Featured
Hawaiʻi Judiciary reaffirms commitment to providing language access to the courts
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.
Hoku Dudoit named MEO 2025 Driver of the Year
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 would prohibit sales of bundled foreclosed homes at public sale
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.
Council confirms appointees to Maui boards and commissions
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.
Long-awaited greenway moving forward with potential as Lahaina evacuation route; but project still years away
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.
Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee highlights fireworks bills
Through these legislative efforts, lawmakers aim to reduce the dangers posed by illegal fireworks and hold accountable those responsible for illegal activity.
Upcountry Energy Resilience Project hosts discussion: ‘Understanding Your Electric Bill’
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.
Kula Community Watershed Alliance hosts speaker on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death this Thursday
The Kula Community Watershed Alliance invites the public to its next Community Conversation on Thursday, March 6, at 6 p.m. via Zoom, featuring a presentation on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death by Lissa Strohecker, public relations and education specialist at the Maui Invasive Species Committee.
Applications open for food business incubator program with tuition support
Applications are now open for Cohort 6 of Hawai’i Ag & Culinary Alliance’s Cottage Industry to Commercial Enterprise Scholarship—an initiative designed to help local value-added food entrepreneurs using Hawai‘i-sourced ingredients scale their businesses.
Applicants Wanted for State Ethics and Campaign Spending Commissions
The Judicial Council is seeking applicants to fill upcoming vacancies on the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission. The terms on each commission will run four years from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029.
Update: Episode 12 of Kīlauea eruption ends after 22 hours
Episode 12 of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption of Kīlauea within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park ended at 10:37 a.m. HST on March 5 after just under 22 hours of continuous eruptive activity. Fountaining from the south vent ceased at 10:35 a.m. at the same time summit deflation changed to inflation and tremor decreased. Current hazards include volcanic gas emissions and windblown volcanic glass (Pele’s Hair) that may impact Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and nearby communities.
UH President Wendy Hensel visits UH Maui College
University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel visited UH Maui College on Monday, March 3, as part of her statewide tour of 10 UH campuses and five education centers within her first 90 days in office.
Photo: Wailuku resident serves aboard USS Ralph Johnson in the East China Sea
Ensign Camryn Ban from Wailuku, Maui, hands out zones to zone setters during a general quarters drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) while underway in the East China Sea, March 1.
March 5 meeting to offer updates on wastewater, CDBG-DR and wildfire debris
Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Lahaina Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria.
County DWS to host meetings on water pipe inventory project
Since July 2024, DWS and its Maui-based contractors have inspected approximately 3,000 water service lines in Central and South Maui. An in-person meeting will take place on March 6 in Wailuku.
Actress apologizes after posting turtle touching video
Actress China McClain has apologized to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources after posting a video to her Instagram account, touching a sea turtle on Maui.
Rep. Tokuda to hold statewide telephone town hall, March 13
US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) will hold a statewide telephone town hall on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tokuda will answer questions from participants live over the phone and discuss her actions to help workers, programs, and services that are impacted by federal cuts.
DOH launches bird flu survey for backyard flock owners and bird rescuers
The survey will collect critical information on the understanding of bird flu, as well as the practices and needs of those who keep poultry or care for rescued birds.
‘Safe parking’: A 2024 study reports favorable outcomes in curbing homelessness
As vehicular homelessness rises across the United States, a 2024 study of one of the nation’s largest safe parking programs suggests that providing designated, secure parking spaces for those living in their vehicles can be an effective tool in addressing homelessness.
Lahaina Energy Partnership invites public to third co-design workshop, March 11
The workshop takes place on March 11, 2025, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Lahainaluna cafeteria. This workshop will focus on microgrids, grid ownership models and community priorities.
