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2024 Quality of Life & Well-Being Dashboard highlights economic strain, health disparities, more
The College of Social Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, in partnership with the Office of Wellness and Resilience in the Office of the Governor, launched the 2024 Hawaiʻi Quality of Life and Well-Being Dashboard, Dec. 10. Surveying more than 8,000 residents statewide, the dashboard provides an in-depth look at pressing social, economic and health issues affecting Hawaiʻi’s residents.
FEMA continues the debris removal mission on Maui
The focus has now shifted to commercial debris removal. Currently, all but eight commercial properties in Lahaina have been cleared and completed. All commercial properties are projected to be completed by early 2025.
Hawaiian Electric to install bird diverters using drones in Launiupoko, Maui
Hawaiian Electric will be installing power line markers also known as bird diverters on its electrical infrastructure using unmanned aircrafts, or drones, in the Launiupoko, West Maui area starting as early as Dec. 15 to Dec. 21, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and weather permitting. Electric service will not be impacted.
First Hawaiʻi pediatric influenza-associated death of the 2024-2025 season recorded
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health announced the first influenza-associated death in a Hawaiʻi resident under the age of 18 during this influenza, or flu season.
St. Anthony alumni meeting, Dec. 17, 2024
St. Anthony School in Wailuku will be holding a meeting on campus for all alumni and supporters of the school on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Members of the school board will be providing an update and the formation of an alumni association will be discussed. The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Flex Center (former library).
Hawaiʻi Island police searching for three escapees from Hawai‘i Community Correctional Center
A search is underway for three inmates who allegedly escaped from the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center Hale Nani Facility, 3200 Kanoelehua Ave. in Hilo at approximately 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.
Maui Mall Village announces festive holiday events, kicking off with Season of Giving Food Drive
Maui Mall Village is celebrating the holiday season with a series of festive events and activities designed to spread joy and support the local community. One of the most significant efforts this year is the Season of Giving: A Holiday Food Drive, in partnership with the Maui Food Bank.
Wrapping up holiday cheer with High Watah at Lahaina Cannery, Dec. 21
Lahaina Cannery invites the public to celebrate the magic of the season with a free concert by the popular island band High Watah on Dec. 21, 2024. This festive performance marks the grand finale of Lahaina Cannery’s annual Holiday Cheer events.
Food System advocates urge collective action to address Hawaiʻi food insecurity
The 2024 Hawaiʻi Food System Summit, organized by the Transforming Hawaiʻi’s Food System Together initiative, recently wrapped up their third annual event, which drew over 200 attendees.
State responds to avian flu with voluntary 90-day bird movement pause
In response to the detection of the avian flu virus in Hawai‘i’s wastewater and wild birds, state agencies are urging the public to voluntarily pause the interisland movement of poultry and other bird species for 90 days, effective immediately. This recommendation follows the suggestion of Moloka‘i State Senator and farmer Lynn DeCoite and is a proactive measure aimed at mitigating the spread of the virus.
Lane closures on Kula Highway for bridge inspection
Maui motorists are advised of potential slow downs on Kula Highway (Route 37), on Monday, Dec. 16 and Wednesday, Dec. 18 for routine bridge inspection.
State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program now uses patient history to help identify lethal drug combinations, prevent overdoses
The Department of Law Enforcement Narcotics Enforcement Division is changing the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to help prevent drug overdoses and deaths from lethal drug combinations.
Public invited to join virtual kickoff for Maui County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update working group
The Maui Emergency Management Agency invites residents to join the virtual kickoff meeting for the Maui County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update working group on Tuesday, Dec. 17 from noon to 1 p.m.
Contract finally awarded to dredge volcanic debris that left Pohoiki Boat Ramp landlocked in 2018
The state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation awarded a $9.2 million contract to dredge Pohoiki Bay to Goodfellows Bros., the lowest bidder on the project.
More modular homes to be delivered to the Kilohana temporary group housing site
Motorists on Maui are advised of potential traffic delays as modular homes for wildfire survivors are transported from Kahului Harbor to FEMA’s Kilohana temporary group housing site in Lahaina over the next two weeks.
Short Lane Closures on Moloka‘i to check pavement quality
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation notifies highway users of potential traffic delays beginning Tuesday, Dec. 17 to Wednesday, Dec. 18 as crews check pavement quality on four state highways on Moloka‘i.
Maui rainfall totals below 50% of average for November 2024
Despite the recent dry conditions, rainfall totals for 2024 through the end of November were still near to above average at most of the gages across Maui County. The rain gage at West Wailuaiki Stream had the highest year-to-date total of 198.49 inches (95% of average).
Worker injured in fall from roof, medevaced from Midway Atoll
The US Coast Guard completed the medevac of a 52-year-old man from Midway Atoll Thursday. Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders received notification from US Fish and Wildlife personnel at 10 a.m. Tuesday that a contractor fell from a roof and injured his ankle.
Goodbye Mr. Yap: Maui High principal retiring after more than 40 years in education
Jamie Yap has served at just about every level in the Hawaiʻi Department of Eduction, from elementary physical education teacher to high school principal to interim complex area superintendent.
Hirono, colleagues call on Biden to protect immigrant families ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Trump
US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined six of her colleagues in calling on President Joe Biden to protect immigrant families before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. In addition to Senator Hirono, the letter was also signed by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Alex Padilla (D-CA).
