of improvements.

Media mogul and billionaire Oprah Winfrey recently purchased about 870 acres of Kula agricultural land for nearly $6.6 million in recent months, adding to hundreds of acres of real estate she already owns in Kula and in Hana. Winfrey bought four parcels total, according to sales deeds.

Kāʻanapali Golf Courses’ PGA Teaching Professional Chris Armanini has been named a 2022 PGA Jr. League #GameChanger Award winner by the PGA of America.

The deadline for the ‘Imi Pono: The Greatest Challenge, which offers cash prizes of up to $700 for high school and middle school students to develop an anti-vaping campaign, is fast approaching – on March 23.

Kalaheo Oliveira, Daryl Kawaiaea, and Derek Kawaiaea were recognized for their bravery and heroic acts on Sept. 3, 2022, risking their lives to successfully rescue an elderly woman from her home in Hāna, which was heavily involved with fire.

The recent passing of Maui restaurateur, Mark Ellman, has left a void in the culinary community and a legacy of life and love that he poured into his creations.

Update (2:10 p.m., March 3, 2023) Utility lines, trees and debris remain on the roadway at the first hairpin turn area of 719 Olinda Road. Olinda Road remains closed to through traffic at Hanamu Road, but is open to local traffic only. Residents need to access via Piʻiholo Road.  Per utility companies, this area will remain closed possibly until tomorrow afternoon.

Hawai’i State Legislature is considering measures SB 304 and HB 1162 to establish a new green fee. Money generated would then go toward conservation work across the state. Next for the proposal is a state Senate floor vote Tuesday. If it gets the green light, the plan moves to the state House.

An unexploded ordnance, which appeared to be a mortar, was discovered by employees at a Kīhei recycling company within their metals collection area Tuesday. The discovery prompted response from the Hawaiʻi Inter-Island Bomb Squad to the business on East Welakahao Road following notification on Wednesday.

A study is now underway using absorbent bands to detect organic pollutants at 18 sites around West and South Maui. The bands used in the study can absorb chemicals over a period of time, as opposed to traditional sampling methods that offer information from a limited snapshot in time.

Haleakalā National Park is seeking a K-12 Hawaiian immersion teacher to participate in a summer professional development opportunity called Teacher Ranger Teacher(TRT). The application deadline is May 1, 2023. 

After two failed attempts to free a grounded yacht from the rocky shoreline at Honolua Bay, salvage efforts have hit another snag–this time due to inclement weather and rough seas.

The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua hosts the 31st annual Celebration of the Arts taking place at the resort from April 7-8, 2023.  Celebration of the Arts is Hawai‘i’s top arts and cultural festival celebrating authentic Hawaiian culture and traditions with more than 60 of the state’s top artisans, educators, cultural practitioners, speakers, and entertainers.  

Students will work together to create a short environmental film over the course of four days. Their staff will provide equipment, as well as assistance in planning, filming, and editing. No prior experience is needed, but students must be able to attend all four days to participate. Films will be shown at their student film festival in May and entered in film festivals.

The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System is scheduled for Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023 at 11:45 a.m. The siren test will be coordinated with a test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System.

A High Wind Warning has been extended until 6 a.m. Thursday for the Kohala district of the Big Island. A Wind Advisory has been extended until 6 a.m. Thursday for Maui County, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and parts of the Big Island.

Negotiations are set to resume next week for hundreds of Maui Health System workers who have been on strike since last Wednesday. Negotiations with a Federal Mediator are set to resume on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 10 a.m. 

For a list of upcoming events, concerts, shows and entertainment for March 2 – 8, find our comprehensive listing HERE.

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management is soliciting grant applications for the Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division Grants Program, which includes a new Green Grants Program for small-scale innovative environmental initiatives or demonstration projects as well as the continuation of the Recycling Grants Program that the department administers.