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US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured $1.3 million in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations deal for ʻAha Pūnana Leo. The funding will be used to train teachers, support families, and develop new early childhood education Hawaiian language materials, such as books and videos, to help young children build literacy and math skills.

The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, in collaboration with Hawaiian Electric, is bringing back the popular Maui Power Pathways Training Program, a free, 10‑week workforce training opportunity designed to prepare local residents for potential careers with the island’s electric utility. This year, the program will be offered on both Maui and Molokaʻi, expanding access to hands‑on energy sector training.

The “Go Slow – Whales Below” initiative is urging mariners to exercise caution as humpback whale season reaches its peak in Hawaiian waters. The safety warning follows the recent discovery of a humpback whale calf off the west coast of Oʻahu with a large gash across its back, an injury likely caused by a vessel […]

US Reps. Jill Tokuda of Hawaiʻi and Don Bacon of Nebraska are leading a bipartisan group of 33 lawmakers in a call for Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to exempt healthcare professionals recruited from outside the United States from a new $100,000 H-1B visa fee. In a letter sent to Noem, the lawmakers warned […]

Since Hawaiʻi Community Lending was founded in 2002, the nonprofit mortgage lender has originated 6,559 grants and loans, with more than $203.7 million disbursed, resulting in more than 6,500 ‘ohana in homes

Beginning at noon on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, Haleakalā National Park will temporarily close the Headquarters Visitor Center located 1 mile past the entrance station. Closure of the Haleakalā Visitor Center (summit location) will begin on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. The closures are part of a planned interior remodel. Access to both the headquarters and summit restrooms remain open. The Kīpahulu district visitor center remains open.

With forecasts predicting severe weather, including thunderstorms and strong winds this weekend, Hawaiian Electric officials said Thursday they are closely monitoring conditions and preparing crews to respond to potential power outages. The company will schedule additional crews to repair damage to the electric system, clear fallen trees or vegetation and restore power. “We urge our […]

The state already has spent $1 million to dredge the incoming channel, and now it is spending another $2.2 million to pave the access road, redo the parking lot, renovate the bathroom, add signs and put in a leach field.

The State of Hawaiʻi Organization of Police Officers announced the installation of its new State Board of Directors following a December election.

A cold front will move southeast into Kauaʻi late this afternoon, then through Oʻahu and into Maui County tonight, bringing wet weather to the state. The front will stall over Maui County this weekend, allowing deep tropical moisture to pool over the island chain.

Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. (NYSE: MLP) welcomes Soulberry Ice Cream to Hāliʻimaile, expanding the lineup of local, community-focused businesses in the heart of Upcountry. Operated by Maui resident Kaitlyn Dasler and her family, Soulberry serves made-to-order real fruit ice cream, blending premium, Maui made ice cream with fresh fruit for a creamy, colorful swirl that highlights Maui-grown ingredients and flavors.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is reporting the expansion of a community outbreak of chickenpox (varicella) on the island of Kauaʻi to 10 cases, linked to four schools, raising concerns that the highly contagious disease will continue to spread. The DOH Disease Investigation Branch urges families and schools to take proactive steps to limit the spread of chickenpox on Kauaʻi.

This Saturday, Maui OnStage invites movie lovers to a special big-screen showing of the 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz. The magic starts before the movie begins. Moviegoers who arrive one hour early can enjoy the “Oz Festival” in the theater lobby. Perfect for families, this pre-show event features character meet-and-greets and fun “Oz Skip” dance lessons to […]

Lāna‘i will have another opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted pesticides next month as the Pesticides Branch of the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity continues its second annual statewide Pesticide Disposal Program for commercial users of pesticides. The program provides safe disposal of canceled, suspended, unwanted or unlabeled pesticides free of charge. This program […]

Peter Ho, who has served as chairman and chief executive officer of Bank of Hawai‘i since 2010, will retire effective March 31, the bank announced Tuesday. The bank’s Board of Directors has unanimously selected current President and Chief Banking Officer James Polk to succeed Ho as president and chief executive officer upon Ho’s retirement. Polk […]

Rainfall across Maui County remained largely below average during January, with nearly all monitoring sites recording totals well under typical levels for the first month of the year. The dry weather continues a trend from last year, the second-driest year in more than a century. Data from the National Weather Service and the US Geological […]

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health Food and Drug Branch is alerting residents statewide to a recall of Costco Mini Beignets Filled with Caramel because the product contains undeclared hazelnuts and filberts. The label for the product does not indicate the presence of these allergens. The recalled beignets were distributed to Costco locations throughout Hawaiʻi. The […]

Four Seasons Resort Lāna‘i recently named Jessica Candy as its new spa director. In her new role, Candy will oversee all aspects of the resort’s spa and wellness operations. Her responsibilities include daily management, team development, treatments, retail, fitness facilities and the Yoga Wellness program. Candy joins the resort with nearly 20 years of experience […]

Project Maui Nui, presented by Maui Economic Development Board, convened the 16 fellows of the 2026 Ka Ipu Kukui cohort for an intensive three-day workshop to spark innovative solutions that strengthen resilience across Maui County. Ka Ipu Kukui is a year-long program for community-identified, emerging leaders and conceived to address planning for Maui Nui’s future.

The Ehime Maru Memorial Association will hold a memorial ceremony on Feb. 9, 2026 at the Ehime Maru Memorial at Kakaʻako Waterfront Park on Oʻahu from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The ceremony marks the 25th anniversary of the Ehime Maru accident, which claimed the lives of nine Japanese crew members, teachers and high school students.