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The Maui County Council unanimously adopted a resolution Friday morning in the Council Chambers honoring kumu hula Iola Balubar for 50 years of excellence in hula and her dedication to the Maui community.

The Department of the Attorney General is deferring any investigative action at this time to avoid interference with a publicly documented federal investigation that resulted in the convictions of former Sen. Jamie Kalani English and former Rep. Ty Cullen for Honest Services Wire Fraud in February 2022.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Maui Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard and immediately shut down Maui Beach Ballroom due to a cockroach infestation, during a routine inspection conducted on Jan. 6, 2026. The establishment is operated by D.H. Investment Inc. and is located at 170 W. Kaʻahumanu Ave., Kahului.

A portion of the initial harvest will be distributed to select schools across the state, helping provide Hawaiʻi’s keiki with fresh, locally grown fruit.  In addition, Mahi Pono mandarins will be available for purchase under Mahi Pono’s “Maui Harvest” brand at select local retailers, including Island Grocery Depot on Maui, KTA Super Stores on Hawai‘i Island, and commissary stores on O‘ahu.

Kapalua Tennis Garden has announced its visitor tennis and pickleball programming and rates. The facility offers membership options, drop-in play, clinics and private lessons for players of all skill levels.

Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union has entered into a 10-year partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, pledging significant financial support to advance the university’s esports program.

The state of Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Business Registration Division is reminding businesses to file their annual business reports. The annual report filing period is related to the business entity’s registration date and can be filed at any time during the quarter in which the filing is due.

A Maui man was airlifted to safety after becoming separated from his outrigger canoe offshore of Spreckelsville on Tuesday afternoon. The incident was reported at 4:17 p.m. on Jan. 6, along the north shore between Pāʻia and Kahului.

Hawaiʻi’s statewide unemployment rate remained lower than the national average in November 2025.

These efforts are at the top of the state’s list of 10 priorities for improving wildfire prevention after the deadly and destructive blaze on Maui in 2023.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation expects to complete the widening of Puʻunēnē Avenue by the end of March 2026, marking a significant milestone for relieving traffic congestion in Central Maui.

Sentry is donating $1 million to three Maui-based nonprofit organizations in recognition of their vital contributions to community well-being, environmental restoration, and the island’s continuing recovery.

Tradewind Group today announced the appointment of Vinodh “Vin” Krishnamoorthy as vice president and chief financial officer. Krishnamoorthy succeeds Nolan Kawano, who will transition into the newly created position of vice president of strategic initiatives.

USACE led the major operation requiring clearance of roughly 400,000 tons of wildfire debris. Debris transfer to the temporary Olowalu site, adjacent to a former landfill, from the devastating 2023 wildfires began in January 2024. The transfer from the TDS to the Permanent Disposal Site in Central Maui began June 16, 2025.

The meeting will include updates on wildfire recovery efforts from the County’s Office of Recovery and other departments and agencies.

Nearly 7 out of 10 residents (68%) say government red tape is a barrier to more housing. The study also revealed that 71% of residents statewide agree Hawai‘i should build more housing as quickly as possible. An estimated 55% of those polled support increasing the height limit for new residential buildings in select areas to increase housing supply.

Tiny, sun-powered organisms found in freshwater pools could soon fuel Hawaiʻi’s sustainable future.

The Kīhei-Wailea Rotary Club will welcome Wendy Hornack, president and founder of Aloha FurEver Pets Foundation, as a guest speaker at an upcoming meeting on Jan. 14, 2026.

The Japanese Cultural Society of Maui will honor recipients of this year’s Nihon Bunka Awards — Melanie Agrabante and Karen M. Wasano — during a Shinnenkai 2026 event at the Maui Beach Hotel on Jan. 24, 2026.

On the Big Island, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until midnight tomorrow for the summits above 11,000 feet.