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A controversial bill to establish a nine-member Lele Community District Board for decision-making in rebuilding Lahaina has passed the state Senate, but it will not advance in the House, according to West Maui Rep. Elle Cochran.

Attorney General Anne Lopez is joining a coalition of 20 other state attorneys general on a bipartisan letter asking Congress to fix hemp language in the 2018 Farm Bill.

High school graduation ceremonies have been scheduled for the Class of 2024 with date, time and location information listed below. “We are so proud of our Class of 2024 graduates,” Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “Through your dedication and years of hard work, you have gained the knowledge and skills needed to be globally competitive and locally committed. We hope you will always be working toward improving Hawaiʻi’s future and we cannot wait to see what you do on your journey ahead.”

Under Bill 95, which was enacted last year, real property that was completely destroyed, as determined by the Director of Finance, or that is located in a Lahaina red or yellow re-entry zone, is exempt from real property taxes including the minimum tax for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has launched “Mākaukau Maui,” a campaign that aims to revitalize Maui’s economy in the aftermath of last year’s devastating wildfires. Apart from the fire-affected areas of Lahaina Town, the campaign signals that Maui is ready to welcome visitors back to the island.

Members of the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee received a presentation Wednesday on conceptual plans for the 1,600-unit Hoʻonani Village multifamily rental and commercial complex in Puʻunene.

The Lahainaluna High School once provided fruit, vegetables and livestock produce to its students and community. Its vast agricultural grounds received a manicure from local students, organizations and volunteers on Wednesday, bringing the school one step closer to its goal of replanting Lahaina.

The aftermath of the August wildfires continue to impact Maui County hotel performance, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority reports, but the county still leads the state in revenue per available room in February because of comparatively higher average daily room rates.

Queen Kaʻahumanu Center invites the community to join in honoring the legacy of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole at the Prince Kūhiō Maui Hoʻolauleʻa. The event takes place on Friday, March 22 from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at Center Court.

This full speed training exercise on March 20, involved an evolving scenario with a missing swimmer, and overdue (and later reported sunk) boat traveling between Lānaʻi and South Maui. 

Maui police arrested four individuals for charges related to internet-facilitated sexual offenses against children during Operation Keiki Shield 22, which took place between Thursday March 14, and Sunday, March 17, 2024.

Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center is unveiling two concurrent solo exhibits by Maui artists Sachelle Dae and Zenobia Lakdawalla as part of the organization’s Solo Artist Exhibition series. An opening reception will take place at the Hui on Friday, March 22 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The exhibitions will be on display from March 22 to May 17.

This month’s Kīhei 4th Friday Town Party will take place at Azeka Shopping Center Mauka from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 22.

The Small Business Administration announced it will close its Kahului Disaster Loan Outreach Center located at the Kahului Public Library at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 23.

After hearing impassioned pleas Tuesday from Lahaina wildfire survivors for quick action in a proposed eminent domain condemnation, Maui County Council members struggled to pin down the property owner on what it would take, or cost, for the county to acquire the nearly 20-acre quarry for final disposal of toxic ash and debris.

Mauiʻs Cathy Toda and Robert Spangler of Maui Lavender are the latest recipients of the Nō Ka ʻOi Highway Hui Adopt-A-Highway award from the state Department of Transportation, Highways Maui District.

Researchers from the University of Hawai’i Cancer Center collaborated on a study that sheds light on the complex links between smoking habits, epigenetics (the factors beyond DNA sequence that impact gene activity), and the risk of smoking-related diseases, such as lung cancer.

Starting this weekend, federal and state agencies, local groups and individuals will come together for Hawai‘i Climate Week (March 23 through 31), hosting a series of events that underscores the importance of taking action and supporting efforts to build a climate-ready Hawai’i.

A public rally is planned this Friday at the Maui County Building to advocate for early childhood care and education. The event is hosted by the Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks and the Hawaiʻi Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance. The March 22 event starts with keiki entertainment at 9:30 a.m., the rally at 10 a.m., and a march at 11 a.m.

Maui Economic Opportunity assisted 20,239 individuals and families and touched 46,971 lives in the 2022-23 fiscal year, according to the recently released “Respond, Respect, Recover: Maui Economic Opportunity Annual Report 2023.”