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Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization submits annual report to state Legislature
Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization has submitted its fiscal 2024-2025 annual report to the state Legislature. The report covers the period from Dec. 1, 2023, to Nov. 30, 2024.
Bill introduced to establish four-year nursing bachelor’s degree at UH Maui College
In an effort to address the growing problem of nursing shortages in Hawaiʻi, state senators led by Central Maui Sen. Troy Hashimoto are proposing that the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College establish a four-year nursing bachelors of science degree, a significant step up from the current two-year associate program.
Maui to receive $15.6M grant to expand Lahaina recycled wastewater facilities
The US Department of the Interior has awarded the Maui County Department of Environmental Management a $15.6 million grant for recycled wastewater facilities in Lahaina, according to an announcement.
SpaceX seeking permit to splash down in Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean
Public comments are due Jan. 17 on Elon Musk’s plans for his SpaceX rockets to splash down in a much wider area, including Hawaiian waters and 240 nautical miles east of the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary.
Maui County student-athlete travel pilot program proposed for intra-county travel
A three-year travel pilot program for Maui County student athletes would be established and administered by the state Department of Education under a bill introduced by Rep. Mahina Poepoe (Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe, portion of Kahului, Ha‘ikū, Pe‘ahi, Huelo, Nāhiku, Hāna and Kīpahulu).
Documentaries on Rapa Nui and Mauna Kea open Maui’s Sustainability Film Series on Thursday
The County of Maui’s Office of Innovation and Sustainability is teaming up with filmmakers to present a series of short documentaries and feature films focused on sustainability through free community film screenings.
County Agricultural Micro Grant informational meeting set Jan. 15
An informational meeting on the newest round of the Maui County Agricultural Micro Grant will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, in-person at Maui Economic Opportunity in Wailuku or via Zoom.
Hawaiʻi AG releases third and ‘Final Forward-Looking Report’ on Lahaina wildfire
Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez has released the final, forward-looking report for the Department of the Attorney General’s investigation into official government response to the Lahaina wildfire in August 2023. The disaster claimed the lives of at least 102 people, destroyed more than 2,000 structures and left thousands homeless.
Summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano remains paused
The summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano that began on Dec. 23, 2024 has been paused since the evening of Jan. 3, 2025. Subsidence might suggest that the magma column feeding the eruption has withdrawn deeper, but continued glow from the northern eruptive vent last night indicates that lava remains close to the surface.
Fire prevention, housing top priorities as new lawmaking session gets underway
Fires — whether they be wildfires or aerial fireworks — are top of mind for many lawmakers as they prepare for this year’s lawmaking session, beginning Wednesday at the state Capitol in Honolulu.
UHERO: Maui wildfires trigger population loss, economic impact
The devastating wildfires that swept through Maui in 2023 have reduced the island’s population by more than 1,000 residents, driven by increased out-migration and declining in-migration, according to a new blog entry published by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization.
Resilience hubs topic of Mayor’s Sustainability Speaker Series on Thursday
Kristin Baja, who has worked on resilience hubs for more than a decade, will discuss the role of hubs in supporting sustainability during a lecture and a community forum on Thursday, Jan. 16, as part of the County of Maui Mayor’s Sustainability Series.
Two Molokaʻi churches lauded for highway cleanups
The Heart of Aloha Church and Tenrikyo Molokaʻi received the Adopt-A-Highway Nō Ka ʻOi Highway Hui Award for the fourth quarter of 2024 and first quarter of 2025, respectively. Both churches and their volunteers have regularly picked up trash along a two-mile segment of highway for the past eight or more years, helping to prevent roadside rubbish from blowing into the ocean or other sensitive ecosystems.
Vandals use fireworks to damage Kahului School Park’s bathroom storage unit
The restroom storage facility at Kahului School Park Field 2 was broken into and vandalized on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, according to the County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Credit unions urge Maui County residents to beware of phishing text scams
These scams involve bad actors impersonating trusted local banks and credit unions in an attempt to steal sensitive personal and financial information. The Credit Unions of Maui urge individuals to remain vigilant and take immediate precautions to protect themselves from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
Two whales freed of life-threatening entangling gear in separate incidents off Maui
Two humpback whales were freed of life-threatening entanglements on Jan. 8 and 9 off the coast of Maui in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. These most recent responses bring the total number of humpback whale entanglement cases since mid-December to eight.
Paniolo’s Steak & Seafood Bar & Grill opens at Azeka Shopping Center
Joe Lecap, proprietor of Paniolo’s Steak & Seafood Bar & Grill and owner of the former Smokehouse in Lahaina said, “We are excited to welcome back our loyal customers, long-time visitors, and the vibrant faces of South Maui.”
Public comment sought on Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan
County of Maui Department of Agriculture is seeking community input from Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Maui residents on the second draft of the Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan before it is finalized next month.
Hawaiian Electric safety strategy details actions to reduce potential for wildfires
Hawaiian Electric plans to deploy new technology, fortify infrastructure, minimize fire hazards and expand community partnerships to significantly reduce the risk of a wildfire started by its equipment, actions detailed in a new Wildfire Safety Strategy.
Roots Reborn launches “Our Financial Future” program to support immigrant wildfire survivors on Maui
Roots Reborn, a nonprofit disaster response organization dedicated to supporting the migrant and immigrant communities on Maui, announced the launch of “Our Financial Future,” a financial education and aid program for migrant and immigrant survivors of the 2023 wildfires.
